280 Living August 2023

Back to school

Students, staff head back for a new school year

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Bells will be ringing soon as the 2023-24 school year begins. Teachers begin professional development on Aug. 4, and students head back to classes on Aug. 10.

280 Living reached out to the principals at each of the schools in our coverage area to find out a bit about what’s ahead for the new school year.

CHELSEA PARK ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL MARY ANDERSON

Anderson is in her 21st year in education, including a total of eight at Chelsea Park Elementary. She works alongside Assistant Principal Jessi Adams.

► Q: Do you have any new administrative hires?

► A: We will have a new administrative assistant, but we do not know who that person is yet.

► Q: Can you share an update from your school?

► A: Our students, faculty and staff finished the year strong. Our iReady data showed a lot of growth in our students. Construction has also been underway on campus. Our maintenance and custodial staff have been working hard this summer to prepare our building for when students return in August.

► Q: Are there any expansion/construction projects taking place at your school?

► A: Yes, construction has begun on an

additional eight classrooms and the new gym. We are very excited about both of these projects and the estimated completion is spring 2024.

► Q: How many students will you have for the 2023-24 school year?

► A: We finished the year with around 876 students. We predict that our enrollment will be around the same, if not a little higher, since Chelsea is continuing to grow.

► Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming school year?

► A: Our expectations are that our faculty and staff continue doing an excellent job preparing our students for the future. With recent Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training and new curriculums, we expect our teachers to provide our students with the best education possible. We also expect our faculty and staff to work even harder on building those positive relationships with our students, so that students feel safe, cared for and loved.

FOREST OAKS ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL STEVI SIMS

Sims is in her 27th year as an educator and her 16th year in Chelsea schools. She works alongside Assistant Principal Carlyn Duncan.

► Q: Do you have any new administrative hires?

► A: We do not have any new administrative hires for the 23-24 school year; however, we are hiring three new classroom teachers, one new PE teacher, a new special education teacher and two new paraprofessionals.

See BACK TO SCHOOL | page A22

Bringing happiness to the hospital

Pyrenees mix with trainer Dorothy Gerr, and her first visit from Daphne, a white Goldendoodle with trainer Connie Wilson.

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Bonnie Atchison’s eyes lit up with happiness when she was visited by two therapy dogs in her seventh-floor room at Grandview Medical Center.

This was her second visit from Hazel, a brown and white border collie / Great

Atchison petted the dogs, told them how beautiful they were and that she loved them. She said while she was in the hospital, she was missing her own dog, a 4-year-old shih tzu named Barkley, and couldn’t wait to get back to see him.

See HAPPINESS | page A20

Brittany Smith, left, and Bonnie Green, center, kneel to pet Daphne and Hazel, two dogs that are part of Grandview Medical Center’s pet therapy program. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Students arrive at Oak Mountain Elementary School. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park programs gear up fall season.

How businesses can make the most of higher interest rates

Alabama businesses of all shapes and sizes are dealing with higher interest rates. No one wants to have this economic environment hurt their business, so let’s look at some ways you can make the best of the situation.

It can become second nature to keep using the same payment methods without looking at what they might be costing you. We are seeing smart businesses take a fresh look at their interest-related costs as they keep a close eye on spending in general.

This higher-interest-rate environment isn’t likely to change any time soon. While inflation shows some signs of getting under control, expect higher rates to stay in place until government leaders are confident that inflation is back on a more reasonable path.

That said, there is an upside if your business has reserves looking for an investment home. For any business, it’s important to manage investment risk. The good news right now is that there are a number of investment vehicles that offer an attractive interest rate, lower risk, and the flexibility a business needs.

For business owners and financial leaders, the first step is to do an audit of how your business pays for materials and services, along with where the business has its investments. Here are three tips to keep in mind as you review your business’ finances for opportunities:

CONSIDER USING A PURCHASING CARD. A purchasing card looks and feels like a credit card, but you pay the balance at the end of each month. This approach can reduce interest costs, and it offers security features vs. paying for items with checks. Also, you can keep your cash in your account earning interest while preparing to make the one monthly payment.

Companies that buy a lot of inventory or spend a lot of capital throughout the month are ideal candidates for a purchasing card. Companies also can use the card as part of an expense system.

A MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT OFFERS BOTH INTEREST AND FLEXIBILITY. Instead of keeping all your money in your operating account, consider using a money market account. With today’s higher interest rates, this type of account can get you a meaningful return.

This can be a good way to invest excess capital, and a money market account offers tremendous flexibility in case you need to make withdrawals.

BUILD A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR BANKER. The more business a company does with a certain bank, the better pricing the bank can provide on its products.

But the advantages of a relationship with your banker go far beyond pricing. A bank should be a key partner and advisor as you consider things like how to pay for growth, how to invest the company’s money, and how to manage cash flow accounts receivable.

As an example of this type of relationship, we work with an area construction company that wanted to talk about how best to deploy the capital it has in reserves. We have helped them get more interest income while managing risk and making sure they have cash available when they need it. (For them, a line of credit is a key part of the equation.)

Whatever your situation, now is the time to talk to your banker, not just when you need a loan. Connect with a Valley Bank team member who can draw on a deep knowledge of the market, along with lessons learned by other companies, and your company will benefit. Contact us by calling Commercial Lender David Ballard at 205-730-3944 or DBallard@Valley.com.

David Ballard is a Birmingham-based commercial lender for Valley Bank.

From left: Jena Green, RN, BSN; Addy Hoezee, PA-C; Danette Bentley, MD; Elizabeth Chase, MD; Evans Bailey, MD, PhD; Abby Melton, PA-C; Jennifer Samson CRNP.

About Us

Editor’s Note

Being a monthly publication, I write my editor’s notes about a month before they publish.

As I write this, it’s currently the sixth week of summer, right at the halfway point before school starts back on Aug. 10.

I’m busy mapping out the last full month of summer and managing to work from home, while my kids (ages 9 and 14) are always asking for food or a phone charger.

I am on the PTO at two Chelsea schools and am making social media posts reminding parents of all the upcoming events they need to know about. Ordering first-day school supplies, when meet the teacher events will be held, what to order on My School Bucks, etc.

This month’s cover story is all about Back to School and features the principals of the schools in our coverage area giving a brief

By Leah Ingram Eagle

and staff.

overview of the new school year.

In addition to school starting back, so is football season! Make sure to check out all of our previews of the local high school teams in this issue.

I’m also excited to share about the pet therapy program at Grandview Medical Center. I got to witness first-hand the impact that the dogs have on hospital patients

I also wanted to mention that 280 Living had a great showing at the Alabama Press Awards at the end of June. I garnered three first-place awards for Best Public Service, Best Local Education Coverage and Best Spot News Story, and our columnist Alana Smith won a first-place award for Best Human Interest Column. We won an additional six second-place awards. My job is so rewarding, and I’m honored to get to bring you community stories each month. Thank you so much for reading!

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

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Contributing Writers:

Dan Starnes

Leah Ingram

Eagle

Jon Anderson

Kyle Parmley

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Sean Dietrich

Candice N. Hale

James Phillips

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

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Published by: Starnes Publishing LLC

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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Adams Homes LLC (A23)

Advanced Turf Care (A6)

Ascension St. Vincent’s Health Systems (A17)

Bedzzz Express (B1, B16)

Bellini’s Ristorante (B14)

Birmingham

Orthodontics (A1)

Birmingham Water Works Board (A11)

Bromberg’s (A16)

Budget Blinds (B13)

Cardinal Roofing (B9)

Carrie Lusk - Shoal Creek (A9)

CASA of Shelby County (A6)

Children’s of Alabama (A9)

Chiropractic Today (B2)

Community Grief Support Service (A8)

Compact 2020 (A14)

Cremation Center of Birmingham (A21)

Danberry at Inverness (B5)

French Drains Pro (A18)

Gardner Landscaping (A7)

Hearing Solutions (B14)

Hilliard Irrigation (A21)

Image Hive (A12)

Leaf Filter (B11)

Luckie’s Pinestraw (A1)

M&M Jewelers (B12)

Medicare Advisors of Alabama (B15)

Mr. Handyman of Birmingham (A15)

Naaman Clinic (A3)

One Man & A Toolbox (A8)

Outdoor Living Areas (A19)

Pak Mail (A15)

Parrot Structural Services LLC (B15)

Piggly Wiggly (B1)

Rockett’s Bug Juice Gardens (B13)

Royal Automotive (B3)

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce (A20)

Shelby County Law Enforcement Personnel Board (A13)

Sikes Children’s Shoes (B9)

Southeastern Jewelers and Engraving (A21)

Southern Home Structural Repair Specialists (A20)

SouthState Bank (A19)

Space Cadets (A11)

The Neighborhood Plumber (A16)

TherapySouth Corporate (A24)

TrustMark Bank (B7)

Valley Bank (A2)

Vapor Ministries/Thrift Store (A23)

Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (A18)

We’ll Do It (A5)

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Pick up the latest issue of 280 Living at the following locations:

► Alabama Outdoors

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► Cowboy’s

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► Edward’s Chevrolet

► Ground Up Coffee & Smoothies/

Snider’s Pharmacy

► Lloyd’s Restaurant

► Mt Laurel Library

► North Shelby Library

► Oak Mountain High School

► Spain Park High School

► St. Vincent’s 119

► Somerby at St. Vincent’s

► Winn-Dixie Chelsea

► Winn-Dixie Inverness

Want to join this list or get 280 Living mailed to your home?

Contact Dan Starnes at dan@ starnesmedia.com.

Hoover resident Jah’kyra Daniel, second from right, smiles as she’s presented with a new sports chair for wheelchair basketball during a surprise presentation of adaptive sports equipment to athletes competing in The Hartford Nationals at Spain Park High School on July 11. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Master plan for Chelsea Parks moves to next phase

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

After seven months of research, analysis and gathering public input, Dix-Hite, a landscape architecture firm, presented the results during the June 20 Chelsea City Council meeting.

The overall goal of the master plan is to create a community-driven plan for the future of the existing park system.

Preston Sorrell, a Chelsea High School graduate and project manager at Dix-Hite, gave a 15-minute presentation and attendees were able to ask questions and give input following the meeting. Principal Ryan Collins and designer Emily Gustafson also assisted in the project, along with a project steering committee made up of seven people, including three council members.

After the project kicked off in November 2022, Dix-Hite utilized a number of research techniques and analyzed the existing park system. While on site, the team noted all the significant features and existing facilities using aerial imagery, then used photography to note physical conditions and any areas of concern. All of the information was further documented in a report.

“Additionally, we used community engagement to ultimately create the vision plans,” Sorrell said. That feedback will be used in strategy and analysis of the master plan, he said.

Five parks within the city were part of the analysis: the Highway 11 Sports Complex, the recreation park on County Road 39, Melrose Park, the youth ballfields on County Road 47 and the tennis courts on County Road 51.

A number of existing studies were referenced, including Shelby County’s and the city of Chelsea’s comprehensive plans,

and publications including reports from the National Recreation and Parks and Association. Sorrel said most of Chelsea’s current facilities fall short when compared to facilities for towns of a similar size.

Also during the meeting, the council:

► Authorized the mayor to amend an agreement between the city and the developers that bought property on Atchison Drive, to create a turn lane and complete the road in front of Tractor Supply, in the amount of $50,000.

► Awarded education funds to the Chelsea High School volleyball booster club for jerseys, in the amount of $6,681.34.

► Awarded education funds to the Chelsea High School cheerleading booster club for mats, in the amount of $10,452.

► Accepted a quote for finishing touches at the ballpark, as part of Phase 2 of the Highway 11 Sports Complex.

► Accepted a quote for badge pass access at the addition to the Chelsea Community Center.

The new gym, locker room and racquetball courts will require members to use badges to enter and exit those areas.

► Approved a rezoning request for Andrew Hill of OMRI Sports at 9271 Old Highway 280 for 2 acres from agricultural-residential (A-R) to rezone 0.5 acres to R-1 (rural-residential) and 1.5 acres to B-2 (general business district).

► A first reading of a proposed ordinance to establish public gathering restrictions was given by city attorney Grant Howard.

A map of Melrose Park that is part of the Chelsea Parks Vision Plan Review. Photo courtesy of Dix-Hite.

Public gathering ordinance approved

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

The Chelesa city council during its July 11 meeting approved an ordinance placing restrictions on public gatherings.

Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer said the ordinance was put in place to prevent gatherings on public property without prior notification in city limits.

“What we hope it will prevent is impromptu events in the city,” Picklesimer said. “And it gives us a chance to prepare when someone is wanting to do an event.”

Since the city didn’t have an ordinance already in place, they used the template of one from another local city.

Recently, a local organization posted on social media about holding a block party that would block off a road within the city limits. Picklesimer said Chelsea is large enough now that a policy needed to be put in place.

The intent of the ordinance is “to impose restrictions on gatherings on public property within the city limits; protect the public health, safety, property and for general welfare, rather than to punish, and provides those in violation of the restrictions will be subject to civil fines for such violations and/or the costs associated with abating the violation or public safety risks.”

Permits for special events will now be required. According to the ordinance, “no one can conduct a special event; stop, stand or park

any vehicle upon or within any public property or right-of-way for the purpose of selling; or erect any temporary stands, tents, tables, signs upon or within any public property or right-of-way for the purpose of selling or offering for sale any goods, food, wares, merchandise or products of any kind.”

Violators of the ordinance will be fined $250.

Those seeking a special event permit must file an application with the city’s special events agent during regular business hours and no less than 30 days before the event. The application will include the permit seeker’s information; the purpose of the event; the organization filing for the permit; the date and start and end times; whether food or alcohol will be consumed; the streets, parks or sidewalks that will be occupied; expected attendance; liability waiver; and any other information or documents deemed necessary by the special events agent.

For special or spontaneous events, applications must be filed at least 48 hours prior.

No less than seven days before the special event date and before issuance of the special event permit, applicants must pay any personnel costs or fees required for the use of any public amenities located in city parks, such as picnic shelters or gazebos.

This ordinance and information on obtaining a special event permit will be available on cityofchelesa.com.

What’s next for Chelsea parks and rec vision plan

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Chelsea City Council member Casey Morris provided an update on the latest efforts in the city’s parks and recreation plan during the July 11 council meeting.

Morris said a link has been posted on the city’s social media channels featuring a PDF with images of the vision plan for the city’s parks and recreation areas, which was put together by a steering committee with the assistance of Dix-Hite. He added that so far it’s received a substantial amount of input — more than 700 responses — from Chelsea citizens.

“We’ve gotten a really good consensus of the things that are on the plan, … these are things our citizens have said they’d like to see, and thankfully it’s some of the things we were already planning," Morris said. "It’s just confirming a lot of the things we already know."

Morris added that there is no money committed nor are plans set in stone for any of these projects. The information Dix-Hite has provided is meant to create a road map to properly take care of the city’s parks and potential future growth, he said.

The council also awarded a $13,050

education fund grant to Chelsea Middle School for its IXL software subscription for students. The school currently uses iReady, but that program does not work well for higher-performing students, according to the school. The council approved the grant to fund a one-year subscription for the IXL program.

Other items approved during the meeting included:

► Authorization of a one-time retiree bonus. The city has two retired employees that are eligible for this bonus, which was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey earlier this year.

► Accepted a proposal for IT management services to Rogue IT Partners. The city has been under the umbrella of Shelby County since the city’s inception, but the county has decided to only manage its own IT services after Oct. 1.

► Acceptance of city responsibility for streets in Chelsea Park for sectors 13 and 17.

► Authorization for the mayor to purchase property owned by Charles Simmons, which includes 14.88 acres that join Wanninger Way and connect to the Chelsea archery park, for future development.

► Recognizing Juneteenth as a city holiday.

Chelsea City Council member Casey Morris.

Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

Commission to crack down on signs in rights-of-way

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

The Shelby County Commission passed an amendment to the zoning regulations in July in response to the ongoing spread of off-premises signs (also called “stick litter”) along rights-ofway in Shelby County.

Shelby County landfill rates increase for first time since 2009

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

For the first time in 14 years, the Shelby County Commission has approved a rate increase at the county’s landfill, located on Shelby County Highway 70.

Municipal solid waste and construction and demolition waste will increase from $22 per ton to $30 per ton. Pickup trucks will increase from $10 per load to $14 per load and cars/ vans/SUVs will increase from $6 per load to $10 per load.

The new rates will go into effect on Oct. 1. By legislative action, the county has to pay $1 per ton to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for every ton of waste disposed of at the landfill.

The county says that cover operating costs and the expenses related to capital costs, regulatory compliance, cell closure and long-term monitoring and methane gas collection and destruction.

County Manager Chad Scroggins thanked the environmental services staff for the work

they do and described it as a “very lean operation.”

“The management that Brandon Hamilton and Tim Shoemaker and Trey [Gauntt] do at the landfill is very detailed, and it's a lot more difficult than it's ever been. For those guys who have their eyes on it every day, I certainly appreciate their work.”

Commissioner Jeff Brumlow said he appreciates the hard work that is provided by those at the landfill.

“I asked Chad [Scroggins] to send me the last three years' financial materials … and it's impressive what we've been able to do for so long on so little,” Brumlow said.

Commission chair Kevin Morris said when the commission has these discussions, it's a constant reminder of all the staff does.

“For me, I've come to have a different kind of appreciation the past few months for the quick responses and service to our citizens, and that every every call is important while running a major operation like the landfill, so we definitely appreciate [them],” Morris said.

Sharman Brooks, the development services supervisor for the county, said these signs typically appear at intersections where people want to take advantage of the ability to get their message out.

“Those signs pop up at intersections where everybody's stopped at red lights, and this amendment would specifically address these off-premises signs and establish reasonable regulations and clarify permissible signage on residential properties,” Brooks said.

Brooks added that by clearly defining the rules, it would make it easier to enforce them and get the signs cleaned up through the enforcement process.

Signs that are prohibited are those within 10 feet of public right-of-way; those within 100 feet of traffic-control lights if they contain red or green lights that might be confused with the traffic-control lights; and off-premises signs including off-site real estate signs.

Single family residences may not display more than two signs, with an aggregate sign area of no more than 10 square feet. No individual sign can exceed six square feet total nor exceed four feet in height, and letters, symbols, logos or designs cannot be in excess of two inches in vertical or horizontal dimensions.

In other news, Shelby County was recently notified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of eligibility as an Urban County in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The commission unanimously approved a resolution to sign agreements with municipalities in the county to

participate in the program.

Eligible municipalities include Alabaster, Calera, Chelsea, Columbiana, Harpersvilie, Helena, Indian Springs Village, Montevallo, Pelham, Vincent, Westover, Wilsonville and Wilton.

“When we become our own urban county designation based on population, we will get right at a million dollars guaranteed to come in the county every year,” County Manager Chad Scroggins said.

Scroggins added that the program will affect mainly the smaller towns in rural portions of the county. The municipalities have a deadline of Aug. 4 to pass resolutions to join the program.

The commission also approved changes to its subdivision regulations intended to state when master plans need to be required and amended.

The Shelby County Commission discusses landfill rates during its June 26 meeting.

Photo by Lean Ingram Eagle.

Sharman Brooks, the Shelby County development services supervisor, explains details of the right-of-way sign amendment during the July 10 Shelby County Commission meeting. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

Library adds assistant director job back

By JON ANDERSON

The Hoover Public Library hasn’t had an assistant director for about five years, but that recently changed.

The assistant director position was eliminated in 2018 after Assistant Director Patricia Guarino retired. Due to budget constraints, those duties were divided up among library managers, Director Amanda Borden said.

But this spring, with the departure of another full-time employee and several parttime employees, Borden did some rearranging of job duties and was able to bring back the assistant director position without paying out any more money.

She said she has a great team of managers, but she felt it was time to designate someone as a clear No. 2 on the organizational chart and groom a potential successor for herself, she said.

She’s not planning to retire in the “near future,” but it’s not necessarily in the “distant future” either, she said. She could see it happening sometime in the next five to 10 years, she said.

“You don’t know what life holds,” Borden said. “Anything could happen to me at any time. If I were in a car accident today, I would want to clearly have somebody in charge.”

Borden chose Technology Manager Carrie Steinmehl as her right-hand woman.

The staff already was looking to Steinmehl as a leader when Borden was away, she said. “She’s kind of a natural leader.”

Plus, the pair complement one another well, Borden said. Borden said she gets a lot of ideas for new services, but Steinmehl is good at getting it done. “I knew she would be a great fit for that job,” Borden said.

When Borden was an assistant director, she was chairwoman for the library’s Southern Voices Festival, and Steinmehl was co-chairwoman. The pair worked well together, Borden said. When Borden was promoted to library director, Steinmehl took over as chairwoman of the festival.

Steinmehl started working at the library as an intern 24 years ago, in 1999. She then was hired

for a full-time temporary job in July 1999 and in 2000 was made an information systems support specialist. By 2002, she was named head of the technology department.

As head of technology, Steinmehl not only ran the library’s technology hub, where people go to get assistance with things like sending and receiving documents. She and her team also were responsible for the 40 or so computers throughout the building and maintaining the wireless network.

Steinmehl has helped the library get numerous grants from the Alabama Public Library Service, bringing in almost $380,000 in outside money to help advance the library’s technology.

She and her team implemented the radio frequency ID tags that are now on all items in the library’s collection, the self-checkout machines, the sorters that sort books and other items when they are returned, the print management system and — most recently — the remote library kiosk that lets people check out library materials from the East 59 Café in The Village at Lee Branch. She also leads a true crime book club that meets the last Tuesday of each month.

Steinmehl said she’s excited about her new role as assistant director. It had been her goal for several years to move up in terms of responsibility and leadership, she said. In 2020 and 2021, she went through the Leadership Hoover process.

The library has been conducting a space and staffing study to try to increase efficiency, so Borden and Steinmehl still are trying to sort out exactly who will do what going forward. But most likely, Borden will concentrate on new library services, and Steinmehl will focus on building operations, support services and technology, Borden said.

However, another member of the technology staff, Mike Benson, was promoted as the new technology manager.

Steinmehl, 46, has been married to Eric Steinmehl for 23 years. They have two children who attend Hoover High School and have lived in Hoover 13 years.

Hope lives

Our dedicated doctors, nurses, researchers and sta are committed to finding a cure, so kids like Adrian can live their healthiest life – cancer free. We never give up hope of a world without childhood cancer and blood disorders, and that’s why we are here.

Steinmehl

Business Happenings

NOW OPEN

The Normal Brand recently opened at The Summit. The store offers men's and women's clothing, accessories and more. The company opened its first brand store in 2019 in St. Louis, and has been voted the No. 1 men’s clothing store in St. Louis for two years running.

205-644-1866, thenormalbrand.com

Emmy Squared Pizza officially opened on June 30 at The Summit near Trader Joe’s and Barnes & Noble. According to its website, Emmy Squared Pizza is an “award-winning neighborhood pizza and burger restaurant.” Its Birmingham location offers menu items such as Le Matt Burger, Detroit-style pizzas, salads, appetizers and alcoholic beverages.

205-994-8685, emmysquaredpizza.com

COMING SOON

Crumbl Cookies is preparing to open a new location in Greystone. The cookies are baked fresh daily, and the restaurant has a weekly rotating menu. crumblcookies.com

KYURAMEN is set to open in early 2024 in the former Newk's location at 950 Inverness Corners. This will be the restaurant's first location in Alabama. The menu features a variety of ramen, appetizers, omurice, rice and ramen burgers, desserts and more. The restaurant will cover 4,635 square feet, said Jessica Demarino, the commercial real estate marketing manager for First National Realty Partners. kyuramen.com

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Grandview Medical Center recently received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines Resuscitation Silver quality achievement award for its commitment to treating in-hospital cardiac arrest, ultimately helping to improve survival rates. The program was developed to help save lives of patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrests by consistently following the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treatment as outlined by the American Heart Association.

205-971-1000, grandviewhealth.com

Phil Boozer, the senior vice president and chief sales officer for America's First Federal Credit Union, which has an office at 2 Inverness Center Place, was selected by the League of Southeastern Credit Unions as Alabama's Credit Union Professional of the Year. 205-995-0001, amfirst.org

PERSONNEL MOVES

Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors, 2500 Acton Road #200, recently announced promotions in the Birmingham office. Annie McCarter was promoted to principal and serves as director of payroll; Scott Pruitt was promoted to principal in the firm’s security, risk & controls group; Alex Ezelle was promoted to senior manager in the firm’s audit division; Chris Branch Harry Waugh and Scott Wiseman were promoted to senior manager in the firm’s tax division.

205-979-4100, warrenaverett.com

Sharp Wellness, 3109 Blue Lake Drive, Suite 205, welcomes Drew Richard. Richard specializes in working with individuals and couples dealing with caregiver guilt, self-esteem, postpartum-related mental health issues (anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder), parenting/

co-parenting issues and couples’ issues, including lack of intimacy and connection. Richard meets with clients both in person and virtually. 205-383-6650, sharpwellness andcounseling.com

ANNIVERSARIES

M&M Jewelers at 440 Inverness Corners recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

205-991-0593, mmjewelersbirmingham.com

CLOSINGS

After five years, Wasabi Juan’s Inverness location is closing at 5037 U.S. 280, Suite 101. The owners plan to focus on their food trucks instead. wasabijuans.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

Baba Java coffee shop expands to Meadow Brook

By JON ANDERSON

Four years ago, Hoover residents Nathan and Wendi Parvin started a new coffee shop in Riverchase called Baba Java Roaster & Café, and now they’re ready to expand.

The Parvins hope by late August or early September to open their second location of Baba Java in the new Village at Meadow Brook strip center, at the corner of Alabama 119 and Doug Baker Boulevard.

The 2,200-square-foot shop is in the same shopping center where Burn Boot Camp opened in December. It will be a little larger than the 1,650-square-foot shop in Riverchase, said Brad Haynes, Baja Java’s vice president over operations.

The new shop will offer the same coffees and teas the Riverchase location has, but it also will have a new element. The Meadow Brook Baba Java will be combined with a Popbar shop, which sells gelato popsicles.

Popbar has about 15 locations in the United States, including one in Atlanta, but this will be the first Popbar in Alabama.

Haynes said Baba Java has always wanted to be on the U.S. 280 corridor because that’s where he and his family live, as well as a lot of their employees and customers. Developer Jim Mitchell made them an inviting offer to come to his shopping center, and they really liked the location, Haynes said.

“We feel it’s a great way to be near 280 but not right on 280,” he said. “There are a lot of great customers around here, and we feel like we’ll get some good business there.”

Baba Java takes pride in the type of coffee it offers. It’s all specialty coffee instead of typical commercial-grade coffee, which means it must receive a grade of 80 or higher, with the grade hinging on how the coffee seed is grown, harvested, processed, shipped and stored, Haynes said. Most of Baba Java’s coffee has a grade of 85 or higher, he said.

The shop’s flagship coffee comes from Yemen,

but other coffee beans come from China, Ethiopia, Columbia, Papua New Guinea, Guatemala and Honduras, he said.

Initially, Baba Java was roasting its coffee beans in the shop, but now most of the roasting takes place in a warehouse in Pelham, Haynes said. The shop got so busy that they decided to do most of the roasting off-site, he said.

Baba Java also is committed to ethical sourcing of its coffee beans, meaning that the farmers who produce the coffee beans are well paid, Haynes said.

“It takes a lot of work to grow coffee,” he said. “We’re very intentional who we buy from. … The people we buy from do a lot of community projects to help locals in the community, such as building schools and wells and doing various

things for the community.”

Baba Java’s specialty drinks are sold in traditional Italian sizes. Its cappuccinos are 6-8 ounces, lattes are 12-16 ounces and macchiatos are 3 ounces with a touch of milk.

Baba Java’s tea comes from Sachai Tea Co, which imports from India, and Piper & Leaf in Huntsville, which uses tea leaves grown in Alabama, Haynes said.

The shop also sells some food, getting sweet scones from Highland Gourmet Scones and savory scones, cinnamon & crepe rolls, sweet rolls and breakfast croissant sandwiches from Copper Train in Alabaster. Michelle’s Chocolate Laboratory in Hoover supplies coffee cake, breakfast bars, puff pastries and chocolate-covered Oreos.

Haynes said he wasn’t yet sure exactly how

Sydney Hazlewood, store manager at Baba Java Roaster & Cafe, makes a latte for a customer at the Hoover store on July 6. Baba Java is opening a second location on Alabama 119. Photo

many seats the Meadow Brook location will have, but it should be similar to the Riverchase location, which seats 48 people. The Riverchase location employs 12 people, some of whom are part-time, he said.

Baba Java actually has already signed a deal for a third location in downtown Birmingham, at the development taking place at the former Powell Steam Plant, Hayne said. That location will be almost 3,000 square feet — nearly twice the size of the Riverchase location — but it probably won’t be ready to open until the summer of 2024, he said. It also will be combined with a Popbar store, he said.

For more information, go to babajava coffee.com or check out the company’s CoffeeU podcast.

by Erin Nelson.

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Walking with purpose, faith, great attitude

By CANDICE N. HALE

“Love thy neighbor” is more than just a biblical concept, it is a way of life for residents in The Magnolias, a Brook Highland community that takes the phrase to new lengths.

On May 11, the community lost one of its most inspiring residents: Margaret Caudle, 88, who loved Jesus, Alabama football and walking. Caudle walked over 1,000 miles each year.

Caudle had been a resident of The Magnolias neighborhood since 1992 and was the first owner of the house she occupied with her husband. At the time of her passing, she did not have any close relatives or any living family.

Neighbor Denise Weaver knows just how special Caudle’s presence was in the community, because so many neighbors knew her and cared about her. During her many walks, Weaver said that neighbors waved and smiled at her along the way.

“Caudle set this personal goal to walk 1,000 miles each year and was determined to be as healthy as she could,” Weaver said. “Until she was 83 years old, Caudle walked five or six laps, six days a week, which totaled to around 1,200 miles a year. But, at 88, she only did one or two laps.”

Caudle walked year-round in all types of weather, except the rain. Weaver remembers Caudle’s knit Alabama hat during the cold winter months, and nothing stopped her from getting in her daily routine of laps.

The walking began shortly after Caudle retired. At times, she would also have other neighbors join her, but she would keep her own pace during the walks. Aside from her laps, Caudle was also a kind and caring neighbor,

Weaver said. She recalled visits where Caudle performed her daily devotional, drank coffee, walked her laps and had another cup of coffee.

“Ms. Margaret brought a funky, witty and a healthy attitude to The Magnolias,” Weaver said. “And, she also had great faith — a really strong Christian woman.”

Since Caudle lived in this tight-knit community, she could easily step outside and ask someone to help her change a lightbulb, and they would with no hesitation. That kindness was often met with reciprocity — Caudle

enjoyed making brownies for the neighbors who frequently helped her.

Therefore, Weaver, who is the secretary for the neighborhood association, said she had no hesitations when someone in the community mentioned to her the idea of a neighborhood walk in Caudle’s honor after her passing.

“The neighbors gathered and took a walk around the block for Ms. Margaret,” Weaver said. “We met at the mailbox. I made brownies and had bottles of water available for the residents. … There were around 50-55 people

including adults, children on wagons and even dogs.”

Weaver misses the personal visits in the afternoon with Caudle and the ability to just go and see her. That kind of closeness can be a blessing for a neighborhood.

“We can notice each other, smile and care. While everybody might not have gone in and helped Ms. Margaret change a light bulb, we have to care about our neighbors. Know who lives on each side of you. Wave to your neighbors and get to know them,” Weaver said.

Residents in The Magnolias community of Brook Highland gathered for a walk around the neighborhood in honor of former neighbor Margaret Caudle in May. Photo courtesy of Denise Weaver.

Mt Laurel community celebrates 25 years since founding

By GRACE THORNTON

Kevin Millen said as an architect, he’s been interested in the Town of Mt Laurel ever since work started on the master-planned community in 1998.

As a “neo-traditional village dropped into the forest,” it’s imprinted with something special, he said.

And as Millen walks around the walkable town he’s called home for the past five years, he sees the date of its founding imprinted on its streets and is reminded of how far the community has come since its beginnings.

“We’ve hit our stride,” said Millen, who serves on an advisory committee for the Mt Laurel Neighborhood Association.

That progress is what Mt Laurel is celebrating all year long as it marks its 25th anniversary.

When the town was founded by Elton Stevens Jr., infrastructure was put in place for 350 residential lots.

“We’re up into the 320s now,” Millen said.

The community was planned by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, which started the New Urbanism movement and is best known for its Alys Beach and Seaside, Florida, developments. Early on, John O. Freeman Sr. also became a part of the project as an instrumental builder.

“All the commercial spaces are rented, and businesses are prospering,” Millen said. “You can get a drink, a pizza, a Mexican meal and a cup of coffee.”

And by cup of coffee, he means from two kinds of coffee shops: “a coffeehouse-type coffee shop, and then the old-guys-sittingaround-and-eating-biscuits kind of coffee shop.”

There’s also a fine dining restaurant and a grocery store, all of which residents can reach with a short stroll from their homes through tree-lined streets and green spaces, Millen said. “It’s a beautiful walk in the woods.”

The town was designed around that concept, he said.

Millen said the founding company studied the rhythm of former streetcar communities like the Highland Avenue area in Birmingham, which is still a highly walkable area today. All their research paid off, he said.

“We have people walking all the time in Mt Laurel; any hour up until midnight, there are

people walking their dogs,” Millen said.

It’s also a multigenerational community, he said. For example, Ward Tishler and his wife, Anne, are the eldest of four generations there — their family lives in the community stretching down to their great-grandchildren.

“We sure have our share of silver-haired

neighbors, but there’s an amazing bunch of baby carriages here, too,” Millen said.

Most of Mt Laurel’s anniversary events are for residents only, but Millen said everyone is invited to come visit the town anytime and experience it for themselves.

For more information, visit mtlaurel.com.

People in the Mt Laurel community celebrate Independence Day on July 4. Photo courtesy of Bob Quarles.

By JAMES PHILLIPS

Dr. Lee Goldenberg, a Birmingham chiropractor, podcaster, musician and author, has released a new book on natural health.

In “Chronic Health: What You Were Never Told About Getting and Staying Healthy,” Goldenberg shares his thoughts and experience on how people can improve their health naturally. He covers a wide range of topics, including immune system health, stress management, brain function, pregnancy and pediatric care, hormone regulation and more.

Goldenberg, who owns Greystone Chiropractic and Element Wellness, said tat he wrote the book because he was frustrated with the way that conventional medicine treats chronic health conditions. He believes many of these conditions can be improved or even cured through natural means.

“I want people to know that there is hope,” Goldenberg said. “You don’t have to live with chronic pain or fatigue. You don’t have to take prescription medications that have side effects. You can improve your health naturally.”

The book has been a multi-year project for Goldenberg. He said it started as an idea of a “things to know” handbook for his patients, but it quickly expanded once he moved forward.

“I had in mind a 10-page workbook idea that my patients could use to identify certain aspects

of their health,” he said. “That changed quickly, because I realized how much information I had that I wanted people to know.”

Goldenberg is a graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He is also a certified clinical nutritionist.

In practice for more than 17 years, Goldenberg has helped thousands of patients improve their health naturally. He celebrated 11 years at Greystone Chiropractic in July.

Element Wellness, which is also owned by Goldenberg, is located in the same building. Services there include cryotherapy, red light therapy, IV vitamin infusions, yoga classes and weight loss and nutritional consulting.

“There are so many ways that we can take care of our bodies naturally, and we try to offer as many services as possible to be a one-stop for our patients,” he said.

Goldenberg said he has been overwhelmed by the response to the book so far.

“Everyone has been very positive about it,” he said. “The positive feedback I’ve received from my patients means so much to me. I wrote this book for them.”

“Chronic Health: What You

Shelby Emergency Assistance plans 50th anniversary gala

By GRACE THORNTON

Jane McClanahan said she can’t take any credit for where Shelby Emergency Assistance is today, but she can list off name after name of people who helped get the ball rolling.

Her church — University Baptist in Montevallo, which organized just shy of 53 years ago — wrote into their original covenant that they wanted to serve the local community.

McClanahan remembers a group of college students sitting around her dining room table, coming up with some ideas for what that could look like.

“That’s where the idea was born, though I wasn’t a part of that — I just provided the table,” McClanahan said.

But over the years, the idea grew from a church-run clothes ministry to a separate organization that now provides housing, utility, medical and food assistance as well as education to Shelby County residents.

McClanahan and her husband, Bruce, have been among hundreds of volunteers who have helped in different ways over the past half century.

On Aug. 26, that organization — now called Shelby Emergency Assistance — will hold a gala at the American Village to celebrate its 50th anniversary of serving Shelby County.

Brooke McKinley, SEA executive director, said she and others in the organization are proud to commemorate this “significant milestone.”

“For 50 years, SEA has been a lifeline for those in need, and this gala is a reflection of the enduring spirit of compassion and generosity that has made our work possible,” she said. “... We look forward to sharing this evening with our dedicated supporters, partners and the community at large.”

McKinley said she loves the work of SEA, which aims to move Shelby County residents from crisis to self-sufficiency.

“We do direct social services when people find themselves in a crisis — they’ve lost a

job, a caregiver, a provider, or they’ve had a medical emergency that makes them be out of work,” she said. “Many people live paycheck

to paycheck, and a situation like this throws them into crisis.”

McKinley said SEA is part of United Way

and partners with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to get food at a lower cost. Community gardens provide fresh food in the summer, too.

The organization also has a women’s group called Thrive Together that helps single mothers at the poverty line get one-on-one coaching to set goals for parenting and wellness as well as plan for the future.

McKinley said she’s excited about the gala and how it will both celebrate and support that continued assistance.

“It’s going to be a good time,” she said. “We want to bring in as many people as we can who have been touched by SEA, celebrate everything we’ve been able to accomplish and look toward the future.”

Darrel Weaver, vice president of Healthcare Services at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, will be the guest speaker. During the event, SEA will recognize those who helped found the organization and will also announce the volunteer of the year award.

Tickets are $75 and sponsorship options are available. For more information about the gala, visit shelbyemergencyassistance.org/gala.

For 50 years, SEA has been a lifeline for those in need, and this gala is a reflection of the enduring spirit of compassion and generosity that has made our work possible.

BROOKE MCKINLEY

Darrel Weaver, vice president of Healthcare Services at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, will be guest speaker of Shelby Emergency Assistance’s 50th Anniversary Gala.

Photo courtesy of Brooke McKinley.

VENETIAN PRINCESS

280 Living recognized with APA Awards

By STAFF

280 Living won four first-place awards at the Alabama Press Association’s 2023 Media Awards competition, which culminated with a banquet at the Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach on June 24.

Leah Ingram Eagle, editor for 280 Living, won first place in three categories and columnist Alana Smith brought home the award for her monthly column.

The publication received first-place awards in the following categories:

► Public Service: “Keeping Kids Safe” by Leah Eagle — an in-depth look at Owen's House and the services they provide for children in Shelby County

► Best Local Education Coverage: By Leah Eagle

► Best Spot News Story: “It’s a no go” by Leah Eagle — reporting on the Chelsea school system vote results

► Best Human Interest Column: “Holy Moly Motherhood” by Alana Smith

In addition, 280 Living also received six second-place finishes in the 2023 competition, which involved work published in 2022. 280 Living competes in the Alabama Press Association’s Division E, which includes associate member newspapers and free circulation products.

280 Living also won six second-place awards in the following categories:

► Public Service:

“Shelby County officials work to combat human trafficking by Leah Eagle

► Humorous Column: “Holy Moly Motherhood” by Alana Smith

► Sports News In-Depth Coverage: “High school basketball season preview”

by Kyle Parmley

► Sports Feature Story: “The heart of a lion” by Gary Lloyd

► Photo Essay: “Snapshots: Fanfare and halftime performances” by staff

► Use of Social Media: “Instagram” by

Erin Nelson and Leah Ingram Eagle Starnes Media publications, which in 2022 included Hoover Sun, Vestavia Voice, 280 Living, Homewood Star, Iron City Ink, Village Living and Cahaba Sun, won a total of 69 awards in this year’s APA competition.

Starnes Media’s 280 Living earned multiple first- and secondplace awards for work done by the Starnes Media team in 2022 at the Alabama Press Association Media Awards banquet in Orange Beach on June 24.

The Vestavia Voice won the General Excellence Award and Advertising Sweepstakes Award (the two top awards) for Division E. Starnes Media papers came home from Orange Beach with another 29 first-place awards, 21 second-place awards and 17 third-place awards.

As a woman, you have unique care needs that change over time. You know yourself best and know when something is different with your body. That’s why every visit with a doctor at Ascension St. Vincent’s starts with a conversation. Listening to your concerns helps your doctor get to know and understand you, to deliver the care that’s right for you.

Our doctors provide:

• Annual well-woman visits

• Screenings, including mammograms, Pap tests, colonoscopies and low-dose CT lung scans

• Heart care, including screenings, diagnostics and monitoring

• OB care, including OB emergency care, lactation consultants, maternal-fetal medicine, and NICUs where mom can be close to her baby while they both receive advanced care

Getting the care you need should be easy. And at Ascension St. Vincent’s, you can make an appointment that fits your schedule. We have flexible hours, same-day and next-day care and virtual visits when you need them.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

Chelsea Middle band director retires after 30 years

By GRACE THORNTON

Deana Rizzo said she doesn’t remember it, but according to her mom, when she was little she used to stand on a footstool and conduct the band on “The Lawrence Welk Show.”

She was one in a long line of music lovers.

“My family is very musical; everybody grew up taking piano lessons,” Rizzo said. “My grandfather used to sit and play piano when I went to visit them.”

So she started taking piano lessons too, and as the years went by, she found herself playing flute in the Chelsea Middle School band.

“I loved it. I was super passionate about it,” Rizzo said.

During her junior year of high school, she became drum major, and that gave her a taste of what leading the band could be like, more so than her “Lawrence Welk” days.

“The role held a lot of responsibility,” she said.

The band director, Dane Lawley, leaned on the student leaders a lot because there was no assistant director, Rizzo said.

And along the way, the thought occurred to her: “This is really fun.”

She said from there, she never considered another path for her life. She got a degree in music education from Troy University, and 30 years later she’s retiring from her work at Chelsea Middle School.

“I just can’t imagine having been anywhere else,” Rizzo said.

She said God put all the pieces together for her to be able to start her career in her hometown after she graduated from college. In 1993, because of her background in church

choir and piano, she was offered a position teaching general music in the mornings at Calera Elementary School and teaching choir in the afternoons at Chelsea Middle School.

She took it and spent those years driving back and forth between the two schools while working on her master’s degree.

At that time, Lawley was also driving back

and forth between Chelsea’s middle and high schools directing the bands.

“Three years later, he got enough students in his program at the high school to start there full time, and I became middle school band director,” Rizzo said.

And she’s loved every minute of it, she said. “As a band director, you get to have your

students for more than just one year, so you really develop a relationship and a rapport and then get to see them grow and continue on that journey in high school.”

Rizzo said she also loved having her sons now 25 and 22 — in the band “by their own choosing.”

“Having them there and getting to have that experience with them and their friends was really special,” she said.

Rizzo said she hasn’t taken it lightly that parents have entrusted their children to her.

“I’ve been super privileged to have a small part in their lives,” she said. “I’ve tried to be mindful of continuous learning and teach them to be better people through the study of music.”

She’s gotten to see many of them go on to play in college bands or major in music, and before she retired, she had begun to teach the first wave of children of previous students.

Cynthia Cruce, principal of Chelsea Middle School, said Rizzo has been “very much a special part of this school.”

“She’s well loved, and she built really good relationships with people,” Cruce said, noting that Rizzo has done a great job retaining students in the band. “The kids would start with her and most of the time they would continue, because she made it where they would want to be a part.”

Cruce said Rizzo developed a widely respected band program, but even more than that, she impacted hundreds of students each year.

“She’s been an influence not just in the band community, but in the community of Chelsea for such a long time,” Cruce said.

Deana Rizzo, former band director at Chelsea Middle School, reacts to a gift from Justin Watkins during Rizzo’s retirement party at The Church at Chelsea in Westover. Rizzo retired at the end of the 2022-23 school year after 30 years of teaching. Photo by Erin Nelson.

“I think that is wonderful,” Atchison said of the visit. “Thank you so much for bringing those babies by to see me. They’re just precious.”

Hazel and Daphne are two of the pet therapy program animals that visit Grandview each week. This service, provided by the hospital, is a way to bring brightness into the day for both patients and staff.

CONNIE + DAPHNE

Connie Wilson and Daphne have been a duo for nine years and began their visits to Grandview in January 2019, one of the first participants in the pet therapy program. Wilson knew that Daphne, now 10, would make a great therapy dog since she is smart, low-key, trainable and people-oriented.

They make twice-weekly visits to Grandview and are immediately greeted by the nurses and doctors when they walk in. They are affiliated with Canines for Christ, an international ministry that provides certification, training and liability insurance.

“We visit behavioral health, orthopedic patients and the cancer center regularly,” Wilson said. “We are also called to different areas as requests come up, including some at the neuro ICU. I will meet people [throughout the hospital] who will ask if she can visit a loved one.”

Before her visits, Daphne goes through a special ritual that includes a bath, teeth brushing and nail trimming. Wilson said Daphne will make visits for two to three hours at a time before getting tired, but her time at the hospital is well spent.

“She’s very aware,” Wilson said. “I see in her actions how she is aware of how people are feeling. With children, they play ball and braid Daphne’s hair. Their faces light up and they get on the floor with her. She walks in the door looking for someone to love.”

Wilson said she believes Daphne removes barriers for people, even in behavioral health, to vocalize and come out of their shell.

“In four years here, I’ve seen a lot of what

I’d say is God using her to work with other people,” she said.

Linda Young, who oversees volunteer services at Grandview, knows both Daphne and Hazel (and their trainers) well. Young coordinates the pet therapy program and visit requests, and she has been in her position for two years.

“We [the pet therapy trainers and I] have conversations often a couple of times a week regarding where we need to go and who needs to be visited,” Young said. “I help coordinate so it’s not just on the trainers to figure it out. When we get a request, I contact the manager or the nurse leader on that floor to see if it’s OK for them to come up. I’m learning from

these ladies the best way to set up appointments and visits, and they’ve both really helped develop the program, and I’m here to help pull it together.”

DOROTHY + HAZEL

Dorothy Gerr serves as a chaplain and provides pastoral care at Grandview Medical Center. She also works through Pet Partners and she and her fifth therapy dog, Hazel, are part of the dog therapy program. Although Hazel is only two, Gerr said she is doing a wonderful job so far.

They make their visits to patients and staff at various times on nights and weekends.

“When I’m visiting with someone, I’m

paying attention if someone says they miss their dog, or they are lonely or from out of town and don’t have a lot of visitors,” Gerr said. “As I meet those people who might have that need, sometimes I’ll ask if they’d like a visit from the dogs.

Gerr also takes Hazel around for staff support, because she said they need love as well.

“Because I work here, I know when our particular units have a lot of challenges and make sure that we go by and see the staff and give them some love particularly at night,” she said. “When the dogs walk down the halls, the staff’s faces light up and they come to give them love and pets.”

Gerr said pet therapy can provide relaxation,

Hazel, a 2-year-old Great Pyrenees / border collie mix and pet therapy dog with Pet Partners, stands beside the hospital bed of Bonnie Atchison, a patient from Columbiana, and receives pets during a visit at Grandview Medical Center on June 27. Photos by Erin Nelson.

adding that she has seen a patient’s blood pressure drop when they were petting a therapy dog.

Leisha Harris, marketing director at Grandview Medical Center, said the beauty of the pet therapy program is that the dogs are covering so many places.

“It’s not only like the patients, but also the outpatients at the cancer center,” Harris said. “You’ve got the staff, which is huge, especially if it’s on the nights. So much of our efforts are focused during the day, so it’s nice to have this for them as well, on the nights and weekends.”

Grandview is home to one additional pet therapy dog, Roxanne, who is registered with

Pet Partners. She and her trainer, Madison Kirk, make visits to the hospital in addition to Dorothy and Hazel.

The therapy dogs usually come in contact with between 35 and 40 patients during each visit. Visits can be brief or sometimes last around 10-15 minutes.

The pet therapy dogs not only visit Grandview, but also other hospitals, health care facilities, special needs schools and more.

“To have the pet therapy program here has definitely been a great thing for us,” Young said.

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to the pet program, Grandview has other volunteer opportunities that are open to the public.

Young said there are currently 43 volunteers that work throughout the hospital, including at the information desks, gift shop, cath lab and more.

Individuals have to be 18 and older, and Young said one of their current volunteers is 95. A six-month commitment is required, and volunteers have to meet a four-hour minimum shift per week, generally 8 a.m. to noon or noon to 4 p.m.

Volunteer applications and more information about volunteer opportunities are available at grandviewhealth.com/volunteer-opportunities.

Bonnie Atchison, a patient from Columbiana, shakes hands with Daphne, a 10-year-old Goldendoodle and pet therapy dog with Canines for Christ, during a visit at Grandview Medical Center on June 27.

BACK TO SCHOOL

CONTINUED from page A1

We are also excited to welcome two new custodians, a new child nutrition program worker (lunchroom) and a new instructional coach to our Forest Oaks family.

► Q: Can you share an update from your school?

► A: We are very excited to be celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Forest Oaks being open. This past school year, our students not only met the goals our school set in place for their reading and math achievements, but they surpassed both goals by leaps and bounds.

► Q: Are there any expansion/construction projects taking place at your school?

► A: Due to some flooding we experienced in December 2022, we will be getting a brand new gym floor and we cannot wait. Thanks to our PTO, we will have five new security cameras installed throughout the building as well as tint added to some of our exterior windows for safety purposes. Shelby County is also in the process of installing amplification systems in all kindergarten and second-grade classrooms to enhance student performance. All first-grade classrooms received these systems at the beginning of last year.

► Q: How many students will you have for the 2023-24 school year?

► A: We are expecting around 680 students in grades kindergarten through five for the 2023-24 school year.

► Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming school year?

► A: We are expecting big things from our students this year and have no doubt they are going to continue to learn and grow and exceed all of our expectations.

CHELSEA MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CYNTHIA CRUCE

Cruce is beginning her 31st year in education and her third as principal at Chelsea Middle. She works alongside assistant principals Ken Thornbrough and Chris Self.

► Q: Can you share an update from your school?

► A: We will continue to pursue high academic standards. To assist with this, we are going to build into our advisory class elements such as study skills, goal setting and learning styles inventory.

► Q: Are there any expansion/construction projects taking place at your school?

► A: We are working with the Shelby County Board of Education to develop a canopy plan at the front of the school to protect bus riders from extreme weather.

► Q: How many students (approximate) will you have for the 2023-24 school year?

► A: Around 900.

► Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming school year?

► A: We look forward to beginning the school year and continuing our high academic standards. We want to help students who need more support to achieve academic growth and provide opportunities for acceleration for those students who need more challenging courses. We want to establish positive relationships with our students and have our students build positive relationships with their peers. We want our students to know that they have advocates in our faculty and staff to support their needs.

CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL BRANDON TURNER

Turner is in his 25th year in education and his fifth year at Chelsea High. He serves alongside Assistant Principals Latasha McMillan and Jessica Pickett.

► Q: Do you have any new administrative hires?

► A: We do not have any new hires from this summer, however, we did have a mid-year transition last year, in bringing on Dale Massey as our new administrative assistant.

► Q: Can you share an update from your school?

► A: Last year went well both in academics and extracurricular endeavors. We continue to exceed state averages in testing, and our teachers continually work together to develop methods consistent with best practices to meet the needs of our students and increase

Summer Construction

Barbara Snyder, coordinator of facilities and maintenance for Shelby County Schools, provided the following updates on projects at each of the schools in the Chelsea and Oak Mountain zones.

CHELSEA ZONE

► Chelsea Park: New construction of a regulation-sized gym and an eight-classroom addition

► Forest Oaks: Gym floor replacement

► Chelsea Middle: Family & Consumer Science classroom and restroom updated; new concrete pad poured; new freezer for the child nutrition program; a new canopy for the front of the building has been designed and will be added in FY24

► Chelsea High: Gym updates; three hallways of vinyl composite tile flooring; one set of boys and girls restrooms are being updated; one section of re-roofing

OAK MOUNTAIN ZONE

► Oak Mountain Elementary: Gable awning has been ordered to bridge the canopy sections in the front of the building and is scheduled to be installed before the beginning of school

► Inverness Elementary: Security measure upgrades to the pod areas; coil replacement in the kitchen; top dressing and aerating of the sports field; LED lighting in the cafeteria

engagement. We saw success in many of our sports programs as well as through our fine arts and student leadership organizations. We were also fortunate to participate in the Hope Leadership Academy, which works in partnership with schools to develop and enhance character in the school environment.

► Q: Are there any expansion/construction projects taking place at your school?

► A: We will have new bleachers and a new floor in the gymnasium. Additionally, our city leaders are working to partner with the SCBOE to continue to enhance our athletic facilities that include a new hitting facility for softball, a visitor locker room expansion at the stadium, stadium seating, a new press box and a video board.

► Q: How many students will you have for the 2023-24 school year?

► A: Currently, we are expecting approximately 1,300 students for the upcoming year.

► Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming school year?

► A: My expectations are always for us to improve as much as possible from year to year. Every day, our students hear us state our key values of Learning, Service and Character, and we want to consistently make strides in all of those areas on a daily basis. We have great students that are capable of excelling to great heights, and it is important for us to help facilitate a quality experience while they are here.

MT LAUREL ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL TINA NEIGHBORS

Neighbors has been in education for 25 years, including a total of 19 years at Mt Laurel Elementary as both a teacher and assistant principal. She took over the principal position after former Principal Celita Carmichael accepted a role with the central office as an instructional supervisor. Abbie Akers was recently hired as the new assistant principal.

► Q: Can you share an update from your school?

► A: Mt Laurel Elementary received the

New construction of a regulationsized gym and an eight-classroom addition at Chelsea Park. Photo courtesy of Barbara Snyder.

► Mt Laurel Elementary: Trees removed; bus lane cleaned up; playground expanded; energy recovery wheel; installation of new school digital sign upon arrival

► Oak Mountain Intermediate: Two boys and two girls restrooms are being updated and the cafeteria received a new ceiling grid and acoustical tile

► Oak Mountain Middle: Three hallways of new vinyl composite tile; boys and girls restrooms on C-Hall are being updated; a new canopy was installed during Spring Break

► Oak Mountain High: The new fine arts facility is still moving forward and should open this fall after school starts; boys and girls restrooms in the commons are being updated; The fire alarm is being replaced throughout the existing and new facility and two sections are being re-roofed

Legislative School Performance award. It was also recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2021.

► Q: How many students will you have for the 2023-24 school year?

► A: We will have approximately 520 students this school year.

► Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming school year?

► A: Mt Laurel Elementary School’s expectations are to continue to provide students with high quality instruction while building positive relationships with students, parents and community stakeholders.

OAK MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL JAN CURTIS

Curtis is in her 28th year in education and her third at Oak Mountain Elementary. She serves alongside Assistant Principal Cynthia Monroe.

► Q: Can you share an update from your school?

► A: In May, we received a Legislative School Performance Program Award for being one of the top 25 schools in the state of Alabama. This ranking is based on the school report card for the 2021-22 school year. We began our new character program, Bluebird Best, in January, and we are excited about having a full year of implementation this year.

► Q: Are there any expansion/construction projects taking place at your school?

► A: Our front awning is being replaced this summer. Additionally, we have painted several classrooms and a hallway, we are restriping the parking lot and we are working to update our beautiful courtyards.

► Q: How many students will you have for the 2023-24 school year?

► A: 725.

► Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming school year?

► A: We will be implementing Teamwork Tuesdays, where students will receive an enrichment special. This extra arts, music or library visit will be focused on our character program (Bluebird Best at OMES), and students will have the opportunity to learn about character traits through the arts. Our grade-level teachers will be working in their Professional Learning Communities to analyze academic data, participate in professional development sessions and plan for engaging instruction.

OAK MOUNTAIN INTERMEDIATE PRINCIPAL LAURA JUNKIN

Junkin has been an educator for 21 years and has been at Oak Mountain Intermediate for the last eight years: five as assistant principal and three as principal. She works alongside Assistant Principal Marlana Hodo.

► Q: Can you share an update from your school?

► A: Oak Mountain Intermediate had a fabulous 2022-23 school year with many new improvements due to the ongoing support of Indian Springs Village. Some of those included a new gym floor, sensory playground and playground improvements. Additionally, the support from our parent organization with Indian Springs allowed us to install a new projection system in the cafeteria and equip all of our classrooms with Smart Boards. We added an additional outside learning space, and fourth grade teacher Mrs. de la Torre was named a state finalist for the Presidential Award for Mathematics Instruction.

► Q: How many students (approximate) will you have for the 2023-24 school year?

► A: A total of 650 fourth- and fifth-grade students.

► Q: What are your expectations for the upcoming school year?

► A: We will continue to focus on parent engagement through a variety of activities, including a parent academy with our counseling department. We are working to bring more technology- and STEM-related activities to the classrooms and expose our students to realworld problem solving.

INDIAN SPRINGS SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL SCOTT SCHAMBERGER

Schamberger has 23 years of experience in education (both higher education and independent schools) and three years as head of school at Indian Springs School.

► Q: Do you have any new administrative hires?

► A: We have two new administrative hires (a new school counselor and a new advancement office associate) as well as seven new members of the teaching faculty, who will be instructors in math, Latin, photography, history and science.

► Q: Can you share an update from your school?

► A: This past school year marked the milestone 70th anniversary of Indian Springs School’s opening in 1952. We continue to lead as a school in our state with the percentage of National Merit Scholar finalists, and over 10% of our graduating seniors will be participating in collegiate athletics this fall (several in Division 1 programs). We are excited to welcome more than 90 new students joining us from all over our region and all over the world and introducing them to our concept of learning through living.

► Q: Are there any expansion/construction projects taking place at your school?

► A: We opened our new state-of-the-art Kayser/Samford Community Commons this past December. This 12,000-square-foot facility is the school’s new dining and social hub with spaces for dining, meetings, events and recreation. We also continue to invest in renovations of our on-campus faculty housing and have begun what will be a multi-year renovation of The Hut (our school’s older lakeside recreation building), as well as several other infrastructure projects.

► Q: How many students will you have for the 2023-24 school year?

► A: 331 students in grades 8-12 from 11 different states and 15 different countries.

The day before 280 Living’s press deadline, Brooke Dunham was named principal of Inverness Elementary and Sandy Evers was named principal of Oak Mountain Middle.

Responses from Oak Mountain High, Briarwood Christian and Westminster were not received before the press deadline.

Turner Neighbors

Curtis

Junkin

Cruce Schamberger

Yellow Leaf Farms

NEWEST COMMUNITY IN THE CHELSEA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Yellow Leaf Farms is our newest community in the Chelsea School District. Very quiet neighborhood that sits on wooded homesites. Just 2.5 miles from the 280 corridor. Close to dining, entertainment, shopping, and Grandview Medical Center.

Directions to the Adams Home community of Yellow Leaf Farms: Starting from the Landmark Clock Tower in front of Chelsea Park community, go East 1.4 miles on Hwy 280 toward Westover, turn right on Hwy 51, follow 2.5 miles to Yellow Leaf Farms.

Featuring single level four-side brick homes, stay tuned for more information on this upcoming community!

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Cell: 205-230-6302

Do you have ongoing pain that gets in the way of your favorite activities? Come see us! You do not need a referral to make an appointment with a physical therapist. Our team will perform an initial assessment and communicate with your healthcare team to get a referral if further medical treatment is needed. Additionally, our clinics offer a variety of wellness services that can reduce pain and improve mobility.

Carmen struggled with back pain for most of her life and received pain block injections every six months to manage her pain before she was referred to TherapySouth Greystone for physical therapy. As part of her treatment plan, Carmen was introduced to functional dry needling which gave her complete relief and eliminated her symptoms. Now, Carmen comes to the clinic biweekly to see her therapist Beth for dry needling. This allows her to stay active with her three kids and be a competitive tennis player in the community.

I can stay ahead of the pain. Even when I experience an injury while playing, I can come into the clinic the next day for dry needling. The best part is not having to depend on medication like I was for so many years. Beth takes time with me and treats my pain comprehensively. I even referred my husband to come in for dry needling after he had struggled with tendonitis and now he has been pain free for a year!

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Beth Douglass, PT, DPT, with her patient, Carmen Ryals, Mom and Tennis Player

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Eagles starting over with new coach

By KYLE PARMLEY

There is a fresh start for all involved with the Oak Mountain High School football team this fall.

Coming off a frustrating 3-7 season in 2022, the Eagles have a new head coach and an overhauled staff of assistants. Shane McComb was introduced in January as the new coach, which means everyone starts with a blank slate.

“We’re trying to establish competition,” McComb said of the team’s summer progress. “Oak Mountain is a great school, a great place to be.”

With that blank slate comes learning the desired details for every situation, whether it’s the process of warming up, moving from one station to the next in practice or a multitude of other minute things.

“What’s expected in this program has been a huge focus,” he said.

For the players to buy into McComb and his vision, that process starts at the top. There are 10 new coaches with the program who have a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

“We’ve got a good group of guys that want to be here, want to stay here, want to be building, and, on top of that, they’re good people,” he said.

The phrase that adorns apparel and social media posts now is “One Unit All In.” That encompasses being in sync as a program, competing at a high level and building quality relationships.

“When a team is coming to play Oak Mountain, I want them to think they’re going against

a good, hard-nosed football that’s going to be physical because they compete well, and is very disciplined,” McComb said.

It won’t be easy for the Eagles competing in Class 7A, Region 3. But McComb is ready for Friday nights under the lights.

“Taking over this program is a challenge and

it’s exciting,” he said.

OFFENSE

McComb preaches physicality in every regard of his football team, which means he wants his offense to be able to establish the run each and every game.

Oak Mountain quarterback Will O’Dell (18) was the starter last season and returns. Head coach Shane McCombs said he has made tremendous strides over the offseason.

He wants his offense to be balanced, skewing as close as possible to an even spread of running and passing plays, but that’s only possible by running effectively.

See OAK MOUNTAIN | page B5

Photo by Todd Lester.

As the new school year approaches, set up your family for success by incorporating healthy habits that can ultimately enhance their academic performance and overall quality of life. Plan ahead to reduce stress. Here are some suggestions to consider:

• Encourage delicious and balanced meals: Planning meals plays a vital role in maintaining optimal health. Pack lunches with nutrient-rich foods and snacks. Include fruits, vegetables, cheeses, nuts and lean proteins. Choose organic and GF (gluten free) options. Involve your kids in meal prep and planning to promote a positive relationship with food.

• Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for concentration, energy levels. Encourage your kids to drink water regularly throughout the day.

• Make Physical Activity Fun: Regular exercise is crucial for both physical and mental health. Encourage family playtime whenever possible. Kids should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. It’s healthy for their bones, muscles and mind.

• Prioritize Sleep: Adequate sleep is vital for cognitive function and overall health. Establish consistent bedtimes for kids to ensure they get enough sleep. Start with no electronics early evening to create a bedtime routine that promotes relaxation and prepares for a restful sleep.

• Reduce Screen Time: Excessive screen time can negatively impact both physical and mental well-being. Set limits on screen time for the kids ensuring they have time for other activities like reading, or outdoor play.

• Teach Stress Management Skills: Help your kids develop stress management techniques to cope with academic pressures. Encourage deep breathing exercises, pausing to reset emotions, and reflection.

• Cherish Positive Relationships: Building and maintaining positive relationships is crucial for overall health. Encourage your kids to develop friendships based on mutual respect and support.

• Open Communication: Home should be the “safe zone” for open communication about feelings and emotions. Guide and encourage your kids through difficult times. Be aware of their signs of stress or mental health concerns. Listen to what they say, ask questions and share your wisdom. If not, seek professional help when needed.

• Lead by Example: (my favorite) Kids are always watching! They learn by observing the behavior of adults. Model healthy habits, including nutritious eating, regular exercise, proper sleep, and stress management techniques. By, ‘leading by example’, adults can inspire, and encourage their kids to prioritize their health.

Last but not least, the benefits of chiropractic care

Health Tips 4 Back to School

during the back-to-school season. Consider these few details from a chiropractic point of view.

• Correcting Posture: With a new school year, often comes a sedentary lifestyle from improper desk sitting, homework time, and or using electronic devices. Improper prolonged sitting for a developing spine will lead to poor posture! Chiropractors assess and correct postural imbalances, helping to alleviate back, neck, and shoulder pain. Addressing these issues early on through chiropractic care will contribute to better spinal alignment and overall musculoskeletal health.

• Alleviating Backpack-Related Strain / Pain: No doubt, heavy backpacks can strain a developing spine and lead to musculoskeletal problems. Chiropractors provide advice on proper backpack ergonomics. As well as, spinal adjustments and therapies to alleviate any pain, strain or discomfort caused by heavy backpacks.

• Enhancing Sports Performance: For those students who participate in sport activities, chiropractic care can optimize athletic performance by addressing any musculoskeletal imbalances or misalignments that may hinder performance. Chiropractors provide adjustments, soft tissue therapies, and specific exercises to improve flexibility, joint mobility, and overall body function which helps students perform at their best and overall, reduces the risk of injuries.

• Enhancing Focus: Increased academic and social demands, leads to stress and difficulty focusing. Chiropractic care reduces muscle tension and improves overall well-being. Chiropractic adjustments also improves the nervous system function, which may enhance cognitive function and focus.

• Supporting Overall Health: Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and overall health. By ensuring proper spinal alignment and nervous system flow/function, chiropractic care supports the body’s natural healing ability, enhances immune function, and promotes overall well-being. This can be especially beneficial during the back-to-school season when students may experience increased stress levels and potential colds. Overall, chiropractic care can play a valuable role in helping students navigate the back-to-school season.

As an idea, consider creating a ‘back to school’ wagon wheel theme for your family to make it fun. This theme could focus on health-oriented habits for both kids and adults. You can be encouraging balanced nutrition, physical activity, proper sleep, reduced screen time, mindfulness for others, positive relationships, and encouraging safe open communication. This can create a game plan for a successful home environment that fosters overall well-being and academic success. However, leading by example is crucial to promoting and maintaining these habits for a lifetime of health and happiness. ChiropracticToday.com is here to help.

The VW Golf R: The Hatchback Fore Driving Enthusiasts

To tell you Donna’s story, we have to lay out the numbers.

One: These 2023 Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition models are so sought after, we only received one for the whole year.

Two: This is Donna’s second vehicle from Royal VW. When our friends and neighbors keep coming back, we know we’re doing things right.

Three: ‘23 marks 20 years since the debut of the Golf R, and this edition is loaded with special features like fresh wheels, pillar badges, and puddle lights.

Fore: The Golf R tears down the landscape like a powerful drive with 315 horsepower packed into its compact profile.

More about the Volkswagen Golf R

The Golf R is Volkswagen’s undisputed hottest hatch. From humble beginnings, with just over 5,000 produced for the U.S. in 2004, this small but mighty car has amassed a cult following in the states and around the world. And who could blame its fans? All that power meets the road with R-performance 4MOTION® all-wheel drive to deliver unparalleled handling worthy of its racing pedigree. Find or reserve your Golf R at Royal Volkswagen today.

Donna Robinson with her new 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 20th Anniversary Edition.

Hornets on the rise in Year 2

By KYLE PARMLEY

Year one is never easy for high school football coaches, and that was especially the case for Chelsea High School head coach Todd Cassity.

Last summer, Cassity was attempting to establish a new foundation at Chelsea, learn everyone’s names and everything else on top of being the coach to lead the Hornets into the rugged Region 3 of Class 7A.

Chelsea posted a single win in 2022, but the Hornets could have easily won four or five if a few close games swung the other direction.

“The next step for us is to win those close games,” Cassity said. “That’s what we’ve really focused on, is getting to the point where we are able to be successful in those types of games.”

Cassity said he believes the culture has been established within the program, emphasizing character and hard work. He said the team is “leaps and bounds” ahead of last year’s at the outset of a new campaign.

“The kids are competing. They’re working hard. They’re trying to learn everything,” he said.

Cassity has also noticed an increase in the team’s belief level, something he has emphasized since he arrived. There were plenty of doubters with the Hornets entering 7A, but with a year under their belt, they appear much more suited for the challenge.

“Our kids are going to be able to poke their chest out and say we’re here to play,” he said.

OFFENSE

Cassity runs the team’s offense, so the Hornets will primarily be building on what they started last fall. Carter Dotson returns as the quarterback, having gained a wealth of experience as a new starter last fall.

“For him at this point last year to him now, it’s unbelievable the steps he’s made forward. He looks really good,” Cassity said.

Emerson Russell is a small running back at 5-foot-5, but he has always used that to his advantage. Last fall, he ran for 1,130 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He has put on some weight over the offseason and clocked a 40-yard dash in the 4.5-second range over the summer.

“I’m so excited to see what he’s going to be like this year for us,” Cassity said.

On the outside, Jaxon Shuttlesworth returns to the mix after a solid campaign last year. Nick Sulenski, Raymond Bridgeman and Reece Bittner are among the players expected to contribute at receiver as well.

There is reason for optimism regarding the strength of the offensive line, as there are four returning starters, but five guys with significant playing experience entering the season.

Zach Hair, Jacob Glidewell and Logan Sanders are seniors. Hair and Sanders will man the

right side of the line, while Glidewell slots in at center. Juniors Eli Williams and Will Pohlmann are expected to take hold of the left side.

“All five of them have played and have been through the battles, so that’s good,” Cassity said.

Sloan DeWeese returns as a do-it-all fullback as well.

DEFENSE

There are a few new assistant coaches on the defensive side of the ball, along with a new

scheme, so the Hornets will be looking to get settled in this fall under new coordinator Scott Lowery.

The secondary will be the strength of the unit, and the Hornets will look to take full advantage of that by playing three safeties most of the time. Drew Cheslock returns, and Cassity calls him a “hard-nosed player.” Owen Key and Sam Parrish are also back.

The cornerbacks are young but possess plenty of potential. Kenny Wesley is a perfect example, as he is just a sophomore but is someone

coaches expect to be a strong contributor.

Anderson Brooks returns to anchor the middle linebacker spot. Adam Cornwell played outside linebacker last fall and is also back.

The Hornets will be the youngest up front, as they have no returning starters along the defensive line. Romello Cooper is a junior edge rusher with plenty of potential.

“We’re hoping he’s going to show out,” Cassity said.

Gavin Hailstock is set to be the starting nose guard.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Luke Miller has already established himself as one of the top soccer players in the area and is entering his sophomore season. He kicked some for the football team as an eighth grader and is expected to handle kicking duties again this fall.

Tyler Kirkland is a sophomore long snapper who appears to be next in line, as Chelsea has established a tradition of quality long snappers.

Qassim Harbor is set to be the punter, and Cassity said he was averaging over 40 yards per punt throughout the summer.

“We’ve already put in all our [special teams] groups and everything and have a bunch of young guys flying around,” he said.

Above: Chelsea wide receiver Jaxon Shuttlesworth (17) is back after a solid 2022 season. Shuttlesworth is expected to be one of Carter Dotson’s top targets in the passing game.

Left: Chelsea’s Sloan DeWeese (24) is a versatile player, who can do it all from the fullback position. Photos by Erin Nelson.

Left: Chelsea’s Logan Sanders (58) is one of four returning starters along the offensive line. He will play on the right side of the line this fall. Right: Chelsea linebacker Anderson Brooks (9) is a returning starter on the Hornets’ defense, as he plays middle linebacker. Brooks will be one of the key players in new coordinator Scott Lowery’s defense. Photos by Todd Lester.

OAK MOUNTAIN

CONTINUED from page B1

That starts with the offensive line, and McComb likes what he has seen from the likes of Cordell Williams, Luke Parmer, Barron Meadors, Colton Cason and Bradley Haizlip.

In the backfield, McComb said sophomores Le’Kamren Meadows and Marty Myricks possess good vision and athleticism.

At quarterback, Will O’Dell returns and has made tremendous strides over the offseason, according to his coach. Drowdy Hackbarth is also part of the quarterback room and will be featured in some packages, in addition to

playing defense.

Sawyer Smith at wide receiver should be one of the top players on the unit.

“Sawyer is going to be a huge guy for us on offense,” McComb said.

Jacob Moore and Tristyn Vardaman are other receivers making an impact in preseason camp.

At tight end, Jackson Blackwell, Niko Varvoutis and Peyton Gamble are in the mix.

DEFENSE

McComb is a defensive-minded coach, so he will put a major emphasis on that side of the ball.

“Alignment, assignment, tackling and

pursuit” are the words he emphasizes on a daily basis with his team.

“You can’t just expect to do it, you’ve got to practice it,” he said.

Jacob Porco is one of the leaders of the defense at the linebacker spot. William Yoder, Colton Moore and Caleb Jaworski are also competing for big roles in the middle of the unit.

At defensive line, Ian Laughlin has moved to end after playing offense last season. Daveon Johnson has impressed, while Varvoutis will take snaps there as well. On the inside, Joey Lewis and Jordan Pierce-Harris are young players ready to step up.

In the secondary, the Eagles suffered an

unfortunate injury in the summer to free safety Drew Field. Hackbarth will play safety, with Robert Yoder at the nickel position. Cole Kelly is in the mix to play one of those spots as well.

Freshman Jayden Aparicio will play a prominent role at cornerback, with players like Sean Ray, Malachi Plummer and Kylan Baker looking for opportunities.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Senior kicker James Whatley has impressed throughout camp. McComb believes he has the potential to play Division I football, noting that he is consistently pushing kickoffs deep into the end zone.

Above: Oak Mountain’s Le’Kamren Meadows (14) is one of two sophomore running backs the Eagles will count on this fall to lead the rushing attack. Photo by Shawn Bowles. Top right: Oak Mountain’s Jackson Blackwell (85) returns as a tight end and is expected to be one of the leaders of the offense. Photo by Erin Nelson. Bottom right: Oak Mountain’s Jacob Porco (3) and Drowdy Hackbarth (17) will be key parts of the Eagles’ defense this fall. Porco is one of the most experienced players on the unit, while Hackbarth could also see some time on offense.

Photo by Todd Lester.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Lions eager to start new playoff streak

By KYLE PARMLEY

It seems a bit odd that a head coach would count a team that finished with a 3-7 record among his favorite teams to coach.

But that is how Briarwood Christian School coach Matthew Forester feels about his 2022 team. Unfortunately, the Lions lost a few close games, got bitten by the injury bug and missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly 30 years.

“A couple plays go different and you’re looking at another great season,” Forester said. “They came to work every day and did a good job leading through adversity.”

Although the wins did not come as frequently as Forester hoped last fall, he finds joy in the team’s collective struggle and determination to continue competing throughout the season.

“The hard part about life is you’re judged by your wins and losses, but that’s not what makes you successful,” he said.

But now the page has turned to a new season and what the Lions hope is the start of another long playoff streak. There are plenty of question marks, but also plenty of familiar faces to give the Lions confidence heading into the 2023 season.

OFFENSE

For the first time in four years, Briarwood will have a new leader under center, as fouryear starting quarterback Christopher Vizzina is now on the roster at Clemson University.

Vizzina was the most highly touted recruit in program history and had an elite grasp of the offense, giving his coaches the confidence to call any play at any time.

That will be scaled back some this fall, as Will Clark and Josh Thompson will look to take over the quarterback role.

“Either one that ends up winning will be great and do a really good job,” Forester said. “We’ve got two really good quarterbacks competing.”

Vizzina was a huge factor in the Lions’ running game as well, so Briarwood is reinforcing its commitment to running the ball effectively with its stable of running backs. Cooper Higgins has been an effective player in previous seasons, with Evan Robson and Eli Thompson also in the mix.

Out wide, the Lions will be breaking in a largely new set of receivers. Forester expects senior Sawyer Click to have a strong season. Caleb Keller has switched over from the defensive side to provide some playmaking ability,

while senior Gabe Margene will also be a factor. Ben McNulty is a junior expected to contribute, while Grey Reebals is expected to see time on both sides of the ball.

Max Luster is another two-way player who has made a name for himself along the defensive line, but he will serve as a tight end in the offense as well. Gavin Gurtis and Chance Freeman will compete for time at that spot as well.

Along the offensive line, Briarwood has two returning starters, which is a typical and encouraging number. Luke Schultz has received several Division I offers and is the leader of that group, with Trey Saunders also returning with plenty of experience. Cole Carter, Lude Solomon and Charlie Thompson are seniors who could step into starting roles.

Tanner Hutson, Knox Jones and Barnabas Karanja are also in the mix there.

Forester calls the offensive line the hardest position to play in all of sports. The Lions also welcome Tony Johnson to the staff to coach that front, as he comes over

following an extremely successful tenure at Mountain Brook.

DEFENSE

Briarwood’s defense allowed 30 points per game last fall, the highest number in program history and likely an aberration. Forester said a trip to Clemson in the spring gave him some renewed ideas to implement with his own defense, and he is excited about the potential of the unit.

That starts up front, where the Lions have five returning defensive linemen. Seniors Andrew Kassouf, Luke Dickinson and Luster are three versatile players with plenty of talent and experience. Cace Reynolds and Garrett Witherington are also back on the ends. Forester prefers having at least six players in rotation, so look for Zeke Turner, Eli Stubbs and Vaughn Wilson to compete for playing time as well.

Jack Cornish is transitioning to the Mike linebacker position after playing the Will position last year. Luke Reynolds is moving down

from safety to play as the nickel linebacker. Asa Harris and Griffin Albright could crack the lineup as well.

There’s technically one returning starter in the secondary in Ethan Carr, but Reynolds is playing linebacker and Reebals is moving from nickel to cornerback, so there is plenty of experience among those three guys.

Rylan Hamm, Wes Burgess, Brooks Travis and Jon Jobes are all in the mix to play safety, while Patrick Wilson and Luke Livingston are also competing at corner.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Lions will break in a new kicker following the graduation of Aidan Punch, and Garrett Heinemann appears to be that guy. Forester lauded Heinemann’s leg strength and said he could handle the kicking and punting duties. Briarwood will be on the search for a long snapper, but Reebals’s abilities as a returner make that position a comfortable one for the coaching staff.

Briarwood’s Cooper Higgins (13) will lead the way for a Lions backfield that is placing an added emphasis on running the football this fall.

Briarwood offensive lineman Luke Schultz (71) is one of the Lions’ offensive and team leaders and is back for his senior season. He joins Trey Saunders as a returning starter on the offensive line. Photos by Laura Chramer

Jags looking to break through

By KYLE PARMLEY

Times have been tough in the Spain Park High School football program in recent years.

The Jags have not made the state playoffs since 2017 and have suffered five consecutive losing seasons, including last year’s 3-7 mark in Tim Vakakes’ first year as the head coach.

But there is a feeling within the walls at Spain Park that the tide is turning.

“The pendulum has swung,” said Vakakes, who enters his second season in charge. “You’re starting to see it in how they carry themselves.”

That’s simply one part of the process, though. Class 7A, Region 3 has gotten no easier, and teams will have no desire to roll over and let the Jags reclaim a spot in the upper echelon of the region.

“At some point, rubber has to meet the road and you’ve got to win,” Vakakes said. “Hopefully we can take that next step.”

The Jags were competitive in several of their losses, but fatigue, lack of experience in critical moments and other factors kept them from getting over the hump. But they are trending in a positive direction in the eyes of the head coach.

“We’ll be stronger; we’ll be tougher,” Vakakes said. “It means a lot to them, and they’re tired of losing. All those things together and a really good coaching staff, you’ve got a chance.”

Last year’s team had a few chances to break through, but “we were scared to bust through the door.” Vakakes wants to see a confident team between the lines this fall, one that challenges for plenty of wins and makes a run at the playoffs.

“They’re ready to go, they’re ready to play, they’re ready to win and change this program,” he said. “These kids change programs. That’s what you’re starting to see here. It’s starting to change.”

OFFENSE

Spain Park’s offense averaged short of 18 points per game last fall, and the Jags certainly hope that number is much higher this season.

Brock Bradley and Eli Smallwood have been engaged in a quarterback competition throughout the offseason. Bradley, now a sophomore, got some experience over the final three games last year and played well.

“The best thing about Brock is off the field,” Vakakes said. “As good as he is on the field, off the field is where Brock is different. He raises everybody’s level around him.”

In the backfield, brothers Dakarai and Derick Shanks return after being a productive tandem last fall.

The Jags have a few strong receivers on the outside. Jonathan Bibbs appears ready for another breakout season as a senior, after catching 50 passes for over 600 yards last fall. Reggie Jackson has the ability to stretch the field, Bo Jones is back at Spain Park after transferring from Thompson and Andrew Thornton and Logan Brownlee are in the mix as well.

“We’ve got some kids that can make some plays,” Vakakes said.

Connor Langston and Hudson Cahalan are

back to flank the offensive line at tackle, but the Jags will be replacing both guards and the center.

DEFENSE

Spain Park’s defense simply wore down last fall, struggling to keep up while the offense sputtered. The Jags have some key pieces back and should be able to compete more consistently.

“They’re going to be better, be more multiple and have more things they can do,” Vakakes said.

Left: Spain Park running back Dakarai Shanks (20), along with brother Derick, will anchor the Jags’ rushing attack once again this season.

Below: Spain Park quarterback Brock Bradley (9) gained some experience by playing in the final three games last season. Head coach Tim Vakakes said he is also a player who “raises everyone’s level.”

Along the defensive line, the conversation starts with junior Jared Smith, a four-star prospect with college offers from Alabama and Auburn. Vakakes said Smith has continued to improve and is excited to see what he can do this season.

“When his productivity ever matches his potential, he’s going to be fun to watch. He’s a hard worker and he’s starting to learn what it is to be a good teammate,” Vakakes said.

Nik Alston will also be a junior and has potential to be a great player. He’s the younger brother of Brian Alston, who graduated and signed with Arkansas State last year.

Senior linebacker Landon Huey is the leader in the middle of the defense.

In the secondary, the Jags have some players with experience that should provide stability on the back end of the defense. Jamari Mosley is a senior cornerback, while Kelby Roberson is a senior safety who is back in good standing with the program and has turned into a leader.

“[Kelby] and Jamar together give us some stability and athletic ability out there,” Vakakes said.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Much like last season, Alex Lloyd and Josh Tulloss will battle it out for the kicking and punting duties.

Spain Park defensive lineman Jared Smith (33) is a junior four-star prospect who is expected to lead the way for the Jaguars’ defense. Photos by Todd Lester.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

It’s that time again

We’re back, aren’t we?

With the seeming snap of a finger, the 2023-24 school year has arrived. With that comes fall sports, and everyone’s mind immediately goes to football. Whether it’s your favorite high school or college (or even NFL) football team, many of us in this part of the country eagerly anticipate the gridiron action once more.

As the sports editor at Starnes Media, I am fortunate enough to see the best of the best when it comes to covering high school sports. From Hewitt-Trussville’s run in softball, to Hoover’s historic dominance in football, to Mountain Brook’s basketball success over the last decade, it’s been incredible to be along for the journey.

It seems like the 2023 spring sports season just ended yesterday, but this month, the fall sports programs at our local high schools will begin competition once more. Football always garners the most headlines, but there will be plenty of volleyball, cross-country and flag football to enjoy as well.

One of my favorite things about the beginning of new sports seasons is the unknown. Things never happen exactly as they did the year before. While you can often forecast some of the top teams and some of the bottom teams, there are always plenty of surprises and unexpected turns along the way.

There’s a saying in sports, “They play the games for a reason.”

That’s because you simply never know what’s going to happen on a given Friday night under the lights, or in a given volleyball match.

When it comes to football, will any of our local teams knock Thompson off the Class 7A pedestal? This could be the year someone like Vestavia Hills, Hoover or Hewitt-Trussville takes that next step and breaks through to the

state championship.

Spain Park is in its second season under head coach Tim Vakakes, and anyone you ask believes big things are on the horizon for the Jags’ program. But will that manifest itself this year? Chelsea and Oak Mountain are also looking to make some noise in that difficult region.

Mountain Brook is fresh off a run to the 6A championship game, so how can the Spartans follow that up? Briarwood is looking to return to the playoffs after its 29-year playoff streak was snapped last fall. Homewood has been a strong team for several years and will look to keep that momentum despite a few key losses. John Carroll is also looking to rebound.

On the volleyball court, Mountain Brook, Hoover and Spain Park have been at the top of the heap the last several years. But don’t sleep on the likes of Vestavia Hills, Oak Mountain, Chelsea, Homewood and John Carroll. They have all been at least close to the state tournament in recent years.

Hewitt-Trussville has been the top flag football program in the area the last two years, winning the state championship in 2021. Will they make a run again, or will a team like Vestavia Hills rise up and break through?

On the trail, Mountain Brook’s boys and girls swept state cross-country titles last fall. Chelsea’s girls and Vestavia Hills’ boys won in 7A to give our area all the 6A and 7A trophies.

The storylines are always plentiful as we get going this school year and this season. It’s going to be fun to follow along and see which players and teams step up and make names for themselves.

I can’t wait.

Kyle Parmley is the sports editor at Starnes Media.

Parmley

Waite, Glenn Miller Orchestra headline 2023-24 Hoover Library Theatre season

By JON ANDERSON

Tickets go on sale Aug. 28 for the 2023-24 Hoover Library Theatre season, which includes power ballad and rock star John Waite and the famous Glenn Miller Orchestra among the season’s eight acts.

Matina Johnson, fine arts director for the Hoover Public Library, said she is excited about this year’s lineup, which is heavy on musicians.

Some years, the lineup has included plays, aerial performers and magicians, but this year, library officials decided to give a bigger embrace to the musical acts, which tend to sell the most tickets in Hoover.

There is a production of Rodger and Hammerstein’s “Carousel,” but it’s a “concert rendition” that is more like an old radio show than a full musical, Johnson said. The actors will be in costume in front of microphones, but there will be no set changes, she said.

Waite, who is best known for his No. 1 hit single “Missing You” in 1984 and his work as the lead singer for Bad English a few years later, has his performance slated for Feb. 18 and will kick off the 2024 Southern Voices Festival.

“This is probably one of the biggest ones [acts] we’ve ever had,” Johnson said. “We were happy to get him anytime we can get him.”

The Glenn Miller Orchestra, which was an American swing dance band led by Glenn Miller from 1938 to 1944, has been led by various conductors over the decades since reconstituting without Miller in 1956.

The orchestra coming to Hoover on Jan. 30-31 is an 18-member ensemble that includes five saxophonists, four trumpeters, four trombonists, three rhythm musicians and two vocalists, Johnson said. The orchestra plays about 300 live shows a year, she said.

“We’re really happy to have them here on our stage,” Johnson said. “I think it’ll be a warm show for a cold time of year.”

The season kicks off Oct. 5-6 with Seth Mulder and Midnight Run, a traditional bluegrass band that had the fourth most-played song on bluegrass radio in 2021. “It will be a high-energy show,” Johnson said.

This season contains two artists with an Alabama connection. The first is Beth Neilsen Chapman on Nov. 2-3. Chapman, whose family moved to Montgomery when she was a teen, recorded her first album in Muscle Shoals and went on to become a Grammy Award-nominated singer/songwriter and member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The other is Mac McAnally, who was born in Red Bay, Alabama, and later became a studio musician in Muscle Shoals, before going on to record 10 studio albums and eight singles of his own and being chosen as Musician of the Year by the County Music Association 10 times. He also is a guitarist in Jimmy Buffet’s Coral Reefer Band. McAnally will perform in Hoover with Eric Darken on March 21-22.

Rissi Palmer, a country singer and special correspondent for Country Music Television’s “Hot Country Countdown,” closes out the Library Theater season in May. Johnson described her as “very much an up-and-comer” who is “hot on the momentum trajectory.”

There is one Library Theatre show that involves dance this year. A “Celtic Angels Christmas” show is scheduled for Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 and combines Irish dancing with vocal and instrumental holiday and Irish favorites.

“It’s just a show that captures the magic of the season,” Johnson said. “Every Celtic show we’ve had has had a wonderful reception from the audience and community.”

It’s one that is designed for people of all ages, she said.

Here’s a bit more about each act in the 202324 Hoover Library Theatre season, based on information from the Hoover Public Library, the acts’ websites and other bios:

SETH MULDER AND MIDNIGHT RUN

► When: Oct. 5-6, 7 p.m.

► Details: This band started in 2015 at the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and is made up of five members who draw from influences that include bluegrass, country and rock and roll.

It is led by Mulder, who sings and plays mandolin, but also includes Colton Powers on banjo and harmony vocals, Ben Watlington on guitar, Max Etling on bass and Max Silverstein on fiddle.

Their first studio album, “In Dreams I Go Back,” debuted on the Billboard charts at No. 7, and their singles “My, My, My,” “The Mountains Are Calling,” “Carolina Line” and “One More Night” spent multiple weeks on the Top 10 charts. “My, My, My” was named 2023 Song of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America.

BETH NEILSEN CHAPMAN

► When: Nov. 2-3, 7 p.m.

► Details: Chapman, a country and adult contemporary singer, has put out 15 albums of her own and has written songs for elite musicians including Tanya Tucker, Michael McDonald, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, LeAnn Rimes, Lorrie Morgan, Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Rogers, Michael W. Smith,

Top: The WorldFamous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Above left: Seth Mulder and Midnight Run. Above right: The Celtic Angels. Photos courtesy of Hoover Library Theatre. Left: Beth Neilsen Chapman.

Photo by Thomas Crabtree.

Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Jim Brickman, Elton John, Amy Grant and Alabama. She also helped write “This Kiss,” which was sung by Faith Hill and went on to become the 1999 Song of the Year and receive a Grammy nomination.

In 2015, she joined Olivia Newton-John and Canadian artist Amy Sky to create an album to aid and comfort people experiencing grief and loss and celebrate the power of music to heal. She was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.

CELTIC ANGELS CHRISTMAS

► When: Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7 p.m.

► Details: This show includes Irish step dancing by the Celtic Knight Dancers directed by Sarah Costello of Belfast and Dublin native Louise Barry; vocals of traditional and contemporary Irish and holiday tunes by Barry, Searlait Ni Caiside, Olivia Bradley, Michaela Groth and Katie Sweeney; and a live band. The musical arranger is Peter Sheridan of Cavan and Celtic Thunder.

WORLD-FAMOUS GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

► When: Jan 30-31, 2024, 7 p.m.

► Details: Glenn Miller and his orchestra was the bestselling recording band from 1939 to 1942 with standout songs such as “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,”

“At Last,” “Tuxedo Junction” and “In the Mood.” In four years, Miller scored 16 No. 1 records and 69 Top 10 hits, more than Elvis Presley and the Beatles in their careers.

Miller, who volunteered to join the military to entertain troops during World War II and ended up in the U.S. Army Air Forces, also was considered the father of modern military bands, but he disappeared during a flight over the English Channel in 1944.

The present World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra was reconstituted in 1956 and has been touring worldwide under different directors and with various musicians ever since.

JOHN WAITE

► When: Feb. 18, 3 and 7 p.m.

► Details: Waite, an English musician, started as the lead singer and bassist of a British rock band called The Babys. The band had two songs, “Isn’t it Time?” and “Every Time I Think of You,” peak at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and disbanded in 1980.

Waite then launched a solo career and in 1984 had a No. 1 hit song, “Missing You,” from his “No Brakes” album.

In 1988, he joined up with former Babys bandmates Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips, along with Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo from Journey, to form a group called Bad English. One of that group’s songs, “When I See You Smile,” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and earned a gold single status.

Bad English disbanded in 1992, and Waite went back out on his own.

MAC McANALLY AND ERIC DARKEN

► When: March 21-22, 7 p.m.

► Details: McAnally was born in Red Bay and grew up playing the piano and singing in church in Belmont, Mississippi. He later became a studio musician in Muscle Shoals and launched his career in pop and country music.

He has put out 17 albums of his own and hit No. 14 on U.S. country charts in 1990 with

“Back Where I Come From.” But he is perhaps best known for being the guitarist for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band and for writing songs for others to perform, including co-writing “Old Flame” for Alabama and the No. 1 hits “Down the Road” by Kenny Chesney, “Thank God For You” by Sawyer Brown and “Two Dozen Roses” by Shenandoah.

McAnally was voted Musician of the Year by the Country Music Association 10 times between 2008 and 2018.

Darken is a percussionist who has recorded with artists such as Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Jewel, James Bay, Maren Morris, Bob Seger, Carrie Underwood, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Carly Pearce and Moon Taxi. He also has performed with artists such as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill and Take 6 and currently tours with Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band.

CAROUSEL – IN CONCERT

► When: April 11-12, 7 p.m.

► Details: This Rodgers and Hammerstein touring production stars Ciaran Sheehan and tells the story of Billy Bigelow, a swaggering, carefree carnival barker who falls in love with and marries the sweet but naïve Julie Jordan. It’s a tale of hope, redemption and the power of love set in the 1870s and 1880s.

The actors and singers perform the musical in the style of an old radio show.

RISSI PALMER

► When: May 2-3, 7 p.m.

► Details: Palmer was born in Pittsburgh

Get Your Tickets

Tickets go on sale:

► Aug. 28: Past season ticket holders

► Aug. 31: New season ticket subscribers

► Sept. 1: Single-show tickets

How to purchase tickets:

► Cost: $35 plus a $3 processing fee

► Web: thelibrarytheatre.com

► Phone: 205-444-7888

► Box office hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

and spent her adolescent years in St. Louis. She was raised in a musical family that loved both country and R&B and had her first label deal by the age of 19.

She released her debut self-titled album in 2007 with singles such as “Country Girl,” “Hold On To Me” and “No Air,” and she since has independently released a Christmas single, her first children’s album, “Best Day Ever,” and an extended play track titled “Back Porch Sessions.” Her most recent album, “Revival,” was released in 2019.

Palmer has performed at the White House and New York’s Lincoln Center and had multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. She has toured extensively and shared stages with Taylor Swift, The Eagles, Chris Young, Charley Crockett, Miko Marks and many more, as well as had national appearances on “Oprah & Friends,” “CMT Insider,” CNN, “CBS This Morning,” “Good Morning America,” “Entertainment Tonight” and Fox Soul’s “The Book of Sean.”

Palmer launched her own radio show, called “Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer,” on Apple Music Country and is a special correspondent for Country Music Television’s “Hot 20 Countdown.”

Clockwise from top left: Mac McAnally. Ciaran Sheehan in “Carousel.” Rissi Palmer. John Waite. Photos courtesy of Hoover Library Theatre.

Today is John’s first day of school. His mother, Tanya, is saying goodbye to him. She kisses him. She straightens his collar and fixes his hair. She sends him off to join his kindergarten classmates.

Soon, several five-year-olds are walking into the building, all wearing large backpacks. Tanya waves again.

“I love you!” she shouts from the parking lot.

“Love you, mom!” he yells.

“So much!”

“I know, Mom!”

John’s book bag looks heavier than he is. His mother waves again and again. More I-loveyou’s, more blowing kisses.

Tanya says, “Lord, I never knew it would be this hard.”

She admits that she doesn’t know exactly how to feel right now. Of course she feels proud, but also a little sick to her stomach.

“For five years,” she says, “I taught him to talk, eat, how to say yes ma’am, everything. It’s always been him and me. But now …” She wipes the corner of her eye. “Now he’s in there, and I’m out here.”

There are lots of parents out here. Each parent watches his or her child join the herd of lost puppies who do not understand the concept of a single-file line.

On the sidewalk, kids await their teacher who will take them to a classroom.

Tanya’s friend, Kimberly, is also saying goodbye to her son, Townes.

Kimberly says, “This is a happy day, don’t get me wrong, but it’s bittersweet, you know?”

John and Townes are with their peers. Laughing. Horsing around. Today is the first

Sean of the South By Sean Dietrich 1st day of school

day of the rest of their lives.

Their two mothers couldn’t be prouder if this were a Lee Greenwood hit song.

As it happens, I remember my first day of kindergarten. In fact, I remember it with startling clarity. Which is bizarre because I don’t have a good memory.

My memory has gotten worse with age. There are lots of things I can’t recall. For example, my middle name.

But I remember my first day of school.

It was hot. I wore blue shorts. Yellow shirt. We didn’t use backpacks, I don’t know why. Instead, we all carried brown paper grocery sacks. The same kind you get from the Piggly Wiggly.

My mother wore a pink dress with pockets. Her hair was long. She escorted me into an old building that smelled like mildew and disinfectant. I was nervous.

Then my mother waved goodbye, and I watched her from the window of our classroom. She walked home with her hands shoved in her dress pockets. Without me.

Oh, the humanity.

School was frightening. Our teacher was a large woman who played an out-of-tune piano and bounced around singing the song “Mairzy Doats.” Which is an unsettling song with weird, trippy lyrics that sound like something chanted in various insane asylums.

“Mairzy doats and dozy doats,

“And liddle lamzy divey, “A kiddley divey too, “Wouldn’t you?”

It was hell on earth. And it got worse. At naptime, our teacher taught us to fold our hands and recite:

“Now I lay me down to sleep,

“I pray the Lord my soul to keep, “If I should die before I wake, “I pray the Lord my soul to take.”

This disturbing little ditty suggests that any child dumb enough to fall asleep might actually stop breathing and die before he or she ever wakes up. I was so terrified by this poem that I did not fully fall asleep until I hit my mid-thirties.

After my first day of class, I darted out of the school building, carrying my paper sack. My mother was waiting. I jumped into her arms and begged her to never leave me again.

We walked home. And that night before bed, I found something on my pillow. It was a gift. A handmade book, crafted from construction paper.

My mother made it. Inside were pictures she had illustrated. The book was entitled, “Mama and Me.”

The book was a pictorial story of a mother and son who had all kinds of adventures. They flew airplanes, climbed mountains, drove race cars, and splashed in oceans.

“I missed you today,” my mother said.

And for as long as I live, I will never forget that.

Over the years, my mother and I grew up a lot. Our family story was not an easy one, but we had lots of experiences. Some were terrifying, others were adventurous.

We never flew airplanes or raced stock cars, but we survived. And that counts for something. Somehow the young woman in the pink dress helped a little boy become a man.

Right now, I am watching young parents do the same thing for their children.

Tanya says with a laugh, “God, I don’t know what I’m gonna do with myself now that he’s gone.”

“Yeah,” says Kimberly. “Same here.”

The group of children follow Teacher. They start walking toward school. The kids wave. Parents wave.

These children have a fun day ahead of them. Maybe they will sing, finger paint, dance or learn morbid little bedtime prayers that will haunt them until they are middle-aged.

The doors swing open. The kids walk inside. Each mother and father fits in final goodbyes.

“I love you, John!” Tanya shouts.

John waves. He disappears inside.

“There goes my little boy,” says Tanya, sniffing her nose. “He’ll probably have so much fun today that he’ll forget all about his mother.”

No, he won’t.

Not for as long as he lives.

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.

Dietrich

Holy Moly Motherhood By Alana Smith Back to school

As a kid, those were the worst words in the history of words. The second my mom started talking about buying school supplies and getting a haircut, I felt the summer wind being sucked from my sails.

“It’s over,” I’d think.

Goodbye late bedtimes and sleeping in. Goodbye pool days and ice cream trucks. Goodbye mid-week slumber parties. Goodbye movie marathons. Goodbye freedom. Goodbye fun.

Smith

That last night of summer always felt like the end of an era — the end of what you knew.

Summer is just so easygoing and comfortable, and school isn’t. And I was always anxious about the new school year. What is my teacher going to be like? Who will I sit by? Do I buy my lunch or bring one? What will everyone else be doing? What if my new shoes aren’t cool?

I vividly remember my first day of seventh grade. I was dressed in my brand new, Limited Too jeans. I was ready. I’m sure my mom paid $100 for that outfit, which was a lot of money, especially back then. But little did I know that over the summer, Abercrombie & Fitch and their distressed jeans came to town, and that was the style now. It was a bad day for a 12-year-old who wasn’t wearing something with A&F on the tag. I missed summer real bad that day.

But as a mom, the end of summer has a different feel to it. I love slower days and no-homework nights, but there is a bit of chaos that accompanies summer break. After 76 days without a routine, it makes parents a little weary. If you are a working parent, it’s also expensive to find care for those weeks,

so getting back into the swing of school is a relief. Plus, figuring out the logistics of eight weeks of summer camp will make you see stars, honestly. If you’ve stayed home with your kids for 76 straight days, you are probably seeing stars by now, as well.

It’s over.

And while I’m a little bit relieved to start back to school and our routines, I’m also sad to see another year go by. My oldest will never be in second grade again, and my youngest is one step closer to kindergarten. You realize how big they are when they’re holding a “First Day of 3rd Grade!” sign and smiling their big-kid smile.

I’m also filled with that same seventh-grade anxiety, but for my own child. Will he have someone to sit with? Will he love his teacher? Will she love him? Will he be kind and be a leader? Will he know where to go? Will he make new friends?

We have no control over any of this, really. All we can do is buy the backpack and the shoes and tell them they are kind, smart and loved. They have to do the rest. And they will. Then they will get through the first day of school and triumphantly say,

“It’s over!”

Alana is a nurse anesthetist, writer and boy mom (ages 8 and 3), who lives in north Shelby County with her husband, kids and Boxer, Sam. When she’s not writing or chasing little humans, she can usually be found in the aisles of Target. She shares her writings at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she takes on all things motherhood and marriage.

North Shelby Library

The library will be closed Sundays until Aug. 20.

CHILDREN

All month: Craft Kit-to-Go. Take-home sand mandala craft. While supplies last. All ages with adult assistance. No registration.

All month: Eye Spy. Stop by the children's department for our month-long Eye Spy challenge. All ages. No registration.

All month: In-House Scavenger Hunt: Crayons! Find all the hidden crayons in the children's department for a chance to win a box of crayons this national coloring book month. All ages. No registration.

All month: STEM Kit-to-Go. Build a simple flute. Visit the Children's Department to pick up a STEM kit! Please note: Kits may have small pieces. While supplies last. All ages with adult assistance. No registration.

Aug. 8: Jan the Science Lady: Engineering Challenge. 10:30 a.m. Join us for STEM fun with Dynamic Education. All ages. Registration required.

TWEENS

All month: Tween Activity Kit: Break-in Bags. Pick up a break-in bag, solve the riddles to open the lock and get the goodies inside. While supplies last. For ages 8-12. No registration.

Aug. 12: Spanish Language Club for Ages 8-17. 2 p.m. A club for those between the ages of 8-17 interested in learning the Spanish language. For ages 8-12. Registration required.

Aug. 24: Tween Leadership Council Meeting. 5 p.m. Socializing, program planning and service activity. For ages 8-12. Registration required. For applications, visit the Children’s Department or northshelbylibrary.org.

TEENS

Fridays: Teen Open Gaming. 3 p.m. Play the Switch, XBOX ONE, Wii, Minecraft, board games and card games with other teens! You can bring your own system but all games must be E, E10 or T and approved by the librarian. To sign up, visit northshelbylibrary.org or call 205-439-5512.

Aug. 12: Back to School Teen Hangout: Flippin’ Relax! 6 p.m. A chill evening of music, games and pancakes. Relax with friends and play some board and video games.

Aug. 17: Teen Council Semester Meeting. 4 p.m. The Teen Leadership Council will meet for a semester planning session. Pizza will be served. Applications available on the Teen page of northshelbylibrary.org.

Aug. 28: Teen Movie Night: “Jaws.” 5:30 p.m. Come in your comfiest pajamas, hang out and watch the movie “Jaws” with shark-themed snacks and drinks.

ADULTS

Aug. 4 and 18: Language Club. 5 p.m. Practice and learn languages with like-minded individuals who all have the same goal of improving their language education. Registration required.

Aug. 17: NSL Book Club. 10:30 a.m. This month’s book will be “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus. Registration required for Zoom.

Aug. 24: Prepared Awareness. 6 p.m. Planning your life celebration.

Aug. 29: 10 Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Naturally. 10:30 a.m. Learn from Dr. Anita Lee, a physical therapist and international wellness coach, about her top strategies for staying healthy and maintaining optimal wellness. Registration required.

Mt Laurel Library

CHILDREN

Aug. 12: Crafty Saturday. 10 a.m. All ages with parent help. Registration is not required, but supplies are limited.

ADULT

Aug. 3: Mt Laurel Book Club. 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Mt Laurel Book Club will meet at the library to discuss “Stars of Alabama” by Sean Dietrich.

Aug. 14: Mt Laurel Knitting Group. 2-4 p.m. For knitters, crocheters or any other needle crafters.

Chelsea Library

Saturdays: Teen Theatre Club. Presented by the Red Mountain Theatre Company. Learn the fundamentals of theater and work towards showcase projects led by Alie B. Gorrie and Daley Browning. Registration required.

Aug. 19: Homeschool Hangout. A monthly club for homeschoolers to get together for fun activities for all school-aged students.

Great ideas often occur in the most comfortable of settings, and Bellini’s is no exception. With that in mind, in 2008, after discussing ideas over a bottle (or 2) of wine, the concept of Bellinis was formed.

Come relax, enjoy your own glass of wine among friends, and see where your discussions take you.

Bellinis is Birmingham’s only Italian Infused Steakhouse featuring the highest quality steaks hand-cut for perfection and grilled over our wood burning grill, house made pastas, seafood, and classic Italian dishes.

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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. Other transactions may affect the monthly payment. *** 0% APR for 60 months financing available with purchases of $1999 or over and does not include sales tax. ** The special terms APR of 8.99% will apply to the qualifying purchase, and 48 monthly payments equal to 2.5090% of the original special terms balance are required.*** The Nationwide Marketing Group credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 7/25/2023 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 8/21/2023. **** Free base offer applies to Queen set purchase of $799 and above or King set purchase $999 and above. King base applies to either one horizontal King Base or one of two TXL bases.***** Free Delivery on mattress sets $699 and up, Local area.