280 Living April 2022

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April 2022 | Volume 15 | Issue 8

CABINETRY REFINISHING

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Unlimited Colors Refinishing/Refacing Additions/Modifications Granite & Quartz Countertops Tile & Stone

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KEEPING KIDS SAFE Owens House works to protect, advocate, provide resources to Shelby children

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

A

Women in cybersecurity say the field has changed immensely over the past 10 years and continues to grow at a rapid pace.

pril is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It serves as a time to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect.

According to the Alabama Network of Child Advocacy Centers, in most cases, children who are abused or neglected suffer greater emotional pain than physical damage. Recognizing the importance of early trauma to future development is crucial to assisting the victim, the organization and other experts say.

280 Living recently spoke to several agencies that are focused on helping those victims.

See page A21

All-South Metro

SHELBY COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Spain Park’s Colin Turner and coach Chris Laatsch notch postseason honors, along with other players from Eagles, Hornets, Lions.

See page B4

INSIDE Sponsors........... A4 280 News.......... A6 Business............ A9 Chamber..........A13 Schoolhouse....A15 Community.....A24

Events..............A26 Sports................ B4 Spring Home & Garden....... B8 Opinion............B20 Calendar.......... B23

Family advocate and forensic investigator Tori Overton and Executive Director Vetrica Hill sit with Fitz, a 4-year-old service-trained facility dog at Owens House, the Shelby County Children’s Advocacy Center in Columbiana. Photo by Erin Nelson.

See OWENS HOUSE | page A24

Fire at the Foothills back for 11th year at new location

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

facebook.com/280living

Shelby County DHR is responsible for assessing the safety of children and determining whether a family is capable of providing proper care. Director Kim Mashego said their priority is to keep children in their homes with their families whenever this can be accomplished safely, and they offer a variety of support and intervention services

What started as a debate among friends about who made the better chili soon turned into one of the biggest annual events in the city of Chelsea.

It’s been over a decade since Chelsea City Councilman Scott Weygand and Dr. Justin Fogo, who owns a chiropractic office in Chelsea, decided to take their friendly competition to the next level.

2022 will mark both the 11th year for the annual Fire at the Foothills Barbecue and Chili Cook-Off and the event’s move to a new location.

As the event has grown, more space has been needed. It

See FOOTHILLS | page A26

Event-goers try samples of barbecue during the 2021 Fire at the Foothills Barbecue and Chili CookOff. This year’s event is scheduled for April 2 at the Chelsea Community Center. Photo

by Leah Ingram Eagle.

A2 • April 2022

280 Living

Financial Tips for Launching a Side Hustle Whether you need extra income to pay your bills, are saving up for a future expenditure or just want a bit more spending money, side hustles are an increasingly common solution. In fact, recent studies suggest that as many as one in three Americans have a side hustle.

Personally, I’ve seen a number of friends turn hobbies into money-making side hustles to fund their personal activities or to save up for a future trip. As just one example, one person spends free time working as a driver for a rideshare company.

Regardless of your reason or end goal, keeping your finances organized from the start will ensure that your side hustle doesn’t create a financial mess for you. Here are some key considerations.

• Do your due diligence – Research what your upfront and ongoing costs will be before you jump in. It’s easy and quick to start researching a potential side hustle online but talking to someone who has done it before is also valuable. First-hand information is key and will give you a better understanding of what you’ll need to take on in terms of a financial investment.

• Track your business invoices, revenue and expenses – Remember, this isn’t like when you mowed lawns as a kid. Your side gig is still a business, and even if it doesn’t have a complicated financial structure, there are three important pieces of information to track: - Invoices - Set up a process to send invoices and then keep track of when the payment is due and when you receive money. If you don’t have a system in place, you might forget to send an invoice or let an unpaid invoice slip through the cracks.

- Revenue - Track how much you are getting paid. If you offer several services or products, or work with different clients, you might want to separately track the revenue from each one.

- Expenses - To know how much money it takes to run your business, you’ll need to keep an account of your expenses. Then, you’ll take these expenses out of your revenue to know if you’re profitable.

• Use accounting software – Depending on how many transactions you’re tracking, a simple spreadsheet might be all you really need to establish an accounting system. But if you’re dealing with a lot of clients or have a variety of income sources and expenses, it might be worth using accounting software.

Some software can link to your financial accounts to help you categorize transactions. Many systems also let you send invoices directly from the software and track your payment process. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose from a wide array of options.

• Learn about common industry tax deductions – Learn how tax deductions work for your side hustle’s specific industry to help you save money come tax season. The IRS’s Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center could be a good place to start for more general information. Seek out industry-specific tips in forums or groups where people are doing something similar. And consider using a tax professional, which can save you time and money.

• Set up your small business accounts – Separate out your personal and your business finances. Things will get murky if you start co-mingling your main income with your side hustle. I recommend starting with a small business checking account where you can make and receive payments. Similarly, using a business credit card for your business expenses can make tracking the side hustle’s expenses easier. With responsible use and timely payoffs, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the rewards.

Joe Taunton is a Market Manager for Valley Bank based out of the Meadowbrook branch off Highway 280.

He has been in the banking industry for 10 years and enjoys helping people and small businesses progress in their financial journeys.

©2022 Valley National Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. Equal Housing Lender. All Rights Reserved.

280Living.com

April 2022 • A3

14 PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS. SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS. 205-971-DOCS.

Grandview Medical Group makes it easier to see a primary care provider in Birmingham – quickly.

Just call 205-971-DOCS. Most calls will result in a same-day appointment with a physician or a nurse practitioner at one of our 14 primary care locations. Walk-ins are welcome, too. If you or a family member age five or older needs to see a doctor fast, think Grandview Medical Group.

Visit GrandviewMedicalGroup.com or call 205-971-DOCS to schedule your same-day appointment.

Chelsea • Columbiana • Grandview Physicians Plaza • Greystone • Homewood Hoover • Lee Branch • Liberty Park • Springville • Trussville • Vestavia Hills

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Look Forward.

3/5/20 10:25 AM

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280 Living

About Us Editor’s Note By Leah Ingram Eagle One of the things my family hasn’t done much over the past two years is travel.

We had a great trip to New York City the first week of February 2020 before the arrival of the pandemic. We didn’t travel anymore that year.

In 2021, we visited my in-laws in South Carolina and went to a family wedding in Dauphin Island in October.

In February and March of this year, I traveled out of town three out of four weekends. I felt like I was burning up the roads.

I had my first run as a youth group chaperone on a trip to Gatlinburg with my 13-year-old son along with about 30 other kids and chaperones. That will be the first of many youth group trips for me, as my daughter will join the youth group in four more years (his senior year).

The following weekend, I spent some time in North Carolina where I skied for the first time. It went

about as I expected — lots of falls and not a lot of coordination. I’m glad I got to have the experience though, along with some shopping, eating and girl time.

After a weekend at home, we headed out the next week and made the drive to Orlando to visit Disney World and Universal Studios. I had only been to Disney World once, back in 2008, and learned after we booked our trip

that I was expecting our first baby.

So I sat out most of the rides while my husband enjoyed them alone.

This was the first trip for our kids, and it was so much fun seeing how much they enjoyed it. And I got to ride all the rides this time! It’s a lot of planning and a lot of money, but the experience was incredible.

I got almost all of this issue put together before we left. April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, and there is an agency in Shelby County that helps these victims. Chelsea’s Fire at the Foothills returns this month. There are also several stories highlighting former and current Shelby County students.

Now it’s time to start planning a summer trip! Thanks for reading this issue of 280 Living.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Oak Mountain’s Kierson McDonald (17) dribbles the ball downfield while guarded by Hoover’s Cassy Satchwell (11) during an area game March 4 at Hoover High School. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Publisher: Dan Starnes Managing Editor: Nick Patterson Community Editors: Leah Ingram Eagle Jon Anderson Jesse Chambers Neal Embry Sports Editor: Kyle Parmley Community Reporter: Eric Taunton Design Editor: Melanie Viering Photo Editor: Erin Nelson Page Designers: Kristin Williams Ted Perry Contributing Writers: Alana Smith Sean Dietrich Client Success Specialists: Anna Bain Warren Caldwell Graphic Designer: Emily VanderMey Advertising: Michelle Salem Haynes Don Harris Jarrett Tyus Bob Willard Administrator: Anna Jackson

Please Support Our Community Partners Ace Hardware Dunnavant Square (B18) Alabama Ballet (B22) America’s Thrift Store (A5) Ascension/St. Vincent’s Health Systems (A25) Bank of England Mortgage (B14) Bedzzz Express (B1, B24) Bellini’s Ristorante (B21) BHMDEX (B12) Birmingham Braces (A29) Bromberg’s & Company (A17) Brookwood Baptist Health (A21) Brookwood Diagnostic Centers (B6) Budget Blinds (B16) Cabinetry Refinishing & Restoration (A1) Cahaba Glass (B7) Cardinal Roofing (B10) Carpet Warehouse Galleria (B9) Chiropractic Today (B2) Compact2020 (A18) CPAP Plus - O’Neal Medical (B4) Danberry at Inverness (A13) Door Restore (B19) DSLD Land Management Aquascapes (A9) ENT Associates of Alabama (A22) Etc. (A20) Everyday Pet Styles (B2) Fancy Fur - Paws and Claws (A23) Gardner Landscaping (B8) Grandview Medical Group (A3) HaMi Boutique (B20) Hearing Solutions (B21) Hilliard Irrigation (A14) Indian Springs School (A11) Inverness Country Club (B3) Kete Cannon, ARC Realty (B17) Luckie’s Pinestraw (A1) Magic City Art Connection (B19)

Max Transit (B21) Mold & Mildew Solutions - To the Rescue (A12) Momentum Motorworks (A23) Nature One Landscape Design (A10) Oak Highland Design/ Decorating Den (B13) OLLI - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (A15) One Man and a Toolbox (B17) Pak Mail (A19) Parrot Structural Services (A6) Patti Henderson - Flat Fee Real Estate (A18) Piggly Wiggly (B3) Proveer at Grande View (B5) Red Mountain Associates Thrivent Financial (B22) Rockett’s Bug Juice Gardens (B20) Royal Automotive (A28) Senior Placement Services (A10) Shelby County Chamber of Commerce (B4) Shelby County Commission (A8) Sikes Children’s Shoes (A17) Southeastern Jewelers and Engravers (A26) Southern Home Structural Repair Specialists (A22) Space Cadets (B15) SpyGrass (B18) Studio Abear (B7) Susan Dubose Candidate (A7) Terry Marlowe, REMAX Southern Homes 280 (B11) TherapySouth - Greystone (A27) Town of Mt Laurel Sarah Eddy (A11) Valley Bank (A2) Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (A26) Wee Peat Boutique/LuLu’s (A13) Window Decor & Design (A14) Window World of Central Alabama (A25)

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

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

Published by: Starnes Publishing LLC Legals: 280 Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of

editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited.

280 Living is designed to inform the 280 community of area school, family and community events. Information in 280 Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of 280 Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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Find Us Pick up the latest issue of 280 Living at the following locations: ► Alabama Outdoors ► Cahaba Ridge ► Chiropractic Today ► Chelsea High School ► Chelsea Library ► Cowboy’s ► Danberry ► Edgar’s Bakery ► 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 Anna Jackson at ajackson@ starnesmedia.com.

280Living.com

April 2022 • A5

A6 • April 2022

280 Living

280 News Council donates funds, extends speed limit zone

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE After receiving approval for a donation at a previous council meeting, staff and board members from Owens House were on hand to accept a check from Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer during the March 15 Chelsea City Council meeting.

Owens House Executive Director Vetrica Hill thanked Picklesimer and the council for the donation that will assist them in serving children in Shelby County.

“Owens House has been around for about 29 years, and we serve kids ages 3-19 in the capacity of conducting forensic interviews for those who have experienced some type of abuse or trauma,” Hill said. “We also provide mental health counseling and preventative services. We are just truly thankful for you guys supporting us over the years, and we look forward to continuing to work with you all and continuing to serve the children here in Shelby county.”

Picklesimer presented the $15,000 donation check to Owens House. He said he and the council voted unanimously to support the organization and that they appreciate the work Owens House does.

Matt Casey, a candidate for Shelby County district attorney, was in attendance at the meeting and spoke about his candidacy. Casey has worked with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office for 14 years and is a resident of Shelby County. He lives in Indian Springs and has two daughters who attend Oak Mountain schools.

“I've been the lead prosecutor on thousands of felony cases. I’ve been the lead trial attorney on hundreds of jury trials including murder trials, capital murder trials, death-penalty-eligible trials and sexual assault of children,” Casey said.

Dates to Remember ► April 1: Bulk trash pick up day ► April 2: Chelsea Car Show, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Hall ► April 2: Fire at the Foothills BBQ and Dessert Cook-Off, 1-4 p.m. at Chelsea Community Center ► April 5: City council meeting, 6 p.m. ► April 19: City council meeting, 6 p.m.

Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer, far left, presents a check to Owens House. Pictured from left: Owens House employees Erica Smith, Tori Overton, Maribeth Bowman, board member Robert Rodriguez, Executive Director Vetrica Hill and board treasurer Joshua Bergeron.

Photo courtesy of Wayne Morris.

Casey said he has the support of the current Shelby County District Attorney, Jill Lee, who is not seeking reelection, along with the support of Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego and former sheriff Chris Curry.

“I’m honored to have that support and looking forward to hopefully having the opportunity to serve my fellow citizens of Shelby County as your DA,” he said.

During the community forum, Jane Ann Mueller announced the Splash Pad at Melrose Park will open May 1. Applications for seasonal employees (ages 15 and older) are now being accepted and can be picked up at City Hall or the Chelsea Community Center.

The council also approved the following items during its meeting: ► Authorizing the mayor to execute an

agreement to review cable franchise fee payment compliance. ► Adopting the Shelby County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Picklesimer thanked EMA Director Hub Harvey and the many other people who worked on the plan. ► Declaring property as surplus and authorizing its disposal. ► Authorizing the mayor to purchase real estate property for the city of Chelsea. ► Approving the mayor to accept a proposal from LED Solutions to replace lighting in city buildings to be strictly LED. ► Approving to amend the city’s zoning ordinance to include a definition of short-term residential rental and only allow short-term rental in B-2 (general business district). ► Approving an ordinance to establish a speed limit that would extend the 55 mph zone on U.S. 280 eastbound from mile post 15.6 to 16.1 (between Walmart to Shelby County 39, which is currently set at 65 mph and will be decreased to 55 mph). ► Approving to pay the city’s bills.

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280Living.com

April 2022 • A7

Chelsea fire department improves ISO rating

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE During the March 1 Chelsea City Council meeting, Chelsea Fire & Rescue Chief Joe Lee reported the department’s Insurance Services Office rating classification will improve from a 3 to a 2, effective June 1. In this situation, a lower number is better, he said.

The ISO gives public protection classification to fire station providers all over the country, and plays an important role in providing underwriting for insurance companies. A value between 1-10 (one being the best) is given to each department.

“Every five years, an evaluator from ISO comes to each department and evaluates the fire expression capabilities for each department, and the classification rating is a direct result of the information gathered,” Lee said. “Chelsea Fire’s last evaluation was conducted in 2015 and at that time received a classification rating of 3.”

Some of the criteria includes telecommunication and dispatch (10%) and water supply hydrant placement and testing (40%). The fire department makes up the remaining 50% and includes apparatus, number of engines and ladders, pump capacity for each apparatus, number of reserve trucks, staffing available to respond, training for personnel and community risk reduction.

Lee thanked Deputy Chief Jeff Russell, Capt. Tommy King, Capt. Billy Ricketts and Lt. Jason Watson for their work in gathering the information requested by the evaluator.

Chelsea Fire & Rescue Chief Joe Lee announces that the department recently received an ISO rating of 2, which will be implemented June 1. Photo courtesy of Wayne Morris.

“This is a tedious and time consuming process, and we are very thankful to them for their hard work and attention to detail they showed during this process,” Lee said. “I’d also like to thank the mayor and the City Council for the investment [they] make in our fire department.

It’s my goal for Chelsea Fire to give the city and the citizens of Chelsea the best emergency services we can provide based on the investment made in us by the city.”

The Chelsea High School turf and track project is now moving forward. The council approved a memorandum of agreement on the project after the initial bid came in $430,000 over budget. Both the city of Chelsea and the Shelby County Commission will raise their

contributions by $200,000.

Mayor Tony Picklesimer added that funds for the project are not coming from the 1-cent education fund, but rather the general fund budget.

Picklesimer also read two proclamations during his mayor’s report. One was proclaiming March 20-26 to be National Safe Place week.

The Safe Place program, which began in 1983, is to help the youth of Chelsea offer immediate assistance and safety for young people seeking guidance. Safe Places are located at restaurants, convenience stores, community buildings, libraries, fire stations and public transportation vehicles.

The second proclamation was to make March 1, 2022, Lionel James Day. Also known as

“Little Train,” the Chelsea resident recently passed away. James was a running back for Auburn University and later in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers.

“He was a resident of Chelsea for over 20 years. I’d like to offer my condolences to his wife, Keisha," the mayor said.

The council also approved: ► Appointing a voting delegate and two alternate voting delegates to represent the city of Chelsea during the business session of the Alabama League of Municipalities annual convention; ► Award Nick Grant funds in the amount of $2,137 to Chelsea Park Elementary; ► Pay the city’s bills.

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A8 • April 2022

280 Living

Shelby Commission approves budget amendments for FY22

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Several changes have been made to Shelby County voting locations to improve traffic flow, parking and handicap accessibility.

Postcards have been sent to voters whose voting location has changed and/or who have had a change in their congressional or state legislative district due to the changes passed by the state legislature during the 2021 Special Session.

Based on a strong first five months of fiscal 2022, the Shelby County Commission approved a budget amended for significant long-term capital initiatives and personnel actions.

“We based this revenue cycle on FY19 numbers,” County Manager Chad Scroggins said.

“We took these changes, and in the first five months [of FY22], and in sales tax alone, we are $2.5 million ahead of budget. We are still projecting a $1.7 million contribution to the fund balance reserve at the end of the year. This allows us to finish out this year doing many things.”

Provisions will include: ► Partnering projects and grant matches for partnering with Shelby County municipalities and Oak Mountain State Park to increase and improve recreational opportunities within the county. ► Using general fund revenues over original FY22 budget projection to retire a loan in promotional/lodging tax estimated at $2.1 million and eliminating interest of over $180,000.

Scroggins said when he started in his position two years ago, the loan was at $6 million, and is down to $2.4 million.

“This would use those general fund revenues we’ve already experienced to pay off that loan,” he said. “This is a significant thing. It eliminates a large stressor for us and gives us powder in the keg to do a lot of great things. We have the cash in hand. It makes no sense to pay out $180,000 in interest over the next few years.” ► Completion of tourism projects with revenues over original FY22 projection ► The addition of four full-time county employees, including a probate generalist in the Probate Office; an events coordinator for tourism and events; a landfill equipment operator and a general government-senior manager for juvenile EMA and safety programs management.

A civil service policy and procedure revision and updates were also approved by the council. The original manual originated in 1993 and includes some much needed modifications.

“We have developed 18 different changes that have been brought upon by different levels of management,” Scroggins said. “We’ve basically listened to our employees to try to understand how we can better manage our system.”

Some of the items included: ► Creating a safety committee of employees ► Extending employee probationary period extended from 6 months to 12 months ► Workplace violence; nepotism; personal appearance and dress code; acceptable use; and addition of parents to sick leave policies ► Updated EAP “A lot of work has gone into this. We have reviewed this with the property tax commissioner, the sheriff, the probate judge to make sure everybody was on board,” Scroggins said. “We run up against situations all the time, and this helps us manage our very large staff. We have a meeting set with your supervisors and managers to meet with them and update them on these new changes and I think they’ll be very happy.”

The commission also approved for the Alabama Department of Transportation to close Alabama 25 in the Sterrett/Vandiver area for repair of a landslide. Traffic will be rerouted onto Shelby County 41 and Shelby County 43 as a detour while the repairs are completed.

County Engineer Randy Cole said that unfortunately that will mean some truck traffic, but the good news is the project, which is set to begin April 1, should only last a month.

Other items approved at the meeting: ► Purchase of stand alone metal kiosk for $3,335 for locations in Columbiana and Pelham. ► Security and electronic system maintenance services at the Shelby County Jail and the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center to Unique Security for $44,150.

Shelby County tax revenue $1.4M ahead of projections

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Information about voting in Shelby County https://election.shelbyal.com Check your voter information on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website www.alabamavotes.gov Check your voter registration at the Shelby County Board of Registrars website www.shelbyal.com/205/Board-of-Registrars or call 205-669-3913.

In the first four months of the fiscal year 2022 budget, Shelby County is $1.4 million ahead of projections in sales tax revenue.

The three other tax areas are also trending above what was budgeted. Highway and Rebuild Alabama gas taxes are $357,205 ahead of budget, followed by lodging taxes at $121,899 over budget and rental taxes at Shelby County commissioners listen during a 2020 meeting. At its Feb. 28 meeting, the commission heard $99,775 ahead of projections. that the county is $1.4 million ahead of sales tax revenue “These are all positive numprojections. Photo by Erin Nelson. bers,” County Manager Chad Scroggins said during the Feb. 28 Shelby County Commission meeting. “At Shelby Humane served 3,812 community pets the next commission meeting, we will have in 2021 by offering free or low-cost spay and some funding requests for facilities across the neuter surgeries and vaccines. They also have the county to get projects done by Oct. 1. There are only Safe Pet program in the state, which works other opportunities out there that we are trying with victims of domestic violence to provide a to invest in.” place their pets can go while victims get help.

County Engineer Randy Cole announced During the meeting, the commission also bids will open March 16 for the $5 million approved: resurfacing project of roads throughout the ► The annual right-of-way agreement with county.

Crown Castle Fiber; Each month, a nonprofit in Shelby County ► A bid to Wayne Davis Construction for is invited to speak at the commission meeting an interior renovation project at the Pelham to give an update on its program. During the County Services building, which will include Feb. 28 meeting, Bill Rowley, the new exec- the previous 911 offices being converted to the utive director of the Shelby County Humane Alabama Law Enforcement Agency license Society, addressed the commission. bureau and adding more office space for ComRowley said the shelter has become no-kill, pact 2020; and 97% of its sheltered animals in 2021were ► A bid for horizontal directional drilling released alive. Of those, 70% were adopted, equipment for water services; 17% were transferred or sent to rescue, and ► Bids for stone and sand pick-up and 10% were returned to the field or their owner. delivery; “We are focused on prevention,” Rowley ► ABC license fees and 2022-23 fees; said. “All animals are fixed [spayed or neu► A transfer application request for a retail tered] before they leave, which helps reduce beer license and a new retail table wine license the amount of strays in Shelby County.” (off-premises) for Raceway at 5349 U.S.280.

280Living.com

April 2022 • A9

Business Happenings NOW OPEN Culver's of Birmingham is now open at 6222 Tattersall Blvd. The new location is the second for owner Joseph McCarty, who also owns the Hoover location at Stadium Trace Village. The restaurant is known for its butter burgers and frozen custard and will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

608-643-7980, culvers.com Downtown Soaps is locally owned and operated by Jaime Echols, a Chelsea resident. She creates all-natural, homemade cold pressed soaps. They can be purchased in Snider's Pharmacy, Chelsea Apothecary and in the Nail Boutique and Spa in Mt Laurel, as well as on its Facebook page.

205-383-7449, facebook.com/downtownsoaps E.W. Motion Therapy has opened a new location at 10 Meadowview Drive, Suite 201, just off U.S. 280 near the entrance to the Meadow View subdivision. The 2,358-square-foot clinic is open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

205-332-3000, ewmotiontherapy.com/meadowbrook-280

COMING SOON Jim Safron plans to open his third location of Burn Boot Camp in the Birmingham area in a new shopping center being the Meadow Brook community at the corner of Alabama 119 and Doug Baker Boulevard. The goal is to have Burn Meadow Brook open this summer, systems and support manager Tiffany Harbert said. The first location Safron opened was in The Village at Brock's Gap three years ago, and the second was in Homewood about a year ago. burnbootcamp.com

0.6304% for December 2021. Founded in 1953, APCO Employees Credit Union has grown to become the second largest credit union in Alabama with more than 72,000 members and $3.6 billion in assets and with 135 employees at 20 locations, including 6400 Tattersall Park and 370 Chelsea Crossroads. apcocu.org Sain Associates, a multidisciplined consulting civil engineering and surveying firm based at Two Perimeter Park South, Suite 500 East, was inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in the corporation category at a recent ceremony at The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear. The firm was founded 50 years ago by Charles “Hack” Sain, who was a 2006 inductee into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame and a 2008 inductee into the Associated General Contractor Construction Hall of Fame. Sain Associates has been instrumental in the development of more than 1,000 commercial projects; design of municipal, correctional, educational, federal housing and health care facilities; and more than 10 million square feet of industrial/distribution center projects on sites of 200 acres or more. Sain now has more than 60 employees, including staff who are licensed to provide engineering services in 23 states.

205-940-6420, sain.com The technology group at accounting firm Warren Averett, 2500 Acton Road, Suite 200, has been named to ChannelE2E’s Top 250 Public Cloud MSPs List for 2021.

This is the second year the Warren Averett technology group has received this recognition. The list honors the top-managed IT service providers that support customers through Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform. Warren Averett’s Birmingham office was also recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as Birmingham’s largest accounting firm in 2022. This is the 12th consecutive year that Warren Averett has been recognized as the largest CPA firm in the city.

205-715-8329, warrenaverett.com

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Alabama Power Co. Employees Credit Union ranked 14th in the nation in The Business Journals' first List of America's Most Efficient Credit Unions. APCO Credit Union’s operating expense ratio to average assets was

PERSONNEL MOVES Brookwood Baptist Health recently named Charles Tyson as its new group chief financial officer for the

five-hospital health care system. Tyson comes to Brookwood Baptist Health from the Steward Health Care System in the Miami-Dade Market, where he served as chief financial officer of a five-hospital system with a combined 1,775 licensed beds. Before being acquired by Steward Health Care, Tyson was CFO when the hospitals were under the ownership of Tenet Healthcare.

Brookwood Baptist Health operates Brookwood Baptist Medical Center in Homewood, a freestanding emergency department at 7131 Cahaba Valley Road in the Tattersall Park development off U.S. 280 and a primary care clinic at 5295 Preserve Parkway, Suite 210, in Hoover. brookwoodbaptisthealth.com

ANNIVERSARIES Simply Infused, 5287 U.S. 280, Suite 249, is celebrating its eighth year in business. It features a tasting room and has over 60 olive oils from across the globe and balsamics imported from Italy.

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A10 • April 2022

280 Living

Culver’s opens 2nd metro location at Tattersall Park

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE The second Culver’s location in central Alabama recently opened in Tattersall Park off Alabama 119.

This is the sixth location in the state.

Joseph McCarty, an Indian Springs resident who owns the location at Stadium Trace Village next to Trace Crossings, wanted to bring another location to the U.S. 280 side of Hoover.

“Hoover opened in June 2019; then we applied to expand,” McCarty said. “In February 2020, we applied to open another location.

Then COVID happened. That put expansions on hold for six months. Then we reapplied and started the process again.”

News of the Tattersall Park location was announced in early 2021, and construction began in August. The restaurant opened in mid-March and will be called Culver’s of Birmingham to avoid confusion with the location at Stadium Trace Village.

McCarty and his wife both attended Vestavia High School. While working in the restaurant industry in his early 20s, he enjoyed it and knew someday he might want to open his own.

He chose Culver’s after discovering the restaurant chain through Twitter and visiting a location in Georgia. As part of his training, McCarty had to spend a week in Wisconsin working at a Culver’s location and interviewing with the senior leadership team. That was followed by a 16-week training course in Wisconsin.

The Tattersall location will have about 50 employees, plus a 10-person management team.

It takes about 15 people to run a shift.

“It's a people-oriented business that wants to make sure you have good service,” McCarty said. “We are a cook-to-order concept. Nothing is prepared for you until after you order.”

He describes the inside of the restaurant as warm and welcoming, with shades of blue and gray. Most of the artwork is Culver’s includes dairy cows and farm photos.

Culver’s began in 1984 in Sauk City, Wisconsin, and has grown to more than 750

The new Culver’s of Birmingham restaurant is located in Tattersall Park off Alabama 119. Culver’s is known for its butter burgers, cheese curds and custard.

Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

family-owned/operated franchises across 25 states. The restaurant is best known for its butter burgers, cheese curds and custard, and all of its dairy products come from Wisconsin.

“The butter burger is a buttered, toasted bun with our fresh, never frozen, ground beef and cheese, and since we cook to order, you build your own burger,” McCarty said. “Standard toppings for the deluxe include mayonnaise, lettuce, pickles, tomato and onion. You get to pick your own cheese and toppings.”

The cheese curds, which are a staple in the Midwest, are a different and popular side. The curds are the infancy of the cheese-making process and are breaded and fried and dipped in ranch, honey mustard or barbecue sauce.

The extensive menu also includes chicken fingers and tenders, fish and shrimp, soups and salads, pork loin, pot roast and a variety of sandwiches. Side options are fries, coleslaw,

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mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, onion rings, soups, chili and pretzel bites. The dessert menu features shakes, malts, floats, sundaes, concrete mixers and ice cream cones.

McCarty said custard is one of the most popular menu items. He said the difference between custard and ice cream is that custard has more egg yolk and more heavy whipping cream, making it richer, thicker and creamier.

There are three flavors available every day: vanilla, chocolate and a flavor of the day that includes about 30 flavors that rotate. Handpacked pints are also available for purchase in the lobby’s retail freezer.

Customers can build their own mixers by choosing a base flavor and adding toppings.

McCarty said some of the most popular options include “turtle” and “crazy for cookie dough.”

Kids meals come with a free scoop of custard and a scoopie token. Once 10 tokens are

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collected, they can be redeemed for a toy.

McCarty said one of the best things about the Culver’s menu is that there is something for everyone in the family. He has yet to determine if there will be more locations, he said.

“I'm going to get this one open, then go from there,” he said. “We are happy to be in the community.”

280Living.com

April 2022 • A11

Medical entities slated for Crossroads at Greystone

By ERIC TAUNTON The Crossroads at Greystone property is being redeveloped and will include four new medical entities.

Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Skin Wellness Dermatology, AllerVie Health and Birmingham Orthodontics will all have locations in the existing buildings at the corner of U.S. 280 and Alabama 119.

The property was sold by the owners and represented by Dick An aerial view of the Crossroads at Greystone property.

Darden at First Sunbelt ProperPhoto courtesy of Randall Commercial Group. ties and Bo Grisham of Graham and Co., said Stutts Everette, qualifying broker with Randall Commercial now have a closer specialist to see, whether it be Group. dermatology or allergy services.

The primary participants in the sale, AllerAndrews Sports Medicine already had an Vie Health, Skin Wellness Dermatology and office on Alabama 119 in the St. Vincent’s Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic campus but had little visibility, he said.

Center, were represented by Veritas Medical “When you’re on that campus, you’re in a Real Estate Advisors. building, you don’t have any visibility,” CampRich Campbell, principal of Veritas Medical bell said. “They wanted the ability to have a Real Estate Advisors, said the three practices little bit more of an accessible clinic and to have were looking for a space that was more visible, the ability to grow and add more services to had more space and would give them a better what they were currently providing.” opportunity to grow their businesses.

Campbell said the three practices were lookSkin Wellness Dermatology and Aller- ing for other locations at the same time. As the Vie in Chelsea were both trying to reach and ‘group coordinator,’ Veritas was able to suggest help patients in the southern market, Campbell they collectively come together to buy the propsaid. erty, which would give all companies a lower “They both determined that they were cost of occupancy. missing patients in Greystone, that section of “We told them we had run the numbers and Birmingham and Hoover, that 280/119 cross- they could maintain a lower cost of occupancy roads,” Campbell said. “They were finding that by getting all of them into a superior location those patients weren’t going south, but if they and get the growth they need and desire,” had the opportunity to move to that area, the Campbell said.

Chelsea patients would come north.”

A representative for the property estimates As a result, Campbell said, patients on Alabama that redevelopment will be complete by the end 119, in Greystone, Inverness and Meadowbrook of 2022.

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A12 • April 2022

280 Living

Chelsea family launches homemade soap business

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE A winter project has quickly expanded into a growing business for Jaime and Mike Echols.

After their son, Xander, a long snapper for the UAB football team, saw a commercial for a cold processed soap and wanted to try it, Jaime purchased some for him.

Both Xander and Mike liked the soap, so the family decided to try to make their own in December. Thus, Downtown Soaps was born.

It has become a real family affair. They also got their daughter, Mackenzi, a senior at Chelsea High School, involved. It gave them a hobby to work on together, especially during the winter months when the sun was setting early.

“We started looking into it and decided to try it ourselves,” she said. “We started off making pine-tar scented soaps for them, then my son’s friends got word about it, and we gave them samples. Some guys my husband knows, he started sharing with them so we began making extra.”

The Echols began receiving recommendations for other scents and said the business took off through word of mouth. They have already shipped orders to Florida and South Carolina.

While the quick growth was unexpected, the Echols said it’s also been fun. It required a lot of research in the beginning.

“When we started, we could get items at the grocery store or Amazon, and then we had to research how to get the products in bulk,” she said.

Because Xander lives on campus at UAB, the Echols converted their basement area into their soap-making workshop. They have all their inventory to create the soaps, which have to cure for at least four weeks before being sold.

Cold process soap is made by combining oils and sodium hydroxide lye, which causes a chemical reaction called saponification. In the process, you get to choose the oils, scents, colorants and any other ingredients.

This curing process allows the lye to be neutralized without any outside sources of heat.

Jaime Echols, owner of Downtown Soaps, hand makes all of her products out of her home in Chelsea. They are available in three shops in the Chelsea and Mt Laurel area and she hopes to expand to more soon. Photo courtesy of Jaime Echols.

It can take four to six weeks for soap to cure before it’s complete.

The Echols said their soaps are made of 100%-natural ingredients and have no preservatives. They lather well and are moisturizing to the skin, she said. The bars are between 4.5 and 5 ounces and usually last for three to four weeks.

“It does make your skin feel different,” she said. “You feel clean, not dry and itchy, especially during winter months when your skin is dry anyway. You don’t feel like you have a film on you after you get out of the shower or feel

dry and drawn up.”

Downtown Soaps has about 18 scents available, but Jaime said she definitely expects that number to change. She wants to have several staple scents but may also offer holiday scents as well.

Popular scents for men include Mountain Man and True Grit. For women, top choices include Caribbean Waves and Brazilian Purple.

Just over two months into the venture, Downtown Soaps is now available in several retail stores, including Snider’s Discount Pharmacy, Chelsea Apothecary and Nails Boutique

in Mt Laurel. Echols said they are working to get their products in more local businesses.

“We live in Chelsea and do a lot of business in Chelsea.” she said. “A lot of people here know us, and we’ve been using their businesses for a while, so I think that helped.”

Prices range from $5 to $8 per bar, and free local delivery is available with the purchase of three or more bars. Free shipping is offered on orders over $35.

For more information, visit facebook. com/downtownsoap or @downtownsoaps on Instagram.

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280Living.com

April 2022 • A13

Political candidates speak at Chelsea Business Alliance luncheon President of King’s Home in Chelsea and gubernatorial candidate Lew Burdette, along with state representative District 45 candidate Susan DuBose were the featured speakers at the March 2 Chelsea Business Alliance meeting.

Burdette said he feels at home in Chelsea and that it is such a blessing to be a part of the community. Serving as president of King’s Home for 19 years, Burdette thanked business leaders for the support received during his time there.

He praised the school systems across Shelby County for the many ways King’s Home students have been supported, and how much that means to not only the students, but also the many people involved with the organization.

“I want to run for governor and take that fight for change for all Alabamians,” he said.

“People are hungry for change. They are tired of being at the bottom of the list in education, health care, prisons, mental health issues and more. We have great people and a great state.

We also need great leadership in Montgomery with a commonsense approach, working together.”

Burdette said it’s vitally important for trust to be restored in Montgomery and said, “The culture must be changed to reflect complete transparency of our leaders.”

Susan DuBose also spoke regarding her campaign for Alabama House of Representatives, District 45. This widespread area includes parts of Chelsea, Dunnavant Valley, Highland Lakes, Leeds, Greystone and all of Shelby County 41 and 43. There are two Republican candidates in the race: DuBose and Dickie Drake, who currently holds the office. Because there are only two candidates, the May 24 vote will decide the next representative for District 45.

DuBose said she is running for state representative for District 45 because she feels the current representation is not the best it can be.

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Get more out of life at Danberry at Inverness Gubernatorial candidate Lew Burdette speaks during the March 2 Chelsea Business Alliance meeting. Photo courtesy of Donna Bowles.

“A representative should truly represent an entire district. It takes an active, engaged and energetic person to be involved in order to successfully represent the people,” she said.

Drake was unable to attend the meeting due to the House being in session in Montgomery.

In his absence was his wife, Anita, who gave a brief overview of her husband’s office and where he stands on certain issues.

“My husband believes that he is a public servant and not a politician,” she said. “He takes his position seriously and personally. He votes his convictions after listening to his constituents — you, the people — and prays before each session and each election.”

– Submitted by CBA President Donna Bowles.

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Chamber Chamber’s Minute

By The Shelby County Chamber

Celebrating success in Shelby County Schools As The Shelby County Chamber finishes the final year of its current five-year Strategic Plan, the organization has actively worked on a number of programs with our partners in education.

These programs — developed with input from Shelby County businesses — are designed to provide Shelby County students with the information they’ll need to make positive career choices after they’ve finished their high school careers.

This business-driven approach is vital to ensuring Shelby County businesses can recruit and retain the managers and employees they need today and tomorrow. It ensures that the 10,000-plus businesses in Shelby County have a qualified workforce in the coming years.

In addition to programs such as “Keeping It Real” in ninth grade, “Connect 2 Careers” for 10th graders and “Communication Matters” for 11th graders, one of our signature programs has been the annual “Student and Educator of the Year” program, which offers the chamber and business community the opportunity to celebrate success in our schools throughout our county.

On April 27, the chamber will host its ninth

annual “Student and Educator of the Year” program featuring and recognizing nominated students and educators from throughout Shelby County. This year’s program will be at the Grande Hall in the new Old Mill Square facility in Columbiana.

The program will conclude with the announcement of eight recipients: two “Career Pathway Standout” students, two “Academic Leader Standout” students, one “Future Leader” student, along with one Elementary School Educator of the Year, one Middle School Educator of the Year and one High School Educator of the Year.

The five student recipients will receive a $1,000 cash award to continue their education and career development, and the three educator recipients will receive a $750 cash award to be used in their classrooms at their discretion.

If you’d like to join us for the annual “Student and Educator of the Year” program, or find out more about our Career Readiness programming at The Shelby County Chamber, please feel free to give us a call at 205-663-4542 or visit our website, shelbychamber.org.

– Submitted by The Shelby County Chamber.

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A14 • April 2022

280 Living

Shelby mayors give update on cities

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Mayors from municipalities throughout Shelby County spoke at the Shelby Chamber’s annual State of our Communities luncheon Feb. 23 at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer said he was optimistic about 2022 and the amount of growth he’s seeing in many areas of the city.

“2021 was a very good year for our city with growth on many fronts,” he said. “With our population growth, we are the second-fastest growing city in the state. Our housing market is very strong. We issued 312 housing permits in 2021, and indicators for 2022 continue to be strong.”

Picklesimer also mentioned the Foothills Business Park is complete. The city-owned development was created to bring jobs to Chelsea and increase the daytime population.

Currently two parcels have been sold with two more under agreements for development, he said.

He expects a groundbreaking on a hotel sometime this year and several restaurants have opened with more to come.

The city continues to focus on education, giving Chelsea’s five schools $25,000 along with funds from the one cent sales tax that are used only for teacher grants. A project to turf and track the field at Chelsea High School is in the works, along with the realignment of the intersection at Shelby County 39 and Shelby County 47.

“The future is very bright in the city of Chelsea, and I look forward to being part of that growth,” he said.

Hoover city councilman John Lyda spoke in place of Mayor Frank Brocato, noting that the city will continue to focus on economic development. Lyda also mentioned the recent opening of Lake Homes Realty along the Hoover section of U.S. 280.

Lyda called attention to the work set to take place along Interstate 459 to create an Exit 8 that will help several traffic entities including

Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer, left, and Hoover City Council member John Lyda address the audience during the Feb. 23 State of Our Communities luncheon, hosted by The Shelby County Chamber. Photos by Leah Ingram Eagle.

Ross Bridge, Brock’s Gap and Helena. He said The Galleria continues to do well, and the city’s financial health is in great shape.

Westover Mayor Larry Riggins said the mayors of Shelby County are the most cooperative team he knows. Riggins said 2022 was going to be an interesting and challenging year for Westover. He hopes to maintain the momentum created through the first half of fiscal year 2022, which began Oct. 1.

“We have had some key annexations that have given us connections and an opportunity to move in different directions, making our city more marketable,” Riggins said.

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Riggins also said the city has been able to increase its contributions and commitments to the schools, and he is proud to be in a position to do so.

“Our school children are our future, and we're going to be on board with trying to do whatever we can possibly do to help them,” he said.

Indian Springs Mayor Brenda Bell-Geurcio said their population is fewer than 2,500 and that the town has kept with the mission when it was first established of having little commercialization.

“Our mission statement stressed protection and

preservation for a peaceful atmosphere, to protect it from random commercialization, having minimal government with minimal expense, mainly relying on volunteer efforts,” she said.

“This past July, we instituted a 2% sales tax, the lowest in Shelby County, allowing us to help our schools,” she said. “In six months, we were able to give a quarter of a million dollars to Oak Mountain Schools, and we plan to give a similar amount at the end of the school year.”

Other mayors who spoke were Gary Waters, Pelham; Rusty Nix, Montevallo; Brian Puckett, Helena; Theo Perkins, Harpersville; David Mitchell, Columbiana; Jon Grant, Calera; and Scott Brakefield, Alabaster.

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280Living.com

April 2022 • A15

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

BOE recognizes national board-certified teachers

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Shelby County Schools Superintendent Lewis Brooks recognized 14 teachers from schools throughout the county who have recently acquired national board certification for professional teacher standards.

“We all appreciate your efforts to improve your professional practice and ultimately create a better learning environment for our students,” Brooks said before presenting each teacher with a certificate.

Teachers who earned their NBCT designation: Jill Davis, HIS; Jill Vaughn, OMES; Liz Shultz, OMHS; Kaylee Antonio, FOES; Krysten Gunn, CAIS; Cassie Campbell, OMIS; Kylee Adams, MES; Sara Patrick, CAIS; and Natalie Landrum, HIS. Teachers who maintained/renewed their NCBT: Cammie Eanes, OMES; Lindsey Irvin, CAIS; Tonya Borden-Hudson, VES; Christi King, WES; Sheri Humphrey, OMHS; Cherry Moody, CPES; Ellen Moon, OMES; and Laurie Sherrell, SCISC. “We are so proud of these teachers for their efforts to improve their professional practice and serve our students. We are excited about what’s ahead of us and our school district, and we hope you will encourage more of your colleagues to pursue national board [certification].”

Angela Walker, coordinator of instruction for Shelby County Schools, spoke more about the certification and said that when she went through the certification process, it changed the way she thought about teaching.

“It was a paradigm shift, and the most powerful professional learning I have ever completed to this day,” Walker said.

Kaylee Antonio, a teacher at Forest Oaks Elementary School, stands with Shelby County Schools Superintendent Lewis Brooks as she accepts her certificate for her national board certification. Photo courtesy of Cindy Warner.

She described it as the most respected certification in the field of education. The process is made up of four components: creating a classroom teaching video; an assessment of students on different levels; taking the test; and professional learning and development. Teachers have from three to five years complete and submit all components, along with two extra years if resubmission is necessary. Maintenance certification is required every five years.

“There are very few things in education where the research is 100% positive, but the research about national boards is 100%

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positive. It changes the culture of our schools, makes a difference in our students’ performance and achievement, especially those in low socioeconomic backgrounds,” Walker said.

The district works closely with the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation to support the teachers who are already nationally board certified and encourage others to become certified.

The education foundation also offers four component grants just for the district, pays for those who want to participate in the University of Montevallo candidate support program and also provides each certified teacher with

a plaque.

Something new in the Shelby County district this year is the creation of a national board leadership committee. Some zones in the district have no board certified teachers, and volunteers who are already certified were trained to become candidate support providers. Now each zone in the district has a support provider to encourage other teachers to obtain their certification.

During the superintendent’s report, Brooks reported that the annual bus inspection was recently completed and the state found only 0.6% deficiencies. Out of the fleet of 354 buses, only two had deficiencies.

“I’m pleased to report the Shelby County Schools bus inspection was once again outstanding,” Brooks said. “That's a great honor for our school system. I want to thank the Transportation Department for their efforts to ensure our students are brought to school and taken back home safely every day.”

Items approved during the meeting included: ► ELA and CTE textbook adoption ► Approval of out-of-state field trips ► Budget amendments for fiscal year 2022 ► Annual bid for CNP equipment ► CNP equipment for Columbiana Middle School ► Principal contracts, personnel actions and bus subs and aides ► A bid to Williford Orman construction for classroom additions at Montevallo Elementary for $4,012,526. ► A bid for classroom addition for Helena Intermediate School for $3,796,077.

The next Shelby County Board of Education meeting will be April 21 at 5 p.m. at Shelby County Instructional Services in Alabaster.

A16 • April 2022

280 Living A Chelsea High School student involved in the health care program, shows other students how the body dummy works.

Photos by Leah Ingram Eagle.

SHOWCASE OF SCHOOLS

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Shelby County Schools and the Shelby County Education Foundation hosted the annual Showcase of Schools on Feb. 28.

The event featured an alumni spotlight on Jonathan Harrison, a member of the Shelby County High School class of 2010. Harrison, a home cook from Columbiana, was recently one of the top 10 finalists on “Next Level Chef,” a reality series on FOX. A panel of eight students from schools including Oak Mountain High and Chelsea

High, answered questions about their educational experience and how Shelby County Schools prepared them for their education journey.

Superintendent Lewis Brooks addressed the audience, and the Calera High School Theater group gave a preview of its upcoming performance of “The Lion King.”

The student showcase was spread out in six rooms throughout SCISC and featured ELA, fine arts, social studies, student leadership, college and career transitions, career technical education and STEAM.

Forest Oaks Principal Stevi Sims stands with two students who were recently chosen for character awards.

Left: Two members of the CTEC automotive tech class pose with a tool they use in their class. Middle: A student dressed as Ameila Earhart shows a presentation on the female aviator.

Right: Shelby County Schools Superintendent Lewis Brooks addresses the crowd during the Showcase of Schools at Shelby County Instructional Services Center.

Left: Andrea Maddox, right, the instructor at the Chelsea High School, and one of her students present photos and information about the program. Far left: Brooks chats with students from Helena Middle School about their SGA project.

280Living.com

April 2022 • A17

Spain Park’s Audrey Rothman named 2022 Finley Award winner

By JON ANDERSON When the Spain Park volleyball team lost the state title game in 2020, star player Audrey Rothman told her coach Kellye Bowen moments after, “I am going to win this for you next year,” Bowen said.

Rothman kept her promise and helped lead the Jags to their first state title in 2021.

It’s that kind of determination and ability to bounce back from setbacks that helped Rothman be chosen as Spain Park’s winner of the 2022 Finley Award for outstanding character.

She was chosen from among 22 students nominated from the 374 seniors in the Class of 2022 and was to be honored at a banquet with this year’s other two Finley Award winners in the district on March 24.

Each year, the Finley Committee chooses one senior at each of Hoover’s high schools and one faculty member from the entire school system to receive the Finley Award, which is named after former Berry High School coach Bob Finley, who died in 1994.

The Finley Award is given to people who set high standards for themselves, assume responsibility where appropriate, exhibit quiet leadership, encourage others, demonstrate an outstanding work ethic, have genuine concern for others, show respect for others, have a humble manner, are honest and set a positive example for their peers.

The senior winner from Hoover High was Rotimi Kukoyi, while this year’s winner among all faculty in Hoover City Schools was Riverchase Principal Alice Turney.

Bowen said in a recommendation letter for Rothman that her determination and perseverance weren’t the only reasons Rothman was worthy of the Finley Award. She holds every attribute a coach could want in an athlete, Bowen said.

“She is an outstanding young lady who possesses a strong moral character and a desire to succeed not only academically but in her career,” Bowen wrote. “She is loyal, loving,

Above: Spain Park High School senior Audrey Rothman receives congratulations from her fellow classmates after being named winner of the school’s Finley Award in a Feb. 28 ceremony.

Photo by Jon Anderson.

hard-working, determined, disciplined, fair, honest and above all else a great role model to her peers.”

No one is perfect, but Rothman strives for perfection, and while she knows mistakes will happen, she makes a conscious effort to correct those mistakes, Bowen said.

Though Rothman is a two-time All-American and was the 2021 Gatorade Player of the Year for Alabama and has a 4.28 GPA, she remains a humble person who constantly gives recognition to others instead of taking the credit herself, Spain Park social studies teacher Jill Wallace said in a nomination letter.

Joe Carter, another social studies teacher, said that while Rothman has earned the respect of her teammates and classmates, she has never demonstrated the need to “fit in.”

“She has been raised by her parents with the understanding there is right, there is wrong and there are definite gray areas,” Carter wrote.

“The most unique thing about Audrey is that she stays out of the gray. She knows that, given her status in school, there will always been people out there looking for the chink in her armor. I’m very glad to tell you, there are no chinks!”

English teacher Angela Petix said Rothman’s sweet spirit, kindness and integrity make her a fitting candidate for the Finley Award. “I am so proud of all that she has accomplished, and I know that she will continue to be a bright light, making the world a better place, no matter where life takes her after Spain Park,” Petix wrote.

Rothman serves as a Spain Park ambassador

and peer helper. She coaches a fifth grade girls volleyball team at the YMCA, works on the Serve Team at Church of the Highlands and has volunteered at King’s Home and with Habitat for Humanity.

Rothman said the idea that other people see her as a kind person is the biggest compliment in the world to her.

“I work on that every single day, and I pray that I can be a help to other people and bring a smile to their faces,” she said. “Every person nominated deserves this award just as much if not more than myself. I’m thankful to be compared to such an amazing person.”

Rothman said that her Christian faith is a big part of her life and she feels blessed to just have another breath and hopes to use that breath to speak life into others.

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280 Living

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

Oak Mountain DAR chapter continues to see growth

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE In September 2018, the first workshop to generate interest for a new Daughters of the American Revolution chapter in North Shelby County was held at the Chelsea Public Library.

Within weeks, the number of new and potential members grew quickly as news of the chapter traveled throughout the area.

The Oak Mountain Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in 2019 and has grown from less than 25 members to now more than 65 members.

The nonprofit service organization has a lineage requirement for women older than 18 who can prove a direct lineal connection to a man or woman who rendered services in the aid of American independence – not just fighting, but also those who contributed goods and services.

DAR is a women’s service organization whose members have worked for more than a century to support the national mission and goals of historic preservation, advancing education and promoting patriotism.

The organization has more than 185,000 members in chapters around the world. They contribute at the local level by working on projects that preserve the nation’s heritage, including supporting schools and student programs, veteran’s activities and more. They focus on a wide variety of initiatives including scholarships, historic preservation grants and partnerships with schools and libraries.

“Not everyone knows about their family history,” Oak Mountain Chapter Regent Sally Woolley said. “It’s so much easier now because so many things are online; dar.org is an open website, and that’s a good place to start. If you don’t feel confident in doing your

From left: DAR State Registrar Mary Lewey; DAR State Historian Susan Moore; Oak Mountain Chapter Regent Sally Woolley; NSDAR Vice President General Tammy Clemons; DAR State Corresponding Secretary Janice Jennings; and DAR State Treasurer Sherry Spurlin at the grave marking for Moses Johnson.

Photo courtesy of Oak Mountain Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

own research, your local DAR chapter will help you with your application.”

Woolley said all the information needed to get started is the applicant’s information, along with their parents and all four grandparents. They use birth and death marriage, court records, land deeds, personal records and Bible records in their searches.

The group has recently honored an unrecognized American Revolutionary patriot who is buried near Wilsonville. Records show that Moses Johnson and his family migrated to

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Shelby County before 1820 and that he spent the winter of 1777-78 with George Washington at Valley Forge. A formal ceremony was Jan. 29 to honor this patriot and to place a bronze marker on his grave.

At a recent service meeting, the group made paracord bracelets for active military and collected supplies for active duty service women, whose supply needs are different from men. They also collect other items including used pill bottles for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, and coupons to send to

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military bases overseas that can be used in the commissary. They also support the Shelby County Historical Society.

For the country’s 250th birthday, to be celebrated on July 4, 2026, DAR is trying to recruit as many members as possible. There are currently 180,000 active members (there have been over a million since the group’s inception) and they would like to get to 250,000 before the anniversary date.

For more information, to fill out an interest form or to find a local chapter, visit dar.org.

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April 2022 • A19

From student to inspiration Cameron Morris’ career in animation sparks new program at Oak Mountain High School

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Oak Mountain High students will soon be able to enjoy a class inspired by a recent graduate, and one few schools in the area can boast: animation.

The inspiration for that class, animator Cameron Morris, recently visited her alma mater as a guest speaker in her former teacher John Milton’s television production class.

“It’s nice to talk to high school students,” said Morris, who graduated in 2014. “It doesn't feel like that long since I’ve been there. He's got a great setup with lots of equipment. I'm excited for the students and just having that in a curriculum is such a great opportunity to explore all the different things that can come about through it.”

Morris, now 26, said she began considering animation as a career when she was around 16.

While Oak Mountain High School did not offer any classes on animation, she did take traditional art classes to do some form of what she loved.

However, that will soon change. Milton said Morris is the inspiration in starting an animation program that will be offered in the 2022-23 school year. It will be the only one in the county and one of only a few in the state.

“Mr. Milton was one of the first people I talked to about wanting to study animation and wanting to get involved in this world I really didn't know anything about prior to looking into it,” Morris said. “He took what I cared about very seriously, as he does with all of his students. He’s a big supporter and that's what you need, especially when you’re a kid.”

Milton said Morris is an example of an Oak Mountain graduate doing some really cool things and said she has been helpful in developing the upcoming animation class.

“She came and spoke to the class and networked with our kids,” Milton said. “She’s someone our kids can connect with and she can give them advice that can turn into real life opportunities. Having her has been instrumental just for getting it off the ground and having a vision.”

Milton said the equipment is already in place for the Foundations for Arts and A/V class, which could assist students in continuing on a path for television production. Students will be able to take this class and could continue on a path for television production or animation and motion graphics.

“We are building the curriculum and getting all the pieces in place along with gauging student interest,” he said.

“When students take the foundations class, not only do they get to have a taste of animation, they also get to see if it's something they really like enough to pursue.”

After graduating from OMHS, Morris attended Auburn University to study marketing and graphic design. She wanted to have a creative career and thought marketing was it, but the more she dug into it, the more she realized the creative part came from animation and graphic design.

“Originally I thought if you get a degree

Above: During her four-month internship in Los Angeles, Cameron Morris worked on several projects, including two for the movie “Spider Man: No Way Home.” Top: Morris, an Eagles alumna, is the inspiration in starting an animation program at Oak Mountain High School next year. Photos courtesy of Cameron Morris.

that's pretty broad that’s great, because you’re not wedging yourself into a little place,” she said. “It was actually the opposite, because the more specific you are about what you like, the

more things open up.”

Once she completed her undergraduate degree at Auburn, she headed to the Savannah College of Art and Design, and that changed her world, she said. While studying for her masters degree in animation, seeing others who have made it a career was helpful to her, she said.

“Once you study something you’re passionate about, it's a new level of learning where you're studying because you really want to and push yourself to be better than you were the day before,” she said. “Having that community was really important for people that are excited to make the impossible happen by having this be a career.”

She graduated from SCAD in August 2020, during the pandemic. She decided to move home and apply for jobs. She took several online courses with the School of Motion in order to keep the structure of going to class, learning and having a community.

From March until August 2021, she worked with movie making powerhouse Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), founded by George Lucas. In that role, from February to August 2021, Morris did animations for Apple Music for playlist covers.

“There were these playlist covers on Apple that had already been created and designed, and our job was to go in and replicate the images using whatever software we needed and make them move,” Morris said. “The most fun for me was listening to the playlist and understanding this is the intent of the playlist. I love music and giving personality to designs and it was great,

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After that, Morris had an internship from September to December 2021 with the Los Angeles- and New York-based design studio Imaginary Forces.

Among the projects she worked on during her four month internship was one of the biggest movie blockbusters of the last year: “Spider-Man No Way Home.”

Morris got to assist one of the 3D artists and they created the movie posters for IMAX. She also worked on the title sequence at the end of the movie.

“The movie was successful in my eyes. It hit all the markers, especially for the people who are so into the details of the Marvel Comics. It was great to be a part of it, even if it was at the tail end,” she said.

Still working remotely in Meadow Brook, Morris started a temp-to-hire position Feb. 7 with a company called Brand New School. The studio based out of New York focuses less on entertainment and more on advertising. She said it’s nice to have a trial period where she does something for a few months to see if it’s a good fit.

In early March, Morris accepted a motion design job with Apple that is based in San Francisco that she will begin this month.

“I’ll initially be working with the App Store and create animation for the Today tab,” she said. “My team and I will design and animate elements of it for users to preview this function.

There’s also talk of me animating for the Arcade tab as well.”

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280 Living

Pop-country singer dreams of big hits with new release

Natalie Kaye Robertson, left, and Lexi Frederick at O-Kaye Productions in Nashville.

Frederick plans to attend Jefferson State Community College after she graduates from Chelsea, but said her main priority will be her music and improving her skill.

Photo courtesy of Renae Frederick.

By ERIC TAUNTON Renae Frederick said she’s proud and impressed with her daughter’s dedication to her craft.

Born with a cleft palate and hearing issues, Lexi Frederick is about to have her third single released on iTunes. “Bring Me Peace” is out April 8, along with her other original singles, “My Friend” and “Vacant” that were released in 2021.

With the help of her mom, Frederick has been pursuing her singing career for four years.

“To see her have this ability has just been incredible,” Renae Frederick said. “Just watching her work ethic, she puts in hours of practice daily. Just seeing her grow through this has just been unreal. I’m a proud mom.”

A senior at Chelsea High School, Frederick hopes to pursue a career as a pop-country singer in the future. As for the present, Frederick stays busy with school (where she is a member of the National Honor Society) and volunteering at Heavenly Smile food pantry.

Frederick began practicing with her voice coach, Natalie Kaye Robertson, owner and founder of O-Kaye Productions in Nashville, in 2018 following a softball injury.

“I’ve always loved to sing, but never really pursued it because I had to play volleyball,” Frederick said. “I was so focused on that, but got a knee injury and was never going to be able to play again. My mom had really encouraged

me to sing and she finally started signing me up for some lessons and ever since then, music has been my focus.”

She began writing her own songs in 2020 then recorded her first EP in Nashville that includes “My Friend” and “Vacant,” both of which were released in 2021.

She also writes songs with her Uncle Derek, who helps her with her lyrics, which happened “out of the blue.” One day when she was at her grandmother’s house, he asked for her opinion on a song he had written.

“It was good, but there were definitely changes that could be made to make it better.

Ever since we’ve just been writing songs,” she said.

Frederick travels back and forth to Nashville to meet with Robertson to practice her singing and work on the songs she writes, she said.

“She helps me with my songs, working on my dynamics and making sure they’re the best they can be,” Lexi said. “Whenever we feel like my songs are perfected, we go over to Nashville where we record and track my music.”

Frederick said her friends and family have been supportive of her career, pre-ordering and buying her songs when they’re released.

“They’ll post my pictures, share [my songs]

with other people or their friends and will pre-order my songs,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of support from my friends to help me get there, [along with] my family, too.”

Frederick plans to attend Jefferson State Community College after she graduates from Chelsea, but said her main priority will be her music and improving her skill.

“If I were to go to a big university, it would be very hard to practice my music with the dorms and all the people,” she said. “I just want to take this as seriously as I can and really focus on myself and give it all I have. Hopefully, I’ll keep going back and forth to Nashville and get big.”

280Living.com

April 2022 • A21

Professionals work to support women in cybersecurity

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Sherry Barnes has spent over a decade working in cybersecurity and said the field has changed immensely over that time.

“It’s astounding to think where we’ve come,” said Barnes, who lives in Chelsea.

“The digital world has definitely changed the culture of how we operate today.” She notes that there are expected to be 3.5 million jobs in cybersecurity by 2025.

She has worked in information security as a senior risk analyst for EBSCO, Regions and currently at Southern Research where she focuses on compliance initiatives and bridging the gap between IT, cybersecurity requirements and risk.

She also serves as president of the Central Alabama affiliate of Women in CyberSecurity. The affiliate is part of a global organization/nonprofit founded in 2012 and dedicated to bringing together women in cybersecurity to share knowledge, experience, networking and mentoring.

The mission of WiCyS is the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in cybersecurity.

“How we [the Central Alabama affiliate] came about was that several of my colleagues were affiliated in other associations locally and we began researching how to bridge the gap between male and female counterparts in cybersecurity and how we could create opportunities for local students and professionals who are interested in getting into or growing in the field,” she said.

In February 2021, the group petitioned to receive permission to establish a Central Alabama affiliate, which hosted its official launch in June 2021 at Dark Tower. Now with about 40 members, the group partners with a variety of allies and advocates in the Central Alabama region.

“Although we are an organization focusing on women, WiCyS has strong support from our male allies and advocates,”

Barnes said.

The affiliate had several events last summer and recently engaged with Deborah Boswell, a communications consultant, and coach, to give a presentation at McLeod Software on U.S. 280. The presentation focused on the hybrid work environment and the need for companies to have wellthought-out communication plans that ensure all employees, whether remote or in-person, feel engaged and heard.

“We are here to cultivate and support the central Alabama community so they have the knowledge WiCyS provides — training, support, mentoring programs, intern programs for professionals, students and veterans,” Barnes said. “We are working toward recruiting more members and providing events which foster career growth that provides the opportunity to reach more participants.”

Being a nonprofit, WiCyS does its own fundraising. They rely on businesses to offer sponsorships and space since they do not have an office.

Serving alongside Barnes on the Central Alabama affiliate leadership team are Angella Carlisle, vice president; LeighAnne Hoffman, treasurer; Cassandra Brown, secretary; Heather McCalley, adviser; Lora Vaughn (social media chair) and Kera Dorsey (website designer/manager).

Barnes said they are working to plan more events. A Springboard Networking and Career event in March offered recruiters from ITAC and Boulo Solutions who provided resume reviews along with tips to assist during the interview process. The group will also participate in the hacka-thon and innovation challenge for the University of Alabama’s Management Information Systems program.

More information on membership, events and outreach in Central Alabama can be found at wicyscentralal.org as well as globally at wicys.org.

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A22 • April 2022

280 Living

Events

Hoover run, walk options for April

By JON ANDERSON Runners and walkers have several opportunities to take part in 5K events in Hoover in April.

Shades Crest Baptist Church is putting on its annual High Country 5K and Mile Fun Run in Bluff Park on April 9, and Southeastern Diabetes Education Services is holding its Diabetes Walk for Camp Seale-Harris at Veterans Park the same day.

Then on April 16, Jefferson State Community College is bringing its annual Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K and Community EGGstravaganza back as an in-person event at Veterans Park on April 16.

Here’s more information about each event:

HIGH COUNTRY 5K & MILE FUN RUN

The 5K run/walk will begin at 8 a.m. at Shades Crest Baptist Church at 452 Park Ave., wind through the streets of Bluff Park and end at the church. The 1-mile fun run is scheduled for 9 a.m. and will be followed by a pancake breakfast for all participants, their families and supporters in the church about 9:15 a.m., said Mark Johnson, an associate pastor who is organizing the run.

There also will be a free pasta dinner for all registered runners and their families the night before from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 8. Runners can pick up their packets from 4 to 8 p.m. that night in the front of the church’s fellowship hall. If there is inclement weather, packet pickup will be in the building next to fellowship hall.

The cost to participate is $30 through March 27, $35 March 28-April 8 and $40 the day of the race. Students ages 1-17 can register for $10. The race will take place rain or shine with no refunds, organizers said.

Left: Runners take off at the start of the 2019 High Country 5K at Shades Crest Baptist Church in April 2019. Photo by Jon Anderson. Right: Members of “Team Courtlynn” pose for a photo at the 2021 Birmingham Diabetes Walk for Camp Seale Harris at Veterans Park. Photo courtesy of John Latimer.

The first 300 runners to register for the 5K will receive a T-shirt. Refreshments will be offered at the start and finish of the race. The Trak Shak is managing the race.

The High Country 5K was called off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned last year without the indoor portions of the event. About 125 people participated last year, which is about half as many as in 2019, Johnson said.

The race is not a fundraiser. The entry fee is used to cover costs, Johnson said.

“We’re just trying to break even,” he said.

“It’s a community event to encourage people to participate in exercise and get together as a community around a short, little 3-mile run and to get to know and enjoy each other.”

At this year’s race, organizers also plan to honor the course record-holder, Jeremy

Moujoodi, a longtime Hoover resident and Hoover High graduate who died in July at age 33. His record time for the course is 15 minutes, 43.8 seconds. His wife is supposed to be present at the race, Johnson said.

To register for the High Country 5K or for more information, go to shadescrest.org or call 205-822-1750.

BIRMINGHAM-HOOVER DIABETES WALK

Southeastern Diabetes Education Services plans to hold its annual Diabetes Walk for Camp-Seale Harris on Saturday, April 9, at Veterans Park.

The walk, which includes a 1-mile option and 3.1-mile option, raises money to help send children with diabetes to day camps and

summer camps that are designed specifically for them.

This year’s race is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., but other activities will continue through noon, including music with a disc jockey, balloon art, a bounce house/slide and various vendors, said Shelby Harrison, the community and events manager for the nonprofit.

The walk typically draws 150 to 200 people and last year attracted 200 to 250 participants, including about 30 teams that had registered to raise money in conjunction with the walk.

Most teams typically are designed to raise money to supplement a particular child’s camp fees, but some businesses and civic groups form teams to raise money for the overall effort, which includes a general scholarship fund.

“No child is turned away from Camp Seale-Harris regardless of financial status,”

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April 2022 • A23

2022 Denim & Dining to mark 30 years of schools foundation

Runners participate in the 2019 Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K at Veterans Park. Photo courtesy of Jefferson State Community College.

By JON ANDERSON

four months after leaving her job at Jeff State.

All proceeds from the 5K go to provide scholarships for needy Jeff State students.

The race is set to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 16. After the race at 10:30 a.m., medals will be given to the top three male and top three female finishers overall as well as the top male and female runners in various age groups. All participants will receive swag bags and T-shirts.

After the race, the EGGstravaganza will include an Easter egg hunt for all ages with more than 10,000 Easter eggs that contain cash and tickets for free treats from Chick-fil-A, Steel City Pops and City Bowls, organizers said. There also will be free popcorn, cotton candy and Pepsi products available.

The cost to participate in the 5K is $20 ($15 for college students and children ages 18 and younger who use the STUDENT code at checkout). For people who would rather sleep in but want to donate, a $15 option is available that includes the swag bag and T-shirt.

Participants can pick up packets on Friday, April 15, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lobby of the Judy M. Merritt Building on Jeff State’s Shelby-Hoover campus next door to Veterans Park. Packets also can be picked up on race day from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

To register for the race, go to jeffersonstate. edu/5K. For more information, contact Libby Holmes at lholmes@jeffersonstate.edu or at 205-983-5230.

JUDY M. MERRITT MEMORIAL 5K

Jefferson State Community College is holding its Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K and Community EGGstravaganza in its traditional format this year after making the run virtual last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 5K is conducted in memory of Merritt, who served as Jeff State’s president for 35 years and was the first woman appointed as a college president in Alabama. She died in October 2014 at her home in Chelsea less than

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Harrison said.

Last year’s Birmingham-Hoover event raised more than $25,000, and walks statewide raised $97,000, she said. The nonprofit organizes six walks throughout Alabama and northwest Florida. Walks this year were scheduled for March 12 in Pensacola, March 13 in Mobile, April 2 in Dothan, April 3 in Montgomery, April 9 in Hoover and April 10 in Huntsville.

As of late February, 31 teams had registered for the Birmingham-Hoover walk, but more were expected, Harrison said. “We have teams register all the way up to the day of the event,” she said.

The nonprofit hopes to raise more than $30,000 with the Birmingham-Hoover walk this year and $125,000 statewide, Harrison said.

To register or for more information, go to campsealeharris.org/diabeteswalk.

The Hoover City Schools Foundation will be kicking off its 30th anniversary celebration at the 2022 Denim & Dining fundraiser in April.

The event is returning to Aldridge Gardens for the second time on Friday, April 29, from 6-10 p.m.

“To be able to be in the gardens, we’re thrilled,” foundation Executive Director Shelley Shaw said. “It’s such a popular spot. Am employee of Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q stirs baked beans in preparation for serving food at the Hoover City It’s a great setting for that time Schools Foundation’s 2021 Denim and Dining fundraiser of year, after proms, after Easter at Aldridge Gardens in April 2021. Photo by Jon Anderson. and a way to start our celebration of our 30 years.”

The night will start with a social and cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m., during which people 2022 Denim & Dining will have an opportunity to browse auction items. There will be both a silent auction and • WHERE: Aldridge Gardens live auction, foundation Executive Director • WHEN: Friday, April 29, 6-10 p.m.

Shelley Shaw said.

• COST: $75/person (increases to Auction items are expected to include a $85 April 25) football signed by Alabama coach Nick Saban • DETAILS: A fundraiser for Hoover and some Alabama players, golf outings, City Schools Foundation beach trips, jewelry, sporting event tickets, • WEB: hoovercsf.org hotel packages and restaurant gift certificates, Shaw said.

Bidding will be done with cellphones, and people will receive alerts whenever a bid is foundation, with proceeds going to help fund placed on an item that interests them, she said. grants for teachers for innovative classroom Also, silent auction items will be featured projects. Attendees likely will get to hear from online prior to the event, and bidding for those some past grant recipients at the event, Shaw items will begin earlier in the week, she said. said. There also will be live entertainment.

At 7 p.m., guests will have a barbecue dinner Early bird tickets cost $75 through April 24, from Jim ‘Nick’s Bar-B-Q and a dessert and and prices go up to $85 on April 25. Tickets can coffee bar set up by the Riverchase Career be bought at hoovercsf.org. The foundation also Connection Center’s Culinary and Hospitality is looking for sponsorships, starting at $500 Academy. Attire is casual; denim is encouraged. and going up to $2,500. A $2,500 sponsorship This is the main fundraiser for the includes a table for eight guests at the event.

A24 • April 2022

280 Living

OWENS HOUSE

CONTINUED from page A1 to help make this possible.

Mashego shared that during FY 2021, Shelby County DHR investigated 1,486 reports (involving 2,079 children) of possible child abuse and neglect.

They currently provide services to 378 children and their families to help them remain together safely in their homes and currently serve 173 children in foster care.

Shelby County DHR makes referrals to Owens House for forensic interviews of children, which usually follow a traumatic experience. Owens House is the child advocacy center in Shelby County, and it works with other entities in the county to assist children who are victims of child abuse to help them throughout the process.

DHR receives many cases from people who work directly with children, such as educators, child care workers, medical professionals and law enforcement. In addition, family members, relatives, neighbors and anyone else who suspects child abuse and/or neglect can make a report to our office.

A CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER

Owens House is a nonprofit advocacy organization located in Columbiana that serves the entire county, and which is committed to providing a place of refuge and opportunities for justice and healing to the children they serve.

Its mission is to equip the Shelby County community to protect, strengthen and restore those who have experienced child abuse and trauma and their vision is to stop child abuse and provide healing to those who have experienced trauma.

Vetrica Hill took over as executive director of Owens House in January. She and the staff work to provide a warm, friendly atmosphere to allow the children to tell their story.

“Something not a lot of people are not aware of is that we are the largest child advocacy center in Alabama (out of 36 throughout the state), and Shelby County is the largest in the state,” Hill said. “People who work in this discipline know about child advocacy centers and others outside that do not.”

Owens House uses a multidisciplinary approach during the interview process, which is also recorded, so the child doesn’t have to repeat it multiple times. Each forensic interview follows a precise, evidence-based protocol in order to ensure accurate information is gathered.

Last year, Owens House completed more than 450 of these interviews.

“A forensic interviewer from Owens House conducts the one-on-one interview with the child,” Hill said. “The multidisciplinary team, composed of DHR, law enforcement professionals and a medical physician watch as the interview is recorded. They come together and determine if abuse has taken place, and if so, what kind and how long.”

The team collaborates on every case and meets monthly to review each individual they have served and how they can continue to advocate, provide for, and protect them.

Shelby County DHR receives many cases from people who work directly with children, such as educators, child care workers, medical professionals and law enforcement, Mashego said. In addition, family members, relatives, neighbors and anyone else who suspects child abuse and/or neglect can make a report to their office.

“Our process involves working with caregivers, law enforcement, the judicial system and many other community partners to ensure the safety of children, while offering services tailored to the unique needs of families,” Mashego said.” Some of these services include budgeting, counseling, educational support, substance abuse treatment and domestic violence intervention.”

The role of Shelby County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Robert Rodriguez is an investigator for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and also serves as a board member for Owens House. He said before the multidisciplinary approach, the child would have to tell their story nine times and now they only have to tell it once.

“It’s a really good format for investigating those kinds of cases,” he said. “The investigator assigned to the case will be present during the interview at Owens House and gets a chance to hear the details of the incident and has the opportunity to meet with the family and walk with them through the process.”

Rodriguez said when questioned, an

Above: Fitz, a 4-year-old service-trained facility dog, lays in the waiting room at Owens House. Below left: Cards with information about Fitz and challenge coins are given to each child that comes to Owens House. Fitz works with victims and witnesses during forensic interviews and in the courtroom by providing emotional support throughout the process. Below right: A model of a courtroom allows the staff to give children and families a visual representation of what to expect during court proceedings. Photos by Erin Nelson.

estimated 80 percent of perpetrators will admit to the crime and the process moves forward.

Other times, perpetrators will not admit to the crime and law enforcement will continue to gather facts and evidence which they take back to the multidisciplinary team and the District Attorney’s office to discuss.

“The DA has been great and very aggressive toward prosecuting and bringing the maximum [penalty] to the people who hurt these children,” Rodriguez said. “We are blessed to have the DA and judges we have here in Shelby County.”

One of the myths of sexual abuse is that it is committed by strangers, when the majority of child abuse seen in law enforcement is perpetrated by family members, Rodriguez said.

This can lead to delayed disclosures because the victim is afraid to come forward with the accusation and can be manipulated not to report it.

However, there is no statute of limitations for child abuse. Rodriguez said most of the time, the accused has abused more than one person and when one victim comes forward, others have the courage to do the same.

“The way it was handled years ago compared to now, there are so many resources for families to gain that strength and courage and hope to keep going during this process. So many organizations like Owens House provide services to the child who’s been traumatized but also for family members to help them keep fighting and give them hope that this is not the end,” Rodriguez said.

The most important thing a parent can do is to have that open communication with their child where they feel that no matter what they tell their parents, they will be there for them and support them and believe them, Rodriguez said.

HELPING VICTIMS, PARENTS

Owens House offers individual therapy for its clients, with both of its counselors trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). This evidence-based treatment for children impacted by trauma helps them cope with the process and aftermath. This, along with every service at Owens House, is provided free of charge to the client and their family.

Clients also come to Owens House by self-referral. Hill said that if someone knows that something happened, whether recent or not, they can reach out to Owens House and they will definitely point them in the right direction to get where they need to be.

In addition to Hill, two counselors and the forensic interviewer, Owens House has a family advocate on staff. She works with the family to let them know other services available and to provide community resources. She follows up with contacts, holds parent conferences and lets them know what to expect from the criminal side in case they have to go to court. She also Informs the clients about compensation assistance and helps filling out forms.

“As you can imagine, trauma such as child abuse can impact a family in a lot of other areas as well. Our family advocate helps us provide services for the family,” Hill said.

In order to assist the children through the process, Owens House has Fitz, a Labrador/Golden Retriever court dog. He comes in to provide comfort to children during their interview and also is there for them if they have to go to court.

“If he senses a child is experiencing an emotional interview, [he] will lay across their lap.

He is a therapist,” Hill said. “Kids become more relaxed and engaged in the interview. Fitz is an important part of what we do here in helping us to get information from the kids.”

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Another area that Owens House serves is that of community education. This includes elementary body safety education, professional training and prevention classes, all with the common goal of ending child abuse. Two counselors visit Shelby County Schools and talk to elementary students about inappropriate touch, signs to look for, behaviors and how to disclose and prevent abuse. They also send home a letter to let parents know their children took part in this safety education program.

“They have an amazing puppet show with the kids. Our therapists are creative and interactive with kids and design the education programs according to their grade level,”

Hill said.

Hill said the counselors often have a child disclose about abuse after the program, or later, at home, disclose to their parents that something has happened.

“It’s a very good education and awareness program, being able to make kids aware that these things are occurring and it’s not normal and a lot of kids don’t know that,” Hill said. “A lot of times the kids don’t know they’ve been groomed to say those touches are appropriate.”

Hill said Owens House counselors are available to speak to any group that deals with youth.

They don’t just deal with the aftermath but the preventative as well.

“Lot of people want to address it, but don’t know where to start. They just have to reach out to us,” she said.

WAYS TO HELP

While Owens House is a nonprofit county service, it is allocated funding from the state and also local funding from Shelby County. It also accepts donations from corporations or individuals.

Volunteers aren’t allowed because of confidentiality, but Owens House gladly accepts donations of stuffed animals, snacks and other items along with gas gift cards to alleviate the financial burden of gas costs. Hill said that because it is the only child advocacy center in Shelby County, many people have to come a long distance. A needs list is available on the Owens House website.

Owens House will host a fundraiser April 9 from noon-4 p.m. at Siluria Brewing Company, located at 145 First Ave. W. in Alabaster. Guests can find out about the organization and ways to provide support.

“It’s a day to make the community aware of child abuse and let them know how they can prevent it and the services they can utilize,” Hill said.

For those who may be aware of child abuse but don’t want to be directly involved, a confidential report can be made to local law enforcement. For information about Owens House and their programs, visit owenshouse.org

280Living.com

April 2022 • A25

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A26 • April 2022

280 Living Left: Robbie Hayes, Chuck Wallis, Mark Glausier, Jane Ann Mueller, Scott Weygand and Mike Denton at the Chelsea Community Center. This year’s Fire at the Foothills Barbecue and Chili CookOff will be April 2 at the Chelsea Community Center. Photo by Erin Nelson. Below: An event-goer holds a sample of pork barbecue during the 2021 Fire at the Foothills. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

FOOTHILLS

CONTINUED from page A1 was initially at Tractor Supply before moving to Chelsea City Hall. This year’s event will be held Saturday, April 2 from 1-4 p.m. at the Chelsea Community Center.

Weygand, who is still heavily involved in organizing the event, said that the community center will provide more space and avoid the road construction taking place in front of City Hall.

Jane Ann Mueller, programs director at the community center, said that last year made it clear the event had outgrown the City Hall parking lot, so the normal progression was to move it to the community center. The community center staff will be on hand Saturday to assist with the event.

All of the competing barbecue teams will be lined up in the parking lot on the left side of the community center. Depending on how many teams register, some may be in the area behind the community center.

Fire at the Foothills is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Cash prizes will be given for the top three finishers for ribs, chicken and pork butt categories. Judging will take place inside the community center, but the building is closed for all other purposes except the restrooms.

Awards for the barbecue will include first, second and third place, reserve champion and grand champion. The People’s Choice award will go to the team that collects the most tips.

Team Spirit has won that several years in a row.

“Judges come from all over the country and are certified by the KCBS, “ Weygand said.

“There are certain requirements they have to meet to become a certified judge. KCBS lays out the rules on how many judges per team. If we have 30 teams, there are around 35 judges; it’s close to a ratio of 1:1.”

Many teams come back year after year.

Weygand said about 30 to 40 percent of the teams are local and others come from throughout the state and surrounding states.

“Most of the teams that compete do it over and over again,” he said. “The way we do our event is more fun for the teams because it’s

geared to the public.”

In addition to the barbecue cook-off, a dessert cook-off will also be held. Participants are encouraged to bring cakes and pies, and kids can bake cookies to enter into the contest, which will be judged by members of the Chelsea Fire and Rescue Department.

“This year, we want to get more people involved,” Weygand said. “The sky’s the limit.

Last year a banana pudding won the pie contest.”

The event usually draws a large crowd.

Anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 people usually attend and last year’s crowd was estimated to be around 2,000. Mueller said it’s difficult to get an accurate count since it’s a come and go event.

“It’s all free. We just ask for donations,” Weygand said. “All the funds raised [from the barbecue competition] go to the Chelsea Kiwanis Club, which helps local children’s charities. Money raised from the dessert portion will go to the Chelsea Fire Department’s fire education safety program that they teach in schools.”

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the dessert competition, and Chief Joe Lee said it is used to buy materials for fire safety programs at the local schools and daycares, including coloring books and plastic fire helmets.

Mike Denton, treasurer of the Chelsea of Kiwanis Club, handles getting the KCBS judges. He said they pick the winners based on taste.

This year’s cook-off had 20 teams already signed up before the end of February, which is earlier than usual according to Denton.

“Ours with 20-22 teams is relatively small in comparison to some of the other events, but most of the people that come in here to compete in our event like it because it’s relatively small and that any money we make goes to charity,” Denton said.

The Chelsea Kiwanis Club donates money raised from the barbecue competition to local charities including Easter Seals Camp ASCCA, King’s Home, Chelsea elementary schools (each will receive $500), Chelsea Public Library and to help those in foster care in Shelby County.

There will be activities for children and staff

from the Chelsea Public Library will be giving out free books. Members from the Chelsea High School Key Club will be on hand selling drinks.

Chelsea Community Center is located at 1101 Chelsea Road. For information on the event, visit facebook.com/fireatthefoothills.

280Living.com

April 2022 • A27

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Jags make 2nd straight final four run

By KYLE PARMLEY The Spain Park High School boys basketball team’s postseason run came to an end in the same round for the second straight year.

On March 3 at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena, Spain Park suffered a 73-58 loss to Enterprise in the Class 7A state semifinals. The Wildcats have now knocked out the Jaguars in the semis in back-to-back years.

Enterprise jumped out to a big lead early, opening the game on a 16-3 run, only broken up by a Chase James 3-pointer in the game’s first four minutes. Spain Park settled in, though, closing the opening frame on a 9-2 spurt to close the gap to 18-12.

“Since December, we’ve had really good starts to games, and today we didn’t,” Spain Park head coach Chris Laatsch said. “To their credit, they came out and got after us. Our kids withstood it, but they came back, and we just couldn’t quite get over the hump.”

Neither team did much offensively in the second quarter, and Enterprise took a 26-21 lead into halftime.

Consecutive buckets from Colin Turner in the third quarter cut the Jags deficit to 32-27, but Enterprise closed the period with 11 straight points to take a commanding 43-27 lead heading into the fourth.

As Spain Park attempted to speed up the game in the fourth, Enterprise broke the full court press several times and got easy buckets to finish off the game. Spain Park turned the ball over 20 times in the contest.

“Their physicality and aggressiveness made it really hard for us to run things,” Laatsch said.

“We’ve been playing in front most of the year, and we were behind today.”

Josh Harrington led the Jaguars with 18

Spain Park’s Colin Turner (25) shoots a layup while being guarded by Enterprise’s Elijah Terry (3) in the second half of the AHSAA Class 7A boys state semifinal game at Legacy Arena at the BirminghamJefferson Convention Center on March 3. The Jags fell to Enterprise 7358. Photo by Erin Nelson.

points and eight rebounds. Turner went for 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting with a team-high nine rebounds.

James joined both of those guys in double figures with 10 points. Sam Wright had 8 points and six boards as well.

Spain Park had six seniors on this year’s team, with Harrington, Ben Corley, Chantz Pickett, Solomon Robinson, Pierson Cole and Turner finishing their careers with consecutive final four appearances.

Harrington recalled a conversation with a younger teammate over the summer about the possibility of Spain Park making a repeat run to the state tournament this year, despite losing eight seniors from last year’s squad. He assured the teammate that the talent was there, as long as the collective buy-in and development followed.

It did, and the Jags played as one of the better teams in the state from mid-December on.

“I don’t know if many people thought this

group could get there, but they did,” Laatsch said. “A lot of it goes to these guys [Harrington and Turner]. These two guys mean so much to me. … They’ve surpassed a lot of people’s expectations.”

Spain Park won the Class 7A, Area 6 tournament this year by beating Vestavia Hills in the championship game. The Jags then won two games at the Northeast Regional, notching victories over Sparkman and Huntsville to reach the state semifinals.

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280 Living

Sports

All-South Metro Basketball Turner, Laatsch garner top honors

Spain Park’s Colin Turner (25) takes a shot in the second half of the Class 7A boys Northeast Regional final Feb. 21 at Jacksonville State University’s Pete Matthews Coliseum.

The Jags defeated Huntsville 6051 to advance to the state semifinal at Legacy Arena.

Photos by Erin Nelson.

By KYLE PARMLEY The 2021-22 high school basketball season is in the books, with the Hoover High School girls managing to repeat as Class 7A state champions after a hard-fought victory over Vestavia Hills.

Spain Park’s boys made a return trip to the final four, and several other teams from the Starnes Media coverage area made strong pushes at the regional tournaments.

The dynamic duo of Reniya Kelly and Aniya Hubbard have played their final game together in Hoover uniforms. It is nearly impossible to separate the two in terms of impact, both in statistics and leadership, and both share girls Player of the Year honors. John David Smelser is the girls Coach of the Year after leading Vestavia Hills to its first final four since 2006.

On the boys side, Spain Park was not expected to replicate its postseason success after losing eight seniors, but forward Colin Turner was an unstoppable force all season long and is the Player of the Year. Chris Laatsch deserves plenty of credit for getting the Jaguars to that point as well and is the Coach of the Year.

BOYS AWARDS

► Player of the Year: Colin Turner, Spain Park ► Coach of the Year: Chris Laatsch, Spain Park

GIRLS AWARDS

► Co-Players of the Year: Reniya Kelly

and Aniya Hubbard, Hoover ► Coach of the Year: John David Smelser

BOYS 1ST TEAM

► Guard: Win Miller, Vestavia Hills; the

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junior guard has continued his stellar career, flying past 1,000 career points and averaging 16.8 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the year. ► Guard: Caleb White, Pinson Valley; the

sophomore shot 45% from 3-point range and averaged 17 points a game for the Indians. ► Guard: Paul Lanzi, Chelsea; the junior guard is already the sixth-leading scorer in school history and gave the Hornets a chance

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April 2022 • B5

every night by going for 17.3 points per game. ► Forward: Colin Turner, Spain Park; the senior capped off his career with a monster season, going for 16.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. ► Forward: Christian Thompson, Homewood; was part of a forceful duo in the paint for the Patriots, going for 12.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Oak Mountain’s Raegan Whitaker (10) moves toward the goal as she’s guarded

by Chelsea’s Ashley Washington (11) in a Dec. 14 game at Oak Mountain High School.

Whitaker went for 11 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Lady Eagles.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

BOYS 2ND TEAM

► Guard: Reese Gurner, Vestavia Hills; averaged 15 points and nearly 5 rebounds per game after emerging as a reliable star player for the Rebels. ► Guard: Ty Davis, Mountain Brook; commanded the Spartans offense and notched 14.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game for a 29-5 team. ► Guard: Brady Dunn, Oak Mountain; saved one of his best games for last, dropping 25 points in the regional final and averaged 14 points per game for the season. ► Forward: Donte’ Bacchus, Homewood; went for 14 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for a strong Patriots team. ► Forward: Avery Futch, Chelsea; finished the season with 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

BOYS 3RD TEAM

► Guard: Terry Coner Jr., Pinson Valley; notched 15.9 points per game. ► Guard: Kalib Thomas, John Carroll; scored 18 points per game. ► Guard: Kyle Layton, Mountain Brook; averaged 14.9 points and knocked down 105 3-pointers for the season. ► Forward: Brodin Grady, Hoover; the senior team captain posted 8.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. ► Forward: Ryan Giegel, Oak Mountain; a steady presence for the Eagles, going for 8 points and 5 rebounds a game.

BOYS HONORABLE MENTION

► Guard: Cole Turner, Vestavia Hills; Salim London, Hoover; Josh Harrington, Spain Park; Zach Gray, Spain Park; Chase James, Spain Park; Miles Gilbert, Briarwood; William

Lloyd, Briarwood; Ray Rolley, Hewitt-Trussville; KJ Beck, John Carroll; Wilder Evers, Oak Mountain; Matthew Heiberger, Oak Mountain ► Forward: DeWayne Brown, Hoover; Sam Wright, Spain Park

GIRLS 1ST TEAM

► Guard: Emma Smith, Vestavia Hills; became the first player in program history to finish with more than 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds. ► Guard: Reniya Kelly, Hoover; averaged 14 points per game, with 4 rebounds and nearly 5 assists to go along with it for the state champs. ► Guard: Aniya Hubbard, Hoover; finished her career by averaging 14 points and 6 rebounds in a standout season. ► Forward: D’yona Jones, Hewitt-Trussville; averaged 11.4 points and 7 rebounds as she was able to put together a healthy season. ► Forward: Sarah Gordon, Vestavia Hills; went for 11 points per game as a freshman for the state runner-up.

GIRLS 2ND TEAM

► Guard: Jordan Hunter, Hewitt-Trussville; nearing 1,000 points for her career following her sophomore season. ► Guard: Emma Stearns, Mountain Brook; averaged 12.8 points per game, including a season-high 30 against Homewood. ► Guard: Raegan Whitaker, Oak Mountain; went for 11 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Lady Eagles. ► Forward: Emma Kerley, Briarwood; averaged 10.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game as an eighth grader. ► Forward: Kristen McMillan, Hoover; a steadying force in the middle for the Lady Bucs, averaging 7.7 points per game.

GIRLS 3RD TEAM

► Guard: Audre Benson, Hewitt-Trussville; averaged 11.7 points per game in a breakout season. ► Guard: Camille Chase, Spain Park; capped off a stellar high school career with 10.8

points and 5.3 rebounds per game. ► Guard: Anna Towry, Vestavia Hills; notched 10 points per game. ► Forward: Mary Cartee, Chelsea; a do-it-all player for the Lady Hornets, finishing her career with the most charges taken in program history. ► Forward: Mary Jane Lassiter, Mountain Brook; turned into a key role player for the Lady Spartans, averaging 7 points and nearly 5 rebounds per game.

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTION

► Guard: Lexi Redd, Chelsea; April Hooks, Hewitt-Trussville; Paxton Gillispie, Spain Park; Ally Smith, Vestavia Hills; Sydney Schwallie, Chelsea; Layla Etchison, Hoover; Mary Beth Dicen, Briarwood; Sarah Passink, Mountain Brook; Abby Gordon, Oak Mountain; Kayla Warren, Homewood; Jill Gaylard, Vestavia Hills; Francie Morris, Mountain Brook ► Forward: Ashley Washington, Chelsea; Lauren Schuessler, Oak Mountain; Kate Saunders, Briarwood

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280 Living

Despite tough losses, Eagles, Lady Hornets have great year

By KYLE PARMLEY Last season, the Oak Mountain High School boys basketball team won the Class 7A state championship and the Chelsea girls advanced to the state final four. Both were firsts for the programs.

Neither team reached those heights again this year, but both teams had terrific seasons.

In a game that could have gone either way, James Clemens knocked off the Oak Mountain High School boys basketball team 59-55 in the Class 7A Northwest Regional final.

Oak Mountain tied the game in the final minute and, instead of allowing James Clemens to hold the ball for the final shot, forced the issue. The play backfired on the Eagles, with the Jets running a play and converting an open layup.

The Eagles had a shot in the final seconds to tie that was missed.

“I’m just really proud of our kids and how we do things,” an emotional head coach Chris Love said following the game.

“I hurt so bad for them right now, because they’ve done everything we’ve asked them to do.”

Brady Dunn was the story for most of the day for the Eagles. His 3-point shooting kept the offense afloat, as he buried 6-of-9 attempts from deep and finished with a game-high 25 points and 7 rebounds.

Oak Mountain put together a 25-6 record on the season, capping a three-year run in which the Eagles combined to win 71 games. This year, the Eagles won the Area 5 tournament and rolled past Austin in the regional semifinals.

“The last three years, we’ve been to two final fours, an elite eight and won a state championship,” Love said. “That’s pretty special stuff.”

The Chelsea girls also had a return trip

to the state final four within its grasp. But Oxford made the most of a few breaks and outlasted the Lady Hornets in overtime, 53-52, in the Class 6A Northeast Regional final at Jacksonville State.

Chelsea nearly led wire-to-wire, but Oxford drained a game-tying three to force overtime. Chelsea went up early in overtime, but a three-point play from XaiOnna Whitfield with 15 seconds to play lifted the Jackets into the lead and they held on from there.

After facing a 30-15 deficit at halftime, Oxford came out in the third quarter and dominated the period, outscoring Chelsea 17-4 and trailed just 34-32 heading into the final quarter.

Mary Cartee led the Lady Hornets in the game with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Haley Trotter, a freshman, had a tremendous game with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Lexi Redd had 9 points and 6 rebounds but went down with a knee injury in the second half, hindering the Lady Hornets down the stretch.

Chelsea recorded 27 wins for the second straight year, with seniors like Sydney Schwallie, Cartee, Nia Cummings, Ashley Washington and Sydney Bridgeman leading the way.

“I don’t really have words to explain how much those five seniors in that locker room mean to me,” Chelsea head coach Jason Harlow said. “I can’t say enough about their character. It hurts so bad that I won’t get to coach, but I appreciate them and will never forget them.”

Schwallie spoke about the growth of the Chelsea program in Harlow’s four years at the helm. Many outstanding players have come through the program in recent years, but the level of play has remained the same.

“There’s a lot of good people in Chelsea and they’re going to continue to be good,” Schwallie said.

Above: Chelsea’s Nia Cummings (12) dribbles the ball while guarded

by Oxford’s Kaleah Taylor (5) during overtime in the Class 6A girls Northeast Regional final Feb. 21 at Jacksonville State University’s Pete Matthews Coliseum. Left: Oak Mountain’s Matthew Heiberger (23) shoots a layup over James Clemens’ John Paul Gilmore (5) in the second half of the Class 7A boys Northwest Regional final Feb. 22 at Traditions Bank Arena at Jacksonville State.

Photos by Erin Nelson.

Local wrestlers wrap up season at state tournament

By KYLE PARMLEY The Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park high school wrestling teams completed the season at the state tournament in Huntsville in mid-February.

Oak Mountain finished tied for sixth in the Class 7A division, accumulating 47 points, while Spain Park was tied for ninth with 35 points. Thompson ran away with the 7A title, scoring 194.5 points. Vestavia Hills was second with 118.5 and Hewitt-Trussville scored 106.5 for third. Huntsville and Smiths Station finished ahead of the Eagles, while they tied with Bob Jones.

Chelsea finished 22nd in 5A-6A. The battle for the 6A title was tightly contested. Mortimer Jordan scored 125.5

points to win it all, while Arab was a close second with 119 points. McAdory racked up 112.5 for third place and Gardendale was fourth with 107.5.

Austin Buird led the way for Oak Mountain, as he won the 132-pound division. He defeated Auburn’s Isaiah Watts, Huntsville’s Max Morrow and Thompson’s Nick Dempsey to secure the title.

Nic Rigdon reached the final in the 285-pound class, where he fell to Smiths Station’s Steven Flagg. Rigdon knocked off Foley’s Johnathan Keers and Spain Park’s Rayshod Burts to get to the final.

Camden Tipton placed fourth at 113 pounds. Kirk Smitherman and Zach Hauck also wrestled at state for

the Eagles.

Kalob Johnstone was the leader for Chelsea, as he finished fourth at 182 pounds. Landon Keith, Tyler Rayford, Bear Maxwell, Harrison Brakefield, Collin Burroughs and Ian Osbourn also competed for the Hornets.

Bradley Williams led Spain Park with a second-place finish in the 126pound division. He knocked off Huntsville’s Joseph Sowell and Hoover’s Baylor Hardy to reach the final, where he fell to Thompson’s Yanni Vines.

William Conlon finished third in the 182 bracket, beating Thompson’s Nathan Black in the third-place match.

Brad Cummings (138), Jackson Mitchell (170) and Rayshod Burts (285) also wrestled for the Jags.

Oak Mountain’s Austin Buird wrestles at the state tournament in February. Photo courtesy of Dawn Harrison.

Choose from three convenient locations that offer same-day appointments, with walk-ins welcome.

Our radiologists typically have reports available within two business hours.

Three Locations to Serve You: 513 Brookwood Boulevard Building D, Suite 100 Birmingham, AL 35209

Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

2006 Brookwood Medical Center Drive Women’s Medical Center, Suite 112 Birmingham, AL 35209 Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

7131 Cahaba Valley Road Suite 101 Hoover, AL 35242 Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday appointments available.

Imaging Services, Close to Home

Call to schedule an appointment: 205-802-6900 Fax orders: 205-802-6901

A COMMUNITY BUILT ON CARE

280Living.com

April 2022 • B7

Varsity Sports Calendar BASEBALL BRIARWOOD April 2: vs. St. Clair County. 3:30 p.m.

April 5: vs. Mountain Brook. 6:30 p.m.

April 7: @ Mountain Brook. 6:30 p.m.

April 9: @ Shelby County. 1:30 p.m.

April 12: vs. Chelsea. 6:30 p.m.

April 14: @ Briarwood. 5 p.m.

April 26: Boys @ McAdory. 7 p.m.

April 19: @ Pinson Valley. 6 p.m.

OAK MOUNTAIN

April 21: @ Hewitt-Trussville. 6 p.m.

April 5: Girls vs. James Clemens. 7 p.m.

April 22-23: Hoover Classic. Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

April 7: Boys vs. Hoover. 7 p.m.

April 25: @ Helena. 4:30 p.m.

April 26: vs. Briarwood. 5 p.m.

April 28: vs. Vestavia Hills. 4:30 p.m.

April 8: Girls vs. Tuscaloosa County. 5 p.m.

April 11: Boys vs. Homewood. 7 p.m.

April 12: Girls vs. Homewood. 7 p.m.

OAK MOUNTAIN

April 15: vs. Thompson. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 4: vs. Chilton County. 6 p.m.

April 16: Girls vs. Auburn. 1 p.m.

April 5: @ Hewitt-Trussville. 6 p.m.

April 19: Girls vs. Hoover. 7 p.m.

April 12: @ Spain Park. 5 p.m.

April 22: Boys vs. Hewitt-Trussville. 6 p.m.

April 13: @ Hoover. 4:30 p.m.

April 22: Girls vs. John Carroll. 7 p.m.

April 14: @ Mountain Brook. 5 p.m.

April 26: Girls @ Hewitt-Trussville. 6:30 p.m.

April 19: @ Thompson. 4:30 p.m.

April 26: Boys @ Indian Springs. 7 p.m.

April 14: vs. Briarwood. 6:30 p.m.

April 22-23: Hoover Classic. Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

SPAIN PARK

April 16: vs. Opelika. 1:30 p.m.

April 26: vs. Sumiton Christian. 5 p.m.

April 18: @ Pelham. 6:30 p.m.

SPAIN PARK

OAK MOUNTAIN

April 1-2: Oxford Spring Sting.

Choccolocco Park.

April 14: @ Chelsea. 6:30 p.m.

April 16: @ Huffman. 2 p.m.

CHELSEA April 1-2: Buccaneer Classic. Hoover.

April 5: vs. Homewood. 6:30 p.m.

April 7: @ Homewood. 6:30 p.m.

April 9: @ Helena. TBD. April 12: @ Briarwood. 6:30 p.m.

April 1-2: Buccaneer Classic. Hoover.

April 5: @ Thompson. 6 p.m.

April 4: vs. Sumiton Christian. 5 p.m.

April 5: @ Hewitt-Trussville. 6 p.m.

April 7: Doubleheader vs. Thompson.

4:30 p.m.

April 8: vs. Leeds. 5 p.m.

April 12: vs. Hoover. 6 p.m.

April 12: vs. Oak Mountain. 5 p.m.

April 14: Doubleheader @ Hoover. 4:30 p.m.

April 18: vs. Glencoe. 5 p.m.

April 16: Doubleheader vs. Pell City. Noon.

April 19: vs. Tuscaloosa County. 6 p.m.

April 21: Doubleheader @ Tuscaloosa County. 4:30 p.m.

April 26: vs. Thompson. 5 p.m.

April 9: @ Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. 3:30 p.m.

SOCCER

April 11: @ Gadsden City. 6 p.m.

BRIARWOOD

April 15: Doubleheader @ Homewood.

4 p.m.

April 5: vs. John Carroll. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 19: @ Hewitt-Trussville. 6 p.m.

April 8: @ Homewood. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 7: @ McAdory. 5 p.m.

April 21: Girls @ Chelsea. 7 p.m.

April 11: vs. Homewood. 5 p.m.

CHELSEA

April 12: @ Mountain Brook. 5 p.m.

April 5: Girls vs. Springville. 6 p.m.

April 14: vs. Chelsea. 5 p.m.

April 7: Girls vs. Hoover. 6 p.m.

April 18: vs. Pelham. 5 p.m.

April 7: Boys @ Mountain Brook. 7:30 p.m.

April 25: vs. Oak Grove. 4:30 p.m.

April 12: Girls @ Mountain Brook. 6:30 p.m.

April 26: @ Chelsea. 5 p.m.

April 12: Boys vs. Briarwood. 7 p.m.

CHELSEA

April 15: @ Homewood. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 8-9: Calera Tournament. Eagles Sports Complex.

205-503-3249 blondeme.GlossGenius.com 710 Inverness Corners, Ste 8 B’ham, AL 35242 Next to Winn-Dixie

April 12: @ Vestavia Hills. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 19: vs. Hewitt-Trussville. Girls at 5:30 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

April 21: @ Cullman. Boys at 5 p.m., girls at 7 p.m.

April 26: vs. Auburn. Girls at 4 p.m., boys at 6 p.m.

ANN ABEAR Previous Owner of Studio Red Salon

April 14: Boys vs. Southside-Gadsden.

7 p.m.

April 19: @ Mountain Brook. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 7: @ Brookwood. 4:30 p.m.

Hair Artistry

April 12: Boys @ Chelsea. 7 p.m.

April 5: @ Pleasant Grove. 5 p.m.

April 1-2: Oxford Spring Sting.

Choccolocco Park.

ME

April 22-23: Hoover Classic. Hoover Metropolitan Complex.

April 7: @ Vestavia Hills. 6 p.m.

April 1-2: Pike Road Tournament.

Montgomery.

April 8: @ Gadsden City. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

BLONDE

April 20: vs. Gardendale. 6 p.m.

SPAIN PARK

BRIARWOOD

April 5: Boys vs. Pelham. 7 p.m.

Includes a personal consult, tailored cut, hot oil neck shave with steamed towels, invigorating shampoo and style out.

New guests get Half Price through April

April 19: @ Vestavia Hills. 5 p.m.

April 25: vs. Austin. Wallace State Community College. 5 p.m.

SOFTBALL

April 5: Girls @ Hoover. 5:30 p.m.

BARBER UP MEN’S EXPRESS

April 19: vs. Westminster-Oak Mountain. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 21: Girls vs. Briarwood. 6:45 p.m.

April 25: Girls vs. Clay-Chalkville. 6 p.m.

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B8 • April 2022

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280 Living

2022 Spring

Home & Garden Guide

Special Advertising Section

Spring is in bloom, and it’s the perfect time to plant a garden, do some cleaning or start a home renovation. Find tips and tricks from area businesses to jumpstart any project in our guide.

Liven up your outdoor space with Gardner Landscaping 205-401-3347 • gardnerlandscapingllc.com Refreshing your yard for the spring can seem like a daunting task, but the experts at Gardner Landscaping have perfected creating beautiful outdoor spaces in a timely manner.

Since 2006, Grant Gardner and his team have been partnering with residential and commercial customers whose properties come alive with manicured landscaping.

The team leans on the knowledge and experience they’ve gained over the years as the large tree, shrub and drainage experts, and they never shy away from the newest outdoor design trends.

Creating the perfect outdoor environment comes from a combination of cultivated greenery and pops of vivid color.

“Our specialty is making a beautiful landscape with trees, shrubs and flowers.

However, we are also very good at developing outdoor play and entertainment

areas for our customers,” Gardner said.

No matter the client’s taste, Gardner and his team are ready to provide, from traditional plant materials to the unusual.

“We strive to satisfy individual preferences, while advising our customers based upon several factors such as the intended purpose of the space,” Gardner said.

One of the things that sets Gardner Landscaping apart from similar businesses is its full staff of licensed, insured and talented personnel.

“We have the personnel and resources to get to your project in a timely manner,” Gardner said, adding that they strive to provide each client with a quote on their project within 24 hours.

To find out how the team at Gardner Landscaping can liven up your outdoor space this spring, just give them a call or reach them online.

Providing High Quality Service and Customer Satisfaction

Best Price for Large Trees, Shrubs, and Privacy Screens At Gardner Landscaping our goal is to exceed your expectations in creating and maintaining beautiful landscapes, hardscapes, and lawns. We also work to minimize drainage and erosion issues.

Your Large Tree, Shrub and Drainage Experts CALL: 205-401-3347 EMAIL: GardnerLandscaping@gmail.com www.GardnerLandscapingLLC.com

280Living.com

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

April 2022 • B9

CARPET WAREHOUSE S 25 YEAR STRONG!

Waterproof Flooring

We Pay the Sales Tax! • Home Stores • Fancy Stores • Chain Stores

More than 25 years serving the community

We Beat Them All!

Lowest Prices in Town GUARANTEED!

Beautiful WATERPROOF Flooring Starting at $2.99 square foot installed!

205-989-5678 • carpetwhse.com Carpet Warehouse has served the Birmingham area for over 25 years.

Locally owned and operated by Tim and Tracy Lanier, Carpet Warehouse is conveniently located on Highway 150 in Hoover across from CarMax and offers a wide selection of flooring from traditional to contemporary to fit every taste and need.

Whether you are looking for carpet for your home or other types of flooring, including hardwoods, laminate, vinyl, LVT or LVP, it has something for everyone. It also offers in-home design services, free home consultations and free estimates.

There are also trade discounts for contractors and do-it-yourself customers all at the guaranteed lowest prices.

Carpet Warehouse prides itself on offering customers the best quality flooring at the lowest prices.

“Our super-low overhead enables us to truly sell for less,” Tim Lanier said.

“Americans serving Americans — our crews are all time-proven craftsmen.”

Carpet Warehouse offers top brands like Shaw, Mohawk, Masland, Armstrong, Bruce and Mannington, just to name a few.

“There’s really too many to mention. If it’s flooring, we have it,” Lanier said.

Some of its most popular types of flooring are carpet, hardwood and luxury vinyl tile and planks. The luxury vinyl planks are perfect for families with children and pets.

“They look like hardwood, but they are

BIRMINGHAM’S NEW COREtec HEADQUARTERS

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waterproof and pet-proof,” Lanier said.

The Laniers enjoy sharing their high level of expertise with customers.

“For 25 years, our family has served the Over the Mountain area. We are a company you can trust. The secret to our success is our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction at the lowest prices. You don’t survive for 25 years unless you are doing things right,” he said.

Lifetime

Stain & Soil Warranty

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Year

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with purchase of carpet and pad. Minimum purchase required.

Basic installation.

CARPET WAREHOUSE 205-989-5678 Not valid with any other offer. Expires 4-30-22.

HOURS: MON - SAT 9am-5pm CLOSED SUN & EVERY 2nd & 4th MON EACH MONTH

2711 HWY 150, Hoover • 205-989-5678 • carpetwhse.com *Basic labor only on free installation. **Same exact product with written veritiable proof. Must present coupon at time of purchase. ***Sales tax paid on installed items only. Not valid with any other offer or prior sales. Unless otherwise specified, all prices are for materials only. We cannot be held liable for typographical errors, manufacturer’s changes or misprints.

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

B10 • April 2022

280 Living

Your Locally-Owned Neighborhood Roofer.

Find out why THOUSANDS have trusted us with their homes.

Extend your roof’s life with annual roof maintenance

“

205-377-8400 • cardinalroof.com

LY LOCAL D OWNE !

NY COMPA Cardinal Roofing owner, Adam Winger, with his wife, Casey, and their three children.

15 YEARS OF RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCE

ALABAMA’S HIGHEST-RATED ROOFER

FREE ROOF INSPECTIONS

205-900-ROOF CARDINALROOF.COM

According to CEO Adam Winger, if you stacked up all the shingles Cardinal Roofing installed last year, they would be 12 times taller than the Eiffel Tower.

Despite that, if you ask Winger what the company does, he won’t say they build, maintain and repair roofing — he’ll tell you that Cardinal Roofing does things differently.

“Our processes are different, our products are different, and our people are different. We care about our roofs, but we care about the people under them more,” he said.

Each year they help around 1,500 homeowners through direct services, but they also help by educating people about the health of their roof and how to spot potential problems before they become severe issues.

“Your roof will tell you a story about its health if you pay attention,” Winger said.

“Are you finding more and more sand granules in your gutter downspouts? Do you see curled, creased, missing or lifted shingles? Are there dark streaks running down your roof? All of these signs could indicate your roof is either aging or damaged.”

Ignoring these problems because you are unaware of them or simply don’t have the time or resources to mend them can create a disastrous situation. But Cardinal Roofing does its best to alleviate those problems when they arise.

“We helped replace the roof of a Birmingham family for free this past Christmas. Water was pouring into several rooms in the family’s house including the bedroom of their two young sons. It was heart wrenching. We changed the family’s life that day, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way our team came together.”

Just like with an automobile, performing routine maintenance can greatly extend the life of your roof. “It needs consistent maintenance to extend its useful life,” Winger said. “For example, pipe covers may need to be replaced, flashing may need to be re-sealed and turbines may need to be replaced. There is no better time than spring to perform annual roof maintenance.

“The force of strong winds and the impact of spring and summer hail can create hairline fractures (or worse) in

The force of strong winds and the impact of spring and summer hail can create hairline fractures (or worse) in shingles.

Eventually, rainwater will find these cracks and create leaks. This type of damage can rarely be seen from the ground.

Therefore, after violent storms this season, have a licensed professional inspect your roof for damage.

”

ADAM WINGER

shingles,” Winger continued. “Eventually, rainwater will find these cracks and create leaks. This type of damage can rarely be seen from the ground.

Therefore, after violent storms this season, have a licensed professional inspect your roof for damage.”

Proper roof maintenance can save you money from larger repairs in the future, and it can also help you cut back on your energy bill.

“More time at home means we spend more money to heat and cool our air throughout the day,” Winger said.

Making sure your roof is ventilated correctly can help reduce that cost.

“Not only will a properly ventilated roof reduce the cost of heating and cooling, but it will also increase the life of your roof. Consider adding vents to the ridges of your roof or having your turbines inspected to ensure proper air circulation throughout your home.”

If you need maintenance, repairs or a new roof, you can call Cardinal Roofing or request a free inspection on its website.

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280Living.com

April 2022 • B11

Why you can Trust Terry Marlowe, the Fine Home Specialist?

Terry is the best agent we’ve ever dealt with. She did an excellent job negotiating the contract on our new house, and she sold our previous home in less than 48 hours. She truly

Hear it from past clients Trust

cares for her clients!

- Phyllis Gilbert Terry is the best! Her knowledge of the area, expertise in real

Terr arlo e, the Fine Home Specialist

estate, negotiation skills, love for people, and zest for life make her a go-getter in her field. She made my home-buying experience go smoothly and with minimal stress. I highly recommend her for any of your real estate needs.

- Martha LaCroix

Buying or Selling?

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When my husband and I began our search we were not just looking for a realtor but also a partner to help us through our journey. We loved our home but had a job transfer. Terry worked very hard to help us prepare our home in a short time to get it on the market. She went above and beyond and her

efforts paid off - it sold in 12 days! She was always available Buying or Selling? when we needed her. Not only did she help us sell our home 205.704.4111 Call Today! we gained a life long friend. We love Terry!

205.704.4111

- Delores Kennedy

tmarlo.com 110 Inverness Corners. Birmingham, AL 35242

B12 • April 2022

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280 Living

BHMDEX can help you enjoy your life outdoors 205-516-3105 • bhmdex.com BHMDEX LLC, located in Chelsea, offers complete outdoor project design services to create the best possible outdoor space.

Owner Blake Bassham shares BHMDEX’s goal is to help clients “enjoy life outdoors.”

“Our slogan is ‘Enjoy Your Life Outdoors,’” Bassham said. “We look to give people that nice outdoor space to enjoy. With more and more people choosing ‘staycations,’ you need to enjoy the space you have.”

Bassham studied Industrial Design at Auburn University and later fell in love with creating outdoor structures.

“I have always had an interest in architecture,” Bassham said. “After leaving Auburn, I went into the exhibit design industry and managed my own design/build firm where we built retail stores, museums and other interior-type projects. I later got into construction and enjoyed all aspects of that, but later fell in love with creating outdoor structures.”

BHMDEX, LLC offers complete design services for their clients’ outdoor projects.

“We will consult with our clients and then come up with the best possible solution for their problem or their dream project,” Bassham said. “We develop 3-D computer renderings so that our clients can see what the project will look like once built. ”If you are looking to build a new deck, pergola, fence, playhouse, patio or other outdoor structure at your home, we can help,” Bassham said. “Most of our clients have an old deck that needs to be replaced or has requested the addition of

a new structure to an otherwise unused portion of their property. We can come in and create a plan that will maximize their enjoyment of their backyard.”

BHMDEX LLC uses the best possible materials for your dream project.

“We are always striving to better ourselves and the projects that we create,” Bassham said. “We are known for over-engineering the construction of our projects, especially our decks.”

“Far too often we see decks that are separating from a house or simply have not been constructed properly. We take pride in building our structures to last.

We also want you to be able to enjoy your deck with as many people on them as you would like and not fear that the deck will not support it.”

BHMDEX LLC counts it a privilege that clients welcome them into their homes.

“Every one of our clients are treated as if they have a million-dollar project,” Bassham said. “Whether it is a small set of stairs that needs a repair or a 1,500-square-foot deck, we are grateful that they have chosen us.”

Not only does BHMDEX LLC share the value of their services, but keeping their clients educated throughout the process is also important.

“We always want our clients to be educated on what they are looking for in a project,” Bassham said. “This includes the types of materials available, the pros/cons of the materials, and ways to repair/maintain what they currently have. We are also always trying to educate ourselves on the best building techniques, and new trends that will give our clients the best possible project.”

Blake Bassham

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280Living.com

April 2022 • B13

Oak Highland Design helps you renovate on any budget 205-718-7341 • oakhighland.decoratingden.com The change of seasons often brings us a welcome change in our spirit and an optimistic view of life. That renewed spirit is always evident in spring. As winter is ending, particularly one where we’ve been closed in by COVID, it is now time to give some thought to how we can brighten our home. A simple change of paint color, new accessories, outdoor furniture, a renovated master bathroom, or that new kitchen may be just what you need. Large or small, these changes can keep your home refreshed and comfortable.

So, where do you start? How can you take your vision and bring it to completion? Angelia Spraberry of Oak Highland Design/Decorating Den Interiors is here to guide you through that process. Angelia’s love of interior design blossomed in the late 1980s, when she worked as a furniture buyer for a large hospital and university in Birmingham and received her interior design degree.

After working as a full-time mother, Spraberry and her husband are now empty-nesters, and Spraberry started Oak Highland Design in April of 2021, right here in Birmingham, where it all began.

Bringing joy to her clients is Angelia’s favorite part of the business. One of her clients, Benita Alford, said Angelia helped her stay within her budget. For example, she didn’t like the tile on her fireplace, but the first stone quote she received cost more than she wanted to pay for the entire project. That weekend, Angelia sent Benita a text saying she found someone who could do the stones in sections so it was more cost efficient. “It was a fraction of the cost,” Benita said.

“Had she not done that, that would have

been $3,000 I would have spent on that fireplace. Others wouldn't have taken the initiative to do the research. The look was almost the same, and I even preferred it better.”

“When you finally get that finished product or final selections are made and the installation is done, and you see the look on your client's face, it brings me joy to see them so happy,” Angelia said. “It's hard to describe that feeling, it's like a

giddiness. You get all bubbly. I love to see us accomplish together what their vision was for their space and to fulfill that need for them, that is really what I love to do.”

One thing Angelia loves about her business is being able to work within all types of budgets. Oak Highland Design is associated with Decorating Den Interiors, which is a network of suppliers and manufacturers allowing designers access to a significant number of quality

companies. “Because of the Decorating Den franchise, I have the ability to provide furnishings for people with all budgets,” she said. “We have three categories: good, better and best. Usually, we can work within most budgets, and we offer good quality materials at all price points.”

At Oak Highland Design, the first visit is complimentary. Visit her website, oakhighland.decoratingden.com for more information.

GREAT SPACES BEGIN WITH GREAT DESIGN (659) 207-0735 • www.oakhighland.decoratingden.com

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

B14 • April 2022

280 Living

Bank of England Mortgage offers the Magic City the most comprehensive mortgage and refinance options 205-807-1877 • boemagiccity.com Consumer demand for mortgages in the United States has skyrocketed, due to a surge in home buying during the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result of low interest rates that have made refinancing attractive over the past two years.

The latest mortgage finance analyses forecasts the 30-year fixed-rate in the first quarter of 2022 and across the year, the Mortgage Bankers Association predicts 3.3% and 4.0%, respectively, while Fannie Mae predicts 3.2% and 3.3%, respectively.

Bank of England (BOE) Mortgage is dedicated to working with clients to help find the right home loan, or refinancing option. BOE loan specialists and clients work together to identify the loan that best fits their needs and lifestyle while offering one of the most comprehensive selections of mortgage and refinance options on the market.

BOE’s goal to exceed the expectations of their clients is seen through the combination of their excellent staff, superior operations, and devotion to customer service. This is a claim all members of the BOE Southern State Group hold to … “We will not stop until we have exceeded our clients’ expectations and look forward to the opportunity.”

“I believe what sets us apart is our commitment to education and staying on top of the latest trends in the mortgage industry. Working with our Certified Mortgage Advisors ™ and Veteran Mortgage Advisors™ will ensure that each client is heard and placed in the right mortgage vehicle that fits their specific needs,” Matthew Laird,

branch manager.

Because BOE knows the Magic City, they are able to provide a well-rounded review of a loan application. They do not just make decisions through an impersonal automated underwriting system, instead, BOE collects and analyzes more information on the borrower in order to make a better

decision. One that saves both time and money.

Located in Hoover at 3535 Grandview Parkway, Suite 345, BOE delivers outstanding products and the best service in the industry with the reputation of being ahead of the competition in the eyes of the borrower. For example, BOE provides competitive rates, and the most

knowledgeable, professional loan officers in the industry. This leads to qualifying more borrowers, identifying their needs, and ensuring that each person buys the loan that is right for them and their family.

For more information, contact BOE Mortgage at 205-807-1877 or visit boemagiccity.com.

SPRING-ING INTO YOUR NEW HOME? Don’t worry, we’ve got your home loan on ready, set, approve.

Enjoy your time planning how you’re going to make your new home a beautiful representation of you.

Matthew Laird Branch Manager NMLS# 1040852

BOEMagicCity.com • (205) 807-1877 3535 Grandview Parkway, Suite 345 Birmingham, AL 35243 Bank of England Mortgage is a division of Bank of England. NMLS 418481.

Bank of England is not affiliated with any government agency. Member FDIC.

Tayler Bisignani Sales Manager NMLS# 305383

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280Living.com

April 2022 • B15

Get organized with Space Cadets 205-326-7025 • spacecadetsorg.com There’s nothing worse than trying to work in a cluttered environment. So if you’ve been spending more time at home since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, you’ve probably felt the need to reorganize your house.

Space Cadets has everything a person needs to get organized, and there’s something for every budget. There are $5 solutions and $50,000 solutions to clutter — and everything in between.

There are built-in cabinets for those who want a touch of elegance, and there are fixed ventilated shelves for those who want to get organized on a budget. At the retail and design center, customers can shop a variety of organization products for closets, kitchens, garages and more.

“You don’t have to buy services from multiple companies, we are all of that in one,” said owner Kim McBrayer. “We’re a one-stop shop with everything you need to get organized.”

The best sellers at Space Cadets in 2022 are custom closets. This is a great way to reorganize your home and make sure you have a perfect place for everything you own.

There are a variety of closet choices for every budget, and each one is a highquality design. The closets can also be uniquely customized to your home and your needs.

The process at Space Cadets starts with a consultation, which is called a Space Walk. At this meeting, clients will discuss their trouble areas, specific needs, budget and expectations.

Next is the design phase. If a product system is required, one of the Space Cadet designers will prepare a plan and

estimate for your review.

The production phase is the moment the client has been waiting for. Here, the Space Cadets will organize with great care and attention to detail and leave the space better than they found it.

Space Cadets also helps with relocations. “This is either for someone moving into a new home and wanting to get started with a clean slate, or for someone preparing to move and wanting to purge the unnecessary to lighten the

load for the movers,” Kim said.

And in 2022, you can get a better deal at Space Cadets than ever before. Space Cadets is celebrating its 20th year in business. Each month, the company will have 20 days of deals with items and services marked down 20%. Follow Space Cadets on social media to make sure you don’t miss any of these deals.

If you’re looking to redesign your home with Space Cadets, it’s important to reach out as soon as possible.

“We’re working with supply chain issues,” McBrayer said. “Call us in the early stages of your home remodel or construction to get in the pipeline for ordering and preparation. Don’t wait until the last minute!”

Anyone interested can stop by the retail shop in Brook Highland to find all sorts of cool storage items and gadgets, as well as take a walk through the showroom and design center for great ideas on how to improve your space.

CELEBRATING 20 years in business with 20 days of deals FOLLOW @spacecadetsorg TO GET THE LATEST DEAL! #SHOPLOCAL Brook Highland Plaza 5287 Hwy 280 South Suite 261 Birmingham, AL 35242 205.326.7025 | www.spacecadetsorg.com

B16 • April 2022

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280 Living

Budget Blinds has your new spring window coverings 205-824-3300 • budgetblinds.com/birmingham Need some new window coverings this spring? Steve Thackerson is ready to help you have beautiful window blinds, shutters and solar shades that you can control from anywhere.

They’re easy to use and easy to afford, he said.

“Motorization is a big thing now. There are ways you can tie motorized window coverings into your home’s automation system,” said Thackerson, owner of Budget Blinds of Birmingham.

With a touch of your phone — even when you’re not home — you can raise or lower your window coverings, or you can tell Alexa to do it for you. Your Budget Blinds can also open or close at a pre- selected time of day or night.

“We can usually tie our product into any system you might have,” Thackerson said.

“We take pride in providing style and service for every budget.”

At Budget Blinds — your local window covering expert — they take the time to understand you and your unique needs to deliver the best custom window covering solution designed for the way you live.

They do any kind of custom window covering. As far as blinds go, they offer wood and faux wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite and vertical blinds or vertical blind alternatives. They also offer shades of all kinds: roller, Roman, cellular, bamboo, woven wood, pleated, sheer,

graphic and solar.

And they can get your interior and exterior plantation shutter needs taken care of with wood, café or composite.

You can see a gallery of recent projects on their website to get a feel for what they can do for your home or office.

“We install them, so anything

that’s purchased from us, we’ll custom install them and professionally install them,” Thackerson said. “We don’t subcontract that out. We control

everything from setting up the appointment to the final installation.”

They also have better warranties than their competitors, he said. “Our manufacturers may also sell to our competitors, but they don’t give them the same warranties they give us. That sets us apart.

We get the same products but better pricing and better warranties.”

That comes with their national presence and the long relationships he and his wife have built in their more than 30 years in the business. He also has two salesmen with decades of experience.

“They are veteran employees who have been with me a long time,” Thackerson said.

The highly trained design consultants at Budget Blinds put their heart and soul into creating the perfect answer to your window fashion needs.

They even bring their entire showroom to you with their free in-home design consultation.

They also really enjoy serving their many wonderful customers in the 280 corridor. In addition, Thackerson and his staff say that the well-being and safety of their customers is their top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to in-home consultations, Budget Blinds offers free virtual consultations.

To learn more, call them or go to their website today.

BUDGET BLINDS OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF ENERGY-SAVING WINDOW TREATMENTS

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205-824-3300 | BudgetBlinds.com 2130 Columbiana Road, Vestavia AL 35216

280Living.com

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

April 2022 • B17

Kete Quick Cannon's referral rate speaks for itself 205-601-4148 • ketecannon.com Kete Quick Cannon closed her first transaction in 1993. In 1995 she earned her spot as a top producer within her company — a title she continues today.

As a second generation realtor that grew up in the business, it is clear that real estate was no simple coincidence. Cannon has set herself up as a leader in Birmingham's residential market. With a degree in interior design, a keen eye for detail, uncompromising standard of quality, and negotiation savvy make her the perfect partner for her clients to help them navigate the buying and selling process. However, it is her relentless pursuit of market knowledge that truly sets Kete apart.

“I don't just look at current home values, I study the neighborhoods, their history, and their potential, and use this to provide my clients with a home and an investment for their family.”

As a lifelong Birmingham resident, she knows just how special the city is and its people are. With almost three decades of networking, she has her ear to the ground on what’s happening in the area’s real estate market.

“My services encompass everything from consultation, interior design,

DIY vs. Hiring a Handyman 205-823-2111 • onemanandatoolbox.com

staging, investment properties, vacation homes … whatever my clients need,” she said.

Kete’s business is based on more than 85 percent referrals from satisfied clients.

“Most important to me is providing the most excellent service to buyers and sellers in order to earn their trust, referrals and repeat business,” Kete said.

Your neighbor, your REALTOR

If you're looking to renovate your home, you might be thinking you should save money and do it yourself.

However, some projects in your home are better left to the professionals, such as One Man & a Toolbox in Birmingham.

First, you should assess your skill set and expertise. Are you going to have to do a lot of research for your project? This could take a lot of time, and it would be much faster to hire experienced professionals.

You should also consider the scope of the project. Do you need complicated repairs? You should never try to do large electrical repairs yourself if you don’t have the proper background, for example.

You could risk electrocuting yourself or starting a fire.

“One Man & a Toolbox can tackle just about any residential project short of rebuilding your home from the ground up,” said Jay Moss. “While we can take

care of all your smaller projects like gutter cleaning and general maintenance and repairs, we also specialize in providing quick, professional service for more cosmetic jobs like painting, pressure washing, tile and grout, vinyl flooring, deck repair, and much more.

“Any odd jobs around your home that you need handled, we’ll get them done right the first time.”

When it comes to putting up holiday decorations or assembling a new swingset in the backyard, many people choose to take the DIY route. But if you need an extra set of hands, One Man & a Toolbox is there for you.

“No matter how unusual the task, One Man & a Toolbox is up for the challenge,” Moss said.

If you’re interested in learning more about how One Man & a Toolbox can tackle all of your home projects, call 205-823-2111.

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Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

B18 • April 2022

280 Living

ACE Hardware is ready to help with any project

Door Restore can keep your door looking its best

205-980-7221 • acehardware.com/store-details/17632

205-492-5866 • door-restore.business.site

Ken Smith, the manager of the Dunnavant Valley ACE Hardware, says his store is more like a lifestyle store with staff members ready to help with any project.

From decorating to becoming a master of the grill, here’s three spring projects ACE Hardware is ready to help with.

1. Distressing Furniture “[Customers] come in with their greatgrandmother’s piece of furniture,” Ken said, “and they need to use it in their decorating scheme,” but it’s in need of a little TLC. Ken suggests using Benjamin Moore paint, Annie Sloan chalk paint or Magnolia Homes products to give old pieces a rustic or antique feel. If you’re not sure exactly how to go about it, you can go by the store for some tips and advice.

“We can make grannie’s old table look like a museum piece,” Smith said.

2. Sprucing up the Yard During the spring, customers need to get their yards dressed up and ready. For that, Ken and his team have the supplies for every step of the process.

The staff will help with choosing the right fertilizer and weed killers, selecting the best power equipment and finally

the most vibrant plants to bring your yard to life.

3. Becoming the Grill Master “Don’t forget that after your yard looks perfect, it’s time to grill,” Ken said. “We have a great selection of Weber, Traeger, Blackstone and Big Green Egg.” If you want to tackle any of these projects this spring, you can shop online and pick up your project tools in-store, or come in for a bit of advice from the staff.

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Door Restore has been restoring doors since 2004, offering maintenance and restoration to clients in the Birmingham area.

“We only work on doors; it’s our specialty,” owner Van Etheridge said. “We never take your door away to refinish it, keeping your home secure.”

Etheridge likes working with his hands. Majoring in art, Etheridge took his talents painting murals and specialized in wall finishes while restoring iron and wooden doors.

“When the economy crashed in 2008, I went to work selling pharmaceuticals,” Etheridge said. “I was still restoring iron doors part-time on the weekends for a prominent builder. When the pharmaceutical company sold and laid off the sales team, I started back working with my hands and started Door Restore.”

Door Restore offers a maintenance program that will keep your door looking its best for years while saving you money.

“Wood doors weather quickly and need top coating every one to two years, depending on exposure to sun and rain,” Etheridge said. “This is why when you use Door Restore, we choose a maintenance program for our clients that provides maintenance once a year including a top coat to save the homeowner money in the future.

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Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280Living.com

April 2022 • B19

FIND ART

Image: Chloe York, “Washy Decorator 2” (Detail)

April 22-24, 2022

Sloss Furnaces

150 Artists • Corks & Chefs • Live Performances • Imagination Festival for Kids Cafe & Lounges • Special Exhibitions www.magiccityart.com 2022 SPONSORS: Alabama Power • Alabama State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency • Avadian Credit Union • Bancography • BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama • Coca Cola United Dermal Brands • EventWorks Rentals • Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau • Jemison Investment Company, Inc. • Joe Piper, Inc. • Kinetic Communications • Sloss Furnaces Foundation, Inc. MEDIA SPONSORS: AL.com • Babypalooza • Bham Now • Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3fm • B-Metro • EXCURSIONSgo.com • High Level Marketing • Over the Mountain Journal • Starnes Media • The Birmingham Times This is Alabama • Homewood Life • WBHM Public Radio 90.3fm

B20 • April 2022

280 Living

Opinion Sean of the South By Sean Dietrich

One morning in Birmingham BIRMINGHAM — There is an American flag flapping outside my hotel. A slight breeze lifts the banner while the sun rises over the Magic City.

A hotel janitor with dreadlocks is standing beside me. We’re watching the flag flap while I drink my morning cup.

Two hundred and forty-four years. That’s how long the colonists’ colors have been flying from flagpoles like this. I bet the early colonists’ worst critics never saw that coming.

They are brilliant colors. To watch the 13 battered stripes flutter in open Alabamian daylight, putting on their morning matinee, never fails to move me.

“Pretty ain’t it?” says Jefferson County’s leading custodian.

I nod.

He cracks the tab on an energy drink. “My daughter’s in Girl Scouts. She folds’em sometimes. Flags, I mean.”

I’m not sure why he’s telling me this, but I grin anyway.

“How old is she?”

“Leaven. And sassy.”

“Does she get that trait from Mom or Dad?” “Shoot.”

We’re quiet for several minutes.

Then: “Yeah. She practices folding flags with my mom sometimes, for Scouts. They use a big ole bed sheet so they don’t drop it. My daughter always be shooing me away, saying, ‘Daddy, get out the room!’”

“Really.”

He sips. “Sassy.”

And I’m thinking about how our flag was designed by New Jersey congressman Francis

Hopkinson in 1777, first stitched And in a moment of mild

by Philadelphia seamstress anxiety, I had this gut feeling Betsy Ross. And 244 years later, that societal life was about to Girl Scouts are still folding them change forever. into tight triangles.

When the pandemic hysHe makes a professional teria hit Birmingham, it was inquiry. “So how’s your stay as though a switch had been with us, sir?” flipped. In a matter of weeks the “Great.” city took on a B zombie-movie “Good, good.” atmosphere.

My hotel is nothing fancy.

Suddenly the world closed.

It’s your basic highway-side And just when it couldn’t get deal. But it’s clean. There’s any worse, Piggly Wiggly ran Dietrich even a continental breakfast out of my beer. featuring the American travelHe takes a gulp, then wipes his ing-man’s greatest hits. You have your expired mouth with a sleeve. “Wish I could give my baby yogurt cups, English muffins suitable for usage a normal world, you know? Or at least one like in hockey tournaments, and “egg-like” omelets the one we growed up in. But, well …” He looks at his Nikes. “Hey, wanna see a picture of her?” that glow in the dark.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t have to beg.”

And, of course, there’s complimentary carHe brandishes a Samsung. He taps the bonic acid which someone mislabeled coffee. screen. “That was us for Easter, last week.”

“She sells cookies,” he says.

And it is against this backdrop that my morn“Come again?”

“Scout cookies. My daughter sells ’em.” ing’s first images are of Old Glory, and a stun“Ah.” ning Girl Scout.

He takes a sip. “Been a hard year for her. All the Above me are the same stripes I was looking COVID stuff. Nobody bought any of her cookies at one year ago when nobody knew what was this year. Broke her little heart. And mine.” happening to this world; when nobody knew “I hate to hear that.” what the pandemic-year would bring.

“Not more than me.”

Before me, on the tiny Samsung screen, I see Approximately one year ago I was in this same tomorrow. And she makes my heart crow hop hotel, staying for work. That was when I first like an excited foal. heard “COVID-19” used in a complete sentence.

The man kills his caffeine drink. “You know I remember turning on the television to see a what my daughter always say to me? She say, panicky young newswoman saying something ‘Daddy, you worrying too much. Don’t worry to the tune of: “Good morning, America. You’re so much. God says not to worry.’” He shakes all going to die.” his head gravely. “Shoot. Way things are today,

I gotta worry, man. She just don’t know how it is yet. She don’t know.”

“Let’s hope she never learns.”

“Yeah.”

Sometimes I wonder whether it really happened. Did we really live through a pandemic?

Have we really made it this far?

The answer is yes. Yes. We made it here. And if you ask me, I choose to believe that “here” is a good place to be. Wherever Here actually is.

Because, dang it, at least we’re here together.

And I hope we always will be — together.

Sort of like this janitor and me, standing beneath the three prettiest colors in Jefferson County, and history’s most remarkable idea.

He tosses his can into the garbage and is about to return to professional hospitality. He adjusts his surgical mask. “So where you from?”

I nod to the flag. “Same place you are.”

He smiles at the insufferable smart aleck beside him, then turns to go.

Before he leaves, I ask him to wait because I have a request. Something important. I call out, “Will you thank your little girl for me?”

He stops walking. He laughs once. “Thank her? Why?” “Because sometimes I wish I were more like her.”

He laughs and walks away laughing. “Well, good luck with that, cause that child is sassy.”

Well. The great ones always are.

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

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280Living.com

Holy Moly Motherhood By Alana Smith

Being in the thick of it There are a lot of really hard At the end of the day, I just things in this life. Little things wanted a break, to sink into — like running a mile, geomsomewhere quiet and rest. But etry or fitting into last year’s my husband had been working jeans — and the big stuff — like all day, and naturally felt guilty if he went anywhere other than relationships and new babies.

New motherhood is like most straight home to help, so we hard things in that you don’t were a tired and grumpy bunch. give the hardness much thought, It’s easy to let resentment until you are face to face with it. sneak into your marriage.

Until you are in the thick of it: Even when you logically know when you’ve been up all night that your spouse can’t be there all for days, need a shower and day with you, you expect him to Smith you are screaming across the somehow carry the same load as house for someone, anyone, to you. But most of the time they “COME HELP!” And it hits you that this is hard. are carrying a heavy load, just in a different way.

When my youngest was a newborn, what I don’t know what it’s like to be a husband, worked one day to soothe him, would infuriate but I imagine they are under immense pressure him the next. When I thought I finally had a to provide, love and care for this tiny person schedule in place, he would wake up every two that they aren’t as naturally equipped to care for. hours to eat. Holy moly.

And they will never understand exactly what we I like predictable, and babies just aren’t. are going through, because we are the mothers.

Cuddly, yes. Predictable, not so much.

And it’s hard. And heavy. But mostly And when I heard about the emotional ups wonderful. and downs that could occur postpartum, I I had no idea I was capable of such profound thought I would just sail right past those, all love before I had kids. When I look at my childreamy-like on a new baby cloud. But that dren, I’m filled with emotions that are hard to wasn’t the case. And I don’t think any new describe, and all consuming, really. As mothers, momma is immune. we are fiercely protective and amazing. It just And it doesn’t help that there is always doesn’t get said enough. Our bodies are capable something to be cleaned or someone to be of growing another human, all while working, fed, soothed and entertained. There just aren’t cleaning and living, for goodness sake.

So if you are in the thick of new motherhood, enough breaks for anybody. You can’t even go to the bathroom without someone hollering all and you find yourself wondering if you’ll even over the house for you — it could be the new- survive, not to mention ever sleep again, just born wailing or the 6-year-old or your husband. know that you’ll be on the edge of it soon and “Mom? Mom? MOM!?” then out the other side. You will sleep again, While on maternity leave, I would start one and things won’t be so hard. And then, well, thing, then something more pressing would need you’ll potty train. my attention. So my house felt out of control at Best of luck, mommas! times. Like there were a million hours, yet not enough hours in the day. And being home all day Alana is a nurse anesthetist, writer and boy was just a reminder of that, as dirty dishes, diaper mom (ages 7 and 2), who lives in north Shelby pails and overflowing laundry.

County with her husband, kids and Boxer, Sam.

April 2022 • B21

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B22 • April 2022

280 Living

280

Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

1313429

35242

1314136

Address

1071 Greystone Cove Drive

Status

Price

1071 Greystone Cove Drive

New

$730,000

35242

1195 Greystone Crest

New

$2,350,000

1314084

35242

200 Hawthorne St.

New

$599,000

1313001

35242

2008 Eagle Crest Court

New

$545,000

1312624

35242

4976 Provence Circle

New

$639,900

1314058

35242

5131 Colonial Park Road

New

$649,000

1312935

35242

105 Southledge

New

$789,900

1313824

35242

1363 Oxford Manor Lane

New

$479,000

1313807

35242

4076 Guilford Road

New

$349,900

1313782

35242

1053 Glendale Drive

New

$799,900

1313665

35242

112 Perry Place

New

$824,900

1313828

35242

5061 Meadow Brook Road

New

$500,000

1312607

35043

1840 Signal Valley Trail

New

$999,000

1314244

35043

3172 Oakridge Way

New

$671,791

1314235

35043

183 Chelsea Park Road

New

$373,100

1314056

35043

3016 Springfield Circle

New

$335,000

1314048

35043

528 Pine Mountain Trail

New

$989,900

1313829

35043

4939 Shelby County 39

New

$299,000

1314234

35043

175 Chelsea Park Road

New

$372,610

1313545

35043

164 Lake Chelsea Drive

New

$399,900

1840 Signal Valley Trail

Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on March 18.

Visit birminghamrealtors.com.

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280Living.com

April 2022 • B23

Calendar 280 Area Events April 2: Bulk trash pickup day.

City of Chelsea. For information, visit cityofchelsea.com.

April 2: Household Hazardous Waste Day. 8 a.m. to noon. Hoover Public Safety Center, 2020 Valleydale Road. Free to Hoover residents with ID showing their Hoover home address. For more information, visit hooveral.org/309/ Household-Hazardous-Waste-Day. April 2: Fire at the Foothills Barbecue and Chili Cook-Off. 1-4 p.m. Chelsea Community Center. Donate to your favorite barbecue team and all proceeds will benefit the Chelsea Kiwanis Club and the Chelsea Fire & Rescue Department’s education services.

April 9: Birmingham-Hoover Diabetes Walk. 9 a.m. Veterans Park. 3.1-mile walk or 1-mile walk for Camp Seale-Harris. No cost but donations accepted. For more information, visit campsealeharris.org/diabeteswalk.

April 9: High Country 5K. 5K begins at 8 a.m.; 1-mile fun run at 9 a.m.

Starts and ends at Shades Crest Baptist Church, 452 Park Ave. $30 through March 27, $35 March 28-April 8 and $40 day of race; $10 for students ages 1-17. To register, visit shadescrest.org.

April 9: CahabaQue BBQ CookOff. 1-5 p.m. Get a taste of Birmingham’s best backyard barbecue while enjoying craft beer, live music and activities for the kids. Event proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.

Tickets and information at cahabaque.com.

April 10: Southeastern Outings Second Sunday Dayhike. 1:45 p.m. Oak Mountain State Park. Enjoy a moderate 4-mile walk. Meet in the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot. $5 park admission fee. For information, contact Randall Adkins at 205-317-6969.

April 12: Flower arranging class.

6:30 p.m. Chelsea Community Center.

Presented by Ingadi Flower Farm. Visit ingadiflowerfarm.com April 14: Flower arranging class.

9:30 p.m. Chelsea Community Center.

Presented by Ingadi Flower Farm. Visit ingadiflowerfarm.com.

April 16: Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K. 9 a.m. Veterans Park. 3.1-mile run and walk in memory of former Jefferson State Community College President Judy Merritt, benefiting scholarships. $20 ($15 for college students and children ages 18 and younger — Use STUDENT at checkout); $15 sleep-in price for those who just want swag bag and T-shirt. For more information, visit jeffersonstate. edu/5K. April 20: 2022 Celebrate Hoover Day. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Veterans Park.

Free admission. In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place Sunday, May 1, from 1:30-5:30 p.m.

April 23: Pink Palace Casino Night. 7-11 p.m. Soirée in Hoover to support breast cancer research. Tickets include food, drinks, live music, prizes and $500 to bet on Vegas-style charity gaming. Dancing, silent auction and more.

Event proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. Tickets available at pinkpalacecasinonight.com April 28-29: Aldridge Gardens spring plant sale. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday and Friday, April 28-29; 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 30. For more information, visit aldridgegardens.com.

April 29: 2022 Denim & Dining fundraiser. 6-10 p.m. Aldridge Gardens.

Benefiting Hoover City Schools Foundation. $75/person (increases to $85 April 25). For more information, visit hoovercsf.org.

North Shelby Library Registration link: northshelbylibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar FAMILY/ALL AGES

3-5. Registration required.

Through May 31: Spring Family Geocaching Scavenger Hunt. Family fun with this virtually aided, seek-and-find scavenger style hunt to explore what’s hidden in plain sight in the scenic parks and public outdoor spaces of Mt Laurel. Registration required. All ages.

April 18: Junior Puppeteers Club. 4 p.m. A club for aspiring puppeteers and storytellers grades K-2. Participants will listen to a story then build their own puppets and have the opportunity to perform their puppets for their families.

Registration required.

All month: Creek Critters Kit. An ongoing citizen science program presented by Audubon Naturalist Society. Register during the month of April for a starter kit curated by the North Shelby Library. One kit per family. Registration required.

April 20: K-12th Homeschool Hangout – India in a Suitcase. 1:30 p.m. Ms. Rani will share stories, pictures, information and more about growing up in India. Registration required.

STORYTIME PROGRAMMING Wednesdays: Family Storytime. 10:30 a.m. A story program ideal for pre-K with caregivers nearby. Stories, songs, finger plays and fun make up a lively 30-minute program. Registration required.

Thursdays: Pajama Jam Storytime.

6:30 p.m. Wear your pajamas and bring your favorite plushie. This program will also be presented virtually through Zoom. Registration required.

CHILDREN All month: April Scavenger Hunt. Stop by the Children’s Department to participate in the monthly scavenger hunt for a chance to win a gift card.

All month: Activity Bundles. Each bundle comes with a themed picture book to borrow and eight worksheets to promote literacy skills for children in preschool, kindergarten and first grade.

All month: Monthly Craft Kit-to-Go. This month take home an animal egg character kit.

All month: Monthly STEM Kit-to-Go. For this STEM activity you will reflect light off mirror papers and shine a light on your own tomb hieroglyphics.

April 7: Preschool Kitchen Science – Rocket Science. 10:30 a.m. STEAM-y (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) science experiments for preschoolers. For ages

April 20: K-5th Homeschool Art Craft Kit-to-Go. 1 p.m. Sign up for a take home kit to make this month’s colored paper painting.

Grades K-5. Registration required.

TWEENS (AGES 8-12)

April 4: Springcraft – A Creative Minecraft Challenge. 4 p.m. Join your peers and challenge yourself with this spring-themed Minecraft Creative Build Challenge. A panel of librarians will judge a winner. Registration required.

April 11 and 25: Teen Dungeons and Dragons. 6 p.m. Join us and take part in a fun D&D campaign. Beginners arrive 30 minutes early for orientation.

April 20: K-12th Homeschool Hangout – India in a Suitcase. 1:30 p.m. Ms. Rani will share stories, pictures, information and more about growing up in India. Registration required.

April 20: Teen Art Kit-to-Go. 3 p.m.

Registrants will pick up a take-home kit and instructions to make a DIY rain gauge. Registration required.

Tween Minecraft Realm. Join other tweens online on the library’s Minecraft Realm.

Patrons must have their own supported version of Minecraft at home in order to play.

April 23: Teen Volunteer Day. Help the library and earn community service hours. Sixth through 12th graders can sign up for 1-2 hours of service. Limit five volunteers per day. Registration required.

April 4: Springcraft – A Creative Minecraft Challenge. 4 p.m. Join your peers and challenge yourself with this spring-themed Minecraft Creative Build Challenge. A panel of librarians will judge a winner. Registration required.

April 23: Teen Game Night – Among Us: IRL. 6 p.m. Join us in the Teen Department as we fight to figure out the impostor in a fun real-life version of the popular video game Among Us. Registration required.

April 14: Tween Virtual Writing Club with Ms. Emma. 4:30 p.m. Join YA fantasy author Emma Fox on Zoom for a fun writing club just for tweens. Registration required.

Fridays: Teen Open Gaming. 3 p.m.

Play the Switch, XBOX ONE, Wii, Minecraft, board games and card games with other teens. Check the online calendar for dates.

April 28: Tween Leadership Council Meeting. 4:30 p.m. The Tween Leadership Council will meet at the library for socializing, program planning, and a service activity. Applications available on the library website.

TEENS April 1-28: Teen Citizen Science – Scavenger Hunt. Pick up a checklist from the library, complete the tasks and return your sheet for a gift bag.

Tuesdays: Drafternoons Writing Club.

3:30 p.m. Strengthen your writing skills and meet other writers to brainstorm and trade plot ideas.

ADULTS All month: Free tax returns. For eligible persons through a program sponsored by The AARP Foundation (AARP membership is not required). Appointments are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April 7. An appointment is required. Call the library at 205-439-5540 or email nsdirector@shelbycounty-al.org.

April 7: Butterfly/Hummingbird Gardening. 10:30 a.m. Jefferson County Master Gardener Charlene Chaband teaches how to attract pollinators to your yard and discuss what flowers will attract specific butterflies and hummingbirds to our flower gardens.

Mt Laurel Public Library FAMILY/ALL AGES Through May 31: Spring Family Geocache Scavenger Hunt. A virtually aided, seek-and-find scavenger style hunt using GPS along with picture and written clues to find items or landmarks at the BBG. Registration required.

All month: Citizen Science Celebration. Check out a Citizen Science Kits during the month of April and when you return it, you’ll be entered to win a gift card.

April 9: Spring Festival Book Sale and Crafts. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by during Mt Laurel’s Spring Festival to shop our book sale and do a cute craft. All proceeds from the book sale support the library.

April 11: Sun Print Nature Art. Pick up some sun paper and instructions and create your

own piece of artwork with ferns, flowers or leaves.

All ages. No registration. While supplies last.

CHILDREN April 1 and 15: Toddler Tales. 10 a.m. A story program ideal for 19-36 months and a caregiver. Stories, songs, finger plays and fun make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Registration required.

April 4: Birdfeeder Take and Make.

Pick up a kit to make a cute bird feeder. Registration required.

April 16: Crafty Saturday. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pick up a fun craft at the library. Supplies are limited.

April 23: Lego Club. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop

by the library to build with Lego or Duplo blocks.

TWEEN PROGRAMS (AGES 8-12) April 21: Birdhouse. 4 p.m. Build and decorate your own birdhouse. Registration required.

TEENS All month: YA Reading. April is Teen Reading Month here at Mt Laurel. Stop by the library to pick up a fun YA reading checklist. There will be gift card prizes.

ADULTS April 7: Mt Laurel Book Club. 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Discussing “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes over Zoom.

Chelsea Public Library April 2 and 16: Chess Club. 2 p.m. Registration required.

April 7, 14, 21 and 28: Kids Coding Club. 4 p.m. Code robots and video games.

Registration required.

April 9: Lego Day. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

April 11: Medicare Info. 10 a.m. Debra Quinn will be available to walk you through the ins and outs of Medicare.

April 11: Teen Book Club. 5 p.m. Book discussion and a free dinner. Registration required.

April 12: Virtual Music & Books Club.

5:30 p.m. Online club with Ms. Samantha.

April 14: Book Club. 10 a.m. Discuss a new book and topic each month.

April 23: KZT Hands on STEAM Day. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Code robots, engineer buildings and more. All ages.

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