280 Living January 2015 by Starnes Media

280 Living

January 2015 | Volume 8 | Issue 5

neighborly news & entertainment

Grand vision

Trinity-Grandview CEO Keith Granger and Brasﬁeld & Gorrie site superintendent Larry Helms talk about the progress being made on Grandview Medical Center. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Trinity Medical Center CEO Keith Granger has stood at the top of the new Grandview Medical Center and watched the cranes at work and the passing cars on 280. The building is not yet ﬁnished, but Granger envisions

Grandview as a hospital where the workers in those cranes and the drivers in those cars can expect medical care as good as what his own wife, daughters or grandchildren would receive. “We want to make sure we take this great clinical work, put it in a nice, shiny new building, put it in a

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convenient location for the communities that we hope to serve and are optimistic that it is going to be a great long-term beneﬁt for the community,” Granger said. Ahead of schedule Progress on the Grandview Medical

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Center is moving faster than originally expected. Granger said the contractor, Brasfield & Gorrie, has finished about two-thirds of the floors in the almost one-million-square-foot building, with the remaining third a little over halfway complete. The finished floors still need to be furnished, but the

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Faith ...................A28 Opinion..............A29

unﬁnished ones include more specialized areas such as operating rooms, radiology, the emergency room and laboratories. These are scheduled to be ﬁnished in the third quarter of 2015. Additionally, Granger said the

See GRANDVIEW | page A14

Community ...... B15 School House ... B21

Sports .............. B24 Calendar .......... B28 facebook.com/280Living

Welcome water In this issue, read the story of the nonproﬁt organization Neverthirst, which is dedicated to delivering clean water to developing countries.

See page A27

Phenomenal women The U.S. 280 corridor is ﬁlled with hardworking women. In this issue, read about the area’s female business owners and the services they provide.

See page B1

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Photo of the month

Santa Claus made a surprise visit to the Hoover Board of Education meeting Dec. 8. He presented the board and audience members with candy canes. Photo by Jessa Pease.

Send your submissions for Photo of the Month to

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Editor’s Note By JESSA PEASE When the clock strikes midnight and we all clink our champagne glasses, a new year will begin. Some people will make New Year’s resolutions and others will reminisce on the events of the past year. Personally, I haven’t made a resolution in years, mostly because I’m not good with follow through, but the new year is time for change nonetheless. Whether you decide to participate in resolutions or not, 2015 will bring changes to the 280 corridor with new facilities, restaurants and shopping locations. In this issue, you’ll find updates

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on three different medical centers: Grandview, St. Vincent’s One Nineteen and Brookwood’s Freestanding Emergency Department. Each of these facilities should be complete in 2015, delivering a new offering of medical care on the corridor. If shopping is more your thing, the new year will deliver a Trader Joe’s, a favorite store of mine when I am in Atlanta, and even a familiar grocery store, Walmart Neighborhood Market. Urban Home Market has also opened in the Village at Lee Branch and has

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 Morgan Robinson Emily VanderMey Rick Watson Kari Kampakis Karim Shamsi-Basha

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already given me re-decorating fever. Of course, this might all pale in comparison to the popularity of the new Chickfil-A at the intersection of U.S. 280 and Highway 119. I can’t wait to see how many cars line up for its opening day. There are so many great things in store for 2015, and I’m glad to be a part of this 280 family so I can enjoy it all. As always, I welcome you to email me any questions, comments or concerns at jessa@starnespublishing.com. Happy New Year!

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

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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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280 News

Projects move forward at OMSP Shelby County Commission seeks input from residents about master plan By JESSA PEASE There is only one place in Shelby County where residents can find wakeboarding, a trail through the treetops, horseback riding and golf: Oak Mountain State Park. With the use of lodging tax revenues, the Shelby County Commission has been improving the assets in park through various projects and renovations, but now they want input from the community. “We have crews there working on specific projects,” said County Manager Alex Dudchock. “Then we get out, they run it, operate it and do a great job with it. The attendance has been growing and the amenities have been improving, but we still have a long way to go.” The roadmap to those improvements is a master plan for Oak Mountain that the Shelby County Commission, the City of Pelham and

the director of state parks have been working on together. While keeping conservation in mind, those entities are gathering input from stakeholders, frequent visitors to the park and people who are thinking of visiting the park. If what people want is currently in place, Dudchock said he wants to know how they can they improve it. He also wants to know what people have enjoyed at other parks that they might like to see at Oak Mountain. “There is endless input,” Dudchock said. “If you have been to a park anywhere in the nation, and you liked amenity there, share it with us. It may very well be able to fit at Oak Mountain State Park.” To gather that information, the Shelby County Commission has set up a survey on its website. As of Nov. 25, Dudchock said they had gathered about 700 responses, but he would like to see that number at 7,000. Dudchock

has also set up kiosks at various public gathers, such as the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce’s Prayer Breakfast, so that residents can supply feedback that way. The survey became available Nov. 17 and will remain up until Jan. 17. Chad Scroggins, the chief development officer, said the process would take two months to complete, and they will also be awarding 20 annual passes to individuals who participate in the survey. “We really have a gem to be in a metro area and have 10,000 acres that’s in this state that we can go and actively use,” Scroggins said. “There are many amenities that are already there.” To take the Oak Mountain State Park Survey, visit discovershelby. com/index.aspx?NID=272. For more information about the park, visit alapark.com/oakmountain.

Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock is addressing the master plan for Oak Mountain State Park at public meetings in order to gain feedback from the community. Photo by Jessa Pease.

Current park projects êêPlayground. Installation for a playground near the South Trail Head began Dec. 1. êêArchery Range. The parking lot for a new archery range has been built, and the 3D targets need to be installed. This project should be complete in January. êêBike Lane Extensions. Construction should begin for a bike lane extension on the road that runs through the park, John Findely Drive, in January. There are currently bike lanes from the entrance of the park to the North Trailhead; this extension will run across the dam to Highway 119.

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January 2015 • A7

Work continues on widening 119

In order to meet the needs of the new Chick-fil-A and medical centers opening at the intersection of U.S. 280 and Highway 119, ALDOT will be adding more lanes on both major roadways. Photo by Jessa Pease.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL With a new Chick-fil-A and medical centers being established by Brookwood and St Vincent’s One Nineteen, traffic at the alreadypacked U.S. 280/Highway 119 intersection could get a lot heavier this year. ALDOT is meeting this increase in commuters with additional lanes on both major roadways. The $6.2 million project began in March 2014 and is currently slated for completion in June 2015, according to ALDOT Division 3 Shelby County district manager Todd Connell. New north and southbound lanes will be added to 119 on both sides of the intersection and two turn lanes will be created for drivers in the northbound lanes of 119 to head west on 280. An extra turn lane will also be added to the existing one for southbound drivers to turn east onto 280. Connell said left turn lanes will also be added onto 280 for drivers from either direction to access 119.

“It should definitely help as far as movement through the intersection,” Connell said. Existing utilities nearly caused construction delays in mid-December, as the Birmingham Water Works Board disagreed over accepting a bid by Russo Corporation to move water pipes in the way of the widening project. The problem was resolved and the pipes were removed on schedule. The Brookwood freestanding emergency department and Chick-fil-A will both be opening prior to completion of the project. Construction may cause traffic delays, but Chick-fil-A construction manager Justin Bloecher and Brookwood Vice President of External Affairs Stephen Preston both said their businesses will still be accessible throughout the project. Connell said that lane closures will be scheduled at night and, apart from some slight congestion around construction, drivers should not see significant delays while the widening is underway.

Chelsea City Council updates In November and December, Chelsea City Council’s business included: }} Acceptance of a bid by Donahoo Contracting Company to complete grading improvements for the city’s sports complex. The company’s bid was $209,471.10. }} Acceptance of a $72,850 bid by R.E.D. Inc. to make improvements to storm drains. }} Acceptance of Wiregrass Construction Company’s $57,790 bid to make roadway improvements in Chelsea Village

Subdivision. }} Approval of disclosure controls and procedures for bonds, warrants and requirements for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. }} Reception of a rezoning request for 45 acres of land next to the Lakewood Subdivision on Highway 32. Jason Spinks of “To Preach the Gospel, Inc.” submitted the request to rezone from Agricultural-Residential to Residential.

Pediatrics practice opens in Chelsea By JESSA PEASE The first and only pediatric facility in Chelsea celebrated its grand opening Dec. 7. Summit Pediatrics, a satellite of Sylacauga Pediatrics, had a soft opening Oct. 27 at the new office, 134 Foothills Parkway. Office manager Cynthia Dark said it’s too soon to see how the office is doing, but it has been seeing patients who seem to enjoy their experiences. The idea to open a satellite of Sylacauga Pediatrics in Chelsea came about three years ago, according to Dark. Many of its patients were driving to Sylacauga from Chelsea, but a space wasn’t available for them to expand at that time. When a location finally opened up, Dark said they took the opportunity.

“It was just a service we felt like we needed to offer to that location,” Dark said. Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven also said that Chelsea needed a pediatrician’s office. Niven said Chelsea is a young community, with the average age being 34.5. He said many people that move to Chelsea are in their 30s and 40s and have children. “They will do quite well here,” Niven said. “This is the only pediatric care that is available in Chelsea right now. It was a need, and it will save our people from having to drive completely out of the city to get this medical care.” For more information about Summit Pediatrics, visit facebook.com/sylacaugapeds.

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Stats detail Cahaba Valley Fire’s 2014 calls and responses By JESSA PEASE In an average month, the Cahaba Valley Fire and Rescue responds to about 255* calls. From car accidents to medical needs to wild fires, the fire department is there, responding to about 2,500 calls in a full calendar year. Despite its name, only about 2.5 percent of Cahaba Valley Fire’s calls are structure, vehicle, wild land and other fires. Instead, most of the fire department’s resources are spent on emergency medical services and other services. These two combined make up about 83 percent of the calls. This year, the department responded to 1,051 EMS and 1,064 other service calls alone. Calls involving vehicle accidents make up 8.5 percent of the fire department’s responses. In 2014 they responded to 114 accidents involving injuries and an additional 103 where no injuries were involved. The department also responded to about 121 false alarms and 34 fire alarms in 2014. Cahaba Valley’s peak month for calls was January, when they responded to 436 calls. By comparison, they answered 160 calls in February and 199 in March. February had the lowest amount of calls in 2014, and October was the second highest after January with 284 calls. After what Cahaba Valley Fire called a very productive year, the department released a State of the District report to address improvements in the department looking forward to 2015. During the snowstorms earlier this year, the district used two recently-purchased refurbished Chevrolet vehicles to transport children home from Mt Laurel Elementary, and they converted the fire stations into emergency shelters for people stranded on U.S. 280. The District obtained a new Dodge Transport

Vehicle Fires Wild Land Fires Structural Fires

Other Fires

Service/Other Ems Medical

False Alarms Alarm-Fire/Other

Unit ambulance as well as a used one, increasing their total to four front line transport units and one reserve transport unit. A local business also donated a Kubota ATV, giving Cahaba Valley the capabilities to provide EMS in off road

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Vehicle Accidents with Injuries Vehicle Accidents no Injuries

circumstances and in congested areas. A Safety Officer Program was also implemented. It ensures a trained safety officer will respond to structure fires, motor vehicle accidents and other call types. The safety officer’s

role is to keep the firefighters safe while performing emergency duties. *Numbers are based on data collected from the Cahaba Valley Fire Department from January to October 2014.

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January 2015 • A9

Journey to The Capitol

Local politician Gary Palmer discusses highlights of campaign and upcoming term By KATIE TURPEN For Gary Palmer, the past year has been an eventful one. In October 2013, the Hoover resident announced his plans to run for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Following the primary election, Palmer won a runoff election against fellow Republican nominee Paul DeMarco. This past November, Palmer defeated Democratic candidate Mark Lester during the general election. Palmer officially takes office on January 3, 2015. 280 Living sat down with Palmer to discuss his transition into politics, highlights of his campaign, and what he enjoys most about living in Hoover. Palmer grew up in the small town of Hackleburg, Alabama. His father, a logger, built the family’s home. Palmer learned from a young age how discipline and effort mold a person’s character. “I was the first in my family to go to college,” he said. “I learned early on that the promise of America is there if you work hard for it.” For 24 years Palmer led the Alabama Policy Institute (API), a research and education organization he helped to found. “I’ve always been a problem solver,” he said. “As one of the

Gary Palmer celebrates with his wife and three children after the announcement he won Alabama’s 6th Congressional District race in November. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.

cofounders of the Alabama Policy Institute, that’s what I did. I worked with engineers. I also knew that smart people have a transition plan. I just felt like I was being called to office. I knew God had a plan for me.”

Over the past year, Palmer has journeyed across Alabama’s 6th Congressional District. The district is based around the Birmingham suburbs and encompasses nearly all of Jefferson County as well as Bibb, Blount,

Chilton, Coosa and Shelby counties. “I’ve learned this is a geographically beautiful district,” he said. “It’s also a great place to raise a family. These are great, hardworking people. I think the most enjoyable part about

the campaign has been spending time with all the local officials.” Of all the moments that stand out for Palmer, he said it is the response he received when he made campaign phone calls that felt most special. “It was so great to receive such a positive response,” he said. “When I called, they said yes. It’s humbling to have so many people believe in you.” As Palmer looks forward to his upcoming term in Washington, D.C, he has clear objectives in mind. He said that more than 90 million people are currently out of the workforce, and now, more than ever, the country is at a turning point. “What I want people to realize is this is not a career for me, it’s more of a mission,” he said. “The bigger picture is that this country is in need of change.” Palmer and his wife, Ann, have two daughters and a son. He said his family has not been overly swept up in the campaign. “My family is acutely aware of the reality and how hard being in this position can be,” he said. As Palmer prepares to begin his term, he is thankful for his roots and the opportunity to live in the Hoover community. “It’s just a very livable area with great schools and great people,” he said.

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280 year in preview

Briarwood Christian breaks ground By JESSA PEASE After commemorating 50 years of education, Briarwood Christian School has another reason to celebrate in 2015. In early February, Brairwood’s campus off Cahaba Valley Road will break ground on a new three-story building and two new tennis courts. This 24,000-square-foot space will be located behind the current high school building. In it, Briarwood will gain about 10 educational spaces including six modern science labs, two collaborative classrooms and a larger and more modern library-media center. Dr. Barrett Mosbacker, the school’s superintendent, said the entire building will facilitate advanced science work at the high school level and emphasis digital technologies. “Our primary focus is what’s beneficial to our students,” Mosbacker said, “So one of the things is, we are also in the process of laying a foundation for a comprehensive STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] project for K-12.” The need for the additional space

became clear through an analysis of Brairwood’s growth in enrollment from 2004 to 2014. Overall, the school has seen an 11 percent increase in enrollment, and the South Campus, for seventh through 12th-graders, has seen enrollment grow by 17 percent. The building will allow for about a 10 percent increased enrollment. Just as Briarwood’s One-to-One iPad program, which gave an iPad to every seventh to 12th-grader, the new space will put more emphasis on modern technology in its two collaborative classrooms. The furnishings in those rooms will feature flexible so that those classrooms can turn into almost anything for any purpose. “When we implement the STEM, we have the necessary facilities to accommodate and facilitate the implementation of STEM instruction in the classroom,” Mosbacker said. “[This building] allows us to expand our science programs. It allows us to integrate the technology with the mathematics and the science instruction that goes on.” Construction on the new building will happen simultaneously with renovations to the tennis courts. The

The rendering of Brisrwood Christian School’s academic wing addition. Photo courtesy of Brairwood Christian School.

new building will displace the existing tennis courts, and Mosbacker said the tennis courts were in need of refreshing and remodeling already. Briarwood has already started preliminary work on the tennis courts. The school’s master plan, not part of the plan that breaks ground in February, calls for updating current fields

and adding additional fields, but it is a long-range plan. Depending on how fundraising goes, Mosbacker said Briarwood might be able to begin upgrading the football stadium and the track area come spring. The entire project should be completed by Christmas 2015, and once Brairwood’s students have moved into

the new space, the school plans to start renovations to expand and modernize its existing spaces. “That’s going to be a great blessing,” Mosbacker said. “It allows us to reduce some class sizes, and it allows us to add courses. There is a lot of benefit to what this building does.”

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2015 Year in preview

January 2015 • A11

A rendering shows the 40,000-square-foot expansion at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. Rendering courtesy of St. Vincent’s Health System.

Expansion continues at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen A Walmart Neighborhood Market will open this January at 2659 Valleydale Road.

Walmart Neighborhood Market to open this January By JESSA PEASE A new Walmart Neighborhood Market will provide more than groceries when it opens Jan. 10 at 7:30 a.m. 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 will 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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By JESSA PEASE Soon after St. Vincent’s One Nineteen broke ground on its new expansion, a lawsuit was filed by Brookwood Medical Center to try to stop the progress. Although the suit includes a request to halt the construction of the ambulatory surgery center portion of the project, leaders at St. Vincent’s expect no delays to their project. “Our St. Vincent’s One Nineteen ambulatory surgery center project has met all regulatory requirements,” said Liz Moore, vice president of marketing and communications. “Throughout the planning process we have regularly communicated the project status to and received continued approval from SHPDA (State Health Planning and Development Agency) for the project. Consequently, we do not anticipate any delays to our project timeline.” The 40,000-square-foot expansion will allow One Nineteen to provide the space for surgery, urgent care and additional doctors to join the system. The project is scheduled to be completed in the fall. The addition includes a Certificate of Need-approved ambulatory surgery center, four state-ofthe-art operating rooms, two procedure rooms,

professional office space and an urgent care center. Surgeries such as general surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, podiatry, plastic surgery, pain management and gynecology will become available to patients. “St. Vincent’s is committed to providing the community with the right care at the right time and in the right place,” said Neeysa Biddle, interim president and CEO with St. Vincent’s Health System. “Increasingly that means outpatient care delivered within a coordinated system of care in community settings, not in more expensive hospital environments. The St. Vincent’s One Nineteen project enables us to continue to fulfill this commitment in an area we already serve. We are excited to build on the strong foundation of services already available on our One Nineteen campus.” The campus was originally built to be convenient for people living further out down U.S. 280, but the medical director at One Nineteen, John Farley, MD, said One Nineteen draws people from all over now. Although people initially didn’t want to make the drive to One Nineteen from places like Mountain Brook, now Farley said the professionalism and the beauty of the facility makes people want to receive treatment at One Nineteen.

2015 Year in preview

A12 • January 2015

280 Living

The Chelsea Community Center should be complete by March or April, about three months ahead of schedule. Photo by Jessa Pease. Trader Joe’s will open in the latter half of 2015 in the space currently occupied by Banana Republic at The Summit. Photo courtesy of Trader Joe’s.

Trader Joe’s sparks interest By JESSA PEASE The second half of 2015 will bring a colorful, Hawaiian twist to The Summit. Specialty grocery store Trader Joe’s will bring its employees clad in festive luau uniform to its first Alabama location at 209 Summit Blvd. It will take over the space currently occupied by Banana Republic and span about 12,600 square feet. “There is a lot of opportunity in Birmingham, and it’s a great fit for Trader Joe’s,” said Trader Joe’s press contact Alison Mochizuki. The chain now operates more than 400 locations in 40 states. It began in the 1950s in Los Angeles as Pronto Markets, a small chain of convenience stores. Then in 1967, the “Trader” Joe Coulombe changed its name and business model. The chain purchases products direct from suppliers whenever possible and bargains to get the best price, which passes savings on to

customers. It also does not charge their suppliers fees for putting an item on the shelf like other grocery stores do because it results in higher prices. Today Trader Joe’s carries an assortment of domestic and imported groceries including fresh baked artisan breads, Arabica bean coffees, international frozen entrées, 100 percent fruit juices, fresh crop nuts, deli items and vitamins, as well as the basics such as milk and eggs. Its products also come with no artificial flavors or preservatives, synthetic colors, MSG, genetically modified ingredients, artificial trans-fats or marketing costs. There are about 3,000 items under the Trader Joe’s private label, which includes Trader José’s salsas, Trader Ming’s fried rice and Trader Giotto’s marinara sauces. Ten to 15 new products are introduced every week in the stores. For more information about Trader Joe’s, visit traderjoes.com.

Chelsea Community Center strides forward By JESSA PEASE The new community center is scheduled to be complete this spring The building was originally scheduled for completion by July, but the architect on the job, Bob Wannanger, said it should be ready by March or April. Construction began in May 2013 for the $3.68 million, 29,000-square-foot building, and as of Dec. 1, the project was about 60 percent complete. Wannanger said the walls are all up and the team is currently adding roofing to the different parts of the building. Once that is complete, work will begin on the interior. “We are very excited,” Wannager said. “The mayor is really excited about it, and the community is excited about getting it started.” Wannanger worked closely with Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven and the city council to develop a four-page list of things they wanted to see in the community center. That, paired with interviews with seniors and other

citizens in Chelsea, determined the vision for the center. Once complete, there will be a full gymnasium, which will also be used as a multi-purpose room, with a walking track above it. A senior wing, complete with a kitchen, eating area, game room, arts and crafts area and large gathering room for large group activities, will provide meeting places for seniors and the entire community. “We’re bringing a facility to Chelsea that gives senior adults more activities and provides more basketball courts, a walking track and exercise areas for light exercise,” Niven said. There will be walking trails, picnic benches and outdoor games such as horseshoes to encourage outdoor activities. Many events will also be held at the community center, so Niven said to watch for announcements about them as the project draws closer to completion.

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2015 Year in preview

Construction began Nov. 3 at the new Chick-fil-A location at the intersection of 280 and Highway 119. Photo by Jessa Pease.

Progress shows as construction continues at Chick-fil-A site By SYDNEY CROMWELL The dirt piles and backhoes at the corner of U.S. 280 and Highway 119 are heralds of waffle fries and chicken sandwiches to come. Construction on the new Chick-fil-A location began on Nov. 3, and construction manager Justin Bloecher said the restaurant is planned to open in early March. So far, Bloecher said it has been a “fairly straightforward” construction process. The project contractors, W.H. Bass, Inc., have had no issues in converting the former gas station site to fit the restaurant’s needs. The site will include access points both from 280 and 119. The March opening date means that Chickfil-A will begin serving customers before ALDOT’s widening project on 119 is finished in May. Bloecher said the restaurant will be perfectly able to serve customers through its 280 entrance while construction is still underway, but the addition of lanes on 119

will make life simpler for diners. “It’ll make it a lot easier to get in and out of the site when its done. A lot safer and a lot easier,” Bloecher said. When finished, the Chick-fil-A will span 4,559 square feet and will feature updated interior designs and double drive-through lanes to accommodate heavy traffic. It is expected to relieve congestion at the existing Chick-fil-A at 4620 U.S. 280. Bloecher said the chain is anticipating around 2,500 customers on the opening day. Nationwide, Chick-fil-A locations average 600-700 diners per day, and Bloecher said the new 280 location will likely match this number. The restaurant is expected to employ around 70 part-time and full-time staff members. “It’s a good location with the community,” Bloecher said. “[It’s] a good fit for Chick-fil-A.”

The Brookwood freestanding emergency department will begin operations at the corner of U.S. 280 and Highway 119 around August 2015. Photo courtesy of Brookwood Medical Center.

Brookwood freestanding emergency department begins construction By SYDNEY CROMWELL Work begins this month on the new freestanding emergency department (FED) located at the U.S. 280-Highway 119 intersection. Stephen Preston, Brookwood Medical Center’s vice president of external affairs, said the FED is breaking ground and tentatively planning to begin operation in August 2015. The completed FED will span 24,000 square feet and include 11 exam rooms, one trauma room and full diagnostic abilities. It will be a Level III trauma center like the main Brookwood hospital, which means it will have capabilities for surgery and most trauma care but will not have a complete set of specialists on site. Preston said the FED will employ between 40 and 45 people. The FED will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with specialized communication lines between it, Brookwood Medical Center and ambulances stationed onsite in case patients need immediate transport. Preston said the FED will be entering a market with around 30,000 emergency room visits per year, though he does not have estimates of how many people the FED will

serve. Bringing emergency care to 119, however, will take a load off other emergency rooms in Birmingham and will reduce transport time for patients. “We’re very optimistic and hopeful that it will be a great benefit for the entire community,” Preston said. “Brookwood’s had a long tradition and history of serving patients on the 280 corridor.” Brookwood already runs primary care offices and clinics along 280, and Preston said the FED will complement these services as well as existing urgent care clinics. The site for the FED was also carefully chosen to make sure it would not cause traffic backups. By the time the FED opens, a widening project on 119 will be complete, mitigating the effects of traffic from staff and patients. “We did a lot of work on the appropriate location,” Preston said. In November, Brookwood filed a lawsuit to stop construction of an ambulatory surgery center at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, which is part of a larger expansion. The lawsuit alleges that St. Vincent’s, also located at the 280-119 intersection, did not follow regulations in its construction process. Preston declined to comment on the lawsuit.

January 2015 • A13

280 Living

A14 • January 2015 GRANDVIEW

CONTINUED from page A1 construction crew has been adding a new level to the parking deck every 30 to 45 days, and they are making great strides on the eight-floor, 200,000-square-foot physician office that sits on top of the deck. All this together means that Grandview’s original projected completion date in the first quarter of 2016 has been moved up, and Granger confidently said that the new medical center would be open by October 2015. “We believe that we’ll celebrate our last Thanksgiving and Christmas in this building [Trinity] and be in the new building before the holiday season next year,” Granger said. A grand vision The finished product will be between 25 and 30 percent larger in square footage than Trinity’s current home on Montclair Road and include 3,000 parking spaces. Grandview will have larger patient rooms, and Granger said it will be a “fully-appointed” hospital with capabilities for 21 specialties, including emergency and intensive care, cancer, orthopedics, cardiology, obstetrics and neurology. Granger said the new building will also feature upgrades or duplicates of the existing technology at Trinity. The extra space is important, but Granger thinks the new building’s layout will be even more important. Grandview has a single parking deck instead of multiple, so visitors don’t have to move between decks to access different parts of the hospital and physician offices. The hospital is also consolidated into a single building, unlike Trinity’s multiple additions, so

The construction crew is making great strides on the eight-floor, 200,000-square-foot physician office that sits on top of the parking deck. Photo by Jessa Pease.

it will be easier for patients and visitors to get directly to the areas they need. Granger also believes the layout will make it easier for the staff to efficiently treat and care for their patients. “More than the equipment and even more than the bricks and mortar — or in this case steel and glass — I think the real advantage is going to be workflow,” Granger said. The Grandview location puts the hospital just a few miles from the intersection of the heavily traveled 280 and I-459. Granger said the hospital will be both easily accessible via these major roadways and right in the center of growing home markets, making Grandview’s services available to more residents in future years. When Trinity makes the move and changes its name to Grandview, it will

be bringing a high quality of care with it. Trinity has received awards and accreditation in various specialties, including chest pain, heart failure, cancer, bariatric surgery, sleep medicine and knee and hip replacement. The Commonwealth Fund, a foundation that promotes high quality healthcare, gave Trinity a Number 1 rating for quality of care in February 2014. Trinity was one of only 21 hospitals across the nation to receive a perfect score of 100 percent for its composite performance. In November, the Joint Commission named Trinity a Top Performer in Key Quality Measures for its third consecutive year. “We’ve been working hard the last five years to improve and build what would be widely respected as the highest clinical outcomes possible,”

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Granger said. In the future, Granger said patients can expect to see more technology and new services, such as a separate cancer care center that is planned for the site but has not yet begun construction. The Daniel Corporation, which owns the 65-acre property, has plans to build hotels, retail and office buildings around Grandview in the next decade. Local effects Grandview’s effects aren’t limited to its patients and physicians. Granger said the project has already brought construction jobs to the 280 area, which has also brought business to area restaurants. A 2009 economic impact study by economist Keivan Deravi projects that the completion

of the hospital and the Daniel Corporation’s other plans will bring around 6,000 jobs and more than $400 million in annual earnings. Those extra dollars will come with a side of traffic for 280. Trinity currently employs about 2,000 people and has beds for 560 patients, all of which will now be traveling 280 along with visitors and employees at the neighboring physician offices. Trinity and ALDOT have been working together to create better traffic flow in the area before the hospital begins running. Granger said the plans haven’t been completed yet, but he expects them to include improvements to nearby intersections and better left and right turns for cars leaving the hospital’s campus. ALDOT Division 3 Engineer Brian Davis said the changes could include

280Living.com additional lanes on 280, but the plans will be finalized by early January. After studying the hospital’s peak traffic times, however, Granger said the traffic impact won’t be as severe as it sounds. Surgery patients begin arriving at 5:30 a.m. and the majority of other patients and employees arrive between 6 and 7 a.m. With a shift change happening between 6:30 and 7 p.m., Grandview’s heavy traffic flow will happen before and after normal rush hours. “A lot of our patient flow will occur outside those prime traffic windows on 280,” Granger said. “We want to make our actions as non-disruptive as possible.” Ambulance and emergency personnel may find their workdays a little easier once Grandview opens at the end of the year. Along with the new freestanding emergency departments that Brookwood Medical Center and UAB Medical West are building, Grandview brings medical care much closer for emergency calls along the 280 corridor. Granger said he has talked with emergency medical officials as part of the planning process, and some have said the new hospital will help them drop off patients and get back into service as much as an hour sooner. “It will help tremendously,” Hoover Fire Department Executive Officer Rusty Lowe said. “280 traffic in the morning, especially, and in the afternoon can be difficult, and that gives us another option for a patient that needs to be seen quickly in that area.” “That is a very positive thing for us because it saves us from having to pass by Grandview and continue on to the downtown hospitals or Brookwood [Medical Center],” Grant Wilkinson, volunteer commander at Cahaba Valley Fire and Rescue, said. The big hurdle After construction is complete, there is one large challenge remaining in Grandview’s way: transporting physicians, patients and equipment between locations without interrupting medical care.

January 2015 • A15 Trinity has been coordinating with Prompt Ambulance Services for months to make the move happen. Ron Donahue, the vice president of business development at PAS, said the plan will be finished at the end of January and they will soon begin taking employees on tours of the new facility and training them for their roles on the big day. “Everyone from the CEO to the dietary staff will understand their roles on move day,” Donahue said. The plans include moving and installing as much equipment as possible before the patient move day, without compromising medical care. Granger said the staff will be prepared so they are completely comfortable with the new hospital while taking care of patients. There are also “contingency plans upon contingency plans,” Donahue said, to deal with any possible snag in the moving process. PAS will be bringing in special communication systems and software to track every patient’s movements and medical needs. Granger said the hospital will contract between 40 and 50 ambulances to carry patients, each attended by any needed equipment or physicians. If the planning pays off, it will be a seamless process. “Each of those patients will have a dedicated, assigned room,” Granger said. “When they leave here, we will know exactly where they’re going, we will have all their necessary items with them. They will be greeted and placed in that room as soon as they arrive on campus.” The move will take between eight and 12 hours and will be completed on one day, most likely a Saturday. The opening of Grandview will be big news for 280, but Granger and the medical staff are most concerned with making the transition pleasant for the people in their care. “We expect them to be having their evening meal on that Saturday night just like they would have if they had been here, perhaps with a better view and a little more spacious surroundings,” Granger said.

An aerial view of the progress being made at Grandview. This photograph was taken in November. Photo courtesy of Grandview Medical Center.

280 Living

A16 • January 2015

Your Health Today By Dr. Irma Leon Palmer

When it comes to your health do you sometimes feel you are in over your head? Slowly sinking? Or perhaps you feel like you are just a drift at sea waiting for the next wave to capsize you? Please don’t be discouraged! You may be only one small change away to really living WELL! Wellness can be described as a complete connection and synergistic function of the mind, body and spirit. Each of these integral pieces of the wellness puzzle can affect the others, positively or negatively. Like a tripod, the stability of each leg is necessary to remain standing and in balance. A complete focus on the mind neglects the body and spirit, just as a complete focus on the body neglects the other two. A life of complete wellness is not difficult to achieve when you are provided the right tools and educated on how to use them. Once you experience this balance you will most certainly wonder why you spent so much time out there in the vast ocean of information just “treading water”. At Chiropractic Today we help simplify your path to Wellness. Our wellness model is made up of five key components that can

be applied to people of all ages and degrees of health. They only need to be willing to take that first step and commit to finding their healthier life. The foundation of our model and the most important component is Faith. The belief that joy, peace, and freedom can be achieved through faith is essential. The other components are to re-establish neurological connections and to educate in proper nutrition, fitness and thinking. Your nervous system regulates every organ and system in your body. Without the ability to regulate body temperature, people could freeze at room temperature. Without the ability to heal, people could bleed out from paper cuts. Not only does the nervous system connect all parts of the body, it helps determine the body’s reaction and ability to handle the environmental factors you are exposed to everyday. A healthy nervous system is vital to living a healthy and productive life. Your emotional, mental and physical health is dependent on information passing freely through your neural pathways. All of your senses, sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch can be negatively

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Take the plunge impacted by a disturbed or blocked signal from your nervous system. Every function in your body is regulated by the transporting of information from your brain through your spinal cord. The first goal of Chiropractic is to liberate the nervous system allowing clear and healthy pathways for all information to travel to its intended destination in the body. Chiropractic care helps to re-establish this healthy neurological connection. So you might ask, if I exercise regularly why is nutrition and what I eat important? The brain needs fully functioning organs and body systems to operate at its fullest potential. Because all parts of the body are connected, if one part fails, the burden on the rest of the body is increased. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. At Chiropractic Today we guide you through a personalized plan designed to address your specific needs one step at a time. If you are in need of a jump-start plan regarding nutrition and healthy eating habits, Chiropractic Today offers a 21 Day Purification Program designed to purify and nourish the body and lays out a plan designed for you

to achieve and maintain a brighter, lighter lifestyle. It is no surprise that staying physically active is also an important component. Remember taking just one step is better than taking no step at all. At Chiropractic today we encourage you to “get moving” while keeping in mind what is suitable for you. Weight bearing exercise can help preserve and increase muscle tone and bone density both of which are growing concerns as we age. Cardiovascular exercise is good for the heart, lungs, digestive and endocrine systems helping to remove waste and replace it with new, stronger tissue. There are many varieties of physical exercise but it is important that you be aware of your capabilities and work with your health oriented advisor to establish goals. So ask yourself, is it finally time to just take the plunge? Call or stop by today and let us help you make that first step in the right direction toward complete wellness! Be sure to visit our website at Chiropractictoday.com for more information.

280Living.com

January 2015 • A17

Chamber

Steps of hope

Tony Cooper addresses Greater Shelby Chamber

By JESSA PEASE

determine what choices you make.

When Jimmie Hale Mission’s executive director addressed the Greater Shelby Chamber at its annual Prayer Breakfast, he began with the story of two foundations. Tony Cooper turned to the book of Matthew in his Bible and read aloud the story of a house built on rock and a house built on sand. “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). Cooper used this story to show the chamber members the difference between a life built on a solid foundation of faith and one that was not. He said that if a person is going to live a successful life, one that lives up to its potential, there are some steps you have to take to build a good foundation.

Conviction Cooper said every person needs to have conviction, which he defined as faith and what people use to determine right from wrong. He said that these are fixed beliefs that are non-negotiable, and those convictions are how you

Choice Everyday people make decisions, Cooper said. Everything is a choice, and every person is a product of their choices in life. He also said that some of those choices will be good and some are not so good, but choices are only as good as your conviction.

Consequence The consequences of the choices we make tell us if they were good or bad decisions. Cooper said you have to look at the effect of the choices you make through free will, and to be careful about what you do with your free will. While you may celebrate the good choices, he said you should re-examine the choices that lead to bad things.

Change When you re-examine your bad choices, they should lead to a commitment to change, according to Cooper. Sometimes we get caught in the status quo, but Cooper said if we aren’t moving forward we are backing up. He encourages people to see what the bad choices are, and to figure out how you can change it in the future.

Tony Cooper

Pediatric

ENT

Associates

From left: Brian Kulbersh, MD; Audie L. Woolley, MD, FACS; Brian J. Wiatrak, MD, FACS, FAAP; J. Scott Hill, MD, FACS, FAAP; and Nicholas Smith, MD

Our five physicians have more than 60 years of combined Pediatric ENT experience with additional fellowship training in Pediatric ENT surgery. We provide assessment, treatment and management for children with conditions such as: o Complex sinus problems o Ear infections (ear tubes) o Hearing loss o Tonsil and adenoid problems o Facial and neck masses o Sinus infections o Airway obstruction and breathing disorders o Cosmetic issues such as prominent ears (otoplasty) and birthmarks of the face and neck

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280 Living

A18 • January 2015

Donna Smelcer, the chair of the South Shelby Chamber, passed on her gavel to the next chair after 10 years of service.

Bobby Humphrey touched on football, motivation and desire when he addressed the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce. Photos by Jessa Pease.

Defining desire Former NFL player shares his story with the South Shelby Chamber By JESSA PEASE The actions taken by an eighth grade boy, who just wanted to play football, can only be called desire. Bobby Humphrey was a great “back-yard” football player, but his mother wouldn’t let him play on a team. So when Humphrey was in eighth grade, he joined a team without telling her, and he got away with it for about three weeks until his first ball game. “Here it is, my first ball game ever in my life,” Humphrey said. “I scored three touchdowns, led the team in tackles, had an interception and I got

the MVP on offense, defense and special teams.” But it was a bittersweet victory for him because he knew his mother would be angry when he got home — it was after dark and he had been playing football. Standing in the doorway to his house, Humphrey presented his mother with his three trophies, and, to his surprise, his mother wasn’t angry. “She said there was something about the look I had in my eyes, that I really had a desire to do something,” He said. “She let me play from that day forward, and she said it’s the best thing she could’ve done.” Humphrey went on to play football at the

University of Alabama and to be a first-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos, but what got him there was his desire. When you have desire, Humphrey said, it’s a motivation to achieve something. If you never lose sight of your goal, regardless of how long it takes to reach it, you are going to get there. “My dream was to play football and it led me to many different things,” Humphrey said. “Things are still happening just from a little kid who wanted to play ball.” He explained that it comes down to four different types of people: wanderers, followers, achievers and leaders. Wanderers never get it

and they never see it, followers see it and don’t pursue it and achievers see it and actually go after it. Most importantly are the leaders, Humphrey said, they see it, achieve it and help others achieve it. He didn’t set out to become a legend, he was just a little kid who wanted to play football, but he represented Alabama as one of the SEC legends at the SEC Championship game Dec. 6. “I really, really wanted it,” Humphrey said. “I had that strong desire to be something, to play ball, and I ended up somewhere that I think I am very blessed to be. I started playing football, I was a coach, a salesman and now I’m a banker.”

280Living.com

January 2015 • A19

South Shelby Chamber’s 2014 Diamond Awards Business of the Year

Citizen of the Year

Snider’s Pharmacy/ Ground Up Coffee and Smoothies

Sheriff Chris Curry, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office

Snider’s Pharmacy was chosen because they are always helping out with school fundraisers. They even deliver coffee to Chelsea Park Elementary every Friday morning. They are always willing to participate in school activities and seek new ways to help out.

Sheriff Chris Curry has helped so many people in Shelby County, and he has been with the Sheriff’s office since 1980. Although he was not present to accept his award, his wife was there to accept it in his place.

New Business of the Year

Ambassador of the Year

99.9 APH Radio

Vicki Everett

99.9 APH Radio works to be revenue-generating engines that fund nonprofits all over Shelby County.

The ambassadors for the South Shelby Chamber were asked to nominate within themselves, and Everett was chosen.

280 Living

A20 • January 2015

Business Spotlight

Azia Medical Spa

Read past Business Spotlights at 280Living.com

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153 Narrows Parkway, Suite 201 980-7772 aziamedicalspa.com Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

By JESSA PEASE How are we going to setup the spa? How are we going to decorate? What services do we want to offer? All these questions buzzed across Alex Mims’ and Dee Yadyasar’s dinner table each night as they imagined what their own spa might look like. It was five years ago when the Inverness residents opened Azia Medical Spa, a full service spa with a medical staff that provides surgical services. Azia has grown into something Yadyasar never expected. “At first we were going to be a salon,” she said. “We changed it. We decided to just use facial, massage and weight loss, and started to do body without realizing how it would take off.” With a medical staff of general surgeons, plastic surgeons, massage therapists and estheticians, Azia now offers a full range of wellness-centered services. These include weight loss programs, laser hair removal and treatments for shrinking cells to loose weight. Every service is centered on ideas of health, beauty and improving self-image. Kay North, a licensed massage therapist with 30 years of experience, said the most popular services right now are the diet and Botox combination, massages, facials, permanent cosmetics and a treatment called Venus Freeze, a process specifically designed to shrink the layers of the skin so that it looks healthier. As an esthetician, Yadyasar performs the Venus Freeze treatments along with customized facials; laser treatments to remove spots, the

Cebollero’s tips for staying healthy after the holidays }} Learn how to decide when your body is full to keep from overeating }} Drink a lot of water to keep your body more satisfied }} Eat about six times a day to keep from over indulging }} Set smaller goals to more easily see the progress you make }} Have an accountability partner to keep you on track As an esthetician, owner Dee Yadyasar performs Venus Freeze treatments, customized facials, laser treatments and camouflaging techniques. Photo by Jessa Pease.

appearance of veins and redness; and camouflaging techniques to repair damages to the skin such as burns or scars. Being healthy and losing weight, though, are people’s main concerns, according to Yadyasar. “Everyone wants to lose weight and look good,” Yadyasar said. “That and just be healthier.” Those services are Chanda Cebollero’s

specialty. She says a weight loss coach can be helpful for people trying to lose weight. Not only can they help people set realistic goals and customize meal plans, but they can also answer questions and keep people on track that might give up otherwise. If a person is committed to achieving a certain goal, North said the team at Azia will be with them 100 percent of the way, but they can only

do so much. “Estheticians and massage therapists are not here to ‘fix’ you,” North said. “We are here to help you facilitate a healthier body and living style. Massage therapists can work with the tendons and muscles and estheticians can work with the skin care, but if you are not eating right and you are not trying to do other things to change your lifestyle, then it’s only going to be superficial.”

280Living.com

January 2015 • A21

Cindy Parnell, Michelle Butts and Lindsey Parnell stand near the entrance of The Ditsy Daisy’s new fashion truck. Photo courtesy of Michelle Butts.

Fashion on the go

The Ditsy Daisy fashion truck visited the Mt Laurel Fall Festival in October. Photo by Madison Miller.

280 boutique designs a mobile ‘fashion truck’

By MADISON MILLER When Ditsy Daisy owners Cindy Parnell and Michelle Butts decided to buy a truck for their models to change in during fashion shoots, they soon realized that they had a bigger opportunity on their hands. With the popularity of food trucks on the rise, the mother-daughter team decided that they would create a fashion truck. After several weeks of searching over the

summer, Parnell and Butts learned that a neighboring business had a truck that was no longer in use. “It was a blank slate, so the designing began,” Butts said. Designing and implementing changes to the truck took about three months. While planning the designs, Parnell and Butts wanted to create a smaller version of their boutique but also wanted to be able to include everything that they

normally would in-store. “We have all of the things that we have in our boutique, along with a few extras,” Butts said. “It is stocked with our best-sellers from our store, along with accessories and small gifts...We aim to have something for all ages.” The truck made its debut at the Mt Laurel Harvest Festival on Oct. 11. The Ditsy Daisy hopes to reach customers who might find it difficult to visit their location frequently.

“[It’s] a great way to reach customers in other areas,” Butts said. Customers will be able to book the truck for any event such as girls’ nights out, birthday parties, sorority events, charity events and more. When it is not at events, it will be parked in front of the store. For more information on The Ditsy Daisy or the fashion truck, visit theditsydaisy.com or call 678-6166.

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280Living.com

January 2015 • A23 Renaissance Consignment & Marketplace. 980-4663. urbanhomemarket.com.

Now Open Newk’s is now open at 950 Inverness Corners. newks.com.

Coming Soon Brass Bear Antiques and Flea Mall will open soon at 2656 Valleydale Road in a long-vacant location that once housed Piggly Wiggly and Big B Drugs. The store will have more than 30,000 square feet of antiques, furniture and much more. brassbearantiques.com.

Eli’s Jerusalem Grill, 4673 U.S. 280, is now open. The restaurant offers fresh Israeli food and drinks. 637-3658.

Preserve Paints, 2815 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Suite 500, is now open. They are an authorized Benjamin Moore Paint retailer and offer a full line of interior and exterior paints. 588-1585. preservepaints.com.

of New York. The shopping center is anchored by Publix and includes several other tenants, including The UPS Store, Neighborhood Brew, Taco Bell and others. rosengroupinc.net. Pure Barre 280, 5426 Highway 280, Suite 6, is under new ownership. Deanna Pizitz welcomes Meredith Latimer and Amy McCool as co-owners. 991-5224. purebarre.com.

News and Accomplishments

Relocations and Renovations

Business news Business news Mundy Motor Company, formerly at 15692 Highway 280, Chelsea, has relocated to 208 West College Street in Columbiana. 671-5072. mundymotors.com.

Salon, 4700 Highway 4 Colorbar 280, Suite 11, is now open in the former location of Richard Joseph SalonSpa. They are an authorized Aveda salon. 991-0065. colorbarbham.com.

14 The Funky Mufﬁn, 4647-B U.S. 280, is now distributing its glutenfree products through DirectEats.com, which offers free shipping, and the Celiac Disease Foundation’s new “Marketplace” hub. The bakery is also offering sandwiches and box lunches to-go starting this month. 408-9825. thefunkymufﬁnbakery.com.

Realtors Expo in New Orleans in November. 408-9911. ponderproperties.com.

Hirings and Promotions Lauren Hughey, MD, has joined the staff of Village Dermatology, 13521 Old Highway 280, Suite 201B. Dr. Hughey is board certiﬁed in dermatology and previously was the director of the Dermatology Consult Service at UAB. 877-9773. villagedermatology.net.

Cardiovascular Associates, a Brookwood Medical Partner, has welcomed three new physicians to its practice: Alfred W.H. Stanley Jr., MD; Saji C. Jacob, MD; and Benjamin R. Plaisance, MD, MPH. The main campus is located at 3980 Colonnade Parkway. 510-5000. cvapc.com.

to share? to share?Business news Coming Soon to share? Coming Soon Tutoring Club has relocated to 5479 Highway 280, Suite 112. They were formerly located in the Inverness Corners shopping center. 981-7155. tutoringclub.com.

Chubb’s Grub Station, 16634 Highway 280, Chelsea, is now open. This is the second location for the popular restaurant, its ﬁrst location being in Alabaster. 664-8696. chubbsgrub.com.

New Ownership

Summit Pediatrics, 134 Foothills Parkway, Chelsea, is now open. The clinic is owned and operated by Sylacauga Pediatrics and is open Monday through Friday. 678-0861.

Urban Home Market, 1001 Doug Baker Blvd., is now open. The home furnishings store is owned and operated Kathy McMahon, owner of

Hyatt Place, 4686 Highway 280 in Inverness, has been acquired by Lone Star Funds from Hyatt Corporation as part of a larger $590 million purchase. The hotel will undergo extensive renovations and will retain the Hyatt Place name and brand. 995-9242. hyattplace.com.

The Valleydale Village Shopping Center, located at the intersection of Valleydale and Caldwell Mill roads, has been purchased by The Rosen Group

Ponder Properties, 850 Corporate Parkway, Suite 106, is adding a residential real estate division to its business. The company is well-known throughout Birmingham for commercial real estate. Deneise Fondren has been hired to head the residential real estate division. 408-9911. ponderproperties.com.

Terry Ponder, partner at Ponder Properties, 850 Corporate Parkway, Suite 106, was recognized by the National Association of Realtors as the 2014 Outstanding Member and 2014 Agent for Change. He was presented with these awards at the NAR Commercial

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If you are in a brick and mortar business along the 280 corridor and want to share your event with the community, let us know.

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Closings

Fireflies & Fairytales, a children’s clothing store at 611 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 114, is closing after eight years in business. The owners, three sisters, wish to spend more time with their families and hope to reopen in some capacity in the future. 408-5808. firefliesandfairytales.com.

Kiki’s Kickin’ Cakes, 5479 Highway 280, Suite 122, has closed. 20

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280 Living

A24 • January 2015

A new kind of furniture

store

Owner Kathy McMahon discussed the various fabric samples with her designers at the design center in Urban Home Market. Photos by Jessa Pease.

Urban Home Market opens in the Village at Lee Branch By JESSA PEASE Urban Home Market is more than a furniture store; it’s a place where remnants of the past reappear.

When the doors opened at the Village at Lee Branch Dec. 19, guests were greeted by a large tree, ornamented with drooping birdcages, growing from the front desk and the sound of water trickling from a waterfall.

“One of the things I’ve always strived for when I do a business is that you can’t look at it as a business,” said owner Kathy McMahon. “You have to look at it as an experience, and I like my clients to feel that they have experienced something very

unique when they shop at one of my stores.” McMahon also owns Renaissance Consignment & Marketplace on Cahaba Valley Road, and is the previous owner of Past Perfect, a furniture store formerly located in Lee Branch that

280Living.com

January 2015 • A25

Urban Home Market, a new furniture store in the Village at Lee Branch, features a selection of pieces as well as a decorating center.

she sold in 2007. After signing a non-compete agreement, McMahon got into clothing, but her background and degree were in interior design. Two years ago, McMahon decided to start Urban Home Market just before the space became available at Lee Branch. She said it was the best place to open a furniture store because it’s the only thing like it in the area. Most people, she said, had to drive to Birmingham or

Homewood before she opened. McMahon describes Urban Home Market as somewhere that people can walk in and buy furniture straight off the floor. In chain furniture stores, clients have to wait for furniture to be ordered, but Urban offers special and take-home-today orders. “We are trying to come up with a very different feel, and you can kind of see by looking around the store,” McMahon said. “It’s a mix

of industrial [and] reclaimed. We put in a lot of modern industrial elements with the luxuries that kind of refer to the past as well.” McMahon pointed to a silver, velvet Chesterfield sofa as an example of mixing old-fashioned-style with a modern twist. Velvet and cool colors make the more classic structure a contemporary piece. McMahon uses more than inspiration from the past, though. A specialty of Urban is the

reclaimed, one-of-a-kind, pieces. McMahon said if she can dream it up, Max Whitfield, who works with her, can create it. Most recently, they have used old doors and a barn rail to create a cover for flat-screen TVs. “It brings resurgence of life,” McMahon said. “When you mix a lot of these things, the elements and the old pieces, it really gives a home or store or office its catena, its character and its uncontrived charm.” The brick behind Urban’s front desk is actually more than 100 years old. It was part of the Avondale Cotton Mills in Sylacauga, and when the building was torn down, McMahon was able to salvage the material and bring it back to life. She travels all over the country to find architectural elements from old wall moldings, hardware and iron posts for use in her pieces. “The nice thing about it is they have history, and we try to gather as much history about it as we can,” McMahon said. “People like having history because it’s a great for conversation, and they have these very unique pieces in their home no one else in the world has.” Urban also offers a large decorating center where eight in-house, complimentary designers work with clients. The store also features a heavy emphasis on lighting. “A lot of times when people decorate they don’t know how to put the finishing touches on it,” McMahon said. “They can go out and buy a sofa one month, a lamp one month and a painting one month, and it just never seems to have that feel to it. Urban is going to be a one-stop shop for decorating.” To ensure every client is happy with his or her design, McMahon offers an Inspiration to Installation program. Through it, designers meet with the client in his or her home and then again in the store. From there, Urban decorates the room one afternoon, and the client is able to live with it for the night. If the client likes it, he or she pays for it, and if not, Urban picks up anything that didn’t work out. The service, like everything in the store, is centered on creating the perfect look for customer and his or her dreams for a room. For more information, visit urbanhomemarket. com.

280 Living

A26 • January 2015

Oak Mountain grad Ameen Barghi named Rhodes Scholar By RACHAEL HEADLEY Oak Mountain High School graduate Ameen Barghi is bound for Oxford. Barghi, a senior neuroscience and translational research major at UAB, was named a Rhodes Scholar on Nov. 22. Next fall he will be one of 32 U.S. students to receive an all-expenses-paid graduate education at Oxford University in England as a part of the prestigious scholarship program. “The idea of the scholarship has not really settled in yet, but nonetheless I am entirely overjoyed,” Barghi said. “It is more than just an honor to be selected from that group of individuals all of whom will, no doubt, change the world in their own way.” Barghi began the process as one of 877 applicants nominated by their universities. From that pool, 256 underwnt a rigorous interview process. Barghi said it is an immense honor to be considered for the scholarship and he attributes his success to his school and community’s investment in him. He plans to further his education in clinical neuroscience while at Oxford. In 2013, Barghi was also named a Goldwater Scholar, giving him a premier scholarship for students pursuing scientific or mathematic research. To him, it showed that all of the work he had put into his research had culminated in a success for himself and his university.

Ameen Barghi has become an advocate for Shelby County Schools because he believes that he was well prepared for college classes and research. Here he delivers a keynote address at a Showcase of Schools event last spring. Photo courtesy of Ameen Barghi.

After graduating from Oak Mountain in 2011, Barghi said he was prepared for the demands of college level classes and research through rigorous advanced placement courses and programs available to him at OMHS.

“Taking these classes really helps you get a glimpse of what a college education is like, so much earlier than many people get the opportunity to,” Barghi said. “So, I am eternally grateful for that kind of setting and

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that kind of academic environment.” His interest in neuroscience began with reading Changing Brains by Norman Doidge and working at UAB with patients undergoing stroke therapy. Barghi’s time with the patients

inspired him to not only conduct research but also to treat patients. In order to accomplish this goal, he hopes to go to medical school and earn an M.D. as well as a Ph.D. “I wanted to be a pivotal part of their process of both their pre and post-recovery therapy,” Barghi said. Growing up in the 280 community allowed him to grow up with the same people from fourth grade all the way to graduation, Barghi said, creating an incredible support system. “[They] not only knew me personally but knew what I wanted to do professionally and they made resources available for me to be able to achieve what I wanted,” Barghi said. Barghi said that the support of his community has allowed him to grow personally and believes that the same support contributes to the growth of the community as well. In ten years, Barghi sees himself running an National Institutes of Health-funded lab where he not only sees patients but also works with collaborators to do bench science, potentially in the greater Birmingham area. “Not only is [the greater Birmingham area] a great place to raise children, it’s also a great place to grow professionally,” Barghi said. “I’ve seen a lot of junior scientists come here and take advantage of the resources we have and really excel and become senior scientists leading their field nationally and internationally.”

280Living.com

January 2015 • A27

Making waves of change Local nonprofit provides clean water for developing countries By KATIE TURPEN For many living in undeveloped countries around the world, clean water is anything but a guarantee. However, one local organization is hard at work to change that. Neverthirst is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing clean and living water to developing countries. Their office is located off of U.S. 280 in the Edenton subdivision. The organization sends teams out to drill the clean water wells. To date they have completed more than 2,500 projects that serve more than 325,000 people. Projects have been built in South Sudan, Sudan, India and Cambodia. Co-founder and Executive Director Mark Whitehead worked in industrial sales for more than 20 years and admits that mission work was never on his radar. It was a sermon preached by

David Platt in 2006 that propelled him forward and inspired him to go on a series of trips. One of those was to South Sudan, and he saw firsthand where people received their water. “They took us to a creek that was not flowing, covered in algae,” Whitehead said. “I knew right then what we needed to do.” The organization was founded in 2008. Neverthirst has additional volunteers, teams and leaders in each of the four countries it serves. Their solutions include bio-sand filters, piped water systems, household rainwater collection, deep wells and pump wells. Whitehead said they were unfamiliar with these systems when they first started but were eager to learn. “This organization has opened so many doors,” said Whitehead. “It has really grown year after year.” The organization also hosts annual fundraising

To date, Neverthirst has completed more than 2,500 clean water projects that serve more than 325,000 people. Projects have been built in South Sudan, Sudan, India and Cambodia.

events throughout the year, including an awareness campaign called WOD for Water. “WOD” is a crossfit term that stands for “Workout Of the Day.” The goal of WOD for Water is for individuals to come together and do a high-energy workout while helping Neverthirst raise money to provide clean water. The Hoover community has been an active supporter of the organization. Since the summer of 2012, Shades Crest Baptist Church member Micah Smith has organized lemonade stands to raise money for Neverthirst. Since 2012, these stands have raised more than $14,000 to drill five clean water wells, all located in India. The wells have provided clean water to more than

2,500 people. The Hoover Youth well was funded by the 2013 lemonade stand. Not only did youth from Shades Crest Baptist come and help, but multiple others from Hunter Street Baptist Church and Bluff Park Community Church volunteered their time. The Hoover Youth well is in the village of Shahpur, located in the district of Jehanabad in Bihar, India, and will serve 15 families. “Since so many of Hoover’s youth helped man the lemonade stands, it was only fitting that the well funded would be named in honor of them,” said Smith. For more, visit neverthirstwater.org.

280 Living

A28 • January 2015

Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

The child who makes me brave Do you have a child who’s the opposite of you, and when they’re little you don’t know what to do with that, but then they grow up and you realize what an extraordinary gift you’ve been given? That’s how I feel about my Sophie Bear, who turns 10 this month. While I’m a scaredy cat, Sophie is fearless. While I’m sensitive, she is tough. While I’m an introvert who loves to stay home and nest, she’s an extrovert, always up for an adventure and any excuse to get out. Sophie’s courage and passion for people and life inspire me every day. When I grow up, I want to be like her. I must admit, however, that what makes Sophie great now made her a hard baby and toddler. Back then I couldn’t keep up. I couldn’t stop her for 10 seconds because from morning to night she had sparks coming off her. Sophie was desperate to keep up with her big sister, and when she got left behind...oh, it was tragic. At Mother’s Day Out, Sophie’s teachers often caught her crawling out of the baby room. The second she heard big kids passing in the hall, she’d try to escape. In her mind she was three years old. Whatever those kids did, she could do, too. Sophie was born with a lot of extras — extra energy, extra spunk, extra smiles and extra love. Early on, many of our adult friends would see a kindred spirit in Sophie. With a twinkle in their eye and a knowing smile, they’d tell me and my

Kari Kampakis with her daughter, Sophie.

husband, “I really like that Sophie. She reminds me of myself as a child.” Their remarks gave me hope when Sophie’s spirit wore me out. Those who related to Sophie were always fun-loving, big-hearted and well adjusted adults, and through them I learned to see what her enthusiasm could eventually

translate into. I learned to recognize Sophie’s zest as something to embrace and channel, rather than stifle and suppress, for people like her are made to move mountains. Today, Sophie has a great personality and high emotional intelligence. Fiercely loyal to friends and loved ones, she isn’t scared of hard things. If a tough situation comes up, she’s there. If a conversation needs to happen, she’ll address it. Sophie would walk through fire to help someone. She is a protector. She is also perceptive. She notices everything and asks 100 questions to find out what she doesn’t know. If ever you need a detective, this is your girl. Her curiosity leaves no stone unturned. There’s much to love about my Sophie Bear, but her best asset is her heart. Her deep love for people begins with her deep love for God. Sometimes when she’s upset, she’ll go to her room to pray or write to Him in her journal. Her faith at age 10 amazes me. It’s as genuine as it gets. So if you’re raising your own Sophie, a tenacious toddler who keeps you on your toes and your knees as you pray for help, remember there is hope. Remember that what leaves you exhausted today may be exactly what leaves you in awe tomorrow. As for my Sophie, let me end with this: You entered this world on your terms. Unlike your three sisters, all induced, you arrived two days early. Your middle-of-the-night delivery was fast and unexpected, a perfect beginning for you.

From the start I was smitten. I was proud to call you mine. A happy baby, you attracted friends everywhere we went. People thought it was just them making you light up and bounce, and of course I never had the heart to say, “Oh, she smiles like that at everyone. She’s very social.” The challenge began at 10 months when you began walking. You went looking for action and wanted off my hip for good. That independence and longing for adventure was hard to accept because I wanted to keep you close. Only in time would I understand that God wired you a certain way as part of His plan for you. I love you, Sophie Bear, and I thank you for making me a better person and mom. You stretch me beyond my comfort zone and make me brave. When I’m with you, I feel strong and fearless, too, because you rub off on me. Keep shining your light, spreading your joy and sharing your laughter. This world needs you, and so do I. You might only be 10, but I look up to you. I thank God for the life we’ve built together and the memories still ahead. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Birmingham mom of four girls, columnist and blogger for The Huffington Post. Her first book, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, is 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

January 2015 • A29

My South By Rick Watson

Heaven Jobs were almost nonThe mention of the word “heaven” brings up images in existent, and keeping everyone’s head. When you food on the table was a challenge. ask people to describe what Many of the homes in heaven looks like, most of those images you hear about rural areas of the counare quite different. try were little more than Some rely on what’s in the cabins with no insulation Good Book with its pearly and were heated by wood gates and streets of gold, but or coal-burning fireothers hold a more modernisplaces. Air conditioning was unheard of. tic view. I’m not here to debate it The cooking was often Watson one way or the other, but to done on a wood stove in describe a conversation that I had with a the kitchen. Even in the blazing heat of good friend many years ago. summer, families required a fire in the Joel Robinson, who died a while back, cook stove for meals. looked around his Sunday school class of After dusk, the only light came from middle-aged people and proclaimed that homemade candles or lanterns. They raised hogs, chickens, goats and we’re living in heaven. He was a country lawyer by trade and knew when to pause cows for food, and everyone had a garden. Abundant harvests meant that there was for effect. We all looked at each other, a little con- enough food to go around, and when crops fused. “I didn’t realize there were house failed, many went hungry. The class became swept up in the story payments, and dental appointments in heaven,” I thought. as Joel painted with words a tapestry repAfter a short time, most of my class- resenting life for many Americans during mates must have been thinking along the those years. same lines because a course of murmurs “So you see, if my mama and daddy swept through the class. were living today, they’d think they were Joel was a gifted speaker and teacher, in heaven. To flip a switch to turn on lights, but some folks in the class thought he or press a few buttons and have a hot stove might have drifted too far from the shore to bake bread, or to turn on a faucet and on this one. have an abundance of fresh water, would After looking each of us in the eye, he have been like heaven to them. That’s not said, “Let me explain.” to mention being able to step into a warm We all sat back and let him make his room in their house and bath or use the case. bathroom without going outside on frosty For the next half hour Joel spoke in a mornings.” tone and rhythm that made me think of The room fell silent for a long time as Atticus Finch, the country attorney played we contemplated his words. I’m not sure by Gregory Peck in the movie based on about the others, but that day as I seated Harper Lee’s classic book To Kill A myself in the comfortable seat of my car Mockingbird. and cranked the engine for the 20-minute Joel would have been in his late 80s drive home, I realized that in some ways now, and he survived the Great Depres- we are indeed living in heaven. sion with his family. He was young, but Rick Watson is a columnist and author. not too young to remember the hardships His latest book Life Happens is available and desperation his family and friends in on Amazon.com. You can contact him at his community endured during one of the rick@homefolkmedia.com. darkest times in America’s history.

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I inherited a myriad of on a date for the first time traits from both my parents. with someone I actually like. I’ve thought about From my father, a hearty them when driving into a appetite, a goofy sense of humor and his thick Chia new city to call home, and Pet hair that requires special even on those days when shampoo. From my mother, I’m walking out my front also the hearty appetite, a door dreading the worst. love of colorful scarves and So often, the nerves a passion for working with kick in, the shaking starts children. and the conga line of negBut what both of them ative thoughts begin in my head. “I can’t do this.” might not realize is that Turpen they gave me a lot more than Each time, though, I try to mushroom hair and an iron stomach. There remember what my parents have taught are two things my dad taught me that I will both me and my brother since we were never forget. little, that there’s so much to be happy One, never leave the house without about in life, so much to be thankful for brushing your teeth. Two, don’t be scared and, what is the worst that can happen? about your future. Be excited. I always hear my mother say, “Katie, Throughout my life, I’ve taken this sometimes you just have to do things advice on both small and large scales. I’ve scared.” The reward on the other side is thought about both of these things before often far greater than I know, and all it intimidating job interviews, final exams takes is a leap across the invisible wall. worth 110 percent of my grade and going Oh, and a fresh toothbrush.

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280 Living

A30 • January 2015

You know you live off U.S. 280 when… Photo by Sydney Cromwell.

“You give yourself 30 minutes to get from Lee Branch to the Summit during traffic hour, and do a happy cheer when you make it in only 15 minutes because you hit all green instead of all red lights.” Sarah Rhodes, Mt Laurel

“You see the leaves change color on the mountain 20 miles away.” Liz Jones, Highland Lakes

“You say ‘Thank God’ I live and work in Chelsea and don’t have to go over the mountain!!” Kelly Paramore, Chelsea

“There is a 33 percent chance you have wrecked on that road.”

“You have to go through a traffic light and make a U-turn to pull into your driveway.”

Shari Hyde, Chelsea

Jon Harvill, The Cedars Photo by Jessa Pease.

“You smell sewage at the intersection of U.S. 280 and 119.” Tara McCallister, Eagle Point

Photo by Jessa Pease.

“Ten minutes can make the difference in being 30 minutes early or an hour late.” Stephanie Boyington, Chelsea

“When you avoid anything that starts at 5 o’clock! Umm, let’s push that to 6:30!” Nichol Fincher, Chelsea

“It takes you longer to go through Chick-fil-A than have your hair done!” Vicki Everett, Highland Lakes

Photo by Jessa Pease.

“Your life is traffic, traffic, traffic.” Justin Holifield, Brook Highland

280Living.com

January 2015 • A31

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280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

SECTION

Women of 280 B1 School House B16 Calendar B21

Women of

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To start off the new year, 280 Living is recognizing businesswomen in our community. Each woman featured uses her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her profession to make the place we call home the best it can be.

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Business articles featured in this section are paid advertisements.

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eigh to Wellness opened in June of 2014, in fulfillment of Leslie Ellison’s passion for treating patients as unique individuals. The weight management clinic provides patients with strong support while equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve a lifechanging experience. “I enjoy helping people live their best life,” Ellison said. Ellison partners with Timothy H. Real, MD to provide customized programs tailored to each patient’s lifestyle and needs, while ensuring the best in weight management care. She has over 18 years of experience in the industry, and Real is board certified in obesity medicine. Ellison and Real are active members of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians. What works for one patient may not work for another. To meet such varied needs, the program includes nutritional guidance and meal planning by a registered dietitian as well as the option of meal replacements, protein supplements and prescription medications. Lipotropic and B12 injections are available to increase energy safely and enhance weight

Leslie Ellison loss. Whether patients wish to lose 10 pounds or 100, there is never a contract or sign-up fee.

Married for 14 years to Daryl Ellison, she works as hard at home caring for their two children, Gavin

and Ava, and enjoys cheering them on in their many sports activities.

Ellison and Real strive not only to help patients reach their weight loss goals, but also to inspire them to create permanent lifestyle changes. Weigh to Wellness provides free lifetime maintenance.

994-2393 • weightowellnessllc.com • 4704 Cahaba River Road

280 Living

B2 • January 2015

hen Dr. Sherri Weissman saw the impact that braces had on her younger sister, she decided she wanted to provide the same positive experience for others. “I saw the changes in her smile and realized what a strong impact a beautiful smile had on her selfesteem,” Dr. Weissman said. “I became driven by the desire to help others achieve this.”

Dr. Weissman is a specialist in orthodontics, which requires three years of additional training after dental school. Dr. Weissman has been serving the community for 20 years since she started her private practice in 1994. The practice specializes in orthodontics in the Inverness area. It provides a variety of treatment options including traditional braces, clear braces, lingual braces and Invisalign® to children, teens and adults to create beautiful smiles. Great Smiles Orthodontics delivers optimal care with the newest technology in a warm, comfortable environment. Dr. Weissman is passionate about her work and committed to making sure patients have

Dr. Sherri Weissman a positive experience as well as a beautiful result. She is fortunate to be surrounded by an experienced, enthusiastic, talented and compassionate team. Dr. Weissman is a strong believer in being a positive influence in her patients’ lives and contributing to their self-esteem and overall well-being.

When she is not at Great Smiles Orthodontics, Dr. Weissman enjoys outdoor activities such as running, hiking, camping and scuba diving. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her family. Dr. Weissman met her husband, Jeff, while in dental school. They have three children, one son, Matthew, and twins, Jake and Gabrielle.

991-9292 • bracesbygreatsmiles.com • 202 Inverness Center Drive

Terry Crutchfield

Animeeta Patel

nimeeta Patel started with Kumon as her first job, and 10 years later, she is a Kumon owner and operator. Patel, who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, has always had a deep passion for education. Coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit, Patel knew that offering an after school math and reading program to her community would provide distinct advantages for the learning future of students. Kumon, the world’s largest and most successful after school math and reading program, empowers children to become self-learners and develop strong academic skills. Located in 48 countries and regions, Kumon pursues academic excellence by allowing students to study above their current grade level. When she is not at her center, you can find Patel and her husband exploring the culinary side of Birmingham and participating in CrossFit.

994-7200 • kumon.com/birmingham-greystone 270 Doug Baker Boulevard, Suite 400

s a prior business owner for many years, Terry Crutchfield knows that the needs and goals of clients are always the top priority in any business relationship. Her enthusiastic approach, energy and passion enable her to provide exceptional service to every client. She provides true commitment before, during and after the sale and has the ability to listen to the buyer/purchaser, helping them make wise investment decisions. As a native Alabamian, she sees Birmingham as a hidden gem with countless amenities, from a thriving economy to five-star restaurants, world-class sporting events and entertainment. Terry feels blessed to reside here and enjoys introducing visitors and clients to the beauty of our area. Terry is a wife and mother of two sons. When not serving clients’ needs, she loves to travel, sail, and follow Alabama football. She devotes her free time to raising funds for specialized medicine in cancer research and helping clothe the less fortunate. Advantage South

tecrutchfield@charter.net • 873-3205 • terrycrutchfield.com 2635 Valleydale Rd., Suite 200

Amanda Hardin

inding the right property is challenging for many people. That’s where Amanda Hardin steps in. She enjoys helping people buy and sell real estate through Avenir Realty, a company named for the French word for future. “Avenir holds a tremendous amount of symbolism as the name of my company,” Hardin said. “This is my future but also each client’s avenue to their future. Whether buying a home and starting a family, becoming an empty nester and downsizing, starting a business or looking to invest in real estate to grow personal wealth, each transaction has a unique story, and each client becomes a friend. My work is very rewarding.” Since 2012, the boutique real estate company has partnered with lenders, attorneys, accountants, developers and architects to provide comprehensive real estate services. Buying and selling real estate can be a time consuming, confusing and complex process. For each client, a team is assembled and managed specific to their real estate needs to create a more timely, organized and enjoyable real estate experience. Avenir Realty makes the deal make sense. Avenir’s comprehensive approach also allows the company to serve a spectrum

“Avenir holds a tremendous amount of symbolism as the name of my company. This is my future but also each client’s avenue to their future. Each transaction has a unique story, and each client becomes a friend. My work is very rewarding.” of real estate needs from residential to commercial to government contracting. Being able to provide a spectrum of real estate services allows Avenir Realty to truly become an advocate for each client and help structure a long-term real estate plan. Avenir can help families find a house to make a home, business owners find ideal commercial locations to house their business, and investors diversify and build wealth using real estate. No matter what the real estate need, it’s never too early to create a plan and lay out your avenue to the future. A Birmingham native, Hardin grew up in Vestavia Hills and attended John Carroll Catholic High School then UAB School of Nursing, where she focused on research. While there, she designed and completed

an International Review Board-approved medical study that has been published in multiple scientific journals. Hardin also appeared as a contestant on the History Channel’s realty television show, Top Shot, Season 3. She now runs a community outreach group, Lipstick Tactical, a group designed to empower women in their everyday lives. Although her career is now focused on real estate, she still puts her nursing license to use volunteering to provide medical care in camp settings for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Lakeshore Foundation. But outside of that, her passion lies in real estate. “So much time is spent at work that I wanted to be in a profession that I would not only love but also would allow me to include my family in my business, and real estate does this,” she said.

383-4553 • avenirrealtyalabama.com • 2800 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Suite 5A

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hen allergies and asthma affect your quality of life, Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center and Dr. Sunena Argo step in. Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center treats adults, children and babies. Our goal is to help people live a better quality of life and breathe well. We offer allergy testing and treatment by board-certified allergy and asthma specialists. The practice also provides treatment for other allergic diseases including food allergies, and all types of asthma from mild to severe. A complete list of conditions we treat is available on our website. Dr.Sunena Argo grew up in Birmingham, and graduated from the UAB School of Medicine. She completed her Residency in Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. She then completed her Allergy and Immunology Fellowship at the University of Missouri Kansas City and Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics.

for several honors including Arkansas Children’s Hospital Chairman’s Scholar Award and Presidential Honors at University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Dr. Argo served as an Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at University of Mississippi in Jackson, and has been recognized

When she is not in the office or volunteering with Asthma Camp and Juvenile Diabetes Camp, Dr. Argo enjoys taking photographs,

Sunena Argo, MD whitewater rafting and traveling. Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center was founded in 1965. The location off U.S. 280 opened in 1995 and moved to its current Chelsea location in 2014. There are five locations including Chelsea, Homewood, Hoover, Alabaster, and Cullman.

205-871-9661 • alabamaallergy.com • 16691 U.S 280, Chelsea

Claudia Butler & Nena Maniscalco

s the owner and Director of Dance South Studio, Nena Maniscalco has served the Shelby County community for 25 years and is proud to provide the highest quality dance instruction for beginner, intermediate and advanced dance students. From the preschool to the most advanced level curriculum, her students gain a solid understanding of proper technique and terminology that help to foster physical awareness while improving carriage, poise, and coordination. Nena and her faculty offer classes in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, clogging, competition teams, technique and strength conditioning. While the main studio is located in Chelsea, Dance South also provides dance instruction to students in five other remote locations in North Shelby County elementary schools and two local churches.

dance south studio 678-4414 • www.dancesouth.com 316 Foothills Drive, Chelsea

Daniél Callegan

hen Daniél Callegan decided to go back to school, she already had her customers’ best interests in mind. She chose to study esthetics because of her passion for skin care and people. Daniél opened Revitalize at Greystone located within Reeves Cosmetic Dentistry on Aug. 1, 2014. In her skin studio she specializes in facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermaplaning and waxing. The office also offers treatments such as Botox, Restylane and Juvederm. All injectables are administered by Dr. Reeves. Revitalize uses Image, a pharmaceutical-grade skin care line based out of Florida in its treatment protocols and embodies the “Live Now, AGE LATER” slogan. When Daniél is not helping clients to look and feel their best, she spends time with her husband, Trey, and three sons, Hayden, Connor and Gavin. Daniél’s family moved to Birmingham from New Orleans to be a part of the launch team for Church of the Highlands. They have called Birmingham home for 14 years.

305-7222 • revitalizegreystone.com 8040 Hugh Daniel Drive

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January 2015 • B5

Sara Cashio Mills

Michelle Butts and Cindy Parnell hen this mother and daughter team opened their women’s clothing boutique in Chelsea in December 2011, they thought they were filling a niche in the area that wasn’t being served. Three years later, their hunch proved to be right!

The Ditsy Daisy carries a wide variety of clothing from several different lines, ensuring that most any woman can find something that she likes. The store also carries jewelry, shoes, and small gift items. Within the past few months, they’ve launched a mobile “boutique on wheels.” A specially designed truck is now available to come to parties and events, and patrons can browse, try on, and purchase clothing and accessories.

Prior to a car accident that caused her to take a break from her dream, Sara had been licensed and styling hair since 1974. Sara joined the team at Janice Hanbury’s Salon de Amici in June 2014. The salon specializes in haircuts, colors, perms and all aspects of hair care while also keeping up to date with the latest cut and color trends.

Michelle Butts and her mother, Cindy Parnell, run the store dayto-day and love working together. And sometimes, Michelle’s younger sister, Lindsey, pitches in to help. Stop in to meet everyone, and find something new for your wardrobe while making some new friends!

678-6166 • theditsydaisy.com 16618 Hwy. 280, Suite 100, Chelsea

ara Cashio Mills was in the 10th grade when she found her calling. One of her girlfriends talked Sara into joining her in cosmetology school, and, while her friend left to become an elementary school teacher, Sara stuck with it.

When she isn’t at the salon or distributing Young Living Essential Oils, Sara enjoys spending time with Bill, her husband of more than 25 years, and at Church of the Highlands. She and Bill have two Bichon Frise, four grown children and four grandchildren.

980-7474 • facebook.com/pages/Salon-de-Amici/187249644644423 201 Cahaba Park Circle

nShapeMD Inverness co-owner Lela Campbell’s passion for health and wellness started at a young age. Now she looks forward to going to work every day. “I love helping people,” Campbell said. “I feel like we can make a positive difference in so many people’s lives.” Services at InShape MD Inverness include medically supervised weight loss and lifestyle programs, personalized nutritional plans, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, enhanced vitamin injection, anti-aging treatments, Botox, Juvederm, Latisse, acne treatments and pharmaceutical grade supplements. All products and services are offered for both men and women. Through her work, Campbell said she gets to provide customized options for people facing a variety of problems such as weight loss, hormonal imbalance, anti-aging and nutritional concerns. Sometimes the solution she and her staff provide is something her clients did not know was an option. “People think we’re strictly a weight loss clinic, but we’re so much more than that,” Campbell said. “There’s so many different ways to help so many different people.” Her favorite part is watching clients begin to feel and look better. Campbell said many times clients will call her after treatment to thank her for making them feel like themselves again. InShape MD’s services require long-term commitment from clients, but Campbell said their

Lela Campbell history of happy clients speaks for itself. “We’re not a quick fix. We don’t want to be a quick fix. We want to encourage and support lifestyle changes,” Campbell said. Campbell started the clinic with her husband, Dr. Brian E. Campbell, in September 2014. Campbell’s husband is the medical director of InShape MD Inverness and she enjoys the chance

to see his medical expertise in action. Brian Campbell is a graduate of Emory University and a board-certified physician. “It’s been really nice to see him interact with patients,” Campbell said.

clinics marketing director and medical assistant. The Campbells have three sons in the Mountain Brook school system and are members of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

They run the clinic with the help of Susan Brignet, a wellness consultant with 20 years of experience, and nursing student Alison Evans, who serves as the

582-9216 • Inverness.inshapemd.com • 650 Inverness Corners

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t Chelsea Family Dentistry, patients become like family.

Each May Dr. Michelle Jones and her staff congratulate graduating seniors, and they invite trickor-treaters to their office each November. A mom of three and wife to Chris, she said she loves being in Chelsea and meeting new people. The practice opened in November 1999 in the Chelsea Medical Center on U.S. 280. As Chelsea grew, so did the practice. In 2008 it moved to its current location in Jade Park on Chesser Crane Road. As well, Dr. Brittney Gilbert came on as an associate dentist. Together they are committed to providing their community the best dental care. They offer an array of dental services and treatments to meet any need that might arise. Jones earned her DMD from UAB in 1997 and continued her training through the twoyear General Dental Practice Residency there. Her interests include comprehensive dental treatment for adults and children and emphasizing better oral health and overall well-being. She currently teaches at UAB School

Dr. Michelle Jones of Dentistry on a half-time basis in addition to practicing in Chelsea. Jones is a member of the American Dental Association, Alabama Dental Association, Birmingham District Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry and many other professional organizations. She is also a member of Our Lady of the

Valley Catholic Church. With their strong professional training and genuine concern for all their patients, Jones and Gilbert are

creating, and maintaining, beautiful smiles all over Chelsea through their personal care, and they are always looking to welcome new family members to their practice.

205-678-2096 • www.chelseafamilydentistry.net • 302 Jade Park, Suite 302

Laura Purvis

Kim Harrison Vincent

aura Purvis began sewing custom window treatments in her basement in 1999. One thing led to another, and in 2013 she purchased Decorating Den Interiors, the world’s largest interior decorating franchise company.

In September 2014, Diane Barbee Smith joined her team, bringing 25 years of design and sales experience with her. Along with window treatment specialist Lori McDaniel, the Alabama Design Professionals team is ready to help you design the home of your dreams.

Vincent’s dream of opening her own boutique came true in August 2014 when Everly’s Boutique opened its doors. The boutique provides fashionable and comfortable merchandise that is not overpriced. Customers can find outfits for date nights, school, work, cocktail parties, school dances, lunch with the girls, children’s school activities and more.

Together they offer window coverings, upholstery and fine furniture, custom bedding, floor and wall coverings, lighting and accessories. The team works with your budget and brings everything to you, so there’s no need to run around town trying to pull everything together. A complementary consultation can assess your needs and lifestyle to develop a plan that works for you and your family.

447-4589 • laurapurvis.decoratingden.com

fter dressing women in the Birmingham area for 30 years, Kim Harrison Vincent knows how important customer service can be.

“The best part of a retail career is the relationships that develop with your customers,” she said.

Vincent strives to create a warm, charming and stress-free atmosphere at Everly’s. When she is not at the boutique, she spends time with her twins, Alec and Ally Little. She is grateful to her parents, Theresa and Henry Harrison, her sister, Holly Roth, and her brother, Scott Harrison, for all of their support. She is also especially thankful to her sister-inlaw, Dawn Harrison for the advertising advice and assistance.

769-6806 • 5479 Highway 280, Suite 108 facebook.com/pages/Everlys-Boutique/922141994468814

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January 2015 • B7

Vanessa Brown

Natali Barnes

hen Vanessa Brown decided to educate herself on proper nutrition and a living a healthy lifestyle, she had two sources of inspiration: her 4-year-old and 22-month-old daughters. As a full-time pharmacist, wife and mother, she wanted the best for her family and felt it was her job to show them the importance of keeping the body healthy. Now, as an independent health and fitness coach through Beachbody, Brown strives to extend her belief in a healthy life to her clients. She is rewarded when her clients tell her that they see a difference in their bodies. “Their success did not come from starving or taking a magic diet pill,” Brown said. “It came from hard work and proper nutrition.” Brown’s clients are challenged to weekly lifestyle changes that combine nutrition and exercise. Because clients work through challenges in groups, Brown is able to provide accountability and relationship building to keep clients on track.

hen Natali Barnes walked into a gift shop to purchase a gift for her daughter’s friend, she had no idea that she would end up becoming the owner. After working in corporate America for more than 25 years, Natali decided to make a change. She had been thinking of doing something local and different for quite some time. After visiting Southern Spoiled Boutique, Natali knew that she had found her next step. Southern Spoiled Boutique opened last March and Natali and her husband, Frank, purchased the store in September. The store sells clothing, gifts, jewelry, artwork, door decorations and more. Each item is created by local artists from Alabama. Monogramming and custom ordering is available for several items in the store. This month, Southern Spoiled Boutique will launch a line of tween clothing.

Vanessa Brown Fitness info@vanessabrownfitness.com

490-1411 • southernspoiled.com 5291 Valleydale Road, suite 119

ure Barre is more than a workout, it is a community. 280 location owners Deanna Adams Pizitz, Meredith Latimer and Amy McCool enjoy sharing their technique with others and helping empower other women to reach their fitness goals. Pure Barre is a total body workout that lifts your seat and tones thighs, abs, and arms in record-breaking time. In just 55 minutes, you will achieve a workout targeted at the areas of the body women struggle with most. The strength part of the workout is followed by a stretch section, which will help you achieve a long, lean and strong physique. Classes are designed for all levels of fitness, and clients typically see results in as few as 10 classes. The 280 location offers more than 40 classes a week. The studio also has a fitness boutique that carries lines such as Lulu Lemon, Splits59, Beyond Yoga and Kira Grace. Pizitz is a mother of three and has called Birmingham her home for the majority of her life. Once she experienced a Pure Barre class for the first

Meredith Latimer, Deanna Adams Pizitz, Amy McCool time, her concept of exercise was transformed. Latimer moved to Birmingham in 2004 where she became a teacher and dance team coach. After her first Pure Barre class she was immediately addicted to the technique.

McCool was raised in Birmingham and is an avid dancer. It took one class for her to be hooked for Pure

Barre and after that, she knew she wanted to teach.

991-5224 • purebarre.com/AL-280/ • 5426 U.S. 280 East, Suite 6

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f you are redesigning or redecorating, designer Nancy Norris is there to help with Rosegate Design’s friendly, creative and enthusiastic staff. A love for interior design encouraged Norris to open Rosegate in 1999 where she offers comprehensive outside design services and a turnkey workroom for custom window treatments, bedding, upholstery and pillows. With an on-site design center stocked with designer fabrics and samples, Rosegate Design is the perfect resource for designers, decorators and those wanting a beautiful home. “I like to sit down with clients and find out what their lifestyle is, along with how they like a room to function,” Norris said. “I like to find out if they have kids, pets or any kind of special needs.” Norris works with her team of designers to create a living or working space that best represents the individual. The store’s inventory of about 500 bolts of fabrics plus samples makes it easy to find any style or color for the right price. Clients will also find showcases of home accessories, custom floral

Nancy Norris arrangements, fine furnishings and seasonal items. The Rosegate team keeps up-to-date on the latest trends in patterns, prints and color schemes so they can create classic room designs.

tastes are traditional or lean to the contemporary, our team has the resources to provide our clients

with several amazing designs from which to choose.”

“There are many interior design teams in Alabama to choose from,” Norris said. “Whether your

980-5014 • therosegate.com • 6801 Cahaba Valley Road, Suite 102

Dr. Paige Lester

entistry allows Dr. Paige Lester to do what she loves: taking care of people.

At her practice, Healthy Smiles of Birmingham, she offers everything from routine adult and child dental cleanings to full mouth rehabilitation. Originally founded more than 30 years ago by Dr. Jim Clark, Dr. Lester took over as sole owner in February of 2011. The practice also offers orthodontics for adults, sleep apnea and snoring treatment, dental implant restorations, cosmetic veneers and TMJ treatment. Dr. Lester attended dental school in New York City, then decided to relocate back home to Alabama. When she is not working at the practice, Dr. Lester enjoys her time as a wife and mother. She and her husband frequently attend University of Alabama football games and spend time outdoors. “I am fortunate to have a supportive family, an outstanding staff and the best patients in Birmingham,” Dr. Lester said.

991-9535 • healthysmilesofbirmingham.com 100 Heatherbrooke Park Drive

Jessica Palmer

r. Jessica Palmer is a leader in the field of clinical eye care and vision disorders. And, after one visit to her business, you’ll see it – and everything else – much more clearly. Dr. Palmer and her staff at Narrows Family Eye Care have built a reputation for providing excellence in patient care, clinical education and optical services. Because they believe each patient deserves the best possible treatment, they go above and beyond to provide it. The clinic offers a wide range of services to fit every eye care need, including retinal disease management, glaucoma treatment, as well as dry eye and ocular allergy therapy. She also offers basic vision and eye health exams, and can make your glasses the same day you pick them out. Narrows Family Eye Care accepts most insurance, so schedule an appointment today!

205-980-4530 • www.narrowsfec.com 13521 Old Hwy 280, Suite 233 • The Narrows

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January 2015 • B9

Carol Key

he Funky Muffin, a gluten-free bakery, opened July 2, 2013. It provides delicious gluten-free baked goods for those with celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. Carol Key was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003, and for 11 years has worked to provide the freshest gluten-free products on the market. The Funky Muffin has agreed to become a food maker for DirectEats.com, a new specialty foods website that will be launched Dec. 1 and offers free shipping. The bakery will also be joining the Celiac Disease Foundation’s new “Marketplace” hub, which will launch Jan. 1. These websites will allow people with special food needs to order online, and have the product shipped directly to their door! In January, The Funky Muffin is also beginning to offer begin sandwiches and box lunches to-go.

408-9825 • thefunkymuffinbakery.com 4647-B Highway 280, B’ham, AL

Angela & Haley Tenbarge

ngela Tenbarge, owner of The Cuckoo’s Nest on Old Highway 280, began her career in the medical field, where she worked in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Neurosurgery Department as well as Children’s Hospital. It was not until she took time off to have a child that she discovered her passion for art and design. In 2004, she and her husband bought a house in Westover and when the town turned the area into a commercial zone, Tenbarge jumped at the opportunity to start her own business. The Cuckoo’s Nest opened in November 2012. A small specialty shop, the store combines home décor with unusual and unique gifts, carrying furniture, rugs, lamps, pictures, pillows, candles, jewelry and more. In addition, baby gifts, wedding items and seasonal holiday items are available. Tenbarge enjoys working with her daughter Haley, who manages the marketing and advertising side of the business.

678-7220 • facebook.com/nestofthecuckoo 4222 Old Highway 280 • Westover

orld Class Tae Kwon Do is a family martial arts facility that has been committed to providing the highest quality Tae Kwon Do instruction, empowering students with valuable skills for daily life and contributing to a safe and peaceful community for the past 10 years. Jessica Scarsella, the executive program director, helps students of all ages get started in Tae Kwon Do and set goals of Black Belt excellence. Jessica and the team of instructors at World Class Tae Kwon Do value the opportunity to work with children, families and adults to bring out their personal best. Jessica is a black belt in Olympic Style Tae Kwon Do and has been training ever since she married her husband, Master Justin Scarsella, more than five years ago. Her friendly smile and warm personality help give a truly world class experience to every student and family. After years of working at a preschool and in the customer service industry, Jessica feels working at World Class Tae Kwon Do is the perfect fit for her — and an

Jessica Scarsella interesting twist on any career she thought she would ever have! This summer World Class Tae Kwon Do will be expanding into a 7,000-square-foot state-of-the-art training facility. Classes are available Monday

through Saturday with flexible schedule to meet the needs of busy families. Ages 4 to 74 will love the balance of fun and structure in this encouraging and goal-centric environment. Visit today to start becoming your best!

981-9636 • alabamatkd.com • 640 Inverness Corners

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or more than 30 years, Gayle Davison has been teaching students what she knows best: high school math. This past October, she celebrated the first anniversary of her very own Mathnasium franchise. Through its program, students receive an individualized learning plan that is supplemental to their school’s curriculum. “Our curriculum is customized to address each child’s weaknesses and build on their strengths,” Davison said. The center also offers SAT, ACT and ISEE test preparation, homework help and summer programs. As enrollment grew, Davison hired Caren Alexander to be her lead instructor. Alexander, a German native, played softball at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky, and pursued a postgraduate degree at UAB. In addition to her duties at Mathnasium, she teaches at UAB and Birmingham Southern. In the latter part of her teaching career, Davison came to better understand the frustrations that students and families face through afterschool tutoring.

Caren Alexander and Gayle Davison “It was always good to be able to help turn things around for them with their math needs,” she said. When she retired, she lived the “good life” for 10 months before she heard a radio ad for Mathnasium. Everything it said she knew to be true. Six months later, she had her own franchise.

“I believe that at this time of my life, something had to emerge that was beyond awesome to draw me away from doing whatever I wanted each day,” she said.

Outside of math, Davison enjoys working in her home and yard, going to football games and enjoying friends, husband Ian, five children and five grandchildren.

437-3322 • mathnasium.com/invernesscorners • 410 Inverness Corners

Letessia Penick

etessia Penick is passionate about her community. As a Birmingham native, she harbors a desire to work in order to improve lives in this community. As the Arc of Jefferson County’s recyclABILITY coordinator, she serves to expand its program to support the mission of increased programming for those with disabilities. Founded in 2010, the recyclABILITY program is a professional paper-shredding company, providing secure, reliable and ecofriendly on-site document destruction services. One hundred percent of any proceeds of the program support the Arc’s mission to increase programming for those who are affected by disabilities. The recyclABILITY program is AAA certified through the National Association of Information Destruction (NAID). Upon set up, the recyclABILITY team provides security bins. Material is destroyed on-site and the remains are recycled. The team employs individuals with disabilities currently enrolled in the Arc’s programs.

423-6234 • arcofjeff.org/recyclability/ 6001 Crestwood Boulevard

Sloan Beard

n her teenage years, Sloan Beard saw the difference chiropractic physicians made in her health and performance as a gymnast. She knew she wanted to be able to do that for other athletes. Fast forward to Feb. 14, 2014 and Beard opened The FARM with her, then, fiancé Dr. Beau Beard. “Why not open your business with your fiancé on Valentine’s Day?” Beard said. The FARM provides cutting edge chiropractic care, injury rehabilitation and sports performance by using a multitude of techniques in order to restore proper mobility and function in every joint of the body. She believes that a marriage between chiropractic care and functional rehabilitation is absolutely necessary for proper injury prevention and recovery. Beard is a wife, a mother to her black lab and a sports chiropractic physician. When not in the office, Beard enjoys spending time with her husband on the trails and golf course.

419-1595 • chirofarm.com 13521 U.S. 280, #125

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Colleen Burback

n the world of women’s clothing, The Urban Barn is a popular destination. Colleen Burback opened the store in 2012 and it continues to grow. “I’m excited about a new line for ‘tweens’ that will serve those sizes 6X-16, as well as a new sister store, Urban Home & Market, that will offer home décor and gifts, coming in 2015,” says Burback. Originally from New Hampshire, her husband’s job brought them south. After her four children were in school, she set out to start her own business. She opened Serendipity in Brook Highland. In 2012, she sold that store and opened The Urban Barn.

Georgia Lay

eorgia Lay, owner/operator of 280 Medical Supply, started her business in 2000 with 11+ years of healthcare experience. She provides a full line of orthotic bracing, medical equipment and supply, as well as physician office supplies. Georgia’s wealth of experience in the healthcare industry combined with her commitment to community and personal attention to her clients’ needs are just a few of the things that make her stand out from non-locally owned competitors. Because Georgia takes pride in the services and products she provides, she always strives to exceed her clients’ expectations.

“With three boys and a daughter, I wanted to do something for us girls that I can pass on to her,” says Burback. The Urban Barn is just that something.

Whether it is working with physicians to obtain paperwork to bill insurance, or searching for that hard-to-find item, she always remembers that you came to her “because you have a choice.” She relocated the store to the former Mt. View Lumber Company last year. Stop in to say hello and visit her new website at www.280medicalsupply. com for a complete listing of products and services.

(205) 451-8888 • facebook.com/TheUrbanBarnBham 601 Doug Baker Blvd.

678-8755 • 280medicalsupply.com 11600 Old Highway 280, Chelsea

the urban barn

r. Farah Sultan is the founder and medical director at Vitalogy Wellness Center. She created a state of the art wellness program that helps patients proactively gain control of their health and gain back their youth. Vitalogy Wellness Center is a state of the art board certified physician lead center for restorative and regenerative medicine. The innovative and full service medical spa supports an overall holistic approach to health, fitness, and wellness and specializes in bio-identical hormones, hormone replacement therapy for men and women, anti-aging medicine, nutrition, detoxification, medically directed weight management programs, and micronutrients. One of the pioneering procedures performed at Vitalogy Wellness Center is using your own body’s PRP (platelet rich plasma) to heal your body. Dr. Sultan grew up in India where she was surrounded by Eastern medicine involving ayurvedic, herbal, acupuncture, complementary, and alternative medicines. Dr. Sultan has received specialized post-graduate training

Dr. Farah Sultan in functional medicine. She is a board member of the Downtown Birmingham Rotary Club, the Alys Stephens Center, and Highlands Day School, and is a founding member of the Indian Cultural Society at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Using her blueprint, her patients

harness simple, self-care practices and changes of habit. Call to book your spot at one of Dr. Sultan’s seminars on health, stress and hormones and learn how you can reclaim your youth, life and vitality. You can also visit vitalogywellness. com to find out more about their innovative therapies.

413-8599 • vitalogywellness.com • 2704 20th St. South, Suite 104

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or Dr. Rayna Dyck, medicine is combination of three loves: science, teaching and service. Originally from Dothan, Dr. Dyck moved back to Alabama after completing medical school and residency in the Midwest. Now, she is a physician at Skin Wellness Center of Alabama in Chelsea. Skin Wellness Center was founded in August of 2009 by Dr. Corey Hartman and expanded to Chelsea in December of 2011. It provides general dermatology services treating acne, rosacea, rashes and more. The center provides light and photodynamic therapy and has a strong surgical component, which performs removals of benign lumps and bumps, as well as skin cancers. An array of cosmetic services including Botox, fillers, lasers, chemical peels, vein treatment, dermaplaning and dermabrasion are also available. The center offers a number of skin and hair care products inoffice for purchase to help provide one-stop, centralized care to its patients. Dr. Dyck enjoys helping customers to look and feel their best in a healthy way. Unlike some forms of medicine, dermatology

Dr. Rayna Dyck allows doctors and patients to see the visible impact a treatment has on a person’s life.

Dr. Dyck recognizes that every patient encountered is different and looks forward to the challenge

of providing individualized care to meet each patient’s needs.

“Many internal diseases manifest themselves on the skin,” Dr. Dyck said. “It’s great to be the one to pick up on those subtle patterns and findings to help diagnose these diseases.”

678-7518 • skinwellnessal.com • 398 Chesser Drive, Suite 3, Chelsea

Kaye Sharp

journey of self-healing placed Kaye Sharp on the path to empower women.

“My mission is to share this life changing information with women everywhere, who will then pass this behavior on to their children creating a new generation of healthy living,” Sharp said. This mission brought life to Sharp Integrated Physical Therapy & Health Consulting, providing an integrated approach to women’s health by addressing physical pain and supporting a healthy lifestyle. The business opened in October 2013 and specializes in trigger point dry needling, manual therapy, therapeutic yoga and exercise. Sharp offers consultation programs and personalized and group coaching sessions. When not in the office, Sharp is a busy mother of six. She enjoys traveling with her husband, running, yoga and Pure Barre.

677-3007 • sharpphysicaltherapy.com 4000 Eagle Point Corporate Drive

Kathy McMahon

ou may recognize Kathy from her success at Renaissance Consignment & Marketplace and Past Perfect. With a background in interior design, furniture has always been her passion, and she recognized a true need for Urban Home Market. “We had outgrown our space,” McMahon said, “and wanted to give our customers what they had been asking for – a full-service home furnishings store, on our side of town.” Owner, and long-time entrepreneur, McMahon is excited to bring new jobs, a new energy and a new take on furniture to the area. “I like my clients to feel that they have experienced something very unique when they shop at one of my stores.” She’s also looking forward to opening the business with the help of her two daughters, keeping it truly a local, family-owned business. Urban Home Market opened December 2014, and is described by staff as “unexpected, unique and inspiring.”

980-HOME • urbanhomemarket.com 1001 Doug Baker Blvd

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January 2015 • B13

Laura Robinson

&M Jewelers opened in the Shops of the Colonnade in September 1991 and moved to Inverness Corners on Highway 280 in November 2013. Laura Robinson is sole owner and is a Graduate Gemologist. M&M Jewelers strives to keep the hometown jewelry store atmosphere. Robinson has three sons, attends Church of the Highlands, and is a member of Cahaba River Networking, the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, GIA alumni, Alabama Jewelers Association, and the BBB. She attended the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, CA. M&M Jewelers specializes in jewelry design, appraisals, jewelry/ watch repairs, jewelry insurance replacement, engagement rings, exotic colored stones, new watches, and pearl jewelry. Customer service is important and their team strives to help with everything from a simple watch battery repair to an extravagant engagement ring purchase.

Sylvia Gonda

on’t let the “Gameday” in this boutique’s name fool you. While it has one of the largest selections of game day clothing and accessories in the fall, it is a full-service woman’s boutique for everyday and special occasions all year long. It carries a large selection of accessories, footwear, unique handmade jewelry and gifts. You will find very stylish regular and plus size clothing for all ages that can be fully accessorized all within the store. Gameday in Style got its start when Sylvia Gonda recognized a void in fashionable team-spirited clothing. She began by designing her own and operated virtually as a vendor at shows and stores throughout Alabama and on its Facebook page for four years. When it opened its doors at Inverness Corners in August 2014, Gonda was welcomed immediately by many of her past customers. She is thrilled by the many new faces.

Making Moments.....Magical 991-0593 • mmjewelersbirmingham.com 440 Inverness Corners

637-7003 • facebook.com/gamedayinstyle 450 Inverness Corners

ichele Wilensky has served as the head of school for Hilltop Montessori School for over a decade and is currently spearheading the next phase of the school’s development, a $3 million capital campaign for an expansion of its campus. The expansion will include a gymnasium, a community center, a science lab, additional classrooms and a teaching kitchen that will serve organic lunches supplemented from the school’s expansive gardens. Under Michele’s leadership, the school had the privilege of building Alabama’s first LEED-rated private school, an honor given by the U.S. Green Building Council, and has successfully completed accreditation requirements with The Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and The American Montessori Society (AMS), as well as a capital expansion of its early childhood program. The campus is situated on over six acres in the beautiful Town of Mt Laurel and serves students between the ages of 18 months and eighth grade. Devoting her life to Montessori education and its benefit to students of varying backgrounds and abilities, Michele finds

Michele Wilensky renewal each day in seeing the joy of learning in all the students’ faces at Hilltop. Michele has one 15-year-old son and 3 stepchildren. She resides with her husband in Forest Park and sees her commitment to the school as her life’s purpose, in addition to her role as mother and wife.

437-9343 • hilltopmontessori.com • 6 Abbott Square

280 Living

B14 • January 2015

Monica Barnett Smith

Dr. Irma Leon Palmer

The studio is grateful to North Shelby County parents for putting their trust in Exclusively Ballet to instruct so many of their children. Whether your child is looking for recreational dance classes, preparing for dance team tryouts or dreams of becoming the principal dancer of a ballet company, EBD has the program that will meet your needs!

Her commitment to her own faith, eating, movement, thinking and neurological connections is contagious. Only through seeing the benefits in her life and the lives of those she has touched can Dr. Palmer provide direction to living life wide-open. A personalized strategy is developed for each of her patients through specialized analysis and assessments. Consider attending the 21-Day Purification Workshop on January 21st at 12:30 and make a clean start to the new year.

995.9220 • www.exclusivelyballet.com 7154 Cahaba Valley Rd

991-3511 • www.chiropractictoday.com 420 Inverness Corners

Be Featured Here

Melanie Goodwin, Keyla Handley, Aubri McClendon, Lisa Shapiro, Brooke Story

onica Barnett Smith, former principal dancer with the Alabama Ballet and a graduate of UAB, founded Exclusively Ballet & Dance in 1992. Her success in North Shelby County has been a result of offering quality dance instruction in a warm yet professional atmosphere. Classes are structured for students to achieve the progress to bring out their full potential. Each instructor is certified and passionate about sharing dance with children in the community, striving to build good selfesteem in each student.

re you a female business owner on the 280 corridor? You could be part of next year’s Women of 280. Every January, the paper highlights the women who use their entrepreneurial spirit and professional skills to drive the success of local business in the area. If you participate, we’ll come to your place of business and set up a photo shoot with you in your work environment, and our editorial staff will work with you to tell your story to our readers. You can reserve your 1/4 page, 1/2 page or full page feature now through October 2015. If you already have an advertising contract with the paper, your contract rate will apply to this opportunity. For more information, contact one of our marketing consultants or Sales Manager Matthew Allen at matthew@starnespublishing. com or the phone number below.

s Dr. Irma Palmer enters her 22nd year in practice, her passion for helping others continues to amplify since starting Chiropractic Today in 1993. Her goal is and has always been to lead people from treating symptoms and disease to taking proactive steps in their own health. The philosophy of Chiropractic Today is not only to relieve neck and back pain, but to enrich every patient’s life through Dr. Palmer’s ‘Big 5’ model.

o the more than 1,000 members of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, these five women are no strangers. They are the “feet on the ground” for the Chamber, making it run smoothly as they serve member businesses with a wide variety of programs and benefits. Attend any Chamber function, and you are certain to see any of them assisting guests, answering questions, and making everything go just as planned. These Chamber staffers work with hundreds of volunteers every day to help make Shelby County an even better place to live and do business. If your business could benefit from greater exposure across Shelby County, contact them to learn more about their programs, and join more than 1,000 other businesses throughout the County who invest in the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

313-1780 • 280living.com

663-4542 • shelbychamber.org 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham

280Living.com

January 2015 • B15

Community Chelsea High hosts 21st Miss Merry Christmas Pageant

Hearts for Hasberry returns

By MADISON MILLER After 21 years as organizer, Priscilla Collums looks forward to one part of the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant more than others. Each year, she enjoys the transformation of the contestants. “All of the girls look so simple the night of practice,” she said. “Then to see them all dressed up in their Christmas dresses or evening gowns, they all look beautiful.” The Miss Merry Christmas Pageant began as an idea from a Chelsea High School PTO parent to fundraise for the Newspaper/Journalism class at the school. Since the State Department of Education provides no funds for the elective, Collums and the parent recognized its need for assistance. The pageant is open to any girl living in Shelby County. Contestants send in applications to Chelsea Schools by late October. Judges are told to judge based on projection and confidence, poise, grooming, choice of attire and overall appearance. Each category is worth 10 points for a possible total score of 50 points. Thirty-eight contestants participated in the 2014 pageant in five separate categories including birth to 4 years old, kindergarten to second-grade, third to fifth-grade, sixth to eighth-grade, and ninth to 12th grade. There is a winner ad well as

Greg Hasberry, body builder and owner of Elite Fitness and Figure, with his daughter Brittany.

By SYDNEY CROMWELL Miss Merry Christmas 2014 Jeslyn Blankenship. Photo courtesy of Kim Blankenship.

a first, second and third alternate for each category. Jeslyn Blankenship of Chelsea High School was named Miss Merry Christmas in the high school category. Dasha Myer received first alternate, Madison Smith received second alternate and Alexis Ransom received third alternate for the pageant. Winners receive the title of Miss

Merry Christmas as well as a crown, trophy, banner and flowers. In years past, they have also ridden in the Chelsea Christmas Parade. “Hopefully, all the girls gain some confidence about themselves by participating while helping the Newspaper/Journalism Department,” Collums said.

& JAPANESE CUISINE

The people who train at Elite Fitness and Figure really love their coach, Greg Hasberry. When Hasberry was diagnosed with double acute renal failure in 2013 and told he needed a kidney transplant, his clients organized the first Hearts for Hasberry 5K to help him manage his medical expenses. “He was our coach and we wanted to do something for him because he was having trouble paying his bills,” Eric Harris, the

organizer of this year’s race, said. “We wanted to do something for him because he does a lot for us.” This year, however, Hasberry wanted to share the love. The 2015 Hearts for Hasberry 5K and 10K will benefit the Alabama Kidney Foundation. Harris said the race will be held in Mt Laurel because the course will be flatter and more open. The 5K and 10K will start at 9 a.m. on Jan. 17 at Area 41 Pizza. There will also be games and activities at the race site. Entry fees are $25 for the 5K and $30 for the 10K.

280 Living

B16 • January 2015

A call from

hope 280 resident writes memoir, motivational book By MADISON MILLER

Author and motivational speaker Christie Musso recently published a memoir titled Hope Knows Your Name. Photo by Madison Miller.

Christie Musso sat on her bed and thought about giving up. After years of abuse, betrayal, heartbreak and finally, her own husband’s suicide, she thought that she could not go on anymore. “Why, God?” she thought to herself. It was then that God gave her the words that she needed to hear. “He said, ‘Christie, Are you still going to believe or are you going to let this break you?’” she said. That’s when Musso decided to not let what happened in her past destroy her future. Now, the U.S. 280 resident is a motivational speaker

at churches throughout the area. She has also written a memoir titled Hope Knows Your Name. Although she is now on a mission to inspire and help others in tragic situations, there were many times in Musso’s life when tragedy seemed like the only constant. Growing up, Musso was a victim of sexual abuse by family members and friends. Her parents divorced when she was just 2 years old, and her father abandoned her shortly after. At 11, she ran away with a 15-year-old boy, was caught by authorities and was sent to a Christian girls’ home in Indianapolis. There, she faced physical and mental abuse and witnessed a close friend being tortured to death for stealing medication. Once she left the girls’ home, Musso wanted

280Living.com

January 2015 • B17

Christie Musso and her best friend, Beth, say goodbye on Musso’s last day at the girls’ home in Indianapolis.

to make the perfect life that she had always dreamed about. She began dating a boy from her Christian high school and eventually became pregnant. Knowing that neither family would be supportive, Musso decided to have an abortion at the age of 17. Shortly after, she moved in with her boyfriend’s family to avoid a bad relationship with her mother at home. There, she became pregnant again. She and her boyfriend decided to get married and have the baby. “I wanted the white picket fence,” she said. Guilt and resentment from the abortion eventually took over her thoughts and her marriage. Musso and her first husband divorced when her son was just 1. Eventually, she remarried and thought things were looking up. Suddenly, the father who had abandoned her as a child reappeared. A motorcycle accident had left him paraplegic, and he did not have anyone to care for him. Musso became his caregiver.

“In my heart, I still wanted to be daddy’s little girl,” Musso writes in her book. Her father’s years of bad habits did not end with his injury. Although he moved in with his daughter and her family, he continued to use drugs, gamble and participate in other inappropriate behavior. Musso soon realized having him in her house was not what was best for her young son and daughter or her marriage. She hired a nurse and told her father that her husband’s job had transferred him to Tennessee, when in reality, the family just wanted to get away from the negative influences. On the first weekend since their move, Musso got a call saying that her father was dead. He died under unusual circumstances, and Musso believes that their nurse smothered her father with a pillow after he paid taxes on a large sum of money at a casino. Guilt once again took over and destroyed her marriage. Musso blamed herself and also her

Musso stands with her daughter, Katie and her son, David at Katie’s college graduation. Photos courtesy of Christie Musso.

then-husband for abandoning her father. Once again, she filed for divorce. Her son and daughter did not understand the split and refused to speak with her. On New Year’s Eve 2005, Musso decided to end her own life. “My life has been nothing but hell up until now,” she thought. She was stopped when an ex-boyfriend called her that night and sensed something wrong in her voice. He called the police, and Musso decided to go through treatments to deal with the emotional trauma in her life. It was in these treatments that she first opened up to the idea of God. “I hated God [before],” Musso said. “I was leery of religious people.” She met friends through her church and was set up with a recently divorced man, who would eventually become her husband. Although hesitant from past experiences, she felt that she could finally be happy.

After only four months of marriage, her husband committed suicide at his job in a federal courthouse. When Musso is asked how she managed through a lifetime of tragedy, she does not have a clear answer. “I did it because I had to,” she said. She did not always realize it, but she believes that she is where she is today because God has a plan for her life. As she continues motivational speaking and writing, she hopes to reach out to people and let them know that they too can find hope. “They were me,” she said. “They’ve had the feelings I had.” For more information on Christie Musso or Hope Knows Your Name, visit hopeknowsyourname.com.

280 Living

B18 • January 2015

Losing it

A weight-loss odyssey

By JESSA PEASE The best time to get someone to do something is when his or her psyche has been completely shattered. As a former special investigator with counter intelligence, 58-year-old Lew Wagner knew this to be true, but he still wasn’t prepared when his own moment came. “Imagine being on the top of a very tall cliff and then pushing yourself off,” Wagner said. “That’s kind of what it felt like. Being told I was diabetic and being told I was going to die were the two final nails in the coffin that told me I better get my act together.” Wagner weighed more than 300 pounds when he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. It was then that he finally decided, after many failed weight-loss campaigns, to lose 130 pounds and reach his goal of a 170pound weight. After speaking with a nutritionist and researching online, Wagner created a set of spreadsheets to keep track of both his diet and his daily exercise. It started with eating smaller portions, eating less and eating more sensible foods, and then he began adding more and more exercise. “By recording all this information, I can see over time how I have progressed,” Wagner said. “Fortunately for me, my body was responding to it. It was starting to wake back up.” After a while, he could walk mile

Lew Wagner before he began his weight-loss plan.

after mile in Greystone Farms where he lives, and he could even manage to do some push ups, something he hadn’t been able to do in years. He would average eating about 1,200 to 1,400 calories a day, walking 150

Lew Wagner after losing 130 pounds. Photos courtesy of Lew Wagner.

miles a month and losing two to three pounds a week. He eventually joined a Fitbit forum online and noticed there were many other people out there asking the same questions he had initially.

“When I started sharing my tale, they said, ‘Wow, Lew, that’s inspiring,’” Wagner said. “I heard hundreds of people telling me,‘That’s inspiring Lew.’” Writing a book, he thought, would

help him share his motivational story with a larger audience, and that idea became stronger on Aug. 22. As he stepped onto his medical scale that morning, Wagner thought he would finally hit his weight-loss goal. He moved one bar over to the 150pound mark, and he moved the other over to 20 pounds. He watched as the scale settled down to the bottom. He was lighter than 170 pounds. “It was 5 o’clock in the morning, and I wanted to scream and cry and run around like a banshee, but my wife was asleep in the next room,” Wagner said. “ I said, ‘I’ll hold off on my war whoop. My book is my war whoop, and so if any body else can lose weight because of this book, we can both have our war whoop together.” Now that Wagner has achieved his goal, he still plans to continue living the lifestyle that got him there. Over his almost-10-month weight loss journey, and he found he could shed pounds without eating like a rabbit. Today he is thinking about writing a second book on how to maintain a healthy weight. “There were a lot of lessons learned in that book that I’ve done that are going stay with me the rest of my life, and we’re going to live that way our whole time now,” Wagner said. Wagner’s book Losing it: My Weight-Loss Odyssey is available on Amazon.com.

280Living.com

January 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B19

280 Living

B20 • January 2015

Get to know

Miss Alabama USA Hoover’s own Madison Guthrie

By REBECCA WALDEN Madison Guthrie, a former Spain Park student, was crowned Miss Alabama USA in November. The Shelton State interior design major is also nurturing a growing modeling career, already having worked brands such as ESPN, IZOD and MAC. Madison is the daughter of David and Ginger Guthrie. She will go on to compete for the title of Miss USA this summer.

Q A

How did you learn about the Miss USA competition? I have always known about it and I have watched Miss USA for several years but a photographer I shoot with, Jack Bains, encouraged me to compete.

Q A

What made you want to participate? Did you have any experience with programs like this before? I knew of Baskin Champion who won Miss Alabama Teen last year and I saw on social media all the modeling opportunities that unfolded for her. I had never competed in a pageant before but felt it was time to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.

Other that the outcome of winning, what was the most rewarding aspect of the process? What was the most challenging part of the experience for you?

It gives you the opportunity to be around a lot of women at one time. You can use that situation to be a light and set a good example for others to follow. We all compare ourselves to something or someone and for me that was the hardest part. Prior to the competition, I’d sometimes compare myself to others and get discouraged. At times I can be a worrier, so I have to stay in constant prayer and remind myself to stay focused on my own journey and not worry about what I felt I lacked.

Q A

How are you balancing your other life commitments along with the demands of the Miss Alabama USA title? I have decided to take a year off from school so that I can completely fulfill and enjoy my duties as Miss Alabama. Of course I have a social life too, so spending time with loved ones always stays a top priority for me.

Q A

What is the one goal you want to say you’ve achieved using the notoriety and influence associated with your title? I want to be remembered as a Christian woman who set a high example for women of all ages. I feel I have already proved that you don’t have to be a “pageant girl” to win a pageant. I was able to succeed at something completely out of my comfort zone because I had faith. I hope that my strong faith inspires other women to go after what they once thought they never could achieve.

Madison Guthrie of Hoover was recently crowned Miss Alabama USA 2015. This was Guthrie’s first ever pageant. Photo courtesy of Sage Media Group.

280Living.com

January 2015 • B21

School House Inverness teacher honored by cancer awareness group

OMIS participates in Constitution Week

Students at OMIS celebrate Constitution Week. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Sandidge.

Students at Oak Mountain Intermediate School recently participated in the national celebration of Constitution Week. American flags and the Constitution were displayed in the school to educate,

commemorate and celebrate the history of the signing of the Constitution. The Lily of the Cahaba Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was responsible for the display.

LPMS students honored for leadership, conduct Niki Burke with members of the Guardians of the Ribbon. Photo courtesy of Christine M. Hoffman.

Niki Burke, a teacher at Inverness Elementary School, was recently honored by the Guardians of the Ribbon, a group of firefighters who tour the state to raise awareness for cancer funding.

The group was joined by members from the local Shelby County Fire Department. Burke was presented with a teddy bear and flowers and was invited to sign a pink fire truck. -Submitted by Christine M. Hoffman

Liberty Park Middle School recently held the 2014-2015 first nine weeks Lancer Court of Honor. Two boys and two girls are selected each nine weeks from each grade level. The students are selected by their teachers based on leadership, citizenship and conduct. Eighth-grade students who were selected are Kristen Jebeles, Abby Ronson, Evans

Crane and David Dauphin. The seventh-grade nominees were Queenie Samaha, Zoe Woodrow, Hayden Robinson and Will White. The sixth-grade nominees were Kellyn Murch, Eigen Escario, Sophie Whitson and John Elliot. -Submitted by Linda Rummell

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CHELSEA | 205.678.7272

2807 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Suite 32 Birmingham, AL 35242 Cathie Bonner | Service Director

100 Chelsea Corners Way, Suite 100 Chelsea, AL 35043 Robby Head | Service Director

Two locations on Hwy 280 to serve you! Open Monday – Friday 7:00am–5:00pm

280 Living

B22 • January 2015

OMMS basketball team donates to Sozo The seventh and eighth-grade boys basketball teams recently donated their old uniforms for SOZO children, a 280based organization that runs boys’ homes in Kampala, Uganda. For more information, visit sozochildren.com. -Submitted by Regina Adams The seventh and eighth-grade boy basketball teams pack their old uniforms to be donated to SOZO. Photo courtesy of Regina Adams.

Briarwood honors grandparents and veterans Briarwood Christian Elementary School recently invited grandparents to a special breakfast and patriotic program in honor of Veterans Day. More than 400 grandparents attended the program in the sanctuary. The fifth and sixth-grade choirs sang “Armed Forces Medley,” and the sixthgrade band performed the “Star Spangled Banner.” Several videos were shown highlighting the 50-year history of the school. After the program, grandparents visited classrooms where they found notes and projects that students had prepared for them. “What a blessing to be a part of such a great ministry for the Kingdom,” BCS Elementary Early Childhood Principal Liz Whatley said. For more information, visit briarwoodchristianschool.org. -Submitted by Kimberly Stanford

Harvest Hoedown at MLES

Mindy Kamper’s kindergarten class. Photo courtesy of Sarah Rhodes.

Fourth-grader Nathan Watkins gives a tour to his grandparents and parents at Briarwood grandparents day. Photo courtesy of Kimberly Stanford.

MLES kindergarten students recently held a “Harvest Hoedown” to conclude their Farm unit. They participated in activities such as churning butter, sheering sheep,

shucking corn and much more. After the festivities the students enjoyed pumpkin punch and a scarecrow themed snack.

280Living.com

January 2015 • B23

Forest Oaks Elementary honors veterans

Veterans visited Forest Oaks Elementary for its We Love the USA program. Photo courtesy of Resia Brooks.

Fourth grade students at Forest Oaks Elementary recently presented We Love the USA, an annual program to celebrate the U.S. and to honor veterans The program featured patriotic ensembles

including “The Military Salute,” “Bill of Rights Rap,” and “Freedom Isn’t Free.” Several veterans were highlighted and honored for their service. -Submitted by Resia Brooks

Hilltop Montessori hosts fundraising dinner

Matthew Rodgers, Brooke Rodgers, Head of School Michele Wilensky, Michael Wilensky. Photo courtesy of Michele Wilensky.

Hilltop Montessori School recently hosted its annual gardening, farm-to-table themed dinner oat Stone’s Throw Bar and Grill in Mt Laurel. Guests viewed the model of the Phase Three Expansion project for the school presented by Bill Segrest and Jonathan Meadows of Williams-Blackstock Architecture. A dinner of short ribs, shrimp and grits and homemade bread pudding was served. A live auction was conducted featuring items organized by Jenn Sides Stephens of Teach Me

MLES Teacher of the Year Amy Holmes was selected as Mt Laurel Elementary School’s 20142015 Teacher of the Year. She was chosen because she exhibits a strong passion for the teaching profession. She began teaching third grade at Mt Laurel in 2008, and moved to various grade levels throughout the years because of changing enrollment numbers. Amy Holmes.

Beauty. This year’s dinner was the most successful in the school’s history, raising $70,000 for the school’s future expansion. The expansion will house a community center, teaching kitchen, expanded classrooms, a science laboratory and a multi-media center. For more information, visit hilltopmontessori.com. -Submitted by Michele Wilensky

280 Living

B24 • January 2015

Sports Spain Park’s Jackson leads defense as Alabama stars beat Mississippi By DAVID KNOX Spain Park defensive back might not have gotten as much ink as some of Hoover Bucs defensive stars, but the future Miami Hurricane showed off his skills in front of a TV audience in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game. Jackson made 12 tackles including one for a loss to lead the Alabama team to its seventh straight win in the series. It was a Buccaneer on offense who made the big play, though. Hoover’s Justin Johnson hauled in a 30-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline on the final play of the game to lift the Alabama team over the Mississippi All-Stars 36-30 in the 28th battle between the high school stars from each state. Alabama leads the series 21-7. The game was played Dec. 13 at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl. The game was tied 30-all with nine seconds remaining when Foley quarterback Tyler Cameron hooked up with Johnson, who caught three passes for 49 yards. Mississippi looked like it would end the streak, jumping out to a 14-3 lead after one quarter and building a 28-17 halftime lead. But Alabama took the lead when Mountain Brook’s

Michael Jackson (9) leaps to block a kick for Spain Park.

Jacob Carroll threw a 7-yard TD pass to Jalen Harris with 5:10 to play in the third period. Mississippi tied it up on a safety

with 3:22 to go in the third quarter, setting the stage for Johnson’s end-ofgame heroics. Jackson led an Alabama defense

that didn’t allow a second-half touchdown. Hoover’s Darrell Wilson had three tackles and broke up a pass and fellow Buc Christian Bell had one

tackle and a half-sack. Spain Park coach Shawn Raney was an assistant for the Alabama team.

280Living.com

January 2015 • B25

Junior Olympics cross-country event returns to Hoover in 2016 BY DAVID KNOX USATF Alabama has been awarded the 2016 National Junior Olympics Cross-country Championship to be held at Hoover’s Veteran’s Park on Valleydale Road in Shelby County. The event, which has been held at the same location in 2010, has grown significantly in size. The National Cross-country Championship is expected to have nearly a thousand more entries than in 2010, totaling more than 3,000 runners between the ages of 8-18 from all over the country. Attendance will include the runners plus their coaches and families and fans, potentially topping 10,000. The day-long event will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. USATF Alabama has partnered once again with the city of Hoover, Shelby County and the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors bureau, all of whom sponsored the event in 2010. “Bringing this exciting national competition back to Alabama reflects the National USATF confidence in the sponsors and their hospitality and the quality of the cross-country course at Veteran’s Park,” said Molly McGregor, president of USATF Alabama. The bid was awarded recently in Anaheim, Calif., by a vote of the membership of the USATF Youth committee. “We won the bid, competing against Ames, Iowa, Baton Rouge, La., and Lincoln, Neb.,” McGregor said. “Our success was primarily due to the fact that Hoover’s Veterans Park has a dedicated cross-country course, is

centrally located in the U.S., and the average race time temperature in central Alabama is 56 degrees. “The city of Hoover is proud to be chosen as the host site for the USATF Junior Olympics Cross-country National Championships at Veterans Park on Valleydale in December 2016,” said Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey. “We look forward to welcoming the participants, staff and fans to the city for this prestigious event that will feature some of the most talented junior athletes in the nation. Our staff will work hard with the local organizing committee to ensure this is a memorable experience for both the athletes and attendees.” Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock welcomed the opportunity because of the success of the 2010 Championships. “Shelby County is extremely pleased to host the USATF National Junior Olympics. This is another exceptional national event coming to Shelby County, made possible through the collaborative effort among public and governmental entities. Shelby County and the city of Hoover’s common goal is to boost economic impact with regional and national tourism initiatives, and we expect thousands of cross-country enthusiasts to enjoy all the amenities of our area during their stay.” McGregor said, “We have two years to finalize all the details of this ‘all volunteer event,’ and welcome cross-country enthusiasts to participate in the hosting of this national championship. It is all about the love of the sport and giving young athletes the opportunity to compete and achieve their best.”

Foster leads Hornets

Chelsea’s Darrell Foster (44) goes up for a shot against Shelby County in a recent game. Foster was leading the team in scoring and rebounding with 15 points per game and 11 rebounds a game as the team headed into the Shelby County Tournament in late December. The Hornets of coach NIck Baumbaugh were 6-6 entering that tourney. Other team leaders were Aaron Washington with 13 points per game and David Simpson with 11 points per game. Photo by Cari Dean.

280 Living

B26 • January 2015

Oak Mountain students sign to play college sports

Jags defeat Panthers

These Oak Mountain High School athletes signed during the fall signing period to continue their athletic careers in college. Pictures are Madeline Porter, softball, Ball State; Jack Jasinski, lacrosse, Ohio State; Sam Brown, track, South Alabama. Not pictured but also signing were George Shunnarah and Walker Lacey, who will play lacrosse at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., as that program plays its inaugural season in the NAIA.

Coach Pete Campbell (University of the Cumberlands Head Lacrosse coach), Walker Lacey and George Shunnarah.

Claire Holt dribbles the ball up the court for Spain Park in a game against Pelham. The Lady Jags won this game 49-44, rallying from 10 points down in the fourth quarter. Photo by Ted Melton.

280Living.com

January 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B27

280

Real Estate Listings MLS #

Zip

Address

Status

Price

616610

35242

1046 Highland Park Place

New

$359,900

616599

35242

5424 Afton Drive

New

$385,000

616458

35242

146 Elyton St.

New

$439,900

616811

35242

5136 Meadow Brook Road

New

$459,900

616574

35242

11 Nolen St.

New

$499,900

616711

35242

1021 Royal Mile

New

$679,000

616483

35242

316 Woodward Court

New

$859,000

616456

35043

935 Shelby Forest Way

New

$137,000

616844

35051

134 Covington Place Drive

New

$244,000

616732

35043

2159 Chelsea Ridge Drive

New

$279,900

616335

35242

1353 Portobello Road Unit# 53

New

$209,900

616058

35242

143 Katy Circle

New

$364,500

616274

35242

5352 Woodford Drive

New

$399,900

616208

35242

1132 Hardwood Cove Road

New

$478,600

616486

35242

1338 Greystone Crest

New

$1,595,000

615424

35242

4716 Eagle Wood Court

New

$499,900

615983

35242

209 Biltmore Circle Unit# 20

New

$514,900

616371

35242

347 Woodward Court

New

$574,500

Real estate listings sent to 280 Living by Vinnie Alonzo of RE/MAX Advantage South between Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. Agents and agency vary by property.

1046 Highland Park Place

134 Covington Place Drive

280 Living

B28 • January 2015

Calendar 280 Events Jan. 6: Chelsea City Council Meeting. 6 p.m. Chelsea City Hall. Visit cityofchelsea.com. Jan. 6: Oak Mountain Varsity Basketball vs. Hoover. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m. Oak Mountain High School. Jan. 6: Spain Park High School Varsity Basketball vs. Hewitt-Trussville. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m. Spain Park High School. Jan. 9: Oak Mountain Varsity Basketball vs. Thompson. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m. Oak Mountain High School.

Jan. 13: Chelsea High School Varsity Basketball vs. Pell City. 7:30 p.m. Chelsea High School. Jan. 13: Spain Park High School Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Mountain Brook. 7:30 p.m. Spain Park High School. Jan. 16: Chelsea High School Varsity Basketball vs. Oxford. 7:30 p.m. Chelsea High School. Jan. 17: Hearts for Hasberry 5K and 10K. 9 a.m. Area 41 Pizza. Races will benefit the Alabama Kidney

Foundation. Visit runsignup.com/Race/AL/ Birmingham/2ndAnnualHeartsforHasberry5k10k. Jan. 20: Chelsea City Council Meeting. 6 p.m. Chelsea City Hall. Visit cityofchelsea.com. Jan. 20: Spain Park High School Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Mountain Brook. 6 p.m. Spain Park High School. Jan. 23: Oak Mountain Varsity Basketball vs. Tuscaloosa County. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m. Oak Mountain High School.

Jan. 23: Spain Park High School Varsity Basketball vs. Vestavia Hills. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m. Spain Park High School. Jan. 27: Chelsea High School Varsity Basketball vs. Thompson. 7:30 p.m. Chelsea High School. Jan. 30: Oak Mountain Varsity Basketball vs. Helena. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m. Oak Mountain High School. Jan. 30: Spain Park High School Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Huffman. 7:30 p.m. Spain Park High School.

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 1301 County Services Drive 663-4542 Jan. 1: Chamber office closed.

Commerce.

Jan. 7: Entrepreneur Roundtable II. 8:30-10:30 a.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

Jan. 13: Small Business Mentorship Appointments. 8-11 a.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Michael Smith will speak.

Jan. 7: Ambassadors Work Group. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

Jan. 13: Existing Business and Industry Work Group. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc. 3535 Grandview Parkway, Suite 500.

Jan. 7: Small Business Work Group. 4-5 p.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Jan. 9: Health Services Work Group. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of

Jan. 13: Go & Grow Workshop. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Michael Smith will present “Building Networks that Work for You.”

Jan. 15: Keeping it Real Program. 8 a.m.3 p.m. Thompson High School.

Group. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sain Associates, Two Perimeter Park South, Suite 500 East.

Jan. 20: Entrepreneur Roundtable I. 8-10 a.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.

Jan. 22: Membership Reception. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Reservations requested by Jan. 20.

Jan. 20: Education Work Group. 8:30-9:30 a.m. Shelby County Instructional Services Center, 601 First Street South, Alabaster. Jan. 21: Executive Committee Meeting. 8:15-9:30 a.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Jan. 22: Governmental Affairs Work

Jan. 28: Membership Luncheon and Annual Meeting. 11 a.m. Pelham Civic Complex. Reservations requested by noon, Jan. 26. Members $20, Non-members $30. Jan. 30: Keeping it Real Program. 8 a.m.3 p.m. Vincent High School.

280Living.com

January 2015 • B29

Calendar North Shelby Library Children

439-5504 northshelbylibrary.org

Monday 6 p.m. Wednesday 1 p.m. Will discuss Newbery books and eat pie. All ages. Registration required.

10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, finger plays and crafts designed for short attention spans. Registration required. Ages. 19-36 months.

All month: Snow Flake Craft. Stop by the Children’s Department to pick up a craft to take home or make in the department.

Jan. 13: Pete the Cat Book Club. 4 p.m. Stories, games, crafts and snacks. All ages. Registration required.

Jan. 6, 20: Baby Tales. 9:30 a.m. A story time designed especially for babies and their caregivers. Ages birth to 18 months. Registration required.

All month: Smart Cookie Club. Check out books, earn stamps and add a sticker to the cookie jar bulletin board. All ages.

Jan. 21: Homeschool Hangout: Reporter 101. 1 p.m. Glenny Brock, a former writer and editor for Birmingham Weekly and Weld for Birmingham will be sharing her knowledge and tools of the trade. Ages 7-13. Registration required.

Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28: Mr. Mac. 10:45 a.m. Stories, puppets and lots of music for every member of the family. All ages. No registration required.

Jan. 3: Lego Club. 10-11:30 a.m. The library provides Legos, and the kids provide imagination and creativity. All ages. No registration required. Jan. 12, 14: Newbery Pie Book Club.

Story-Times

Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29: PJ Story Time. 6:30 p.m. Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies and hear some wonderful bedtime tales. No registration required.

Teens 439-5512

Jan. 9, 16, 23: Gaming. 3:30-5:45 p.m. Play Wii, Xbox or board and card games. Teens need a parent permission slip on file to attend. Jan. 12: Anime Night. 6 p.m. Enjoy an evening of anime. Treats will be served, and costumes are welcome. Jan. 26: Minecraft @ the Library. 6 p.m. Showoff your Minecraft skill. Bring a laptop if you are able.

Jan. 5, 12, 26: Toddler Tales. 9:30 and

Mt Laurel Public Library 991-1660

Story Times

a.m. Stories, music and more for every member of the family. All ages. No registration required.

meeting will be held away from the library. Call Sara at 991-1660 for more information.

Jan. 16: Toddler Tales. 10 a.m. Stories, songs, finger plays and more designed for short attention spans. 36 months and younger. Registration required.

Special Programming

Jan. 16: Storytime with Ms. Kristy. 11

Jan. 8: Mt Laurel Book Club. 7 p.m. The Book Club will discuss Lucky Us by Amy Bloom. The

Jan. 10: Craft Saturday. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop in to make a craft at the library. All ages with parent help. Registration not required, but supplies are limited.

Jan. 12: Local Author Book Signing. 6 p.m. Birmingham resident and author Andrea Miles will sign copies of her new book, Trespassers. Jan. 15: Appy Hour. 6 p.m. Did you get a new tablet or smartphone for Christmas? Stop by the library to learn how to use your new device.

280 Living

B30 • January 2015

Calendar Heardmont Senior Center Events 5452 Cahaba Valley Road 991-5742

Mondays: Tai Chi. 9:30-10:30 a.m.

11:10 a.m. on Thursdays. Center closed on Jan. 1.

closed on Jan. 2.

Jan. 12, 26: Canasta. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tuesdays: Bible Study. 11 a.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Bingo and Board Games. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Center closed on Jan. 1.

Fridays: Intermediate Line Dancing. 1011 a.m. Center closed on Jan. 2.

Jan. 13: Biscuit Bash.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Lunch. Noon. Center closed Jan. 1. Tuesdays and Thursdays: Aerobics. 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. and

Wednesdays: Bridge. 9 a.m.-noon.

Fridays: Beginning Line Dancing. 11 a.m.noon. Center closed on Jan. 2.

Fridays: Zumba Gold. 9-10 a.m. Center

Jan. 12, 26: Mah Jongg. 9:30 a.m.-noon.

Jan. 15: Becky with Harrison Regional Library. 11 a.m. Jan. 29: Souper Thursday.

St. Vincent’s One Nineteen 7191 Cahaba Valley Road 408-6600

Wednesdays: Breastfeeding Support Group. 10 a.m.-noon. Moms will have the opportunity to meet with a lactation consultant, as well as network with other breastfeeding moms. Free. Jan. 3: Lupus Support Group. 10 a.m.noon. This month’s topic is “Foods that Fight Inﬂammation” with St. Vincent’s One Nineteen dietician, Grace Perry, RDN. Free. Cal 1-877-8658787. Jan. 13: Blood Pressure/Body Mass Index Screening. 8-11:30 a.m. A representative from St. Vincent’s Wellness Services will screen for blood pressure and BMI in the front entrance. Free. Jan. 14: 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. Jan. 17: Breastfeeding. 9-11:30 a.m. A class on the basics of breastfeeding for expectant mothers. $10 per couple Registration required. Call 939-7878. Jan. 17: Coping Skills. 12:30-2:30 p.m. This class shares pain management techniques for expectant mothers during delivery. $10 per couple. Registration required. Call 939-7878. Jan. 19-23: Scale Back Alabama. 6-8 a.m. Scale Back Alabama is a statewide weight loss contest designed to encourage Alabamians to get healthy with encouragement from a team member

Take us with you.

and online modules. Registration required. Visit scalebackalabama.com. Jan. 22: 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 St. Vincent’s One Nineteen members. $20 for non-members and repeat visits. Registration required. Call 408-6550. Jan. 28: Baby Sign Language. 10-11 a.m. This class teaches caregivers to communicate with their babies or toddlers before they are able to talk. Designed for ages 6 months to 2 years. Registration required. Call 939-7878.

Performance for Young Athletes. 6-7 p.m. Join Tom Melton, sports performance program coordinator, to learn how to help young athletes reach their full athletic abilities. Jan. 29: Healthy Cooking in a Bag. 6-8 p.m. Bring groceries to the St. Vincent’s One Nineteen kitchen and prepare 10 healthy meals for the freezer. $25 per person plus the cost of groceries. Registration required. Call 408-6550. Jan. 30: Comprehensive Diabetes Education. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. A physician’s referral is required and pre-assessments given preceding the class date. Call 939-7248.

Jan. 28: Dinner with the Coach: Sports

January

sales Find great deals at these retailers

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Marguerite's Conceits January 5th - 10th 2406 Canterbury Road, Mountain Brook 205-879-2730

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(some exclusions apply see store for details)

The Cook Store

Award-winning community journalism on your mobile phone. 280Living.com

January 9th - 17th 2841 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook 205-879-5277

January inventory sale 20% OFF most toys Homewood Toy & Hobby 2830 18th Street, Homewood 205-879-3986

50% OFF all winter merchandise The Clothes Tree

Starting Jan. 10 2880 Rocky Ridge Road 205-822-1902

Contact stores for exclusions and other details.

280Living.com

January 2015 • B31

Calendar Area Events

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia performs Swan Lake. The Alabama Theatre is hosting a production of the ballet Jan. 17-18.

Jan. 1: New Year’s Day Hike. 10:30 a.m.-1p.m. Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. Join the Birmingham Pledge Foundation and Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve for the third annual hike to Hawk’s Ridge Overlook for a communal reading of The Birmingham Pledge. Call 245-4146. Jan. 3: Stories Under the Stars. 7-8:30 p.m. Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. Listen to stories around a fire told by storyteller Zechariah Hook. $4. Call 833-8264, ext. 13.

Center at Samford University. Part of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church Claypool Lecture Series. $25. Visit tickets.samford.edu. Jan. 16: New Works Concert. 8-10 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. Enjoy an evening of exciting new works by regional choreographers from across the Southeast and beyond. $15, $8 for students. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter.

Jan. 4: Birmingham City Pokemon Championship. 1-7 p.m. Mad Doctor Game Shop, 1318 20th St. S., Suite 100. Call 334-4340241.

Jan. 17, 18: BrickFair 2015. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. LEGO models, display and winding trains sprawled out over 58,000 square feet. $10 at the door. Visit brickfair.com.

Jan. 6: Beer, Burgers and Bingo. 8-11 p.m. Black Market Bar and Grill. Visit evilbartenders.wix.com.

Jan. 17, 18: Swan Lake. Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. The Alabama Theatre. $25$55 each. Visit alabamatheatre.org.

Jan. 8: Sketching in Oils with David Baird. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Forstall Art Center. This one-day class will consist of a demonstration by the instructor and individual one-on-one critiques as students work from a live model. Visit forstallartcenter.com.

Jan. 21-25: Ringling Bros’ Circus Xtreme. Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Visit ringling.com.

Jan. 10: Birmingham Spotlight Gala. 7-11 p.m. McWane Science Center. Fundraiser with the mission of empowering the city’s nonprofit organizations. $65. VIP $80. Visit http:// spotlightgala.eventzilla.net/. Jan. 11: Southern Bridal Show. 4 p.m. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Visit eliteevents.com. Jan. 11: Birmingham Boys Choir Concert. 4 p.m. Brock Hall, Samford University. Visit birminghamboyschoir.com. Jan. 13: New York Times Columnist David Brooks Lecture. 6:30 p.m. Wright

Jan. 22-25: Birmingham Boat Show. Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center. With more than 250,000 square feet, the show highlights the latest in boats, motors, fishing gear, guides, outfitters and related outdoor gear. $10. Free for children. Visit birminghamboatshow.com. Jan. 23, 25: Hamlet. Friday 7:30 p.m. Sunday 2:30 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. Presented by Opera Birmingham. $20, $35, $65, $90. Visit operabirmingham.org. Jan. 25: A Slippery Slope: The Consequences of Hate. 3-5 p.m. Carver Theatre. Presented by Birmingham Holocaust Education Center and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Visit facebook.com/events/15790974989 71209/?ref=22.