280 Living February 2024

February 2024 | Volume 17 | Issue 4

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Academic accolades Meet Shelby County’s 2023-24 Teachers of the Year

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

S

helby County Schools have over 1,100 teachers in the district, but each of its 31 schools can choose only one staff member annually as its Teacher of the Year.

Each school’s honoree completes the Alabama Teacher of the Year application, and one elementary and one secondary teacher were chosen to represent Shelby County Schools at the state level.

The educator selected as the Alabama Teacher of the Year will serve as a full-time ambassador for the profession during the 202425 school year. Oak Mountain Middle School’s Jeff Norris is wrapping up his term as the 202324 Alabama Teacher of the Year, which will end in May. 280 Living reached out to the 10 Teachers of the Year at schools in our coverage area to find out more about them and what this honor means to them.

See TEACHERS | page A28

Oak Mountain Elementary teacher Jill Vaughan, Calera Middle teacher Chris Oravet and Calera High School teacher Anna McEntire at the Teacher of the Year awards presentation in December 2023. Photo courtesy of Shelby County Schools.

Making music with joy

Miss Hoover’s Teen Ali Mims performs an aria during the third annual Joyful Noise Talent Show at Double Oak Community Church on Jan. 12. Proceeds from the talent show benefit bringing music classes and instruments to special needs classrooms across Alabama. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Miss Hoover’s Teen 2024 spreads love of music with students

By JON ANDERSON Ali Mims developed a love for music and singing as a toddler, and music has played a big part of her life for all of her nearly 17 years.

And now Mims, a senior at Chelsea High School

INSIDE

Sponsors .............. A4 City ........................ A6

Business ............... A8 Community ......... A12

Schoolhouse .......A14 Sports...................A18

who is Miss Hoover’s Teen 2024, is busy not only preparing for the Miss Alabama’s Teen competition coming up in March but also sharing her love of music with special needs children across the state.

See MISS HOOVER’S TEEN | page A30 Events.................. A24 Calendar..............A25

Opinion................ A26 Real Estate.......... B15 facebook.com/280living

Fond Farewell

Medical Guide

Following a 10-year run as Spain Park’s volleyball coach, Kellye Bowen is returning to her hometown to lead the Jasper High program.

Get to know some of the health and wellness providers along the 280 corridor.

See page A20

See page B4

A2 • February 2024

280 Living

Keep your finances safe with these six fraud prevention tips How are you keeping your accounts safe from financial fraud? Becoming a victim of fraud causes a lot of hardship, from having to cancel your cards or stop checks to in some cases closing your accounts altogether.

As a banker in Birmingham, one of my goals for 2024 is to help my clients prevent financial fraud and keep their assets safe. Fraudsters are out there, and fraud is happening, so we need to mitigate risk and work to avoid becoming victims.

With that in mind, here are six simple tips I’m sharing with my clients to help them prevent fraud.

REVIEW YOUR ACCOUNTS DAILY. One of the simplest ways to keep your personal and business finances secure is to check your accounts each day. If a fraudster does access your account, it’s best to catch it quickly and not wait for your monthly statement. A great tip is to diversify your accounts, so all your money isn’t in the same place. This way if something does happen all your money isn’t at risk. I recommend my clients keep their money in savings and transfer what they need to an operating or checking account.

USE CREDIT CARDS WHEN POSSIBLE. Using a credit card puts the credit card company on the hook for fraud instead of you. When using a credit card, the credit card company assumes the risk instead of you as the consumer. Make sure to check these accounts regularly as well so you can report fishy activity as soon as possible. Credit cards offer protection by eliminating the risk of your bank account numbers being compromised and your cash being taken.

REDUCE PHYSICAL CHECK-WRITING. The most prevalent and challenging fraud to manage is from physical checks. I advise my clients to exercise extreme caution when issuing a physical check and whenever possible, to steer clear of mailing it. A check sent through the mail is handled by numerous people and provides many opportunities for them to access your financial information. A fraudster can cause significant damage with the info on a check, leaving you to bear the brunt of the consequences.

USE CHECK AND ACH POSITIVE PAY. If you are a business owner, try Check and ACH Positive Pay. It’s a simple way to protect your business transactions. The way it works is every day you upload the checks or ACH transactions you’ve submitted to a software that shares that information with the bank who knows exactly what transactions to approve. Any transaction not on the list would be denied. This keeps you safe from check washing and other fraudulent schemes.

ONLY ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNTS ON A SECURED NETWORK. Digital security is a concern for everyone. I recommend staying as safe as possible by only accessing your online accounts on your own private WIFI networks. Using public-unsecured networks can put your accounts at risk. As an extra step of precaution, we recommend you change passwords regularly.

GET TO KNOW YOUR BANKER! Your banker is one of the first lines of defense when it comes to preventing fraud. Think of your banker like your primary care physician - you want to keep them updated as your life and needs change. If you are as transparent as possible with your banker about your financial situation, lifestyle and plans, they can provide fraud prevention tools tailored to you.

Joe Taunton is Vice President Market Manager at Valley Bank in Birmingham and has been in banking for 12 years.

This article is made available for informational and educational purposes only.

Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein are solely that of writer and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of Valley National Bank. ©2024 Valley National Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. Equal Housing Lender. All Rights Reserved.

280Living.com

February 2024 • A3

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Put your health first and start living better right now. Make an appointment at PrimaryCareAppointments.com/grandview, scan the code or call 205-971-DOCS.

A4 • February 2024

280 Living

About Us Editor’s Note By Leah Ingram Eagle Happy February, everyone!

Now that we’re gearing up for Valentine’s Day this month, what better way to spread some love than to our teachers?

In December, I did a short piece on the teachers of the year in Shelby County Schools, but we had an early press date for the January papers, so I decided to create a more expanded version for this month’s issue.

I’m a huge teacher fan. I serve on the PTO at both of my kids’ schools and have done so for years. It’s such a joy to be able to be able to respond to teachers’ requests for items they need, help out in the classroom and

school, I can still remember most of my teachers. My favorites were my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Roberts (we are friends on Facebook!), my high school history teacher, Mr. Bradford, and my band director, Mr. Coggin.

What a lasting impact teachers have on our lives. We salute you all for the amazing job you do each and every day!

at events and serve at special lunches and other events.

Thinking back over my time in

PHOTO OF THE MONTH JJ Robideaux, a fifth grader at Mt Laurel Elementary who is mostly nonverbal, performs the song “Let it Go” from the Disney movie “Frozen” during the third annual Joyful Noise Talent Show, hosted by Miss Hoover’s Teen Ali Mims at Double Oak Community Church on Jan. 12. Proceeds from the talent show will be used to bring music clases and instruments to special needs classrooms across Alabama.

Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Publisher: Dan Starnes

Published by:

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Starnes Publishing LLC P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnesmedia.com

dan@starnesmedia.com Please submit all articles, information and photos to:

Community Editors: Leah Ingram Eagle Jon Anderson Sports Editor: Kyle Parmley Design Editor: Melanie Viering Photo Editor: Erin Nelson Sweeney Page Designer: Ted Perry Production Assistant: Simeon Delante Operations Specialist: Sarah Villar

Please Support Our Community Partners Adams Homes LLC (A24) All of Us UAB Research Study (B12) Ascension St. Vincent’s Health Systems (A29) Bedzzz Express (B1, B16) Bellini’s Ristorante (A18) Birmingham Museum of Art (B3) Birmingham Orthodontics (B1) Brandino Brass (A11) Bromberg’s (A27) Budget Blinds (A17) Cardinal Roofing (A23) Children’s of Alabama (B4) Chiropractic Today (B2) Christian Brothers Automotive /Tattersall Park (A12) Cottontails Village (A30) Clearview Strategy Partners (A31) Cummings Jewelry Design (A1) Element Wellness (A14) Etc. (A15) Eyes on Chelsea (B14) French Drains Pro (A23) Gardner Astroturf (A8) Gardner Landscaping (A7) Gerrick Wilkins for Congress (A10) Grandview Medical (A3) Healthy Smiles of Birmingham (A19) Hearing Solutions (A26) Luckie’s Pine Straw - Straw Daddy (A1) M&M Jewelers (A20) Medicare Advisors of Alabama (B5)

Contributing Writers: Katharine Armbrester Carmen Shea Brown Sean Dietrich Sarah Gilliland Emily Reed Ashley Rogers Alana Smith Grace Thornton Client Success Specialist: Warren Caldwell Business Development Exec: Don Harris

leagle@starnesmedia.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.

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February 2024 • A5

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A6 • February 2024

280 Living

City

County manager gives update on 2024 plans, projects

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE The Shelby County Commission had its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 8.

County Manager Chad Scroggins shared some of the things the county will focus on in 2024.

Mental health and the delivery of community services top the list, and he noted that a team of county employees recently participated in a training with the state Department of Mental Health.

Scroggins made note of the following projects that are in progress or upcoming: ► Construction of the county jail will soon begin. The modification will provide better mental health space, segregation space and health care space. Trey Gauntt, the chief facilities management officer, and his team will work with the team at the Sheriff's Office to make sure the project goes as smoothly as possible. ► Kim Reynolds, office administrator for the commission, will be retiring on Oct. 1 after 32 years of service, and Shelby County CFO Cheryl Naugher will be retiring May 1, 2025.

“We’d like to hire someone early to go through the full budget cycle for her position,” Scroggins said. ► The Water Services building on U.S. 280 in Westover is moving along quickly and the plan is to move into the building in late April and be operational on May 1. ► All of the agreements are in place for the county’s park and recreation grants. ► The trail at Oak Mountain State Park that connects the Belcher Road property to the rest of the park was recently completed and will soon be ready for guests. The parking lot is built and a gate system, restroom and pavilion will be constructed. Scroggins said construction was set to begin on a connector from the Slingshot trail to the Jekyll and Hyde trail, which will allow more circuits to be built inside the park.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office will continue construction on the county jail this year. Photo courtesy of Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

► The Altadena Valley Park, a project with the city of Vestavia Hills, is currently in progress. ► Progress is being made on the pickleball courts at Veterans Park on Valleydale Road.

County Engineer David Willingham provided an update on several road projects: ► Valleydale Road widening project: Alabama Power has been clearing rights-of-way for their transmission pole installation. “It’s the

first in a long line of utilities to be removed.

We’re still potentially years away from road work taking place,” county engineer David Willingham said. ► ARPA stormwater replacements on CR-43 between U.S. 280 and CR-25 are in progress. ► Caldwell Mill Road widening project: The county is in the process of purchasing right-of-way.

► Rebuild Alabama: The commission passed a resolution for an annual report to be created on expenditures for the previous fiscal year and the projects’ status. Willingham said $3.056 million in rebuild funds were spent and all of the projects were completed.

The commission also approved to move the location for absentee voting to the Howard Building located at 202 W. College St. in Columbiana.

Hoover looks for solution to garbage pickup backlog

By JON ANDERSON The city of Hoover is working with its garbage contractor, Amwaste, to figure out a long-term solution to the trash woes that plagued the city over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

An Amwaste official told the Hoover City Council that mechanical issues with garbage trucks were the reason why thousands of residents didn’t get their garbage picked up on schedule between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Amwaste normally has 14 trucks to pick up garbage in Hoover, but a “perfect storm” of problems hit the company all at once, said Rick Sweeney, Amwaste’s vice president over operations in Alabama and Louisiana.

Holidays are always a challenging time because the company doesn’t pick up garbage on holidays, and there are no makeup days in Hoover, Mountain Brook and Pelham because the trucks are on a regular schedule to run six days a week in those cities, Sweeney said.

Normally, the company prepares to handle higher volumes on the second pickup of the week for those houses that had service skipped on the holiday, but this year, some vehicles were stuck at third-party repair shops for warranty maintenance, and a plethora of maintenance issues hit the trucks that were in service, Sweeney said.

Ninety-eight percent of Amwaste’s trucks are less than three years old, but there were just a lot of problems at once, he said. Sweeney apologized for the failure to deliver service as promised and said he understands the frustrations of residents and city officials.

After being flooded with calls about missed service, Mayor Frank Brocato put the one garbage truck the city of Hoover owns into service and called in help from the city of Alabaster,

Garbage waits to be picked up in the North Ridge sector of the Trace Crossings community in Hoover on Jan. 3. Photo by Jon Anderson.

which handles its own garbage pickup. Alabaster sent four of its garbage trucks to help, and between the city’s truck, Alabaster’s trucks and Amwaste’s remaining trucks, they worked through New Year’s Day in an effort to get caught up.

The extra trucks from Hoover and Alabaster together picked up garbage from about 3,500 houses, Brocato said.

Amwaste by Jan. 2 was able to bring in four extra trucks from Georgia to get back to a normal trash pickup schedule, Sweeney said.

Brocato said he’s not trying to make excuses for the failure in service this holiday season, but there are indeed some challenging issues facing the trash industry right now. The city will continue working with Amwaste and the Cahaba Solid Waste Disposal Authority, which

contracted with Amwaste on behalf of the city, to get more efficient in identifying missed houses and using more innovative technology, he said.

There need to be better contingency plans in place for mechanical and personnel issues, Brocato said.

One option being considered as a remedy is to return to regular twice-a-week service on only four days of the week (Monday and Thursday for half the city and Tuesday and Friday for the other half). That would leave Wednesdays and Saturdays as options for makeup days when pickups are missed, Brocato said.

That may require more vehicles, so those costs will need to be analyzed, he said.

Some people are quick to say that Amwaste needs to be replaced with another company, but that’s not practical, Brocato said.

Amwaste is a big company that serves a lot of people, and “we believe they have the desire to get everything corrected,” the mayor said.

“We’re going to work with them to see what we can do.”

Under Amwaste’s contract, the city has the option to issue fines for missed service, but tracking the exact amount of time garbage went without being picked up is a cumbersome process, he said. “I would rather spend my energy and my staff’s energy on getting these things corrected.”

Some residents have complained that the holiday lapse in service is indicative of problems they have been experiencing at other times.

Brocato said this was an unusual situation and noted that Amwaste has 9,000 residential pickups a day in Hoover and has a 99% efficiency rate. The city pays Amwaste about $8.7 million a year for that service, officials said.

280Living.com

February 2024 • A7

The Chelsea City Council discusses agenda items during the meeting on Dec. 19. Photo

by Leah Ingram Eagle.

Barber property project off the table in Chelsea

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE The potential 28-acre mixed use project that was presented to the Chelsea City Council by Village Creek Development on Dec. 5 will not move forward.

Chelsea council member Scott Weygand, who also serves on the Chelsea Planning Commission, confirmed during the Dec. 19 city council meeting that the developer has pulled their application for rezoning and the property remains for sale.

“The initial proposal is no longer happening,” Weygand said. “The property is contingent on zoning approval and remains for sale. The planning commission believes the best use for that property is commercial.”

During the Dec. 21 planning commission

meeting, a public hearing on rezoning a 27-acre property, located across U.S. 280 from the Publix shopping center, from E-1 (single family estate district) to PMD (planned mixed use district). A developer presented a project that included 60 to 70 houses on the back of the property, on County Road 440, with commercial parcels in the front, but the planning commission denied the request.

Two other public hearings took place during the meeting. The commission approved rezoning the property at Union Community Church, at the corner of County Roads 32 and 51, to E-1 (single family estate district) so the parsonage on the property can be sold separately from the church. A rezoning request was denied for 33 acres at 15205 U.S. 280 from B-2 (general business district) to PMD (planned mixed

use district.

Also at the Dec. 19 meeting, the council: ► Declared Feb. 18-24 as Arbor Week and Feb. 24 as Arbor Day in the city of Chelsea. ► Authorized the mayor to approve an agreement with E-Footprints Partners LLC to allow the city to participate in the Innovate Alabama program and apply for grants. ► Approved the execution of professional engineering services for the fiscal year 2024 project to create a sidewalk from the Chesser neighborhood to Tractor Supply Co. ► Appointed Paula Davis as Tree Commission chairperson. ► Re-approved Jason Rudakas, Mellissa Townsend, Phillip Bolin and Teresa Chamblee two-year terms on the park and rec board and appointed Brandon Picklesimer to a two-year

term on the park and rec board.

At the council’s first meeting of 2024, on Jan. 2, the city council: ► Appointed Derek Gooden to the Board of Zoning/ Adjustment as a supernumerary member ► Accepted a quote for roadway improvements on Stanley Drive ► Authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with Crexendo. Phones at City Hall and the Chelsea Community Center will be moving to a cloud-based system. ► Accepted a quote of $2,400 from Rogue IT to help with training and set-up for the new phone system. ► The deadline to apply for education and extracurricular grants is Jan. 31. The council’s upcoming meetings are Feb. 6 and 20 at 6 p.m.

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A8 • February 2024

280 Living

Business

Business Happenings COMING SOON

RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS

El Jalisco, a Mexican restaurant with locations in Florida and Georgia, plans to open its first Alabama location at 2673 Valleydale Road, in the shopping center with the Walmart Neighborhood Market at Caldwell Mill Road. This is the 16th location of El Jalisco.

205-637-0014, eljalisco.com

Commercial real estate firm Shannon Waltchack has recently relocated its office space from downtown Birmingham to 3800 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 250.

205-977-9797, shanwalt.com

NOW OPEN

Pinto Thai & Sushi Restaurant, 16712 U.S. 280, Suite B, in Chelsea is now owned by Siam Smile LLC. 205-677-4207, pintothaiandsushirestaurant.com

NEW OWNERSHIP

PERSONNEL MOVES J&M Tank Lines, a trucking company based in Meadow Brook Corporate Park at 1100 Corporate Parkway, has added two new executives to its leadership team. Jeff Arledge is now serving as vice president of maintenance, and Russell Curbo recently joined the company as vice president of safety. J&M Tank Lines specializes in dry-bulk transportation, with experience in food grade, liquid bulk and plastic materials across the Southeast and beyond.

800-456-8265, jmtank.com The newly opened Hemp House Smoke Shop is located in the Village at Lee Branch shopping center at 120 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 110. The business offers a wide range of products that promote wellness, relaxation and enjoyment, including hemp, CBD, vape, delta and other smoking accessories.

205-326-7888

ANNIVERSARIES

Crave is a full-service salon specializing in cuts, color, specialty styles and more. The salon is at 910 Inverness Corners and is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

205-525-8684, cravehairbham.com

Mavis Tires and Brakes is celebrating its one-year anniversary at its location in Tattersall Park. Mavis specializes in tires, brakes, oil changes and many other auto repair or service needs. You can schedule a service appointment online.

205-408-2720, mavis.com

Fancy Fur, 5291 Valleydale Road #139, has been providing grooming services for 16 years. The business offers grooming services for all dog breeds. It also carries a wide array of pet apparel and other boutique items.

205-408-1693, fancyfurpets.com

Tired of your grass not growing?

Sherwin-Williams is celebrating its one-year anniversary in its location at 6309 Adena Lane in Tattersall Park. The store carries a wide range of paints, stains and painting supplies for indoor and outdoor projects.

The staff will help customers decide the right colors and supplies needed for the job.

205-734-4547, sherwin-williams.com Evereve has been at its Summit location for one year.

It is a contemporary clothing boutique specializing in denim, casual wear and occasion dresses. The store also carries accessories and shoes.

205-598-6268, evereve.com Teaspoon has been in its location at The Summit for one year now. The business offers handcrafted bubble teas with creative flavors.

205-502-7232, teaspoonlife.com The Blue Sushi Sake Grill has been open at The Summit for one year. The restaurant is known for its energetic, club-like vibes, premium sake and fresh sushi.

It is located near the Shake Shack.

205-922-0880, thesummitbirmingham.com

Business News to Share?

Do you have news to share with the community about a business in Chelsea or the greater Birmingham area?

Let us know at starnesmedia.com/ business-happenings

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280Living.com

February 2024 • A9

Above: A selection of cookies at the grand opening of Crumbl Cookies in Greystone on Dec. 13. Right: Crumbl Cookies staff pose with owners Rebecca and Jason Dickey. Photos by Sarah Gilliland.

Crumbl Cookies opens Greystone location

By SARAH GILLILAND Jason and Rebecca Dickey are on a roll with the opening of their fourth Crumbl Cookies location in the Birmingham metro area.

Crumbl Cookies Greystone officially opened on Dec. 15, and business has been booming. The Dickeys also own locations in Vestavia Hills, Alabaster and Mountain Brook.

In 2019, the couple began researching jobs for Rebecca as their children were beginning high school and becoming more independent. While they were still considering their options, Rebecca visited the first East Coast location of Crumbl Cookies in Tennessee.

“I went in there and thought, ‘This is it.

This is what I want to do.’ So we began a journey [learning] about how to franchise the Crumbl brand,” she said.

Crumbl started in Utah in 2017 and has since expanded to more than 800 stores in all 50 states and Canada. There are 15 total locations across Alabama.

Crumbl has a signature menu of flavors that rotate weekly, from classics like chocolate chip and pink sugar cookies to specialty flavors like blueberry muffin and Oreo mallow sandwich. They also occasionally partner with film studios like Warner Bros. and Illumination Entertainment to promote recently released movies with special flavors that tie in to the films.

Due to the challenges of the COVID-19

pandemic, building out their first location in Vestavia Hills took a long time. However, about three months after its opening in July 2021, the Dickeys applied to expand the franchise into other Birmingham areas.

Rebecca said that her passion for Crumbl Cookies is not so much about the bakery, but it's really about the business.

“I’ve always loved growing something. To be really great at quality and really great at customer service, and making a difference in our community — that’s what’s really been important to me,” she said.

By corporate mandate, they have to hire more than 70 employees at each location in order to open. Rebecca said that mandate has worked out well for them, and she’s proud

to employ people from the local community.

“I love getting to make a difference in people’s lives and offer jobs. That has been a real big win for me personally — being able to make a difference in employees’ lives and then in the community,” she said.

“It’s [also] important for us to have a family business. All of our kids are involved with us [in some capacity], and that makes us thrilled,” Rebecca added.

Crumbl Cookies Greystone is located at 5403 U.S. 280, between La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries and KidStrong fitness center. It is the only one of the Birmingham-area locations to feature a drive-thru. It is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

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A10 • February 2024

280 Living

‘A story in every aisle’ at Bountiful Gifts

By KATHARINE ARMBRESTER Bountiful Gifts & Apparel has arrived in Chelsea, although the path to opening wasn’t always smooth. After a vehicle crashed into the store and delayed its initial grand opening, the boutique in Chelsea Corners is now developing a set of regular customers.

Paige Lankford owns and operates Bountiful Gifts & Apparel along with her daughter, Jana, and daughter-in-law, Caroline.

“Bountiful already has an amazing community of women stopping by just to chat or grab that must-have,” Lankford said.

She hopes that relationships that form through shopping at Bountiful “will continue to grow and evolve.”

The gift, décor and card shop is a longtime dream of Lankford’s, which began sitting at a kitchen table with her sister years ago. After working more than 40 years in the corporate world, with the support of family and friends, her dream is now a reality.

From the outset, Lankford wanted her boutique to be distinctive and offer something unique to its customers.

“Our desire is that when you walk into our store, you immediately feel a sense of peace and friendship,” she said. “Our ultimate goal is that we are a bountiful blessing to our community and our new friends.”

Shoppers looking for the perfect gift can expect the unexpected when they visit Bountiful for the first time.

“Bountiful is about something different,” Lankford said, “When you come in, we want it to be a blessing.”

Lankford is committed to selling products that are made in the United States, particularly locally made items. Along with apparel and gifts, Bountiful also offers gourmet foods, including coffee and teas from Charleston and organic olive oil from Georgia. In addition, they

Above: Bountiful Gifts & Apparel, located in the Chelsea Corners shopping center, sells a variety of items by local artisans, including jewelry, candles and gifts, in addition to clothing and other accessories. Right: Paige Lankford, owner of Bountiful Gifts & Apparel. Photos

by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

offer a spa lotion line made in Alabama, honey from Huntsville and cards made by local artists.

“Where every aisle tells a story” is Bountiful’s tagline. In its short lifespan so far, the store has already developed quite a story.

Bountiful officially opened on Oct. 6, 2023, but disaster struck on Nov. 2, just two days before the grand opening. A driver suffered a medical emergency and drove through both Bountiful and the Merle Norman store next door.

Lankford lost approximately 85% of her inventory, which forced closure for almost a month. The contractors worked with Lankford so that Bountiful could reopen on Black Friday, one of the most important shopping days of the year.

“Our friends and family came alongside us,” she said.

The boutique’s vendors and artists supported Lankford and her family as well, replacing the lost inventory by creating more products for the winter season on short notice.

In the aftermath of the accident, Lankford’s son told her “Mom, you’re not a quitter.” She said that life throws curveballs all the time, and it’s how you respond to them that makes you successful.

“We had an exciting December,” she said, “We want the community to know that we’re here to stay.”

Lankford said she is also committed to giving back. Bountiful has contributed to three Shelby County schools and also partnered with Hargis Christian Camp by contributing to the camp’s fall festival fundraiser, which used the storefront to sell T-shirts.

Bountiful Gifts & Apparel ► 100 Chelsea Corners, Chelsea, AL 35043 ► Hours: Tuesday noon to 5 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday

“It’s important to us to let the community know that we’re not just a business,” she said.

“We want to be part of their community.”

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280Living.com

Women in Business

February 2024 • A11

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Renee Genereux, Megan Brasher and Scottlyn Carr

Women of Brandino Brass help customers bring their homes to life BRANDINO BRASS

F

ounded in 1948, Brandino Brass in Homewood is a highly respected family business that’s become a recognized industry leader.

Well-known throughout the Southeast and beyond, Brandino Brass is a top destination for anyone seeking a huge selection of top-quality decorative and architectural hardware.

The products at Brandino Brass include everything from cabinet hardware and elegant door knobs to fireballs, custom brass shelving, bathroom accessories and more.

The company carries many unique, high-end hardware makers and vendors, with some products available exclusively at Brandino Brass.

The store features a growing array of interior and exterior lighting, including lamps, sconces, pendants and chandeliers.

In addition, Brandino Brass offers a variety of prices and quality unmatched by the chain stores and prides itself on providing great customer service.

It’s easy to see why the company has become the go-to place for designers, contractors, architects and homeowners who are renovating or building a house.

Among the Brandino Brass team members who’ve worked hard to create this well-deserved reputation are three talented women — Renee Genereux, Megan Brasher and Scottlyn Carr.

Renee Genereux has worked at Brandino Brass since 2010 and is now a co-owner, along with Eric Brandino — grandson of the store’s founder, Tony Brandino — and Jessie Isom.

Like all Brandino Brass staff members, Genereux wears “many, many hats,” she says.

In addition to sales and administration duties, she oversees bookkeeping, helps with the warehouse and helps mentor her co-workers.

“I enjoy working with all the designers, contractors, architects and artists I have met through my 13 years at Brandino,” Genereux says. “You truly form a bond with customers in this role.”

Megan Brasher, who earned her interior design degree from Auburn University, has worked at Brandino Brass for almost 10 years. She focuses on showroom sales but also manages

► WHERE: 2824 Central Ave., Suite 100 ► HOURS: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointments preferred. ► CALL: 205-978-8900 ► WEBSITE: brandinobrass.com the company’s social media, coordinates showroom displays and works in the warehouse.

One of the newest team members, Scottlyn Carr, has worked at Brandino Brass since May 2023 as the showroom sales coordinator. “My primary duties include helping showroom customers and working closely with designers, homeowners and contractors to make their ideas come to life,” she says.

Genereux, Brasher and Carr strive to help their customers pick out just the right products for them.

“Making sure all my customers feel taken care while working with me is my highest priority. Listening to the wants and concerns of clients is crucial to ensure a good experience as well as making sure to provide accurate, efficient answers when needed,” Genereux says. “Being able to visualize and know what my customers want is something that has come with my years of being in this industry.”

“I personally make sure each customer feels as though they are my top priority,” Carr says.

Brasher enjoys the wide variety of clients and products she gets to work with.

“Each client brings a different style and experience with every job,” Brasher says. “When working with clients we work off of their inspiration and how they will be using the space. We discuss day-to-day activities and find hardware that best fits their lifestyle.”

“There are no two projects alike,” she says.

“Curating trust and lasting bonds with customers is something that you won’t find in many places, but it is always a top priority at Brandino Brass,” Genereux says.

The women believe that Brandino Brass is a unique, very special place.

“Brandino Brass is a locally owned business, and there is something special about the small-business aspect that makes your work environment truly feel like home,” Carr says. “In addition to this, we are the home jewelers. We can truly make a home come to life.”

“Brandino Brass has brought a boutique environment to the building industry and has built a reputation through the years as the main source for hardware and lighting,” Brasher says.

“We strive to make sure all jobs are ordered and delivered properly, down to the smallest details.”

Genereux, Brasher and Carr are proud of being women in the hardware business and believe that women make a strong, positive impact in the industry.

“The women at Brandino Brass all work together with our different perspectives, life experiences, work ethic and overall personality,” Brasher says.

“I love seeing them succeed in their roles here at Brandino Brass, and I will always support them in every way I can,” Genereux says.

“I am extremely proud of my co-workers,” Carr added. Two are mothers and balance their work-life balance so well, it is something I truly admire and appreciate. Not only that, but we are women in the hardware industry. If you think about it, that’s something pretty cool considering this is primarily a male-dominated industry.”

Brandino Brass has curated a culture of support that the women are proud to be a part of.

“Brandino Brass has become home for me and a home for my family, as well,” Genereux says. “I take great pride in this company and the people that I get to work with on a day-today basis.”

“We’ve created a casual, enjoyable work environment at Brandino Brass,” Brasher says. “We all have individual roles and responsibilities each day, but also work together and help each other out whenever needed.”

Brandino Brass customers can view the store’s beautiful showroom in person or through a virtual walk-through on the company’s website.

A12 • February 2024

280 Living

Community Have a community announcement? Email Leah Ingram Eagle at leagle@starnesmedia.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Camp Hargis meets fundraising goal

“

By CARMEN SHEA BROWN Hargis Christian Camp President Aaron Knight doesn’t have a recipe for success. He simply trusts the Lord.

He and his wife, Kellie, had 25 months to raise $2.2 million by the end of 2023. Their mission was to pay off their property lease to save Hargis Christian Camp, a beloved landmark of Shelby County for the last 60 years.

Not only did they achieve their goal, but they did it early.

“We raised $2.5 million a week and a day short of 25 months,” Aaron Knight said.

Located in Chelsea at the base of Signal Mountain, Hargis Christian Camp’s mission is to make Jesus known by bringing people together at Christian conferences, retreats and events.

“Over the last two years, 12,000 to 15,000 people from 28 states and four countries visited Hargis, which resulted in 450 decisions to follow Christ,” Knight said.

First opened in 1964, Hargis Christian Camp offers outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, swimming, gaga ball pits and basketball. The camp’s worship center, the Joshua D. Wright Auditorium, has a large indoor playground, and Giltner Hall, the camp’s oldest lodge, has a game room.

Christmas at the Camp was most recently held with cookie decorating, a Nativity hayride and games.

Knight, who grew up near Hargis Lake, said his family knew the Hargis family. He recalled many fond memories of playing at the camp.

“I learned to swim there,” he said “The aquatic center is named after Pepper Edwards.

She taught swimming lessons to a lot of kids

I feel like the people in Chelsea and the Shelby County community have the biggest hearts.

From left, Charlie Dykes, Noah Bode, Claire Gardner, Chris Dykes and Garen Gardner hold signs announcing that Hargis Christian Camp met its fundraising goal to keep the camp in operation. Photo courtesy of Aaron Knight.

in Shelby County.”

However, Knight’s purpose behind saving the camp went much deeper.

“When I was a teenager in the early 1990s, I started doing drugs and went to jail several times,” he said. “I was homeless and lived in about 25 different places around that time.”

Knight committed to his faith when he was 30, after which he went into ministry work. He served as pastor at Redemption Church in Chelsea for six years, until he stepped down in 2016 to run Hargis full-time. Kellie serves as summer

camp director and his son, Drew, and son-inlaw, Lathen Megginson, also work at Hargis.

“They’re building the camp. I just watch,” Aaron Knight joked.

When Knight learned in 2018 that the camp, which had been owned since 1999 by the YMCA, would be going up for sale, he knew he had to save it. Doug Eddleman, the president of Eddleman Properties, Inc., purchased the land that housed the camp in January 2019.

Knight said he began bringing Chick-fil-A biscuits and Krispy Kreme donuts, as well

”

AARON KNIGHT

as cards and letters, on a bi-weekly basis to Eddleman’s Mountain Brook office in hopes of getting a meeting. After several months, Knight said he got the meeting, soon after which he was quoted the price.

Throughout their fundraising efforts, the Knights received donations from as far away as California, as well as free renovation services like paving and roofing. So far, they have been able to repair seven out of the 12 buildings on the property.

“I feel like the people in Chelsea and the Shelby County community have the biggest hearts,” he said.

Knight said he never had any doubt the entire time they were trying to save the camp.

“I had a sense of peace that everything was going to be fine,” Knight said. “God had already come through for us the last two years.”

Knight said the journey in saving the camp has been about obedience.

“I just keep putting everything in the Lord’s hands and keep showing up,” he said. “It’s all in God’s hands, and that’s the best place to be.”

For more information on how to donate or help with the camp’s renovation efforts, visit hargischristiancamp.org.

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280Living.com

February 2024 • A13

Greystone resident elected Birmingham Bar Association president

By GRACE THORNTON Sharon Stuart’s passion for the legal system started early.

“My father was a lawyer, so my interest in the law began when I was a young girl,” she said.

“I was on the debate team early in high school, which furthered my interest in advocacy. My dad always encouraged me to pursue law, and he was proud when I did.”

Now Stuart — a partner with Christian & Small LLP and the president and claims counsel of Attorneys Insurance Mutual of the South — is starting a new chapter in that journey. She will serve as the Birmingham Bar Association’s president for 2024.

The BBA — composed of about 3,200 lawyers, judges and law students — is the state’s largest bar association.

“I am thrilled to lead the Birmingham Bar Association this year, as we focus on the future through strategic planning, with perspective from our past, as we plan for the association’s 140th anniversary next year,” Stuart said.

The anniversary events in 2025 will likely include several commemorative events culminating in a big celebration, she said. “We will also reinvigorate an oral history project started a few years ago to ensure we capture the voices of bar leaders who have helped our association grow and thrive over the years.”

Stuart has been actively involved in the BBA since she started her law career and has held a variety of leadership roles, including a threeyear term on the executive committee. She has also been involved with the Alabama State Bar and served as president of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association.

She said she’s excited about helping set the direction for the BBA as it “fulfills its purposes of maintaining honor and dignity of the profession, promoting the administration of justice, exercising a constructive influence among our members, promoting legal reform, cultivating a spirit of collegiality and goodwill among our

Sharon Stuart has been elected as the new president of the Birmingham Bar Association. Photo courtesy of Shannon Raley.

members and furthering their continuing legal education.”

She’s also excited about carrying on the Students Today Lawyers Tomorrow program, started by immediate past President Marcus M. Maples.

The bar is a collegial, friendly one, Stuart said.

“Historically, we fight hard for our clients but remain friends when the case is over,” she said. “Regardless of the type of law we practice

— civil, criminal, transactional, government — we work together on bar activities, which fosters camaraderie. Since we get to know each other, our bar has a smaller-town feel, even though the legal opportunities in Birmingham are similar to those in bigger cities.”

Stuart grew up in Homewood and graduated from Homewood High School, then she and her husband built a house in Greystone in the early 1990s.

“We’ve been there ever since,” Stuart said.

In December, when Stuart was elected president, the bar also elected Robert E. “Bob” Battle, a founding partner of Battle & Winn LLP, as president-elect and Rebecca A. Beers, a partner at Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell, as secretary-treasurer.

For more information about the BBA, visit birminghambar.org or follow the association on Facebook @BirminghamBar, on Instagram @birminghambarassociation or on X (formerly Twitter) at @Birmingham_Bar.

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A14 • February 2024

280 Living

Schoolhouse Have a schoolhouse announcement? Email Leah Ingram Eagle at leagle@starnesmedia.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Bruno Montessori STEM Lab prepares students for future of technology

“

By CARMEN SHEA BROWN Walk into the new STEM lab at the Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy in Indian Springs Village, and you’re likely to see kids of all ages working on a variety of creative projects.

Kindergarteners making safety belts and digital animations. Third graders building a bee habitat to protect the safety of honeybees.

Middle schoolers designing a therapy toy for a child with cerebral palsy, creating their own apps and building robots.

“We believe that hands-on STEM activities help students discover real-world applications and develop 21st-century skills necessary in today’s world,” said technology coordinator Jessica Linville, who heads Bruno Montessori’s STEM lab. “A STEM classroom allows for this development outside of their regular science and mathematics instruction.”

Linville said many people within the school and community were instrumental in creating the STEM lab, and financial support came from grant funding as well as a donation from the school’s parent teacher organization.

“We try to involve our entire community when making big decisions,” Linville said. “We asked for input from students, parents, teachers and our board.”

Linville said facilities manager Dana Maxfield and a parent volunteer helped construct the STEM classroom, and parents who work in STEM-related careers provided suggestions and guidance.

This year, the STEM lab will serve students in first through eighth grades with weekly classes. Linville said the school will incorporate a kindergarten curriculum next year.

“Hands-on learning is one of the seven pillars

We believe that handson STEM activities help students discover realworld applications and develop 21st-century skills necessary in today’s world.

Zayden Lusk, left, a sixth grader at the Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy, shows Augustine Kwok and her mother, Heather, how to maneuver a robot through the robotics course as Vinita Natrajan, far right, watches. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

of a Montessori education,” Linville said. “We are excited to combine traditional Montessori curriculum with modern STEM curriculum to prepare our students for their future educational endeavors.”

The specific curriculum Linville is following is Project Lead the Way, which uses computer science, engineering, biomedical science and other disciplines to help students become independent thinkers and find solutions to realworld problems.

Linville, who is in her 12th year teaching

at Bruno Montessori, is currently pursuing her certification from Project Lead the Way and the National Institute for STEM Education.

Last year, Bruno Montessori launched the VEX Robotics program, where students learn to build a robot to complete a series of tasks and compete against other schools’ teams.

"Many of our students and families are excited about our new robotics team. Our team includes students who would otherwise not be involved in a school extracurricular, allowing them to explore their strengths. Having a STEM

”

JESSICA LINVILLE

Lab is what makes that possible,” said Leeann Wingard, an upper elementary science teacher and robotics coach.

The academy has three robotics teams, each made up of four students, one of which includes Linville’s son, Ronan, who is in fifth grade.

“The first robotics meeting was last October, and our first competition was in December 2023 in Northport,” Linville said. “One of our teams placed in the Northport competition.”

Linville said she wants to work with other teachers at the academy to incorporate STEM learning in the classroom.

“My vision for STEM class is to allow students to question and problem solve in a creative atmosphere that broadens their way of thinking,” Linville said. “My hope for this class is that my students will be able to think outside the box and gain a drive to become lifelong learners.”

For more information on Bruno Montessori’s STEM initiative, visit brunomontessori.org.

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Members of the Chelsea High School theater class with their award trophies. Photo courtesy of CHHS Theatre Boosters Facebook page.

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Local theater students place in state competition

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Over 100 students from Shelby County Schools attended the State Trumbauer Theatre Competition held at the University of North Alabama in December.

The weekend included 30 individual events, a one-act play festival and a studio theater competition. The festival also offers the opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to audition for college scholarships.

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A16 • February 2024

280 Living

Left: The Shelby County Schools app recently implemented the Rooms feature for a single platform for all communication.

Right: The Shelby Pre-K program will be debuting at Inverness and Oak Mountain elementary schools in fall 2024.

Graphics courtesy of Shelby County Schools Facebook.

Shelby County Schools news roundup

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS RECEIVES A GRADE ON STATE REPORT CARD

Shelby County Schools recently announced the district scored an A on the state report card.

The district score is based on individual scores from schools in the system.

The report card grade considers student achievement, academic growth, college and career readiness and chronic absenteeism for students in each school.

In the category of academic growth, Shelby County Schools received an indicator score of 100, meaning that all students are progressing.

NEW ROOMS FEATURE ON SCS APP

Shelby County recently implemented Rooms, a two-way messaging tool that integrates with the new district/school app.

Rooms will provide a single platform for all communications. Parents, students and staff (teachers, administrators, coaches, etc.) will now be able to share class assignments,

messages, dining options, sports schedules, extracurricular club information and more.

Teachers and staff will begin implementing Rooms at a gradual pace throughout the 20232024 school year. Some teachers may choose to continue using their current method of communication for the remainder of the school year.

For more information, visit shelbyed.k12. al.us/page/rooms-support.

NEW PRE-K PROGRAMS COMING TO SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Inverness Elementary and Oak Mountain Elementary will be debuting pre-K programs in fall 2024.

The Office of School Readiness (OSR) is housed within the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (DECE) and is charged with administering Alabama's statefunded pre-kindergarten program. OSR funds and administers First Class Pre-K classrooms in public and private schools, Head Start programs, military programs and community- and faith-based education programs.

OSR was created in the 2000 legislative session and started with eight pilot pre-K

programs. Since then, state funding for First Class Pre-K has grown and the program has expanded to 1,250 classrooms in all 67 Alabama counties, with a statewide goal of serving up to 70% of 4-year-olds. OSR also supports professional development through education, training and on-site coaching.

The First Class Pre-K program has been awarded the highest quality rating by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) for the past 14 years.

Other Shelby Schools participating in the pre-K program include Shelby Elementary, Vincent Elementary and Wilsonville Elementary.

For information, visit https://www.shelbyed. k12.al.us/page/first-class-pre-k.

3 SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS NAMED TO AP HONOR ROLL

Chelsea, Helena and Oak Mountain high schools were recently named to the 2023 AP School Honor Roll.

The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results and broadening access for students.

Schools can earn the Honor Roll recognition

annually based on their ability to increase their school’s college-going culture, provide opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximize college readiness.

The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Oak Mountain High was named a Gold member. OMHS had 67% of seniors take at least one AP exam during high school, 40% score a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam and 16% take five or more AP exams.

Chelsea High School was named a Bronze member. CHHS had 48% of seniors take at least one AP exam, 29% score a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam and 16% take five or more AP exams.

Helena High was named a Silver member.

Helena had 62% of seniors take at least one AP exam during high school, 34% score a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam and 10% take five or more AP exams.

Chelsea and Helena were also recognized with the AP Access Award for ensuring AP coursework is equally available to students no matter their backgrounds.

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280Living.com

February 2024 • A17

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Students in the health sciences class at Chelsea High School have earned their first set of health care credentials. Photo courtesy of Shelby County Schools.

Chelsea students pass CPCT exam

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Twenty-five students in Chelsea High School’s Healthcare Academy surgical tech program passed the National Healthcareer Association Certified Patient Care Technician exam in December, exceeding the national exam pass rate and earning their first set of health care credentials.

The students are now certified PCTs and are prepared to start hands-on patient care clinical internship rotations at Shelby Baptist Medical Center and Heart South Cardiovascular Group this semester.

The students include Carter Abrams, Mollie Bailey, Vivian Barrett, Jaydah Bearden, Jon'nelle Blue, Savannah Clayton, Rylee DeBord, Abby Guy, Kolbe Hess, Jamie Holsombeck, Shelby Horton, Brant Joffrion, Baylor McCluney, Alana McCulla, Daisy Mitchell, Elizabeth Moreland, Theresa Nguyen, Campbell Parker, Luis Pineda Ventura, Carsyn Polk, Cassidy Reynolds, Cameron Roberts, Isabella Robertson, Melah Vail, Isabelle Willis and Juliana Zatta.

Their health care interests include labor and delivery nursing, hospital human resources and administration, nurse anesthesia, physical therapy, radiology, veterinary science, forensic pathology, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery and pediatric transplant surgery.

Healthcare Academy instructor Andrea

Maddox said she could not be prouder of this year’s internship class.

“Together, they exceeded the national exam pass rate and earned the privilege to attend hands-on patient care clinicals and observe surgical procedures while still in high school,” Maddox said. “This real-world exposure will give them a head start on becoming workforce ready and help lay the groundwork for success in their future educational endeavors. They have set big life goals for themselves, and receiving their CPCT credential is just one of the first steps.”

Health science internship student Jamie Holsombeck said that studying for and passing the CPCT was very important to her, not only so she could move forward into clinicals, but also because it's the first step in everything she wants to do in her life.

“Passing the CPCT has given me more confidence knowing that the health care field is the right path for me,” Holsombeck said. “I'm looking forward to using the knowledge I've learned from studying for the CPCT to help people and also getting to learn more from the professionals I'll meet through internship clinicals. This program has not only grown my passion for working in the healthcare field, but it has also solidified what I want to do with the rest of my life and has made me certain what my future will look like.”

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A18 • February 2024

280 Living

Sports The Metro South seventh grade, left, and eighth grade, right, middle school football teams.

Photos courtesy of Barry Stephenson.

2023 Metro South middle school football Players of the Year announced

By KYLE PARMLEY

BUMPUS

Following the 2023 football season, the Metro South Players of the Year were recognized for their outstanding performances over the seventh and eighth grade football seasons.

Terry Gillespie from Hewitt-Trussville was named the seventh grade Coach of the Year, while Liberty Park’s Brent Brizendine and Hewitt-Trussville’s Scott Bromley earned eighth grade Coach of the Year honors.

BERRY

► 7th: Jameer Hudson, Colton Spencer, Jakobie Bates, Crawford Portera ► 8th: Nicolas McKissic, Wyatt Baty, James Jones, JD Thompson

BRAGG

► 7th: Brooks Beasley, Grayson Burdette, Nathaniel McCloy, Evan Storey ► 8th: Urijah Casey, Cohen Corbell, Mark Moody, Luke Pruitt

► 7th: Josiah Blair, Tyler Foran, Lake Hendricks, Phillip Maye ► 8th: Jerrell Anthony, Mario Gibbs, Rakaveon Goldsmith, Paxton Weatherly

CHELSEA

► 7th: Bryant Wisdom, Cole Carroll, Aiden Skoglund, Caaleb Thomas ► 8th: Hudson Picklesimer, TJ Spell, Noah Lee, Bronnor Sanders

CLAY-CHALKVILLE

HEWITT-TRUSSVILLE

► 7th: Jack Floyd, Hunter Futrell, Searcy Ellis, Daniel Williams ► 8th: CJ Davis, Deonta Pickett, Michael Ross, Tyler Wilson

HOMEWOOD

► 7th: Andrew Knight, Juda Nix, Mac Abernathy, Jakari Haynes ► 8th: Quincy McGhee, Reid Goldstein, Tate Burdeshaw, Marcus McGhee

LIBERTY PARK

► 7th: Markell Compton, Kaleb Martin, Kobe Booker, Kejuan Pryor ► 8th: Christian Bennett Richardson, Rodriquez Penn, Markell Stephens, Oshea Abercrombie

► 7th: William Dedmon, Caleb Hahn, Davis Heilbron, Grayson Roberts ► 8th: Braxton Hunt, Nick Smith, Finley Williams, Preston Deal

HELENA

► 7th: Braylon Cooley, Brooks Essig, Slade Wood, Sam Young ► 8th: Gray Anderson, Luke Carroll, Robinson Peer, Henry Singley

► 7th: Logan Wormington, Christian Grant, Kellen Schultz, Tra’Veon Salter ► 8th: Brayden Jackson, Emmanuel Compton, Will Tayloe, Maddox Johnson

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► 7th: Angelo Petelos, Sam Zanthos, Silas Allday, Eli Byars ► 8th: Brody Hughes, Clayton Cherry, Tucker Kelly, Eli Ervin

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SIMMONS

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► 7th: Bralen Coleman, Isaiah Henley, Kingston Myers, Eli Ogles ► 8th: Whit Goodwin, Dedrick Kimbrough, Maleek Billingsley, Mehkii Billingsley Jason Watson contributed to this report.

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A20 • February 2024

280 Living

Bowen returning home to coach at Jasper

By KYLE PARMLEY The allure of home was simply too much for Kellye Bowen to pass up.

Following a 10-year run as Spain Park High School’s volleyball coach, Bowen is returning to her hometown to lead the Jasper High program.

It’s a move that brings about a heavy mix of emotions for Bowen, who graduated from Curry as a three-sport athlete and still resides in Walker County.

“I’m excited for a new adventure, but very somber in leaving something you helped build,” she said. “I just had a vision and the kids and parents executed. It’s not about me and never was.”

Bowen proved to be the spark the Spain Park program needed when she arrived in 2014. She built the Jags from an afterthought to a powerhouse and led the program to the Class 7A state championship in 2021.

“We started in 2014 from everyone scheduling us for a guaranteed win, to being one of the most resilient programs,” Bowen said.

In 2023, Bowen’s Jags started slow, but the team gradually improved throughout the year and peaked at the end. They ended up winning the Area 6 tournament and ultimately advancing to the state tournament.

“Nobody thought we would do what we did,” Bowen said. “We had just graduated eight seniors and two All-Americans, so this was supposed to be a rebuilding year. I refuse that, because I’m extremely competitive.”

Jasper had become a highly successful program in recent years, winning consecutive Class 5A championships in 2018 and 2019.

“Jasper has a history of winning,” Bowen said. “My whole family lives here. Half the girls on the team, I knew their parents and families growing up.”

Bowen has every intention of restoring the Vikings to that level as the school now competes in 6A. That competitive edge she possesses will be on display once again, as she encounters

Spain Park head coach Kellye Bowen congratulates her team in a class 7A state semifinal match against McGill-Toolen during the AHSAA volleyball state championship, held at the Birmingham Crossplex in October 2020. Photo

by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

another building situation.

“I’m going to schedule the best. If that means we have a losing record, we have a losing record,” she said.

Throughout the decision-making process, the word “family” stuck with Bowen in multiple facets. In many ways, the people in the Spain Park program have become family. The players she invested so much time in, the coaches she spent so many hours with and the parents she relied upon for support.

But her family at home is most important to her. Her husband, Ricky, is now the head

baseball coach at Sumiton Christian School, and her son is in school at SCS as well.

“I wanted to retire at Spain Park, but I had to put my kid above that,” she said. “You only get to raise your kids once.”

In Bowen’s tenure at Spain Park, the Jags won a state title, finished as the state runner-up, appeared in the state tournament three times and won four area championships.

Prior to arriving at Spain Park, Bowen was the coach at Saint James High School in Montgomery for two years, leading the Trojans to consecutive state tournament appearances. She

played volleyball for three years at Mississippi State University.

She was inducted into the Walker County Hall of Fame in 2018 and has won nearly every coaching award throughout the area in her time at Spain Park.

While leaving Spain Park was a choice she did not take lightly, Bowen is ready for the next challenge.

“Jasper is a great school system with great people,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working in the town that built the foundation of the person I am today.”

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280Living.com

February 2024 • A21

Dicen playing role of leader on, off court for Lady Lions

By KYLE PARMLEY Mary Beth Dicen knows only one speed: fast.

As the four-year starting point guard for the Briarwood Christian School girls basketball team, Dicen has made her reputation pushing the ball up the floor. Her quickness is one of her best attributes.

“She’s a special kid. God gave her a big gift,” Briarwood coach Lorie Kerley said.

One of the things that pleases Dicen most is that her teammates know and understand this about her, and they are able to keep up.

“We have a lot of fast players, including our posts,” she said. “So we play really, really quick. We always look to pass and share the ball really well.”

Dicen stands in her own category on the team, in terms of age and experience. She’s the only senior, and there are no juniors on the varsity team this season.

She admits it took her a little time to feel comfortable with the role, but it’s one she now fully embraces.

“What I say and how I act and how I lead or play doesn’t go unnoticed to [the underclassmen],” she said. “I think about when I was younger and I looked up to my seniors, and I would remember the ones that I was like, ‘Wow, they really made an impact of life.’”

Kerley remembers watching Dicen play junior high ball and knowing she would make an impact at the high school level immediately. There was no hesitation about inserting her into the starting lineup from day one of Dicen’s ninth grade season.

“She just stepped right into the point guard position and it was exactly what we needed,” Kerley said.

Dicen said she was a bit unsure of herself as a ninth and 10th grader, but with

age came much more self-confidence. She said much of that belief comes from her younger teammates’ trust in her.

Kerley calls Dicen a perfectionist, which is a benefit in many aspects of life.

On and off the court, Dicen is an artist and hates making mistakes. She just has to be sure she channels that energy in the right directions.

“That’s something that God can use later in her life,” Kerley said. “She’s driven.

She’s going to be successful in whatever she does, because she works so hard.”

As of press time, Briarwood was in the middle of area play, competing against Pelham and Helena. The Lady Lions hope February brings much of the same success as last season, as they advanced past the area tournament and won in the sub-regional round to make it to the regional tournament.

This year’s team appears capable of doing that. After an early-season loss to Gadsden City, Kerley pointed to a meeting between Dicen, Ann Tatum Baker and Emma Kerley. They hashed out some of their goals and committed to the team’s direction. Since then, the progress has been steadily upward.

“We’ve been a total different team since then,” Lorie Kerley said. “I love to watch her on the court. When we come out of a timeout, she grabs everybody and talks to them and gets everybody on the same page.”

Dicen is one of four kids and grew up watching older brothers Jack and Nic play basketball — and in Nic’s case, football — so she has seen it all. She wants to enjoy her final stretch as a Briarwood student-athlete. Her coach believes there is plenty of potential for that to happen.

“I don’t think we’re finished growing yet,” Kerley said. “I don’t think we’ve played our best basketball yet.”

Briarwood’s Mary Beth Dicen (2) dribbles the ball downcourt in a game against Helena at Helena High School on Jan. 9. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

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A22 • February 2024

280 Living

AHSAA reclassification: Lions, Hornets, Jags drop down to 6A

By KYLE PARMLEY The Alabama High School Athletic Association released its new classifications for the next two school years on Dec. 18, following approval by the Central Board of Control.

The AHSAA reclassifies its member schools every two years based on enrollment data for public and private schools across the state. The period announced will be in effect for the 202425 and 2025-26 school years.

Class 7A contains the 32 largest schools in the state, while the other six classes have roughly twice that many schools in each one.

Locally, Spain Park and Chelsea will drop from 7A to 6A, beginning next school year.

Replacing them in football’s Region 3 will be Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa — which jumps from 6A to 7A — and Prattville.

Hillcrest and Prattville will join a football region with Hewitt-Trussville, Hoover, Oak Mountain, Thompson, Vestavia Hills and Tuscaloosa County.

Spain Park and Chelsea will be in Region 3 of 6A, with Benjamin Russell, Calera, Chilton County, Helena and Pelham.

As a result of that shakeup, Homewood moves from Region 3 to Region 5, playing against the likes of Parker, Gardendale, Minor, Mortimer Jordan, Jackson-Olin and Woodlawn.

Mountain Brook remains in 6A as well and heads over to Region 6 with Clay-Chalkville, Huffman, Oxford, Pell City, Pinson Valley and Shades Valley.

Briarwood will return to 5A after four years in 6A. The Lions will slot into Region 5 alongside John Carroll, Center Point, Corner, Carver-Birmingham, Hayden, Ramsay and Wenonah.

The region and area alignments for other fall sports were released as well, including for volleyball, cross-country, flag football and swimming and diving.

The 2023 All-Over-the-Mountain flag football team. Photo courtesy of Scott Butler.

All-OTM flag football team named

By KYLE PARMLEY A Spain Park cheerleader during a game between Chelsea and Spain Park in October at Jaguar Stadium in Hoover.

Photo by Todd Lester.

In 5A volleyball, John Carroll will be in Area 9 with Northside, Sipsey Valley and Wenonah. Briarwood will be in Area 8 with Central-Clay County, Shelby County and Sylacauga.

Area 8 of 6A will contain Chelsea, Helena, Pelham and Spain Park. Homewood will headline Area 9 with Parker, Minor and Jackson-Olin. Mountain Brook will be in Area 10 with Huffman and Woodlawn.

7A volleyball will have a different look as well. Area 6 will consist of Hillcrest, Hoover, Oak Mountain, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County, while Area 7 will have Hewitt-Trussville, Vestavia Hills, Albertville, Grissom and Huntsville.

The full data can be accessed at ahsaa.com.

Coaches from many of the local high school girls flag football teams put together an AllOver-the-Mountain team, recognizing the top players in the area for outstanding seasons.

Vestavia Hills was the top team in the area, as the Rebels finished as the state runner-up in the Class 6A-7A division.

Flag football has been offered the last three years as an emerging sport in the state. It will become fully sanctioned by the Alabama High School Athletic Association next fall, meaning a championship program will be in place and state titles recognized at the end of the season.

1ST TEAM

► McKenzie Stribling, Hoover ► Taylor Kindred, Hoover ► Mallory Ogle, John Carroll ► Emily Stricklin, Spain Park ► Zyian Heligar, Spain Park ► Chenell Hunter, Spain Park ► Christiana Belcher, Vestavia Hills ► Layne Turner, Vestavia Hills

► River Riley, Vestavia Hills ► Emily Spooner, Vestavia Hills ► Julia Rose, Vestavia Hills ► Lindsay Green, Vestavia Hills

2ND TEAM

► Reece Unnoppet, Helena ► Liesel Kellen, Homewood ► Sadie Busbee, Homewood ► Bella Paradise, Hoover ► Hadley Williams, Hoover ► Cecilia Jehu, John Carroll ► Eliza Jehu, John Carroll ► Anna Grace Fuller, John Carroll ► Emily Williams, John Carroll ► Ella Holt, Oak Mountain ► Rory Payton, Spain Park ► Holland Warren, Vestavia Hills

HONORABLE MENTION

► Edison Williams, Homewood ► Ky’ara Walker, Homewood ► Meghan Donahue, Mountain Brook ► Samantha Bennett, Oak Mountain ► Irene Kihara, Spain Park

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280Living.com

February 2024 • A23

Sports Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley

Where to for the Super 7?

There’s plenty to talk more than 47,000 people, about in high school footfirst hosted the Super 7 ball at the moment. in 2021. It is quite a bit We’re not far removed smaller than Jordan-Hare from the completion of Stadium in Auburn and the 2023 season, which Bryant-Denny Stadium saw Central-Phenix City in Tuscaloosa. That made dethrone Thompson for the atmosphere, at least the Class 7A state title and for the 6A and 7A games, Clay-Chalkville defeat pretty electric in my defending champion opinion.

Saraland in a 6A game for So, that leads me to the the ages. question: Where should Parmley In the middle of Decemthe Super 7 be hosted each ber, the Alabama High School Athletic year? On one hand, there is something Association announced its reclassifica- unquantifiable about being able to play in tion and realignment for the following historic venues at Alabama and Auburn. two years. That news immediately sends But those stadiums just seem cavernous, coaches into a frenzy when it comes to even for the 6A and 7A games that bring in the biggest crowds. attempting to fill their schedules.

There is also a change in the College This past season in Tuscaloosa, the Football Playoff structure that could have Super 7 drew a total of 43,014 fans, an effect on the future of the Super 7, the including 11,891 on the opening day, most high school football state championship of those for the 7A contest. Keep in mind, event. The CFP is expanding to 12 teams Bryant-Denny holds over 100,000 people. beginning next season, meaning there is a On the other hand, playing at a smaller realistic opportunity the University of Ala- venue would allow for a more exciting bama and Auburn University could host atmosphere. Think of the last quarterfia quarterfinal game some years. In those nal or semifinal playoff game you went years, there would be no way for the Super to, and how big it felt. Personally, I enjoy 7 to happen at those venues. The Tusca- that the most.

Do you play it at Protective permaloosa News reported the potential future nently? Perhaps the Cramton Bowl in conflicts of that scenario in December.

Right now, the Super 7 rotates between Montgomery should be considered.

Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Birmingham Everyone has their own opinion, and it (Protective Stadium) in a contract that makes for great offseason fodder. runs through 2032. Will there be changes Let me know what you think by reaching made to the contract in order to ensure that out to me on Twitter at @KyleParmley or the Super 7 still has a solid venue each via email at kparmley@starnesmedia.com. season? I imagine so.

Protective Stadium, which opened in Kyle Parmley is the sports editor at 2021 in downtown Birmingham and holds Starnes Media.

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A24 • February 2024

280 Living

Events

280 corridor events guide Mondays: Substance Use Disorder Support Group.

6:30-8 p.m. Asbury United Methodist Church, Room 132. Open to all sober family members and friends age 18 or older. asburybham.org/ care.

Feb. 11: Southeastern Outings Second Sunday Dayhike. 1 p.m. Oak Mountain State Park. A moderate four-mile walk.

Children over 8 years old are welcome. $5 park admission fee. For more information, contact Randall Adkins at 205-317-6969.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Anchor Community Respite Ministry. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Asbury United Methodist Church. and gives care partners a break each week to run errands and rest. asburybham.org/care.

Feb. 13: Republican Women of North Shelby County.

Noon to 1 p.m. Inverness Country Club. Featuring a guest speaker and lunch. Tickets $25. For more information and reservations, email rwnsclunch@gmail.com.

Feb. 3: Chelsea Community Christian Outreach Food Pantry. 10 a.m. to noon. Chelsea Church Of Christ, 10724 Chelsea Rd. No registration needed. Food will be distributed while supplies last.

For more information, visit “Chelsea Community Christian Outreach” on Facebook.

Feb. 13: Valentines Cookie Decorating Class. 6:30 p.m.

Cat-n-Bird Winery. Tickets include themed cookies, icing, all tools, a beverage from Cat-n-Bird Winery and post-class recipes sent via email.

Tickets $55. cat-n-bird.com.

Feb. 3: Music With Stuart Douglas. Noon to 4 p.m. Cat-nBird Winery. Enjoy music with singer/songwriter Stuart Douglas and food with American Kolache. Food starts at noon and music begins at 1 p.m. cat-n-bird.com.

Feb. 3: Eric Essix Group.

7:30 p.m. Song Theatre, Columbiana. Enjoy a night of contemporary jazz. Tickets are $30. shelbycountyarts council.com.

Feb. 9-10: Giggles and Grace Consignment Sale. Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Asbury United Methodist Church. asburygigglesandgrace.com.

Feb. 10: Ultra Donut Dash 5K Trail Run. 9 a.m. Oak Mountain State Park,Runners will eat a total of three donuts during the 3-mile race and must finish their donut before running to the next stop. Visit ultrasignup.com/register and search “Ultra Donut Dash.”

Feb. 24: Music With Pepper Brooks. Noon to 4 p.m. Cat-nBird Winery. Enjoy music with Nashville-based recording artist Pepper Brooks and food from Corazon Mexican. Food is served from noon to 3 p.m. and music from 1-4 p.m. cat-n-bird.com.

North Shelby Library Feb. 5-April 11: Tax Return Preparation. 7:30 a.m. to noon.

Appointment required. Call the library at 205-439-5540 or email nsdirector@shelbycounty-al.org.

PRESCHOOL

Feb. 15: First Priority of Alabama Network Event — North Shelby County. 11:30 a.m. Metro Diner, 180 Inverness Plaza. For more information, contact Debbie DeBoer at debi@ firstpriorityal.com.

Wednesdays: Storytime Friends. 10:30 a.m. Children up to age five. Registration required.

Feb. 17: Music with Madeleine. Noon to 5 p.m. Cat-n-Bird Winery. Enjoy music with Nashville-based recording artist Madeleine and food from Cousins Maine Lobster. Food is served from noon to 5 p.m. and music from 1 to 4 p.m. cat-n-bird.com.

Feb. 8: PJ Storytime — Valentine. 6 p.m. Wear pajamas and snacks are included.

Feb. 17: Mardi Gras Party Featuring the Chuck King Band. 7 p.m. The Grande Hall at Old Mill Square, Columbiana.

Hosted by the federated Women’s Clubs of Columbiana, ,shelbycounty artscouncil.com/mardi-gras-party-fundraiser-2024.

Feb. 23-25: Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Stock up on business or home severe weather supplies during this tax-free weekend. This includes items that could be used in an emergency, costing up to $60, and generators up to $1,000.

Feb. 6: Baby Tales. 10:30 a.m. Birth to 18 months.

CHILDREN Tuesdays: Tech Tuesday. 3:15-4:15 p.m. Children’s Department.

All ages with adult assistance.

Thursdays: Feb. 1, 15 and 29: Family Fun Night. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Feb. 1: Monthly Craft Kit-to-Go. Children’s Department. Make beaded snowflake rings while supplies last.

Feb. 1: Monthly STEM Kit-to-Go. Children’s Department. Use provided clues to learn how birds specialize to thrive in their environment.

Feb. 1-29: Monthly In-House Scavenger Hunt — Hid-

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280Living.com

February 2024 • A25

den Hearts. All ages. Stop by the Children’s Department for a Valentine’s-themed hunt.

World” by Paulette Jiles. Registration is only required if you plan to join via Zoom.

Feb. 2: Spanish Club. 4 p.m. School-aged kids and teens can learn the Spanish language. Registration required.

Feb. 16: Checkers Night. 5 p.m. Registration required.

Feb. 13: Jan the Science Lady — Crazy Catapults.

10:30 a.m.

Feb. 21: Homeschool Hangout — Levers and Catapults. 1 p.m. Grades K-12. Registration required.

Feb. 21: Homeschool Art and Craft Kit. 1 p.m. Grades K-5.

Pick up a young artist kit. No registration required. Adult assistance needed.

Feb. 27: Clean Eating and Detoxing. 10:30 a.m. Presenter Dr. Anita Lee will be discussing clean eating and detoxing.

Mt Laurel Library ALL AGES Feb. 19: Valentine Cookie Mix in a Jar. 2-4 p.m. Drop in and make a cute jar with a Valentine cookie mix. Registration required.

TWEENS AND TEENS Mondays: Teen Dungeons and Dragons. 6 p.m.

Fridays: Tween Open Gaming. 3 p.m. Ages 8-12.

Feb. 2: Spanish Club.

CHILDREN Feb. 2 and 16: Ukulele Storytime. 10 a.m. Ages 19-36 months. Stories, music and bubbles make up the 30-minute program.

Feb. 5: Heartcraft — A Creative Minecraft Challenge. 4 p.m. Registration required.

Feb. 9: Chinese New Year Party. 3-4 p.m. Celebrate with snacks, crafts and trivia.

Feb. 15: Tween Leadership Council Meeting. 4:30 p.m.

Registration required.

Feb. 10: Crafty Saturday. Visit during library hours to make or take a craft to go.

Feb. 19: Tween Book Club. 4:30 p.m. Registration required.

Feb. 14: Valentine’s Storytime at O’Henry’s Coffee.

4 p.m. O’Henry’s Coffee, 300 Carlow Ln., Suite 111. Special storytime with free hot cocoa and treats. Registration required.

Feb. 22: Teen Manga Club. 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 26: Tween Dungeons and Dragons. 4:30 p.m. Registration required.

TWEENS Feb. 12: Tween Take and Make. Pick up a fun valentine craft to make at home.

ADULTS Feb. 6: Acrylic Painting Program. 10 a.m. Registration required.

Chelsea Public Library ALL AGES Feb. 10: Friends of Chelsea Library Book Sale. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Feb. 10: Lego Day. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Feb. 16: Homeschool Hangout. 1 p.m.

Feb. 17: Pokemon Club. 10-11 a.m.

Feb. 24: K.Z.T. Steam Day. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PRESCHOOL Wednesdays: Tot Time. 10:30 a.m.

Thursdays: Mini Music. 10:30 a.m.

TEENS Mondays: Dungeons and Dragons. 4-6 p.m. Ages 12-14.

Wednesdays: Dungeons and Dragons. 5-7 p.m. Ages 15 and up.

Fridays: Theater Club. 2 p.m.

Feb. 12: Teen Dinner and a Book Club. 5 p.m.

ADULTS

Feb. 6: True Crime Book Club. 6 p.m. Provide email in registration for a Zoom invitation.

Feb. 1: Mt Laurel Book Club. 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Discussing “The Secret Book of Flora Lea” by Patti Callahan Henry.

Feb. 13 and 27: Language Club. 5 p.m. Practice and learn languages with other individuals who want to improve their language education. Registration required.

Feb. 12: Mt Laurel Knitting Group. 2-4 p.m. Bring your knitting, crocheting or embroidery to work on.

Feb. 15: NSL Book Club. 10:30 a.m. Discussing “News of the

Feb. 21: Lunch and Learn — Megan Montgomery Foundation. 12 p.m. This event will be led by the Megan Montgomery Foundation for the prevention of domestic violence. Lunch provided.

Registration required.

Feb. 15: Sugar Scrub. 4-6 p.m. This is a drop-in event. Come by during this time to make your own sugar scrub. Registration required.

ADULTS Fridays: Bring Your Own Craft. 1 p.m.

Feb. 8: Adult Book Club. 11:30 a.m.

Feb. 15: BookTalk. 6 p.m.

Feb. 19: Beyond Books. 6 p.m. Beekeeping with George Baldwin. Registration required.

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A26 • February 2024

280 Living

Opinion Sean of the South By Sean Dietrich

Girl Scout cookie season It’s Girl Scout cookie season again, which traditionally begins right after deer season and is followed by Lent.

This is the time of year when words like “Samoas,” “Shortbread Trefoils,” “Do-si-dos” and “Tagalongs” become household names. A season when many of us transition to wearing sweatpants full-time because we love cookies.

Some years ago, two Girl Scout Daisies (kindergarten-age recruits) visited my porch selling cookies. If you’ve never met a Daisy, make it your objective to do so. You will die from cuteness overload.

I told the Daisies that I wanted to buy 100 boxes. I was joking, of course, but they didn’t realize this.

One of the girls had to be revived with cold water. Her friend shouted, “Ohmygosh! Mom! A hundred boxes!”

Whereupon the girl’s mother (this is true) said, “That means we win a pink Cadillac!”

The reason I regularly order cookies is not only because they’re delicious, but because I believe in these girls. I believe in their values.

I believe in their organization. I believe in refined sugar.

My grandmother was a Girl Scout in the early 1920s. My mother was a Girl Scout. My wife was a Girl Scout Brownie — which is the same as a regular Scout, except they don’t file income taxes.

The Girl Scouts represent one of the finest institutions this country has ever produced, and that’s not an opinion. Take, for example, troop leader Emma Hall.

In 1913, during an era of flagrant racism,

Miss Emma’s “Red Rose origins back to 1917, a year Troop” in New Bedford, Masfraught with heartache and viosachusetts, was welcoming lence. There was a World War on. Twenty million men were African-American Girl Scouts into its group. And keep in dying overseas. Newspapers mind, this was happening were reporting rumors of a seven years before American possible Spanish flu epidemic on the horizon. women had the right to vote and 50 years before public A few girls from the “Misschools would be integrated. tletoe Troop” in Muskogee, Oklahoma, started baking I’m telling you, these girls are cool. and selling cookies in a highI first fell in love with the school cafeteria to raise money Dietrich Girl Scouts when I had a gig to send gifts to troops. These writing for a small publication soldiers would have been the in Savannah, Georgia. My assignment was to girls’ brothers, uncles and fathers. cover local history.

The cookies were an instant hit. They One day, I was interviewing a local histo- became so popular that by the 1920s, Girl rian in a coffee shop, when this historian said, Scouts all over the nation were using the same “Have you ever visited the Juliette Gordon simple sugar cookie recipe to raise money.

Low house?”

Back then, the cost of ingredients was about “The what house?” I said.

25 cents per seven dozen cookies. The girls In a few minutes this historian had whisked would bake several batches in one afternoon, me across town to Oglethorpe Avenue for an often on wood stoves, making serious attempts impromptu tour of the birthplace of Juliette to burn down their homes without parental Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts. And supervision. They would turn around and sell I was overwhelmed. these cookies at 35 cents per dozen.

The more I learned about these Scouts, In other words, they were raking it in, hand the more I liked them. This organization did over merit badge. more than introduce values of inclusion and By them ’30s, about 127 Girl Scout counself-confidence during an era when women cils in America were holding cookie sales. By were trivialized. These Scouts also introduced the 1950s, Girl Scout cookies were a national our nation to perhaps the most cherished thing, baked in commercial bakeries and American pastime ever established. delivered door-to-door by hand. By the ’60s, I am, of course, referring to Thin Mints. all Americans — no matter what their creed, The first Girl Scout cookies trace their shape or denomination — had the God-given

opportunity to eat these sacred cookies and gain serious adipose tissue.

I don’t have to tell you that the Scouts are still going strong today. Currently, there are about 2.5 million Girl Scouts in 92 countries.

In an average cookie-year, 1.7 million girl members raise about $800 million dollars.

The remarkable thing about this is that 100% of the money that’s raised stays within local councils and troops, which makes the Girl Scouts of America a very uniquely run organization. Especially when compared to, say, televangelism.

Even during the pandemic, the Scouts were still open for business, although their selling methods were different to keep customers socially distant and safe. But the idea is the same.

I am writing this because I believe in these kids. I admire what they stand for, I love what they do. And I want them to know that I support them. In fact, I just ordered my annual cookies online because, let it be stated here, my household supports our local troops.

Each one of these young women deserves to know that they, like their predecessors, have made my life infinitely more sunny. Not just because of their cookies, but also because in this troubled world, these girls are brave enough to call themselves Scouts.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist and novelist known for his commentary on life in the American South. He has authored nine books and is the creator of the “Sean of the South” blog and podcast.

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Holy Moly Motherhood By Alana Smith

Valentine’s Day Sheesh, those words might give Does she love to read? Get her you the cold sweats. It’s probably a book by the same author as the the most controversial of holidays one she’s reading. Does she love (followed closely by Halloween), coffee? Nothing feels better than with most folks either loving it or ordering a $7 latte and it being hating it. Either you’re all in, or free, so stick a gift card in with you’re yelling, “Don’t come at her Valentine’s candy. Does me, Cupid!” It doesn’t help that she really just want some time the moment the New Year rings alone, away from the kids and in, stores are bursting with teddy the dishes? Give her that. bears and Sweethearts, begging My kids are my favorite part for lovers everywhere to buy. of Valentine’s Day. I love seeing And if you don’t have a Valtheir faces light up over a few Smith entine, all of the heart-shaped balloons and treats. I have two chocolate boxes and diamond young boys, and I think it’s so commercials probably make your stomach turn. important to remember that I’m really raising Maybe your last relationship went down in flames future men — how I approach holidays will likely faster than a California wildfire. Maybe you’ve be how they approach them. Even if I’m not feelsworn off relationships altogether because they ing it, I hope they do. I hope to leave them with are so darn complicated. Maybe you just aren’t the warm and fuzzies about this day that they will feeling the love this year. I don’t blame you. pass on in their future relationships.

Even if you do have a Valentine to celebrate So, if February 14 is not your favorite day, then with, you might not want to. Maybe your spouse I hope you’ll make it better, with a new kind of has been a prickly pain in the rear lately. Maybe Valentine. Love your dog? Valentine him up. Send you just flat out don’t like flowers and candy. your neighbor — who always gets your mail — a Maybe your husband forgot Valentine’s Day box of candy. Go out to dinner with your girllast year, and you wanted to give him a knuckle friends and give those sticky-sweet couples the sandwich. Maybe you just don’t want to face the side eye.

Heck, be your own Valentine. You do you, and crowds and the overpriced steak dinner. I don’t make it your best Valentine’s Day ever. blame you one bit.

Xoxo, I’m not really a flower girl myself. I like sunflowers and would rather have a few of those than Holy Moly Motherhood $70 roses. I also don’t want to cut the stems, pour Alana is a nurse anesthetist, writer and boy the flower food and arrange the whole deal — that spells work, and it’s not really my love language. mom (ages 8 and 3), who lives in north Shelby I think that is a big part of where spouses tend County with her husband, kids and Boxer, Sam. to go wrong with gifting. I know for me, I really When she’s not writing or chasing little humans, just want to be seen and appreciated as a wife and she can usually be found in the aisles of Target. a mother. I want the “We can’t keep this place She shares her writings at Holy Moly Motherafloat without you” sentiment. And paying atten- hood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she takes on all things motherhood and marriage. tion to the little details is key.

February 2024 • A27

A28 • February 2024 TEACHERS

CONTINUED from page A1

HOLLY BROWDER INVERNESS ELEMENTARY

Browder has been teaching for 20 years. Her first two years were in special education and the last 18 years have been as a kindergarten teacher. She is in her 13th year at Inverness Elementary and previously taught at Meadow View Elementary in Alabaster.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?

Browder A: Mrs. Cochrane was my favorite teacher. I was in her first grade class at Valley Elementary. She had a strong love for children!

She made learning fun and exciting.

Q: Why did you choose to become a teacher?

A: I have several teachers in my family and have always loved working with children. I believed teaching was about making a difference in the lives of others. It truly is a gift to be a part of their learning journey.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: The best part of my job happens when a student meets a goal that they have been working so hard to reach. It is their pride and the determination that makes my job so worth it! I will forever be my students’ biggest cheerleader.

Q: What does being named Teacher of the Year for your school mean to you?

A: This award is a humbling experience. It is truly an honor to know that your colleagues have respect and pride in what you strive to do every day. They see you through the good times and challenging times. Without their support, this job would not be possible. As they say, it takes a village!

REBECCA NEWMAN MT LAUREL ELEMENTARY

Newman is in her 19th year in education and has taught at Mt Laurel Elementary for 10 years.

Newman teaches , fifth grade math.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?

A: My favorite teacher was my fifth grade teacher, Stephen Wiley, at Pinewood Elementary school in DeRidder, Louisiana.

Q: Why did you choose to become a Newman teacher?

A: I love being with kids. They are always filled with fun, laughter and joy. Being a teacher is so much more than just teaching, it truly is a ministry.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: The kids! They bring me such joy every single day. The very best part is when you discover those kids that think they aren’t good at math or they genuinely struggle in math, and then being a part of changing that. I love it when they discover that they really can do math and they have that “moment” when everything begins to make sense. Then from there, you get to witness their confidence growing right before your eyes.

Once they find their confidence, they are unstoppable, and it is such an incredible thing to witness and be a part of.

Q: What does being named Teacher of the Year for your school mean to you?

A: It is such a special honor, but I feel like I don’t stand out among the teachers at our school.

Our school is filled with the most amazing teachers in the world. Each and every one of us pour into our students every single day. We are not just invested in their education, we are invested in their lives — who they are, what they have been through and the great things they are going to do.

JILL VAUGHAN OAK MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY

Vaughan

Vaughan is in her 10th year of teaching.

She said being named elementary Teacher of the Year was a “precious surprise.”

“We work among a great community and I’m surrounded by great educators, and it feels undeserving but

280 Living it also feels like a win for all of us too,” Vaughan said. Vaughan teaches first grade.

DANA FURMAN OAK MOUNTAIN INTERMEDIATE

Furman has been in education for 16 years and at Oak Mountain Intermediate School for 12 years. She is in her third year as a gifted specialist for fourth and fifth graders, after previously teaching fifth grade math and science.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?

A: My mother was my fourth grade Furman teacher during her first year of teaching (at a small school where she was the only fourth grade option), so she will be hard to beat. Mr. Gleason, for sixth grade science, was fun and laid back but still got the information across.

Q: Why did you choose to become a teacher?

A: I had no interest in becoming a teacher growing up, but my dad made a comment about family when I was home from college that prompted me to change my major from biology (genetics) to education. He recently passed away, but I was so glad he knew I had been recognized in this way.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: It is sometimes a challenge to teach gifted students something they don’t think they already know, but it’s a thrill for everyone involved when they become deeply engaged in learning something new. My classes provide the school with a daily pre-recorded, student-led broadcast, and so I have the opportunity to see them work through from brainstorming ideas to planning, collaborating, scheduling, organizing, staging, recording, editing and then their feedback after watching the final product in the homeroom with the authentic audience of their peers.

Q: What does being named Teacher of the Year for your school mean to you?

A: Everyone here is above and beyond, so for them to hold me up is sincerely heartwarming. It is not lost on me that being recognized as a special area teacher is outside the norm, but I benefit from having the privilege of interacting with so many faculty members as a gifted specialist. They are truly my village, and I am so very fortunate to call Oak Mountain Intermediate School home.

CATHERINE ACTON OAK MOUNTAIN MIDDLE

Acton is in her 14th year in education and 12th year at Oak Mountain Middle School.

Acton teaches eighth grade English language arts Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?

A: Trina Sularin, now Trina Waites, at Oak Mountain High School. She was one Acton of my high school history teachers. Being a super shy kid, she made me feel seen. She did such a good job of building community in her class; we students genuinely enjoyed being in the room and learning together.

Q: Why did you choose to become a teacher?

A: I wanted to help young people feel understood. Through reading and writing, students learn about all kinds of people and places.

They learn empathy, and they learn about themselves.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: It is hard to pick just one favorite! I love seeing the growth kids make from beginning to end of eighth grade. Right before heading to high school, they become a little nervous about what’s to come and more grateful for the time they’ve had together at middle school. I love when my students make me laugh — you never know what an eighth grader is going to say or do. Also, teachers make the best co-workers.

Q: What does being named Teacher of the Year for your school mean to you?

A: I’m grateful to be recognized for my hard work and other contributions I’ve made to my school. As colleagues, we live a lot of life together, and I have a lot of love and respect for them. For them to think of me as worthy of the honor is very meaningful.

TAYLOR KORSON OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH

Korson has been in education since January 2019 and in her current position as a self-contained special education teacher since August 2019. She teaches students on the alternate pathway.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?

A: In elementary school, it was Mrs. Korson Griffin, my secondgrade teacher. She always had such a warming room and made us all feel loved. In high school, it was Mrs. Hollis, one of the special education teachers at Hoover High School. She inspired me to follow my dream of becoming a special education teacher.

Q: Why did you choose to become a teacher?

A: I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, from the time I was very young. When I was in high school I worked as a special needs aide in a self-contained classroom, and that is when I realized I wanted to teach special education. It was really when I realized my passion for helping people with disabilities.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: One hundred percent the kids! They are the reason I keep coming to work every day. My favorite thing to do with my students will always be a life skills or job skills activity. I love seeing them learn new things that can make their lives easier when they exit high school.

Q: What does being named Teacher of the Year for your school mean to you?

A: It was very special. Due to my job, I only teach nine kids a day. This job can be so hard and sometimes isolating at times, but it was so special that my coworkers saw me and my heart for the kiddos and nominated me. I will never forget. It was an honor of a lifetime.

KAREN PRUITT CHELSEA PARK ELEMENTARY

Pruitt has been in education for 33 years and at Chelsea Park Elementary for 19. Pruitt teaches first grade.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?

A: Mrs Presley. I remember her reading snippets about different states and us ‘traveling’ to those states by individually filling in maps. It was so fun!

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: Watching children develop as readers and writers brings Pruitt me immense joy.

Creating a classroom family and watching students help and love each other is so rewarding.

Q: What does being named Teacher of the Year for your school mean to you?

A: It is an honor to have your peers consider you to be a good teacher. I feel there are so many others at our school that are more worthy but really appreciate the honor.

MARY MAINES FOREST OAKS ELEMENTARY

Maines is in her seventh year in education, all of which have been at Forest Oaks Elementary. She now teaches first grade, after teaching second grade for the previous six years.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?

A: Mr. Fusco, my high school history teacher. Enthusiastic, relational and intentional. He also attended my wedding.

Q: Why did you Maines choose to become a teacher?

A: Coming from a family of educators, I grew up understanding the influence of a teacher. I am living the dream I always had to create a ripple effect each day. Getting to be a part of the lives of children that go beyond the classroom walls is something I do not take for granted. “Teacher” is a term that covers a multitude of roles. We

are caregivers, cheerleaders, innovators, leaders, team players and lifelong learners. It is a joy to have this term as a part of my identity in this world, and I pray others will aspire to choose this profession of beauty, magic and wonder.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: My students. We become a family during the school year and stay a family forever. No other job multiplies love like this.

Q: What does being named Teacher of the Year for your school mean to you?

A: It is truly an honor to receive this title.

Teaching is not just a job but a very special calling. We do what we do because of the love we have for children and our communities, and a love for learning. It is humbling to represent my school in this capacity as I admire the strong, passionate and dedicated educators I am surrounded by daily. I will cherish this always.

BRITTANY BISCH CHELSEA MIDDLE

Bisch is in her sixth year in education and third at Chelsea Middle School. Bisch teaches sixth grade math.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?

A: My eighth grade geography teacher, Ms. Schenauer, from Saville Middle School when I lived in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is the reason I am a teacher today.

Q: Why did you choose to become a teacher?

A: I always loved school as a kid growBisch ing up because of the wonderful teachers I had. I chose to become a teacher in hopes of working toward being as great as those who taught me. I wanted to be the teacher that could give my students a fun, safe and memorable learning experience, just like I had. My hope and goal is for my students to love school and learning, just like I did.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: My students. I love getting to know each of them, celebrating them throughout the year and helping them learn math in a way that makes the most sense to them.

Q: What does being named Teacher of the Year for your school mean to you?

A: It means the absolute world to me. It is such an honor to represent Chelsea Middle School as the 2023-24 Teacher of the Year!

Thank you to all of my Chelsea Middle School colleagues for this incredible recognition

LESLIE STEPHENSON CHELSEA HIGH

Stephenson is in her 27th year teaching and third at Chelsea High School. Stephenson teaches ninth grade english.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school?

A: I had a lot of teachers that I enjoyed. Probably my favorite was my 11th and 12th grade Stephenson English teacher, Mr. Richardson. In his class, we were “people,” not just students. We grew as readers and thinkers and he valued our opinions.

Q: Why did you choose to become a teacher?

A: I think I’ve always known I wanted to be a “helper” of some kind. School wasn’t always my favorite place to be when I was a kid. I wanted to help make school a happy place for kids. Somewhere they could laugh, feel important, learn and grow. I also really like to read, and I wanted to help other people love books as well.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: I feel honored to be a part of the moment when kids finally figure it out, … whatever that “it” might be. Seeing students become more confident in themselves and their abilities is a pretty awesome thing.

Q: What does being named Teacher of the Year for your school mean to you?

A: It’s such a great honor to be chosen by my fellow teachers. I am surrounded by a lot of excellent educators who care a lot about the kids we teach. To be chosen by people I admire and learn from daily is truly humbling.

280Living.com

February 2024 • A29

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A30 • February 2024

280 Living

MISS HOOVER’S TEEN CONTINUED from page A1

Mims created an organization called Joyful Noise several years ago, and last year it became an official 501(c)3 nonprofit. The Joyful Noise Foundation raises money to put musical instruments in special needs classes.

According to Mims, about 75% of schools in Alabama do not offer music education to special needs students.

“That genuinely breaks my heart,” she said.

And she’s doing something about it.

Her foundation has already raised enough money to donate musical instruments for special needs students at more than 20 schools.

Schools file grant applications, and once the money is raised, her foundation provides drums, tambourines, maracas, egg shakers and glockenspiels, she said. She typically sends five to eight of each instrument per school, she said.

She also sends a copy of a book she has written, called “Make Music With Joy;” a coloring book she created called, “Make a Joyful Noise;” and a QR code that links to information on how to use the instruments to play a song she wrote.

Mims, whose middle name is Joy, said she has had a heart for people with special needs ever since she was a little girl. Some of her best friends in elementary school had special needs, and she believes that music can play a part in helping special needs students develop skills they need to succeed in life, she said.

Music therapy and music education have worked in hospitals, she said — not to mention the fact that it just brings a lot of joy.

“You can see the smiles that come over their faces and you can see them just light up when they have an instrument,” she said.

Mims, who is a junior at Chelsea High School, plans to attend Auburn University and major in music education and music therapy.

“I love, love working with children,” she said.

She has already visited Children’s Hospital and schools such as the Linda Nolen Learning Center in Alabaster and introduced the children to various musical instruments. She also enjoys teaching children how to make rhythm

The children’s book “Make Music with Joy”, written by Miss Hoover’s Teen Ali Mims, is sold at the third annual Joyful Noise Talent Show, hosted by Mims at Double Oak Community Church on Jan. 12. Photos by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

with both drums and everyday household items.

Some children who can’t afford instruments can still experience the joy of making music with other items, she said.

Working with special needs students has truly been a joy for her, Mims said.

“So far, it has been one of the best, most

amazing things I’ve done in my entire life,” she said. “That’s what the plan is for the rest of my life.”

Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban and his wife, Terry, purchased some copies of Mims’ book for the Rise Center at the University of Alabama, which serves students with

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disabilities, and Terry Saban read the book to students there on Read Across America Day. “I thought that was awesome,” Mims said. “I was very excited about that.”

Her book was released in October 2022, and her coloring book came out in April of last year.

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280Living.com Mims formerly lived in Chelsea and moved to Harpersville about four years ago. She has been a cheerleader since the sixth grade and now is on the varsity cheer squad at Chelsea High School.

She also is on the Student Leadership Board and in the Key Club and Future Teachers of America.

This will be her third year to compete in the Miss Alabama’s Teen competition. Two years ago, Mims competed as Miss Shelby County’s Teen, and last year she was Miss Tuscaloosa’s Teen. She made the top 10 in the Miss Alabama’s Teen competition both of those years. This year, she’s hoping the third time will be the charm.

Mims said she is thankful to be able to represent Hoover this year. She attends Metropolitan Church of God, which has a lot of people from Hoover, and she sings on the youth worship team there.

Her mother, Haley Houston, is the worship leader and choir director at the church and is a music teacher at Mt Laurel Elementary School, so she has been blessed to essentially have a built-in music teacher at home all her life, Mims said.

Her mother also competed in the Miss Alabama competition for four years, from 1997 to 2000, as Miss Shelby County, Miss Samford University, Miss Magic City and Miss Camellia (in Greenville). She won the Miss Alabama talent competition three of those four years and was among the top five contestants in her final year.

Houston said it has been exciting for her to watch her daughter compete in Miss Alabama’s Teen and work hard to reach her dreams and goals and try to make the world a better place.

“She’s so passionate and wants to do something about it,” Houston said.

Competing in Miss Alabama taught Houston a lot of life skills that she still uses to this day, and she is thrilled to see her daughter develop skills as well, she said.

“Her learning how to form opinions about things at a young age and verbalize it and have confidence to speak up” are all things that are so important, especially for women, Houston said.

For her talent, Mims plans to sing “O Mio Babbino Caro,” an opera song about a woman who begs her father to let her marry the love of her life.

February 2024 • A31

Miss Hoover’s Teen Ali Mims hosts the third annual Joyful Noise Talent Show at Double Oak Community Church on Jan. 12. Proceeds from the talent show benefit Mims’ mission to bring music classes and instruments to special needs classrooms across Alabama.

“It’s my favorite song to sing,” Mims said.

“I love it.”

Mims has been busy attending various events in Hoover as well, including the Taste of Hoover at Aldridge Gardens, a Hoover City Council meeting, the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Riverchase Galleria, Hay Hoover! at Veterans Park, Ho Ho Hoover at the Hoover-Randle Home & Gardens and the city’s Christmas tree lighting at Hoover City

Hall. She also sang the national anthem at the Ady’s Racers event for children with autism at the Barber Motorsports Park.

Mims said she’s grateful for all the support and help she has received from people and businesses in the Hoover community in getting ready for Miss Alabama’s Teen.

“I feel really prepared this year,” she said.

“I am super, super excited. I’m not even really nervous. They’ve done an amazing job

supporting me.”

The Miss Alabama’s Teen competition is scheduled for March 9-10 at Thompson High School. Mims will be one of 38 contestants.

She is scheduled to perform her talent at 2 p.m. on March 9 and participate in the evening gown and fitness competitions at 7 p.m.

Then, on March 10 at 2 p.m., the top 15 will be announced, and the field will be narrowed down to the top five, including the winner.

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February 2024

Teamwork key for Chelsea Equestrians

By EMILY REED For girls in fifth grade to high school, being a part of Chelsea Equestrian means not only the ability to compete with horses, but also to be part of a team.

“The team aspect is really important because it teaches everyone to work together,” said Angie Seabolt, who helped create the Chelsea Equestrian team in 2018. “In the world of equestrian sports, you often have very individually based events, but this allows them the opportunity to compete as a team.”

Currently, the team has 11 members from Chelsea and surrounding areas, with practices throughout the year at Hidden Hills Equestrian Center. The team is coached by Seabolt and Stephanie Gingles.

The team primarily participates in hunt-seat disciplines, a form of front seat riding based on the tradition of fox hunting, and has attended several competitions so far this school year, most recently at the Last Chance Classic on Jan. 6 at Fox Lake Farms, off of Valleydale Road.

“We do well at competitions,” Seabolt said. “We had one competition rescheduled because of rain, which is something that happens occasionally, but each year we have had the team and some of our team members advance to regional finals,

Ava Messer competes with Chelsea Equestrian during The Last Chance Classic at Fox Lake Farm in Birmingham on Jan. 6. Photo by Richard Force.

which are held in Rainsville, Alabama. We have also had team members qualify for zone finals, and this year those will be held in Tryon, North Carolina.”

The team is part of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, which supports three disciplines: hunt seat, Western and dressage.

Seabolt said Interscholastic Equestrian Association is unique because there is no requirement for any rider on the team to own a horse. Competition horses and equipment are provided by the host team at each event.

“It is all done at random, so everyone is judged fairly,” Seabolt said.

“The horse is new to the rider at the

Put Your Best Smile Forward!

competition.”

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association has guidelines for the placement of new riders since they will compete on unfamiliar horses.

Scores at the competitions are based upon horsemanship and riding skills.

“The girls on the team all really enjoy the aspect of variety, in terms

of getting to ride different horses at the various competitions,” Seabolt said. “That not only presents a unique challenge, but it is fun to ride different horses. It also really cuts down on the cost because owning and caring for a horse can be expensive, and this type of competition allows you to not have to own a horse.”

To be a part of the Chelsea Equestrian team, Seabolt said there are evaluations and tryouts each year.

“A lot of the girls on the team ride at Hidden Hills, but we also have some who ride from other areas who are on the team,” she said.

Regular season practices for the girls begin in September and last until the end of January.

Since their debut in 2018, Seabolt said the team has grown and they are more recognized within the community.

“People will see us out with a Chelsea Equestrian team sweatshirt or something and they now recognize and understand who we are,” Seabolt said. “It is a great way for girls who love horses and want to compete to be a part of something.”

To learn more about the team, email Seabolt at cbolt123@bellsouth.net or visit “Chelsea Equestrian Team” on Facebook. For more information about the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, visit rideiea.org.

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B2 • February 2024

280 Living

Helpful Vitamins To Consider 2024 Relying solely on supplements for your daily nutrition is not wise, however, depending on your state of health, certainly there are instances where one or more supplements are needed to address a nutritional deficiency, ailment or toxicity concerns.

Nutritional deficiency is so widespread that almost everyone can benefit from nutritional supplementation. Most common reason for such is our soil depletion and one’s reliance on processed food. Therefore, considering implementing several supplements in 2024 may be helpful for your health and prevention. Here are a few to consider.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb, which helps your body adapt to stress by balancing your immune system, metabolism and hormonal systems. The root contains ingredients that modulate hormones, including thyroid hormone, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. It also suppresses pathways responsible for several inflammation-based illnesses such as arthritis, asthma, hypertension, osteoporosis and cancer. Both in women and men, it supports sexual and reproductive health by boosting testosterone levels and potentially rebalancing hormones including thyroid hormone, estrogen and progesterone. It also has been shown to improve polycystic ovary syndrome and relieve menopausal symptoms.

Berberine is a yellow-colored compound that has antibacterial, anti-inflam-

matory, anti-proliferative, anti-diarrheal, anti-diabetic and immune-enhancing properties. Integrative health practitioners swear by berberine as a general health supplement due to its ability to address a wide variety of health issues such as gastrointestinal issues, diarrhea, and the associated food poisoning.

There is exciting news on the horizon of how berberine is having similar mechanisms of action as the drug metformin. Meaning, it can also be used as an oral hypoglycemic for Type 2 diabetics. Go to doctormurray.com and search for berberine for more info.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), as discussed in the previous article, is known as “the energy vitamin.” Your body requires it for a variety of functions, including energy production, blood formation, DNA synthesis and myelin formation. It also plays an important role in neurological function, and deficiency can culminate in a range of mental health symptoms, from irritability and depression to dementia and even psychosis.

Low B12 also increases inflammation and oxidative stress by raising homocysteine.

High homocysteine, in turn, is associated with cardiovascular disease and decreased immune response. Warning signs of B12 deficiency include brain fog, memory lapses, mood swings, apathy, fatigue, muscle weakness and tingling in the extremities. Your best alternatives include injectable B12 and or sublingual drops or spray. Taking B12

sublingually (either by tablet or spray), goes straight into your bloodstream.

omega-3 primarily in the phospholipid form, which makes it a superior choice to fish oil.

Collagen is the most common and abundant of your body’s proteins. It’s a compound of essential amino acids. Through your diet is the only way to obtain it, your body can’t produce it. To implement, make sure your collagen supplement is certified “100% Organic” to minimize the risk of contaminants associated with concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Seek a less denatured (unhydrolyzed) organic collagen supplement, as it has a more balanced amino acid profile. It’s not very complicated to make your own homemade bone broth, use bones and connective tissue from grass fed, organically raised animals is the preferred source.

Magnesium is involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body, and deficiency can contribute to significant health problems. It’s necessary for the healthy functioning of most cells, especially your heart and muscles. Low magnesium may actually be the greatest predictor of heart disease according to research published in 2017 in Open Heart, showing “subclinical magnesium deficiency can compromise cardiovascular health.” Consider the L-threonate form of magnesium, it’s the best absorbed, and it get into the brain easiest as well.

Omega-3 fats are essential for healthy cell membrane function, and higher omega-3 levels have been consistently linked to better health and longer life spans. The omega-3 fats EPA and DHA protect health and promotes longevity by thinning your blood which discourages inappropriate clotting that can lead to a stroke or heart attack. Also, it lowers serum triglyceride levels, helps with lowering blood pressure, and it has an anti-inflammatory effect as well. The best source of omega- 3, ideally, should be from cold-water fatty fish like wild-caught Alaskan salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel.

If you opt for a supplement, krill oil, delivers

Vitamin D is a must. Ideally, getting your vitamin D from sensible sun exposure is best. The ideal dose for most adults of normal weight is 6,000 IUs a day. However, to know your needs, its best to get your vitamin D level tested twice a year. Taking oral vitamin D together with vitamin K2 and magnesium can also be recommended. If utilizing this form, less vitamin will be needed.

To determine your nutritional deficiencies, in our office we have nutritional questionnaires one can fill out which will provide valuable insight and a starting point.

Consider setting up a nutritional consult. We are here to help. Resources: Mercola.com.

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February 2024 • B3

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B4 • February 2024

2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

280 Living

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

February 2024 • B5

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Medicare doesn’t have to be stressful — let Medicare Advisors of Alabama help MEDICARE ADVISORS OF ALABAMA

ERIC SMITH, OWNER

Q: Who is Medicare Advisors of Alabama?

A: We are a locally owned insurance agency that specializes in helping Alabamians better understand Medicare. Medicare is overwhelming, but once someone with patience and knowledge teaches you the questions to ask and then guides you through the process, the whole thing becomes much less stressful. That’s what we provide: a stress-free Medicare experience.

Q: What does your service cost?

A: Our service is absolutely free. We’re only paid by insurance companies if we help you enroll in a plan. Our reputation has been built on word of mouth and living the Golden Rule. Let us prove it to you.

Q: Why does someone need a broker/adviser?

A: There are so many advertisements and plans available that it’s becoming almost impossible to sort everything out on your own. A good broker will help you see the positives and negatives of the plans and will work to find the best solution for their client and not the insurance company.

Q: When does someone need to help me with Medicare?

A: If you’re turning 65 years of age, you have a seven-month window to enroll in Medicare. It’s also when our team can really help you understand your options. However, if you are still working, you may not want or need to enroll. Deciding when to enroll and what to enroll in are our two most asked questions, and our team can help you make an informed decision.

Q: What if I keep working past age 65?

A: Many people think they’ll face penalties if

► WHERE: 2116 Columbiana Road ► CALL: 205-704-9020 ► WEB: medicareadvice.org

they don’t sign up for Medicare at 65. That can be true, but not always. You can postpone enrollment beyond age 65 if you or your spouse are still working and you have health insurance under an employer plan.

Q: The Annual Enrollment Period ended Dec. 7. Is it too late to make changes?

A: There are several different enrollment periods throughout the year. One overlooked enrollment period (Open Enrollment Period) runs from Jan. 1 through March 31. This period is for a person who needs to change their Medicare Advantage Plan or someone on a Medicare Advantage Plan but would like to return to Original Medicare.

There are also many Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) throughout the year as well.

Q: Where can I get help with Medicare?

A: You can schedule a consultation with someone on our team. We can talk over the phone, meet virtually via Zoom, in-person at our local office, at your home, your business or even out at a coffee shop. We teach classes called “Prepare for Medicare” at our Vestavia office. We have lots of fun, and it’s very educational. No specific products are discussed, but it’s a great way to learn the basics of Medicare and get your questions answered. Call us to RSVP.

A better way to navigate Medicare If you are starting to think about retirement or are approaching age 65, you have probably begun trying to learn more about Medicare.

We know it can be confusing to sift through ALL the Medicare plan options and decide which one to choose. All the advertisers offer to give you advice, but they’re just trying to sell you a product.

Medicare Advisors of Alabama is different.

We are independent insurance brokers, which means we are not tied to any one insurance company. Our goal is to get to know YOU and learn about your specific healthcare needs. We are Medicare experts, and we would love to help you cut through the clutter and find the plan that works best for you!

Call 205.704.9020 or visit www.medicareadvice.org We offer FREE classes on how to Prepare for Medicare. Call us to RSVP for the next class in our Vestavia office at 2116 Columbiana Road.

Medicare Advisors of Alabama is an insurance agency based in Birmingham, AL and not a part of the federal government.

We do not offer every plan available in our area and currently represent 55 out of 56 Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans and 21 out of 27 drug plans (Part D) along with many medigap plans. Contact Medicare.gov at 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options.

B6 • February 2024

2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

280 Living

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

DR. GREGORY GULLUNG

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, SPINE SPECIALIST

DR. LAUREN SAVAGE

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, SPINE SPECIALIST

DR. JOSEPH INGRAM

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON, HAND SPECIALIST

Getting you back in action: comprehensive care at your fingertips

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or more than three decades, OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports has been an integral part of the community, offering comprehensive and dedicated bone, joint and muscle care to Birmingham, Hoover, Childersburg and the surrounding areas. As part of their commitment to providing excellence in patient-centered orthopedic care, they are proud to offer a full spectrum of care, including elbow; foot and ankle; hip; knee; shoulder; back, neck and spine; and hand and wrist treatments. However, even though their offerings have expanded over the years, their main focus has always remained the same — the care of their patients.

With this commitment in mind, their team of experts understands the importance of the spine as a fundamental structure in your body's foundation. Pain in your spine can be debilitating and keep you from what you love to do, whether you’re an athlete or weekend warrior. Those suffering from back pain that radiates down their leg, difficulty turning their head, numbness, pain when sitting, swelling and sleep problems that are caused by neck or back pain should consider seeing an expert so their condition does not get worse.

Back pain is commonly caused by muscle inflammation, traumatic injuries or arthritis-related conditions.

These common conditions include degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves and herniated discs. Traumatic accidents are one of the most common reasons why someone might go to an orthopedic neck expert, but neck conditions can also develop over time due to repetitive motion or reappear years after an injury.

Common neck injuries include pinched nerves, cervical myelopathy and cervical radiculopathy.

Dr. Gregory Gullung and Dr. Lauren Savage, board-certified spine surgeons and fellowship-trained spine experts, specialize in an extensive range of back, neck and spine conditions and treatments. Centered on your well-being, these specialists diagnose spine-related disorders, crafting comprehensive treatment plans emphasizing wellness, prevention and education.

Employing their expertise, they offer innovative nonsurgical and surgical solutions, including minimally invasive procedures, kyphoplasty, and various nerve blocks targeting lumbar, cervical and thoracic areas. Their commitment ensures each patient receives exceptional care throughout their treatment journey.

Dr. Gullung specializes in minimally invasive spine treatments. He prioritizes patient goals, focusing on the

ORTHOALABAMA SPINE & SPORTS ► BIRMINGHAM: 1801 Gadsden Highway ► HOOVER: 118 Mars Hill Road ► CHILDERSBURG: 33637 U.S. 280 ► CALL: 205-228-7600 ► WEB: orthoalabama.com

least invasive treatment method for optimal outcomes and patients' desired lifestyles. Aiming for reliable and efficient patient care, Dr. Gullung offers various treatments, including cervical arthroplasty, anterior cervical decompression, lumbar disc replacement, endoscopic spinal decompression/discectomy, microdiscectomy, laminectomy, minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and anterior and lateral lumbar interbody fusion. He emphasizes guiding patients through treatment, explaining options, risks and expected outcomes.

Dr. Savage excels in minimally invasive spine procedures and arthroscopy, aiming to provide exceptional care by treating patients and their families with the same consideration he would want for his own family.

Dr. Savage offers a wide range of surgical and nonsurgical treatments for the spine, including anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, lumbar microdiscectomy, minimally invasive spine fusion, kyphoplasty, endoscopic spine surgery, sacroiliac joint injections and intradiscal injections as well as lumbar, cervical and thoracic nerve blocks.

Like the spine, the hand and wrist are intricate structures crucial to your daily life — whether at home, work or enjoying your hobbies and activities. Any disruption or discomfort in this intricate network can significantly affect your ability to carry out daily activities, such as driving, preparing meals and getting dressed. Symptoms like difficulty squeezing or grabbing items due to hand and finger weakness, inability to straighten or bend your fingers, numbness and/or tingling, pain when rotating your wrist, stiffness and swelling can indicate underlying issues that might need expert attention.

Seeking timely care for these symptoms is crucial, as it can prevent further complications and ensure a quicker recovery, allowing you to regain full function in this vital part of your body.

Considering its intricate network of joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, hand injuries can stem from

various causes. They often occur due to sudden, forceful trauma or gradually develop over time due to repetitive movements. Traumatic incidents such as a crushed hand in an auto accident, sports-related sprains or fractures from falls are common occurrences. Workplace environments that involve manual labor can also lead to these types of traumatic hand injuries. Common hand conditions include Dupuytren’s contracture, finger dislocation, ganglion cysts, hand or finger fractures, sprains, syndactyly and trigger finger as well as some conditions that also directly affect the wrist, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve injuries, de Quervain's tenosynovitis and sports-related injuries.

Injuries to the wrist can result from various activities, affecting the eight small wrist bones or the interconnected forearm bones. These injuries are often caused by a fall, vehicle accident, repetitive stress or movement and, frequently, athletics. Among the more prevalent wrist injuries are distal radius fractures, sprains, and de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Conditions like triangular fibrocartilage complex tears, wrist dislocation, fractures and tendonitis commonly afflict the wrist, demanding specialized care and treatment options.

Fellowship-trained orthopedic hand and wrist surgeon Dr. Joseph Ingram is dedicated to providing his patients with the compassionate care they need and deserve.

With proficiency in advanced procedures, his approach focuses on restoring function and relieving discomfort for patients with hand and wrist issues. Leveraging his extensive experience and training, Dr. Ingram crafts comprehensive care plans, ensuring top-notch medical professionalism and the latest advancements in treatment options. Dr. Ingram’s expertise encompasses a wide array of conditions and procedures spanning from the elbow to the fingertips, including digital nerve repair, joint replacement, arthritis, surgical interventions for peripheral nerve conditions, fractures and sports-related hand and elbow injuries.

When it comes to finding the right treatment for your injury or condition, start with an expert who knows your unique needs the best. The experts at OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports remain committed to delivering high-quality care. Individuals seeking specialized treatment for spine, hand or wrist concerns are invited to explore all the options available to them. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a spine, hand or wrist expert, please visit orthoalabama.com or call 205-228-7600.

2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

280Living.com

February 2024 • B7

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FOCUSED ON YOU Here for you in Birmingham and Hoover, we are committed to providing excellence in patient-centered bone, joint, and muscle care.

Mary E. Gilmer, M.D.

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To schedule an appointment, call (205) 855-0211 or scan the QR code.

Back, Neck & Spine / Elbow / Foot & Ankle / Hand & Wrist / Hip / Interventional Pain Management / Joint Replacement & Revision / Knee Orthopedic Trauma / Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation / Rheumatology / Shoulder / Sports Medicine

B8 • February 2024

2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Exemplary medical and cosmetic services at 2 convenient locations RENEW DERMATOLOGY

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ince 2018, Renew Dermatology has offered exemplary medical and cosmetic services in Homewood. Our practice continues to grow and Drs Megan Cherry, Kristy Curl, Lauren Hughey and Jen Bares along with physician assistant Shelley Winzeler and nurse practitioners Taylor Holsombeck and Caroline Wilson, are excited to announce that Renew Dermatology has opened a new location to better serve our community.

The second Renew location is right off of U.S. 280 in the Greystone area. Renew Dermatology provides medical care for patients of all ages. They also offer a wide variety of cosmetic services at their state-of-the-art facility including Botox and Dysport neuromodulators, Dermal hyaluronic acid and biostimulatory fillers, and multiple options for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation.

BOTOX AND DYSPORT: FOR MORE THAN CROW’S FEET Fine lines and wrinkles that form due to facial movements can be treated by neuromodulators such as Botox or Dysport, among others. The areas typically treated are frown lines (“elevens”) between the eyebrows, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Additional areas that can be treated are the ropey bands that form on the neck (platysmal bands), gummy smile, widened jaw due to clenching of the teeth and TMJ, fine lines under the eye (“jelly roll”), a downturned smile, bunny lines on the nose, and a bumpy or pebbly chin (peau d’orange). Botox and Dysport can be used preventively to stop the formation of deep lines or correctively to erase them. A treatment with neuromodulators typically takes less than 10 minutes and typically involves a small, relatively painless injection. Results can typically be seen in 5-10 days.

TURN BACK TIME WITH DERMAL FILLERS Dermal fillers are designed to replace the volume loss from aging. They can be used in a variety of areas on the face and hands. There are many treatment options available, and having a detailed cosmetic consultation will help you determine which one is right for you.

To find out if you are a candidate for these services, schedule an appointment today with one of the board-certified dermatologists at Renew Dermatology.

MEET THE TEAM Renew Dermatology’s Greystone office has four fantastic providers on staff: Dr. Kristy Curl, Dr. Jennifer Bares, Caroline Wilson, CRNP and Taylor Holsombeck, CRNP. ► Dr. Kristy Curl: A native of Birmingham, Dr. Curl has specialized in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology for over 15 years. She graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama in 1998 before pursuing her medical degree at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. After graduating with honors she completed her medical training and Dermatology residency at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri. After practicing in Charlotte, NC for almost 4 years, Dr. Curl returned home to Birmingham in 2012. Dr. Curl is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, the Alabama Dermatology Society, and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery. She is a proud member and frequent lecturer for the Alabama Osteopathic Medical Association. Dr. Curl is a faculty instructor and speaker for the Galderma Aesthetic Injectors Network, training other physicians on the art of cosmetic injectables.

Dr. Curl and her family reside in the Greystone area and she looks forward to seeing patients, new and old, again close to home. ► Dr. Jennifer Bares: Dr. Jennifer Cushing Bares

► WHERE: 2827 Greystone Commercial Blvd. in Greystone and 1651 Independence Court in Homewood ► CALL: 205-580-1500 ► WEB: renewdermatology.net

specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.

Originally from Trussville, Alabama, Dr. Bares graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree in 2012.

She continued her medical training at The University of Alabama School of Medicine, where she graduated suma cum laude with AOA honors. Dr. Bares completed an internship at Tulane University in New Orleans before moving to New York City to continue her dermatology training. Dr. Bares completed her dermatology residency at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in 2023. She was selected by her peers to be Chief Resident in her final year of training. She and her husband, Chandler, now reside in Trussville with their dog, Champ. ► Caroline Wilson, CRNP: Caroline is an Alabama

native who recently moved back to her home state from Lexington, Kentucky. She has been practicing in dermatology since 2016. Her areas of focus are acne scarring, hair loss, and psoriasis but she enjoys all aspects of medical and aesthetic dermatology. Caroline graduated Cum Laude from Auburn University's School of Nursing in 2012. She received a Masters at UAB with a specialty in dermatology. Caroline is a member of Dermatology Nurses Association. ► Taylor Holsombeck, CRNP: A Birmingham native, Taylor recently joined Renew Dermatology as a certified registered nurse practitioner. Taylor obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama and spent over eight years in Dermatology before pursuing an advanced degree in nursing. Taylor is a summa cum laude graduate of the Auburn University Family Nurse Practitioner program. While she focuses on general medical dermatology, Taylor enjoys skin cancer screening, acne treatment, and educating patients in skincare maintenance. Taylor currently resides in Mountain Brook with her husband and boy-girl twins.

To make an appointment for medical or cosmetic services at the new location, call Renew Dermatology at 205-580-1500.

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2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

February 2024 • B9

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Call us today to set up your appointment to experience EMSCULTPT NEO! 205-580-1500 MEGAN CHERRY, MD KRISTY CURL, DO LAUREN HUGHEY, MD CAROLINE WILSON, CRNP SHELLEY WINZELER, PA-C TAYLOR HOLSOMBECK, CRNP ANN BEVELLE, AESTHETICIAN KAYLA FISHER, AESTHETICIAN

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B10 • February 2024

2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

280 Living

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

TherapySouth providing ‘Hands On Care, Close to Home — and Work!’

THERAPYSOUTH Q: Why should someone see a physical therapist?

A: Most often, patients are referred to one of our clinics by their orthopedic surgeon or primary care physician to assist with recovery from an injury or procedure. But, physical therapy is beneficial to anyone seeking pain relief and improved function. The physical therapy approach is to evaluate the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems and address movement limitations or malalignments that are affecting mobility and causing pain. When patients come to physical therapy first, they can often avoid unnecessary surgery and medication. Through intentional exercises and hands-on treatment, patients can get back to their hobbies, everyday tasks and more.

Q: Do I need a doctor’s referral to schedule an appointment at TherapySouth?

A: Patients are welcome to schedule an initial evaluation appointment without a physician’s referral. Your therapist will perform an initial evaluation to determine if therapy is appropriate for you and communicate with your primary care physician, or physician specialist, to obtain approval for ongoing treatment. You can also receive wellness services depending on the nature of your problem. To schedule an appointment, patients can call the clinic directly or visit our website to check appointment availability and set up an initial visit.

Q: What makes TherapySouth stand out in the physical therapy industry?

A: TherapySouth is a private, physical therapist-owned practice that has been serving the greater Birmingham communities for over 15 years. Our numerous convenient locations across the metro area allows us to live out our message of providing “Hands On Care, Close to Home — and Work!” Our staff develop relationships with each patient and truly make the clinic environment feel like a family. With access to quality physical therapy care, we believe we can help our community live better, healthier lives!

Q: What would you like potential patients to know about your practice?

A: We take our core values very seriously. We are a company based on faith that believes in family, integrity, service, compassion, fitness, perseverance, and giving. We try to instill these values in all our employees and encourage them to live them out not only at work as professionals, but also in their personal lives.

Q: What does a first visit look like at TherapySouth?

Greystone ► WHERE: 2823 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Birmingham ► CALL: 205-408-1713 ► WEB: therapysouth.com

Chelsea ► WHERE: 100 Chelsea Corners Way, Suite 100, Chelsea ► CALL: 205-678-7272 ► WEB: therapysouth.com

Patchwork Farms ► WHERE: 3056 Healthy Way, Suite 116, Vestavia Hills ► CALL: 205-783-5270 ► WEB: therapysouth.com

A: During the initial evaluation, your therapist will take a thorough history of your condition or injury and review past medical history that may influence your case. Appropriate baseline objective measures will be recorded to evaluate throughout your treatment, such as range of motion and strength. Together, you and your therapist will discuss and set goals to help you achieve maximum function. Your therapist will determine a treatment plan and prescribe a home exercise program for you to perform at home to compliment therapeutic activities performed in the clinic. In addition, skilled manual techniques are utilized to further enhance recovery. Your therapist will communicate and coordinate with other health care professionals as needed to provide optimal care.

Q: Your team offers traditional orthopedic services and wellness services. Can you explain the difference?

A: We are passionate about helping patients go beyond recovery and become stronger and more active in their everyday lives. In addition to traditional treatment for orthopedic injury, we often work with competitive athletes, weekend warriors, or anyone

looking to improve their performance. Wellness services include dry needling, KT tape application, stretching, soft-tissue mobilization, and more. Wellness services can be purchased as time block packages to maximize the success of treatment.

Q: How has TherapySouth grown and changed over the years?

A: Our founder and CEO, Steve Foster, PT, started TherapySouth in 2006 with a vision for the practice to be therapist-owned and provide quality hands-on care, close to patient’s home and work. While the practice has grown to almost 40 clinics across Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi — our commitment to core values and clinical excellence remains the same. In addition, all clinics are owned and operated by physical therapists – ensuring the highest quality of care for our patients. This growth has led to more opportunities for continued education, specialization in needed services and improving the wellness in our communities. We are excited to continue growing our team and to be able to provide resources and training for our staff to make positive impacts in the lives of their patients.

280Living.com

2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

February 2024 • B11

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

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PATCHWORK FARMS 3056 Healthy Way Suite 116 205.783.5270 Ryan Hunt, Clinic Director

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100 Chelsea Corners Way Suite 100 205.678.7272

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2823 Greystone Commercial Blvd 205.408.1713 Cathie Bonner, Clinic Director

2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

B12 • February 2024

280 Living

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

UAB returns ‘value’ to participants in All of Us research program

T

ALL OF US UAB RESEARCH PROGRAM

he National Institutes of Health began enrolling participants in its groundbreaking new All of Us Research Program in 2018.

Working with researchers, health providers, community organizations and universities, including The University of Alabama at Birmingham — the NIH hopes to eventually have at least one million Americans volunteer to take part in All of Us, in which participants share their personal health information to help create one of the largest, most diverse health databases in history.

Scientists will use this data to learn how our biology, lifestyle and environment affect us and to find new and better ways to treat and prevent disease.

They also hope to find ways to better customize medical diagnosis and treatment for individual patients.

Researchers at The University of Alabama at Birmingham are playing a big role in All of Us. UAB leads the All of Us Southern Network, composed of more than 10 sites in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Dr. Bruce Korf, chief genomics officer of UAB Medicine and the associate dean for Genomic Medicine, is the contact principal investigator for the Southern Network.

Dr. Korf calls All of Us “a unique opportunity to influence medicine for a long time into the future.”

The program is designed “to generate the data to understand risk factors for disease and outcomes for a diverse population over a period of time, and from that will come new insights for prevention, diagnosis and treatment,” he said.

A program like All of Us would not be nearly as effective without the tremendous advances in recent decades in the speed and capacity of genetic and genomic research. Genomics refers to the mapping of all the DNA in an organism.

The All of Us research program holds out the “possibility of customizing prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of disease to the individual — taking into account what they are specifically at risk for and how they will respond to treatment,” Dr. Korf said. “This will inform precision medicine for generations to come.”

Nearly 36,000 people have signed up for All of Us in the Southern Network so far, and more than 675,000 Americans have signed up nationwide.

And UAB is continuing to seek new participants in the program.

People who take part will answer surveys on different topics and be asked to share their electronic health record, give samples of blood and urine for lab and DNA tests. The health information that participants share with All of Us goes into a secure database.

By participating in All of Us, people receive numerous benefits. First of all, like the researchers themselves, the participants get the chance to be part of a historic research program.

“One of the major reasons they participate is because they want to be part of something important and meaningful that will benefit their families and future generations,” Dr. Korf said.

Participants also receive “a rich return of value” because All of Us is using genomics, which includes genetic sequencing.

They will have the chance to learn more about their ancestry and genetic traits, but researchers also look at “medically significant genes” in participants who opt into this analysis, Dr. Korf explained. These genes could point out risk for such conditions as cancer or heart disease.

“Most people are not going to have a variant in one of those genes that put them at risk for disease, but if they do, they can be provided genetic counseling,” he said. “For a small proportion of people — about 3% — this can be life-changing and even life-saving.”

The All of Us program reached a milestone in

DR. BRUCE KORF ► CALL: 833-JOIN-UAB ► EMAIL: allofus@uabmc.edu ► WEB: allofus.uabmedicine.org or joinallofus.org

December when the NIH began returning personalized health-related DNA results to more than 155,000 participants, with reports detailing whether participants have an increased risk for specific health conditions and how their body might process certain medications.

For Dr. Korf, the return of the results to participants “was very exciting.”

The wide diversity of All of Us participants is also very important to the project, Dr. Korf said.

“Historically a lot of the research has been done on people of European ancestry, and we’ve learned a lot, but we’ve also learned that some of the things we found don't apply equally well to people of different ancestries,” he explained. “We want to provide medical care that is broadly applicable and available to people regardless of their background.”

More than 50% of people enrolled in All of Us are from racial and ethnic minorities.

“You’ve got to reach out to diverse communities if, in the long run, you want to serve diverse communities,” he said. The success of the All of Us research program also “requires building trust in communities that historically may have had good reason not to be trustful.”

According to Dr. Korf, community engagement has always been a “cornerstone” of All of Us. However, community engagement “does not mean selling the community on the program,” he said. “It’s learning what’s important to the community and making sure that what you’re doing is sensitive to their needs.”

Community members have been part of All of Us from the beginning and people from diverse communities take part in the leadership groups.

As part of this effort to reach as many people as possible, the All of Us Southern Network has several enrollment sites in Alabama.

Last spring, All of Us opened a new site in Dothan, an area which was previously not well-served by the program, Dr. Korf said.

They also have a mobile unit that travels the state, including areas with poor internet access.

“It brings All of Us to people wherever they may be and offers us a chance to involve people who might not otherwise have the opportunity,” Dr. Korf said.

The lofty goal to enroll at least one million participants in All of Us nationwide is still in reach, despite delays caused by COVID-19, he said.

With the slowing of the pandemic, All of Us is back in “a rapid enrollment phase,” Dr. Korf affirmed. “It’s clear that the goal of at least 1 million participants will be reached.”

U.S. residents ages 18 and older can join the All of Us program.

For details, call 833-JOIN-UAB or go to allofus.uabmedicine.org or joinallofus.org.

2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

280Living.com

February 2024 • B13

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

There’s Power in All of Us We're all different, but when we visit the doctor, our treatments are often the same. We think one day health care should be tailored for you. The more researchers know about what makes each of us unique, the more tailored our health care can become.

Join a research effort with one million or more people nationwide to create a healthier future for all of us.

Get started.

To start your journey, go to Participant.JoinAllofUs.org and

$25

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1 Create an account 2 Give your consent

3 Agree to share your electronic health records 4 Complete the Consent to Get DNA Results 5 Answer health surveys 6 Have your measurements taken

Visit allofus.uabmedicine.org or download the All of Us app to get started on your journey.

Apple App Store

Google Play

To learn more and to enroll, contact us at: allofus@uabmc.edu | (833) JOIN-UAB | allofus.uabmedicine.org All of Us and the All of Us logo are registered service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

(height, weight, blood pressure, etc.) and give blood and urine samples, if asked

After completing these steps, you’ll receive $25.

B14 • February 2024

2024 SPRING MEDICAL GUIDE

280 Living

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Treating patients like family EYES ON CHELSEA VISION CARE

Services We Offer • Adult Comprehensive Eye Exams • Pediatric Comprehensive Eye Exams • Myopia Control Therapy • Eye Emergency Treatment • Glasses and Contact Lens fitting • Glaucoma evaluation and treatment • Macular degeneration evaluation and treatment • Dry Eye evaluation and treatment • Vision Therapy • Aesthetic Skin Tightening

Dr. Jessica Palmer

Wide selection of stylish glasses and sunglasses for you to choose from.

Call to schedule an appointment today!

EYES ON CHELSEA 10699 Old Hwy. 280 - Building 2 205.980.4530 • eyesonchelsea.com

Dr. Rena Lewis

Eyes on Chelsea Vision Care offers its patients a wide range of top-quality services and products.

This includes primary eye care, such as eye examinations and prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses.

Eyes on Chelsea provides myopia control with drops and contact lenses, vision therapy for crossed or lazy eyes, glaucoma treatment and various dry eye and anti-wrinkle therapies.

In addition, optometrist Dr. Jessica Palmer and her staff continue to seek out new products and cutting-edge technologies to better serve their patients.

Eyes on Chelsea also offers excellent service in a warm, friendly atmosphere.

“We treat our patients like family,” Dr. Palmer says. “We greet them with a smile and help them see life more clearly.”

Dr. Palmer also takes the time to fully explain the results of eye exams to patients and describe all of their options.

“I listen to what a patient is telling me,” Dr. Palmer says.

A long-time Chelsea resident, Dr. Palmer received her doctorate at UAB in 2005 and has practiced for almost 20 years in Chelsea and Sylacauga. She was named Shelby County Healthcare Practitioner of the Year for 2022.

Are you actually reaching new patients?

Be the voice of your industry in the Medical Guide.

Email dan@starnesmedia.com for your Medical Guide Strategy Session

► WHERE: 10699 Old Highway 280, Building 2, Suite 1 ► CALL: 205-980-4530 ► WEB: eyesonchelsea.com

In their continuing quest to offer patients more options, Palmer and her staff will soon add aesthetic services, such as eyelash lifts and tinting and various facials.

“We already brought in the Cynosure Envy technology for face and neck fine-line treatments,” Palmer says. “The procedure is a non-invasive, pain-free alternative to Botox.”

The practice also serves the pediatric community, thanks to Dr. Rena Lewis, who has more than 30 years of clinical and teaching experience.

280Living.com

February 2024 • B15

Real Estate

By the numbers: December 2022 vs. 2023

119 119 65

35243 35242 35242 65

3522665

35242 65

35216

35043 35043

Note: Data provided by the Greater Alabama Multiple Listing Service on Jan. 5, 2024

Recently sold homes along U.S. 280 Corridor

► ADDRESS: 1009 Idlewild Circle ► BED/BATH: 4/3.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,973 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: The Village at Highland Lakes ► SALE PRICE: $694,000

► ADDRESS: 1115 Haven Road ► BED/BATH: 4/2.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,387 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Liberty Park ► SALE PRICE: $600,000

► ADDRESS: 3755 Keswick Circle ► BED/BATH: 4/3.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,812 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Meadow Brook ► SALE PRICE: $575,000

► ADDRESS: 416 Pin Oak Circle ► BED/BATH: 4/3.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,190 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea ► SALE PRICE: $435,000

► ADDRESS: 120 Greenbriar Place ► BED/BATH: 4/3.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,280 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea ► SALE PRICE: $399,900

► ADDRESS: 708 Morning Sun Drive, Unit 708 ► BED/BATH: 2/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,287 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Horizon Condominiums ► SALE PRICE: $195,000 SOURCE: GREATER ALABAMA MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE

H H H

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*Offers cannot be combined, some promotions may be limited to select sets. Not responsible for errors in ad copy. Quantities and selections may vary by location. Mattress images are for illustration purposes only Gifts with purchase (including gift cards and rebates) are not valid with any other promotions except special financing for 6 or 12 months.** Monthly payment is based on purchase price alone excluding tax and delivery charges. Credit purchases subject to credit approval.

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