280 Living vol 7 iss 6 feb 2014 by Starnes Media

280 Living

280Living.com

February 2014 | Volume2014 7 | Issue 6 • A1 February

neighborly news & entertainment

Clearing the way

The miracles of love The role of angels in one Inverness couple’s unlikely love story By JEFF THOMPSON

Last month, Chelsea Fire and Rescue conducted live fire training on an important site to the city. Find out where inside this issue.

Community page B10

280’s astronaut

In the 1990s, 280 resident Dr. Larry DeLucas flew outside the earth’s atmosphere on NASA’s Columbia. This month, he’s sending his research back to outer space.

Community page B1

INSIDE Sponsors ...... A4 280 News ..... A5 Chamber ....... A7 Business ....... A8 Food .............. A13

Opinion ............ A22 Community ..... B2 School House .. B15 Sports .............. B18 Calendar ........... B20

Pam Moore sat down at an easel with no particular purpose in mind. Painting wasn’t much of a hobby for her. In fact, it wasn’t part of her life. But that day, after spreading greens and blues across her canvas, an angel took shape. Its face was looking away from Pam, shielded by a tall white wing. She didn’t know it at the time, but that angel had a name, Shauna Davy (pronounced dah-VAY), and it would soon become a symbol of success and redemption for her growing family. Peaks we’ve climbed Pam and Steve Moore, Inverness residents and owners of the Moore Institute in Cahaba Heights, found each other more than two decades ago through exceptional means. Both were not only coming out of unhealthy relationships, but they were also climbing another

See LOVE STORY | page A20

Pam, Steve and Shauna Moore at their Inverness home. The couple overcame tremendous odds over the course of their journey to adopt Shauna from Cambodia. Photo courtesy of Pam Moore.

Survey shows majority approves of 280 changes By JEFF THOMPSON

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #656

facebook.com/280Living

Drivers use the new Michigan Left U-turn at the intersection of U.S. 280 and Valleydale Road.

Last month, residents of the U.S. 280 corridor participated in a survey about changes to their lifeline. After being asked their opinions about nine high-profile intersections between The Summit and Hugh Daniel Drive, voters labeled they were dissatisfied with ALDOT’s changes to only one — Valleydale Road. The new Michigan Left U-turn system earned comments like this from readers: “The U-turn light takes forever, and everyone has to try and turn in Kohl’s parking lot to get onto Valleydale. This is by far the worst move that was made.”

See SURVEY | page A16

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February 2014

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A4 • February 2014

280 Living

About Us Photo of the month Stakeholders and Mt Laurel community members gather to break ground on the permanent home of the Mt Laurel Library. Mt Laurel children also came to help celebrate the groundbreaking. In their hands are miniature hard hats stuck on lollipops. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Jones / Heart Smile Photography.

Editor’s Note By Jeff Thompson

The memories you keep As a reporter, sometimes you forget the things you’ve written. I worked in Tuskegee for six years before coming to 280 Living, and throughout the course of that experience I wrote hundreds of pieces on everything from politics to pizza. I can’t quote the leads from any of them. I’ve forgotten the names of most of the people I interviewed. Upon reflection, I find myself feeling like I must not have cared that much. But that’s the surface. Beneath it are people like Col. Herbert Carter and his wife, Mildred. Col. Carter was a pilot in World War II, a Tuskegee Airman whose stories of triumph will keep your brain from making room for new memories. There were others — legendary figures like Amelia Boynton Robinson and Charlie Pollard (the latter I didn’t meet but did write about) or local heroes like Elizabeth Sims and Jimmy Johnson. I’ll never forget their stories, much like I won’t forget talking to an astronaut for the first time. Dr. Larry DeLucas’ research is

something that I had Solomon Sandridge, which you can find on page B4. to reference in a dozen different places to Because art supplies were a rarity in the economic conunderstand, and I still ditions he grew up facing, don’t feel like I’ve scratched the surface. the Chelsea resident’s first drawing was in his family His work involves growing crystals from Bible. His first painting was on a piece of canvas he proteins in the way stretched over a bed frame. one would grow salt or sugar. Only, he does it This month, his exhibition fills a gallery at the in outer space. Jeff Thompson As we talked, I Birmingham Civil Rights came to understand Institute. Through these pages, you’ll find a the importance of his research. In the article on B1, find out more about how wealth of stories related to you and he’s changing the way humanity fights your neighbors, and as you read them, disease, as well as what it’s like outside I hope they lead you to make memothe earth’s atmosphere. ries of your own. But his isn’t the only story that will Happy February from 280 Living. stick with me. As I sat with Pam and Our warmest regards go out to both you Steve Moore, whose journey you’ll find and your sweetheart. on this month’s cover, I listened as they With love, talked of roadblocks I could only dream of. But for them, the desire to adopt their daughter helped them find away around them all. Then, there’s the story of John

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Jeff Thompson Madoline Markham Katie Turpen Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Contributing Writers : Rick Watson Kari Kampakis Paul Johnson Jason Gaston Lauren Moriarty Rebecca Walden

Publisher: Creative Director: Executive Editor: Managing Editor: Staff Writer: Advertising Manager: Sales and Distribution:

For advertising contact: dan@280living.com

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

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: jeff@280living.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 Published by : Starnes Publishing LLC

Legals: 280 Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic

content without prior permission is prohibited. 280 Living is designed to inform the 280 community of area school, family and community events. Information in 280 Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of 280 Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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Please Support our Community Partners 280 Medical Supply (B13) AL Telco Credit Union (A19) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (B16) Alabama Outdoors (B22) Allstate Insurance - Jay Barker Agency (B21) ARC Realty (A18) Asbury United Methodist Church (A6) AUX Mechanical (A14) Bedzzz Express (A3) Bellini’s (B17) Birmingham Museum of Art (B7) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (B23) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (B11, B14) C Food Express (A21) Cabinetry Refinishing & Restoration (A1) Cahaba Dermatology and Skin Care Center (B2) Chiropractic Today (A12) Clear Advantage Pantry (B5) D.R. Horton, Inc. - Birmingham (A22) Danberry at Inverness (A15) Decorating Dens Interiors (A12) Diana Holladay (B8) Dreamscape Landscape Development, LLC (A10) E & F Entertainment (B12) Eighteenth Street Orientals (A23) Encore Rehabilitation (B20) Eye Do (B19) Fi-Plan Partners (A17) Foxy Nails & Spa (B8) Gallery No. 9 (B12) GeGe’s Salon (B15) GradePower Learning of Birmingham (B3) Greystone Antiques & Marketplace (A11) Hendrick Hoover Auto Mall (A22, B16) Isbell Jewelers (B13) John Samaniego for Sheriff (B14) Jordan Alexander Jewelry (B19) Kidder Financial Group (A20) Lady Fingers Salon (B6) Learning by Design (B10) McKay Building Company (B6) Med South Family Care (A8) Mitchell’s Place (B21) Narrows Family Eyecare (B11) Pak Mail (B21) Pastry Art (B18) Pharmacy One Nineteen (B9) Plain Jane Children & Gift Shop (A11) Project Share (B22) Pure Barre 280 (A22) RealtySouth Marketing (A9) Richard Joseph Salon and Spa (A1) Royal Automotive (B24) Secondhand Rose (B20) Sew Sheri Designs (B23) Smallcakes Cupcakery (B16) Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen (A13) Southeastern Jewelers and Engravers (A21) St. Vincent’s Health Systems (B1) St. Vincent’s One Nineteen (A24, B15) Tai Chi Acupressure (A11) The Cuckoo’s Nest (B10) The Ditsy Daisy (B19) The Goddard School (A5) The Maids (B18) The Urban Barn (B8) Total Care 280 (A7) Tutoring Club Inverness (B15) Varsity Sports (B1) Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (B9) Village Dermatology (B4) Vision Gymnastics (A21)

280Living.com

February 2014 • A5

280 News Fuller seeking re-election as superintendent In January, Randy Fuller continuous improvement planannounced his intention to ning, among several others.” seek re-election for a third Fuller, according to the term as Superintendent of release, focused on improving Shelby County Schools. school safety through the Safe Fuller came to Shelby Schools Initiative, developed County Schools as principal to as a collaborative partnership oversee the construction of the with local law enforcement, Oak Mountain High School in first responders, government 1998 prior to its opening in leaders, community lead1999. He was there for 8 years ers, social service networks, until he became superintenparents and students. This dent in November 2006. five-point safety initiative Randy Fuller According to a release, is providing the support and Fuller’s leadership helped resources needed to create safe guide the district through the significant and welcoming learning environments for challenges of multi-million dollar shortfalls both students and staff. in state funding due to proration and hisDuring his tenure as Superintendent, toric recession. Programs he implemented Fuller has been recognized with numerous in Shelby County Schools include the stra- awards and honors. Among them are the tegic planning initiative, continuous school University of Montevallo Kermit A. Johnimprovement and the “Renew Now for son Outstanding Superintendent Award; the Our Children’s Future” tax renewal cam- Alabama School Communicators Associapaign, which provided funding for a capi- tion’s Superintendent of the Year Award; and tal improvement project initiative in every the Marbury Technology Innovation Award school community. for Central Office Leaders at the Alabama Fuller also helped steer Shelby County Educational Technology Conference in June Schools through its first district-wide accred- 2011. itation process. Fuller is a member of the School Superin“The district not only earned the coveted tendents of Alabama professional association prize of district accreditation, but also earned and is a charter member of the Superintenhigh praise and recognition of being a ‘model dents’ Leader Network. He also served as school district’ by the AdvancED Quality the chair of the State Chemical Awareness Assurance Review Team,” the release reads. Program (CAP) Steering Committee. He is “The QAR team recognized the Shelby also a graduate and active alumnus of LeadCounty School District for several strengths ership Shelby and serves on the board of the including superintendent leadership, orga- Greater Alabama Council of the Boy Scouts nizational structure, strategic planning, and of America.

2014 Citizen’s Sheriff’s Academy to begin in March The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its third Citizen’s Sheriff’s Academy, scheduled to begin March 6. The Academy is a 12-week program designed to introduce and educate citizens to the various law enforcement practices and procedures of the Sheriff’s Office including criminal investigations, laws and the court system, uniform/patrol division, drug task force, tactical response unit and other special units. Included in the program will be a tour of the county jail, an opportunity to ride-along on patrol with a deputy sheriff and an opportunity to receive basic firearms safety training at the Sheriff’s Office firearms range.

The academy is open to anyone 18 and older who lives or works in Shelby County. Due to the nature of the Academy and the topics/activities presented, all applicants to the program are subject to a criminal background check and a driver’s license check conducted by the Sheriff’s Office as a condition for acceptance into the program. Classes will be held every Thursday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Training Center on McDow Road in Columbiana. Class size is limited to 20 students. For Academy registration information visit the Sheriff’s Office website at myshelbyso. com. For additional information, contact Sgt. Clay Hammac at chammac@shelbyso.com.

City to participate in sales tax holiday for weather preparedness items By JEFF THOMPSON Joining other communities across the state, Hoover will participate in a sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness items from Feb. 21-23. The Hoover City Council passed a resolution to exempt city sales tax during that weekend. Taxes will be exempt on common supplies costing less than $60 per item that have been identified by the state as needed for homes and businesses in case of natural disaster or emergency.

According to the Alabama Retail Association (ARA), this is Alabama’s third severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday since the state Legislature passed it into law in 2012. Items exempt include batteries, radios, plastic sheeting, duct tape, first-aid kits, coolers, fire extinguishers and more. The ARA also reports that generators under $1,000 are exempt from the state’s 4 percent sales tax during the holiday. To see the full list of tax-exempt items, visit revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/WPHolidayQuickRefSheet14.pdf.

A6 • February 2014

280 Living

Common Core unlikely to be debated in 2014 legislative session Delegates say budget cuts, constraints to be primary focus

By JEFF THOMPSON Local members of the Alabama Delegation said they think budgeting will be a primary issue debated during the 2014 Legislative Session, predicting issues with the cost of education, Medicaid, corrections and transportation would come to the table. In January, Republican state delegates representing Shelby County convened for the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Legislative Preview. The forum, led by Sen. Cam Ward, provided residents and business owners from the area an opportunity to address their representatives before they returned to Montgomery on Jan. 14. Ward began the forum by lowering expectations for this year’s session, citing election years in the past had seen fewer bills come before the delegation. However, as state revenues are increasing more slowly than projected expenditures, maintaining a balanced budget for Alabama is the primary challenge, he said. “Unlike Washington, D.C., we can’t print new money,” Ward said. “We can only spend what we have.” Attending were Rep. Jim Carnes, Rep. Jim McClendon, Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, Rep. April Weaver, Rep. Kurt Wallace, Sen. J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner and Ward. Absent were Rep. Mike Hill and Sen. Slade Blackwell. Education For fiscal year 2014, the executive budget posted on alabama.gov reports that the state is projecting $5.8 billion in its Education Trust Fund. Ward said legislators are continually looking for ways to eliminate unnecessary spending, as that figure is approximately four times the size of Alabama’s General Fund. During the forum, they citied ways each had attempted to provide efficiencies in education. McClendon said he introduced a bill that would provide digital devices in lieu of textbooks,

what do we do when we need more money?”

indicated he did not believe legislators would discuss Common Core during the 2014 session. He said, however, it would be “debated at length” in 2015.

Corrections The need for an immediate remedy also applies to the State Department of Corrections, which is budgeted to consume $473 million of the General Fund in 2014. “Our prisons are a disaster,” Ward said, indicating that Alabama is currently at 190 percent capacity in its corrections facilities — the worst in the U.S. Waggoner added that each of Alabama’s approximately 30,000 inmates costs $16 per day to house, which is twice as much as the state spends on educating a child in kindergarten through 12th grade. “When it comes to the prison problem, it’s going to get solved,” Ward said implying that if the legislature couldn’t find a solution, he expected the judicial system to step in.

Transportation The Alabama Department of Transportation’s budget in 2014 is $200 million higher than it was the previous year, but residents were told not to expect substantial infrastructure improvements. ALDOT’s total budget is approximately $1.5 billion, with $500 million of that coming from the State Road and Bridge Tax and $720 million from the federal government. Ward said stymied growth in the Road and Bridge Tax was a result of the increasing market for energy efficient cars. When the tax was designed, it assumed more roads would mean more drivers and therefore more taxes. With fuel consumption decreasing — due to energy efficiency, not the number of drivers — the fund is no longer keeping up with demand. In addition, delegates said 88 percent of the state’s $1.7 billion General Fund budget is earmarked, leaving only 12 percent available for appropriation among districts. “A lot of existing legislators ran on the phrase, ‘No new taxes,’ McClendon said. “So,

Medicaid For 2014, the state has budgeted $5.8 billion for Medicare coverage, with $3.9 billion coming from Federal Funds. Part of the Affordable Care Act involves a possible expansion of the system to provide coverage for the “working poor,” a classification of the uninsured whose annual wages exclude them from coverage. McClendon said controversy over the expansion involves the future rather than the present. “The federal government gave us an incentive. They’d pay first two years, and all we have to do is cover 10 percent after that,” he said. “Well, that sounds like a bargain.” McClendon said the state is having difficulty covering its current obligations to Medicare, and the projected 10 percent match that would be required in two years would be approximately $230 million. “It’s discussed every day here in Alabama,” he said. “There’s not going to be an expansion until we get our current costs under control.”

Members of the 2014 Shelby County State legislative delegation are, from left, Rep. Jim Carnes, Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, Rep. Jim McClendon, Sen. Cam Ward, Rep. Kurt Wallace, Rep. April Weaver and Sen. J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner. Not pictured are Rep. Mike Hill and Sen. Slade Blackwell. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

which could potentially save the state $15 million to $20 million per year. Carnes indicated his preference was for more flexibility for local school administrations to design how money was spent. These attempts are coming at a time when the federal government’s Common Core State Standards Initiative is being heavily debated in the state. According to corestandards.org, Common Core establishes a single set of clear educational standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts and mathematics. States voluntarily adopt these standards, which the site reports are “designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to enter credit bearing entry courses in two or four year college programs or enter the workforce.” During the meeting, legislators present with the exception of Waggoner said they opposed use of Common Core in Alabama schools. “There are numerous complications,” said McClurkin, who co-sponsored a bill to repeal Common Core in local schools. “It involves a cross section of standards that might not apply to our area.” Ward, who also said he opposed the measure,

280Living.com

February 2014

Chamber Get to know: Kirk R. Mancer Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce By JEFF THOMPSON Inverness resident Kirk R. Mancer is one of the many minds working to ensure Shelby County’s business community remains vibrant and active. In his current role as president and CEO of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, he has his finger on the pulse of area business, and he believes there’s much in store for 2014. 280 Living caught up with Mancer in January to learn more about his professional plans as well as who he is outside of work.

As president and CEO of the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, what goal do you most hope to accomplish through the organization in 2014?

Well, there are a number of specific goals spelled out in our 2014 Business Plan, but I suppose the underlying goal that is vital to the organization each year is that our members believe that they’ve received a positive return on their investment.

Q A

What do you mean by that?

Whether it’s a tangible benefit — through increased visibility, access to business information, business leads and business networking — or it’s the notion that a company has “hired” the Greater Shelby County Chamber to carry out our program of work. We recognize that not all companies have the time to participate in events or attend meetings. By joining the Chamber, however, a company is hiring the Chamber to answer the thousands of phone calls we receive about Shelby County and carry out a program of work that helps make Shelby County an even better place to live and do business. Those factors combine to eventually mean more potential customers for everyone.

Q A

What does your role mean to you?

The opportunity to work with a tremendous group of business and community leaders — as well as my colleagues on our staff — who are committed to producing a program of work that provides our membership with a positive return on their investment and strives to make Shelby County an even better place to live and do business.

Tell us about other long-range projects you plan to work on this year within the business community.

We have a five-year strategic plan called ShelbyOne that was developed by a take force composed of more than 50 community and business leaders in fall 2011. The result of their efforts was a commitment to work collaboratively with public and private sector leaders on four key initiatives: business development and support, community development, governmental relations, and marketing and communications.

Q A

What about the short-term?

The Chamber’s Board of Directors has approved a 2014 Business Plan with tangible, measurable goals in all aspects of the program of work which relate directly back to the ShelbyOne Strategic Plan. The 2014 Business Plan is available on the Chamber’s website at shelbychamber.org under the “About Us” tab on the front page of the site.

What do residents have to look forward to from the Chamber in February?

Feb. 12-13: We’ll be holding our Keeping It Real program for ninthgrade students at Shelby County High School. The program, which was launched this year, is designed to increase their awareness of the

relationship between educational achievement, cost of living and responsibilities. The program also teaches students how to budget and manage real world expenses. Feb. 26: We’ll host our monthly program featuring the annual “State of the County” presentation from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. County Manager Alex Dudchock will present the address. Feb. 27: This will be our first membership reception of 2014 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chamber. This program provides members and future members with information to ensure they’re taking advantage of all the benefits available to them. March 4: In early March, we’ll be holding our first quarter Business Before Hours, a business networking opportunity at Verizon Wireless on U.S. 280 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. These are great opportunities for business people to make professional new contacts.

Q A

What are some of your favorite restaurants on the 280 corridor?

Q A

Tell us something 280 residents might not know about you.

Q A

For you, what was the defining moment of 2013?

Bellini’s Ristorante & Bar, Dairy Queen, Dixie Fish Company, Firehouse Subs 280, Jim ‘N Nicks and Panera Bread at Lee Branch. They all serve delicious food, and they invest in the Chamber’s program of work.

After graduating from Washington & Lee University, I worked in Washington, D.C., for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. The group’s solitary mission was to elect a Republican majority in the United States Senate.

Professionally, it was when the Chamber completed the fundraising phase of ShelbyOne, our five-year strategic plan, in February. That meant that we were going to have the resources to launch several new programs designed to make Shelby County an even better place to live and do business. Personally, it was the first spring afternoon that our family enjoyed on our patio at our Inverness home. It made me realize how truly fortunate we are to be living in Shelby County.

Q A

What’s your favorite:

Book — Fiction: City Boy by Herman Wouk. Nonfiction: Sum It Up by Pat Summitt with Sally Jenkins Movie — Field of Dreams ’80s band — Kansas, Journey or Boston (tough to pick just one!) Ice cream flavor — Heath Bar Crunch (Ben & Jerry’s?) Pizza toppings — ground beef and onion

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280Living.com

February 2014 • A9

Now Open Genghis Grill, 250 Summit Blvd., Suite 100, is now open. The build-it-yourself restaurant concept specializes in Mongolian stir-fry. 977-3946. genghisgrill.com.

Nori Thai and Sushi, 4704 Cahaba River Road, Suite I-1, is now open. The fast casual restaurant offers dishes from around Southeast Asia. 970-7570. noribirmingham.com.

Coming Soon

with several new and improved features aimed at improving its members’ experience while banking online. 678-3600. coosapinesfcu.org. Ashley Mac’s, 5299 Valleydale Road, Suite 101, is now open for dinner. Its new hours are Monday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. 822-4142. ashleymacs.com.

Hirings and Promotions Get a Real Estate Life, a real-estate coaching program, recently announced that Kimberly P. Bibb will take on the role of full-time coach. The business is located at 2635 Valleydale Road, Suite 200. 223-1044. getarealestatelife.com.

Cabinet Cures, 5291 Valleydale Road, Suite 121, is planning to open in February. The company specializes in cabinet resurfacing and refacing. 598-0331. cabinetcures.com.

Relocations and Renovations

RealtySouth’s Inverness office has welcomed Amanda Boyette and Gerry Holmes as new agents. 991-6565. realtysouth.com.

Some Wear in Time, 16161 U.S. 280, Suite 1, Chelsea, has relocated after more than 10 years in Vestavia Hills. The store offers consigned ladies’ apparel, designer handbags and home décor. 678-9155. facebook.com/ somewearintime.

Closings

PT Orthodontics, 2800 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Suite 4A, is now open. It was previously located adjacent to Oak Mountain Middle School. 991-2550. ptortho.com.

closed.

News and Accomplishments Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union, 9571 Old Highway 280, Chelsea, has launched a new website

Dale’s Southern Grill, 5429 Highway 280, Suite 128, has closed. Its location in Riverchase remains open.

12 closed.

13 closed.

Fox and Hound Bar & Grill, 3425 Colonnade Parkway, has Tavern on the Summit, 225 Summit Blvd., Suite 100, has Monkey Toes, 2800 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Suite 3B, has Pinkberry, 216 Summit Blvd., Suite 105, has closed.

Business news

to share? Now Open Coming Soon

Relocation Expansion Anniversary

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.

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

Email dan@280living.com

A10 • February 2014

280 Living

Business Spotlight

Chelsea General Store

Chelsea General Store General Manager Clint Scherf and Assistant Manager Jared Mauldin stand in front of a painting in the store’s “front porch” area. The painting depicts what owners Dale and Mary Neuendorf hope the building’s exterior will resemble by spring 2014. Photos by Jeff Thompson.

By JEFF THOMPSON Dale Neuendorf’s grandfather owned a general store in South Carolina. As a boy, he was fascinated by the place, fondly remembering the hours he’d spend on its porch greeting customers, snacking on pickles from the pickle barrel and throwing back handfuls of peanuts. Ultimately, it’s what the city councilman now wants for Chelsea. “Right now, it’s just an ugly, old metal building, and it doesn’t have much charm,” Neuendorf said of the Chelsea General Store. “But

everyone remembers what it was like to go to an old country store. We want this to be that kind of place and have that kind of feeling.” Chelsea General Store, located about a mile south of the Chelsea Walmart on U.S. 280, is an eclectic smattering of goods spread out over hundreds of square feet. Some customers might see it as a military surplus store and others a place to buy specialty jams and jellies. To Neuendorf and his wife, Mary, co-owner of the store, both ideas are right on target. “Mary and I have been living in Chelsea for 12 years, and we have always talked about

Chelsea General Store’s primary merchandise is military surplus equipment.

having a little store,” Neuendorf said. “Mary wanted to sell gifts, home goods and decorating items, and I wanted to sell hardware. We both found a way to scratch the itch we individually had.” Just as Mary wanted, the store has a section set up for gifts, but it shares the space with a wall of cowboy hats and goods produced by an Amish community. Dale got the hardware and gadget space he wanted, which includes tools for working on everything from cars to pipes to front yards. He said they ended up with about 10 different lines of goods in the

store and have plans to continue expanding. Military surplus items blanket a large portion of the store, and Neuendorf said those items are the reason it became a reality. An active member of the U.S. Army for three years, he said he always had an affinity for the equipment used by men and women in service. So, when he had the opportunity to purchase a stockpile at auction, he jumped at the chance. Along the back wall are dozens of militarythemed flags and hundreds of pairs of boots. The display case up front features a selection of pins and patches, and the clothes range from

280Living.com

February 2014 • A11 Read past Business Spotlights at 280Living.com

Old

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standard U.S. Army woodland camouflage to international garb. “It’s just all over the place with military surplus,” Neuendorf said. “We have multiple uniforms not akin to the typical mainline items, including some from Australia and other countries.” Neuendorf said he expects the section will be an even bigger hit in the near future, when he adds a 1945 Army Jeep ambulance used in World War II to the center of the display. He’s also selling the items via an online shop that can be found through the store’s website, chelseageneralstore.com. Amish goods make up another sizable section of the store, and they range from handmade soaps to works of art. He said early on in the store’s development, he and Mary weren’t sure what food items they’d

carry, but after testing the market with a few Amish offerings, their customers demanded they expand. Now, the store carries butters and cheeses, pickles, jams, honey and specialty snacks made by an Amish community. “It’s going to evolve into whatever the customer want us to be,” Neuendorf said, adding that it doesn’t simply apply to food. In an effort to make the store resemble his grandfather’s, Neuendorf said he wants to allow the customer to drive the inventory across the board. He’s put together a starting point, but if demand grows for tools and hardware, expect the section to expand. The Neuendorfs also want the store to be a place for the community to gather. He said customers regularly sit on the “front porch,”

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14555 U.S. 280 678-2793 chelseageneralstore.com Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

(above) The store also carries a wide selection of goods produced by an Amish community, including jams, candy, cheese and artwork. (right) The store’s tool, gadget and hardware section extends over several tables.

a bench and chairs inside the front entrance where they sip coffee and tell stories. The store also provides popcorn in the afternoons to encourage the practice. As far as the “ugly” exterior, the Neuendorfs are working on that as

270 Doug Baker Blvd, Lee Branch • 991-1995 www.plainjanegifts.com • Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm, Sat 10am - 5pm

Come meet our talented staff and let us help with your Gift, Florals, Home Accessory and Furniture needs New Merchandise arriving daily! 5475 Highway 280 (across from Jim & Nick’s BBQ) Open: Monday - Saturday 10-6 • Sundays 1-5 205-995-4773

well. Last year, Neuendorf submitted a sketch to his current landlord of what he envisioned for the site. The landlord had it converted to a painting and gave it to Neuendorf as a housewarming gift. The work now hangs in the store’s

sitting area, and Neuendorf said come spring he will be converting the building’s exterior to match it — bright yellow with an actual front porch. “I’m excited,” he said. “And if it ever gets to be where it’s not fun, I probably wont do it anymore.”

A12 • February 2014

280 Living

Your Health Today By Dr. Irma Palmer

A growing number of Americans are being prescribed statin medications for lowering cholesterol. Recently, the American Heart Association and the American Cardiology Association issued new guidelines. These new guidelines will double the number of Americans taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs from 36 million to 72 million (about 30 percent of US adults). The new treatment guideline “lowers the threshold for those deemed to be at significant risk for having a heart attack or stroke and encourages doctors to treat these patients with statins to prevent cardiovascular disease—even if their cholesterol levels are not elevated” (Boston.com November 12, 2013). Sadly, many will jump on board without being fully informed. Through outstanding marketing, mixed information, scientifically questionable studies, and corporate greed, the cholesterol lowering campaign is worth more than $30 billion per year. The real tragedy is cholesterol is a small player in the cause of heart disease. The real causes of heart disease are inflammation, oxidation, sugar and stress. In their book, The Great Cholesterol Myth by Dr.’s Bowen and Sinatra, it is explained in great detail how a

lynching mob has been going after cholesterol for decades. Understanding the functions of this molecule will help you understand why so many things can go wrong when we pursue lower and lower cholesterol numbers. We reviewed this in last months article in detail. Briefly, lowering cholesterol depletes the heart of critical nutrients such as CoQ10, known as “the spark of life” vitamin-like compound. Depletion can cause muscle pain, weakness and fatigue. The brain needs cholesterol to function optimally, stimulate thinking and memory. Low cholesterol affects the family of the human steroid hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, (essentially driving down sex drive). We make Vitamin D from cholesterol. Lower than optimal levels of Vitamin D have been linked to heart disease, poor physical performance, osteoporosis, depression, cancer, and difficulty loosing weight. These are just the tip of the iceberg. (To review last month’s article, I suggest going to my web page ChiropracticToday.com under the 280-article tab for the full details). In 2007, the Japan Atherosclerosis Society found “total cholesterol is so irrelevant as a metric that it stopped using

America’s Heart Dilemma it in any tables related to the diagnosis or treatment criteria in its guidelines”. There are other ways to predict your risk for heart disease. A simple way you can predict your risk for heart disease is looking at the triglyceride to HDL ratio acquired through a simple blood test, according to a study out of Harvard published in Circulation (a journal by the American Heart Association). It found individuals with the highest triglyceride to HDL ratio had a “whopping sixteen times the risk of developing heart disease as those with the lowest ratios”. Around 2, you should be happy, 5 and above is problematic. Dr.’s Bowen and Sinatra mention additional lab tests in the book. They also state, “the number one dietary contributor to heart disease is sugar, which is a far greater danger to your heart than fat. Sugar contributes to inflammation in the artery walls. Inflammation is one of the four causes of heart disease. High sugar intakes drives up the hormone insulin, which raises blood pressure and increases cholesterol. Sugar and processed carbs raise triglycerides, which is an important and independent risk factor to heart disease. Hypertension, high triglycerides, and a high ratio of triglycerides to HDL are

all better predictors of heart disease than cholesterol. Sugar or more specifically fructose raises every single one of these measures”. It’s important to become informed before making any radical changes. To be clear, I am not suggesting you quit your meds today. If you would like to consider reducing your meds, first, a thought through game plan is a must!! A good start would be to evaluate your habits and lifestyle, increase your knowledge in the areas needed or seek out who has that knowledge, and get after it!!! I cannot understate the importance of developing lifestyle habits that promote health and wellbeing. Multiple courses of action can be taken to yield optimal health. February being Healthy Heart Month, Chiropractic Today is hosting a workshop to discuss natural ways to achieve a healthier heart. Mark your calendar and RSVP for February 18TH at 6:15 pm sharp. We will discuss the four causes of heart disease, lifestyle improvements, nutritional supplements, and more. For additional details, visit our web page at ChiropracticToday.com or call our office. Together, through knowledge and effort we can achieve better health to serve a greater purpose.

280Living.com

February 2014 • A13

Food Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars By MADOLINE MARKHAM If you ever want to make friends, put Oreos in chocolate chip cookie dough. The Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie phenomenon entered the blogosphere a few years ago, and then I discovered they are even easier to make and yield a bigger batch in bar form. Since developing this magical combination a few years ago, my mom’s coworker told her that tasting it comes right after his wedding day and birth of his children as the high points in his life. They have also made

me famous with my roommate’s students, who request them regularly. I think that they might get them more than my friends now. Adults find the Oreo stuffing thing delicious, but kids find it fascinating. When I took the recipe to a group dinner, one girl carried the cookie around to other people to show them how there was an Oreo inside, and then came back to me to inquire how exactly the Oreo got there. They make great treats for Valentine’s treats or really any time of the year that warrants sweets.

Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Adapted from Nestle Tollhouse recipe 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 large eggs 2 cups (12-oz. package) semi-sweet chocolate chips 26 Oreos Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan. Spread half of dough in the bottom of the pan (I use my fingers to get it to cover all the area). Set the Oreos in rows on

top of dough. Take small clumps of remaining dough, press it into ﬂat segments and lay them on top of Oreos until the Oreos are covered in dough. It’s okay if you have a few small open spots; the dough will rise and spread. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until dough starts to brown. Cool, cut and serve. For most wondrous taste, eat warm out of the oven. Managing Editor Madoline Markham blogs about food at maplemacaroni.blogspot.com.

A14 • February 2014

280 Living

Restaurant Showcase

Read past Restaurant Showcases at 280Living.com

Primeaux Cheese and Vino By JEFF THOMPSON Paul Primeaux grew up working for his parents in their New Orleans wine shop. The store opened in the 1970s when the primary beverages of the area were beer and bourbon. “It was really a lot of fun for them, and certainly, as a kid, I loved it as a learning experience,” Primeaux said. Through the years, Primeaux studied to become an anesthesiologist and drifted away from the family business. But last year, he came back. Primeaux Cheese and Vino opened in The Summit in November, and both its fare and décor are reminiscent of Primeaux’s roots in Louisiana. However, it’s not a glimpse of New Orleans Primeaux hopes to bring to his customers: It’s the experience of gourmet. “My favorite thing about this concept is that it can provide people with an introduction into gourmet foods at a very reasonable price,” he said. Patrons of Primeaux become part of the “slow foods movement,” which isn’t as dull as it might sound. The concept originated in Italy and focuses on protecting not only the taste of the food but also the conditions of how it came to be on the plate. The movement emphasizes fresh and healthy local offerings grown in environmentally sustainable ways.

Paul Primeaux, owner of Primeaux Cheese and Vino, enjoys a coffee in the bar of his restaurant in The Summit. Photos by Jeff Thompson.

Primeaux said participating in the slow foods movement was at the top of the priority list when the restaurant side of the shop was in design. So he started by stocking high-quality, handmade meats as well as cheeses bought from local

creameries. Next came the produce, which Primeaux said comes from local growers. One item on the menu is the Mt Laurel Farms Seasonal Salad that’s made from greens and vegetables grown just up the hill.

The idea of slow foods saturates the rest of Primeaux’s menu. To start, cheeses for the Fromage Plate are selected by Primeaux’s cheesemonger, who assembles the choices with a variety of accompanying items like sliced sausage and apples

or honeycomb. Small starters include the Duck Stuffed Chicken Wings and Truffle Popcorn, and for the main course Primeaux has a list of sandwiches like Colorado Lamb Sliders and Croque Madame that are served

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The restaurant’s Croque Monsieur, Mt Laurel Farms Seasonal Salad and Fromage Plate. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

with a fork and knife for a reason. But one thing connects all the courses — the wine. And Primeaux invested heavily in providing an ideal selection. He said he recruited a sommelier when the restaurant was in its design phase and told her

he wanted to make things easy on the customer. “I told her we have enough square footage to be a wine shop, but we don’t want to do it because there are other people who already do,” Primeaux said. “So I asked her

to make it easy on folks who don’t have encyclopedic knowledge of wine. People are accustomed to picking by label or price and might get home with something they don’t like. We want to remove that anxiety.”

300 Summit Boulevard, Suite 104 623-5593 primeauxcheese.com Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Primeaux Cheesemonger Christie Roach presents the restaurant’s Fromage Plate, featuring three select cheeses.

So instead of 20 varieties of Bordeaux, the restaurant might offer two or three varieties by the bottle and one by the glass that were specifically chosen by the sommelier. Prices per bottle range from $10 to $100, and the option to have the

selection with a meal is available for a $14 corkage fee. As the restaurant grows, Primeaux said he plans to offer four- to five-course wine dinners prepared by the chef that customers can register for online, as well as a wine club.

A16 • February 2014

280 Living

280 traffic: What you think 280 Living surveyed 91 U. S. 280-area residents about their thoughts on how traffic is flowing now that ALDOT’s Intersection Improvement Plan has been completed. Overall, the feedback shows traffic is moving faster, but residents are far from happy with the new Valleydale Road intersection.

All comments are from different individuals who completed a survey on 280living.com.

Average vote: 2.9

Dissatisfied

Satisfied

Following the changes, displayed in the second graph, those surveyed felt on average that rush hour traffic was now a 3 out of 5.

Before

Average vote: 1.6 Rush Hours Times

Off-Peak Times

Average vote: 3.8

Average vote: 2.9

After

Rush Hours Times

Off-Peak Times

Ì “I can now make it to Chelsea from downtown in less than 30 minutes after work. Before, it was often one hour to one and a half hours.” Ì “I think they did well for what they had to work with. There is just so much traffic. The drive from Red Mountain to Whole Foods is much better at night. After that, it’s more of a gamble. Of course, one accident or break down and it’s over for that commute.” Ì “I live in Inverness, and I work downtown, and the changes ALDOT has made are wonderful! Way to go ALDOT.” Ì “I feel I can get through 280 faster than before and feel safer. I am from Chicago, so I am used to busy traffic, but I always felt unsafe on 280 from the many erratic drivers not used to busy traffic. I thought there were a more-than-average number of wrecks. Since the changes, I feel it’s a lot smoother.”

Dissatisfied

Overall, voters felt traffic on the 280 corridor had been improved by ALDOT’s changes. In the top graph, which shows what voters thought of traffic before the Intersection Improvement Plan, two-thirds gave rush hour traffic a 1 out of 5.

Satisfied

How You Rated Trafﬁc Flow Before and After Improvements

Satisfied

Ì “Definitely a faster and smoother drive. It takes a bit longer to turn left, and I miss the turn into Chickfil-A, but the overall flow is much improved.” Ì “I don’t dread driving 280 daily. I live off Highway 41 and have to use 280 for everywhere I go! Looking forward to the changes to Hugh Daniel and 119.”

Dissatisfied Ì “It may be fine for people passing through Inverness, but it has made many things terribly, unnecessarily difficult for the people who actually live here.” Ì “280 is better, but not good by any means. There should be another plan in the works. People who have to travel 280 daily deserve a better plan for their commute that resolves the issues which cause a 10- to 15mile drive to be up to an hour-long commute some days.” Ì “The merging can be a problem in heavy traffic. I think it slows things down and perhaps will cause wrecks.” Ì “I live on Valleydale Road, and since the changes it has become increasingly difficult to get on and off U.S. 280 as well as many other roads. I have never had trouble living on 280. You just know when to not get on the road. But now, it is so unpleasant I am planning on moving this coming year.” Ì “My travel time to work headed downtown takes longer by five minutes.” Ì “Significantly worse than before. Ridiculous out-of-the-way routes.” Ì “People drive faster because they are not stopping to shop along the way — just freewaying it through! No lights to slow them down, so they are not as careful or as considerate. I hate being on 280 now!”

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February 2014 • A17

How You Rate Satisfaction by Intersection

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1: Cahaba Ridge Road / Dolly Ridge Road. 78% satisfied 2: Grandview Parkway and Perimeter Park South. 77% satisfied 3: Cahaba Park Circle and Key Drive. 59% satisfied 4: Resource Center Drive. 65% satisfied 5: Inverness Parkway and Inverness Center Drive. 66% satisfied 6: Valleydale Road. 46% satisfied 7: Brook Highland Parkway / Meadow Brook Drive. 72% satisfied 8: Corporate Parkway. 71% satisfied 9: Hugh Daniel Drive. 74% satisfied

Valleydale Road

 “Whose lame-brained idea was it? They created additional lights and additional confusion by not allowing the turn onto such a busy road as Valleydale. Trafﬁc piles up in the turn around. Yesterday someone stopped in the middle of the road trying to get into the U-turn lane and I nearly hit him/her. Stopped in the middle of the road! Certainly the driver was wacky, but the concept was what created the situation.”

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 “This is ridiculous and more dangerous. I can’t stand it. I agree with everything your readers said. ALDOT only wants to move trafﬁc, and to heck with the people that live down here.”

 “I believe the U-turn helps trafﬁc in the long run; people just need time (and willingness) to get used to it.”

ey R

 “This is by far the worst change I’ve ever seen. I don’t see the improvement. Headed into town from Chelsea, trafﬁc still slows to a crawl around Brook Highland and through the new Valleydale change. In addition, more people are trying to dart across trafﬁc in front of Pier One in order to avoid the U-turn, which is very dangerous. The U-turn itself is a joke with two lanes all needing to merge into one in order to turn right onto Valleydale in a short amount of space.”

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 “Home Depot and Longhorn have seen severe decreases in business. This affects a lot of families’ ability to provide.”

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A18 • February 2014

Dear ALDOT

280 Living

Drivers recommend further changes to U. S. 280 By JEFF THOMPSON In 2013, as awareness was growing regarding the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Intersection Improvement Plan for U.S. 280, several local business owners approached Gov. Robert Bentley with their concerns. They reported Bentley’s office told them the “project would be amended after its implementation if it proved ineffective.” Following a survey of 280 drivers, the changes appear in line with what ALDOT predicted and, in fact, wanted when designing the plan. Flow has been improved overall, but access to side streets — and the residences and businesses on them — requires more effort. The $15 million effort undertaken by the State of Alabama appears to have satisfied the majority of drivers, but some on the corridor feel there is more work to be done.

Overall suggestions • “Safety and signage need to be readdressed and regularly. Signage (i.e. ‘No Left Turn’) is too small and not noticeable. Not mentioned here, but the cement divider at the entrance to The Summit is a failure. Traffic backs up much longer and into 280 drive lanes more regularly, even when there are no cars turning left in from the 280 eastbound lane. Highway 119 needs more lanes at the intersection of 280. Also, the left turn signal at 280 and Highway 119 needs to cycle more frequently in the evening.” • “Improvements to the Highway 119 and 280 intersection are crucial.” • “An elevated road would be much better.

Make it one-way, headed into town in the a.m. and out of town in the p.m. Make it a toll road to cover costs. I can’t get to shops on the other side of the road now, so it would let me shop on 280 again. All those who want to go from point A to point B could do so without shoppers slowing them down.” • “Why not have 280 lower instead of the suggested elevated road (huge eyesore)? Leave the existing side roads and simply exit up to gain access where needed. A red-light free Highway 280 with designated exit ramps, a novel idea!”

Backups at Cahaba Park Circle and Key Drive • “Change the four-way stop to a threeway, like at the intersection at the Best Buy entrance, so traffic turning from 280 doesn’t have to stop. A lot of times, cars turning left off of 280 get backed up and can’t get through the light.”

Traffic around The Summit affecting flow • “The traffic from I-459 merging onto 280 East at the Colonnade is still a huge train wreck. That is a massive amount of traffic merging with a massive amount of traffic.” • “While, in my opinion, all the changes have been positive and thoughtful, there still needs to be some work around The Summit area. The off ramp from I-459 creates a bottleneck for people trying to enter The Summit.” • “A flyover is needed at 280 and I-459.”

• “They should have left the Florida cut off road a right-only from the right lane before you get on 280 and not allowed anyone to cross over to it. To get on 280 and get off again for The Summit adds unnecessary traffic, which is what they were trying to get rid of.”

Stuck on Brook Highland Parkway • “The right turn lane on Brook Highland Parkway needs to be extended. Plus, people continually block the left turn lane onto 280 just so they can go straight across.”

Larger signs at Hugh Daniel Drive • “The sign showing that you cannot go straight needs to be bigger.”

Drivers still trying to turn left onto Valleydale • “Signage is poor, without the help of a gas-powered intersection sign. Road arrows are missing from no turn lanes. Cement median was constructed with angles on both sides as though a left turn onto Valleydale is permissible. Strobe lights may be needed with the red lights at the eastbound U-turn (Party City side) because I’ve seen cars slide through the intersection at the top of the hill not preparing.” • “The No Left Turn sign needs to be bigger and maybe be a lighted sign. Cars are still try to make a left turn, and this could be dangerous as you are traveling and have stop because someone is not paying attention to the small signs.”

Cut-through into Inverness Corners dangerous • “I’m pleased, but motorists are still trying to make a left off of 280 onto Valleydale. Also, the opening that allows cars to shortcut across 280 into the shopping center at Winn Dixie is very dangerous and should be closed! Cars cannot see around the cars waiting at the Michigan U-turn. They will pull out into the lanes and cause 280 flow to stop. I have had a friend rear-ended there and seen a lot of near misses of T-bone accidents.” • “I run a small business on Valleydale Road as well as live on it. Since they have removed the light, my commute to get home from 280 has increased by 20 minutes because of having to wait for the U-turn light or risk getting stuck in a very long line of cars attempting to turn just before Valleydale. My clients are also having trouble getting to their appointments on time because of having to go past Valleydale, wait at another light and then try to get onto Valleydale. Living and working on Valleydale has become a terrible inconvenience, so much that my boyfriend and I are planning on moving this coming year.” • “280 West traffic should not be allowed to turn left into the shopping center with WinnDixie and Kohls. That is an unprotected turn that many folks seem to think is protected. It also causes backups into the travel lanes because of the volume of cars waiting in line to turn there simply to avoid the Valleydale U-turn. I believe that left turn from 280 West should be removed and require folks to use the Valleydale U-turn.”

280Living.com

February 2014 • A19

Choose your own Valentine’s date adventure Do you want to dress up and go out? Yes please

Not at all, but I still want something special.

Feel like taking on The Summit? But of course.

Want to cook? Sure

I’d rather not.

Better call now. Like, right now.

Kind of

Check out Madoline Markham’s fantastic recipe on Page A13

Season’s 52 968-5152

Fleming’s

Well, start with the wine.

262-9463

Village Tavern

The Vintage Wine Shoppe

970-1640

980-9995

What’s close by?

City Vineyard 437-3360

Mt Laurel

Stone’s Throw Bar and Grill

672-2053

Bellini’s

The Pita Stop

995-0512

Morgan Creek Vineyards

Cahaba Valley Road

Cahaba Heights

981-5380

980-7482

Now, about what to pick up:

Not really my thing.

Flowers, definitely.

Food, definitely.

And let’s do some dessert.

Got’cha covered. Main Street Florist: 408-2717 Ritz Florist: 991-6686 Hannah’s Garden Shop: 991-2939 Leaf & Petal: 967-3232

Okay, what’s your destination?

Pre-made meals available at Winn-Dixie, Publix, Fresh Market and Ashley Mac’s. Is there another option?

Japan

China

Thailand

Italy

India

America

Amore 437-1005

Black Pearl

Bella 995-1770

262-9888

There sure is — pizza.

Mughal

Mellow Mushroom

408-1008

981-9914

Surin 280

Tony Ray’s

968-8161

•Ginza: 981-1616 •Mt. Fuji: 995-0588 •Asian Rim: 490-1444

995-8669

The Melting Pot 981-8001

Easy as pie. •Pastry Art: 995-5855 •The Funky Muffin: 408-9825 •Kiki’s Kickin Cakes: 991-5006

A20 • February 2014 LOVE STORY

CONTINUED from page 1 mountain — sobriety. “We were both in 12-step recovery programs,” Steve said. “Mutual friends of ours knew she was recently separated and I was divorced. So, one night, I was sitting outside the Alcoholics Anonymous clubhouse, and a friend came up to me and said, ‘Steve, I’ve got a girl you need to meet.’ ” Steve jumped at the offer, borrowing a quarter and calling the girl that night. They talked for more than an hour. Pam was four years sober, finishing her master’s degree in addiction therapy and working in the field at the time. Steve, two years sober, was working in sales. They bonded over their shared path and agreed to meet at the next AA meeting. “We’ve spent pretty much all our time together since that night,” Steve said. The couple married and moved to a house in Homewood, and through their own relationship they began to challenge their philosophies of what it takes to have a happy marriage. They wrote ideas including “tell the truth,” “be happy” and “no good guy or bad guy, no winner and loser” on a sheet of yellow paper, signed it and stuck it to the wall in their kitchen. Then, they committed to follow the rules. What came of the experiment were three bullet points — feel your feelings, tell the truth and keep all your agreements. These “kitchen-tested” methods serve as the basis for Steve and Pam as they counsel couples, but the Moores know how tough it can be. “We tell each other the truth about everything,” Pam said. “When we

280 Living first signed it, we spent a long weekend together coming up with every secret we had kept our whole lives.” “Which we don’t always recommend to people, but it is what we did,” Steve added. After three years of refining the method, they found a house across the street from Murphrees’ Produce in Cahaba Heights and opened the Moore Institute in the attic in 1997. Their intention was to counsel couples, but they found their history of overcoming addiction was also an asset. The Moore Institute’s widening focus and growing success took shape. Then, Pam got out her paintbrush. To fill it up but spill instead In the early 2000s, Steve and Pam were raising Steve’s son together. Pam, unable to have children, initially resigned herself to be a mother in that way alone. “When we met, we thought we were done,” Pam said of growing the family. “We had been married about 10 years, and I had this epiphany that really I wasn’t OK — that I really with all my heart wanted a child that called me Mom.” The couple were in their bedroom when the feeling overwhelmed Pam, and Steve said she followed their signed yellow agreement to the letter. “She did the honesty thing,” he said. “She sat up, looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I’ve changed my mind.’ ” “Let’s look into it,” he replied. For any couple, adoption can be a difficult process. But the Moores, an older couple with a “colorful background,” the path ahead was more hurdles than track. “I didn’t really think we could do it,” Steve said. “It was like Pam said, ‘I want to go to the moon.’ ” But as promised, despite any

Inverness residents Steve and Pam Moore in the Moore Institute at Cahaba Heights. Behind them is an angel Pam painted while the couple was waiting to adopt their daughter, Shauna. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

Cambodian adoptions. “I thought we were done,” Steve said. “I started working with [Pam] on giving up.” “Along with everyone else in the world,” Pam added.

reservations he might have had, Steve helped Pam dig into the adoption process. Pam said she felt God had put it on her heart that her daughter was in the Asian country of Cambodia, so the couple focused their efforts there. Then, almost in unison, serendipitous moments occurred in both their lives. Pam, to her own surprise, painted her first angel. And Steve met it. “This does not happen to me, by the way,” Steve said. “This is not my thing. But I had a very powerful dream in which an angel came to see me and said, ‘My name is Shauna,

spelled S-h-a-u-n-a.’ ” Steve was all in. The Moores were fingerprinted twice. They participated in numerous background checks. They filled out boxes of paperwork, and it all paid off. Finally, Steve and Pam received notice through the mail they had been approved to adopt. But the news was overshadowed. They received the letter on Sept. 11, 2001. The couple opened their letter as the country mourned. Shortly after, in response to the attacks of 9/11, the U.S. government canceled all

All in time we’ll be For the next year, Pam went on a letter-writing campaign to members of the U.S. Congress. She received replies reporting the couple would never be allowed to adopt from Cambodia. With the expensive process seemingly over, the family moved to Inverness and Steve continued to work with Pam on letting go. She kept painting, though. And one day something changed. Pam painted their faces. “I went to Steve that day,” Pam said. “People had begged me to stop it. They said I was being a glutton for punishment. I told Steve no matter what I do I still feel like my daughter is there, and she’s waiting on me. No matter what, I’ll never let it go.” That day, in 2003, adoptions from Cambodia reopened. This time the process was handled through the American embassy in Cambodia. The Moores completed additional paperwork and went through more background checks, all without ever seeing a photo of Shauna. Then, after six months of waiting, a fax came through at 5 a.m. On it was a photo of a young girl and Continued next page

280Living.com

February 2014 • A21

Celebrate the founding of Shelby County By JEFF THOMPSON

The first angel Pam Moore ever painted now hangs in her office in the Moore Institute. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

her Cambodian name, Pich Davy. From Khmer, the language of Cambodia, it translates to “diamond angel.” “It still does it to me now,” Steve said. “When I tell it, a chill goes up inside of me. It’s so stunning.” Shauna Davy Moore, now 12, is enrolled in the Shelby County school system. She’s in the gifted program, plays the oboe in the band and reportedly lives her life in song, the Moores said. For the couple, having Shauna in their lives is more than a success — it’s part of their deliverance. “Us being together is a miracle,” Steve said. “But being together with her? The sequence of events necessary for all of that to happen, and for us to wind up where we are now is so unlikely. It’s just beyond miraculous. It’s such a part of our redemption story and our love story.”

The Shelby County Historical Society is hosting a celebration in February to recognize both its 40th anniversary and Shelby County’s 196th birthday. The “Celebrating Our Past, Preparing for Our Future,” party will focus on Shelby County during the Civil War. The event’s featured speaker will be David Tyrone Crowley, who will portray Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America. Crowley will present a summary of Davis’ inaugural speech, delivered in Montgomery on Feb. 18, 1861. Civil War reenactors of the 31st Alabama Infantry in Central Alabama are also scheduled to be a part of the celebration. Shelby Historical Society’s Bobby Jo Seales said members of the infantry will escort “President Jefferson Davis” in, stand with him during his speech and escort him out. Dollar Bill Lawson, a morning radio personality on 102.5 The Bull, will serve as master of ceremonies. Other special guests include Kenneth R. Penhale, the first president of the Shelby County Historical Society; Robert Louis Robinson, a member of Opera Birmingham Chorus; and Lonnie Burnett, vice president of the Alabama Historical Association. Admission is free, and souvenirs and door prizes will be available for those in attendance. The event is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. on Feb. 2 at the Shelby County Museum and Archives located at the Old Courthouse in Columbiana. For more, visit schsociety.org or call the society at 669-3912.

Civil War reenactors of the 31st Alabama Infantry in Central Alabama will be part of Shelby County’s 196th birthday celebration. Photo courtesy of Bobby Jo Seales.

A22 • February 2014

280 Living

Opinion The scary truth of raising daughters Life Actually By Kari Kampakis Having four daughters is a gift, a blessing I wouldn’t trade for anything. I love the bond of sisterhood and understanding how my children are wired in ways my husband will never fully comprehend. On the other hand, it’s a lot of pressure. That’s how I feel at least. Being the same-sex parent makes me the primary role model, the standard of what a grown woman should be. If I were perfect, I’d be okay with this, but seeing that I have countless flaws, bad habits, and tendencies I’m not proud of...well, suffice it to say I don’t want my girls to grow up just like me. I want them to be BETTER than me. I want my good qualities to stick and my bad qualities to roll off. When they leave my nest at age 18, I want them unscarred by our motherdaughter arguments, so strong in their identity that any negative remarks I make in weak moments won’t dig under their skin so deeply they’ll need therapy to recover. Problem is, I can’t choose what rubs off. For better or worse my influence is a package deal. Even if my daughters make a conscious effort not to be like me, I’m their default setting. I’m the voice they’ll carry around in their head for a long, long time. Right now my daughters are young - age 11 and under - and somewhat under my spell. I could feed them nonsense and they’d buy it because I’m all they know. I’m their normal. Eventually they’ll compare notes with friends and understand how differently everyone is raised, but until then they’re somewhat captive to what I pass on. To be honest, this frightens me. I don’t want to abuse my power or channel it the wrong way,

because the scary truth of raising daughters is that we mothers hold an important key: the key to their emotions. Until they’re old enough to take their key back, we can drive them any direction we choose. We can drive them forward, backward, or toward head-on collisions. We can take joy rides or white-knuckle the wheel with such control they can’t wait to boot us from the car. So what’s a mother to do? How do we nurture strong, loving bonds yet parent with parameters? How do we raise our daughters to be healthy, self-sufficient adults who still want us in their lives as a best friend and mentor? I think the first step is to inventory ourselves. As the saying goes, “Like mother, like daughter.” A mother’s habits and attitudes are highly contagious, and whatever issues we don’t take care of will affect our girls. We influence every relationship our daughters have. From food...to friends...to boys...to money...to fashion...to God and more...they take cues from us. We’re their role model. We’re their standard of what a grown woman should be. So when we obsess over appearance, treating outer beauty as the ultimate goal, we teach our daughters to focus on their exterior. While this may satisfy them in their youth, it hinders their ability to cultivate the rich interior life they’ll desperately need to find joy as adults. When we social-engineer our friendships, choosing friends based on who advances our agenda, we teach our daughters to build shallow relationships that won’t last. Only real friendships can they bring them the happiness, security, and sense of belonging they crave. When we’re critical of their weight and flaws, we teach them to look in the mirror and notice their imperfections first. This is often the starting point for eating disorders and an unhealthy self-image, because how a mother sees her daughter becomes the lens through

which she views herself. When we manipulate our spouse to get what we want, we teach our daughters boys are meant to be toyed with. This may work in the dating world, but in marriage, where honesty and respect are paramount, it will backfire. When we set a bar of perfection, we teach them to be ashamed of their mistakes and scared to fail. We also feed their inner critic, already too harsh. When we shop without impulse control, racking up debt our husband has to figure out, we teach them it’s okay to indulge every whim. Since money is a primary issue couples argue over, why not do our future son-in-laws a favor by teaching fiscal responsibility to our daughters early? When we conform to the ways of the world, seeking approval from friends before God, we teach them to make their friends a god, too. Mothering daughters isn’t easy, but what a privilege. The girls we raise today are to tomorrow’s leaders, mothers, and impassioned spirits who will move mountains with their smarts and tenderness. Our daughters are strong and resilient, but they’re also emotionally vulnerable. They take our words to heart. They reflect on them long and hard. Let’s protect their hearts and respect the key we hold. Let’s evaluate our influence. Most important, let’s chose love as our overriding emotion. The roads we lead our daughters down today set the stage for roads they’ll choose when they take the wheel, and if our driving force is love - genuine, selfless love - we can rest with some assurance that we’re headed in the right direction. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Birmingham mom of four with a background in PR, writing, and photography. For more inspiration, join her Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer” or find her on Twitter. Visit her website at karikampakis.com, or contact her at kari@ karikampakis.com.

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February 2014 • A23

My South By Rick Watson

Practice There is an old saying – “Pracone of the strings (I actually, I did tice makes perfect” and it makes that when I first started playing) perfect sense to me. but that’s not playing a guitar. I think practice is highly What people don’t see, is when underrated by too many people. that person played the tune they Practice is not something that thought to themselves, I can play receives a lot of press. When this thing. you see actors and actresses at They got excited and then the Golden Globes, they don’t spent countless hours going mention practice. And when you through the minutia of learning see artists and performers at the chords, learning what chords fit Watson height of their success, few talk together, how to strum, how to about what it took to get there.... hold a pick, building callouses which is practice. It’s not glamorous because on their fingers so they don’t bleed when they you tend to sweat a lot. play, and all the other things that can only be I read once that the southern rock band accomplished through practice. Lynyrd Skynyrd practiced 17 hours a day in Of course no one sees all that stuff. All they an old shed that did not have air conditioning. see is someone who plays an instrument flawThis went on for well over a year to perfect lessly and they lament -- oh, I wish I could their performance. do that. Talent seems to get all the press. “Oh, she is Well here’s a newsflash for you -- you can soooo talented.” Or, “He is a gifted musician.” do that....if you’re willing to pay the price. But to me, the talent card is misused. “Oh, Worthwhile things are seldom free.. I could never write, sing, paint, dance, or Practice can be painful. Jilda and I are perform like him/her, because they are so working on a new set of songs and there are talented.” times I’m thankful we aren’t into violence. I know, without a doubt, that there are very “I’m not sure what happened officer, he talented people in this world. But I also know wanted me to do a harmony part that I didn’t that study, hard work, and PRACTICE are like, so I accidentally cut off his head and all the stepping stones to accomplishment. Vince his limbs with a chainsaw.” Lombardy said, “Perfection is not attainable, Now where was I — Oh yes, practice. but if we chase perfection we can catch excel- Most of us harbor hopes and dreams. Here’s lence.” The best way to chase perfection is my advice, if you want to do something, then through practice. study, do your homework, associate with I’ve heard people say, “oh, he just picked people who do what you want to do, and up the guitar and started playing.” I can tell practice. you without doubt or hesitation, that this is Yes there are a lot of talented people in not true. Yes, someone might have picked up the world, but you can bet those people have a guitar and plunked out a simple melody on learned the value of practice.

That’s Life By By Paul Johnson

Not in a vacuum Let us start this article with exist in a vacuum (sorry, didn’t a question that will ensure this mean to yell). There is an inherarticle will pull you in, make ent problem with “I’ll just stop” you feel good about yourself and because once you say that and make you want to read more. do that but don’t do anything Ready? How is that New Year’s else, you have created a vacuum, resolution going? which lasts for, umm, 12 seconds. If you are reading this line, A stop behavior needs a start I’m amazed and glad. Either behavior to fill the void. For you are still hanging in there example, you might say, “I’ll with what you resolved or didn’t just stop eating so much,” or “I’ll make any resolutions. just stop gossiping,” or “I’ll just Johnson I am going to assume that you, won’t feel or think that way anyfaithful reader, made some type of resolution, more.” Sorry, if you don’t replace what you just even a small one, and that either you are still stopped doing, you won’t be stopping-doing working at it or that it went by the wayside that for very long. Instead, try not just stopping sometime in mid-January. So now I will ask: gossiping but starting to think and say positive How long will it last? How long did it last? things about someone, or going to them and How’s it going/what happened? saying, “I heard x-y-z; is that so? How can You see, willpower only lasts for so long. I help?” (covenant community is great start And that’s important to note because that behaviors). is most often the fuel being used for the Or rather than just not eating so much, engine of resolutions. And most of the time start chewing slower, savoring more each it’s negative willpower being used: “I’m just bite, taking more walks, breathing more deep not going to do x-y-z anymore!” Sometimes breaths, drinking more water (especially the we use positive willpower (“I’m going to do water — it fills up the belly and stops the x-y-z this year/for the rest of my life”), but cravings). mostly for resolutions we use some form of Taking away something only works if you “Never again!” replace it with something. You will be taking And it lasts through mid-January, some- positive steps in fulfilling your resolution by times late February, so for many of you, the replacing it with something helpful, healthy end is near. or wholesome. Yes, one chocolate can be “What is the problem? Why is it like this healthy—but just one. every time? Why can’t I simply do what Nothing exists in a vacuum because in I said I was going to do until the goal is a vacuum there is no oxygen. Oxygen is reached or the result is achieved?” (Actually, slightly necessary for living things. Renew some do, and they wind up in commercials your resolution by giving it some oxygen by for Subway or SlimFast. But for most of us, partnering a start behavior with the stop. Go the failure falls into the stockpile of misery on and give it a try — it’s only February. that convinces us we are weak and can never Paul Johnson is a professionally licensed do anything, so pass the chocolate) marriage and family therapist, a profesWell, not so fast my friend. Hang on there sionally licensed counselor and a nationone second. Put the truffle down, back away ally certified counselor. You may reach him and take a slow, deep breath. at 807-6645 or paul@lifepractical.org. His The problem with negative willpower is office is in Greystone Centre on U.S. 280. that it creates a vacuum. And nothing can

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The weight of weightlessness DeLucas’ research in space still changing lives for the better By JEFF THOMPSON From orbit, Dr. Lawrence DeLucas could see fire in the oil fields of Kuwait. It was 1992, and though the Gulf War had officially ended the year before, the aftermath was evident from outside Earth’s atmosphere. Circling Earth every 90 minutes, he saw those fires more than 200 times during his mission. “Space, it’s very emotional,” DeLucas said. “I could look down at Earth and see all these countries without map lines or borders. I knew people were being killed down there in the war, but everywhere else everyone seemed so close together. “So many people were finding ways to live.” DeLucas, who lives off Altadena Road, is a former astronaut. According to his NASA biography, he flew with the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia from June 25 to July 9, 1992, traveling more than 5.7 million miles and logging more than 331 hours in space. Since then, he’s assumed the role of director of the Center for Structural Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and his work there — both before and after the mission — has assisted the world in moving closer to

Dr. Larry DeLucas, far right, with the crew of the Columbia orbiter. The mission took place from June 25 to July 9, 1992. Photo from NASA.gov.

cures for some of humanity’s most critical diseases. A better sample DeLucas’ connection to space began in his childhood. At age 9, he built his first telescope. “Like a lot of kids my age, I was

a Star Trek fiend,” he said. “Just put me on rocket; I don’t care if I come back.” His fascination continued into adulthood, but his education took a different path. DeLucas studied

See DELUCAS | page B14

Dr. Larry DeLucas, director of the Center for Structural Biology at UAB, is a former astronaut and one of the nation’s leading researchers in the field of crystallography. His current experiments will travel to the International Space Station in the privately funded SpaceX rocket, scheduled to launch on Feb. 22. Photo courtesy of UAB.

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Community Mt Laurel breaks ground on permanent library

Stakeholders and Mt Laurel community members gather to break ground on the permanent home of the Mt Laurel Library. From left are: Katie Guerin, director of library services, North Shelby Library; Dan Aker, Shelby County Commissioner; Monie Allen; Ginny Randolph; John Floyd; Nick Pihakis, Friends of the Mt Laurel Library; Mike Vest, Shelby County Commissioner; John Freeman, EBSCO Development; Rick Shepherd, Shelby County Commissioner’ and Ann Price, chairman, Friends of the Mt Laurel Library. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Jones / Heart Smile Photography.

Mt Laurel Public Library’s permanent home began to take shape last month. In January, residents of the Town of Mt Laurel and the greater Dunnavant Valley area gathered to break ground on the new facility in Mt Laurel. The celebration followed an announcement by the Friends of Mt Laurel Library organization that sufficient funds have been raised to begin construction. Mt Laurel Library, a branch of the North Shelby Library, is currently operating in a temporary location in Mt Laurel. The new building will be located on Olmsted Street between the grocery and Double Oak Community Church on property donated to the library by EBSCO Industries.

The new library will provide resources and services beyond those currently offered at the temporary location. After construction, the library will be staffed, maintained and operated by the North Shelby Library. Groundbreaking for the library follows seven years of a dedicated grassroots effort by The Friends of Mt Laurel Library. Fundraising efforts will continue throughout the construction phase to complete and furnish the new library and will include “Circle of Friends,” the sale of commemorative bricks for the library’s entryway and the wish list for furnishing the building and landscaping. Visit mtlaurelibrary.org or email mtlaurellibraryfriends@gmail.com for more.

Student collects suitcases for children in foster care

Liberty Park resident Kenzie Lambert with the suitcases she collected through a mission for Liberty Crossings United Methodist Church and donated to Birmingham’s Gateway organization.

Kenzie Lambert, a Liberty Park resident and junior at Vestavia Hills High, recently led a mission project for Liberty Crossings United Methodist Church. Kenzie collaborated with a Birmingham non-profit organization called Gateway for the Suitcase Project, aimed at helping children who are removed from their families because of long-term abuse or neglect. Children in foster care often change homes and

are frequently in need of a means to carry their belongings. Through the Suitcase Project, Kenzie collected used suitcases that were given to children entering the foster care system. The response to her mission was staggering, and Kenzie was able to donate 337 suitcases to Gateway. – Submitted by Susan Lambert

Senior Center in need of delivery volunteers The Heardmont Senior Center is in need of volunteers to drive meals to homebound residents of Shelby County. The Center has three routes of approximately 10 recipients on each route. It’s asking for volunteers to deliver

meals one day per month. Deliveries would be made during workdays, and shifts are approximately one hour For more, contact Nancy Ledbetter at 991-5742 or email heardmontparksc@ gmail.com.

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Shelby Republican Women recognized for membership growth

Republican Women of Shelby County Secretary Dawn Ray accepts the award for the greatest increase in membership among Alabama Chapters. Photo courtesy of The Republican Women of Shelby County.

The Republican Women of Shelby County was recently recognized as 2013’s fastest growing chapter of the Alabama Federation of Republican Women. The chapter, an official charter club of the National Federation of Republican Women,

seeks to empower women on a local level, educate women on how to best make an impact and elect candidates that will be convicted and effective leaders. For more, call 538-3025 or email info. rwsc@gmail.com.

Global Missions Conference this month Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church (OMPC) is holding its Global Missions Conference from Feb. 9-16. The event will include guest speaker Richard Pratt on the final day. Pratt is founder and president of Third Millennium Ministries, which seeks to provide

training for Christian leaders worldwide. Throughout the week, attendees will hear from OMPC missionaries and other guests and participate in encouraging activities, including the Hope for the World Banquet on Feb. 14. For more, visit OMPC.org.

Giggles and Grace returns to Asbury UMC

Shoppers peruse items during the Giggles and Grace Consignment Sale at Asbury United Methodist Church.

Giggles and Grace, a bi-annual consignment sale at Asbury United Methodist Church, is holding its first event of 2014 in February. Clothes, toys, books, shoes, baby furniture and many other items are available for purchase during the sale, scheduled for Feb. 21-22 at Asbury UMC. A staff of volunteers conducts

the sale, and a portion of the proceeds is given to the Asbury UMC children’s program and various mission groups in the area. The sale will be open Feb. 21 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Feb. 22 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Select items will be 50 percent off on Feb. 22. For more, visit asburygigglesandgrace.com.

AWC benefit Wild About Chocolate moves downtown This year, Wild About Chocolate will be held in downtown Birmingham. The event benefits the Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain State Park. The evening will include a buffet and silent auction beginning at 6 p.m., and the main program and live auction will begin at 8 p.m. This annual social occasion includes appetizers, chocolate desserts and complimentary wine

and beer provided by many of Birmingham’s finest restaurants, bakeries, caterers and beverage distributors. Participating restaurants in 2013 included Ashley Mac’s, Edgar’s Bakery, Ocean, 26 and Yellow Bicycle Catering Company. The event will be held at the Harbert Center, 2019 4th Ave. N., on Feb. 15. For more, call 663-7930, ext. 8 or visit awrc.org.

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280 Living

Designed to inspire Chelsea resident’s work on display at Civil Rights Institute By JEFF THOMPSON In 1971, John Solomon Sandridge was one of the most sought after billboard painters in the Southeast. The hours of his workday were stretched across 48 feet of empty space, which he would turn from a dull white to stunning advertisements. Though owned by a display company, his billboards were roadside highlights as much as they were extensions of his creativity. And eventually they caught the attention of a national brand. While working one afternoon, Sandridge had visitors. Clad in suits, they had driven from Atlanta to just to meet him. They took his manager out to lunch and stressed their visit and its purpose be kept a secret. After all, the country was only a few years removed from the Voting Rights Act, and Sandridge was the company’s only black employee.

What would people say if they knew CocaCola had come calling? “At that time, racial tension was very high,” Sandridge said. “A black person just wouldn’t get that kind or recognition. So, they gave me the job in secrecy.”

Supportive roots

Sandridge, now 63, has spent much of his life floating within an artistic current. Even today as he walks the land around his Chelsea home, his mind wanders to his next creation and what changes it might bring to the world. But while he’s enjoyed success, it wasn’t always that way. He grew up in a three-room home in the Gadsden area, a space he shared with both parents and seven siblings. The family lived in poverty, but Sandridge’s spirit always found a way around their limited resources.

Chelsea artist John Solomon Sandridge stands at the Birmingham Civil Rights institute during the opening of his Numiousneoism gallery. Sandridge made history as the first black American to be licensed by Coca-Cola International. Photos by Brian Wallace.

“I first started drawing at the age of 4,” he said. “I drew a stick person in the family Bible. I think my mother was OK with it.” Sandridge said he could always count on his mother for support. She made sure to have a No. 2 pencil sharpened and available, and though notebook paper was a rarity, she was always

able to find him an envelope or other scraps. At 15, Sandridge decided his next step in life was to become a cartoonist. Familiar with a Montgomery-based publication named Alabama Weekly, he sketched four cartoons and sent them in. The editor told him they would pay $5 for every cartoon they accepted. He sent

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Sandridge said his works are meant to inspire understanding.

Sandridge’s works are on display through March 23 at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

four, and they took three of them. “One Sunday, my father was smiling, and he held up a magazine to me to show me one of my drawings,” Sandridge said. “It was a pivotal point for me. I realized I could make a living with art.” It wasn’t long after that a friend in the creative display industry approached Sandridge. “I could draw, and I had done one painting,” he said. “We were poor, so I made a canvas out of a bed sheet and stretched it on a frame. “I might not have been a painter, but I needed the job.”

Branching out

When the men in suits came to see Sandridge, they stopped by his billboard and were astounded it was painted by hand. The company he worked for would later win an award for it, but by that time Sandridge had already started down a path that would put his work in front of millions, and Coca-Cola would become a theme in his history. For a time, Sandridge painted billboards

specifically for Coke. He’d leave the work soon after, heading back to Gadsden and into business for himself. He started painting wall murals and later launched his own art studio. City administration took notice of his success and asked him to help design the art program for the local board of education. One day, Coca-Cola came calling again. This time though, it wasn’t with a job offer. “I got a letter,” he said. “Then I got a call and then another letter. They said, ‘If you put your painting in print there will be a lawsuit.’” Sandridge had sent a painting of a black child drinking Coca-Cola to the company. He was looking for extra funds to support his family, and at first the company was angry. But then, the painting got passed around the office. Joan Becker, a former licensing manager at Coke, wanted Sandridge to come to Atlanta this time, and she asked he bring the painting. “They loved it,” he said. “They gave me permission to use their logo and bottles as long as

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they were accurate, and that’s just what I did.” Sandridge became the first black American to be licensed by Coca-Cola International. His paintings, mostly period pieces of black Americans enjoying the beverage — think Norman Rockwell — were plastered onto serving trays and other memorabilia and distributed across the nation. The branding was so popular, the first original painting he sold from the series went for $30,000. “At the time, it was the highest I had earned for a painting,” he said.

Further growth

His contract with Coke ran from 1990-1996, and in 1996 he was commissioned by the Olympic Soccer Committee to create a sculpture for the Atlanta Games. Since then, he’s become a published author, telling his family’s story in the work Red Book and Cotton. In 2010, he launched into a style of art he deemed “Numinousneoism,” which he said

draws from his African heritage and attempts to teach understanding. “I was born to do art,” he said. “It’s my religion, my life. And the message that races can live in peace without trying to change each other but trying to understand each other is what I want to inspire, especially in children.” Work from the Chelsea artist’s Numinousneoism collection is being displayed at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute through March 23. Sandridge said about 150 pieces, as well as copies of Red Book and Cotton, are for sale, and a portion of the proceeds support his nonprofit, The No. 2 Pencil Foundation. The Foundation, he said, seeks to “inspire children and teens to develop their imaginations.” The Civil Rights Institute at 520 16th St. N. is open six days a week. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more, visit johnsolomonsandridge.com.

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280 Living

As nature flies by

Local nonprofit introducing students to mountain biking

By JEFF THOMPSON If you’re ever out on the trails at Oak Mountain State Park and pass by a cadre of children who have wrecked their bikes, don’t worry. Says the man who helped loan them those rides, everything is just fine. “The kids enjoy going up hills and down hills, and some of them even like crashing,” Doug Brown said with a laugh. “We haven’t had anyone hurt themselves, and it’s like whoever crashes most wears it like a badge of honor.” Brown is the founder of the Birmingham chapter of Trips for Kids, a nonprofit organization that loans bicycles and safety gear to children in the Birmingham area and teaches them to trail ride at Oak Mountain. The group, which held its first ride in June 2013, organized six events last year. Trips for Kids is gearing up for another season of outdoor fun scheduled to kick off in March. Through the organization, students ages 10-15 from inner-city Birmingham are invited to join volunteers on the trails once a month as a reward for improving their attendance records and grades. They meet Brown and other volunteers at the park, where the first order of business is to complete a riding lesson in the field across from the Southern Trail head. Volunteers, certified ride instructors who are mostly members of the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers, first fit students with helmets and bikes. After that, the instructors teach children what gears are best for going up and down hills and — most important — how to use the brakes.

Trips for Kids Birmingham provides lessons and equipment to area students and takes them a mountain bike ride through Oak Mountain State Park. Photo courtesy of Doug Brown.

Brown said the organization took 65 students, some of whom had never been to a state park, on a ride around Oak Mountain’s Lake Trail last year. “We want to show them exercising is fun and how nice it is to spend day outside,” Brown said. “Some of the kids start off a little scared and some might have a little bit of attitude, but the walls come down once they’re out on trails.” Trips for Kids riding instructor Eddie Freyer, a Hoover resident, described it as a total shift. He said a group of boys showed up for the first ride in June acting “too cool for school.” Soon after, they were trail enthusiasts. “I kept thinking it was a tough crowd,” Freyer said. “But we went through skills and got them out on trail, and at some point heard this giggling behind me — from all of them. I saw them completely change right

Trips for Kids Birmingham founder Doug Brown. Photo by Jeff Thompson.

there in front of me. They could not stop laughing and smiling the whole way.” Brown, 59, a resident of Vestavia

Hills, left the insurance business after 30 years because he wanted to work in the nonprofit sector. While volunteering at Red Mountain Park in 2012, he found an article about Trips for Kids and looked into starting a local chapter. “With a rising obesity rate in Birmingham, it seemed like a good fit,” Brown said. After receiving support from corporate sponsors and local bike shops, Brown reached out to the local cycling community through the volunteer organization Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers. Members of the group, including Freyer, agreed to hold riding lessons and lead trail rides twice a month. With that, all that remained was putting bicycles in children’s hands. “I kept looking for a hurdle I couldn’t get over, and I never found one,” Brown said.

Brown said Trips for Kids is aiming to hold two rides per month beginning in March. He is also looking at ways to expand into Trips for Kids’ other component — a bike re-cyclery. The organization would accept donations of unwanted bicycles and use them to teach students how to “wrench,” or repair and refurbish them. Brown also expects to see mountain biking expand in the community as a whole in 2014, and he hopes Trips for Kids will play a role. In 2012, Freyer was one of nine in the area certified by the International Mountain Biking Association and has since pursued the formation of competitive mountain biking leagues for Alabama high school students. Brown said he believes that students who come to love the trails through Trips for Kids could then join Freyer’s competitive league. “It gives them a new group to associate with,” Brown said. “When kids come off the trails, they’re jacked up. Ninety percent want to ride again. Hopefully this year we’ll have everything in place to help them do it.” For more on Trips for Kids or to learn how you can help, call Brown at 908-0564 or visit tripsforkidsbirmingham.org. For more on the potential of a competitive high school mountain biking association in Alabama, visit facebook.com/ alabamamtb.

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Putting down the phone Liberty Park blogger publishes new book By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Liberty Park mom Rachel Stafford, pictured with her husband, Scott, and daughters Avery and Natalie, has written a book about devoting time to be fully present with her family. Photo courtesy of Rachel Stafford.

Since 2010, Rachel Stafford has been on a journey to let go of daily distractions, perfections and control. The Liberty Park mom of two not only writes about being “hands free” to focus on being fully present with your family — she lives it. And now the blogger has written her first book, Hands Free Mama: A Guide to Putting Down the Phone, Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters! It will was released in January by Christian publisher Zondervan. The book is divided into 12 themed chapters, all full of personal family stories, simple and concrete ideas, letting-go actions, weekly intentions and reflections. “A beautifully flawed and gratitude-filled life is at our fingertips,” she writes. “But we must roll up our sleeves and dig in — dig into the gooey, heavenly mess that is life. And when we make the choice to let go of distraction, perfection, and societal pressure to grasp what really matters, that’s when our life — although a bit unbalanced and imperfect — tastes sweeter than we could ever imagine.” Since 280 Living last talked with Stafford in 2012, The Huffington Post started carrying some of her posts including “The Day I Stopped Saying Hurry Up” and “Six Words You Should Say Today,” which collectively have attracted more than 1 million Facebook “likes.” Even with her growing audience, Stafford’s focus remains on her family. When

she started writing the book, every member of her family offered to take on extra responsibilities to help her meet her deadlines. “Although I worked more hours than usual that month, I refused to miss out on the daily rituals of connection I’d established with my family throughout my journey,” she said. “Those little moments of togetherness are the most meaningful and renewing parts of my day. For more visit handsfreemama.com.

Tips for Living Hands Free  Protect family time by turning off notifications on your phone and placing it out of reach so you aren’t tempted to check it whenever it dings.  Allow yourself 60 extra seconds for an unrushed, undivided, loving goodbye each day.  Establish “do-nothing moments” with no agenda or itinerary.  Create one daily ritual with your loved one where the time is protected from all other distractions — a morning snuggle, a nightly tuck-in, a daily devotional, or afternoon snack time.  Eliminate unnecessary commitments. Choose charitable causes/missions that are important to your whole family and find specific ways you can support these chosen causes together.

 Consistently invite your family to engage in activities that don’t involve electronic devices. Some ideas include cooking, board games, nature walks, bike rides, arts and crafts or sports.  Pull together a connection time activity bag ﬁlled with crayons, colored pencils, small dolls and/or matchbox cars that you and your child can enjoy together while you’re waiting for an appointment.  Use the time driving together in your car to converse with a loved one rather than be distracted by your devices and impatience to be on time.  • Take 10 minutes each day for “show and tell” and step into your child’s world.

A32 B8 • February 2014

280 Living

Finishing strong Greystone students to run in Kids Mercedes Marathon By JEFF THOMPSON Leta Holt tells her students there’s nothing quite like completing the Kids Mercedes Marathon. “We always say it’s an experience [students] need to do before sixth grade,” said Holt, a physical education teacher at Greystone Elementary. “It’s such an incredible feeling to go downtown and finish that last mile escorted by policemen with everyone cheering you on.” This year, led by PE teachers Holt and Rand Payton, Greystone Elementary boasts its largest number of students participating in the kids’ portion of the Mercedes Marathon. On Feb. 15, 162 Greystone students will complete the 1-mile Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon. The distance represents the final mile of what is essentially a five-month marathon for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. After signing up for the marathon at the beginning of the school year, those who agree to participate run 25.2 miles between September and January, making the final mile all that’s needed for a marathon’s 26.2mile distance. Holt said Greystone began the program in 2003, her second year at the school. About 70 students signed up the first year, but by 2004 the number climbed to more than 100. She said the goal every year since has been to encourage more than 150 students to participate, but she’d take the entire school to the Mercedes Marathon if she could. “I’d love it if everyone in the school would participate at least once,” she said. “It builds a sense of school spirit because we talk about

The Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend of events has helped raise more than $4 million for local charities throughout its 12-year history. This year’s schedule includes:  Feb. 14, noon-7 p.m. St. Vincent’s Health Systems Health and Fitness Expo, Boutwell Auditorium.  Feb. 15, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. St. Vincent’s Health Systems Health and Fitness Expo.  Feb. 15, 8 a.m. Regions Superhero 5K, Linn Park  Feb. 15, 10 a.m. The Bell Center EIP Children’s Run, Linn Park  Feb. 15, 11 a.m. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon, Linn Park  Feb. 16, 7 a.m. The Mercedes Marathon, Linn Park mercedesmarathon.com

Tips for running in cold weather

Greystone Elementary students and teachers who participated in the 2013 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Kids Mercedes Marathon. Photo courtesy of Leta Holt / Greystone Elementary.

it all year long.” She said the school has special days throughout the year during which students participating in the race are recognized, and their names are listed on the gymnasium wall. For Greystone Elementary, the program is part of the school’s attempt to improve students’ health, and those efforts earned it recognition last year from The Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Students are not only required to participate in physical activity for 30 minutes a day, but they’re also encouraged to participate in many extracurricular physical activities like the Jaguar Running Club, for which more

than 50 students currently meet Wednesday mornings for a run. “If you ask them why they do it, they’ll say it’s fun and they love to run.” Holt said. Children who finish the race downtown receive a Finisher’s Medal, a miniature version of the Mercedes Marathon finisher’s medal. Holt said she’s collected several through the years by joining students on the course to provide support as they approach the line. “We really are a running school, and I think all the running we do builds confidence,” she said. “Even the little ones aren’t afraid to get out here.”

 Dress in layers. Start with a thin layer of synthetic material such as polypropylene, which wicks sweat from your body. Stay away from cotton because it holds the moisture and will keep you wet. An outer, breathable layer of nylon or Gore-Tex will help protect you against wind and precipitation.  Protect your hands and feet. As much as 30 percent of your body heat escapes through your hands and feet. On mild days, wear running gloves that wick moisture away. Mittens are a better choice on colder days because your ﬁngers will share their body heat.  Don’t forget your head. About 40 percent of your body heat is lost through your head. Wearing a hat will help prevent heat loss, so your circulatory system will have more heat to distribute to the rest of the body.  Stay hydrated. Despite the cold weather, you’ll still heat up and lose ﬂuids through sweat. Cold air also has a drying effect, which can increase the risk of dehydration. Make sure you drink water or a sports drink before, during and after your run.  Take it easy. You’re at greater risk for a pulled muscle when running in the cold, so warm up slowly and run easy on very cold days. Save your tough workouts for milder days or indoors.

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February 2014 • A33 B9

To your health

Heart Day returns to St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Americans at Risk From cdc.gov

Heart Day

High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of Americans have at least one of these risk factors:

St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Feb. 15 • 6-11 a.m. Register by Feb. 7

• Diabetes • Overweight and obesity • Poor diet • Physical inactivity • Excessive alcohol use

For $40 receive an EKG, a lipid profile, a blood pressure screening, a basic metabolic profile and a T-shirt.

Protect Your Heart

To register, call Dial-A-Nurse at 939-7878 or 800-331-6777. (Tests offered at all locations in St. Vincent’s Health System) More than 300 U.S. 280-area residents received tests at St. Vincent’s Health System One Nineteen during Heart Day 2013. Photo courtesy of St. Vincent’s Health System.

By JEFF THOMPSON Each year, more than 600,000 U.S. residents die from heart disease. As America’s leading cause of death, it’s responsible for one in every four lives lost according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February is American Heart Health Month, and because the South is especially vulnerable to heart disease, St. Vincent’s One Nineteen is giving 280 residents a cost-effective means to detect signs and symptoms before they manifest into serious problems. St. Vincent’s Health System is holding Heart

Day 2014 on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 6-11 a.m. Shanon Hamilton, director of clinical services at One Nineteen, said the event provides residents with access to screenings for early detection. But more importantly, it’s about informing members of the community on what to watch for. “Really, the main reason we as a health system feel so passionate about Heart Day is because it gives us an opportunity to bring awareness to heart disease,” Hamilton said. “A large part of what we do is advancing the ongoing efforts to fight heart disease in the community.” During this year’s Heart Day, St. Vincent’s Health System is offering residents $350 in

medical tests for $40. Those who register and participate can receive an EKG, a lipid profile, a blood pressure screening, a basic metabolic profile and a T-shirt at the event. An EKG, or electrocardiogram, is a test on the front lines for diagnosing heart disease, Hamilton said. It provides a picture of the heart from a noninvasive standpoint. The lipid and metabolic profiles check certain indicators of heart health including cholesterol levels and blood sugar, as symptoms can be masked in those afflicted by diabetes. Last year, St. Vincent’s Health System provided heart screenings to more than 1,600

• Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables • Maintain a healthy weight • Monitor your blood pressure • Don’t smoke • Have your cholesterol checked • Manage your diabetes

community members — 330 at One Nineteen alone. Hamilton said two patients from One Nineteen were advised to visit the emergency room once their results were analyzed, and 25 more were encouraged to see a physician. “Screening for heart disease really does save lives,” Hamilton said. To register for Heart Day, call Dial-ANurse at 939-7878 or 800-331-6777 by Feb. 7. Screenings will be offered at all St Vincent’s locations including St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. Data derived from screenings is to be considered preliminary only and does not constitute a final diagnosis.

A34 B10 • February 2014

280 Living

Chelsea Fire

brings down the house

After completing successful live fire training in January, firefighters with Chelsea Fire and Rescue rest and contain the burning structure. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Fire and Rescue.

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280Living.com

B11 February 2014 • A35

Chelsea firefighters prepare to reenter the burning structure during live fire training.

Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley. Photos by Jeff Thompson.

By JEFF THOMPSON In January, Chelsea Fire and Rescue acted as a demolition squad for the City of Chelsea by setting fire to an abandoned home. The event provided the department a rare occasion to train with live fire, but it also cleared the way for Chelsea’s planned community center. “This is an opportunity for us to do live fire training,” Fire Chief Wayne Shirley said. “We do simulated training pretty regularly, but occasionally we’ll get a house such as this donated

to us that needs to be gone from its lot.” Shirley said the department had been preparing for the live burn for three weeks, conducting training exercises inside, including search and rescue drills. During the live fire training, crews from both Chelsea and the Pelham Fire Department practiced attacking fires in different areas of the home. “It’s a different experience being inside than compared to going outside on hot day,” Chelsea Fire’s Lt. Ben Hostetter said of being inside the burning home. “Our gear protects us, but

you feel it most of the time. It’s extremely hot.” The house used for training on County Road 47 across from Liberty Baptist Church was the only structure remaining on 37 acres of cityowned land. Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven said following its removal, the next steps in creating the community center on the site would begin. Niven said architectural and engineering planning would be completed in time for work to begin on the new center this spring, tentatively in March or April. “We have had what we called a senior center

since Chelsea became a city in 1996, but it was just an old hunting camp,” Chelsea Councilman Dale Neuendorf said. “This center will have everything for toddlers through senior citizens.” Neuendorf said the new center will use approximately 9 acres of the 37-acre site. The remaining area will be shaped into walking trails and other outdoor recreation areas. Inside, the center will house a full basketball court, elevated walking track, meeting rooms and game rooms.

A36 B12 • February 2014

280 Living

An anniversary of hope Ladun Conquer Cancer Run to celebrate 10 years this month

By JEFF THOMPSON and REBECCA WALDEN As the Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, 280 Living looks at where some of the people involved in the race found their motivation to aid others in the fight.

the record for the university’s prior Relay for Life fundraising efforts. Berney graduated in 2009 and set down a path that would lead her to a full-time job with the Birmingham chapter of ACS. And in her role as associate executive director, she met Hoover resident and local TV personality Brenda Ladun Bell.

Sarah Salzmann

Brenda Ladun

All four of Sarah Salzmann’s grandparents battled cancer around the same time. It was a decade ago, and Salzmann was 12 years old. Their fights were all different, suffering from lung, ovarian and thyroid cancers. She remembers most of all what it was like for her mother, helpless as these despicable diseases consumed her parents. “It’s been 10 years, and it’s still hard to talk about it,” Salzmann said through tears. “As a child, you don’t want to see your parents hurt like that. Think about your own mom and what that would look like. All I wanted was to take her pain away.” Though she might have tried, she never could. But what little difference she made became a theme in her life. In high school, she discovered an insatiable urge — a passion, she said — to be involved in a cause greater than herself. Five years removed from her grandparents’ deaths, she signed up as a volunteer with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. She loved it, and five years after that she found herself knocking on the door of the American Cancer Society. Salzmann, a 22-year-old Hoover resident, recently joined the ACS

Sarah Salzmann is in her first year of working with the Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run. She is currently fundraising chair at UAB.

Junior Executive Board of Birmingham, and when time came for her to choose which local event she wanted to work on, she remembered how much she enjoyed working with Race for the Cure. “When they asked us what committees we wanted to work on, I saw the Conquer Cancer Run and dove in,” she said. Salzmann is in her first year as a Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run committee member, and her current role is the annual giving coordinator at UAB. She said the experience has been thrilling, and she’s thoroughly enjoyed reaching out to the community. “I really want to find a cure,” she said. “It’s a nasty disease, and no family should have to go through it.

Kristin Berney, right, is associate executive director of the American Cancer Society’s Birmingham Chapter. She is pictured with her mother, Angie McDonald, before McDonald’s death more than a decade ago.

If raising money helps one person avoid the pain, it’s definitely worth it.”

Kristin Berney

Kristin Berney had been 16 for two weeks when her mother died. Angie McDonald received the stage 3 ovarian cancer diagnosis when Berney was 13. The disease afforded Berney and her mother two and a half more years together. Then, 11 years ago, the inevitable happened. “I don’t ever really remember it being something where we thought she would beat it,” Berney said. “It was always described to us that she was going through treatment and remission was possible, but more than likely, she would lose the

Brenda Ladun Bell founded the Conquer Cancer Run 10 years ago after surviving breast cancer. This year’s event will be held March 1.

battle.” It wasn’t in McDonald’s nature to give in, though. Berney led special cheers for her mother on chemotherapy days, and McDonald was a fixture on her daughter’s Relay for Life team, which held its first event the year after McDonald’s diagnosis. “I felt like they were doing it for her,” said Berney, who participated in the event with her mom during their final two years together. “Ever since then, I’ve been raising money for the American Cancer Society and doing so in her honor.” By her senior year of college, Berney, then president of Colleges Against Cancer, chaired the Relay for Life event at The University of Alabama. Under her leadership, Alabama raised $65,000, which broke

After surviving a three-year fight with breast cancer, Hoover resident and news anchor Brenda Ladun added a mission to her life. Her idea, formed in collaboration with ABC 33/40 General Manger Mike Murphy, was to create something fun and encouraging for cancer survivors and their families. She wanted to give them hope, and in 2004 she found a way. “When you go through cancer, it can be hard and depressing,” Ladun said. “But we wanted then just as we do now for this race to be the opposite.” Her event, the Conquer Cancer Run, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The event, which features free food, games and activities for children, free health checks, low cost mammograms and important information about many different types of cancers, is slated for March 1 at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. “It is a place where you can come and receive a word of hope while also raising money and being a part of the search for a cure,” Ladun said. “That’s what’s exciting to me.” The race has seen explosive growth in recent years, shooting up from just over a hundred participants to nearly 1,000 in 2013. For more, visit conquercancerrun.org.

280Living.com

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Humane society programs providing hope for local animals By LAUREN MORIARTY Sarah Leaman already had four dogs. Her family adopted two through Shelby County Humane Society’s partnership with Petsmart on U.S. 280 when Sarah was 9 years old. The next year, she began volunteering alongside her mom and brother. Still, the eager eyes of the shelter dogs lingered with her. She wanted to do more. The opportunity came with Shelby County’s new Adoption Ambassadors Program. Sarah, now 16, signed up last year and quickly fell in love with her foster dog Sam. Soon after, despite having four dogs running rampant at home, the family found room in their hearts to permanently house another. Sarah said she believes there is something everyone can do to help homeless pets in the 280 area. “There are so many dogs with all kinds of personalities. Even if you can’t adopt, there are other volunteer opportunities,” she said. Sarah now works as a volunteer at Petsmart 280, assisting fellow volunteers with Shelby County dogs and cats that are up for adoption. She has embraced her passion for pets with hopes of working with animals in the future. Her story is one of many recent adoption tales from the 280 area. The shelter’s adoption success over the past year points to good things ahead for Shelby County animals. “We can’t go backward. We have to figure out how to keep moving forward,” said Sara Shirley, director of the Shelby County Humane Society. Shirley said the Humane Society’s yearly intake has decreased significantly over the last five years, falling from 5,875 animals in 2008 to 4,107 as of October 2013. Adoption numbers are also up, which Shirley contributes to the shelter’s programs. There were 331 more adoptions in 2013 than the previous year. The Adoption Ambassador program launched in 2013. The program aims to create more room for others by getting animals out of the

Shelby County Humane Society Director Sara Shirley with her dog, Pearl. Photos by Lauren Moriarty.

Shelby County Humane Society 381 McDow Road, Columbiana 669-3916 shelbyhumane.org shelter and into healthier home environments. Often, ambassadors end up falling in love and adopting their charges. Director Sara Shirley’s dog, Pearl, was a foster failure. When the time came to give Pearl back, Shirley too found she could not say goodbye. Those interested in volunteering with the Adoption Ambassador program are asked to take part in a simple application process similar to the adoption procedure. Shelter Partners has also been a huge success. The program transports approximately 1,000 dogs to New Hampshire, Maine and Wisconsin where eager adopting families circle the shelters in the cold to bring their pups home. These areas have a smaller population homeless pets,

so residents welcome the opportunity to adopt Shelby County dogs. “People email us pictures of their new pets all the time. The only downside is vets there joke they don’t want any more dogs named Shelby,” Shirley said. Dogs are selected to participate in the program based on how long they have been at the Shelby County shelter. Volunteers drive 24 hours nonstop to deliver the pets to their new homes. On the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, dogs are brought to Petsmart 280 for locals looking to adopt. Volunteers such as Leaman help families select a pet. Feline adoptions take place year round, but 280

residents wanting to welcome a dog into their home are encouraged to take advantage of the convenience of these two weekends. While the past year has been successful in terms of adoption and intake, Shirley said there is always a need for spay and neuter education. The shelter offers reduced spay and neutering to those who qualify and Shirley said they are willing to work with pet owners on costs. “There is no reason that anyone in Shelby County should have an unneutered pet. Please contact us,” she said. Volunteers are needed to help the shelter continue to run smoothly. The shelter is staffed adequately to care for basic needs, but nothing can replace human interaction. Volunteers can walk the dogs and socialize with the cats Monday-Saturday noon-5:30 p.m. Shirley said it’s a great way to get your exercise in and an opportunity to give back to some very grateful animals. “My bank account is empty, I’m exhausted but my heart is full,” Shirley said.

A38 B14 • February 2014

280 Living

DELUCAS

CONTINUED from page B1 to become an optometrist, and during that time he grew close to his mentor, Dr. Charles Bugg, who was then head of UAB’s Center for Macromolecular Crystallography. DeLucas didn’t stray far from Bugg. Thanks to their connection, he became a faculty member at the school in 1981 and was eventually named assistant director of the facility. Within four years of taking the position, he and Bugg would move their research outside Earth’s atmosphere, and pharmaceutical development would never be the same. Crystallography is the study of the arrangement of atoms in solids. By growing crystals of proteins — in the same way sugar is grown into rock candy — researchers can better understand how proteins work and function. “We want to know where every atom is, and a three-dimensional shape gives many clues,” DeLucas said. “Just like a mechanic would take apart a car to see how it’s built, our disassembling of [bacteria and viruses] allows us to develop structure-based drugs.” In 1984, Bugg and DeLucas were growing crystals at UAB when Bugg was invited to a symposium at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. There, they were introduced to an experiment that grew salt crystals in space. The result formed a larger, higher-quality specimen. Bugg decided then, if the conditions were right, he would try to grow crystals of bacteria and viruses in near-zero gravity. With a more perfect 3-D model of a protein’s molecular structure, some guesswork could be taken out of pharmaceutical research. Basically, better crystals meant more effective drugs. DeLucas was responsible for creating the hardware, and the total cost to fly just his four experiments was more than $11,000. In the nine months before the launch, he changed his designs four times but, ready or not, in 1985 they went up on NASA’s Challenger orbiter. “We got pretty stunning results,” he said.

The Dragon lab, a reusable, robotically controlled spacecraft attached to the SpaceX Falcon rocket, is slated to carry DeLucas’ experiments to the International Space Station after launching on Feb. 22. Photo from spacex.com.

A greater distance Following a successful stint designing and sending more experiments, DeLucas was offered the chance to fly with them. He was named to the mission team for a flight on the Columbia in 1992. It was a child’s dream come true, but as an adult DeLucas was awestruck by reality. “When you think about going to space, you think it’s so far away,” he said. “But low-Earth is only 250 miles up, and from there, deep, dark space goes on forever. There were thousands of stars. I couldn’t even find the Big Dipper.” As his crystals grew in the orbiter, DeLucas watched the fires burn in the Middle East and thought about war. His position also provided him new perspective on the environment. “Looking back down, I could see a light blue line surrounding the Earth. It looked like

a sheet of paper,” he said. “That’s the air we all have to breathe. It made me think about the environment and how to protect it.” With DeLucas aboard, Columbia made 221 orbits, setting a record at the time. He said staying outside the atmosphere much longer could cause muscle degeneration. In near-zero gravity, a decrease in pressure in the blood vessels prevents the heart from understanding the appropriate rate it needs to beat. Before reentering Earth’s atmosphere, he said the crew was required to “fluid-load” twice to keep blood pressure up, and his suit strained to push blood out of his legs. It worked. He said the first time he checked his vitals on the way in, his heart rate was up to 147 and his blood pressure was 188 over 138. It wasn’t much of a deterrent, though. “I would go back in heartbeat,” he said.

A brighter future DeLucas went on to serve as the chief scientist for the International Space Station, a job more about politics than research, he said. His role required him to talk to Congress, discuss procedures with other countries and analyze results of prior experiments. After a year of that, it was back to the lab. “I needed to get back to my work,” he said. At UAB, he hired engineers who could design his hardware concepts and found ways to make his experiments more cost-effective. At 63, he’s still doing it today, he said, as he prepares for the Feb. 22 launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX is a program funded by PayPal inventor Eli Musk. According to spacex.com, “It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010.” Most important to DeLucas, the Dragon lab will be attached to the rocket. Dragon is a reusable, robotically controlled spacecraft designed to connect with the Space Station via a robotic arm. This month, it will do so with DeLucas’ research aboard to complete what he called the “biggest space experiment we’ve done.” The February mission features a doubleblind study, for which scientists on Earth will grow crystals from the same 100 proteins as the ones in orbit. The goal is to provide researchers with evidence needed to secure funding from the U.S. government for future near-zero gravity crystallography experiments. “We’re trying to take all the bias out of this and clearly show what benefits space can provide,” DeLucas said. “If the data shows space is better for growing these crystals, we’ll have something the world can believe.” After more than 30 years of researching outside Earth’s atmosphere, DeLucas continues to work on improving the lives of those on the ground. His current experiments, according to his biography on uab.edu, target multiple cancers and osteoporosis. With those on SpaceX — and the many that came before — his time has been driven by what he saw from the shuttle window in 1992. DeLucas is constantly finding ways to help humanity live, and live together.

280Living.com

B15 February 2014 • A39

School House SPHS’ Craig named Secondary Teacher of the Year

Hoover City School Secondary Teacher of the Year Craig Thompson.

In December, Hoover City Schools named Spain Park social studies teacher Craig Thompson the system’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. Thompson has been teaching for 13 years since receiving his education from Tulane University and the University of Montevallo. He has spent the past decade with Hoover City Schools. He is currently the schools’ instructor for 10th-grade Advanced Placement U.S. History and the Spain Park

Greystone Elementary Teacher of the Year Lydia Bartle.

Law Academy. An educator earns Teacher of the Year honors through faculty, staff and administration nominations. It represents the highest honor within a school. “Being selected by your peers for excellence is an incredible honor,” Superintendent Andy Craig said. “We are fortunate to have high-quality teachers throughout our school system.” HCS Teachers of the Year are put forward

Berry Middle Teacher of the Year Maya Britt. Photos courtesy of Hoover City Schools.

as State Board of Education District IV candidates for the Alabama Teacher of the Year program, administered by the Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education. Other 280-area teachers recognized by HCS: • Greystone Elementary Teacher of the Year is Lydia Bartle. A teacher since 1986, Bartle received her education from Saint Mary’s College, the University of Alabama at

Birmingham and Samford University. She has been with the Hoover system for 17 years and currently teaches fifth grade. • Berry Middle Teacher of the Year is Maya Britt. Britt has been teaching for more than 15 years and has spent the past 14 with Hoover City Schools. She received her education from Colgate University and UAB and currently teaches eighth-grade social studies. – Submitted by Jason Gaston / Hoover City Schools

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A40 B16 • February 2014

280 Living

MLE’s in-house hero Students and faculty at Mt Laurel Elementary recently showed their appreciation and support to the City of Chelsea and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for providing the school with a daily law enforcement presence. At MLE, Sheriff’s Deputy Carnell Buford patrols the campus, helps develop the school’s safety plans, supervises the car rider line in mornings and afternoons and builds

relationships with the students by talking and eating lunch with them. He is a tech sergeant in the 117 Air Force Refueling Wing and served two tours in Kyrgzstan. Buford has served eight years in the U.S. Military and 13 years in law enforcement. His station in the front lobby of the school includes a mailbox, and students place notes of appreciation in it on a daily basis.

Shoe Box Project at Briarwood Students at Briarwood Christian School participated in the Daniel Cason Ministries Shoe Box Project over the holiday season. During the project, students filled boxes with items used to reach out to children in need living in downtown Birmingham. The school-wide service project included students in kindergarten through second grade. – Submitted by Kelly Mooney Briarwood students participating in the Shoe Box Project included Whit Parsons, Connor Henley and Mimi Barrett.

Mt Laurel third graders say thank you to Shelby County Deputy Carnell Buford.

Old-fashioned fun at Inverness In December, Inverness Elementary hosted a Gingerbread House Event. Families of Inverness Elementary children were invited to join their child for old-fashioned family fun making and decorating Gingerbread Houses. More than 175 houses were built from the supplies that IES provided. Inverness Elementary students and their families participate in a Gingerbread House Event in December.

Blake E. Youngblood

280Living.com

B17 February 2014 • A41

Oak Mountain Starlettes visit Children’s Harbor

Oak Mountain High School Starlettes pictured are (front row): Lindsey Gallups, Lindsey Dale, Mya Osley, Meredith Stone, Claire Kendrick and Mandy Remke. (Second row): Annette Magro, Carrie Higginbotham, Summer Tate, Macy Grissom, Goodwin Rhodes, Mary Walker Lindsey, Melanie Wiley and Anna Rourke.

In December, the Oak Mountain High School Starlettes Dance Team visited Children’s Harbor at Children’s Hospital to share Christmas cheer. Families were treated to pizza, cookies, drinks and games and visited with the dance team. The Starlettes played bingo, assisted

with crafts and handed out Christmas stockings to children and families. Dancers said being able to spend time with the families during the holiday season was a special experience. – From Shelby County Schools

HCS math teacher wins national excellence award

In December, President Barack Obama named 102 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Danielle Peterson, a fourth-grade math teacher at Greystone Elementary School, was among the recipients. The award is given annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. Winners receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also are invited to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and the administration. “These teachers are inspiring today’s young students to become the next generation of American scientists, mathematicians and innovators,” Obama said. “Through their passion and dedication, and by sharing their excitement about science, technology, engineering and math, they are helping us build a promising future for all our children.” – from hoovercityschools.org

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A42 B18 • February 2014

280 Living

Sports Eagles’ championship highlights OMYFC in 2013

Raptors take consecutive titles at Jingle Bell Jam

Members of the OMYFC 120lb fifth-grade Oak Mountain Eagles and cheer squad. Photo courtesy of Meredith Rowlen Photography.

Oak Mountain Youth Football and Cheerleading participants had a banner season in 2013. In the 120lb division of the Jefferson Shelby Youth Football League, the fifth-grade Oak Mountain Eagles earned the championship the hard way. In the semifinals, undefeated Thompson fell in overtime to the Eagles 15-14. After that, Oak Mountain took down the undefeated Hoover team by a score of 6-0 in the championship game. Coached by Mike Evers, it was the team’s first championship. Other OMYFC football teams excelled this season as well. The team competing in the 105lb fourth-grade division of the JSYFL team under coach Curtis May had an undefeated regular season and made it to the semifinals of the playoffs, as did the 130lb sixth-grade JSYFL team under coach Jim Jordan.

Coach Mark Johnson’s 90lb third-grade team JSYFL team had a great season, going 7-1 during the regular season. OMYFC’s cheer programs ended the year on high notes. Mary Steadman’s fourth-grade cheer squad took first-place honors for the second consecutive year. Other highlights from the 2013 season include coach Alex Morton’s fifth-grade Packers in the OTM Recreation League team making it to the OTM Championship Game and earning secondplace honors, and Andy Stidfole’s fourth-grade Panthers making the playoffs. Preparations for the 2014 football and cheer season are already underway. Registration will be open from the latter part of April through mid-May. For more information about OMYFC’s programs, visit omyfc.com or call 305-5019.

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Oak Mountain Raptors are (back row) coach Kris Dunn, Brady Dunn, Taylor Bush, Wilder Evers, Ryan Giegel, Cameron Atkinson and assistant coach Mike Evers; (front row) Cam Whitaker, Tyler Fanning, Evan Smith and Grant Rakers. Not pictured is Davis Gillespie.

In December, the fourth-grade Oak Mountain Raptors returned to the Jingle Bell Jam annual hoops tournament in Mountain Brook to defend their title from last year, and they didn’t let their

fans down. The Raptors again won the tournament with a 5-0 record out of 12 teams, making them back-to-back champions.

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Hoops season drawing to a close Pictured, Chelsea High Hornet basketball teams face off against the Oak Mountain Eagles in January. Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs begin Feb. 7, and the Final Four is scheduled for Feb. 25 through March 1 at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.

Photos courtesy of Cari Dean.

Play ball with the Hornets The 2014 Chelsea High School Youth Baseball Camp is scheduled for Feb. 16 at the Chelsea High baseball field. The camp is open to all baseball players ages 5-12, and campers will receive a free T-shirt with

pre-registration. The camp will include a free Coaches Clinic at 1 p.m., followed by a Players Clinic with Chelsea head coach Michael Stallings and the 2014 Hornets baseball team from 2-4

p.m. Players will receive instruction and participate in hitting, bunting, throwing, fielding and base-running drills. Registration is $25. For more, contact David Ingram at dingram@uab.edu.

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Community Calendar 280 Area Events Feb. 1: The Chocolate 5K. Veterans Park. 3-6 p.m. Chocolate stations set up along 3-mile race course. Event is sponsored by NR Road Racing and benefits the Autism Society of Alabama. Reception with chocolate and live music to follow run. Registration is $40 day of race. Visit nrroadracing.com. Feb. 1: Journey to Financial Freedom. Asbury United Methodist Church. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. A Crown Financial Ministries Seminar designed to teach application of God’s principles of finance. Cost is $35 and includes a workbook, lunch and refreshments. Register at asburyonline.org/financialfreedom. Feb. 1: Frostbite 5K and Fun Run. Veterans Park. 8 a.m. Benefits Young Life of North Shelby Alabama. Visit shelby.younglife.org. Feb. 1: “Have a Heart” Beauty Walk. Spain Park High School. Senior chosen as Miss Spain Park 2014 to receive $1,000 scholarship. Visit spainparkhigh.al.hch.schoolinsites.com. Feb. 1: Lupus Support Group. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 10 a.m.-noon. This group supporting lupus patients and their families meets the first Saturday of every month. This month rheumatologist Dr. Henry Townsend will participate in a Q&A with the group. Free. Visit onenineteen.com. Feb. 1: Sjogren’s Support Group. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 12:30-3:30 p.m. Offers education and support and strives to increase

awareness of this autoimmune disorder. Free. Visit onenineteen.com. Feb. 1-19: Spring Soccer Early Registration. Asbury United Methodist Church. Seasons for boys and girls ages 4-7. Practices begin March 17, with games beginning April 6. Cost is $70 or $80 after Feb. 19. Visit asburyonline.org or call 271-9919. Feb. 2: Shelby County’s 196th Birthday Celebration. Shelby County Museum and Archives, located at the Old Courthouse in Columbiana. 2 p.m. Includes Civil War reenactors, a portrayal of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and radio personality Dollar Bill Lawson. Admission is free, and souvenirs and door prizes will be available. Visit schsociety. org or call 669-3912. Feb. 4: Chelsea City Council Meeting. City Hall. 6 p.m. Call 678-8455 or visit cityofchelsea.com. Feb. 4: Chapter One Nineteen. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 7 p.m. Book club will discuss “The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman. The book to read for March is “Equal of the Sun” by Anita Amirrezvani. Free. Call 4086550 to register. Feb. 5: National Signing Day. Students to sign letters of intent to attend NCAA colleges and universities. ÌÌChelsea High School, morning event ÌÌ Spain Park High School, 1 p.m.

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ÌÌ Briarwood Christian School, 2:15 p.m.

Visit onenineteen.com.

Feb. 7: Go Red Day. Celebrate National Go Red Day by wearing red to bring awareness to heart disease being the No. 1 killer among women.

Feb. 11: Dine with Your Valentine. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Celebrate Valentine’s Day early. Childcare is available with reservation. $35 per couple includes a light dinner and dessert tasting. Bring your own wine if desired. Call 408-6550 to reserve.

Feb. 9: Southeastern Outings Dayhike. Oak Mountain State Park. 1 p.m. A moderate 4- to 5-mile walk presented by Southern Outings. Free event with paid admission to park. Call 529-6756. Feb. 9: Vernal Pools: Nature’s Incubator for Cool Critters. Alabama Wildlife Center, Oak Mountain State Park. 2-4 p.m. Refreshments at 1:30 p.m. During this Audubon Teaches Nature event, speaker David Frings will introduce attendees to several species of salamanders. Free event with paid admission to park. Call 663-7930, ext. 4. Feb. 9-16: Global Missions Conference. Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church. Event includes speaker Richard Pratt, founder and president of Third Millennium Ministries. Throughout the week, attendees will hear from OMPC missionaries and other guests and participate in encouraging activities, including the Hope for the World Banquet on Feb. 14. Visit OMPC.org. Feb. 11: Blood Pressure/Body Mass Index Screening. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 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.

Feb. 12: CPR for Family and Friends. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 6-8 p.m. Learn how to perform the basic skills of CPR on adults, children and infants and how to help an adult, child or infant who is choking. $20 per person. Call 939-7878 to register. Feb. 14: Valentine’s Show with Gabriel Tajeu. Shelby County Arts Council. 8-10 p.m. Singer-songwriter will debut his newest collection of unique adult contemporary songs. His style is modern folk influenced by current rhythm and blues. Admission is $15. Call 6690044 or visit shelbycountyartscouncil.com. Feb. 14-16. Adopt Your Furry Valentine. PetSmart Alabaster. Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Shelby County Humane Society hopes to have more than 40 pets adopted over this three-day event, held under a “ginormous” tent. Visit shelbyhumane.org. Feb. 15: The Tuskegee Airmen. Columbiana Library. 10 a.m.-noon. U.S. Air Force researcher Dan Haulman will discuss his books on the

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Community Calendar 280 Area Events Tuskegee Airmen. Free event includes a book signing and refreshments. Call 669-0044 or visit shelbycountyartscouncil.com. Feb. 15: Wild About Chocolate. The Harbert Center, downtown Birmingham. 6 p.m. Annual event benefits the Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain State Park. Includes a buffet and silent and live auctions. Appetizers, chocolate desserts and complimentary wine and beer provided. Call 663-7930, ext. 8 or visit awrc.org. Feb. 15: Heart Day. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 6-11 a.m. Four heart tests for $40 (a $350 value). Tests include EKG, lipid profile, blood pressure screening and basic metabolic profile. Participants will receive a complimentary t-shirt. Heart Day will be held at nine St. Vincent’s locations. Visit stvheartday.com. Feb. 15-17: “Do What Jesus Did” Youth Conference with Robby Dawkins. Inverness Vineyard Church. Dawkins is an international speaker who has been featured in the documentaries Furious Love and Father of Lights. Call 980-1690 or register at jasonsite. wufoo.com/forms/do-what-jesus-did-conference-w-robby-dawkins. Feb. 16: 2014 Chelsea High School Youth Baseball Camp. Chelsea High baseball field. 1-4 p.m. Open to players ages 5-12. Players will receive instruction and participate in hitting, bunting, throwing, fielding and base-running drills. Registration is $25. Contact David Ingram at dingram@uab.edu.

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Feb. 16: Southeastern Outings Dayhike. Oak Mountain State Park. 1 p.m. A moderate 4- to 5-mile walk presented by Southern Outings. Free event with paid admission to park. Call 529-6756. Feb. 17: Breakfast with the Doc. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 8-9 a.m. Dr. James Towery from Alabama Cardiovascular Group, P.C. will give an overview of Peripheral Arterial Disease. Free. Call 408-6550 to register. Feb. 17: Medicare Educational Meetings. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 1-3 p.m. Informational meeting about Senior Products offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Free. Call 1-888-222-6165 to register.

Feb. 22: All-County Honor Band Festival. Calera High School. 3 p.m. Rehearsals Feb. 21-22, also at Calera High. Visit shelbyed.k12. al.us/acb.

Feb. 18: Chelsea City Council Meeting. City Hall. 6 p.m. Call 678-8455 or visit cityofchelsea.com. Feb. 20: Cuisine at One Nineteen. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 6:30-8 p.m. Chris Harrigan from Stone’s Throw Bar and Grill in Mt Laurel will demonstrate how to make a delectable, heart-healthy meal. $25 per person. Call 408-6550 to register.

Feb. 25: Paint and Pinot. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 6-7:30 p.m. Trina Stogner, owner of Color Outside the Lines, will lead participants as they paint a spring-themed door hanger. Bring a snack and beverage of your choice. $40. Register at 408-6550.

Feb. 21-22: Giggles and Grace Consignment Sale. Asbury United Methodist Church. Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Clothes, toys, books, shoes, baby furniture and many other items are available for purchase during the sale. Select items will be 50 percent off on Feb. 22. Visit asbury-

Feb. 25. Young Living Essentials Oils Training Class. 280 Medical Supply. 6 p.m. Learn how essential oils can change your life. Call 678-8755.

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Feb. 21-23: Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. In participating communities, taxes will be exempt on common supplies costing less than $60 per item identified as needed for homes and businesses in case of natural disaster or emergency. Visit revenue. alabama.gov.

Feb. 24: Juicing and Fasting: The Good, Bad and the Ugly. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 11 a.m.-noon. 6-7 p.m. Thought provoking discussion led by registered dietitians about including juicing and fasting in your lifestyle. Free. Call 408-6550 to register.

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Feb. 26: Easy, Fun and Fancy Vegetables. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 6-7:30 p.m. Learn

how to cook healthy vegetables with herbs and spices to make them more attractive to eat. Join Renata Vitalina, chef and fitness instructor, as she demonstrates cooking technique. $15. Feb. 26: State of the County Presentation. Pelham Civic Complex. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock will discuss the state of the county during the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce’ monthly luncheon. Event includes reports by county government representatives on progress made last year and what’s in store for 2014. Cost is $30 or $20 for Chamber members. Visit shelbychamber.org or call 663-4542. Feb. 27: Greater Shelby Chamber Membership Reception. Chamber Offices, Pelham. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sponsored by Rx Catering, complimentary lunch and beverages will be provided. Make reservations by Feb. 25. Visit shelbychamber.org or call 663-4542. March 1: Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 8 a.m. Annual run features free food, games and activities for children, free health checks, low cost mammograms and important information about many different types of cancers. March 4: National Pancake Day 2014. IHOP. 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Enjoy a complimentary stack of pancakes and support Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

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Community Calendar Library Events Register for programs online at northshelbylibrary.org/children.html. The libraries are also collecting bottle tops for a recycled bottle top mural to be located in the children’s department.

North Shelby Library Special Adult Programming Feb. 3: Ultimate Couponing. 6:30 p.m. Learn the dos and don’ts of couponing and how to fill your grocery cart without emptying your wallet. This program is sponsored by the Smart Investing @ Your Library grant. Email nsref@ shelbycounty-al.org or call 439-5540. Feb. 13: Health Insurance Marketplace Q&A. 6:30 p.m. A local official health insurance navigator will explain the new Health Insurance Marketplace and how it affects you. Contact Agee Baldwin at 381-7053 orAgee.Baldwin@ aidsalabama.org.

Special Children’s Programming Feb. 1: LEGO Club. 10-11:30 a.m. The library provides the blocks, the kids provide the imagination and creativity. Creations will then go on display in the Children’s Department. All ages welcome. No registration is required. Feb. 7: Craft: Owl Valentine Box Card Holder. 4 p.m. This owl thinks it’s wise to keep all your Valentine’s Day cards in one spot. All ages welcome. Registration is required. Feb. 19: Homeschool Hangout: It’s Shocking. 1 p.m. Program about electricity presented by Dynamic Education Adventures. Registration is required. Ages 7-13 welcome.

Feb. 22: Family Movie Day: Mary Poppins. 10:30 a.m. “Practically Perfect in Every Way” Mary Poppins flies out of the windy London skies and into the home of two mischievous children. All ages are welcome with a caregiver. No registration is required. Snacks served.

Story-Time Programming For more or to register, call the Children’s Department at 439-5504, email northshelbyyouth@gmail.com or visit northshelbylibrary.org.

Feb. 3: Toddler Tales. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, fingerplays and crafts make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Registration will begin one week prior to each story time. Ages 19-36 months. Registration required. Feb. 4: Baby Tales. 9:30 a.m. A story time designed especially for babies and their caregivers. Ages: Birth to 18 months. Registration required. Registration begins one week prior to program date. Feb. 5: Mr. Mac (Storyteller Extraordinaire!). 10:45 a.m. Stories, puppets and lots of music for every member of the family. All ages. No registration. Feb. 6: PJ Story Time. Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies and hear some wonderful bedtime tales. All ages. No registration required. Feb. 10: Toddler Tales. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, fingerplays and crafts make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially

for short attention spans. Registration will begin one week prior to each story time. Ages 19-36 months. Registration required.

and Spanish. Registration will begin one week prior to each story time. Ages 19-36 months. Registration required.

Feb. 12: Mr. Mac (Storyteller Extraordinaire!). 10:45 a.m. Stories, puppets and lots of music for every member of the family. All ages. No registration.

Feb. 26: Mr. Mac (Storyteller Extraordinaire!). 10:45 a.m. Stories, puppets and lots of music for every member of the family. All ages. No registration.

Feb. 13: PJ Story Time. Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies and hear some wonderful bedtime tales. All ages. No registration required.

Feb. 27: PJ Story Time. Milk and cookies and wonderful bedtime tales. All ages. No registration required.

Feb. 17: Toddler Tales. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, fingerplays and crafts make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Registration will begin one week prior to each story time. Ages 19-36 months. Registration required. Feb. 18: Baby Tales. 9:30 a.m. A story time designed especially for babies and their caregivers. Ages: Birth to 18 months. Registration required. Registration begins one week prior to program date. Feb. 19: Mr. Mac (Storyteller Extraordinaire!). 10:45 a.m. Stories, puppets, and lots of music for every member of the family. All ages. No registration. Feb. 20: PJ Story Time. Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies and hear some wonderful bedtime tales. All ages. No registration required. Feb. 24: Bilingual Toddler Tales. 10:30 a.m. A special toddler tales presented in English

Teen Happenings Contact Kate at 439-5512 or nsyouth@ shelbycounty-al.org for more information.

Feb. 13: Anime Night. 6 p.m. The audience will pick what we watch. Treats will be served and costumes are welcome! Feb. 7: Gaming. 3:30-5:45 p.m. Open gaming on the Nintendo Wii and with board and card games. Feb. 20: Young Adult Writing Group. 4:30 p.m. Open to teen authors who want to build their writing skills and respectfully discuss and provide feedback on each other’s work. Snacks served. Feb. 14: Gaming. 3:30-5:45 p.m. Open gaming on the Nintendo Wii and with board and card games. Feb. 21: Gaming. 3:30-5:45 p.m. Open

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Community Calendar Birmingham Area Events

gaming on the Nintendo Wii and with board and card games. Feb. 28: Gaming. 3:30-5:45 p.m. Open gaming on the Nintendo Wii and with board and card games.

Mt Laurel Public Library Call 991-1660 or email mtlaurellibrary@gmail.com for more or to register. Register online using the Calendar on mtlaurellibrary.org.

Feb. 5: Toddler Tales. 10 a.m. Stories, songs, fingerplays and crafts make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Registration will begin one week prior to each story time. Ages 36 months and younger. Registration required. Feb. 5: Story time with Ms Kristy. 11 a.m. Stories, music and more for every member of the family. All ages. No registration required. Feb. 15: Crafty Saturday. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Drop in to make a craft at the library. All ages with parent help. Registration is not required but supplies are limited. Feb. 19: Toddler Tales. 10 a.m. Stories, songs, fingerplays and crafts make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Registration will begin one week prior to each story time. Ages 36 months and younger. Registration Required. Feb. 19: Story time with Ms Kristy. 11 a.m. Stories, music and more for every member of the family. All ages. No registration required.

Feb. 1: Rhythm & Muse. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Vestavia Country Club. Event hosted by the Birmingham Music Club Guild to raise funds for its music scholarship program and to support the Birmingham Music Club concert series. Cocktails, dining, dancing and a live auction. $75. Contact Beth Adams at dsadams301@aol.com or Martha Black at bobnmartha@bellsouth.net for tickets. Feb. 8: Johnny Mathis in Concert. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. The American icon will join the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for a Valentine’s-themed trip through the decades of his hits. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Feb. 14-16: Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend. Full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay and Superhero 5K. Online registration fees. Visit mercedesmarathon.com. Feb. 15: aTeam Ministries 2014 Heart 2 HeART Event. 6-9 p.m. Ted’s Garage. The event gathers children with pediatric cancer and pairs them with a professional artist to aid them in expressing themselves through art. $100 per person. Call 401-8232 or visit ateamministries.org. Feb. 15: Wild About Chocolate. 6 p.m. The Harbert Center, downtown Birmingham. Benefiting the Alabama Wildlife Center. Visit awrc. org/Wild About Chocolate or call 663-7930, ext. 8. Feb. 16: SuperJazz Concert. 3 p.m. Brock Recital Hall, Samford University. Birmingham’s

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top jazz musicians will perform. $5 adults, $3 students. Tickets available only at the door. Call 335-2961.

Feb. 22-23: Birmingham Camellia Show. 1-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Feb. 20: Celebrate 20in14. 6 p.m. The Club. A celebration of 20 years and 20 honorees of Better Basics, a nonprofit organization providing literacy intervention and enrichment in schools. Ennis Whatley, a former University of Alabama and NBA basketball player who grew up in Birmingham, will speak. $75 per person, $1,000 per table. Visit betterbasics.org.

Feb. 22-May 18: Delacroix and a Matter of Finish. Birmingham Museum of Art. The first Eugene Delacroix (1798-1863) exhibition in the United States in more than a decade features the work of the leader of the French Romantic Movement, who was often heralded as the “father of impressionism.” Call 2542565 or visit artsbma.org.

Feb. 20-23: Alabama Ballet Presents Romeo and Juliet. Wright Center, Samford University. $20-55. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter.

Feb. 23: Ride To Change The Future. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Levite Jewish Community Center. Six-hour indoor cycling event dedicated to raising funds to support much-needed ovarian cancer research. $45 registration fee. Visit ovariancycle.kintera.org/birmingham.

Feb. 21: A Night Under the Big Top. 8 p.m. The Club. Circus-themed gala benefits Glenwood Autism & Behavioral Health Center. $60 per person, $110 per pair in advance. Call 795-3251. Feb. 21-23: Severe Weather Sales Tax Holiday. Alabama will hold its annual sales tax holiday giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain severe-weather preparedness supplies free of state sales or use tax. 12:01 a.m. Feb. 21- 12 midnight Feb. 23. Visit revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/WPSalesTaxHol.cfm. Feb. 22: Jazz Cat Ball. 7 p.m.-midnight. Old Car Heaven. Mardi Gras-style event hosted by the Greater Birmingham Humane Society Auxiliary. Visit gbhs.org.

Feb. 23: Over the Mountain Festival of Sacred Music. Mountain Brook Baptist Church. Guest clinician is Dr. Terre Smith. All are invited to attend this free concert, titled “Sing Alleluia.” Visit otmfestivals.org. Feb. 28-March 2: Cottontail’s Village Arts, Crafts and Gift Show. BJCC. $6 adults, $2 children age 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger. Visit bjcc.org. March 3-7: Finish the Fight Love-Love Magic City Tennis Challenge. Various locations. Benefits the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. Register at reedgifoundation.com/our-events.

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