280 living february 2015 by Starnes Media

280 Living

February 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 6

neighborly news & entertainment

Blazing to the SEC

Come what may One couple’s path to healing and hope By JESSA PEASE

Fomer Chelsea football player Jake Ganus was recently recruited by UGA after UAB’s football program was shut down. Find the details in this issue.

See page B1

Sharing love

Inside, read the story of an open adoption that brought two couples together to create one big extended family.

See page A18

INSIDE Sponsors ............. A4 280 News ............ A6 Business...........A12 Food...................A15 Faith...............A30

Opinion..............A31 Community.........B2 School House .. .B14 Sports ................B18 Calendar ...........B24

When everything fell apart, Randy Hemphill still knew one thing — he wanted his wife’s heart. So at dinner one night, Randy presented her with two antique keys. “Melody, you have the key to my heart,” Randy said, handing her one of the keys. “I don’t know the outcome of all this, but I want to give you the key.” Randy then gave her the second key. “This represents the key to your heart,” he said. “If at some point you would give this to me, I would love to have it, but that is totally up to you.” More than just love for one another, the keys symbolized the journey Melody and Randy would have to travel in order to overcome infidelity and create a stronger foundation than before. Years of hard work and healing lay before them as Randy offered his own heart. Four months later, Melody gave Randy the key to her heart, and nine years later, the couple still has those keys as a reminder of their love.

See HEALING | page A28

After overcoming challenging obstacles in their own relationship, Melody and Randy Hemphill now counsel other couples. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.

Express route numbers increase By DOUG DEMMONS

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Memphis, TN Permit #830

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The express bus route makes stops at The Summit and the U.S. 280 Walmart before heading downtown. Photo by Jessa Pease.

Lisa Frost belongs to an elite class. The Inverness resident commutes to work every day on U.S. 280, but she avoids the gridlock. She can read emails and send texts without worrying about distracted driving because she isn’t the one behind the wheel. Frost has been a regular rider of MAX’s new express bus route between the Walmart on 280 and downtown.

“I don’t like to get out in the 280 traffic, so I hope they keep it,” she said. MAX started the route in November as a quicker alternative to the routes that make numerous stops along 280. Despite low initial ridership numbers, the transit authority plans to keep the express route. The express bus, known as Route 201, doesn’t board at the MAX bus stop on the side of the store. It boards across

See EXPRESS | page A29

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A4 • February 2015

About Us Please Support our Community Partners

Photo of the month

A runner represents Team RWB during this year’s Hearts for Hasberry 5K and 10K. Photo by Madison Miller.

Editor’s Note By JESSA PEASE I’ve always wondered why we celebrate Valentine’s Day in February. The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Saint Valentine in July, which seems smart to me. For one thing, it’s a lot warmer, meaning you could enjoy a picnic or a walk through the Botanical Gardens or even take a long weekend at the beach. Instead, many of us flock to the more romantic dinner sites or avoid the chaos entirely and stay at home. Needless to say, Valentine’s Day isn’t my favorite event, but it’s not the only thing going on in February. Even

Publisher: Creative Director: Managing Editor: Community Editor: Sports Editor: Staff Writers: Editorial Assistant: Advertising Manager: Sales and Distribution:

Graphic Designer: Contributing Writers:

Contributing Photographer:

if you aren’t as hyped up about the return of Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead as I am, the 280 corridor has some events that might keep you occupied. In this issue, you can read about the opening of Brass Bear Antiques & Flea Mall, which I, personally, cannot wait to peruse. One of our own Oak Mountain High School graduates could be elected as Miss Auburn, a Sprouts Farmers Market is almost ready for shoppers and a local blogger’s book Home is Where My People Are will be released. It’s a great month to support our community, and, for those of you interested

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Madoline Markham Jessa Pease David Knox Katie Turpen Sydney Cromwell Madison Miller Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Nathan Pearman Emily VanderMey Rick Watson Kari Kampakis Doug Demmons Karim Shamsi-Basha

For advertising contact: dan@280living.com

in celebrating Valentine’s Day in a more unique way, the Alabama Wildlife Center is hosting its annual Wild About Chocolate event. So while I probably won’t partake in the stereotypical Valentine’s Day celebrations, I do have a lot to look forward to this month. For those of you who do enjoy the dreamy date-nights, make sure to check out our Valentine’s section. As always, please email me with any questions, concerns or story ideas at jessa@ starnespublishing.com. Have a fantastic February!

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

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

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: editor@280living.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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Acton Roofing and Home Repair (B10) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (B7) Alabama Outdoors (B8) Alabama Power (B5) ARC Realty (B14) Asbury United Methodist Church (A12) At Home Furnishings (B19) Avenir Realty-Amanda Hardin (A18) Bedzzz Express (A5) Bellini’s (A17) Birmingham Museum of Art (B28) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (B5) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (A19, B9) Cabinetry Refinishing & Restoration (A1) Cahaba Glass (B16) Chiropractic Today (A24) Cowboys (A11) Danberry at Inverness (A26) Decorating Dens Interiors (B7) Dreamscape Landscape Development, LLC (A20) Encore Rehabilitation (A10) ENT for Kids Alabama (B2) Everly’s Boutique (B16) Expedia CruisShipCenters (A7, A23) Fancy Fur- Paws and Claws (A15) Fi-Plan Partners (A6) Fuji Sushi & Japanese Cuisine (A8) GeGe’s Salon (B2) Granite Transformations (A22) Great Smiles Orthodontics (A27) Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce (A19) Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham/280 East-Eagle Point (B11) Healthy Smiles of Birmingham (A22) Henderson & Walton (B4) Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall (A11, B9) In Shape MD Wellnes Clinic (A14) Issis & Sons (B17) Jamieson and Hirschfield, LLC (A29) Lawncrafters (A15) Levy’s Fine Jewelry (A1) M&M Jewelers (B12) Mantooth Interiors (A28) Mathnasium (A16) Morningside at Riverchase (B24) MVP Training (A30) NAPA Auto Parts (B26) North Shelby Dental Studio (B12) Odyssey Early Schools (B22) Over the Mountain Glass (B11) Pak Mail (A17) Pastry Art (A8) Plain Jane Children & Gift Shop (A17) Planet Fitness (B1) Project Share (A10) Re/MAX Advantage - Terry Crutchfield (B8) RealtySouth Marketing (B13) Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace (A2) Retreat at Greystone Apartments (B15) Revitalize at Greystone (A21) River Run Farms (A15) Royal Automotive (A3) Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen (A9) Southeastern Jewelers and Engravers (A16) St. Vincent’s Health Systems (B18) St. Vincent’s One Nineteen (A32, B5) The ARC of Jefferson County – RecyclABILITY (A31) The Ditsy Daisy (A28) The Funky Muffin (A21) The Goddard School (A29) The Lice Place (B21) The Maids (B21) The Sewing Room (A31) The UPS Store - Cahaba Heights (A23) Therapy South Greystone (A13) Uptown Nail Spa (B22) Urban Home Market (B3) Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (B4) Village Dermatology (B20) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A24, B10, B25) Water Drainage Solutions (A17) Weigh To Wellness (B23)

280Living.com

February 2015 • A5

N E T D S I S D E AY R P

SA L E

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280 Living

A6 • February 2015

280 News Baptist Health System, Brookwood look to join forces

Walmart Neighborhood Market opens

Residents near the Valleydale-Caldwell Mill Road intersection were able to start shopping at the new Walmart Neighborhood Market Jan. 28. Photo by Jessa Pease.

Baptist Health System announced that a non-binding letter of intent had been signed with Brookwood Medical Center. Photo courtesy of Baptist Health System.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Baptist Health System announced that a non-binding letter of intent had been signed with Brookwood Medical Center in December. This letter could lead to a new joint company of Brookwood Medical Center, Baptist’s four hospitals and any related businesses. Currently, the two companies are in a 90-day due diligence period. A final agreement is expected in March at the end of the due diligence but not yet guaranteed.

If an agreement is reached, this new company would include Shelby Baptist Medical Center, located at 2610 Pelham Parkway, and the Brookwood freestanding emergency department (FED) being built at the intersection of U.S. 280 and Highway 119. The new joint business would include more than 1,700 beds, 7,300 employees and 1,500 affiliated physicians, according to a press release by Baptist Health System. More than 70 primary care and specialty clinics would be incorporated into the company.

“We are excited to engage in an exclusive dialogue about developing a joint venture with Tenet Healthcare,” said Baptist Health System CEO Keith Parrott in a Dec. 15 press release. “This potential partnership represents an opportunity to strengthen our collective efforts and enhance healthcare across central Alabama while preserving and honoring the Baptist name, maintaining our Christian values and supporting our faith-based approach to healthcare.”

A new Walmart Neighborhood Market opened Jan. 28 at the Valleydale-Caldwell Mill Road intersection. Along with the pharmacy, groceries and select household items that are traditionally sold at the neighborhood Walmarts, the new location put about 95 associates to work. “In addition to the benefits to our customers, our small format stores also benefit the communities in which they’re located by generating additional tax revenue, stimulating new investment and economic growth, and providing jobs with the opportunity to build a career,” said Walmart spokesperson Amanda Henneberg. The Walmart Neighborhood Markets were designed in 1998 for communities in need of a closer proximity pharmacy and grocery store. Today there are about 340 Neighborhood Markets nationwide that feature a bakery and deli as well as gas fueling centers. “Many factors go into the decision to choose a location for a new Walmart store, but the main consideration is meeting the needs of our customers,” Henneberg said. “We look for areas where we can offer customers a greater selection of merchandise, convenience and affordability than they had before. We have a great customer base in the [Birmingham] area, and we are looking to provide them with even more convenient shopping options.”

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280Living.com

February 2015 • A7

Shelby County promotes deputies

Captain Chris George was promoted to the rank of Chief Deputy, serving as the senior ranking officer below the sheriff. He has been serving Shelby County since April 1997.

Newly appointed Sheriff John Samaniego and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office announced a number of personnel promotions following Samaniego’s inauguration. Captain Chris George was promoted to the rank of Chief Deputy, serving as the senior ranking officer below the sheriff. He has been serving Shelby County since April 1997. Captain Ken Burchfield has been promoted to the rank of Major and has been with Shelby County since December 2003. Lieutenant Kevin Turner has been promoted to the rank of Captain, serving in the system since April 1997. Lieutenant Mike Hudson has been

promoted to the rank of Captain and has served since April 1994. “Each of these appointments will only improve the effectiveness of the Sheriff’s Office in its service to our residents and visitors,” Samaniego stated in a Jan. 12 press release. “All of these promotional candidates have distinguished themselves through past performance, formal education, professional development and their dedication to our mission.” These promotions will become effective Jan. 20. Any additional personnel changes and promotions will be announced at a later date.

Brook Highland Sprouts to open in February

Many of the Sprouts fixtures and refrigeration units have already been constructed inside the building in Brook Highland Plaza. Photo by Jessa Pease.

Progress is being made at the new Sprouts Farmers Market location in Brook Highland, which is scheduled to open Feb. 18. This healthy living grocery store is located in Brook Highland Plaza at 5291 U.S. 280. The signs have been put up outside of the building, and many of the Sprouts fixtures and refrigeration units have already been constructed inside. Based out of Arizona, Sprouts has 175 locations in 10 states that provide multiple

healthy-living resources. The store offers fresh, natural and organic foods and offers options for customers to “live a healthy lifestyle at an affordable price.” Sprouts sells fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts and sweets, and also offers a full-service deli with meat and seafood counters that feature homemade burgers and sausages. For more information about Sprouts Farmers Market, visit sprouts.com.

280 Living

A8 • February 2015

Council shuts down 119 gas station request

Celebrating Sheriff Curry

Many people embraced Sheriff Curry at the entrance of his reception as a thank you. Photo by Jessa Pease.

By JESSA PEASE

Don Erwin with Barber Companies speaks out against Covenant Bank’s request to build a gas station on Highway 119. Photo by Madison Miller.

By MADISON MILLER The Hoover City Council shot down a request for the building of a gas station at the corner of Highway 119 and Doug Baker Boulevard at its meeting on Jan. 20. The request was submitted by Covenant Bank to rezone the property to allow for the station to be constructed. Its previous zoning did not allow for gas pumps to be located on the site. Jesse Evans spoke on behalf of Covenant Bank and gave a presentation outlining each requirement for the project and stated that it had been through the city’s planning and zoning commission. During public comments, several residents spoke out against the project including

Don Erwin from Barber Companies and Dr. Randy Haddock, biologist with the Cahaba River Society. Erwin cited the possibility of other uses for the property such as commercial real estate and said that the majority of residents did not approve of a gas station in close proximity to residential property. Haddock spoke on the damage that the construction of the station could cause to the Cahaba River, which would cause flooding and property damage to homes and other businesses in the area. The council voted 4-0 against the Covenant’s request. For more information, visit hooveral.org.

Residents gathered at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Training Center Jan. 15 to honor the retirement of Sheriff Chris Curry. It was a very informal event with no speeches or presentations, but Curry stood at the door greeting every person. Many embraces, handshakes and well wishes

were shared with Curry, who first took the position of sheriff in 2002. He served the people of Shelby County for 35 years. “For the last 12 years, I have had the best job in the world and you were the best boss I’ve ever had,” Sheriff John Samaniego told Curry during his inauguration. “We built this incredible agency. When you made the decision to retire, I could just not turn that over to somebody else.”

Lott resigns from council seat Mayor Gary Ivey announced that council member Trey Lott will vacate his seat on the council at its meeting on Jan. 20. Lott resigned from his position after a recent move from Greystone to Alabaster. Lott has served on the council since

2004. Ivey said that his position is now open and that a replacement will be chosen by the council. For more information, visit hooveral. org.

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280Living.com

February 2015 • A9

Grandview celebrates construction milestone

Two field crewmembers sat at the top of the parking deck to position the tree on top of Grandview Medical Center. Photo by Jessa Pease.

By JESSA PEASE Travelers on U.S. 280 might have noticed something out of the ordinary as they passed Grandview Medical Center on Jan. 16. To mark a construction milestone, the crews on site hoisted a tree high to the highest point of the parking deck as a part of a topping out ceremony. This tree commemorated the structural completion of both the parking deck and physicians’ office building on the facilities campus. “It’s an exciting day,” said Keith Granger, president and CEO of Trinity Medical Center. “You see the elevations go up as they have over the last year, and you see all the sudden that we’ve reached this topping out moment. It’s a milestone in many ways. It tells us the project is getting close to its finality. It tells us that the workers such a great job on the

project and that they have done it in a safe environment. [I] couldn’t be more excited about what’s happening.” Brasfield & Gorrie and A.G. Gaston serve as the construction managers for this project. Their work includes the build-out of the 12-story, 1 million-square-foot hospital and the construction of both the 220,000 square-foot physicians’ office building and the 2,900-space parking deck. Granger admitted that the process has been challenging, but they expect Grandview to open in early October. He guessed Oct. 10 as a tentative date. Grandview Medical Center’s services will include general surgery, cardiology, cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery, orthopedic care and joint replacement, gastroenterology and GI surgery, oncology, neurology, emergency services, and trauma care.

Board of education hires superintendent finder service By JESSA PEASE The Hoover Board of Education voted to employ the Alabama Association of School Board (AASB) in its current superintendent search at a Jan. 16 called board meeting. AASB was a major contender for the position after Susan Salter, director of board development with AASB, made a presentation at the board of education’s regular Jan. 12 meeting. The organization was also able to reduce its originally quoted cost of $21,200 to $19,700. This rate includes a base fee, advertising costs and a New South survey component. Board president Donna Frazier said she knows that AASB was very in their search for an interim superintendent. “AASB is our governing body, so to speak,” she said. “I’ve been on this board for 10 years. I have attended a lot of conferences and have always been very impressed with Alabama Association of School Boards.” Six total research firms were taken into consideration for the position, but the board ultimately chose AASB due to its past experiences with the board. AASB not only offered the lowest cost to the board, but it also shows an understanding of the region through its 19 superintendent searches across the state in the past 18 months.

The search for five superintendent candidates started the week of Jan. 20. Salter gave the board a very “ambitious” timeline that kicked off with an online survey to gain feedback from the community and stakeholders. The schedule has the board naming a permanent superintendent by the end of May, which would give the named superintendent one month of overlap to work with the current interim superintendent Dr. Jim Reese. Reese’s term will expire the end of June. “The primary thing that we bring to the table is that we handle the leg work for you,” Salter said. “We handle the application process, the screening process and the recruiting process so that the board is free to focus on the things that are clearly critical — choosing the qualifications of your next leader.” The board of education will interview the five candidates and make the final decision concerning the permanent superintendent. Also at the meeting, the Board of Education decided to change its regular meeting nights from February to June. The board usually meets on the first Monday of the month, but will now meet on the second Monday of those months. The dates were moved due to a conflict with the Hoover City Council meetings, and Frazier said she would like the community to have the opportunity to attend both. The new meeting dates are: Feb. 9, March. 9, April 13, May 11 and June 8.

280 Living

A10 • February 2015

John Samaniego sworn in as Shelby County Sheriff

Sheriff John Samaniego was sworn in alongside his wife and daughter. Photo by Jessa Pease.

Sheriff-Elect John Samaniego was sworn in as Shelby County’s 53rd Sheriff on Jan. 10 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Circuit Judge Dan Reeves presided over the event, swearing in Samaniego and re-affirming the oaths of the Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Use your favorite QR reading app to watch Sheriff Samaniego’s speech.

New Jimmy John’s opens at River Hills The River Hills shopping center welcomed a new Jimmy John’s sandwich restaurant opened the first week of January. The franchise is 2,012 square feet and takes the place of Momma Goldberg’s. It is owned by franchisee Brandon Stewart. The new store was announced in September as part of Harbert Realty Service’s plans to lease three new Jimmy John’s locations in

Birmingham. The other locations are at Vestavia City Center, in the former site of Sweet Frog’s frozen yogurt, and at the Crossings at Hoover shopping mall currently under construction. Harbert has plans to open more locations in the area. River Hills shopping center is located at 27 Inverness Center Place. Jimmy John’s at River Hills shopping center. Photo by Jessa Pease.

280Living.com

February 2015 • A11

Group expresses concerns over OMSP hotel, convention center By SYDNEY CROMWELL Rita Jablonski-Jaudon enjoys Oak Mountain State Park because she can ride horses, her son can fish and her husband can bicycle in the midst of acres of wilderness. When she first heard that Shelby County was considering building a hotel and convention center within the park, she was worried about the effect it would have on the park’s natural beauty. “If you start developing that state park, you lose the quiet and tranquility to enjoy,” Jablonski-Jaudon said. With some like-minded county residents, she started the Keep Oak Mountain Wild group to raise her concerns about the proposed development. Since its beginning in December, the group’s Facebook page has grown to more than 400 followers. The hotel and convention center is under consideration by the Shelby County Commission and the city of Pelham. A feasibility study released in mid-January recommended a hotel with around 175 rooms, cottages, 20,000 square feet of meeting space and a 10,000-square-foot ballroom. The buildings could be host to business conventions, weddings and other events, as well as park visitors. Jablonski-Jaudon and the Keep Oak Mountain Wild group, however, believe the development would have a negative impact on the park as soon as construction begins. The project would increase water and pollutant runoff into the

The Keep Oak Mountain Reel group believes that development inside the park would disturb the quiet and tranquil nature of Oak Mountain. Photo courtesy of Nancy Markham.

park’s lakes, as well as increase light and noise pollution. Jablonski-Jaudon said this would have an effect on the park’s biodiversity, plant health and animal behavior, such as bird flight patterns. “It’s the only real, wild, wonderful green around here,” said Keep Oak Mountain Wild legal counsel and Indian Springs city council member Kathryn Harrington said. “We don’t want to see a big disturbance of the timber and the ecology of the park.”

Additionally, the group believes the existing hotels in the area are more than adequate to house visitors. Harrington said most of the hotels are not operating close to full capacity. “It’s not like we’re in great need of rooms,” Harrington said. “We think that development is not a good fit for Oak Mountain State Park.” Instead of developing the park, Jablonski-Jaudon said she wants more people to enjoy Oak Mountain’s

existing activities that have a low ecological impact, such as biking, hiking and kayaking. As a nurse, she also thinks the park is a critical resource for fitness, and a hotel and convention center would get in the way of that. “We want to support recreational activities that are compatible with the park’s ecosystem,” Jablonski-Jaudon said. Keep Oak Mountain Wild has a petition on its website and will be

attending meetings and contacting elected officials. On Jan. 27 at 6:45 p.m., the group is having a meeting at North Shelby Fire Station 2, 4996 Caldwell Mill Road. The group will be sharing their concerns with the public and encouraging people to talk to their elected officials. For more information, visit komw. org or the Keep Oak Mountain Wild Facebook page.

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280 Living

A12 • February 2015

Business Greater Shelby Chamber

approves program of work

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors has approved the its 2015 program of work. “Our 2015 business plan incorporates the four key areas — business support and development, community and workforce development, governmental relations, and communications — which were identified in the organization’s five-year strategic plan known as ShelbyOne back in 2012,” said chamber president and CEO Kirk Mancer. Mancer said that 2015 will be the chamber’s third year in its five-year initiative. The programs and activities included in this year’s business plan will continue to build on the progress the chamber made in 2014 under the leadership of Regions Bank’s Bill Keller, who served as chamber chair.

Lisa McMahon, partner with Warren Averett, LLC, will serve as the chamber’s 2015 chair. “Since we launched these new initiatives in 2013, we’ve continued to expand the organization’s efforts in each of these four key areas,” McMahon said. She said volunteer collaboration with the chamber’s professional staff has made key programs such as the Keeping It Real program for ninthgrade students throughout Shelby County, the Business Support Center that provides valuable assistance to small business owners and potential entrepreneurs and the ‘Public Policy Agenda’ all possible. McMahon said the chamber is looking forward to launching its Career Awareness Fair program for 10th-grade students throughout

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Brooke Story works with students at Chelsea High School during the Greater Shelby Chamber’s Keeping it Real program. Photo by Sam Farmer.

Shelby County and to providing additional mentorship opportunities for Shelby County businesses. “This [business plan] — developed with input from our volunteers and staff and approved by our volunteer leadership — ensures that our chamber is working every day to nurture Shelby County businesses, address

†

their business needs and continue to develop a business environment that is attractive and stable,” Mancer said. To view the business plan, visit shelbychamber.org/about-us/2015business-plan. For additional information, contact Kirk Mancer at 663-4542. ~Submitted by Lisa Shapiro

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Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce 1301 County Services Drive 663-4542 shelbychamber.org

280Living.com

February 2015 • A13

Tae Kwon Do school breaks ground

Home buying seminar addresses concerns

Jessica and Master Justin Scarsella at World Class Tae Kwon Do’s groundbreaking ceremony. Photo courtesy of Justin Scarsella.

Master Scarsella’s World Class Tae Kwon Do broke ground Dec. 16 on its new location. The school, currently located in Inverness Corners, will expand into a stand-alone, 7,500 square-foot martial art facility off of Valleydale Road, next to Beaumont Pharmacy. This building will feature two training floors that total about 4,000 square-feet of mat per story. There will also be a spacious parking lot, cushioned parent seating and a designer lobby. “Our new facility will be an extension of our program that

shows the quality of our teaching, curriculum and sincerity of our instructors to help each and every student become successful in all of their endeavors,” said owner and instructor Master Justin Scarsella. The project is expected to be complete summer of 2015. Master Scarsella’s program teaches martial arts to children, adults and families from ages 4 to 74. Master Scarsella is a fourth degree Kukkiwon certified master instructor and has taught more than 10,000 students in his 15 years of teaching. He was the top fighter for University of Buffalo New York

State and a Junior Olympic gold medalist. For more than 10 years, World Class Tae Kwon Do has been teaching focus, confidence and respect to help students be successful in all areas of their life.

Master Scarsella’s World Class Tae Kwon Do 640 Inverness Corners 981-9636 alabamatkd.com

Re/Max Realtor Terry Crutchfield.

Interest rates could rise in 2015, but home buyers and sellers shouldn’t necessarily stay away from the market. The U.S. 280 corridor’s own real estate professionals will host a home buying seminar on Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. at the South Oak Title Building at 2803 Greystone Commercial Boulevard. “Financial analysts are predicting a rise in mortgage rates in 2015,” said Re/Max Realtor Terry Crutchfield. “This could deter some would-be buyers from entering the real estate market. This seminar will show you how to maximize your profits from selling your home.” Crutchfield, Re/Max Realtor

Hands on Care, Close to Home.

Debbie Burks, appraiser Andy Widener and a home stager will all speak at the event. They will focus on information about rising mortgage rates as if it would be advantageous to list houses before rates go up and will answer questions about the market in general. The event is free to all of those who wish to attend.

Re/Max Realtor Terry Crutchfield 2635 Valleydale Road 991-1500 terrycrutchfield.com

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280 Living

A14 • February 2015

Brass Bear Antiques prepares to open By JESSA PEASE After sitting vacant for 10 years, the former pet store location didn’t look like much with its collection of old shower fixtures and a smell worse than any wet dog. But to Charles Tuttle, the 20,000-square-foot space was a diamond in the rough, especially when he learned that the former gym location next door was also available. Both retail spaces, right off the intersection of Valleydale and Caldwell Mill roads, have now joined to become Brass Bear Antiques & Flea Mall. “Everybody in the neighborhood is just so happy that something is moving in because they have seen that space just sit there for 10 years,” Charles said. “So I think that excitement is going to do well for us.” Charles’sister, Sherry, came up with the idea to open Brass Bear. She’s a homebuilder by trade and has always delved in the antiquing world on the side for fun. When she decided she wanted her own store, Charles, who owns his own mortgage company, used his connection to help her find a space. As Pelham residents, the Tuttles started scouting places there, but Charles said he didn’t feel like it was a good place for traffic or the variety of shoppers that they would want. After finding their current space, Charles said he’s happy with

Among the vendors already signed with Brass Bear, many will sell older antique items. Photo courtesy of Charles Tuttle.

about all the surrounding schools and neighborhoods. He believes the store will draw customers from the Highway 119 area, Hoover, Oak Mountain and Pelham, along with travelers driving down I-65. They’ve even had calls and emails from people as far as Cullman, Gadsden and Montgomery. What will draw those customers, Charles said, are the unique items they will be able to find at Brass Bear. With more than 200 vendors already onboard and a storefront that can hold

about 300, he said there will be many unique items to browse through. “You can go to any retail store and see furniture and you can see knickknacks, but the stuff that they are showcasing is really unique,” Charles said. “You just don’t find them in stores, so I think people are going to be coming from all around.” Many vendors are people who sell old antiques, while others sell repurposed and one-of-a-kind furniture. One company makes lake and beach chairs out of old wooden skis. Charles

Charles Tuttle completely gutted a former pet store in order to create his new storefront Brass Bear Antiques & Flea Mall at the intersection of Valleydale and Caldwell Mill roads. Photo by Jessa Pease.

also said that he has signed more than 10 artists who will be showcasing original work. “I really love this stuff,” Charles said. “All the vendors have shown me pictures of what they are going to bring in. That’s really exciting. [It’s] unique stuff that you don’t see everyday.” Each vendor will be given an equally visible booth, and Charles said the booths will flow nicely throughout the store so that no vendor will be missed.

With the construction nearly over, Charles expected Brass Bear Antiques to be ready to open the end of January. “We’ve got a whole lot of cool stuff coming in,” Charles said. “People are going to be really excited once they see everything.”

Brass Bear Antiques 2652 Valleydale Road brassbearantiques.com

February 2015y• A15

280Living.com

Restaurant Showcase

By JESSA PEASE Eli Markshtien knows what you are going to eat today. Rather, he probably does if you enter his restaurant, Eli’s Jerusalem Grill. He has a knack for picking food for people, and he remembers every dish they’ve ever tried. “Everybody is a friend,” he said. “When people come here, the next day they are my friend, and I remember every customer that comes here.” The restaurant’s authentic Israeli recipes are taken straight from Eli’s childhood. He learned how to make chicken and beef/lamb shawarma, falafel and kefta kabobs in his grandmother’s kitchen, and his mother still calls him every day around 7:30 p.m. to reaffirm the recipes. Eli started cooking his cuisine for family and friends, wanting someday open his own restaurant. Then in November 2014, he and his wife, Laurel Wurthmann-Markshtien, made his dream a reality. Laurel said they already feel blessed by the positive responses they have received. “One of my favorite parts is that we have wonderful customers that come in who have become regulars who have become friends,” Laurel said. “So it’s the whole idea of meeting new people and sharing Eli’s passion of cooking with everybody. It’s like a family here, which is nice.” Eli and Laurel are originally from Chicago, where they said there was a huge selection of places to eat all types of food. When they

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Laurel Wurthmann-Markshtien, daughter Lilah Wurthmann-Markshtien and Eli Markshtien all hold one of their favorite dishes at Eli’s. Photo by Jessa Pease.

moved to Birmingham, they noticed there wasn’t anywhere in the area to get Israeli cuisine. Laurel said they knew they would have a positive response because they were filling that

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Read all the past Restaurant Showcases at 280Living.com

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much-needed niche. With a menu featuring grass-fed beef, all-organic chicken and fresh local produce, Laurel said they prove that organic food can be more

4673 U.S. 280 East 637-3658 Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. facebook.com/elisjerusalemgrill

flavorful and healthy, while they still stay true to traditional ethnic dishes. They even offer many vegetarian, gluten-free and allergy-specific options. The response to Eli’s has been so positive that they’ve also started catering. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also unique. A landscape of the Wailing Wall is featured on the Eli’s main wall, and arched dividers stay true to Israeli architecture. “We really thought hard about how to put this restaurant together to make it feel like you are walking into a place in Israel,” Laurel said. “Everything was very well thought out to make you feel like you were really there.” The family feeling was very important to the Brook Highland residents. Laurel’s mother created a family wall in the restaurant that is adorned with four generations of photographs. Eli’s family photos are on the left side of the wall, and Laurel’s are on the right. “It’s a family, it’s different, and people like the sound and the light,” Eli said. “I’m working to make everybody feel like they’re home.” It’s so much like home, he said, that people will start conversations with people at nearby tables, sharing bites of the different dishes. When Eli’s is crowded, Eli will even match people together at available table spaces. “When my food makes people happy, it’s fun,” he said. “When I’m standing there and I hear the noise of people talking and enjoying the food, it gives me energy.”

280 Living

A16 • February 2015

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280Living.com

February 2015 • A17

Now Open

News and Accomplishments

Jimmy John’s is now open in the Riverhills Shopping Center at 4647 Highway 280, Suite U. 874-9762. jimmyjohns.com.

Tractor Supply Company, 119 Atchison Drive, Chelsea, recently helped raise $763,283 during a 10-day national in-store Paper Clover Campaign to beneﬁt the National 4-H Council. 678-4196. tractorsupply.com.

Coming Soon Sprouts Farmers Market, a grocery chain focusing on fresh foods, organic foods, produce and dietary supplements, will open February 18 in the Brook Highland Plaza shopping center at 5265 Highway 280. 263-2808. sprouts.com.

MVP Training, 5406 Highway 280, Suite D-106, will open in March. The company will offer strength training and conditioning for youth league, middle school, high school and college athletes around the Birmingham area, offering training off-site. The company is owned and operated by former John Carroll High School and Jacksonville State University quarterback Brooks Barron. 538-2687. mvptraining.net.

New Ownership Quality Inn & Suites, 707 Key Drive, formerly Fairﬁeld Inn & Suites, is under new ownership. 991-1055. qualityinn.com.

Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, 200 One Nineteen Blvd., will add 24 assisted living beds to its facility. The certiﬁcate of need issued relocates those beds from the former Ashton Gables facility in Hoover. 745-4600. somerbyatstvincents. com.

Hirings and Promotions Richard Grimes has been named CEO of RealtySouth. Former President and CEO Ty Dodge will serve as chairman emeritus, and Jim Dye will serve as senior vice president and general sales manager. RealtySouth has a local ofﬁce at 109 Inverness Plaza. realtysouth.com.

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280 Living

A18 • February 2015

Never say goodbye An open adoption that created a family By JESSA PEASE Caleb Nolan’s birth parents never had to say goodbye. It’s been four years since Kelley* and Alex* gave him up for adoption, but they are still a part of his extended family. They stood with his adoptive parents, Samantha and Ken Nolan, at his christening, and Caleb will be the ring bearer Kelley and Alex’s wedding. Each of their visits with him ends with the same words: “See you next time.” The Nolans wouldn’t have it any other way. “They’ve been a part of Caleb’s life from the beginning, and it’s very important to us for Caleb to know that he is adopted, to know [Alex and Kelley] are his parents and that we are his parents,” Samantha said. “We want him to know how much Kelley and Alex loved him to do what they did, and that it brought such great love into mine and Ken’s life as well.”

Alex and Kelley, Caleb’s birth parents, hold Caleb a few days after Christmas when Ken and Samantha Nolan visited. Photos courtesy of Samantha Nolan.

Choosing an open adoption When Chelsea residents Samantha and Ken decided to adopt, they created an anonymous profile filled with pictures of themselves, a list of hobbies and beliefs and other general information. They also listed that they would be willing to consider an open adoption. At that point, they thought an open adoption meant they would just have to send pictures once a quarter for the first couple years, and then they could be finished with it. They spent four years waiting before Auburn High School students Kelley and Alex chose the Nolans’ profile.

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February 2015 • A19

“It turns out that everything she really liked and wanted was what we were providing,” Samantha said. “She loved that we had [life] experience, that we are settled and that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom.” Kelley and Samantha began to email back and forth through an anonymous email set up by the adoption organization, and after a while the two felt comfortable texting each other. They met in person when Kelley was about three months pregnant, and Kelley invited the Nolans back to Auburn again for the five-month sonogram. Ken said it was obvious to him before they had really gotten to know Alex and Kelley that they were good kids, and that they were making an intelligent and mature decision. Kelley’s parents were also very supportive of the adoption, which gave the Nolans comfort throughout the entire process. “Everybody from my OB/GYN to my best friend to church folks, they say it’s a very high rate of birth moms changing their minds,” Samantha said. “I said, ‘No. I know God, I know Kelley and I have the peace.’ I have never had a peace fall over me about anything more than this adoption, and I was never afraid that she would change her mind.” Taking the baby home Kelley called Samantha and Ken a month before her due date, announcing that the baby was coming earlier than expected, so the Nolans raced to Auburn. Samantha stayed in the hospital room trying to be as helpful as possible. “I was in the room with her and her mom for several hours when she was going through a lot of the pain,” Samantha said. “It was such a personal thing, and I felt like I was somewhat a part of it.” She helped out by icing Kelley’s feet and fanning her off until it was time for the baby to come, and then Samantha stepped out of the room. She and Ken saw the baby that day, but they didn’t hold him until the next morning. They wanted Kelley to hold the baby as long as she could for as long as she wanted. The Nolans also insisted that Kelley and Alex keep a birth certificate with the name Kiden on

Ken and Samantha Nolan with their adopted son Caleb.

it because it was the name they had chosen for the baby. Then it was time for Samantha and Ken to take Caleb home while Alex and Kelley remained in the hospital room. “Walking out of the room, even though we knew we would see each other very, very soon, was one of the top three hardest things I have ever done in my life,” Samantha said. “I was shaking so bad from emotion.” “The door closes and you know this is what’s supposed to happen, but it just felt so wrong,” Ken added. “It was like ‘We’re taking their baby.’ It was just strange.” Samantha cried half the way home sitting in the backseat with Caleb, knowing that Kelley and Alex’s hearts were breaking. Kelley and Alex still had a window of time to change their

Caleb Nolan.

minds, but the Nolans never worried. In her mind and in her heart, Samantha said she knew that she was Caleb’s mom. Remaining a family Four years later, and Alex and Kelley are still members of the Nolans’ extended family. Anytime Caleb does something great, Samantha will send Kelley a message or picture, and anytime Alex and Kelley are in Birmingham, they get together with the Nolans. Just like Alex and Kelley were present for Caleb’s christening, they get see him for his birthday and other special occasions. “I can’t express how respectful they are and how kind they are,” Samantha said. “They kind of look at us as someone they can trust and talk

to. We don’t feel super obligated. We want to. It’s in our heart.” It’s easy to fear an open adoption or that the birth parents will try to take control, Ken said, but he suggests just considering the idea of an open adoption. They never imagined the relationship they would have with Kelley and Alex, and the mutual relationship is only as far as you want to take it. “I think for us, the most important thing was that Alex and Kelley know that they can always know their child as their child grows,” Ken said. “They don’t in any way ever try to pretend to be his parents. They just love to see him and see how he’s doing. It’s never even been an issue.” *Their last names have not been included to maintain their privacy.

280 Living

A20 • February 2015

Sweet stops for your

Bite-sized bliss

sweetheart A guide to indulge your appetite this Valentine’s Day By JESSA PEASE

A gluten free treat

Pastry Art 940 Inverness Corners 995-5855 pastryartcakes.com Pastry Art Bake Shoppe serves a variety of bite-sized cakes. Chocolate and strawberry seem to go hand-in-hand with Valentine’s Day, and Pastry Art co-owner and pastry chef Carol Gregg has some special designs for the occasion. The baby bites, which are adorned with icing, can now be ornamented with phrases

Strawberry baby bite.

such as “I love you” or “Be mine” and holiday themed sprinkles. The decorations will be included with Pastry Art’s regular bite ﬂavors that are all made fresh daily. For a little more than a mouthful, the bakery also offers specialty cakes, brownie pops and specialty decorated cupcakes.

The Funky Mufﬁn 4647 U.S. 280 408-9825 thefunkymufﬁnbakery.com

Chocolate whoopie pie.

The Funky Mufﬁn offers a wide variety of gluten free treats. Whether you prefer layer, loaf or cheese cakes, The Funky Mufﬁn has it all while also providing eight different cookie-types, cobblers and pies, cupcakes and sweet bars such as Caramel Chocolate and Peanut Butter.

The bakery has also been selected as one of the food makers for a new website that launched in December. DirectEats.com selected The Funky Mufﬁn as a provider of specialty foods to the marketplace, and they will offer reduced pricing and free shipping.

280Living.com

February 2015 • A21

Fresh strawberries Ashley Mac’s 5299 Valleydale Road 822-4142 ashleymacs.com Strawberries are the fruit of the February season, and Ashley Mac’s bakery aims to please this Valentine’s Day. Its best seller, which is quickly becoming a favorite among its customers, is the signature Strawberry Cake made with fresh strawberries. The

cakes also come in chocolate velvet, coconut and carrot cake if you prefer. Assortments of mini and regular sized cupcakes, pumpkin cheesecake bars, triple chocolate brownies and sweet & salty cookies are also available. You can even purchase sweet & salty cookie dough to make later.

“Heavenly” strawberry cake.

Death by chocolate Edgar’s Bakery 3407 Colonnade Parkway or 968-4031 6801 Cahaba Valley Road 408-0897 edgarsbakery.com Two locations off U.S. 280 gives customers two chances stop by Edgar’s Bakery. The bakery specializes in birthday cakes, standard and themed cakes along with scratch made pastries and desserts. Cakes come in almost any ﬂavor such as German chocolate, caramel, sundae and Italian crème. Petit Fours, or bite-sized cakes, and thumbprint cookies are

Chocolate mini-heart cake

also popular at Edgar’s. Edgar’s also makes a large assortment of cookies, bars, cheesecakes and pies. In February, the bakery will be making these special mini-cakes just big enough for two people to share. It will be available in strawberry, chocolate and yellow. You can reserve one online.

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280 Living

A22 â&#x20AC;˘ February 2015

Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gift Guide For the

OUTDOORSWOMAN Hunter Gloss Back Adjustable Rain Boots $158 This update to the classic rain boot can be adjusted at the back to tighten the fit. Alabama Outdoors 108 Inverness Plaza 980-3303

For the

FASHIONISTA Hand-strung pearl necklace $112 Beautifully hand-strung coin pearls on 44-inch thread. This piece can be worn multiple ways. Other styles in stock. Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace 6801 Cahaba Valley Road 980-4471

For the

DOG LOVER Preppy puppy treats $1.99 These gourmet treats are made from wholesome ingredients and are baked with tender loving care. Fancy Fur Pet Grooming & Boutique 5291 Valleydale Road 408-1693

For the

HOME DECORATOR Beautiful Antique Mirror Frame and Gift Certificate $20 for the frame Any amount for the gift certificate Give your valentine something to remember them by with an antique mirror frame. Gift certificates to Urban Home Market are also available for any amount. Urban Home Market 1001 Doug Baker Blvd. 980-4663

February

280Living.com

February 2015 • A23

For the

JEWELRY LOVER Three piece ensemble $450 A three piece set featuring genuine blue topaz in silver mountings. Threepiece amethyst sets are also available for $295. M&M Jewelers 440 Inverness Corners 991-0593

For a

HOPPY VALENTINE’S DAY Cowboy’s beer growler $5.99 Buy it once and bring the growler back to refill with another brew. Cowboy’s 5492 U.S. 280 981-0994

For the

GREEN THUMB Succulents in Small Hypertufa Planters $3-$7 Mini hen and chick succulents are a perfectly atypical way to tell a friend you’re thinking of them. Leaf & Petal 370 Summit Blvd. 967-3232

For the

FUN LOVER

Sleeps with dogs pillowcase $25.99 This cute 100 percent cotton pillowcase fits all queen/standard size pillows. Plain Jane 270 Doug Baker Blvd 991-1995

280 Living

A24 • February 2015

Your Health Today By Dr. Irma Leon Palmer

February is a perfect time to talk about love and your cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system is made up of your heart and all your blood vessels. Every day your heart beats about 100,000 times, sending blood through about 60,000 miles of blood vessels. Your blood’s job is to keep every organ and tissue in your body supplied with nutrients and to deliver messages in the form of hormones to different systems within the body. With every other system depending on the performance of the heart, making a conscious effort to care for your heart should be the easiest decision in the world. In February of 2014, the American Heart Association recommended moderate exercise for thirty minutes a day, five days a week to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. A sense of humor can also help protect your heart. Based on studies conducted in 2000, Dr. Richard Krasuski, cardiologist and director of Adult Congenital Heart Disease Services, found that laughter relaxes and expands the blood vessels causing a

20% increase in blood flow, making your heart that much more efficient. Although the medical community has only recently coined the term “lifestyle diseases” to describe the array of entirely preventable conditions (type-two diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and in many cases depression) people have known lifestyle’s role in health for thousands of years. Proverbs 13:4 states, “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” Practices like staying active, eating right and thinking positively have been known solutions to health issues for millennia. So, if everyone knows by now the link between lifestyle and cardiovascular health, how is heart disease responsible for 1 in every 4 deaths in the US according to the Center for Disease Control? Edgar Allan Poe, famous American poet, says of happiness, “I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.” While pessimistic, how

Love it or change it accurate is Poe’s statement? How many people spin their wheels, exerting as much effort as possible with no lasting effect? At Chiropractic Today, a lot of patients that complete our 21-day purification program say, “I cannot wait for this cleanse to be over so I can eat whatever I want again.” A cleanse is meant to instill lighter, brighter eating habits for life! Putting an expiration date on your effort to be healthy will ensure that it sours. We want you to function at 100% of your potential, 100% of the time. If no real, lasting change occurs, than we have missed our mark. How, then, do we make a real, life-altering impact? I love Chuck Palahniuk’s response to a fan who asked Chuck, “What is the meaning of life?” He said, “Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home… it is your responsibility to love it or change it.” Joy is the heart of lasting change, supplying every other part of our life with what it needs to function. Whatever brings you joy (your children, your spouse, your job, your friends…) is your

life-source, and bringing joy to others tends to backfire. Jesus said the second greatest commandment that man can keep is to love his neighbor as himself. The definition of love in I Corinthians 13 must then also apply to you. Be patient and kind with yourself. Results may come slowly. Do not be resentful or irritable with yourself. Let the love and joy you have for yourself and others provide you with patience and perseverance. Finding out what drives you is the first step toward lasting health. We are the second step. At Chiropractic Today we want to usher you into a new life of wellness and ease. To accomplish our goal we focus our efforts on improving five key areas of life: Faith, Neurological Connections, Eating, Moving and Thinking. Our Big 5 model has helped thousands find solutions to their individual health issues. We are here to answer any questions that may arise. Join us in our office for Wellness Workshop February 18th at 12:30 PM. Contact us via Facebook, e-mail or phone to schedule a free consultation or ask about the many services we offer.

280Living.com

February 2015 • A25

Silver

love PHOTOS AND STORY BY KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA

Both Gayle, 74, and Noble Edwards, 83, were married for about 50 years each before they met, started dating and married. Now the couple enjoys time together at the Danberry at Inverness retirement community, and Gayle is able to laugh as she remembers her grandson’s face when she proclaimed one day that her boyfriend was coming to pick her up. At this juncture in their life, they appreciate each other’s company and affection. “The companionship and love we have for each other is wonderful,” Noble said. “It is a rare thing in our age to be newly weds, but we love it.” Gayle and Noble Edwards have been married for a little over four years. They say their age has not interfered with the romance at their age, 74 and 83.

Noble surprises his bride with a long-stemmed red rose.

“I am thankful everyday for him, we get along rather well. He is quirky, and so am I,” Gayle said.

Gayle and Noble Edwards enjoy each other’s company after becoming single late in life.

Gayle and Noble celebrated Valentine’s Day a little early at their new apartment.

280 Living

A26 • February 2015

Preserve and

protect Wild About Chocolate event supports wildlife center By JESSA PEASE Coosa, Legacy and Natchez might be different bird species, but they all have one thing in common: they were rescued by the Alabama Wildlife Center in Oak Mountain State Park. The three raptors were brought in to the center with afﬂictions, such as gunshot wounds or broken talons. Now, because their injuries prevented them from being released, they serve as educational ambassadors for their species at the center. The Mississippi Kite (Natchez), the Barred Owl (Coosa) and the American Kestrel (Legacy)

will also be featured guests at this year’s Wild About Chocolate Valentine’s Day event. The 11th annual Valentine Gala beneﬁts the Alabama Wildlife Center and features a variety of chocolate desserts from Birmingham restaurants, caterers and bakeries. “It’ll be a great gathering of supporters in the community who believe in the program,” said the center’s executive director Doug Adair. “It’s Birmingham’s premier Valentine’s Day event, and it’s a great way to bring people together.” The event isn’t just an opportunity for fun, Adair said; it also enables the wildlife center to continue the work that they do and to make

Baby Raptor 1 will be presented to the public at the Wild About Chocolate event as an ambassador for the Great Horned Owls. Photo by Jessa Pease.

280Living.com

February 2015 • A27

BR1 was first found as this little ball of fuzz in Tuscaloosa. Photo courtesy of Doug Adair.

improvements its exhibits. Visitors to the center can walk through various public areas, but they might not know that hundreds of birds are healing around them. A middle room in the building is filled with baskets and boxes of songbirds, raptors and waterfowl. Groups of volunteers and the nonprofit’s small staff are constantly working to rescue, rehabilitate and release every bird brought to the clinic. Adair said they make use of as much space as possible for the birds; they even have a kind of condo of cages built for a recent influx of Screech Owls. Baby birds, whose season just ended, fill an entire back room. Adair said taking care of baby birds wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers

Ann Palmer, Erin Limerick and Congressman Gary Palmer with the American Kestrel, Legacy, at last year’s Wild About Chocolate event. Photo courtesy of Doug Adair.

because baby birds need to be fed every 30 minutes for 16 hours. The center sees about 2,000 birds a years, and there are hundreds of species. Wild About Chocolate’s fundraising makes caring for these animals possible. “We couldn’t do what we do without the people who want to preserve and protect,” Adair said. “We are really excited for this event.” Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of the event will be the presentation of BR1 or Baby Raptor 1. She is the first baby raptor and the first baby Great Horned Owl the Alabama Wildlife Center has treated, and she will be the star of Wild About Chocolate. BR1 will not remain her name, though. It’s a policy of the center to not name patients, and

they had every intention of releasing this baby bird when she came in. They found her in Tuscaloosa after a storm, but they couldn’t re-nest her because she showed evidence of predation. The bird went through the rehabilitation process, developing well, but before they released her, they found that she had a congenital eye defect. A specialized clinic determined that BR1 was not a candidate for surgery, so it was determined that she should stay at the center. Scottie Jackson, the director of education and outreach, works with BR1 often, and said they are lucky, in some ways, to gain such a wonderful ambassador for the Great Horned Owl. Not every animal can work with school groups for educational purposes, but BR1 has “the perfect

temperament for education.” She is a very easy-going, calm bird. Wild About Chocolate is right around BR1’s first birthday as well, so Jackson said it’s the perfect time to present her. The event will take place at the Harbert Center in Downtown Birmingham on Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. There will be a live and silent auction, along with live music. In addition to the chocolate desserts, there will be savory appetizers and complimentary beer and wine provided by local caterers and restaurants. Tickets are $75 in advance and $100 at the door. For more information, visit awrc.org.

280 Living

A28 • February 2015 HEALING

CONTINUED from page A1 Tremors In hindsight, Randy said that couples who reach the six- to 10-year mark often find that every issue surfaces, whether it’s how they deal with conflict or how they communicate. The newness of the marriage has worn off, Melody said, and the realities of life settle in. The Chelsea residents met their freshman year of college at Campbell University in 1993, and the young couple married in 1995 before moving to Birmingham two years later. The move was the first major adjustment Randy and Melody said they encountered in their relationship. They were in their 20s, facing the realities of life for the first time, and they were in a completely foreign place. “I think, at that point, we were very naïve because we thought, ‘Well, we’re fine. We are a strong couple,’” Melody said. “We were above facing major hurdles,” Randy added. “Yeah, or if we did then we would get through them. I think we were very naïve to think we wouldn’t go through what other people we knew were going to go through,” Melody said. Randy used the metaphor of tremors before an earthquake. He said that there were tremors in how they communicated, how they dealt with conflict or how they didn’t deal with it. Everything was happening below the surface, but neither Randy nor Melody knew how to verbalize what was happening. Earthquake In 2001, Melody began getting close to a male co-worker. At first, she said a lot of red flags went up in her head and she knew she was having feelings that she shouldn’t have, so she backed away. After some time had passed, she decided that she could be friends. “All the guards I’d put up I kind of let down,” Melody said. “So the friendship grew, and it was evident that there were feelings going both ways. The relationship just continued and progressed, and what had been a public friendship became a very secretive relationship.” The affair continued, on and off, for about

The Hemphills and their four children live in Chelsea, but their ministry is located in the town of Mt Laurel. Photo courtesy of Randy Hemphill.

two and a half years until December 2003 when Randy found out. Their entire world blew up, and Melody said neither of them knew what was going to happen or what they really wanted to happen. “It all collapsed,” Randy said. “The trigger event was this relationship Melody was in, but it also revealed, at that point, all the junk I brought in the marriage. We both realized the relationship we thought we had died, in a sense.” They considered divorce. For Melody, it was very hard to picture a future where they could be happily married again or where Randy wouldn’t think about the affair every time he looked at her. She had a lot of fear that they would still be stuck in the same place 10 years down the road. Although it was difficult for them both to take

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the initial step toward healing, they decided it was worth trying for their young son. “That was a big hurdle for me to just go, ‘OK, I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but I can make these decisions for today and trust God today. [I’ll] take the next step tomorrow,’” Melody said. Restoration The restoration of a relationship is based on the work the individuals put in to it, according to Randy. They both brought hurt into the relationship, and the affair forced them to deal with it. “It’s almost like when hardship happens, hardship forces you to take steps you wouldn’t normally take,” Randy said. “That’s what it did for us. Life was spiraling, so we said let’s begin

to take some steps. Slowly those steps started mending our own relationship.” Randy presented the antique keys to Melody in March of 2004. He said the first year was filled with intense work, but through their healing process, a new marriage was birthed. Looking back now, the couple said they can see so many good things that happened to them that first year, but it was harder to see in the midst of it. They dealt with all the hurt and baggage they carried, and they came out with new skills for communicating. “Before all this happened, I didn’t think this kind of marriage was possible,” Randy said. “Through the restoration side of it and what we have been able to build, it’s a marriage where you need each other without being needy with

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February 2015 • A29

The antique keys symbolize the journey Melody and Randy traveled in order to overcome infidelity and create a stronger foundation in their marriage. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.

each other.” They still fight, but it’s not about having a conflict-free marriage, Randy said. They have a whole new way of relating to each other, and both of their hearts are much fuller. Reversal As a way to get away from all of the hardship, they moved to Florida in 2005. No one would know what had happened, they wouldn’t have to revisit it, and they didn’t

have to live in the past, but Randy said God had a different plan for them. “During that time is when we started to feel like, ‘OK, we are supposed to do something with what we went through,’” Melody said. “We needed to share our story, and that was not what my plan had been.” But it wasn’t until a friend visited them in Florida that Melody felt she might want to share her story. The friend was in Florida dealing with a personal issue, and she was

surprised when he very openly expressed his problem. “The whole time I was listening to him I thought, ‘He has a freedom that I don’t have,’” Melody said. “I still felt ashamed. I didn’t want people to know. I just didn’t feel like it was OK for anyone else to know, but when I heard him share I thought, ‘I want whatever he has.’” It started as talking with friends and family, and the love and encouragement Melody received helped her take baby steps to sharing more. People seemed to appreciate the honesty Randy and Melody expressed, and the couple moved back to Birmingham in 2007 to begin counseling and ministering to others. In 2010, the couple started LIFE Ministries, a nonprofit organization committed to restoring the hearts of men and women, and they published the book Every Marriage Needs a Divorce. The book conveys all of the Hemphills’ experiences and explores the idea that parts of every marriage fade, which then births something new. “We got counseling and all of that, but talking to somebody who had actually been through what we had been through would have been huge,” Melody said. “We want somebody to know you are not alone, and you can make it.” Together they spend time meeting with individuals and couples to help them get through dark times, and Randy said they have witnessed many miracles. Couples have come in ready to sign divorce papers and left LIFE Ministries with newfound hope and love for each other. Randy and Melody will sometimes speak at retreats and conferences, but the bulk of the time they help others on the path to healing. “At the end of your life, if people are standing in a line to thank you, what do you want them to thank you for?” Randy said. “For us it would be a couple or a person saying, ‘[In] my darkest hour you were there for me.’” For more information about LIFE Ministries, visit lifeministriesnow.com. The Hemphills’ book, Every Marriage Needs a Divorce, is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

EXPRESS

CONTINUED from page A1 the parking lot, directly behind Express Oil Change and Hamburger Heaven. Only a small folding sign marks the bus stop, which has created some confusion for riders looking for the express route, according to a MAX driver on the route that stops at the store. Barbara Murdock, chief of staff at the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, said the service was averaging just one rider a day each way when it began. That number increased to two, then four. It climbed to eight and has held steady since then. She said MAX would be happy if the route eventually averages 20 riders. “We’re happy that we are seeing a steady increase,” Murdock said. Murdock said the area transit company plans to re-evaluate the route and interview riders to see what changes might need to be made. Frost would like to see the bus run at more times in the morning and afternoon. Currently the bus leaves Walmart at 5:45 and 6:30 a.m. and stops at The Summit before heading to its downtown stops: St. Vincent’s, UAB at 19th Street and University Boulevard, downtown at Sixth Avenue and 20th Street North and at the Social Security building. Outbound routes start at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. The one-way fare is $1.25. “It’s great,” Frost said of the bus, which seats 22 and offers amenities to appeal to commuters. “I love that we’re able to listen to music and use the Wi-Fi.” Right now, there is also plenty of room to spread out. On the frigid morning of Jan. 8, with temperatures in single digits when the bus made its first stop, just two riders used the service. One rider boarded at the route’s first stop in the Walmart parking lot. Frost prefers to board at The Summit. Frost plans to remain a steady customer. She had to drive her car to work one day when MAX was running a holiday schedule and wasn’t happy fighting traffic. “I was so upset,” she said. “I was like, ‘I wish I could be on the bus.’”

280 Living

A30 • February 2015

Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

What’s so great about marriage? When my sister got engaged years ago, she made an observation that I’ve since realized is very true. “So many people are negative about marriage,” she said. “When I say I’m engaged, they want to tell me how terrible it is.” Now, I know marriage is hard. I understand there’s a vast difference in the mindset of a new bride and a couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. I’m aware that some people have a reason to be down on marriage because their spouse put them through the wringer and when their marriage ended it was a blessing. But oftentimes, the negative mindset prominent in our culture is caused by looking at marriage the wrong way. Magnifying the bad instead of the good. Listening to people complain about their spouse and deciding we should complain, too. Blaming our spouses for everything that goes wrong and unloading frustration on them because the promise of “till death do us part” makes us feel safe enough to do so. What gets lost in all this negativity is the spiritual aspect, the understanding of how marriage — as the deepest, most intimate relationship possible with another human — is meant to draw us closer to God. How marriage is a vehicle to discover not only earthly joy, but also heavenly joy, a taste of what’s to come. How the real goal is to help each other become better people and grow into God’s image. The most helpful marriage advice I’ve ever heard, in fact, came during a church service two years ago. During a liturgy, a priest said: “The

purpose of marriage is to help each other get to heaven. The reason marriage doesn’t exist in heaven is because you don’t need it once you’re there.” Wow. If only someone had told me that when I was young bride who thought it was my husband’s job to keep me happy (because frankly, he’s great at that). If only I’d thought more about our salvation and less about my wants, I could have asked myself all along whether my words and actions might help or hinder my husband’s spiritual journey. At the heart of every marriage are two sinners. Each person has weaknesses and flaws. But each person also has strengths and talents. And when you pool your strengths together, you can help compensate for the weaknesses. You can find a solidarity that isn’t possible alone. Still, it’s easy to be skeptical of marriage. It’s easy to listen to the naysayers and divorce rate that warn against it and wonder what’s so great about marriage anyway. I’ve been married 16 years, and while I still have a lot to learn, I see clearly why marriage exists. And if a bride-to-be asked for my advice, I’d tell her this: }} Marriage is awesome and so fun. But keep realistic expectations and know upfront that you’ll have ups and downs. Expect some hard times, and they won’t shock you. You’ll work through them and emerge stronger on the other side. }} It’s really cool when you react to someone’s

story, and they tell you, “That’s exactly what your husband said!” After this happens four or five times, you realize you’re thinking with a common mind. You two have become one. }} Pray with your spouse. Read the Bible. Go to church and bow your heads before the Lord, humbly worshiping side-by-side. There are a 1,000 ways to build intimacy, but a spiritual connection makes every other connection deeper and richer. It’s the glue that keeps you together. }} Get ready to laugh a lot. Because in your private world, minor incidents become inside jokes that remain funny 20 years later. Other people won’t get them, and that’s the point. They’re only funny to the two of you. }} It’s okay to argue, but don’t be hateful or mean. When you disagree, look for a compromise. Meet in the middle or go with whomever holds a stronger opinion. }} Let your husband’s love teach you about Christ’s love. When he says you’re beautiful without makeup, when he hears your biggest secrets and loves you the same, when he forgives you or shows grace, when he goes to work every morning to provide for the family, when he lights up at the sight of you, when he holds you tight in bed at night because you’re crying over a bad day, this is how God reveals Himself through your marriage. Take the love your husband gives you, and share it back with him and others. This is how God’s kingdom grows. }} Kids definitely add stress to a marriage. Kids

also bring you closer together because you’re constantly bonding and marveling over the beautiful creatures you created. Like your spouse, God will use your children to reveal Himself. And through all these intimate relationships, He seeks to make you a better person. In short, there’s a major upside to marriage. But only with God at the center does it work. Only when marriage is used as God intends, as a means to heal, restore and redeem the two lives joined as one, can the benefits be realized. “The purpose of marriage is to help each other get to heaven. The reason marriage doesn’t exist in heaven is because you don’t need it once you’re there.” When I reflect on these words, I want to be a better person and a better wife. I want heaven as much for my husband as I do myself. And in that divine framework, I hear the negativity of our culture drowned out by the call of God, a God who created the gift of marriage so we can bring our partner home with us, and spend eternity with the one who taught us how to love and be loved, how to know Christ and how to be like Christ to everyone we encounter. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Birminghammom of four girls, columnist and blogger for The Huffington Post. Her first book, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know is now available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Join her Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer,” visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@karikampakis.com.

280Living.com

February 2015 • A31

Opinion My South By Rick Watson

Lonely beach I was stationed at Fort Sherever-present there. man in Panama in the early My time in Panama was 1970s when it was a remote almost like a silent retreat. I Army complex on the Atlandedicated a lot of my free time tic end of the canal. The fort to snorkeling, which is a beautiwas situated on a small finger ful solitary experience, or walkof land separating the Bay of ing on the beach alone. Colón and the Atlantic Ocean. Most afternoons I’d sit by the There were several barracks ocean with waves washing my feet, thinking about my life and and some housing for officers, but less than 30 full-time resifeeling small in comparison to dents lived there. The soldiers the world around me. worked at Battery Pratt, a comWhen I got out of the Army Watson munications bunker dug into a after 18 months in the tropics, cliff at the edge of the Atlantic. I was “as brown as a hickernut” as my fatherThe isolation drove some of the soldiers in in-law, Sharkie, used to say. I was glad to get our barracks crazy. Most of them came from home, but when my life got crazy, I missed big cities or other places surrounded by lots of those silent walks on lonely beaches. I still do. people, but it suited me just fine. This past week was my birthday, and to The best part was that I could walk outside celebrate, my wife Jilda and I went to Gulf the barracks and throw a rock into the Bay Shores to spend a few days in the sun and of Colón. sand. Every day was sunny, and the ocean was a It was beautiful all three days but the wind short walk away. off the water was as cold as a snow cone, so Palm trees grew almost to the water’s edge, we bundled up each time we walked. If you like solitude, winter is a much better and I often found fresh coconuts ready to crack open with a rock. The beaches were narrow in time to go, but even then, the beach is a long places and the sand was brown as a lunch sack, way from being isolated. but there were seashells as big as my hand. I did a web search for Fort Sherman when I It was an easy duty station and I got off at got the idea for this column, and it looks like three each afternoon. Every weekend was free the place changed since the early 70s. There except for the occasional drill. So, I spent a lot is a hotel situated on my lonely beach. That of time walking on lonely beaches. makes sense because I’d bet there are many I had basic training at Fort Campbell, Ken- people like me who’d love to have a chance tucky, and my advanced electronics training to walk on a lonely beach. station was just outside of New York City at Rick Watson is a columnist and author. His latest book Life Happens is available on Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. Kentucky wasn’t too bad, but New Jersey Amazon.com. You can contact him at rick@ was like an anthill. The drone of traffic was rickwatsonmedia.com

A different brand of Valentine By Madoline Markham One Valentine’s Day, I expeI could use these examrienced three dates in one night. ples for platforms about how The catch? None of them was women “get” women in a way mine. Somehow at the end of men never will and can gift the evening, all three of my them pieces of love accordroommates and their signifiingly. Actually, I have already cant others ended up exchangdone that, but I will stop at this ing flowers and thoughtful gifts point in this column. in three different rooms in our Not much is really known house, just as I arrived home about Saint Valentine, a quick from a rather enjoyable, chocInternet search reveals, but we olate-laden night with friends. do know that he was martyred, Needless to say, that combinagiving up himself for something Markham tion can throw off the emotional greater he believed in. So that’s state of even the most content single woman. how I am approaching this season, asking how But what stands out most about that Val- I can give others something beyond the hearts entine’s was not the night of the three dates of all shapes and colors, cheesy sentiments but what I found the next morning. I emerged and stuffed animals that no one over age 10 from my room to see a bouquet with a beau- cares about. tifully scripted note addressed to me. The Instead of just ignoring mass market Valunique flowers, arranged like — pardon my entine’s, I am asking how I can be intentional stereotype — only a creative female can, stood to show love to those around me — the more out from the other three fancy, yet slightly unexpected the act, the better. And it won’t just generic, sets of roses elsewhere in the house. be in the form of chocolate (although you will You see, there is something about friends find me eating confections and stocking up on going off script to do something for you that the candy sale cart on Feb. 15). says love in a way even the most well intenHow special would this month be if we all tioned sweetheart couldn’t. It wasn’t about the go out and select bouquets, literal or figurative, flowers themselves as much as the thought for people in our lives who we sense would behind them. They were almost as treasured as value it most? That would easily surpass even my other favorite Valentine’s present that year, the feeling that Disney tells us three dates in a note from a friend that articulated poignantly one night with Prince Charming should evoke. what she admired about our friendship.

6001 Crestwood Boulevard Birmingham, Alabama 35212 www.arcofjeff.org/recyclability

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

SECTION

Community B2 School House B14 Sports B18 Calendar B24

Blazer to

Bulldog Chelsea’s Jake Ganus turns UAB football shutdown into an SEC opportunity at Georgia By DAVID KNOX When Jake Ganus was a senior at Chelsea High School, the quarterback/linebacker was rated the 49th-best prospect in the state of Alabama by Scout.com. Not bad, but deﬁnitely not SEC material.

Three standout seasons at UAB, however, including leading the Blazers defense this season with 70 tackles — 16.5 for loss and six sacks — culminating in second-team Conference USA honors garnered the linebacker some attention when UAB President Ray Watts killed the UAB football program after the season.

In fact, the former Chelsea Hornets star was contacted by more than 40 schools and picked up 18 ﬁrm offers. He settled on the University of Georgia, where he has already enrolled and will play this fall per NCAA rules that allow a stu-

See GANUS | page B22

Former UAB player Jake Ganus will start football at UGA this fall. Photo courtesy of UAB.

280 Living

B2 • February 2015

Community New Neighbors League hosts luncheon Last Christmas, the New Neighbors League celebrated the holidays by hosting a luncheon at the Inverness Country Club with a toy drive for the Developmental Care Team/NICU at Children’s of Alabama. Over 30 club members attended the event, raising $650 in cash, gift cards and hundreds of toys. The generous donation provides toys for parents and for staff members to use in play to encourage the developmental growth of Children’s youngest patients. For more information, visit newneighborsbirmingham. com.

Customers can browse through all sorts of clothing, toys and books at the Giggles and Grace Consignment. Photo courtesy of Barkley Busby.

Officers of the New Neighbors League at their Christmas luncheon. Photo courtesy of Arthur Carbonara.

Good buys at Giggles and Grace

Greystone Ladies collect items for Hannah Home

Giggles and Grace Consignment Sale is returning to Asbury United Methodist Church this February. Clothes, toys, books, shoes, baby furniture and many other items are available for purchase during the sale, scheduled for Feb. 13 and 14 at Asbury UMC. The sale will be open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 13 and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 14 with select items 50 percent off Feb. 14. The sale is conducted by a staff of volunteers, and proceeds from the sale are used to pay the consigners. All remaining proceeds are given to the Asbury UMC children’s program and various mission groups in the area. For more, visit asburygigglesandgrace.com.

By JESSA PEASE Greystone Ladies Club’s annual Christmas party collected donations for Hannah Home Shelby Auxiliary, a shelter for abused and homeless women and their children. Last year’s hostess chose to collect for a Ukrainian orphanage group, but this year hostess Janie Dollar suggested the an organization where she volunteers.

“It was great,” Dollar said. “I know the Greystone Ladies Club would help. We actually have several members who are involved with Hannah Home.” The 30 women filled boxes with twin-sized sheets, blankets, cleaning supplies and laundry detergent. In coordination with donations from a private party, the club donated about $650. “It couldn’t have worked out any better,” Dollar said.

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February 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B3

280 Living

B4 • February 2015

True community

health One Nineteen holds set of screenings on Heart Day By JESSA PEASE At St. Vincent’s Health Systems, the biggest part of awareness is action. So knowing heart disease, strokes and high blood pressure are the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, St. Vincent’s made the decision to reach out. For the 11th year, St. Vincent’s will host Heart Day at each of its 11 locations, including St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. On Feb. 21, from 6-11 a.m. the health systems will offer three tests — a lipid profile, a blood pressure screening and a basic metabolic profile — and a T-shirt for only $30. “As we move toward trying to keep people healthy, which is the model St. Vincent’s has

been working toward… part of that is prevention, and part of that is screening,” said Allison Crotwell, St. Vincent’s marketing manager and coordinator of Heart Day. There are a certain number of spots available at each St. Vincent’s location, and Crotwell said their goal is to fill and serve everyone who has an interest in finding out more about their health. The price, she said, is the same as a co-pay, which is less than the normal costs for those screenings. “Because there are so many different insurance offerings, we feel that this is the price point that is very affordable,” Crotwell said. “That’s important to us that it’s very affordable. We are an organization that really lives our mission: to serve the poor

St. Vincent’s One Nineteen will be offering three heart screening test and a free T-shirt for $30 one day this month. Photo courtesy of St. Vincent’s Health System.

and vulnerable.” She added that the staff at St. Vincent’s health system wants to make sure they are still out there, available and providing services and healthcare to people. Heart Day gives the staff the opportunity to do just that. St. Vincent’s looks forward to Heart Day every year, Crotwell said, and they sponsor the Go Red For Women: Fight Heart Disease in Women organization. “You can talk all day long about health and wellness,” Crotwell said. “If you’re not offering resources to the community first, then I think that there is a disconnect.” To register for St. Vincent’s Heart Day, call Dial-A-Nurse at 939-7878. Registration ends Feb. 13.

Heart Day St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Feb. 21, 6-11 a.m. Register by Feb. 13. $30 fee includes lipid profile, a blood pressure screening, a basic metabolic profile and a T-shirt. To register, call Dial-A-Nurse at 939-7878.

280Living.com

February 2015 • B5

POWER TO

BUILD DREAMS

Safe, affordable, reliable electricity is one form of power we provide, but not the only one. Meet Sharon Scott. She has a new home that’s affordable, comfortable and energy efficient. With help from Habitat for Humanity and Alabama Power, Sharon will have a comfortable place to call home for years to come. That’s power to help build dreams. That’s Power to Alabama.

Read Sharon’s story at AlabamaPowerRealTalk.com.

POWI-3857 P2BuildDreams 10x7.5_Starnes.indd 1

1/21/15 4:17 PM

280 Living

B6 • February 2015

OMHS alumnae campaign for Miss Auburn title By JESSA PEASE

This month, five Auburn University students are vying to be named Miss Auburn, and two of them are Oak Mountain High School graduates. The winner will serve as an ambassador and the official hostess of the university. Campaign week at the school will begin Feb. 4 and end with voting day Feb. 10.

Caroline Beauchaine

Mi’a Callens

Caroline Beauchaine celebrates with her brother James on the night she was announced as one of five candidates to campaign for Miss Auburn. Photo courtesy of Caroline Beauchaine.

Public relations major President of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, senator in SGA and member of Omicron Delta Kappa honor society

Q A

Why did you decide to go to Auburn University? I fell in love with Auburn during my senior year of high school. At my first Auburn football game, the Auburn University Marching Band played “Sweet Caroline,” and I felt like they were playing it for me. I knew I had to go to Auburn after that.

Q A

What made you want to participate in the Miss Auburn campaign? I have always viewed the role of Miss Auburn with very high regard and was so honored to receive a nomination to interview for the position. As a Top Five candidate for Miss Auburn, I will campaign on a platform I am passionate about while also striving to embody all that Auburn means to me.

Did you participate in any similar activities while you were at Oak Mountain High School? I participated in the school pageant held each year as well as Shelby County’s Distinguished Young Women program. I was also a member of the Oak Mountain Masters, a group of students who serve as the ambassadors of the school, similar to the role of Miss Auburn.

Q A

If elected, what goals would you hope to achieve as Miss Auburn? I hope to represent the university and my peers well while

continuing to improve and grow the role of Miss Auburn. I also want to make a difference across campus and in the community by fulfilling my platform.

Q A

What has been the most challenging part of this process? This process has been so much fun, and I have received tremendous support and encouragement from countless friends and family along the way. The most challenging part has been planning a weeklong campaign that incorporates my passion and is something the entire student body can embrace.

Q A

If you could go back to high school and give yourself any piece of advice, what would it be? Be confident in yourself! I love Dr. Seuss’s quote, “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is You-er than You!” So many times I think back to who I was in high school and wish I had been confident in myself or an idea that I had. The pressure to conform does not go away in college, so this quote has become one that I live by. Be confident in yourself and embrace who you are and what you stand for because no one else can be like you.

Q A

Do you have any fun random facts about yourself? I love to cook but I’m not very good. My latest challenge has been mastering French macarons!

Mi’a Callens said connecting with people and audiences has always her passion, which is why she chose to enter the broadcast journalism field. Photo courtesy of Mi’a Callens.

Broadcast journalism major Miss Patriot 2015

Q A

Why did you decide to go to Auburn University? As soon as you step foot onto Auburn University’s campus you feel a sense of unity and family. Throughout my search for a university that I would call home for the next four years, Auburn University always had a spark about it. I am so proud to call the university my home away from home.

Q A

What made you want to participate in the Miss Auburn campaign? Having the opportunity to run for Miss Auburn is a true honor. Miss Auburn is an official hostess of Auburn University and has been a tradition since 1935. It would be an honor to have the opportunity to leave a legacy on this long-held tradition and represent the university that I love, and being a Top Five candidate allows us Top Five to leave a legacy.

Q A

Do you participate in any extracurricular activities? I have been involved in fine arts my entire life. Dance, theater, voice and show choir are a few of my passions. I also have a personal community service platform that is

near and dear to my heart. I am very involved in the Miss America Organization. I am actually Miss Patriot 2015 and I will be competing in Miss Alabama in June. The Miss Alabama and Miss America Organization mean so much to me because the organization has helped mold me into the person I am today.

Q A

If you could go back to high school and give yourself any piece of advice, what would it be? I would have told my high school self to journal my experiences. I had so many incredible experiences that sometimes it is hard to remember some of the details. I would have loved to read those journals and have those special keepsakes.

Q A

Do you have any fun random facts about yourself? I have a blog site entitled miasandriel.com. It is a lifestyle blog that touches topics such as fashion and wellness. It’s a wonderful creative outlet. I also have a pet hedgehog named Olive. She is super sassy and hilarious. I am a lemonade connoisseur and movie buff.

280Living.com

February 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B7

280 Living

B8 • February 2015

Date night

By JESSA PEASE Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest date nights of the year, and it often sends couples searching for the perfect dimly lit steak house or Italian bistro. Instead of a standard dinner menu, two Summit establishments, Seasons 52 and Sur la Table offer unique experiences for couples.

at The Summit For a casually sophisticated meal

Seasons 52 offers a wide variety of mini indulgences in ﬂavors like eggnog mousse with a fresh-made ginger snap, peanut butter crunch, key lime pie, southern-style pecan pie, blueberry and lemon curd, mocha macchiato and Belgian chocolate s’more. Photo by Jessa Pease.

At Seasons 52, the night begins with a champagne toast and ends with a tower of mini indulgences, topped with a sparkling candle,. “We are known as a special occasion destination, so we do a lot of birthdays and anniversary celebrations,” said Michael Gambino, the Seasons 52 Birmingham managing partner. “We’ve actually had people that got engaged at our restaurant, and then they celebrate their anniversary here.” Gambino said Seasons 52’s ever-changing menu, which is printed weekly, focuses on what is in season, and every meal meets a 475-calorie maximum by using unique cooking techniques such as oak ﬁre grilling. “We are considered a casually sophisticated concept, so we aren’t stuffy like a steak house,” Gambino said. “We like to use a lot of earth tones so you will see a lot of river stone and earth tone colors.” He said the blue tones in the wallpaper and the tile represent water, stonework and mahogany

represent Earth and Seasons 52 features a fireplace at the front of the restaurant. This Valentine’s Day, Seasons 52 will be taking reservations and will still feature its winter menu, filled with dark vegetables such as caramelized Brussels sprouts and proteins like venison chops. Wine pairings will also be available. Seasons 52 has its own master sommelier who puts together a list of wines from all over the world. Guests are invited to sample the wines before choosing a favorite. “He really highlights wines that you wouldn’t normally know about or order,” Gambino said. “[They are] things that he finds to be interesting and it really lets the guests branch out.” To finish off the night, mini indulgence dessert shooters come in flavors such as eggnog mousse with a fresh-made ginger snap, peanut butter crunch, key lime pie, southern-style pecan pie, blueberry and lemon curd, mocha macchiato and Belgian chocolate s’more.

Mortgage rates predicted to rise in 2015

inancial analysts are predicting a rise in mortgage rates in 2015. This could deter some would-be buyers from entering the real estate market. Come hear what some of Birmingham’s top professionals in

tions that you may have. Find out if listing your house now will give you an advantage in the market before the rates go up. Speakers at this seminar include Andy Widener, appraiser; TJC and someone who specializes in staging your home to help your house sell quickly and at maximum sales price.

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR RISING INTEREST RATES?

The event is free to the public and will be held February 8, at 4:00 p.m. at South Oak Title. Their address is 2803 Greystone Commercial Blvd., #12, Birmingham, AL 35242. For more information or directions, please call Terry Crutchfield at 205-873-3205 or Debbie Burks at 205-261-5160.

280Living.com

February 2015 • B9

Seasons 52

Sur la Table

245 Summit Blvd. 115 Summit Blvd. 298-6382 968-5152 surlatable.com seasons52.com

More date-night dining at The Summit Fleming’s Steakhouse 262-9463

Date Night cooking instructor Chef Nadia Ruiz prepares appetizers for a Passport to Italy class at Sur La Table. Photo by Jessa Pease.

For an interactive experience For most couples, jumping on a plane to Paris, Italy or Spain isn’t an option this Valentine’s Day, but they can divulge in the ﬂavors of those countries at Sur la Table. Through Sur la Table’s Date Night classes, couples can discover a variety of cooking styles as they prepare a multiple-course meal together. All the Date Nights are themed around countries or styles of cooking such as the Tour of Paris night, which features frisee salad, crispy salmon with french lentils and whole grain mustard crème fraîche, potato galette and lemon soufﬂé. Chef Nadia Ruiz divides students into groups of two couples. She said the

experience is usually interesting because the couples are doing something they normally wouldn’t. “The most fun thing about doing the date nights is that you are interacting with the couple, so you see the dynamic in their house,” Ruiz said. “So you are able to tailor it to how that couple works and how they work together.” Although the most common themes are Spanish, French and Italian for the classes, Sur la Table offers many more including seafood and Chinese nights. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Sur la Table is offering a Romantic Dinner For 2 class on Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m., and two Italian Romance classes on Feb. 14 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Romantic Dinner For 2 features a menu of spinach salad with warm sherry vinaigrette, porcini-crusted beef tenderloin with chocolate-port sauce, roasted fingerling potatoes and caramel pot de crème with cocoa nib cookies, while the Italian Romance features handmade fettuccine with fennel and garlic cream, pan seared diver scallops with orange gremolata, arugula salad and rose cream-filled profiteroles with dark chocolate drizzle. “It’s not like going to a restaurant for your date night and sitting down, getting served and just talking about something for a couple hours,” Ruiz said. “It is something that is very interactive, and they are both engaging.”

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280 Living

B10 • February 2015

Southern storyteller offers

‘salty to cut the sweet’ Inverness’ Sophie Hudson, a.k.a. Boo Mama, releases second book By MADOLINE MARKHAM Sophie Hudson writes like she talks. Others tell her it sounds Southern. “I write everyday stuff in everyday language,” she said. “To me, it’s not distinctive. It’s the job of everyday life — family and friends and faith and fried chicken and TV — whatever I am thinking about.”

“

A whole host of life’s problems can be solved with chips, cheese dip, and people who love you sitting around the table.

”

Writing feels like talking to a small group of friends for her, but it is no longer contained to the journal she started at age 15. You’ll find her humorous voice on The Pioneer Woman’s website’s entertainment posts, speaking as an emcee for LifeWay’s DotMom women’s conferences and occupying the pages of her two books.

Blogger and author Sophie Hudson often writes from the Panera Bread at Lee Branch and other places along the 280 corridor. Her second book releases this month. Photo by Madoline Markham.

2704 20th Street South, Homewood, AL 35209

280Living.com Her blog, boomama.net, guarantees laughter with a side of warm, fuzzy feelings about the South, faith and family, but if it weren’t for this story, you might not know that she’s your neighbor (she’s been an Inverness resident for eight years) and has spent her days just down the street teaching English at Briarwood Christian High School for 13 years. Her late-night daily journaling habits transitioned to blogging in 2005. “I downloaded things at the end of the day,” she said. “That’s what I am still doing.” As to her blog name, her now 11-year-old son Alex, whose nickname is Boo, was born in Baton Rouge, where Hudson said people tend to the leave the possessive “s” off of words. So she became Boo Mama, and so did her blog. Soon, she connected with what she said felt like a small community of bloggers writing about family at the time. The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, would later write that Hudson “is hilariously appreciative of her very Southern roots” and “writes as if you’re sitting on her front porch drinking a tall glass of sweet tea.” Ann Vosscamp, author of New York Times bestseller One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, calls Hudson “Jerry Seinfeld in a skirt and a huge heart for Jesus.” The BooMama blog has an audio facet as well. She and her friend, Melanie Shankle, who writes thebigmamablog.com from her home in San Antonia, had long talked on the phone every afternoon, and after overhearing them, Sophie’s husband, David, suggested they start a podcast. “It cracks me up that people will listen to it,” Hudson said. “It’s not about anything. We don’t plan it.” As she continued to blog, Hudson

February 2015 • B11

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Ordinary, simple, every day life is all the more beautiful because of the people God has placed on our path.

had an idea for a book but never thought it would become reality. That changed in the fall of 2011 when a publisher approached her. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet came out in June 2013. Others have called it a love letter to her family. Hudson grew up around a lot of family in Meridian, Miss., and someone was always telling a story. Her

mom and grandfather were the best storytellers, she said. “I was thinking about nephews and nieces and son and how they were not growing up in the same way, surrounding by family,” she said. “I wanted to document where they came from, and who they came from.” What Hudson wrote resonated with her mom. The first four or five times

”

when she visited her mom after A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet was published, her mom was reading the book. After A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet, Hudson fell in love with the process of book writing. A few months later, she was driving down Altadena Road when the idea for her next book came to her. Home Is Where My People Are releases on Feb. 2. Its stories center

more on her friends around a theme of home. “I have learned that home is about where your people are and how the Lord uses every stop in the road for a specific purpose,” Hudson said. Although she doesn’t mention it by name, one chapter recounts her and her husband’s journey to becoming members at the Church at Brook Hills 11 years ago. They had both grown up Methodist and previously been part of an Episcopal Church — but never a church with contemporary worship. “As much as we couldn’t see ourselves there, we couldn’t get over how much we were learning,” she said. The bookend chapters focus on a place she said she is “borderline obsessive” about, Birmingham. It’s the first place that felt like home for her little family, she said, after living in Starkville and Jackson, Miss., and Baton Rouge as an adult. “When we moved here, we didn’t know a soul, and we didn’t know why we were moving here,” she said. “Now looking back I can name 100 reasons why I think this is where [God] wanted us.” Hudson is already talking with her publisher about her next book idea. “It’s exhausting, but it’s so fun,” she said. “I start to miss the puzzle of what connects stories. There is something sweet about that process. It’s a tender thing for me how the Lord is so faithful in that process. It’s not easy but it’s worth it.” After all, days dedicated to writing are “big time fun” to her. To get regular dose of Hudson’s writing or learn more about her books, visit boomama.net. Her books are available from all major retailers, including Amazon, Books-A-Million, LifeWay and Barnes & Noble.

280 Living

B12 • February 2015

At home in Bern and Birmingham Dual citizens bring Swiss culture to Alabama By SYDNEY CROMWELL Switzerland was the last thing on Anne Häne’s mind when she started singing with a choir in South Carolina. However, it was through that choir that she met her husband, Bernard, who was born and raised in the Swiss capital of Bern. She ended up falling so in love with the country that she earned her dual citizenship this year and started the Swiss Club of Alabama. The Hänes were married in 2000 and participated in Swiss American societies while living in South Carolina and Atlanta. When Bernard accepted a job at UAB, however, they were disappointed to find out that Alabama did not have a similar club. Anne decided to track down local Swiss families, but she did not have much luck until the Swiss Consulate in Atlanta called to check on the Hänes after the April 2011 tornadoes. “I just thought that was the nicest thing I’d ever heard of,” Anne said. Anne told the consulate about her mission, and they helped her get in touch with the Swiss population of Alabama, which numbers more than 200. Around 35 people came to the first meeting, and about 65 came to their Swiss Independence Day picnic in August 2011. “We all got excited to find each other,” Anne said. The Swiss Club of Alabama now has about 30 regular members who live all across the state. Many

Anne Häne holds photos of Bettmeralp, Bern and the Matterhorn from one of her trips to Switzerland. One of Häne’s pins was given to her by the Swiss Consulate when she received dual citizenship, and the other was a gift from her husband, Bernard. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

members can trace their family heritage back to Swiss cities from Arbon to Zurich. However, anyone with a Swiss friend or a general interest in

the country is welcome to join. “We call it ‘Swiss friends and friends of Swiss,’” Anne said. As the president, Anne leads the

club from her home off Dunnavant Valley Road, but the major events are held in different areas to ease the travel burden for members. Some of

the events have included a chocolate tasting, a fondue dinner and an annual Christmas party featuring “Samichlaus” bearing gifts for the children. The Hänes have made many friends through the club and also found Swiss connections in surprising places. When Bernard placed a Swiss bumper sticker on his car one day, a neighbor soon knocked on their door to tell the Hänes about her parents’ early years in Switzerland. The neighbor is now a club member. “It’s just such a good thing and so much fun, and we’ve met so many nice people,” Anne said. While she has enjoyed the taste of Swiss culture in Birmingham, Anne has also been captivated by her visits to her husband’s home country. It was the beautiful landscape, the great food and the warm welcome of her in-laws that made Anne decide to apply for dual citizenship. She has seen the Matterhorn, Lake Geneva and many other famous sights, but Anne’s favorite place is Bettmeralp, a tiny skiing village that Bernard’s family has visited since his childhood. “It’s just a whole great, big, wonderful adventure to be connected to Switzerland like that,” Anne said. “It’s just so much fun to know people from other countries and to be involved. I just feel so accepted by the wonderful people I’ve met and Bernie’s family.” To learn more, visit swissclubalabama.com.

280Living.com

February 2015 • B13

XTERRA triathlon returns to Oak Mountain

Last year, riders dodged slick roots and rocks as they competed in the 20-mile mountain bike race. Photo courtesy of XTERRA .

USA Triathlon has announced that the 10th XTERRA Southeast Championship will be held at Oak Mountain State Park on May 16. The spring event will also serve as the 2015 USA Triathlon Off-Road National Championship race and a qualifier for both the 2015 XTERRA World Championship and the 2016 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship races. “Outdoor sports enthusiasts from around the world have discovered that Shelby County’s Oak Mountain State Park provides unparalleled resources,” Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock wrote in a Dec. 16 press release. “Last year we had competitors from eight countries and more than 30 states. Our collaborations with the state of Alabama, city of Pelham, Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers and other organizations have made extensive improvements possible to the already top-rated course, creating a destination for the serious competitor or for

those discovering the thrills of outdoor sports.” Athletes will compete in a 1.5-kilometer swim, 30-kilometer mountain bike ride and a 10-kilometer trail run for a $15,000 prize. XTERRA will also offer a shorter distance sprint race of a 750-meter swim, a 15-kilometer mountain bike ride and a 5-kilometer trail run. Relay team events along with 5-, 10- and 15-kilometer races will also be available. “We’re excited to bring the USAT National Championship to Oak Mountain State Park,” XTERRA World Tour managing director Dave Nicholas said. “The course itself is one of the best in the world and provides and honest challenge for participants. It’s also a great location to host a big event with a wealth of amenities, great food, tons of lodging options and the most welcoming locals you’ll find anywhere.” All XTERRA races are open to the public. Registration will open soon at Xterrapelham. com

60 YEARS STRONG! Highland Lakes hosts coat drive By JESSA PEASE For Christmas last year, Terry Crutchfield wanted to do something special. So the Highland Lakes resident made signs to put up in her neighborhood, and she spread the word through social media that she was collecting coats to be donated to Young Stars Inc. and the YWCA Interfaith Hospitality House for Families. People were instructed to drop coats, hats, gloves and scarves off at the front or back gate of the neighborhood so that Crutchfield could pick them up. She never expected the response she would get from Warming Communities. “I was overwhelmed by the response the neighborhood had to the drive,” Crutchfield said. “It was a lot of coats.” In fact, Crutchfield said the amount she was able to donate filled her car to the brim with about 130 coats and a whole bag filled with gloves, scarves and hats. She held the collection up until Dec. 14 and was able to donate the coats to both nonprofits before Christmas. Crutchfield, a Realtor with Remax Southern Homes on U.S. 280, said she picked the Young Stars Inc. and the Interfaith Hospitality House through a friend who is works directly with the groups. Young Stars Inc. is an organization devoted to improving the lives of young

Terry Crutchfield

people through sports education, and Interfaith is a homeless shelter where families can stay together. Crutchfield plans to hold the coat drive again this year due to last year’s success. “I’d love to get more, maybe even double the amount.”

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280 Living

B14 • February 2015

School House OMHS percussion ensemble place ﬁrst at competition

Liberty Park Middle School names teacher of the year

Brooke Izurieta

OMHS’s percussion ensembles competed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. Photo courtesy of Dawn Clemons.

Last month two of Oak Mountain High School’s Chamber Percussion Ensembles competed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The competition was composed of top high school bands all over the world. This competition requires students to play highlevel chamber percussion literature with up to six members without a conductor. The Oak Mountain Percussion Ensemble I performed Escape Velocity by Dave Hall and Ogoun Badagris by Christopher Rouse. Percussion Ensemble II performed Breakdown by Bradley Slayter. Both of the Oak Mountain Percussion Ensembles

had superior performances and received many positive comments from the judges. Percussion Ensemble I came in ﬁrst place overall in the competition. Amelia Enix, Everett Clemons, Sam Williams, Yuri Takayama and Joseph Wendel made up the ensemble I, and Sullivan Smith, Jacob Nelson, Mason Stevens and Chris Tanahey comprised ensemble II. Oak Mountain High School has over 30 percussion students in the various bands and two full time Chamber Percussion Ensembles. They are all under the direction of Kevin Ownby, who serves as our percussion specialist as well as director of bands.

Brooke Izurieta has been named Liberty Park Middle School’s nominee for Alabama Teacher of the Year. Izurieta has taught for eight years, spending seven at Liberty Park Middle School and one at Chelsea Middle School. She has a bachelor’s of art degree in Spanish with a minor in history and a 6th-12th certiﬁcation from Birmingham-Southern College. She also has a master’s in English as a second language from UAB. Izurieta said she tries to create an inviting, interactive and creative environment to motivate students to learn Spanish in her classroom. “If they are having fun and creating they are learning — which inspires them to keep going at the

high school level and beyond,” Izurieta said. “I also think that with learning a language it is important to consider all types of learners, and I try to incorporate activities in my lessons each day that help learners of all learning styles.” One of her favorite lessons to teach is vocabulary for emotions in Spanish. After she teaches the vocabulary, she has the students create a presentation using Photobooth. The students take photos of each emotion and come up with a sentence about that emotion. Currently her eighth grade students are studying the family and the house. Students will begin creating family trees to describe their family in Spanish.

“We got exactly the house we wanted” When Lynlee and Alan Palmer decided to sell their home and buy more space for son Mac, daughter Adele, and the family’s black lab Champ, they looked to long-time friend and experienced Realtor Kim Maddox with ARC Realty for guidance. “We had some challenges selling our home, but Kim worked through the obstacles,” says Alan. “Our search for a new home started right here,” says Lynlee, referring to the location of their new home in Mountain Brook. “We looked at other houses, but we got exactly the location we wanted. I’d be happy to live here forever.” Helping clients (who typically become friends) is what Kim loves about being a Realtor. “It’s rewarding to help a family find a home they love.” Kim made a move last year, too, to ARC Realty. “This is an exciting time to be a Realtor, and the ARC team makes it fun. ARC believes in training and customer service, which translates to happy customers!”

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www.arcrealtyco.com Mac, Champ, Lynlee, Adele and Alan Palmer on the front porch of their new Mountain Brook home

Kim Maddox • (205) 790-4044 • kmaddox@arcrealtyco.com

280Living.com

February 2015 • B15

Get to know

Chelsea Middle School’s new principal By JESSA PEASE The Shelby County Board of Education approved Andrew Gunn to be the new principal of Chelsea Middle School at its board meeting on Dec.18. Gunn has more than 10 years experience in public education, including serving as Oak Mountain High School’s assistant principal.

Q A

How long have you been in the administrative side of education? I have been in administration for three years and in education for 11 years.

You previously served as interim principal at Chelsea. Did you know you wanted to take the permanent position? When I accepted this position on an interim basis, I hoped to

have the opportunity to apply for the permanent position when it became available. When the position was posted, I applied and went through the interview process.

Q A

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your job? Without a doubt the most rewarding part of this position are the daily interactions with the students. Children at this age are full of life and make you feel young. Some days they are still little kids, and some days they are young adults. Knowing that my staff and I serve them and play a small role in their development is very rewarding.

Q A

What challenges come with your job? We have a growing student population, and planning for that

growth can be challenging. But, it is a good problem to have. The growth of our community shows that Chelsea is a great place to live and raise a family. It also shows that families have faith in our schools.

Q A

What goals will you focus on with your new title? I want to focus on increasing the use of technology in our school. Many of the professions and technologies that our students will be using have not been created yet. We must make sure they are as prepared as possible for the jobs and technologies of the future. We are currently planning different strategies to make the transition from elementary school to middle school as smooth as possible in the sixth grade. This is an exciting time for our students because for the ﬁrst time students from all three of our

Andrew Gunn.

elementary schools will come together in one school.

How do you think your experience as Oak Mountain High School’s assistant principal will help you in this new role? I learned a lot in my time at Oak Mountain, and I believe it translates well to the Chelsea community. Parents in both communities have high expectations for their children, but at the same time are supportive of

their schools and teachers. Working in different school systems has given me perspective on different ways of doing things and how they ﬁt the culture of the Chelsea community.

Q A

What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming school years? Getting to know as many students and families as possible, and working to create a positive image of Chelsea Middle School.

280 Living

B16 • February 2015

Coffee and Cappuccinos joins HCS lunchrooms By JASON GASTON For a while now, it’s been a trend for some high school students in Hoover to arrive in the mornings with a coffee beverage in hand. Students stopped en route to school to grab lattes, cappuccinos or maybe just a regular cup of coffee. This trend caught the attention of Hoover City Schools’ Child Nutrition Program (CNP) director Melinda Bonner, who recently led the effort to open coffee shops at both Hoover and Spain Park high schools. “I felt each student would have access to a warm beverage including those who ride the bus and could not stop at a coffee shop on the way to school,” Bonner said. Bonner worked with an area coffee manufacturer to learn about how schools in other states have successfully jumped on the java

bandwagon to increase CNP profits. After much study and planning, Hoover High School’s “Cafe Siena” successfully opened in early November. Spain Park High School ushered in its new coffee shop in early December (also “Café Siena”). Both are housed within the schools’ cafeteria spaces. State standards help regulate caffeine and caloric content. For example, cups of coffee sold in schools are $1 and lattes are $2.50. All are limited to sizes no larger than 12 ounces and no more than 60 calories per serving. “Caffeine has always been allowed in beverages at the high school level (in the form of tea),” Bonner said. “As of July 1, 2014, the USDA implemented the Smart Snack Standards for food and beverages sold to students at the school site during the school day. The state of Alabama already had in place Healthy Snack Standards which were very similar in

Students wait in the Café Siena line to purchase morning lattes and cappuccinos. Photo courtesy of Jason Gaston.

requirements; however, no one was selling coffee.” Royal Cup serves as the sole provider of products necessary to run the coffee shops at both of the high schools. This past summer, Bonner and the high school employees tasked with running the new coffee shops toured Royal Cup’s local facility to learn more about products and processes. “It was a great experience to see the production and training on how to make the beverages,”

Bonner said. As lunchroom managers and cafeteria workers continue to perfect the coffee shops’ flow of services, it appears java sales will make other positive impacts. Milk and breakfast sales are up following the openings; a positive trend Bonner expects will continue to expose students not only to new products - but healthy choices.

LPMS cheerleaders win state competition The Liberty Park Middle School eighth grade cheerleaders recently won the AHSAA State Competition. The competition was held at Wallace State Community College. The girls competed in the Junior High category along with 19 other teams from across the state. From left to right members include: back

row- Claire Sexton, Izzy Hicks, Julianna Perrigo, Raegan Goodreau, Coach Jenny Williams, Kalah Hester, Arlana Spencer, Julia Holmes, Front Row- Anna Crim, Madeline Dodd, Reagan Gwin, Katie McKenna, Madison Chatwood, Sydney Downes. -Submitted by Linda Rummell

Cheerleaders at Liberty Park Middle School after their win at the AHSAA State Competition. Photo courtesy of Linda Rummell.

280Living.com

February 2015 • B17

LPMS dances the Charleston

Students at Liberty Park Middle School dance the Charleston. Photo courtesy of Linda Rummell.

The sixth grade students at Liberty Park Middle School recently participated in a flash mob of the once popular dance The Charleston. This activity went along with their study of the 1920s. During homeroom time, the students gathered in the school gymnasium. When the music began, they got in lines and performed

the dance together. The Charleston was introduced in 1923, but became popular when singer Elisabeth Welch sang the song. Jennifer Isbell, the LPMS sixth grade social studies teacher, taught the students the dance and organized the event. -Submitted by Linda Rummell

Pride of the Park marching band takes NYC for a performance in the Veterans Day Parade

Spain Park High School’s Pride of the Park band performed in front of thousands of people during New York City Veterans Day Parade. Photo courtesy of Cindy Nguyen.

The Spain Park High School band hit the Big Apple Nov. 11 for a chance to perform in the New York City Veterans Day Parade, the country’s largest event honoring America’s Veterans. “The Pride of the Park” started their big trip the Friday prior to Veteran’s Day, traveling more than 20 hours on a bus from Birmingham to New York City. “We came all the way from Alabama to march and play to honor our veterans who have served for us so that we may have our freedom,” said Pride of the Park tuba player, Caleb Gosnell. “That’s pretty significant. That’s respect.” This year’s theme for the NYC Veterans Day Parade was Land of the Free/Home of the Brave. It celebrated the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled

Banner. Spain Park High School’s band and color guard connected with this theme by playing patriotic tunes. Despite the long journey, band members still arrived in NYC with great energy and eagerness to explore the vast city. From the Statue of Liberty to Broadway, the students were able to see it all and do it all before performing in Time Square with other bands from across the nation. The parade itself took place in Manhattan along 5th Avenue. This annual parade boasts about 600,000 spectators and broadcasts to nine of the top television markets in America. To see the Pride of the Park’s performance, visit youtube.com/watch?v=WVr1YLveJy4.

280 Living

B18 • February 2015

Sports Spain Park’s Henze to continue soccer career at UAB By DAVID KNOX Spain Park senior Erik Henze has chosen UAB as the next stop in his soccer career. Henze will go to UAB as an invited walk-on for the Blazers’ 2015 season, meaning he will have a spot on the roster. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Jaguars center-back, incidentally, is the son of UAB assistant athletics director David Henze. Spain Park coach Matt Hall said Henze is an outstanding leader. “He’s always the first one out there,” Hall said. “He’s one of my hardest workers in the offseason conditioning program. He’s one of those guys that spends a lot of time in the weightroom and running. He really leads by example.” He’s also a skilled player who understands the game, his coach said. “He reads the game extremely well,” Hall said. “He’s very strong on the tackle, and because he’s 6-2, he’s really good in the air. He’s good with the ball, he has a lot of really good strengths and qualities in that area.” Henze agrees with that assessment. “I think my strengths are my ability to read the game. A lot of

my game is making interceptions,” Henze said. “And I’m really good in the air.” “I wanted to go to UAB because I grew up going to their camps. I like Coach (Mike) Getman. I just think they whole coaching staffing is just amazing.” Henze said, even though he is heading into his senior year and offers could come his way, he’s sticking with his commitment to go with the Blazers, even if they should be forced to leave Conference USA. “I’m going straight to UAB. No matter what. (C-USA) is a very good soccer conference. But even if they do, they probably would move to an easier conference for us to get to the NCAAs. “But I love UAB with all my heart.” The Blazers were 11-7-2 last season and earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament after falling in the C-USA tourney championship game to South Carolina. The Blazers lost a 1-1 shootout to Furman in the opening round of the NCAA tourney. Spain Park senior Erik Henze will continue his soccer career at UAB as a walk-on for the 2015 season. Photo courtesy of Diana Henze.

280Living.com

February 2015 • B19

Jags wrestlers come up short in ‘Battle for the Ball’ By DAVID KNOX Hoover High’s and Spain Park High’s wrestling program, now led by Jacob Gaydosh, has a rich tradition dating back to the Berry High days when Duke Chimento ruled. The Berry Bucs won a state championship in 1972, and had several runner-up teams before the Hoover Bucs picked up crowns in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2010. One of Chimento’s hobbies and passions was bowling. The wrestling match between and Hoover High and Spain Park High is known as “The Battle for the Ball.” The ball is a bowling ball, and it is the trophy that goes to the winner of the match. The “Ball” is a traveling trophy — it stays with the school that wins the match. Hoover claimed this season’s Battle for the Ball, dominating Spain Park 70-9. The Jaguars got a big win at 220 pounds, where Kevin McClure decisioned Bret Winters. Clay Christian defeated Jacob Brady at 126 for the Jags. Here is the complete results of the championship at each weight class: }} 106: Patterson Huff (HOOV) over Zac Evans (SPH) (Fall 1:56) }} 113: Gage Camp (HOOV) over Emmanuel Thuo (SPH) (Fall 0:20) }} 120: Larry Wallace (HOOV) over Sam Shroyer (SPH) (Fall 5:32) }} 126: Clay Christian (SPH) over Jacob Brady (HOOV) (Fall 1:15) }} 132: Jarrett Anthony (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.) }} 138: Connor Metcalf (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.)

Spain Park’s Kevin McClure (top) beats Hoover’s Bret Winters at the “Battle for the Ball” match.

}} 145: Randy Jenkins (HOOV) over Jacob Parker (SPH) (Fall 1:05) }} 152: Jackson Hall (HOOV) over Leon Strong (SPH) (MD 12-3) }} 160: Lake Williams (HOOV) over Jack Ingram (SPH) (Fall 2:37) }} 170: Brandon Sirico (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.) }} 182: Drew Addison (HOOV) over Michael

Avery (SPH) (Fall 1:28) }} 195: Roman Cooper (HOOV) over (SPH) (For.) }} 220: Kevin McClure (SPH) over Bret Winters (HOOV) (Dec 9-2) }} 285: Gavin Jackson (HOOV) over Taylor Cox (SPH) (Fall 0:59) Previously at the Julian McPhillips Invitational at St. James in Montgomery, Jaguar

wrestlers Leon Strong and Kevin McClure fared well. Strong placed third in the 154-pound class, winning five straight matches after losing his first bout. He advanced through the consolation bracket to beat Jonathan Foshee of Auburn in the third-place match. McClure won the championship at 222 pounds. McClure improved to 37-3 as rolled through four matches undefeated, winning the final over Randy Hooks of Auburn by major decision.

280 Living

B20 • February 2015

Playing pickleball A sport that’s gaining popularity around U.S. 280 By JESSA PEASE

Neill Beavers plays a few rounds of pickleball with Chris MacDonald and Bubba Bullington in Mt Laurel despite 37-degree temperatures. Photos by Jessa Pease.

A new game with a unique name is growing in popularity in the Birmingham area. It’s called pickleball. It’s played on a 44-by-20-foot court and is similar to both tennis and badminton, with a few differences. Neill Beavers plays on the outdoor basketball courts in Mt Laurel today, but he first learned how in Kalamazoo, Michigan. From the windows of the YMCA, Beavers would watch people whack a whiffle ball back and forth with oversized ping-pong paddles. He continued to watch them until one day he walked down to the multipurpose basketball courts, picked up a paddle and gave pickleball a try. He’s been playing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday ever since. In fact, when he moved to Mt Laurel, he was able to start using those basketball courts for the game as well. He furnished the nets and all the equipment, and he used masking tape to mark the court. “In metro Birmingham at present, there are no indoor pickleball facilities,” Beavers said. “This describes a real opportunity for churches and YMCAs with indoor basketball facilities that are often underutilized during the workday.”

280Living.com

February 2015 • B21 20’

15’

7’

Non-Volley Net 36”

44’ 7’

Zone

15’

Neill Beavers, Bubba Bullington and Chris MacDonald met through the pickleball website and get together as often as they can to play.

As a pickleball ambassador, Beavers said he enjoys showing organizations how they can get a program started at little to no cost. He even gets calls from people in Baltimore, California and Huntsville who find him on the pickleball website and want to play. That’s how he met Pelham resident Bubba Bullington and Liberty Park resident Chris MacDonald. Now the three get together to play a few rounds, even in 37-degree weather. The best part about the game? Anyone can play. The best person

Beavers said he’s ever played against is an 84-year-old woman, Lulu. “She’s really good, and she could get around the court,” Beavers said. “The good thing about pickleball is there is no sex or age discrimination. I’ve played with 20 year olds, I’ve played with 80 year olds and I’ve played with women and men. It’s a very social sport.” Both Bullington and MacDonald agreed. Bullington’s 76-year-old neighbor first talked him into giving pickleball a try, and just like Beavers, Bullington has been playing three

days a week since then. MacDonald’s experience was similar. She learned to play the game in Illinois at her gym when a few people convinced her to try it. “When I heard the names of the women who are playing, I’m thinking, ‘My goodness, these ladies are old,’” MacDonald said. “I look at myself as someone who is athletic, but I’ll tell you it doesn’t matter. These gals can hit the ball. Most of them are previous tennis players, and it really doesn’t matter how young or old you are. You can play the game and have

The dimensions of a traditional pickleball court. Image courtesy of pickleball.com.

a good time.” Once she started, she was hooked. All three are also former tennis players, which Beavers said is common. Not to say that people need to be former tennis players for pickleball, but Beavers said pickleball is easier on the joints. Tennis players often have hip or knee problems, and the movements of pickleball allow anyone to play. Bullington said he plays with a 50-year-old woman in Mobile who has braces on both knees. “Balls she can get to, she hits them,

and if it’s hit away from her she just says, ‘Good shot,’” Bullington said. “That’s what you do. Then you have some people who just jump for everything.” Although there aren’t many places to play on the 280 corridor yet, pickleball is played at the Senior World Games. For more information about pickleball, visit pickleball.com. If you are interested in setting up a pickleball court or would like to play, contact Neill Beavers at neillbeavers@gmail. com.

NOTHING SAYS LOVE LIKE A CLEAN HOME. Everyone can appreciate a thorough clean from The Maids.

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Referred for a reason.

280 Living

B22 • February 2015

OMHS basketball player earns 1000th point

Jake Ganus began his football career at Chelsea High School, and he still considers Chelsea home. Photo by Cari Dean.

GANUS

CONTINUED from page B1

Oak Mountain High School varsity basketball player Madison Pierce reached 1000 points in her career after making a free throw in a game against Cold Springs. Photo courtesy of Nancy Pierce.

Oak Mountain High School varsity basketball player Madison Pierce only need three points going into a game Cold Springs in the Decatur tournament. When she made a free throw, she reached 1000 points in her career at OMHS.

She went on to score a total of 16 points at the game, which was the team high for the game. Pierce has been a five-year starter and has lasted through four coach changes during her time.

dent-athlete to play immediately when his former school shutters its program. He will have one season of eligibility remaining. Ganus agreed that it is a bittersweet time. “It definitely is a great opportunity,” Ganus said. “It’s pretty hard to explain just how excited I am. My three years at UAB, I fell in love with it. UAB will always be a part of me. “Growing up as a kid, you always dream about playing in front of big crowds, but I knew coming out of high school, that was not going to be my reality. Now I get to play in the SEC. “Georgia, when I came on my official visit, I just knew it was where I wanted to be. I think UAB has prepared me for this by playing against SEC schools — the talent, speed, the physicality. Of course, now it’s going to be every week. It’s

a big challenge for me but I’m looking forward to it.” Georgia graduates its two inside linebackers and Ganus believes those spots are wide open for playing time. Ganus led the Blazers in tackles the past two seasons, racking up 93 in his sophomore season. For his UAB career, he was credited with 226 tackles. This season, he even got to relive his days on the other side of the ball when he scored a touchdown against Louisiana Tech on a 56-yard fumble return. He said he’s especially looking forward to playing Alabama in Athens in October and at Auburn in November. Ganus, 21, was born in Alpharetta, Ga. His family moved to Chelsea when he was 14. So in a sense, he’s going home, but he says if somebody asks him where he’s from, “I’m from Chelsea.”

280Living.com

February 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B23

280

5299 Greystone Way

Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

619125

35242

5299 Greystone Way

New

$450,000

619152

35242

584 Reach Drive, Unit 40

New

$139,900

618845

35242

3305 Mcgregor Moor

New

$199,900

619340

35242

1336 Inverness Cove Drive, Unit 118

New

$219,900

619214

35242

1085 Regent Park Drive

New

$230,000

618711

35242

2316 Woodland Circle

New

$265,000

619187

35242

3009 Belvedere Lane

New

$275,000

619254

35242

2019 River Birch Way

New

$289,900

619417

35242

5017 Eagle Crest Drive

New

$295,000

619097

35242

1048 Hermitage Circle

New

$309,900

619051

35242

4913 Appaloosa Trail

New

$519,900

618966

35242

5324 Greystone Way

New

$699,900

619224

35043

204 Chesser Way

New

$176,900

Real estate listings sent to 280 Living by Vinnie Alonzo of RE/MAX Advantage South on Jan. 20. Agents and agency vary by property.

5017 Eagle Crest Drive

280 Living

B24 • February 2015

Calendar 280 events Feb. 4: The Power of Words: Speaking Inclusively. 11:30 a.m. A Christian women’s leadership luncheon. National WMU. Visit wmu.com. Feb. 7: Flapjack Fundraiser. To benefit the Chelsea High School FBLA Scholarship Fund. Call Je Anne Smith at 678-6884. Feb. 14: Wild About Chocolate. 6 p.m. The Harbert Center 2019 Fourth Avenue North. Benefiting the Alabama Wildlife Center. $100. Visit awrc.org.

Feb. 14: Girl Scout Cookies Sale. 1-5 p.m. WalMart. 5335 U.S. 280. Visit girlscouts.org.

Nineteen. A series of screenings will be held. $30. Call Dial-A-Nurse at 939-7878.

Feb. 17: Briarwood Varsity Baseball vs. Oak Mountain. 4 p.m. Briarwood Christian School.

Feb. 21: Columbiana Cowboy Day. 10 a.m. 112 South Main Street. Parade, demonstrations, live music, chili cook-off and vendors. Free. Visit cityofcolumbiana.com.

Feb. 20: Spain Park High School Varsity Baseball vs. Huntsville. 6:30 p.m. Spain Park High School. Feb. 21: Heart Day. 6-11 a.m. St. Vincent’s One

Feb. 21: Spain Park High School Varsity Baseball vs. Bob Jones. 11 a.m. Spain Park High School.

Feb. 24: Chelsea High School Varsity Baseball vs. Pleasant Grove. 4:30 p.m. Chelsea High School. Feb. 28: Walk or Run with UAB OT 5K. 8 a.m. Heardmont Park. Proceeds will benefit the UAB Student Occupational Therapy Association. $30. Visit runsignup.com/Race/AL/Birmingham/ WalkorRunwithUABOT5k.

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 1301 County Services Drive 663-4542 Feb. 4: Ambassadors Work Group. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Greater Shelby Chamber.

Sumner & Cannon, Inc. 3535 Grandview Parkway, Suite 500.

Feb. 17: Entrepreneur Roundtable I. 8-10 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber.

Feb. 4: Small Business Work Group. 4-5 p.m. Greater Shelby Chamber. Feb. 5: Healthy Lifestyles Expo. 8 a.m.noon. Alabaster YMCA. 117 Plaza Circle. Free.

Feb. 10: Go & Grow Workshop: Using Media to Grow Your Business. 11 a.m.1 p.m. Greater Shelby Chamber. Reservations requested by Monday Feb. 9. Members $10. Nonmembers $20.

Feb. 17: Education Work Group. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Shelby County Instructional Services Center, 601 First Street South, Alabaster.

Feb. 10: Small Business Mentorship Appointments. 8-11 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber.

Feb. 12: Keeping It Real Program. 8 a.m.3 p.m. Helena High School. 1310 Hillsboro Parkway. Volunteers needed. Call 663-4542, ext. 106.

Feb. 10: Existing Business and Industry Work Group. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Barge, Waggoner,

Feb. 13: Health Services Work Group. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber.

Feb. 18: Board of Directors’ Meeting. 8:15-9:30 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber. Feb. 19: Third Annual Appreciation Event. 4-6 p.m. Inverness Country Club. Call 6634542, ext. 105. Feb. 20: Entrepreneur Roundtable II.

8-10 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber. Feb. 25: Membership Program. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena. Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock will share the state of the county. Reservations requested by noon Feb. 23. Members $20. Non-members $30. Feb. 26: Governmental Affairs Work Group. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sain Associates. Two Perimeter Park South, Suite 500. Feb. 27: Keeping It Real Program. 8 a.m.3 p.m. Shelby County High School. Call 663-4542, ext. 106.

280Living.com

February 2015 • B25

Calendar St. Vincent’s One Nineteen

North Shelby Library

7191 Cahaba Valley Road 408-6600

5521 Cahaba Valley Road 439-5500

Feb. 2: The Beneﬁts of Weight Loss and Goal Setting. 7:15-7:45 a.m. and noon-12:30 p.m. Attend a free weekly class focusing on healthy goals. Call 408-6550.

Feb. 17: Cuisine at One Nineteen. 6:30-8 p.m. Seasons 52 Executive Chef Paul Heim will cook dishes less than 475 calories. $25 each. Call 4086550.

Wednesdays: Breastfeeding Support Group. 10 a.m.-noon. Moms will have the opportunity to meet with a lactation consultant. Free.

Feb. 18: Update on Fitness and Nutrition Apps. 7:15-7:45 a.m. and noon12:30 p.m. Navigate which apps can best track nutrition and ﬁtness goals and explore other beneﬁcial wellness apps. Free. Registration required. Call 408-6550.

Feb. 6: Go Red Day. 8-11:30 a.m. The American Heart Association’s Go Red Day will bring awareness to heart disease, which is the number one killer of women. Feb. 7: Lupus Support Group. 10 a.m.noon. Discussion will include a question and answer session by Dr. Henry Townsend. Free. Call 1-877865-8787. Feb. 7: Sjogren’s Support Group. 1-3 p.m. Education, support and awareness of the autoimmune disorder. Free.

Feb. 24: Wellness Screenings. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference screenings by appointment. First screening free for members, $20 for nonmembers. Call 408-6550. Feb. 25: CPR for Family and Friends. 6-8 p.m. Classroom-based, practice-while-you-watch DVD and instructor-facilitated program. Eleven years and older. Registration required. $20. Call 939-7878.

Feb. 10: Eat This, Not That. 7:15-7:45 a.m. and noon-12:30 p.m. Learn more about higher calorie foods that can keep you from losing weight. Free. Registration required. Call 408-6550.

Feb. 26: The Reasons We Eat. 7:15-7:45 a.m. and noon-12:30 p.m. Learn about the internal and external cues that affect why we eat and how we can control them. Free Call 408-6550.

Feb. 10: Medicare Educational Meeting. 10 a.m.-noon. Blue Cross/Blue Shield will hold a meeting to inform customers about senior products. Free. Registration required. Call 1-888-346-1946.

Feb. 27: Comprehensive Diabetes Education. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Physician’s referral required and pre-assessments given preceding class date. Registration required. Call 939-7248.

Feb. 16: The Ins and Outs of Heart Catherization. 8-9 a.m. James Towery, MD of Alabama Cardiology Group PC will discuss heart catherization. Free. Call 408-6550.

Feb. 28: Spinning Nation 2015 Go Red Spin Ride. 9:30 a.m. Hop on a spin bike and ﬁght against heart disease. One hundred percent of donations will go to the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement. Visit spinningnation.org.

Adults Feb. 3: Winter Wellness Program Using Essential Oils. 6-7:30 p.m. A special event presented by Christine Nishimura with DoTERRA. Feb. 27: Indoor Yard Sale Preview Event. 6-8 p.m. Friends of the North Shelby Library only. $25. Join online or in person at the library.

Feb. 11: Newbery Pie Book Club. 1 p.m. Talk about Newbery books and eat pie. All ages. Feb. 13: Smart Cookie Club Party. 4 p.m. Members of the Smart Cookie Club will have a cookie party. Registration required.

Feb. 28: Indoor Yard Sale. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Yard sale and book sale beneﬁtting the library’s summer reading program. Call 439-5540.

Feb. 18: Homeschool Hangout: Raptors 101 – Intro to Birds of Prey. 1 p.m. Learn how to recognize raptors based on their adaptations, learn about behavior and training and many other interesting facts. Ages 7-13. Registration required.

March. 1: Author Event featuring Hunter Murphy. 2-3 p.m. Murphy will discuss his debut mystery, Imogene in New Orleans.

Feb. 19: Bluebirds Among Us: The John Findlay Bluebird Trail. 6 p.m. Eastern Bluebirds are lovely and beautiful. Ages 7-13. Registration required.

Kids

Story time

All month: Valentine Craft. Stop by the children’s department to make a craft. Supplies are limited.

Feb. 2, 9, 16: Toddler Tales. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, ﬁngerplays and crafts make up a 30 minute program. Ages 19-36 months. Registration required.

Feb. 7: Lego Club. 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The library provides the Legos, the kids provide imagination and creativity. All ages. Feb. 9: Newbery Pie Book Club. 6 p.m. Talk about Newbery books and eat pie. All ages. Feb. 10: Pete the Cat Book Club. 4 p.m. Stories, games, crafts and snacks. All ages. Registration required.

Feb. 3, 17: Baby Tales. 9:30 a.m. Storytime designed especially for babies and their caregivers. Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25: Mr. Mac Storyteller Extraordinaire. 10:45 a.m. Stories, puppets and lots of music for every member of the family. All ages. No registration required.

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280 Living

B26 • February 2015

Calendar North Shelby Library (continued)

Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: PJ Story Time. 6:30 p.m. Come in PJs, have milk and cookies and hear bedtime tales. All ages.

Teens Feb. 6, 13, 20: Gaming. 3:30-5:45 p.m. Play games on the Wii or Xbox One.

Feb. 9: Anime Night. 6 p.m. The teen department will have an evening of anime. Feb. 16: Minecraft @ the Library. 6 p.m. Show off Minecraft skills. Bring laptop if you are able.

Heardmont Senior Center Events 5452 Cahaba Valley Road 991-5742 Mondays: Tai Chi. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Bible Study. 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Lunch. Noon.

Mt Laurel Library 33 Olmstead Street 991-1660

Story time

be notified on Feb. 23.

Feb. 6, 20: Toddler Tales. 10 a.m. Stories, songs and fingerplays make up 30 minute program. Ages 36 months and younger. Registration required.

Feb. 5: Mt Laurel Book Club. 7 p.m. Will discuss The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman.

Feb. 6, 20: Storytime with Ms. Kristy. 11 a.m. Stories, music and more for every member of the family. All ages.

Feb. 14: Crafty Saturday. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Make a craft at the library. All ages with parents help.

Special Programming

Feb. 19: CPR Classes. 9-11 a.m. and 6:308:30 p.m. Attend an American Heart Association Friends and Family CPR course. Registration required. Ages 12-adult.

Feb. 1-20: Guess the Hearts. Guess how many conversation hearts are in the jar. Winner will

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Aerobics. 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. on Thursdays. Tuesdays and Thursdays: Bingo and Board Games. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Center closed on Jan. 1. Wednesdays: Bridge. 9 a.m.-noon. Fridays: Zumba Gold. 9-10 a.m. Fridays: Intermediate Line Dancing. 10-11 a.m. Fridays: Beginning Line Dancing. 11 a.m.-noon. Feb. 1-13: Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive to Benefit Oak Mountain Missions.

Feb. 3: Cody Lewis Shelby County Ombudsman. Feb. 9, 16, 23: Mah Jongg. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Feb. 9, 16, 23: Canasta. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 5: Biscuit Bash. Feb. 12: Valentine Celebration. Feb. 17: UAB Eye Clinic. 9-11 a.m. Feb. 19: Becky with Harrison Regional Library. 11 a.m. Feb. 19: February Birthday Celebration. Feb. 24: Trip to Bud’s Best and Out to Lunch. Feb. 27: Heardmont Dance. 6:30-9 p.m.

280Living.com

February 2015 • B27

Calendar Area Events All month: Small Treasures: Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Their Contemporaries. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art. The exhibition will feature works of the greatest masters of the Dutch and Flemish Golden Age. Visit artsbma.org. Feb. 5: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5-9 p.m. Birmingham Historic Loft District. A monthly happening showcasing Birmingham’s pool of creative talent. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com. Feb. 6: Sybarite5. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Samford University. The string quartet will perform at Brock Recital Hall. $20. Call 726-2853. Feb. 7: Heart 2 HeART. 6-9 p.m.

BridgeStreet Gallery and Loft. aTeam’s Heart 2 HeART program supports children with pediatric cancer by pairing them will well known and talented professional artists in an effort to celebrate and inspire them. Visit ateamministries.org. Feb. 7-8: Miranda Sings. 2 p.m. Comedy Club StarDome. YouTube sensation Miranda Sings will bring a night filled with comedy, songs, magic tricks, dramatic readings of hate mail and never-before-seen videos. $28 general admission, $53 premier seating. Visit stardome.com. Feb. 12: The Roots of Alabama Gospel, with Bobby Horton and the Birmingham Sunlights. 5:30-7 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum. $10 non-members, $8

members. Visit visitvulcan.com. Feb. 12-15: Birmingham Home and Garden Show. Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.. $11 at the door, $8 online for adults, $3 children 6-12, free for children 5 and under. Visit homeshowbirmingham.com. Feb. 12-28: Completeness. Thursdays-Saturdays 8 p.m. Birmingham Festival Theatre, 1901 1/2 11th Ave. S. Visit bftonline.org. Feb. 13: A Night Under the Big Top. 8 p.m. The Club. Event benefits the Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center. $60 per person in advance, $110 per couple, in advance, $75 per person at the door. Visit glenwood.org.

Feb. 14: Woo at the Zoo. 6-8 p.m. Birmingham Zoo. The zoo will discuss love in the animal kingdom. Animal greetings, wine and desserts provided. Must be 21 years or older. $50 zoo member, $75 zoo member couple, $65 non-member, $90 non-member couple. Visit birminghamzoo.com. Feb. 15: Come, Sing and Be Joyful. 4 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Church, 733 Valley Street, Hoover. Choral concert presented by the Over the Mountain Festival of Sacred Music Chorus. Visit otmfestivals.org/ festival/festival15.htm. Feb. 15: Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. 8 p.m.-midnight. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. $59.50, $79.50, $97. Visit ringostarr.com.

Feb. 19-21: The Last Five Years. 7:30 p.m. RMTC Cabaret Theatre. 301 19th Street North. This modern musical chronicles the fiveyear life of a marriage. $40-$50. Visit redmountaintheatre.org. Feb. 20-22: Cinderella. Friday and Saturday 7:30-9:30 p.m.,. Saturday and Sunday 2:30-4:30 p.m. Dorothy Jemison Day Theater. Presented by Alabama Ballet. $20-$55. Visit alabamaballet.org. Feb. 20-22: Mercedes Marathon. Check website for times. Boutwell Municipal Auditorium. The event will raise funds for local charities. Visit mercedesmarathon.com.

Area Consignment Sales Feb. 6-7: Sweet Repeats. Friday 9 a.m.6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. Mountain Brook Community Church. Visit mbccsweetrepeats.blogspot. com. Feb. 20-21: Bargains on the Bluff. Friday

9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Visit bargainsonthebluff. com. Feb. 13-14: Giggles and Grace. Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Asbury United

Methodist Church. Visit asburygigglesandgrace.com. Feb 27-28: Lil’ Lambs. Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. Trinity United Methodist Church. Visit trinitybirmingham.com.

March 6-7: T-N-T Consignment Sale. Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Riverchase United Methodist Church. Visit riverchasetnt.com.

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