280 Living OFFERING AN EARLY WARNING
July 2017 | Volume 10 | Issue 11
neighborly news & entertainment
Compact 2020 shifts focus of interventions with teens B y ER I C A TEC H O
A
voicemail from the Shelby County istrict ttorney s office isn t something most parents expect. And for two Oak Mountain area parents, the message left by Assistant D A Alan Miller was even more of a shock. “He said he had some information that he needed to share with me. When I called him back, he said that our son had been in contact with a drug dealer, and that’s all he would share over the phone,” said John Smith, whose name has been changed to protect the identity of a minor. “When he made that statement, I still didn’t think there was anything going on as far as drug use. We didn’t see any signs or symptoms at all.” The phone call was the Smith family’s introduction to Compact 2 02 0, a Shelby County
See COMPACT 2020 | page A28
Com a t 2020 mem ers in their elham ased of e from left: Hoo er f er Eri e ers gt. eon ill la aster f er a id Carlington n estigator Christine e ut ire tor shle Crum ton elham f er dam hni er re ention ire tor Carol illiams and E e uti e ire tor lan iller. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
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A Burning Passion
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Soccer springboard: Oak Mountain High program a pipeline to semi-pro ranks
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Chelsea resident Robbie Lewis has found multiple ways to entertain a ro d ust la ing ith re as a co-founder of the Luminarts troupe.
See page B21
ann
C H A N D LER
The public address announcer’s voice resonated across the soccer field as he introduced the starting lineups on a picturesque June evening in V estavia Hills. U nderneath marshmallow-like clouds and a light blue sky, players from the Birmingham Hammers and Chattanooga Football Club waved to a crowd of spectators as they heard their names called at midfield. The voice arrived at No. 15, K eegan McQ ueen, a Hammers defender whom the announcer introduced affectionately as “The Man Himself.”
enned a is a 2017 a ountain High hool graduate as alled u to the irmingham Hammers’ a ti e roster in une. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
McQ ueen gave a slight nod and acknowledged the fans before the start of the national anthem. It was almost game time. c ueen and his team huddled for one final chat, and then he ran to his position on the left side of the backline. He jumped in the air, pulling his knees to his chest.
See HAMMERS | page A30
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About Us Editor’s Note By Erica Techo Hitting milestones is always a time for reflection, and that is what I have tried to do in the last several wee s. In ay of this year, I reached my two-year wor anniversary at tarnes ublishing, the parent company of iving. In those two years, I li e to thin I have grown as a reporter and editor and I have grown more connected to the corridor. his month, we cover a milestone for a relatively new program in helby ounty ompact . ormally announced last ay and launched last uly, this initiative aims to fight against drug use and addiction in the county. nd as it reaches the close of its first year, the mission remains the same, but a few approaches to the issue of drug addiction have changed. ead more about those changes, and how the program has affected families, in this month s cover story.
ur sports editor, yle armley, has also ta en the time this month to reflect on the recently concluded sports seasons of area high school teams. rom state titles and playoff finishes to some hard fought losses, he loo s bac on some of the accomplishments across several sports that stood out during the - season. s you enjoy the last full month of summertime with your family, don t forget to snap a few photos. In a few months, you can loo bac on the memories you made during the summer months, but also ma e sure to submit them to our ummer un photo contest.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
a ountain High hool seniors ele rate their a om lishments during the Class of 2017’s graduation ceremony May 25 at Bartow Arena. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
Publisher: Managing Editor: Design Editor: Director of Photography: Sports Editor: Assistant Sports Editor: Digital Editor: Page Designer:
Dan Starnes Sydney Cromwell Kristin Williams Sarah Finnegan Kyle Parmley Sam Chandler Alyx Chandler Melanie Viering
Community Editor: Erica Techo Community Reporters: Jon Anderson Jesse Chambers Lexi Coon Emily Featherston Copy Editor: Louisa Jeffries Advertising Manager: Matthew Allen Account Manager: Layton Dudley Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Rhonda Smith James Plunkett Eric Clements Vicky Hager Contributing Writers: Rick Watson Kari Kampakis Laura Ingram Eagle Interns: Loren Hopkins Lauren Roland
280 Living neighborly news & entertainment
Contact Information: 280 Living PO Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnespublishing.com
Please submit all articles, information and photos to: erica@starnespublishing. com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253
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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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280 News
Left: Mark Boardman, from left, Kim Mims, Judge Hewitt “Sonny” Conwill, Becky Landers, Judge Jeff Hester and Grant Howard will work in the Chelsea Municipal Court and were appointed and sworn in during the June 20 Chelsea City Council meeting. Above: Kim Mims is sworn in as court magistrate. Photos by Erica Techo.
Chelsea Municipal Court team established B y ER I C A TEC H O All members of the Chelsea Municipal Court team are now in place. D uring the June 2 0 Chelsea City Council meeting, the council passed resolutions to appoint City Clerk Becky Landers as municipal court clerk and magistrate, to appoint K im Mims as court magistrate, to appoint Mark Boardman and Grant Howard as prosecutors and to appoint Andrea Graham as public defender. “Our Chelsea Municipal Court team is now complete,” said Mayor Tony Picklesimer following the swearing in ceremonies. “... It has
been a journey to find these people, but I am so proud of each and every one of them.” Also during the meeting, Jeff Hester was sworn in as municipal court judge, and Landers and Mims were sworn into their positions. Hester was previously appointed as judge during the May 16 C ity Council meeting. “Before you take on anything like a municipal court, you have to have the team in place, and we’re excited about it,” Picklesimer said. Now that everyone has been appointed and sworn in, Picklesimer said the next step is getting paperwork for the court in order. This includes court designations, court numbers and other paperwor . he goal is to have the first
court session to be held in September. Also during the meeting, the council approved an ordinance to establish the Municipal Court Corrections Fund. Because the ordinance was first introduced at the une meeting, the council voted to suspend the rules to immediately hear and vote on the ordinance. Support for the ordinance was unanimous. The ordinance also set up the monthly date and time for the court, which will be the third Monday of the month starting at 4 p.m. Other items on the agenda included a restaurant retail liquor, wine and beer license for Johnny R ay’s and the payment of the city’s bills. Both items were approved.
D uring the pre-council meeting, Picklesimer went over a few recent bills for the city, which included fi ing issues with the helsea ommunity enter s air conditioner, fi ing a generator at City Hall, purchasing a new computer system and server for the municipal court and purchasing light controls links for Chelsea’s three sports field. The purchase of this equipment, which cost $ 2 1,7 00, was previously approved by the council in February. The next Chelsea City Council meeting will be July 6 , on a Thursday instead of Tuesday due to the July 4 holiday. City Hall will be closed July 4.
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he lanning ommission a ro ed a nal lat for four ar els in a ne Lakes. Renderings courtesy of Shelby County Planning Commission.
hase of Highland
Planning commission OK s ighland a es final plat B y ER I C A TEC H O The Shelby County Planning Commission’s only June meeting was a brief one, as two of the three cases on its agenda were continued over to the July 17 m eeting. As the only item on the June 19 agenda not continued, the planning commission voted to approve the final plat of Highland Lakes sector 4, Phase 3 . The request, from Scott V aughn of Arrington E ngineering, was to divide 6 .3 5 acres into four residential lots. The property is z oned as E -2 special district and is part of the Highland Lakes development, Goddard said, and lots would range in siz e from 1.2 2 to 2 .05 acres. Homes will be similar in siz e to those across the street, V aughn said. The lots are covered in heavy trees and are on a steep incline, Goddard said, and the final plat is consistent with the ighland Lakes master plan and meets subdivision regulations. “What was on the master plan, we actually are reducing the lots a little bit again,” V aughn said. “What we’re doing is basically a three lot to two lot conversion. So originally on that master plan, there were six proposed lots, we made them a little bit wider for terrain.” They picked four that were best terrain-wise, V aughn said, to see what they can do for development “and hopefully we’ll continue that to that entire phase.” The commission voted unanimously in favor of the change. Also during the June 19 meeting, the planning commission unanimously agreed to continue a resurvey of several lots in Saddle R idge E states, located on Hughes R oad off of Alabama 49 i n Columbiana. The applicant previously requested a resurvey of the 11 lots on the property, said principal planner K ristine Goddard, but encountered
issues when it was determined that a sealcoat was never placed on the road. Applicant D ennis Polley requested a continuance to redesign the subdivision as a rural subdivision. The planning commission also agreed to continue a rez oning case for a property on Alabama 119 across from the R etreat at Greystone. The request was to rez one the 13 .5 acre property from agricultural district to single family residential district. The applicant, James Phillips of D R Horton on behalf of D aniel Corporation, requested the case be continued until July, Goddard said. “It is a straight rez oning, so you can choose to honor that request [ to continue the case] or you can move forward with the case as it is presented to you this evening,” Goddard said. The request for continuance was for further property study during the due diligence period of acquiring the site, Goddard said. She also pointed out that there is floodway on the site, and the plan presented with the rez oning request was for 30 homes on the site, which is a little more than two units per acre. “It is consistent with development in the corridor and the master plan of Shelby County,” Goddard said. The planning commission also unanimously agreed to continue this case. The next planning commission will be July 17.
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Alabama Scenic River Trail proposes adding campsites in Shelby Co. B y ER I C A TEC H O The Shelby County Commission today heard about a potential partnership with the Alabama Scenic R iver Trail. D uring the county’s first June meeting, Fred Couch with Alabama Scenic R iver Trail, a national recreation trail that includes campsites along multiple Alabama rivers, spoke to the commission about establishing campsites in Shelby County. “I’m not here to ask you for money,” Couch said. “I’m here to bring you money.” Adding these campsites, which can be placed on county or private property and can be either free or feebased campsites, helps bring individuals into the area, Couch said. “We don’t encourage trespassing, so we go around the state and try to ask people if they’ll allow camping on their property,” he said, adding that they were asking the commission to pass a resolution stating they support the project. “We have 12 2 campsites … and in the 10 years we’ve had these, we haven’t had one complaint,” Couch said. There are 52 miles in Shelby County along the Coosa R iver that do not have any campsites, Couch said, and he has spoken with County
“
Fred Couch with Alabama Scenic River Trail addresses the Shelby County Commission during its June 12 meeting. Photo by Erica Techo.
We realize that we have several locations that would have significant traffic through this initiative.
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ALEX DUDCHOCK
Manager Alex D udchock about getting the county’s support. After Couch’s presentation, Commissioner Lindsey Allison said she hopes D udchock will work with the Alabama Scenic R iver Trail. “I’m very familiar with this. I’ve got a place on Lake Mitchell, and over the years I’ve watched this, and it’s very interesting,” she said, adding that she has seen increased traffic along the river. County staff are looking into what administrative changes would need to be made in order to allow campsites on county land, D udchock said. “We realiz e that we have several locations that would have significant traffic through this initiative,” udchock said.
Changes could include modifying park land hours of operation and protocol with caretakers for the spots, D udchock said, and they want to thin through those changes first. “We’re going to be in. It’s just we can’t immediately put the sign up … and not have the protocol ready,” he said. Also during the meeting, the commission: warded a bid for a new roof on the Oak Mountain State Park equestrian barn. The bid was awarded to Wayne D avis Construction in the amount of $ 2 4,800 base bid and $ 1,800 for each additional 12 -foot
section. The county does not have funding in this project, but is an administrator of the project, D udchock said. pproved bids for paper products, Telephony E quipment for IT Services, printed items and laundry supplies for the juvenile detention center. pproved a resolution to record property tax insolvents, errors in assessment and litigations for the 2016 t ax year. eceived an update from County Services Manager R eggie Holloway on this year’s senior picnic, which attracted 1,07 5 R SV Ps
and more than 800 guests, despite rainy weather that led to a change in plans the day before the event. eceived an update from udchock on projects throughout the county, including a bid for a 12- unit airport hangar. The apparent low bidder, Wayne D avis Construction, came in at just under $670,000, and the second low bidder, JF Morgan General Contractor, came in at more than $ 1.2 7 million. After this unit goes in, D udchock said there will be a lull in construction of mass hangers. While some single hangars might be built, larger hangers will not be built for several years.
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Hoo er re Chief Chu ingate announ es that the Hoo er ire e artment has een u graded to a Class 1 insuran e rating during a eremon at Hoo er ire tation o. . Photo by Jon Anderson.
Hoover Fire Dept. earns Class 1 insurance rating Upgrade could lower insurance premiums for residents, businesses B y JO
N A N D ER S O N
The Hoover Fire D epartment has been upgraded from a Class 2 insurance rating to a Class 1, which could mean lower property insurance premiums for many residents and businesses, Chief Chuck Wingate said. The Class 1 rating is the highest rating given by the Insurance ervices ffice I , which rates the ability of fire departments across the country to respond to and suppress structure fires. nly of the more than , fire departments in Alabama have achieved a Class 1 rating, and only of nearly , fire departments across the country have done so, Wingate said. he I website does not list which labama fire departments have achieved a lass rating, but Wingate and other news reports have cited Bessemer, Center Point, Gulf Shores, Huntsville, Madison, Montgomery and R ocky R idge as having done so. Montgomery was the first in the state to achieve a lass rating and did so in 2014, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. Hoover’s Fire D epartment, which started as a volunteer department in 1962, was upgraded to a Class 6 in 19 6 8, the year after Hoover was incorporated. The department upgraded to Class 5 in 19 7 8, Class 4 in 19 81, Class 3 in 19 83 and Class 2 in 19 89 , according to the Fire D epartment’s website. Achieving the Class 1 rating has taken 28 ye ars. he I rates fire departments in four primary areas: he ire epartment including truc s, equipment, pumping capacity, reserve trucks, personnel and training ater supply mergency communication systems ommunity ris reduction efforts fire prevention codes and enforcement, public fire safety education and fire investigations For many years, Hoover has had a split rating of Class 2/ 10, with areas that were more than five miles from a oover fire station being classified as a lass for failing to meet minimum ISO standards. owever, in recent years, oover has negotiated automatic aid agreements with nearby fire departments that allow for them to assist Hoover with coverage of such areas, helping erase the Class 10 designation, Wingate said. he ire epartment also opened new stations and added manpower in areas such as the reystone egacy and oss ridge subdivisions and has continued ma ing improvements in other areas, such as the 9 11 center, record keeping and software that allows the
department to better trac how many firefighters respond to calls, Wingate said. ur lass rating means that our firefighters are doing an excellent job in protecting the city,” he said. The dispatchers in the 91 1 center do a great job, and Hoover has four water systems that supply water to oover that are splendid partners, providing as much water as the department needs to be properly prepared, Wingate said. revious fire chiefs alph hepherd and Tom Bradley and former Mayor Frank Skinner, who was assistant fire chief prior to becoming mayor, laid the groundwork for the success of the department, and many others played vital roles in getting the department where it is today, Wingate said. “I’m pretty proud. This is a big deal,” he said. “It’s a tremendous honor for the Hoover Fire D epartment. It’s an honor for the citiz ens and business owners — everyone in Hoover.” Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, who was the city s first paramedic and first fire marshal, said the ire epartment has played a central role in the city’s history. Six of Hoover’s mayors have been affiliated with the ire epartment, and the current city administrator llan ice and ity ouncil president ene mith also are former oover firefighters. ven in the days when oover was a volunteer department, the firefighters have always striven to get better and to be leaders in the fire service, rocato said. e than ed firefighters for how they work tirelessly each day to protect the city. ice, in a ay ceremony at oover ire tation No. 6 , said that excellence is not an event or an accomplishment, but rather a habit and a choice. “If you choose excellence consistently, you become elite,” he said. R ice thanked Wingate, his staff and those who have come before him for cementing the legacy of the Hoover Fire D epartment among the elite. “When ISO comes to measure things, they measure things that you can see and touch,” R ice said. “But the intangible elite of the Hoover Fire D epartment is what gets inside the trucks, what rolls up in front of the houses, what goes into the living rooms and takes care of our citiz ens.” Wingate said the new ISO rating won’t go into effect until ug. , but he encouraged residents and business owners to check with their insurance companies to see what impact the change will have on their insurance premiums. very insurance company handles it differently, he said.
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280 Living
B rocato launches ‘ F uture H oover’ initiative B y JO
The Hoover Public Library, Hoover Municipal Center and Riverchase Galleria sit close to one another along U.S. 31. One of the questions Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato hopes to answer with his “Future Hoover” initiative is whether Hoover needs to develop a central “downtown” area and, if so, what should be in it and where should it be. Photo by Jon Anderson.
N A N D ER S O N
Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato recently unveiled an initiative to find out what oover residents thin the city needs to eep it vibrant and healthy and potential ways to pay for those ideas. In a tal to the oover ity ouncil that was reminiscent of his campaign speeches last year, rocato recounted many of the things he believes ma e the city a great place to live and said he is both concerned about potential problems and e cited about opportunities to improve. rocato said the initiative, which he dubbed uture oover,” will over the ne t si months focus on oover schools, transportation and roads, city staffing, economic development, stormwater and wastewater management, mareting of the city, and facility needs, such as a fine arts center. e also wants to address the uestion of whether oover needs a central downtown area and, if so, what it should include and where it should be. he mayor said he and his staff will start off by tal ing with school officials to ascertain the school system s needs. he oover school system is the city s crown jewel, but the school board already is planning to add portables at eer alley lementary due to overcrowding and oover igh chool will be over capacity in five to years if something is not done to add space there or build a third high school, rocato said. lus, the school system s annual debt payments soon will start to increase due to debt restructuring from years past. he mayor and new ity ouncil elected last year doubled the school system s base funding from about . million a year to million a year and continue loo ing for ways to defray the school system s operational costs, he said. owever, we now the school system needs more money,” rocato said. It would be very
difficult, if not impossible, to increase the city s level of support for schools without straining the city government s obligations, he said. his concerns me,” rocato said. e now we don t have any more money to give to the school system.” rocato said he wants school officials to let city officials now what the system needs to maintain their current level of e cellence. e also will be wor ing with city staff and the ity ouncil to identify road and transportation needs as well as facility and staffing needs, he said. hey also will develop alternatives to financially support those needs, he said. ut the most important part of the process will be listening to want the residents and businesses of oover want to see happen, rocato said. etween uly and eptember, he plans
to hold town hall meetings to give people a chance to share thoughts and ideas on all these subjects. hen in early ecember, he plans to ma e a presentation to the council to share the public feedbac and, by anuary, present recommendations for action. It will essentially be a roadmap to prepare the city for the ne t years, he said. e re sitting right in the center of the metro area . e re ready to e plode, so we just need to loo and be prepared for those things,” Brocato said. his initiative is designed to let oover residents tell elected officials where they want the city to go and how the city should pay for it, he said. t the same time, the new city planner
will lead the way in helping the city develop a comprehensive master plan, rocato said. he uture oover” effort will complement the master planning process but not replace it. he master planning process will be more about land use, such as identifying what parts of town are right for residential development, commercial development or an entertainment district. rocato said he doesn t thin the uture oover” initiative will be hard because people already have been tal ing about many of these ideas, but the funding issue is always going to be a challenge.” oover ouncilman erric urphy than ed rocato for having foresight and for his desire to move the city forward. If a city gets stagnant, it will fall behind, urphy said.
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Evangelist Scott Dawson of Greystone to run for governor B y J O N A N D ER S O N Scott D awson, a traveling evangelist who has lived in Hoover for the past 2 0 years, has entered the race for Alabama governor. D awson, a 49 -year-old husband and father of two college students who has never run for political office, said he decided to run for the state s top office after watching the sad state of Alabama’s political system over the past year. The chief justice of the state Supreme Court was removed from office, the spea er of the House of R epresentatives was convicted of ethics violations, and the governor was arrested and forced to resign. “It’s enough,” D awson said. “We’ve just got to ta e a breath.” labama needs someone who will loo at issues with a biblical worldview and understand how to ma e tough decisions loo ing through the lens of their Christian faith, he said. That doesn’t require a religious fanatic, just a common sense leader, he said. dmitting he nows people will say he has no political experience, but that’s probably a good thing, D awson said. Alabama has been relying on people entrenched in the political system, and, “Whatever we’re doing, we need to stop doing it,” he said. I thin labama s at a turning point.” It’s not just R epublicans versus D emocrats now; sometimes it’s R epublicans versus R epublicans, D awson said. His experience as a traveling evangelist wor ing with different churches and denominations to put on communitywide events should serve him well, he said. “The only thing harder than getting D emocrats and epublicans wor ing together is getting aptists and ethodists wor ing together,” D awson said. hen as ed about priorities, awson said everyone seems concerned about education, prisons, economic development and job growth.
tate officials must improve labama students lagging test scores, he said. fficials need to loo at education through the eyes of teachers and put power bac in the classroom, not with special interests, he said. He said he’s thrilled that everyone wants to recruit more industry to Alabama, but said there needs to be a focus on building and growing Alabama businesses at the same time so the state doesn’t get held hostage by out-of-state companies. R egarding prisons, the long-term effort needs to be loo ing at prisoner reform, not prison reform, D awson said. “Not one parent is praying their child has a better prison,” he said. However, D awson said he isn’t ready to lay out specific goals. irst, he wants to go around the state to listen more to what people have to say to ma e sure the focus is not on what he wants to do, but on what the people of Alabama want, he said. “It’s all about serving,” D awson said. “Whoever goes to Montgomery in this capacity as governor better realiz e it is not a dictatorship. It is building a consensus.” D awson grew up in Birmingham’s West E nd. e preached his first sermon at age . e graduated from nsley igh chool in and went to amford niversity, wor ing full time at estern upermar et to pay for college. He started the Scott D awson E vangelistic ssociation in while still in college and then obtained his bachelor’s degree with a major in religion and a master’s degree from Samford’s Beeson D ivinity School. His organiz ation has grown from one man giving testimonies at youth rallies and a budget of , in to a comprehensive outreach organiz ation that conducts student conferences, communitywide outreach events and music festivals throughout the eastern U nited tates with a budget of . million. his past year, he preached to more than , people
E angelist ott a son a resident of Hoo er’s re stone ommunit go ernor of la ama. Photo courtesy of Scott Dawson.
in person, he said. awson too a leave of absence as president and CE O of the Scott D awson E vangelistic Association to run for governor and turned over dayto-day management to the executive staff. He will continue to preach as a “staff evangelist.” He and his wife, Tarra, have been married since . hey live in reystone len, and both their children graduated from pain ar High School. Their son, Hunter, is entering his senior year at Samford, and daughter, Hope, is starting her freshman year there. D awson is one of many R epublicans who have announced their intention to run for governor
is running for
next year. Others include Jefferson County Commissioner D avid Carrington, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Alabama Public Service Commission hairwoman win le avanaugh, former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy ee eorge, irmingham businessman osh Jones and Alabama D epartment of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan. ov. ay Ivey, who too office in pril after ov. obert entley resigned, has not declared whether she will see a full term. On the D emocratic side, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has indicated he plans to run for governor.
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A12 • July 2017
Liberty Pkwy
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280Living.com
July 2017 • A13
Now Open
P lume H ome & Lifestyle is now open in the V illage at Lee Branch, 61 1 D oug Baker Boulevard, Suite 111. The boutique specializ es in “life' s little luxuries,” including candles, bath and body, perfume, and stationery. 783- 1594, p lumehomeandlifestyle.com
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C ahaba R idge R etirement C ommunity is now open at 3090 H ealthy Way in the Patchwork Farms development. The community, open to adults 55 years or older, offers -, -, and -bedroom floor plans. 259- 758, c ahabaridgeretirement.com
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H eatherwood H ills C ountry C lub has re-opened. Located at 400 St. Anne’s D rive, the course, which was closed for a number of years, has been undergoing renovations for several months. The club celebrated its reopening with a ribbon-cutting June 17. 502- 4441, heatherwoodhills.com
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Coming Soon 10 7136 C area. 769698, f
The M ercantile will open a new design center in the Brook Highland Shopping Center. Their main store is located at ahaba V alley R oad, in the Greystone acebook.com/ themercantile119
R uff K utts G rooming is now open at 5225 O ld Highway 280 i n the Westover/ Chelsea area. Owner Jamie Green has 17 ye ars experience as a groomer at D ouble Oak Animal Clinic and 280 Animal Medical Center. 256- 404- 1012
M agnolias G ift S hop has announced it will open in August in Chelsea at 48 Chesser Crane R oad, Suite B. This will be the third location for the business, with existing locations in Sylacauga and Pell City. 256- 208- 08 8, m agnoliasgiftshop.com
I nnova C offee has opened its first location at 4700 C olonnade Parkway, in the 4700 C olonnade. The business, owned by Tyler and Anna Nash, was started out of their home in the Altadena area. This is their first bric -and-mortar location. 447- 97, i nnovacoffee.com
News and Accomplishments
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Your P ie is now open in Liberty Park at 375 C orporate Woods D rive, Suite 113. The piz z a restaurant allows customers to select fresh ingredients while ordering, with piz z as baked in a brick oven on the spot. 783- 5152, yourpie.com
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TD ’ s M attress G allery is now open in Chelsea at 401 Chelsea Crossroads. They carry Tempur-Pedic, Stearns & Foster, Sealy, Posturepedic, and iComfort. 674488, t dsoutlet.com
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Las Troj as C antina M exican R estaurant is now open at 5287 U .S. 280, Suite 219, i n the Brook Highland shopping center. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, offering an extensive food and drink menu that includes appetiz ers, salads, soup, “Las Trojas Specialties,” steaks, seafood, fajitas, burritos, desserts and child plates. They also have 38 l arge-screen TV s and a 100 foot bar. 91- 091
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A bundance Yoga is now open in the Lee Branch Shopping Center, 61 1 D oug Baker Boulevard, Suite 116. They strive to make yoga available to all body shapes and siz es, offering classes for anyone from very active Ashtanga and Heated 26 classes to Gentle, Yin, and R estorative classes. They also offer private lessons and workshops. 540- 5842, ab undanceyoga.net
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The B urell G roup, P C , a full service architectural firm, ahaba ar Circle, Suite 111, is pleased to announce that Jessica Haag has earned her National Council for Interior esign ualification I certificate. his certification for professional interior designers demonstrates her proficiency in the profession. 91- 8190, t heburellgroup.com
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Hirings and Promotions G reenvale P ediatrics, 101 E agle R idge D rive, has hired two new pediatricians to join their practice. D r. Clayton D ugan and D r. E liz abeth Irons have joined the practice and are now accepting new patients. Additionally, D r. D avid Glasgow has announced his retirement from the practice after a career that has spanned more than 40 years. 95- 1004, gr eenvalepediatrics.com
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Anniversaries Expedia C ruiseS hipC enters, 270 D oug Baker Boulevard, Suite 500, celebrated its third anniversary in business June 2. The travel agency is locally owned by Jon Harvill. 437- 3354, cruiseshipcenters.com/ greystoneal
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Business news
Tyler R utledge S tate F arm A gency, 1605 4 U .S. 280, S uite 1600, C helsea, is celebrating its third anniversary in business in July. 6783334, savingwithtyler.com
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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 Email matthew@starnespublishing.com
A14 • July 2017
280 Living
Soap company opens in Greystone area 280 location is 4th shop for Buff City Soaps of Tennessee B y LEA H
IN G R A M
EA G LE
The restaurants around the Baz aar 280 Shopping Center aren’t the only things giving off a fragrant smell. The shopping area’s newest tenant, Buff City Soaps, held its grand opening May 5. With a similar look to a candy shop or bakery, the bright and fragrant store found a new home near neighbors Big Bad Breakfast, U rban Barn and Simply Infused Oil Shop. This is the fourth brick-and-mortar location for the business, with the others in Bartlett, Tennessee; Olive Branch, Mississippi; and Castle R ock, Colorado. The Birmingham location will have one manager and four employees, also known as soap hippies. Founder Brad K ellum began the company in his garage in 2 013 in the Memphis suburb of Bartlett. After becoming concerned about the ingredients in most soaps and body washes, he began experimenting with recipes and created his own line of bath-and-body products. What began as Bartlett Soap Company eventually grew into Buff City Soaps. e use only the finest ingredients that we can find,” ellum said. “There are absolutely no chemicals, detergents or preservatives in any Buff City products — fragrance and coloring included.”
Above: Buff City Soap is built on soaps and body products that are free of arti ial fragran es detergents or reser ati es. Left: eff Collier is the o ner of the . . 2 0 lo ation. Photos by Leah Ingram Eagle.
E ach store is individually owned, and Jeff Collier is over the new Birmingham location. The radio D J from Memphis became a fan of Buff City Soap after using its products. When his wife was relocated to Birmingham last year, Collier was looking for a way to spend his weekdays doing something fun before traveling back to Memphis on weekends to record his shows. “When I discovered the brand in Memphis, I fell in love with the product,” ollier said. I had to in uire more and decided I wanted to help grow the company. I saw a huge opportunity that there was nothing
else like it here. That was the whole thing: to bring something exciting and new to irmingham.” All the items are created at the store, called the soap makery. E ach bar of soap is baked using only three ingredients: coconut oil, olive oil and palm oil for the base. They are then scented with essential oils or fragrance-grade oil that are 100 percent plant based. The products available at Buff City Soaps include something from head to toe. Besides soaps, the inventory includes lotion bars, body scrubs and body butters, shampoo bars, shower oils, facial products, bath bombs,
shower fi ies, laundry soap, pet soap and men’s products. Collier added that men are a big part of their customer base. Some of the company’s soaps can be used to treat skin conditions including acne, ecz ema and psoriasis. Other products are intended to help with issues such as headaches, which includes their No. 1-selling shower fi y, called headache, followed by second best-seller, eucalyptus, which helps with sinus issues. “We developed a big following in Memphis from people with dry skin and ecz ema because our soap doesn’t contain detergent. People who have stopped using commercial soap have seen great results,” ellum said. e also have a much better price point for treating skin conditions. It can be hard for them to find affordable items on the commercial mar et.” Something different offered at Buff City Soaps is that the products can be customiz ed (scented or nonscented) with the customer’s choice
of fragrance at no extra cost. “Think of it like a body products caf ,” ellum said. ou can choose what works best for you. It’s a really uni ue part of our business, and the customer isn’t paying more for customi ation.” For those who want to sample the products, Buff City Soaps offers a monthly subscription box, featuring a variety of smaller versions of its products mailed each month. Other incentives include a loyalty club and text club. Collier said he plans to open a second store around Mountain Brook in about a year. He chose the U .S. location first because he lives over D ouble Oak Mountain and fell in love with the area. “I’ve fallen head over heels in love with irmingham,” ollier said. “There’s a small-town charm, and people are nicer. he foot traffic in this shopping center is incredible, and this location beats fighting traffic all the way down .”
280Living.com
July 2017 • A15
G etting in the mental game The MindSide working with athletes from big leagues to high school
B y LEA H
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Tucked away in a small strip of businesses off Alabama 119 near the 2 80 corridor, The MindSide is not a place many people know about. Opened by clinical/sports and performance psychologist Bhrett McCabe in 2012, the business has grown in the past five years, its clients ranging from high school athletes to professionals in the PGA and NFL. While working in the pharmaceutical industry for eight years, McCabe spent time moonlighting and meeting with clients beginning in 2008. Four years later, he began his practice in Birmingham. “I started The MindSide as a resource for athletes, both local and across the country, to help focus on way they think and deal with their performance to give their minds a competitive start for their competitions,” McCabe said. While athletes work with strength and conditioning coaches for their bodies and physical health, The MindSide focuses on the mental aspect. Although sports psychology has been
used by professional athletes for many years, McCabe said it is just becoming more of a mainstream application. “It all begins in the mind,” McCabe said. “The body is controlled by what happens in the mind. verything starts with a desire or want. eople have to get focused on what they want to achieve and go for what they want and deal with the conse uences. ou have to out-wor , out-prepare and out-execute what you’re doing. That’s where it all starts.” As a collegiate baseball player at LSU , McCabe saw a hypnotherapist who helped turn his game around. This led him to change his mind about attending law school and instead he majored in psychology. After obtaining his undergraduate degree, he continued his studies at LSU in the Ph.D . program. hile he wor s with clients from all over, locally he works with high school teams at Spain Park (where his daughter plays on the golf team), Mountain Brook, Homewood, estavia and riarwood. e also serves as the consulting psychologist for the niversity of Alabama Athletic D epartment.
McCabe said most people contact The MindSide because they are looking for help with concentration or preparation. Professional athletes will also reach out to them when they have a tough road ahead. Some of the professional athletes he works with include PGA golfers Brian Harman (who recently won his second our victory , Graeme McD owell and Harris E nglish and NFL linebac er evin inter. The MindSide also works with teams to enhance their overall production and performance as a unit and with coaches to create a plan for maximiz ing the performance of their athletes. ff the field, it wor s with corporate entities and provides presentations to give information to help in business and life. Assisting McCabe is Meighan Julbert, a mental skills consultant who works with many high school athletes to help them stand out for recruiters. He plans to add a third practitioner in the fall, and each of them will have a specific focus. c abe wrote and self-published his first book, “The MindSide Manifesto: The U rgency
Clinical/sports and performance psychologist Bhrett McCabe, above, opened he ind ide of e left off la ama 11 in 2012. Photos courtesy of The MindSide.
to reate a ompetitive indset,” in to help athletes, coaches and leaders compete to the best of their ability. More than two years ago, McCabe began a podcast. Now more than 13 0 episodes in, he interviews people who have done interesting things. One of his most successful downloads was a avy fighter pilot who lives in reystone who discussed how to handle high pressure situations. e try not to interview too high profile people,” he said. “E xcellence is around us in everything we do. I li e to find someone locally who is successful and learn from them.” In addition to growing his practice, McCabe said he has plans to build another office near the current one in the next three or four years. He also plans to offer informational videos online focusing on a sports psychology curriculum for high schools and also hopes to ramp up his corporate speaking in the Birmingham area. or more information, visit themindside. com.
A16 • July 2017
280 Living
Favorite Laundry closes store doors, opens online shop B y LEA H
a orite Laundr o ner im nderson stands in front of the store’s former t Laurel lo ation. he hildren’s lothing outi ue losed its doors a 1 to transition into an online sho ith seasonal sho s around irmingham. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.
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Favorite Laundry, a Mt Laurel children’s clothing boutique, closed its storefront location May 15. Founded in 2 009 and owned for the past three years by K im Anderson, it will be evolving into an online shop and will sell at seasonal shows in the Birmingham area. “People are shopping more and more online instead of coming into brick-and-mortar stores, so I felt like we could get a bigger reach going online,” Anderson said. The lease for the space was up in January. Anderson said she had been thinking of closing the location for a while and said this seemed like the right time to do so. Her children are now 9 and 11, and she is looking forward to taking the summer off and spending more time with them. After working every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., she thinks the new arrangement gives her the best of both worlds. She spent her past few weeks in the store selling the remaining inventory and fi tures. While she will miss having her space and the relationships she has made with her customers, they have understood her decision. “The response has been really positive,” Anderson said. “The customers understand people are shopping online more. I’m going to miss seeing them every day and watching their kids grow up, but they know this allows us to spread out a little and have more time with our kids.” nderson said she is e cited about her first venture in e-commerce, with all items being sold on their newly designed website, favoritelaundry.com. She is partnering with Meagan Barton in Charlotte, North Carolina, to help as she transitions to online only. “Meagan and I have known each other for a while,” Anderson said. “She moved there from Birmingham and wanted to
start something fresh. E verything just came together. It s e citing.” The website will feature the Favorite Laundry brand, with personaliz ed T-shirts being the No. 1-seller. They will also add separates and other items in the future. “It will be our brand,” Anderson said. “We’ll still be offering personaliz ation, monogramming and heat press. Customers can go on the site and pick what they want personaliz ed. We will continue to accommodate people who need something different and specific. “The designing, press and printing will all still be done by us,” she continued. “We are making that part a home-based business. I’ll still be designing and working with customers on custom pieces, monograms and heatpress personaliz ation.” In addition to the website, Anderson will continue the company’s social media presence, posting on the Favorite Laundry Facebook and Instagram. While all of the items will ship from Charlotte, Favorite Laundry may offer front porch or in-town pick-up in the future. For now, all orders more than $ 40 will be shipped for free. Anderson still wants to be around people and build relationships beyond just online. She plans to do seasonal shows around the area such as Cottontails and Christmas V illage, adding that despite some nervousness, she is looking forward to it. In the meantime, she said, she will enjoy her fle ible schedule and time with her family. “The Mt Laurel neighborhood is so quaint and cute,” Anderson said. “We loved being out here and the uniqueness of it. Our customers have been very supportive. We will miss them, but we will still be around.” For more information, go to facebook. com/favoritelaundryclothing.
280Living.com
July 2017 • A17
A18 • July 2017
280 Living
Preview of
Chamber
Luncheon
Taziki’s owner discusses growth, community action
July
The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce’s July luncheon is set for Thursday, July 13. While the luncheon nora ta es ace on the first Thursday of the month, the July luncheon was moved to the second Thursday to accommodate the July 4 holiday. The speaker will be John Sharp, the owner of John Emerald Distillery in Opelika. While Sharp’s business is not in Shelby County, Chamber Director April Stone said his company is something she would like to see come to the Shelby County area. The luncheon will be sponsored by Candlewood Suites of Alabaster and catered by Lazy Boy BBQ. The cost is $15 per person, and no RSVP is required. The luncheon will take place at Columbiana First Baptist Church from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, go to southshelbychamber.com.
a i i’s editerranean Cafe o ner eith i hards s ea s at the une 1 outh hel Cham er of Commer e lun heon. Photo by Erica Techo.
B y ER I C A TEC H O After a vacation in Greece, K eith R ichards and his wife, Amy R ichards, returned to the U .S. and wanted to bring back with them some of the feel of the small Mediterranean cafes at which they dined. That idea was the start of Taz iki’s Mediterranean Café , which they opened in 19 9 8, R ichards said during the June 1 South Shelby Chamber of Commerce luncheon. ince opening that first store, which was 1,100 square feet, Taz iki’s has grown to 7 5 stores, with more locations on the way. hen they opened their first store, ichards said, the goal was to bring the good food and family and community feel they experienced in cafes in Greece back to the Birmingham area, and that’s something he believes they have maintained. “That was a testimony of what we were doing in the stores,” he said, noting how quickly the number of Taz iki’s grew. And as the restaurants have grown, R ichards said, they have aimed to help grow their community involvement as well. Back when there were only three Taz iki’s, Shelby County Special Needs Job Coach Cindy V inson approached R ichards about hiring special needs students. That was how Brandy got started at Taz iki’s, where she has now worked for the last 11 years. Soon after Brandy started, R ichards asked V inson for more students so that they could employ two at each store. hen, five years ago, inson approached R ichards about another opportunity. Special needs students at V incent High School were starting to grow herbs, R ichards said, and he got an idea. “I said, ‘ I know exactly what to do.’ … So the next day, I had a logo already, I created
this logo and said, ‘ It’s going to be called HOPE — Herbs Offering Personal E nrichment,’ and she’s like, ‘ I love it,’” R ichards said. He helped establish more herb gardens outside of V incent High School, where students would grow herbs for the Lee Branch Taz iki’s location. Since its inception, the program has expanded to Shelby County High School. In addition, schools from the cities of Atlanta and Nashville, as well as the state of Arkansas, have approached R ichards about starting their own programs. “It’s kind of like the restaurant Taz iki’s, it’s kind of getting bigger and quicker and larger than what we need it to be because we don’t have control over it yet,” R ichards said. But the ultimate goal of HOPE , he said, has nothing to do with growing the restaurant or getting profits. It s about changing the lives of “children who don’t have the opportunity to do what we’re all doing,” he said. “It gives them a future, to a degree,”
R ichards said. As he has worked with students, R ichards has seen them excel and learn more about herbs and gardening, which is an “almost magical” thing to witness. “At the end of the day, it’s ‘ How can we affect somebody’s life? ” R ichards said. Following R ichards’ speech, chamber E xecutive D irector April Stone thanked him for his investment in Shelby County. He was also presented with an award from Jefferson State Community College. D avid Bobo, director of community and media relations at Jefferson State, presented R ichards with the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award. The award was announced at an event a few weeks ago, but R ichards was unable to attend. R ichards received the award not only for his business success, Bobo said, but also for what he has done in the community. “The part that is [ worthy of this award] is the giving part, the giving back,” Bobo said.
280Living.com
July 2017 • A19
Chamber celebrates small businesses at luncheon with awards ceremony, testimony Ricky Brooks, CEO of Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers, spoke during the May 24 Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Photo by Erica Techo.
B y ER I C A TEC H O Small businesses were the center of the show at the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce’s May 2 4 luncheon. The chamber received 50 nominations for potential small business of the year winners, which was the highest number of nominees in the history of the award, said Chamber President and CE O K irk Mancer. “Small businesses play a vital role in building our Shelby County communities and overall economy,” Mancer said. “We want to celebrate their successes and support them in their endeavors.” The companies were evaluated based on staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales and/or unit volume, response to adversity and evidence of contributions to aid community-oriented projects. The businesses were also compared within one of five categories, based on company si e. One winner was selected from four of the categories, which were based on the following criteria. There was a tie in Category 2 , and both winners were announced. C ategory 1: ne to five employees and open one year or more; winner: Party Art C ategory 2: Six to 10 employees open one year or more; winner: R ux Carter Insurance Agency and The U PS Store Caldwell Mill C ategory 3: 11 to 20 employees open one year or more; winner: 2 80 Animal Medical Center C ategory 4: 2 1 or more employees open one year or more; winner: McD owell Security C ategory 5: New small business, with fewer than 25 employees and open one year or less; winner: Brittani Morris - State Farm For a full list of nominees, see 280l iving. com. D uring the luncheon, attendees also heard
from R icky Brooks, CE O of E xpress Oil Change and Tire E ngineers, who shared his journey to success. roo s first became involved in the company in 19 87 , when he was approached by someone looking to build three E xpress Oil Change franchises. While that developer ended up not pursuing the project, Brooks decided to move forward working with the company. Jim Lunceford, the founder of E xpress il hance, first heard about an e press oil change business in the 1970s . He decided to bring the concept back to Birmingham. “Jim had the foresight to do two things: one is he built a concept different from anybody else in the industry, of dedicated oil change bays, like we have today, and dedicated service bays,” Brooks said. Lunceford also created a system of having full-time, career employees. Both of these are what helped make the company successful, Brooks said. In 19 9 6 , Lunceford sold the company to Brooks Joe Watson, who bought the company on 100 percent leverage bond, Brooks said. With a laugh, he added that he did not recommend taking out 100 percent leverage bonds. “Joe and I were on millions of dollars of debt and personally guaranteeing it,” he said. “I promised my wife, ‘ I’ll never ask you to
sign, and I’ll never put the house up.’ So I put the house in her name, and everything else was wide open.” From 19 9 6 , they continued to franchise locations and build more corporate stores, and the company saw dramatic growth, Brooks said. In 2012, they looked to transform in order to maintain success in a market that was becoming saturated with quick oil change businesses. “The fast oil change business is incredibly saturated. It was wide open when I got in in 1988 … but by 2008, it was very saturated,” Brooks said. They chose to build on the mechanics side of the business, without sacrificing from the oil change side. With that decision, they saw success and have since grown to a few hundred locations across the southeast. Part of the success is implementing a “winwin-win” strategy, Brooks said, which is what they implement. This strategy aligns the interests of employees, customers and ownership, he said, by providing a good customer experience, increasing the number of customers and providing a profitable business that leads to franchise or corporate store success. Brooks encouraged entrepreneurs in the audience to know what they want to accomplish, be thoughtful about what is in customers best interests and serving customers first.
Preview of
July
Luncheon The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’s July Community Luncheon, “State of the Schools Throughout Shelby County” will be hosted by the chamber’s Education Work Group. The community luncheon will be July 26 in the banquet hall at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena. Doors will open at 11 a.m. for business networking, and the program will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. Organizations engaged in educational programs and activities or otherwise can participate in the showcase feature during networking. Call or email Keyla Handley, director of community and investor development, for details at 663-4542. ext. 106 or keyla@ shelbychamber.org. The cost is $20 per person for chamber investors and $30 per person for “future” investors and includes a luncheon buffet. Reservations are requested by noon on Monday, July 24. Contact the Chamber at info@shelbychamber.org, by telephone at 663-4542 or register online at shelbychamber.org.
A20 • July 2017
280 Living
Events The Birmingham ra Clu ’s annual Independence Day event, the ea ine alls un returns to a ountain tate ar this ul for its 36th year. Staff photo.
July 4 tradition returns with Peavine Falls Run B y ER I C A TEC H O R unners will once again have the chance to sprint through Oak Mountain State Park prior to enjoying some firewor s this uly . The Birmingham Track Club’s annual Independence D ay event, the Peavine Falls R un, is returning to the par for its th year. The third race in the BTC R ace Series, this . mile course ta es runners from the asphalt road through single-track dirt trail within the par . It climbs . miles to the eavine alls parking lot, and then back down the same road. Participants can register and pickup their pac ets starting at a.m., and wal ers will
start the race at a.m. unners will begin the chip-timed race at a.m., and the day will wrap up with an awards ceremony at the start/ finish at ogwood avilion. The run honors R ick Melanson, one of the original members of BTC and a course designer for the club. It was dedicated in his honor in after elanson retired, former president rish ortuese previously told iving. egistration is for non-members. embers are able to register for the whole BTC R ace Series, a total of four races, for a discounted price. For more information about the event, search eavine alls un on runsignup.com or visit birminghamtrac club.com.
Hotter ’N Hell run at Oak Mountain State Park adds to the heat B y ER I C A TEC H O R unners looking for an added challenge will have the chance to add heat into the mix at this year’s Hotter ’N Hell Trail ace at a ountain tate ar . he - or -mile race the fifth race in the outheastern rail uns series ta es runners around the par in the uly heat, while adding in extra challenges through the course, including a steep gorge along the white trail from the Peavine Falls parking lot to the lower falls. The trail starts at Cedar Pavilion and winds along the red bike trail, to Blood R ock, to the top of D ouble Oak Mountain and through the blue trail to upper eavine ree . All runners must carry water during
the race, according to the Southeastern Trail R uns website, and are encouraged to use Tailwind, a powder that combines water for calories, hydration and electrolytes. ast year, runners too between one and a half to three hours for the 9 -mile race. here will also be aid stations along the trail. he uly race is set to start at a.m., and runners will need to enter at the par s south gate. t the end of the race, awards will be given to the first through third place male and female overall winners, group awards for and younger, - , - and years and older. For more information, go to southeasterntrailruns.com hotter-n-hell-trail-race. html.
unners re are for the start of the 2015 Hotter ’ Hell Trail Race, the fth race in the outheastern Trail Run series. Staff photo.
280Living.com
July 2017 • A21
efferson tate ulinar students o hilli s left and nna rif n se ond from left ere the 201 ron Cit Chef om etition inners. Photo courtesy of Kent Howard.
C ooking competition to showcase 4 local chefs B y LO R EN H O P K I N S Four Birmingham chefs will participate in the Iron ity hef competition aturday, July 2 2 . The V estavia Hills R otary Foundation hosts the event, which takes place at Jefferson State Community College. This year’s competitors include Alan Nelson from Nabeel’s Cafe and Market; Clif Holt from Little Savannah; Brittany Garrigus from atterfield s and ean utler from R evolve K itchen & Brew. ot only does Iron ity hef include the cooking competition itself, but at silent auction will take place before the main event. Iron ity hef will begin at p.m., while the silent auction will open its doors at 5:30 p.m. General admission is $ 55, but corporate tables and sponsorship prices are available. The competition itself is structured into two rounds. All four chefs will go
head-to-head in the first round, and two will make it to the second in the hopes of taking home the title. Guests will be able to enjoy all four signature dishes and vote for their favorites. Proceeds from the event will be given bac to the community. In the past years, the V estavia Hills R otary Club has raised more than $ 7 00,000 due to the generosity of the businesses and community of the V estavia area. This year’s beneficiaries include the V estavia Hills math and debate programs, as well as several communities of Z ambia that receive clean water. The V estavia R otary also awards various scholarships that include the Interact lub cholarship and the efferson State Culinary Scholarship, which will be presented to the sous chef paired with the winner of Iron ity hef . Tickets can be found on the V estavia Hills R otary Club website, vestaviarotary.com.
Children an learn more a out Hoo er’s u li safet tools at s heduled for ug. 1. Staff photo.
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Thousands expected for 2017 National Night Out B y J O N A N D ER S O N The city of Hoover is expecting thousands of people to show up for the 2 017 National Night Out event at The Grove shopping center parking lot on Aug. 1. The annual event, a nationwide effort led by the National Association of Town Watch, is designed to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer. Hoover’s event, scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., is one of numerous ones planned in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area that night. The Hoover Police D epartment plans to have specialty police vehicles on site, including its mobile command unit and special response team tactical vehicle, for community members to view, Lt. K eith Cz eskleba said. Motorcycle scouts also plan to conduct a motorcycle riding demonstration, he said. The Police D epartment also frequently has lots of equipment on display, including a bomb robot and equipment used by the tactical team and dive team. fficers will be present to explain how the equipment works.
The Hoover Masonic Lodge No. 6 44 also li ely will bring its child identification e uipment so police officers can ma e child I its for parents that include their children’s name, photograph, fingerprints, physical description and identifying marks in case a child ever goes missing, Cz eskleba said. Other agencies, such as the Hoover Fire D epartment, U .S. D rug E nforcement Administration, U .S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and E xplosives, and the U .S. Army National Guard, also frequently attend Hoover’s National Night Out, but their attendance will depend on availability, Cz eskleba said. The two-hour event also includes free food and other activities for kids. It s a good opportunity for people to interact with law enforcement and other public safety agencies in a non-stressful environment and give them a chance to see some of the many tools that are used to keep their community safe, Cz eskleba said. Hoover police Chief Nick D erz is estimated 6 ,000 to 7 ,000 people attended last year’s National Night Out gathering in Hoover.
A22 • July 2017
A D R O P IN
280 Living
TH E B U C K ET
ocal nonprofit aims to help end world water crisis
B y ER I C A TEC H O Lemonade is a classic summer drink with three simple ingredients — lemon, water and sugar. But this summer, a glass of lemonade could have a third, less tangible ingredient — the ability to give back. s part of local nonprofit everthirst s ational emon I ay on aturday, uly , lemonade stands will pop up across the country, fundraising to help provide clean water around the world. everthirst, which was started in after a group at hurch at roo ills felt a pull to help individuals throughout the world, aims to advance the gospel and provide clean water worldwide. Mark Whitehead, co-founder and executive director of everthirst, said he first felt the pull to do more in , after avid latt came as an interim at hurch of roo ills. It was li e I was hearing something anew for the first time, about od s heart for the nations, for the unreached, and it led to me ta ing my first trip out of the states,” hitehead said. hroughout , once a wee he would meet with a group that prayed for direction in starting a ministry. Three of them traveled to a village in outh udan together in , and that was where hitehead first heard about the water crisis. aving prayed for a whole year for direction, the three of us didn t have to say a word to each other,” hitehead said. It was crystal clear what od was showing to us.” hey returned to the nited tates, formed community partnerships and returned to that village in ecember to set up a water pump. ince then, everthirst has grown to do wor in eight countries, five of which the organiz ation is currently active.
arly on, it was friends and family. It was grassroots. e d tal to anyone that would listen to us,” hitehead said, adding that now everthirst has several community sponsors and churches that support their mission. uring each of everthirst s more than , projects in the last years, they gather photos, stories and data to help bring back information to the donors who support their cause. In the communities everthirst reaches, director of development randon ossett said their technology and water purification devices can help bring credibility to local pastors and churches, thereby fulfilling everthirst s mission of spreading the gospel. ountries with corrupt governments, which is the political reality of many communities they help, oftentimes have distrust between citi ens and the government. It is not uncommon for citiz ens to present the government with money for resources, and for politicians or corrupt individuals to instead pocket that money, ossett said. When people give their local church money and the pastor returns on that investment with a water pump, however, the pastor ends up building trust in the community. It s a way of tangibly loving on people, is helping them get access to our most basic need, which is clean drin ing water,” ossett said. As they collect stories in their communities, they help spread information on the world water crisis, said ossett, who added that it is something many people are unaware of. hen everthirst started, there were around . billion individuals without access to clean drin ing water. ow, ossett said, that number is down to million. hat number is almost cut in half,” he said, adding that everthirst has helped around , individuals. I do believe we have an opportunity as a generation to see the water
Children play in the water provided by a pump that was installed by Neverthirst. Photos courtesy of Neverthirst.
crisis end, if it s cutting li e that.” s part of this year s emon I event, the reystone hic -fil- , located at the corner of . . and labama , will donate of each lemonade sale to everthirst. hic -fil-
will hold its event uly , a few days before the official everthirst event. or more information about everthirst, or to hold a emon I stand, go to neverthirst water.org.
280Living.com
July 2017 • A23
Bark and Wine back at Greystone B y LA U R EN R O LA N D The eighth annual Bark and Wine event benefiting the helby umane ociety will be at reystone ountry lub on uly beginning at p.m. ighlights of the night will be a strolling dinner meaning heavy hors d eouvres and food stations beginning at p.m. and both silent and live auctions. he auctions will be held by ranger hagard ssociates Inc. beginning at p.m. uction items include a trip to uba, local art and a ourbon rail tasting e cursion. ic ets are available for per person, and reservations are limited to . ables are available for , and seat eight. his year there are three sponsorship levels gold, with seating for at , platinum, with seating for at , and signature, with seating for at , . ll guests are as ed to by uly . his year s dinner is focused on supporting the humane society s his ear’s ar and ine ene ting the hel uic -fi program,” which proill su ort the so iet ’s ui vides low-cost spay and neutering Humane o iet rogram. Photo courtesy of Donna McFeeters. to helby ounty residents. In , the society will begin supporting rural communities through helby rive in irmingham. utreach and will utili e the helby afe et or more information about the event and to program to protect victims of domestic violence purchase tic ets, visit shelbyhumane.org. o and their pets. donate items to the auction or to sponsor the he helby umane ociety is located at event, contact . he helby umane c ow oad in olumbiana, and reystone ociety aceboo page will also be posting ountry lub is located at reystone more information leading up to the event.
iss hel Count 2017 Chassid umler as named the reliminar inner for the talent om etition of this ear’s iss la ama ageant. Photo courtesy of Pam Oliver.
Miss Shelby County returns to focus on community service, scholarships B y ER I C A TEC H O he iss helby ounty cholarship ageant is once again returning to helby ounty igh chool in olumbiana. he pageant will ta e place aturday, uly , at p.m. he deadline to enter is uly . iss helby ounty will go on to compete in iss labama, which feeds into the iss merica rgani ation. he system is all about community service and scholarships,” said pageant irector am liver, noting that the winner of the onya ef ovits ommunity ervice ward in the iss helby ounty ageant receives a scholarship. inners for the community service award will be selected based on scrapboo s that show the wor they did for their platform a charity or cause they chose to support.
heir platform can be multiple things. It can be cancer, it can be obesity in children, it can be healthy habits,” liver said. It can be anything they choose.” cholarships are also offered by the niversity of ontevallo and efferson tate ommunity ollege. he girls will have a one-on-one interview off stage regarding their platform and current events, as well as an on-stage uestion, swimsuit fitness and eveningwear phases of the competition. o participate, contestants must be between and years old and either live, wor or go to school in helby, hilton, efferson, alladega, ibb, oosa or t. lair counties. ic ets for the uly competition are . or more information, go to missshelbycounty. com.
A24 • July 2017
280 Living
Plenty of patriotic celebrations nearby this July Fourth A re-enactment of the Battle at Concord Bridge takes place during American illage’s Independence Day event. his ear’s celebration begins at noon and ends at t ilight’s last gleaming.” Photo courtesy of Melanie Poole/American Village.
B Y LA U R EN R O LA N D For anyone looking for July 4 festivities, whether it s firewor s, a grill out or other event, the 2 80 corridor has them covered. R ead on for information on this year’s Independence D ay celebrations.
FIRE ON THE WATER
Wh en: July 3 f rom 5-9 p.m . W here: Oak Mountain State Park, 2 00 Terrace D rive, Pelham W hat: Oak Mountain State Park once again is hosting its annual Fire on the Water Fourth of July event. The park will be open for normal operating hours and fees, but beginning at 5 p.m., the normal entrance fees will switch to $15 per car. Annual passes will be honored for this event. There will be vendors in the park from noon until 9 p.m., and visiting families are invited to bring their own picnic lunches or grill out. Alcohol will be sold at the park from 5-8 p.m., and any alcohol present must be purchased from the park. side from the firewor s show, which starts at 9 p.m., families are invited to come out early to hike and play in the water in the park. Flip Side will be exhibiting wakeboarding tricks on the main lake during the day. E veryone’s favorite part is the “family-friendly park and atmosphere, where you have 10,000 acres to play in all day,” said Anna Jones Frew, the event coordinator for OMSP. Families love the D J, getting to dance and eat with their families, and just having fun, she said. For more information, visit alapark.com/oakmountain-state-park or their Facebook page, Oak Mountain State Park.
AMERICAN VILLAGE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION W
hen: July 4 from noon to “twilight’s
last gleaming” W here: The American V illage, 3 7 2 7 Alabama 119, M ontevallo W hat: Come share Independence D ay with the Founding Fathers as American V illage celebrates America’s 2 41st birthday. Admission is $ 5; active military members and veterans get in free. Gates open at noon, and there will be plenty of activities for the whole family.
Children can enjoy playing games from the colonial period, while the entire family can witness the “shot heard ’round the world” during a re-enactment of the Battle of Concord Bridge. Other events include a salute to military veterans, meetings with past patriots such as Thomas Jefferson and Abigail Adams, and a firewor s show at p.m. to end the night.
Families are encouraged to bring blankets to watch the firewor s. here will be a do en food options onsite. For more information, visit americanvillage. org or the American V illage Facebook page.
THE BIG KABOOM
Wh en: July 1 from 5 to 10:30 p.m . W h ere: Chelsea W hat: In a switch from past years, the Big K aboom will no longer be in Chelsea Park and has moved to the empty lot behind the Chelsea D airy Q ueen on Shelby 47. The event will now be held in conjunction with Chelsea City Fest on July 1 and will feature various vendors and food truck operators. Much like at Chelsea Park, the Big K aboom will feature events for kids, such as the R ed, White and Blue Bicycle parade and a booth from Liberty Baptist Church with games and activities. Other events include live bands — with the headliner being the ississippi band ompo ition and a flag retirement ceremony by the local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. E vents will be staggered throughout the night from 5-10:3 0 p.m. he firewor s show starts at p.m. and will last 2 0-3 0 minutes. Bands will continue to play after the firewor s have ended. For more information, visit facebook.com/ ChelseaCityHall.
GREYSTONE COUNTRY CLUB’S JULY FOURTH CELEBRATION
W hat: The Greystone Country Club’s annual Fourth of July celebration is an event for the whole family, with events including the R adio Flyer Children’s Parade and a carnival. The event is only open to Greystone residents and their guests. For more information on this event, visit the Greystone Country Club’s website at greystonecc.com.
280Living.com
July 2017 • A25
More than 1,000 people came to watch “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” at Veterans Park on June 5, 2015. Photo by Ron Burkett.
Summer outdoor movie series continues in July B y JO
N A N D ER S O N
The 2 017 Free Friday Flicks summer outdoor movie series at V eterans Park off V alleydale R oad continues in July. This year’s lineup began June 2 with “Sing,” the animated story of a koala bear that tries to save his struggling movie theater with a singing competition. Other movies that were on the schedule in June included “Moana” on June 9 ; “The Secret Life of Pets” on June 16 ; “The BFG” on June 2 3 ; and “The Lego Batman Movie” on June 3 0. Here is the lineup for July: J uly 7 : “The Jungle Book” (2 016 version) J uly 14: “Finding D ory” Ju ly 21: “Trolls” J uly 28 : R ain date (if a movie gets rained out) Most of the movies in this year’s lineup are completely animated, except “The BFG” and “The Jungle Book,” which
combine real actors with computer animation. All of the movies are rated PG. The movie images are 3 0 feet wide and will be shown on a 3 8-foot-wide screen, said K eri Lane Hontz as, founder of the movie series and the company called Backyard Movie Parties. The movies are shown at V eterans Park off V alleydale R oad on the grassy area near the main pavilion. E ach movie is scheduled to start at dusk. The sun sets between 7 :53 and 8:01 p.m. during the weeks the movies are scheduled. Hontz as encourages people to come early — around 6 :3 0 p.m. — and have picnics in the park prior to the show. There are typically food vendors present, but people are welcome to bring their own food as well. Hontz as also encourages people to bring blankets or lawn chairs. To get updates on movie cancellations due to bad weather, follow Backyard Movie Parties on Twitter at @ BYMovieParties or on Facebook.
The Hoover Recreation Center turns 25 years old in July. Photo by Jon Anderson.
Hoover R ec Center celebrates 2 5 years B y J O N A N D ER S O N The Hoover R ecreation Center turns 2 5 years old in July, and on July 10-14 it is having special activities to celebrate. Here’s a look at what is scheduled for Hoover residents each weekday: M onday, J uly 10 : Two indoor luau pool parties will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. and include snacks and beach balls for kids. Tuesday, J uly 11: Senior citiz ens are invited to walk with a doctor on the R ec Center track. The doctor will answer questions about how to live a healthier life from 8:3 0 to 9 :3 0 a.m. W ednesday, J uly 12: he focus is on fitness, with a free introduction to a whole-body, weighted hula hoop class in the activity room at and a.m. and a fitness class in the gym at 6 p.m. that focuses on body weight, muscle conditioning, cardio and plyometrics. Thursday, J uly 13: The R ec Center is having an open house and Family Fun Fest from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., including music,
entertainment, inflatables, ic ey and innie Mouse characters, free food and beverages and a chance to win a free R ec Center membership. People are invited to tour the center to see what is offered. F riday, J uly 14: The Birmingham Water Works is giving out free water bottles from 9 to 11 a.m., and an all-sports tournament for kids will be from 1 to 3 p.m. The R ec Center includes a gymnasium, 1/8mile walking track, 2 5-yard indoor pool, racuetball court, cycling room, fitness center with weight e uipment and fitness machines, personal fitness studio, rooms for yoga, aerobics and pilates classes, a game room and locker rooms with showers and dressing rooms. Membership costs $ 44 per month or $ 2 40 a year for individuals, $ 55 per month or $ 3 00 a year for two adults or a single adult and dependents 2 3 and younger, or $ 6 6 per month or $ 3 6 0 for a household. D iscounts are available for senior adults ages 55 and older, young adults ages 15-2 3 , active-duty military and employees of the city or Hoover school board.
A26 • July 2017
280 Living
School House State bumps up tax-free weekend
OMES students participate in a packaging event with Boosterthon National Giveback Day on May 20. Photo courtesy of Hannah Kersh.
B y LA U R EN R O LA N D Shoppers wanting to purchase tax-free school supplies this year are going to have to fight the crowds a little earlier. Per a resolution passed by the state Legislature on April 10, Alabama’s 12 th annual tax-free holiday will take place in the third week of July instead of in early August. The holiday will begin Friday, July 2 1, at 12 :01 a.m. and end Sunday, July 2 3 , at midnight. Butch Burbage, Shelby County’s Chief Financial fficer, said schools have been as ing for the sales holiday to be earlier, so people could get their school supplies with less stress. Tax-free weekends eliminate the sales tax on non-commercial purchases related to school, such as clothing and supplies. Computers are on the list of tax-exempt items as long as they cost $ 7 50 or less, and computer accessories such as printers and U SB drives are exempt as well. Clothing items that cost less than $ 100 are also tax-free, although if you are looking for athletic equipment those will still be taxed. School supplies with a price of less than $ 50 per item are also tax-exempt, as are books with a sale price less than $ 3 0 per book. For more information, contact the Alabama
OME S participates in Boosterthon National Giveback D ay Clothing and school supplies are among some of the items that will be tax free from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 21, to midnight Sunday, July 23. Photo by Emily Featherston.
D epartment of R evenue at 3 3 4-2 42 -149 0 or 86 6 57 6 -6 53 1 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. A full list of tax-exempt items is available online through the Alabama D epartment of R evenue at revenue.alabama.gov.
All-Metro softball team announced The 2017 All-Metro South Conference middle school softball team was announced earlier this spring. Dawn Autry and Julia Tucker of Oak Mountain were honored for their strong seasons. Photo courtesy of Bill Mann.
Parents, teachers and staff joined together at Oak Mountain E lementary School to make 5,000 meals May 2 0 as part of the Boosterthon National Giveback D ay. More than 16 0,000 meals were made across the country in 2 2 cities for families in need. This was part of Boosterthon’s annual giveback initiative called “A Million Students Strong,” which celebrated the collective impact of more than 1 million students across the country by donating to food banks in local communities. Throughout the academic year, every time a class reached $ 3 0 per lap in its Boosterthon Fun R un, Boosterthon pledged to provide three meals to local individuals in need, with the goal of providing 16 0,000 meals across the country and raising awareness about hunger in U .S. communities. “Part of Boosterthon’s mission is to help make every city thrive,” said Chris Carneal, founder and CE O of Boosterthon. “That’s why we couldn’t be more excited to join arms with students, parents, teachers and school leadership to
pack meals that will go directly to kids and families in the cities we live in and serve. Not only are we strengthening our cities, but we are strengthening each other in the process.” his was the first time so many pac aging events took place in so many cities, said outreach founder Floyd Hammer. “We were so pleased to collaborate with Boosterthon to engage volunteers in fun events that feed hungry people in their communities. We were honored to be included and a part of this giveback day and want to thank Boosterthon and all of the students nationwide who ran thousands of laps to raise money for these meals. We appreciate their compassion and desire to make a difference,” Hammer said. Boosterthon raises funds for schools across America while offering students a fitness, leadership and character education program. Throughout its 16 -year history, Boosterthon has raised more than $ 155 million for schools. For more information about the “A Million Students Strong” event, visit facebook.com/Boosterthon. – S ubmitted by H annah Kersh .
280Living.com
July 2017 • A27
Officials eye ways to reshape New Beginnings B y JO
A student in the New Beginnings program at Hoover High School works on his laptop while sitting on a bean bag in the classroom set aside for students who temporarily need smaller, more focused learning environments. Photo by Jon Anderson.
N A N D ER S O N
oover school officials say they re ta ing steps to improve the ew eginnings program for students with special challenges who need smaller, more focused learning environments. his past school year, the program was changed when it moved bac to oover and pain ar high schools after the rossroads alternative school on the former erry igh chool campus was sold to the estavia ills school board. Instead of having live teachers for core classes, the vast majority of instruction for ew eginnings students moved online, with students watching videos and ta ing multiple-choice tests. ome students reported they li ed being on the regular high school campus because it gave them a chance to participate in things they otherwise could not, such as electives and advanced classes. ut other students said they needed a real teacher teaching the lessons, li e they had before. he online instruction was not effective, and it was too easy for students to cheat, they said. lus, some students complained that being bac on their base campus defeated the purpose for them being in ew eginnings in the first place that they needed a smaller learning environment away from the main campus. nna hitney, who was principal of the rossroads chool and still oversees both the econd hance disciplinary program and optional ew eginnings program, and immons iddle chool rincipal rian ain, who formerly was principal at the rossroads chool, told the oover school board recently that some students face barriers that ma e it hard to function in regular school environments. hey may suffer from separation an iety after losing a parent or face mental, emotional or physical disorders, including depression, an iety disorders, eating disorders, self-harm or drug addictions.
etting an education while facing those issues can be difficult, and such students may need e tra help and redirection temporarily to get bac on trac , ain said. p to percent of children in the . . show signs of a mental disorder, and nearly percent won t get the help they need, hitney said. aving a mental illness and not being emotionally safe at a given time in their life it s not a choice that people ma e, and it s not a moral failing,” hitney said. It s just something that happens, and it happens to ids.” uperintendent athy urphy said some changes made with ew eginnings this past year wor ed well, and some didn t. he as ed a committee headed by hitney and ain to recommend improvements. he committee recommended and urphy agreed they should, for the immediate future, leave the ew eginnings program at the base schools and add more academic support, counseling and intervention services. hitney said students need a sense of
belonging they may not get with their digital curriculum. e need to put more humans in there to help these ids,” she said. very student needs that one adult who believes in them, that cares if they come to school, that cares how they re doing,” hitney said. e thin that is so important for our at-ris ids.” urphy said instead of having one uncertified teacher s aide supervise the ew eginnings students at each school, the district will put one certified teacher, who also has a counseling degree, in the room with them. chool officials also will try to find ways to get more teachers in the core academic subjects to spend time with ew eginnings students as needed and see ways to blend online learning with live teaching, urphy said. team of counselors also is evaluating what more can be done to support students emotionally, she said. or the long term, the committee recommended school officials study the feasibility of
creating and sustaining an off-campus location where they ta e the best parts of what s wor ing now and the best parts of what s wor ed in the past and ma e it wor for the ids in the future,” ain said. urphy said school officials eyed the former inn- i ie shopping center near the intersection of Interstate and ohn aw ins ar way as a site for the rossroads programs, a career tech academy or fine arts academy. owever, they were not able to agree on a price, she said. hey ll continue loo ing, she said. mma oines, a ew eginnings student who graduated from pain ar igh chool in ay, said she hopes both the short-term and long-term changes are made. he ew eginnings program is life-changing, but she feels li e some people have devalued it and cast the students aside, she said. hese ids deserve more than that,” she said. urphy said school officials will continue to have conversations about improving the program. e want to get this right,” she said.
A28 • July 2017
280 Living
COMPACT 2020
CONTINUED from page A1 initiative that launched last July as a way to combat drug use and addition in the area. While Compact 2 02 0 started with equal focus on three operating divisions — administration, education and communications for community and in-school education; a tactical unit for information that could lead to drug arrests; and a compliance unit to work with individuals in the court system — they started learning they might not be intervening early enough, Miller said. “We started with community supervision of drug court participants,” Miller said. “Over time, those participants helped us to realiz e that we were not intervening early enough to prevent addiction and the tragedies that too often flow from substance abuse.” Most individuals who were already in the court system said their substance abuse started when they were teenagers, Miller said, so Compact 2 02 0 started shifting focus toward schools and helping individuals in that demographic. It s a very difficult age group to police,” iller said. It s difficult to infiltrate. hen you’re dealing with substance crimes, drug crimes, you typically use informants or undercover police, things like that. Those are avenues of approach that are not available to us.” hrough school resource officers and other law enforcement resources, including checking social media accounts that show off drugs or drug use, ompact identifies at-ris ” students, validates the information they have received and reach out to parents. “We present them with a wide array of options and resources, but we primarily want to let the parents know that their child is using mind-altering substances that all too often lead to addiction or death,” Miller said. Previously, law enforcement would have to hold onto this information unless the individual was “holding” — in possession of drugs — and could be arrested. “It just seemed like a much better idea to take the information we have and get it into the
“
Investigator Christine Swann works with Kelly, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. Kelly assists the team in locating any hidden drugs. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.
We present them with a wide array of options and resources, but we primarily want to let the parents know that their child is using mind-altering substances that all too often lead to addiction or death.
parents’ hands,” Miller said. Alerting parents also helps break down former fears or views of law enforcement as the opposition. Because parents can get help for their child without fearing they will be arrested or face criminal charges, they are more likely to come forward with information in the future, Miller said. E ven though they had no suspicions or knowledge of their son’s drug use, John and
Jill Smith said they didn’t question what Miller said. “They had hard evidence,” said Jill Smith, whose name has also been changed. “There was no arguing it, and the way that he presented the information, I felt he was very gentle.” The Smiths confronted their son, who was a high school senior at the time, a few days before Christmas. “He admitted to contacting drug dealers
”
ALAN MILLER
to buy something for a friend,” John Smith said, who said his son had been using pills and smoking marijuana. “So he admitted to a half-truth. … Alan’s story was totally different from what our son had told us, so there was a lot more. And we fully believed [ Miller] of course. We were shocked, disappointed and willing to do whatever we could with Alan.” He even offered up his son’s phone in case
280Living.com
July 2017 • A29
While drug overdose deaths have decreased since 2015, that does not mean drug use has decreased, said Compact 2020 Director Alan Miller. Graphic courtesy of Compact 2020.
Members of the Compact 2020 drug task force gather for a meeting June 13 at the Shelby County Services Building.
Miller needed it for evidence, John Smith said. After Miller’s initial contact, he spoke with the Smiths about resource options for their son. He provided contact information for Bradford Health Services, a drug rehabilitation clinic; offered to send a drug dog to their house and took their son on a trip to drug court. “He talked to him and gave him a very real world wake-up call,” John Smith said. “I think this is the healthiest warning you can get without being in the orange jumpsuit in trouble,” Jill Smith said. The week after Christmas, their son started treatment at Bradford, just a few days after the issue was brought to the Smith’s attention. “As a Christian, I can see God’s timing in all of this because I can see how everything fell into place,” Jill Smith said. “[ Our son] was at a crossroads. He had to choose.” While working with Compact 2 02 0 provided resources for treatment and counseling and
to the emergence of Compact 2020 last July,” Miller said during the June Hoover Chamber of Commerce luncheon. “I’m concerned that what we’re actually seeing there is an increase of Narcan administrations.” Narcan is a prescription drug that can stop and reverse the effects of opiates, preventing overdose deaths. Paramedics and police are now able to carry the drug and administer it on scene, which might be what led to fewer recorded deaths, Miller said. When parents are confronted with the information Compact 2020 can provide, sometimes they are shocked and hesitant to start treatment for their child, Miller said. E ven if it takes a few days to process, however, he said they normally agree to utiliz e some of the resources for their child. As families go through the program, Miller said he has seen a difference for those with strong parenting and a good foundation. “E very parent wants this to be over quickly,
helped intervene before their son was arrested, the Smiths said it also opened their eyes to the realities of drug use in their community. “The drug problem is so much worse that I would have ever imagined,” John Smith said. “My son told me that it’s much easier to get marijuana than it is to get alcohol at school.” “Also, having Alan say this affects the whole community [ helped] ,” Jill Smith added. “It doesn’t matter your gender, your religion, your age. … I think it’s way more rampant than we realiz ed. People don’t talk about it in general, when your kids are struggling or your family is struggling, people don’t talk about it.” In 2 015, there were 57 overdose deaths in and around Shelby County. That number has decreased during the past two years — to 3 6 in 2 016 and to 10 so far in 2 017 — but Miller said that does not mean drug use has decreased. “I would love to be able to stand up here and tell you the reduction of these deaths is due
and it all depends on how long your child has been using,” Miller said. “And if it’s addiction, more than likely you’re dealing with a lifelong issue.” Their son wen through a multi-month intensive program at Bradford but was able to stay home throughout the process, for which Jill Smith said she was grateful. The journey was a tough road, she said, but Compact 2020 “guided our footsteps, to know what the next right thing was for every little phase,” and their son has come out of treatment back on the right back. “I think he’s learned at this point that his story can help others,” she said. “I think that makes the experience overall have value, if his story can be used to encourage and to help someone else.” “He’s graduated, he’s alive, he’s going to college and he’s still got his job,” John Smith said. “He’s doing well, plus his attitude has really changed.”
A30 • July 2017
280 Living
HAMMERS
CONTINUED from page A1 The whistle blew: kickoff. McQ ueen, a 2 014 Oak Mountain High School graduate, cycled up and down the left sideline in the game’s early stages, moving with the flow of the match. Over the course of the night, two other Oak Mountain alumni joined him on the pitch. D .J. Jackson, class of 2010, substituted in midway through the first half when a teammate sustained an injury. Christian Adkins, class of 2012, provided a jolt upon his entrance in the 55th minute. But those three players aren’t the only former E agles who have found a summer home with the ammers, irmingham s flagship semi-professional soccer team. Six Oak Mountain soccer alumni and both current varsity head coaches sprinkle the squad’s 2017 roster in some form or fashion. In total, nearly a quarter of the team consists of players with ties to the E agles’ program. “The fact that we have people going on to play in college and then coming back to play for their hometown team, I thin that spea s volumes about the program itself and the character that we try to build,” said Adkins, who joined the ammers in after finishing his career at the U niversity of West Alabama. Oak Mountain’s high standard trickles from top to bottom. Adkins now serves as an assistant coach at his high school alma mater, where he works alongside his new teammate, head boys coach D an D eMasters. At 3 1, D eMasters is the oldest member of the Hammers’ 2017 roster, but that doesn’t bother him. He labels the opportunity to play semi-professionally a dream come true.” e asters tried out for the ammers inaugural team in 2 015, but the coaching staff at the time denied him a spot. For the past two years, he doubted he’d be given another shot. “I never ever thought I’d bring the boots back and take them down from being hung up,” he said. D eMasters channeled his competitive energy into coaching, and his agles captured their first of three consecutive Class 7A state titles in the
From left: Keegan McQueen, Chandler Stroupe, D.J. Jackson, Chris Blight, Bradley Louis, Dan DeMasters, Kennedy Davis and Christian Adkins all have ties to the Oak Mountain High School soccer programs. Apart from Blight, the current varsity girls coach, and DeMasters, the current varsity boys coach, everyone else is an Eagle soccer alum. Blight is an assistant coach for the Hammers, while DeMasters has reunited with his former players on the pitch. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.
spring of 20 15. U ntil earlier this year, he had satisfied his itch to play by hopping in a Mountain practices. Chris Blight revived D eMasters’ hopes of trading the sidelines for playing time. light completed his first season as the a Mountain head girls coach in May. But before he arrived at the school, he worked for two years as a graduate assistant with the Auburn niversity- ontgomery men s soccer team. As fate would have it, the AU M head coach, Wulf K och, was named the Hammers’ new coach late last year. K och offered Blight
a position as an assistant, and he accepted unequivocally. “As soon as he gave me the call,” Blight said, “I knew I wanted to do it.” D eMasters expressed similar eagerness when light only half-jo ingly encouraged him to come out for the team. In ebruary, e asters performed well enough at an open tryout to catch och s attention. he two had a pre-e isting relationship since three former E agles signed with AU M in 2 016 , and K och pulled D eMasters aside after the audition to gauge his interest. Would he seriously consider playing in
a semi-pro league anchored by college athletes e asters replied affirmatively and in pril received confirmation that he had made the squad. He brought his boots out of retirement. “I might be the old guy, but to be a part of the team is just a special thing personally for me,” D eMasters said. “It’s an experience I’m not taking for granted.” Neither are the guys who coach with him at Oak Mountain — Adkins and Blight — or those who have played for him: McQ ueen, Bradley Louis and, most recently, K ennedy D avis. handler troupe is the final ammer with
280Living.com
July 2017 • A31
Above: D.J. Jackson graduated from Oak Mountain in 2010 before playing club soccer at Auburn University. He is the oldest Eagles alum on the Hammers’ 2017 roster. Left: Christian Adkins, a 2012 Oak Mountain graduate and current varsity boys assistant, is spending his second season with the Hammers.
Oak Mountain ties, but he graduated in 2 013 and missed D eMasters’ arrival by one season. McQ ueen and Louis played on D eMasters’ first a ountain team in . his fall, both will be seniors on the West Alabama soccer team. Like D eMasters, McQ ueen is a Hammers rookie, while Louis is a seasoned veteran. He earned a spot on the inaugural roster in 2 015 and has played each summer since. Louis said the biggest adjustment he’s had to ma e is calling e asters by his first name instead of calling him coach” li e he did at Oak Mountain.
avis, a forward, has yet to reach that point, since D eMasters actually was his coach less than two months ago. he recent a ountain graduate, who was named the 2017 Gatorade labama layer of the ear, began practicing with the ammers a couple of wee s after he helped propel his E agles to the 2 017 state crown. In June, he was promoted by K och to the Hammers’ active roster. It s always good to play with a ountain guys,” said avis, who will don a artmouth niversity jersey this fall. I m just grateful for the opportunity.”
His surprise call-up was created by both skill and circumstance. D avis impressed at practices, and a few other ammers developed injuries. e asters, a central midfielder, was one of them. e tore a ligament in his injury-prone right nee after absorbing a slide tackle against the Chivas U -2 3 team on Memorial D ay. D eMasters required two surgeries on the same nee when he played for illanova niversity in the mids. he latest blow, which he casts as the price of getting old,” was projected to sideline him for two to si wee s.
U ntil he heals, D eMasters mans the bench during matches, a gray golf shirt embla oned with the No. 2 having replaced his jersey. He offers up wisdom as he watches the a ountain boys sei e their semi-pro chances. Few high school teams send as many players — or coaches — to this elevated level. At Oak Mountain, it has become the norm. If you love the game of soccer, continuing your career is honestly not that difficult of a decision to ma e,” ouis said. If you have that ability, which a lot of us if not all of us at a ountain do, it s just the ne t step.”
280 Living neighborly news & entertainment
SECTION
B JULY 2017
Sports B4 Community B16 Opinion B19 Faith B23
4TH OF JULY SALE NOW! BIG SAVINGS AND FREE GIFTS STOREWIDE!
Calendar B25
Liberty Park’s ‘700 acres’ headed for multipurpose development An aerial rendering of project plans for iberty ark’s acres’ adjacent to the new HealthSouth headquarters. Rendering courtesy of Shawn Arterburn.
Long-term plan includes retail, residential, commercial spaces B y EM I LY F EA TH ER S TO N In the coming years, developers are hoping to make Liberty Park a one-stop-shop where anyone can live, work, play and everything in between. Starting later this summer, one of the largest remaining projects for iberty ar will finally get underway as another part of the master plan begins to take shape. The area known as the “7 00 acres,” adjacent to the new HealthSouth headquarters under construction and in the northwest sector of the development, will begin getting some of the amenities that Shawn Arterburn — Liberty Park Joint V enture’s vice president of development — said residents have been long awaiting. “Our long-term plan is to diversify our product mix at Liberty Park,” Arterburn said. The 700 acres is slated to include a variety of new retail and commercial spaces, as well as additional dense residential offerings such as condominiums and townhomes. In Liberty Park, Arterburn said, the goal is to offer a master-planned community with residential, commercial and recreational options. “And right now you can do a lot of working and a lot of living, but it’s time to add the component of play,” he said. The development will eventually include a “town village,” where there will be condominiums above mixed-use retail, as well as a grocery store. Arterburn said over the next few years they hope to be able to offer more
than100,000 square feet of retail space, with even more office space available. In the closings months of 2 017 , he said, they hope to see the opening of a gas station, as well as some of the initial retail options and a barand-grill restaurant. As 2 018 gets underway, Arterburn said, work on additional retail space, townhomes and condominiums will commence as the project makes its way toward the farthest section of the 700 a cres, where the town village will be. “It’s going to be exciting times,” he said.
Arterburn said the details for the development, such as which grocer or restaurants will be filling the spaces, are still being wor ed out, but that so far residents have shown support for the development. “We had positive reviews,” he said after the development was discussed at the annual homeowners’ association meeting. “Lots of questions, lots of concerns that hopefully were addressed. I think unanimous excitement over something they’ve all been hoping for.” To make accessing the amenities more
convenient, Arterburn said, Liberty Parkway will be widened to four lanes in the area around the development. When that time comes, he said, Liberty Park residents should check their HOA pages and those who frequent the area can likely look for updates from the city’s Facebook page. “There’s no doubt in my mind that if you can work here, live here, play here and go to school, all in one masterful planned community ... I don’t know how you can compete with or beat it,” he said.
B2 • July 2017
280 Living
Your Health Today By Dr. Irma Leon Palmer
Back in 19 9 2 , the U .S. D epartment of Agriculture published the first food pyramid. t that time, we were convinced that grains, wheat, pasta, cereal, processed foods and margarine were the foundational nutrients” needed to produce good health. Not only has it changed numerous times since, but there has also been an abundance of research invalidating it. In fact, numerous well-respected e perts have written boo s and produced research revealing the alarming, health deteriorating effects of the first food pyramid. he obvious outcome has been our nation’s health rapidly declining and the pyramid constantly changing. As a result, this has created lots of confusion about what are the real” nutritional habits one needs to follow to sustain health and our waistline. adly, for many followers of the standard merican diet and lifestyle, there was weight gain and health problems. his lead to increase use of medications to manage symptoms and diet programs to lose weight. o one wanted to address the food pyramid as the common denominator. Therefore, the rate of obesity and top killers such as diabetes, heart disease, l heimer s and cancer have continued to rise then and now. owever, there is good news of how to address these health conditions because these conditions have something significant in common they all are rooted in resistance to insulin and leptin (a hormone made by adipose cells that helps regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger). In other words, the underlying problem is metabolic dysfunction that develops because of consuming too many net carbohydrates total carbs minus fiber and or protein. Sugars found in processed foods and grains are the
The K eto B rief
primary culprits, and the standard American diet is loaded with both. nce you develop insulin and leptin resistance, it triggers biochemical reactions that not only make your body hold on to fat, but also produce inflammation and cellular damage as well. herefore, whether you re struggling with weight and or chronic health issues, the treatment protocols are the same. gain, this is good news, as it significantly simplifies your approach to improving your health. asically, you won t need a different set of strategies to address each condition. In short, by optimiz ing your metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunction the part of our cells that are essential in converting food to energy you set yourself on the path to better health. To correct these metabolic imbalances, our lifestyle and nutritional diet is key! he newest recommendation by the e perts in nutrition and metabolic disorders is the ketogenic diet. Nutritional etosis involves eating a high- uality, high-fat diet that is low in net carbohydrates. ccording to e perts, it may be one of the most useful interventions for many chronic diseases, including obesity and ype diabetes. he ey to success on a high-fat diet is to eat high- uality healthy fats, not the fats most commonly found in the merican diet processed fats and vegetable oils used in processed foods and fried restaurant meals). asically, the etosis eating style focuses solemnly on consuming a diet full of healthy fats and proteins first. hen, the vegetables, minimal dairy, berries, nuts and seeds with little-to-no carbohydrates and sugar. pecifically, what the etogenic diet does is switch the
body from burning glucose to burning fat. ence, why this diet consists of higher uantities of healthy fat and protein inta e with little-to-no carbohydrates. When the body burns fat, it produces ketone bodies that are used as fuel. When ketones are the primary source of fuel for the body, this is nown as being in etosis. urning fat for fuel is called lipolysis, in which fatty acids and glycerol molecules are moved from fat cells and metaboli ed to generate energy. In the past and even today, we are educated that we need carbs, a a glucose, as our primary source of fuel. ow, it s ma ing more sense to burn healthy fat as fuel. evertheless, a simple way to ease into a etogenic diet is to begin with a -to- ratio of healthy fats to net carbs, plus protein. ome good food suggestions are avocados, coconut oil, almond butter, wild-caught fish, grass-fed meat, free-range poultry, uinoa, wild rice, vegetables, berries and high-fat nuts. ertain drinks are almond milk, coconut milk, coffee, organic tea and coconut water. or the past two decades, I have been educating and encouraging the ig ifestyle and how significant that lifestyle is to live a long, healthy life. his article is a brief synopsis of what the eto diet is, and how it wor s. owever, before you consider this new eating style, I encourage you to get an organi ed plan and become nowledgeable about this topic. urthermore, we can educate you about this at hiropractic oday. e t month, art II will be a more detailed orientation about the diet itself and how fasting to reset your metabolism wor s.
280Living.com
July 2017 • B3
B4 • July 2017
280 Living
Sports 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR
YEAR IN REVIEW
Area schools rack up state titles B y K YLE P A R M LEY For anyone who keeps tabs on sports at any level, but particularly at the high school stage, it’s very easy to transition from one season to the next without batting an eye. Football, volleyball and cross-country season in the fall quickly transitions to basketball, indoor track and wrestling in the winter, and before you can blink, spring sports roar into action like a lion. With everything that goes on throughout the school year, there’s often not time for reflection. ell, take a moment to do that now. The high school athletic teams in the 2 80 Living coverage area put together a year filled with lasting memories and noteworthy performances. With the fall comes football, and all four local teams advanced to the playoffs. U nfortunately for Spain Park, Chelsea and Oak Mountain, their stay in the postseason was a short one. First
round losses for each ended the season prematurely, but allowed all eyes to shift to the great run Briarwood put together in Class 5A. After a season-opening loss to Chelsea, the Lions decided that whole losing thing wasn’t for them, and strung together 12 victories in a row, rolling all the way to the semifinals. Briarwood and Oak Mountain made their way to the state volleyball tournament, with the E agles doing so in dramatic fashion, knocking off Bob Jones in five sets at regionals. helsea had one of its best seasons in school history and advanced to regionals. Spain Park exceeded expectations but fell victim to a tough area. The Westminster-Oak Mountain girls cross-country team, led by aggie oaglund, won its first state title, something the boys outdoor track and field team would also accomplish in the spring. In basketball, the Westminster-Oak Mountain girls made it all the way to
Briarwood players celebrate after defeating Mortimer Jordan in a Class 5A, third round playoff game on Nov. 18. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
the inal our in just the school s fifth year with a varsity team. Also present in Birmingham was Spain Park’s girls team. The Lady Jags went on a magical run through the postseason. Claire Holt spurred a big comeback in regionals against Gadsden City, scored at the buz z er to send the game to overtime, and scored 3 2 points in the regional final against rissom. allory u e hit a big -pointer in the semifinal, and Sarah Ashlee Barker sent the state final against oover, no less to overtime with a 3 -pointer. Although Hoover prevailed, the Lady Jags’ season was one to remember. Chelsea’s girls basketball team nearly upset state semifinalist
Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa in the sub-regional round, as the Hornets also posted one of the program’s best seasons to date. Briarwood’s boys also advanced to sub-regionals. On the baseball diamond, Chelsea and Oak Mountain advanced deep into the postseason. Briarwood had a phenomenal year but faced a tough matchup with eventual state runner-up Faith Academy in the second round. On the golf course, Spain Park’s girls put on a great display to beat Hoover and win the state championship. Briarwood’s young boys golf team advanced to state and impressed with a third place finish. On the soccer pitch, there was much to be proud of. Oak Mountain boys and
Chelsea and Briarwood girls all took home state titles. Briarwood’s boys advanced to the finals and a ountain s girls got to the semifinals. Chelsea and Spain Park each made valiant efforts in the softball state tournament, and Spain Park’s girls tennis team finished second at state to a juggernaut Mountain Brook team. Oak Mountain’s girls lacrosse team won the GBYLA title. All in all, the area is not longing for success. So take a minute to remember what those student-athletes accomplished in the 2 016 -17 school year, because before you know it, football, volleyball and cross-country will begin again.
280Living.com
July 2017 • B5
Hoover Softball Association awards 5 scholarships
Local players recognized by ASWA B y K YLE P A R M LEY The Alabama Sports Writers Association recently announced its all-state high school baseball and softball teams, featuring a bevy of local talent garnering postseason recognition. Spain Park’s Mary K atherine Tedder, who was a finalist for the labama atorade Softball Player of the Year and an NFCA All-American in 2 016 , was named the ASWA Class 7 A player of the year after hitting .46 0 with nine home runs and 57 R BIs on the season, as the Texas signee helped lead the ags to a third-place finish at the state tournament. lso included on the first team were two more Spain Park standouts. Annabelle idra, an eighth-grade pitcher who baffled hitters all season, posted a 3 6 -6 record and 1.2 2 E R A with 2 7 2 strikeouts. Jenna Olsz ews i was a first-teamer as well, as the uburn signee registered 6 4 hits and 47 R BIs on the year. Oak Mountain seniors Abby Jones and O’Neil R oberson were named to the second team after leading the E agles to a regional berth. assady reenwood and pain ar s Caroline Parker were named honorable mention. In , helsea s llie iller made the first team for the Hornets, as the speedy shortstop stole 3 3 bases and hit for a .456 clip with 6 8 hits and 6 4 runs scored. Pitcher Sarah Cespedes picked up second team honors with her sub-2 .00 E R A and 16 0 strikeouts on the year. Camryn Smith and Brooke Burback were honorable mention. Briarwood’s Lydia Coleman and R iley Coyne were named honorable mention in Class 5A. On the baseball side, Oak Mountain’s E than Holsombeck was named to the Class first team, while riarwood s arson ddy was a first-teamer in . a ountain also placed ene urst on the second team and third baseman JJ
eslie
orris. Photos by Kyle Parmley.
The Hoover Softball Association scholarship committee and the HSA board awarded $ 7 ,500 in scholarships this year to Hoover and Spain Park high school senior softball players. From Hoover, Leslie Norris and Caroline Hart were awarded scholarships. Caroline Parker, Mary K atherine Tedder and Mary K ate Teague earned scholarships from Spain Park. Scholarship awards are based on years played at HSA, community service, academic performance, a submitted essay, parent participation in HSA, and other softball achievements. HSA is a Hoover-based recreational softball program. HSA’s annual scholarship program is sponsored by HSA and a partnership with the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Birmingham. – S ubmitted by J oh n P arker.
Caroline Hart
Mary
atherine Tedder
ak Mountain’s Ethan Holsombeck was named to the Class rst team. Photo by Todd Lester.
McD onald on the honorable mention list. For Chelsea, Jacob Burback made the second team in 6 A, with Clay D eWeese garnering honorable mention recognition. Briarwood’s Sam Strickland and Cole Steadman made the 5A second team.
Mary
ate Teague
Caroline arker
B6 • July 2017
280 Living
Sisterly LOVE
Carmyn Greenwood is a rising sophomore at Auburn. Her rst career hit was a big one, as her walk-off single on Feb. 16 gave her team the win. Photo courtesy of Dakota Sumpter/Auburn Athletics.
B y K YLE P A R M LEY
Cassady reenwood’s walk-off home run against Hoover gave Oak Mountain a comeback win. She just completed her junior season at Oak Mountain. Photo by Kyle Parmley.
T
he Greenwood sisters are establishing a pattern, one that involves getting walk-off hits to lead their respective teams to victory, then finding their cellphones as soon as possible. It first happened eb. with uburn playing I - dwardsville. Carmyn Greenwood stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning with runners on second and third base, and the freshman ripped the ball to the center field wall, lifting her team to a walk-off victory. he hit was armyn reenwood s first of her college career, as she recently completed her freshmen season playing softball at uburn niversity. “Coach (Clint Myers) talked to me and said, since there was a runner in scoring position, he just needed me to hit a ground ball,” armyn reenwood said. e wanted me to see a ball down and hit a hard ground ball.” he didn t get it on the ground, but the line drive that onehopped the fence more than got the job done and allowed the celebration to ensue after the team s - win. It was a great feeling,” armyn reenwood said. ac home, assady reenwood said she had uit watching the game, because her superstitious nature which she said she inherited from her dad forced her to turn the game off because uburn was struggling. he uic ly realiz ed what had happened after her mom began shrieking with joy on the other side of the house. I was so proud,” said the younger sister. I can t even e plain how proud I was.” nce the postgame festivities died down, a flood of te t messages and a ace ime video chat followed. I didn t get to tal to her till late because she was getting interviewed and everything,” assady reenwood said. D etermined to not let her older sister have the entire spotlight, Cassady Greenwood decided to match the feat March , when she led her a ountain igh chool team to victory. assady reenwood led off a four-run seventh inning with a single, as a ountain came bac to tie the game against oover, but she made a bigger mar in the eighth. eading off the inning once again, she was trying to do the same thing, but ended up with something much better to show for it. I just told myself, ine drive, do the same thing as you did last time, ” assady reenwood said. he did hit the line drive, but one so hard that it flew over the fence in right field for a wal -off home run, sending the agles bench into a fren y. ow I now how armyn felt because armyn had so many big hits at a ountain ,” assady reenwood said. I got the wal -off home run, and it felt ama ing. I was so happy that I did that for my team. It was an amaz ing feeling going around the bases and seeing my whole team waiting on me at the plate.” aturally, as soon as the game ended, a ace ime connection was made between the two sisters. I ace imed her right after the game, so everybody got to say hey to her, because everybody misses her,” said assady
reenwood. he was in study hall, so she was whispering the whole time. ut she was really proud of me, too.” ven outside their softball heroics, the video chat technology has allowed the sisters to foster their relationship even after armyn reenwood went to college. fter growing up in the same house, their new distance between each other has created a need to wear out the ace ime button on their iPhones. I thought it would affect us a lot,” armyn reenwood said. ut we probably ace ime every day. It s honestly gotten us closer, because we understand how much we miss each other.” Cassady Greenwood calls Carmyn Greenwood the “perfect big sister and best friend,” although she admitted the two fight more than best friends probably should. he two played three years together on a ountain s varsity team, as Cassady Greenwood began playing with the team as an eighth-grader, while Carmyn Greenwood was a sophomore.
oing to uburn after her days at a ountain was a no-brainer for armyn reenwood, but assady reenwood struggled for a period of time to find that school she felt at peace with. he was certainly a good enough catcher to attract plenty of interest from ivision I colleges, but it too awhile to find the place that she could call home. “I went to a lot of different places, went on a lot of different visits, and I could never really find the right medium between a small school and a big school,” assady reenwood said. he sought advice from armyn reenwood, who encouraged her to be patient. nd once she found that perfect balance at the niversity of ouisville, she new it immediately. hances are, once assady reenwood gets to ouisville, she will dial up her sister on ace ime for advice on adjusting to college life. ut until then and potentially a few years after that, they will continue to celebrate their softball heroics from afar, via video chat, more proud of the other than either would admit.
280Living.com
July 2017 • B7
B8 • July 2017
280 Living
The Spain Park girls golf team celebrates before receiving the Class 7A championship trophy at the Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course on May 16. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.
Jags capture blue Spain Park girls golf team wins state title over crosstown foe B y K YLE P A R M LEY There is no telling when the surreal nature of the moment will set in for the Spain Park High School girls golf team. After winning the Class 7 A state championship May 15-16 at the R obert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course in Opelika — edging crosstown rival Hoover by six strokes (445451) — Spain Park players took turns holding the wooden trophy outlined with the borders of the state of Alabama. Looks of wonderment, amaz ement and sheer giddiness adorned the faces of the ladies who carved up the golf course better than any other team. “What is this thing? ” senior Mary K ate Horton kept asking aloud incredulously, while
doing the first thing teenagers thin to do broadcast the accomplishment on social media. Horton certainly knew what that “thing” was, because she had dreamed of holding it for four years and even took a chance for this season, her final one at pain ar . hroughout the season, she told stories of forgoing the opportunity to purchase a class ring because she had bigger plans for her finger a state championship ring. Was it worth it? Totally. “The fact that we’ve been short all four years and finally did it was really special, especially in mine and Jordan (Susce)’s senior year. Going out like this was awesome,” Horton said. D oz ens of poses were concocted for photo opportunities with the blue map, the new center
of attention. Happy tears were shed. Coach K elly Holland’s face showed a combination of pride, affection and joy for the girls she watched reach their final destination. “I’m really proud of them,” Holland said. “They’re so close, they’re such good friends, they work so hard together, and I told them they deserve this. I told them that if they played their best, their best would be good enough. It turned out to be a really good team effort. E veryone had to do their part.” pain ar shot as a team on the first day, led by 7 0 from Susce and 7 2 from Caroline Waldrop, which paced Hoover by eight strokes (2 2 6 ). Spain Park didn’t follow up with its best the next day, as it shot a 2 2 7 to Hoover’s 2 2 5, but it was still enough to take home the title. Horton shot a 7 4, followed by 7 6 from Waldrop, 7 7 from Susce and 84 from freshman Marilyn Steed. Susce and Horton are heading off to play college golf at the U niversity of Louisville and Samford U niversity, respectively, and ending their high school careers on the high note was special. “It was fun and I enjoyed it,” Susce said. “We had some rough patches, but it was all worth it, and I’m so glad we got it done today.” e ll miss them, most definitely,” olland said. “Good leadership. This was probably the best team we’ve ever had top to bottom (Spain Park won its only other state championship in 2 009 ). They’ve just kept improving and kept
this group together. This is what we were trying to do.” Waldrop, a Western K entucky U niversity commit, will be back to go for the repeat but realiz es what this year’s team had was special. I ve been on this team for five years and coming up short every year has really, really stunk,” she said. “Now we’re here, and now all my seniors are leaving me, and I’m really sad about it. But it means we actually got something done as a team, we all had each others’ backs.” D uring the last three weeks of the season, Spain Park and Hoover traded blows. Spain Park edged out Hoover in the section tournament at Greystone Country Club, while Hoover took top honors at the sub-state tournament at Canebrake Club in Athens. But the Jags won the most important one the state title. At the section tournament, Susce was the low medalist, as she edged out Waldrop with a 6 6 to Waldrop’s 6 7 . Horton shot a 7 4 on the day for the third Jag team score. Caroline McCabe shot 7 9 that day to qualify for sub-state as an individual. Steed shot 86 . At sub-state, Hoover clipped Spain Park by three strokes. Hoover carded a 2 16 on the strength of 7 0s from seniors Julie Baker and Mychael O’Berry, good enough for both to make the all-tournament team. Spain Park scored a 2 19 , led Susce’s 6 8, once again good enough for the low medalist. Horton wrapped up her day with a 7 4, followed by Waldrop’s . teed finished at .
Left: Senior Mary Kate Horton is shown in the state tournament. Right: Senior Jordan Susce, right, embraces teammate Caroline Waldrop after the state tournament.
280Living.com
July 2017 • B9
B10 • July 2017
280 Living
CHS’ Edwards pleased with performance at national trials
Junior Matthew Herritt takes a shot during the Alabama High School Athletic ssociation’s Class 5A state golf tournament in May at Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course in Opelika. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
B y K YLE P A R M LEY
Lions impress at state golf tournament B y K YLE P A R M LEY The Briarwood Christian School boys golf team had a chance to bring home a trophy, but was ultimately denied despite a valiant effort at the state tournament May 15-16. he ions were sitting pretty after the first round of the Class 5A state tournament at the R obert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course in Opelika, deadlocked with Guntersville in a tie for second, after both teams registered scores of 329 on M onday. But Tuesday was a slightly different story, as Guntersville’s Paul Bruce improved on his performance from the day before and carded a round of 72, e ven par. “Guntersville had one of their guys have a big day today,” Briarwood coach Jim Brown said afterward. “That was really the difference. Overall, we played a little bit better than we did yesterday.” untersville finished with a on uesday and a two-day total of 6 44. Briarwood was two strokes better than Monday’s performance, and the Lions’ 327 wrapped them up at 656.
t. aul was the class of the field, shooting a 603 f or the tournament. rown said that four of riarwood s five golfers had never played a round at the R TJ course prior to this week, meaning they adapted to the new surroundings well and were in the hunt until the end. “It’s a big venue, with a lot of folks and a lot of activity,” Brown said. “Overall, I thought our guys played pretty well.” E ighth-grader Andrew McCary led the ions on the first day with his . unior atthew erritt shot an , with eighth-grader lade c raw coming in at . enior pencer ussell carded an , and freshman ooper levins finished at . c raw and ussell improved on their scores for Tuesday, shooting a 75 a nd 79, respectively. E ven with how young the Lions are, they impressed this season and gained valuable experience for the future. “It’s always big, because they get a feel for what it’s like and see these guys picking up these trophies and it gives them something to shoot for,” Brown said.
Michaella E dwards now has tangible proof that she is considered one of the top basketball players amongst girls of the same age across the country. E dwards, a rising junior at Chelsea High School, was recently one of 133 girls to compete for a spot on the U SA Basketball U 16 national team. She traveled to the U nited States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and took part in the May 25- 29 t rials. From that group, 12 were kept to be part of the team that won gold in the FIBA Americas championship in Argentina June 11. The trials consisted of extensive drills and exposed the players to drills that would likely be used at college and professional levels of basketball. There were also scrimmage opportunities in the latter portion of the trials, and E dwards was pleased with how she stacked up with the competition. “I feel like I did pretty well,” she said. “I’m definitely not far behind them. hose are the best people in my grade in the entire nation, and I would say that I can keep up with them and play with them.” E dwards did not learn of her acceptance until a month prior to leaving, which caused some anxiety. “I was so excited but I got really nervous because I didn’t know I was going to go up there until like a month out,” she said. E ven being behind on the training and conditioning curve compared to some of the other participants, she enjoyed her experience
Chelsea’s Michaella Edwards was invited to the USA Basketball U16 national team trials in Colorado on May 25-29. Photo courtesy of USA Basketball.
— one that has left her with a desire to get back to the same stage next year and with a new goal. “I want to make the team next year,” E dwards said. “I’ve come back and I’ve already started training for it. I want to go back next year and make the team.” Chelsea had one of its best seasons in school history last season, and E dwards hopes that her time playing with the best the country has to offer will only help the Lady Hornets. “I think that me going up there is going to be able to help the team,” she said. “We know the level we need to be at to succeed.”
280Living.com
July 2017 • B11
Chelsea baseball, softball have strong postseason showings B y K YLE P A R M LEY The Chelsea High School baseball and softball teams each made strong postseason showings in the spring. The baseball team advanced to the lass uarterfinals, while the softball team played in the state tournament for the second consecutive season. The softball team took to Montgomery’s Lagoon Park on May 17 -18 and finished fourth after a strong first day of the tournament. The Hornets’ quest to repeat as state champs was derailed after a loss to No. 1 D aphne on May 18. helsea beat al er, - , in the first game on the strength of two Brooke Burback home runs. Burbac , just a freshman and the ornets everyday catcher, finished the day with five total Is. he s fun to watch,” helsea softball coach Heather Lee said. he s fun to coach. he competes, and that s what I want. he is one of the most rela ed players I ve ever coached. he does such a great job in the (batter’s) box of blocking everything out and knowing exactly what pitch she wants to hit and waiting for it and ma ing adjustments. hat s very uni ue in a freshman.” The Hornets never got on track in the second game and recorded a 2 -0 loss to eventual state champ Haz el Green. The game was scoreless through six innings before a pair of errors led to Haz el Green’s two runs in the seventh. fter the loss, helsea was sent
Chelsea softball players celebrate a run during the state tournament May 17 at Lagoon Park in Montgomery. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
to the losers brac et, where it faced Helena in an elimination game. The two teams competed as area foes this season, so the meeting was the si th between the two, with elena ta ing three of the first five. Chelsea evened the line for good with a convincing - win, as the ornets jumped ahead with a five-run third inning and tacked on insurance runs the rest of the way. Chelsea was not the odds-on favorite coming into the season to repeat its 2 016 state championship performance, as the ornets returned just two primary starters (Allie Miller and
Sarah Cespedes) from a season ago. e re here, and I don t now how many people thought we d be here,” ee said. If I got as ed one time, I got as ed times oach, what s this year going to be li e ebuilding year? ’ No it’s not. These girls are gritty, they are scrappy, and they want to win, and they compete.” he ornets fell to aphne, - , the following day. Cespedes pitched the majority of the innings in the circle for helsea, including a great performance against a el reen, where she struc out hitters in her seven innings of work.
Chelsea baseball advanced to the quarter nals this postseason. Photo by Cari Dean.
The baseball team’s playoff run featured no shortage of drama, as the Hornets won a pair of playoff series in three-game series. In the first round against orthview, helsea cruised to a win in Game 1 but fell in a low-scoring second game. The third game was also low-scoring and went extra innings until Josh Gregg’s walk-off hit sent the Hornets on to the next round. Chelsea blew a lead in Game 1 of its second-round series against enjamin ussell but came bac to win the second game. In the decisive game,
E mmitt Hudspeath went the distance and hurled a complete game to lift the ornets to the uarterfinals. I thin our guys are reali ing that they’re capable and that they’re worthy,” helsea coach ichael tallings said after the enjamin ussell series. hat s just this group. They play with a lot of emotion and a lot of intensity. The expectation is to win.” In those uarterfinals, helsea ran up against defending champion Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. The Patriots won the first two games of the series, ending the Hornets’ season.
B12 • July 2017
280 Living
bove Caroline arker nished out her career at Spain ark with the most productive stretch of hitting in her high school career. Photo by Sarah Finnegan. eft nnabelle idra posted a record in the pitching circle with a . E in ust over innings pitched. Photo by Kyle Parmley.
Large cleats to fill ecord-setting seniors leave pain ar with strong legacy B y K YLE P A R M LEY A roster consisting primarily of experienced veterans with young talent to fill the gaps propelled the pain ar igh chool softball team to the best season in school history. i seniors led the charge for the ags - season, each one part of a group that won percent of its games during the past four years, including three state tournament appearances. ulianna ross and ary atherine edder have been mainstays even longer than that, dating bac to their middle school days. hose two, along with enna ls ews i, aroline ar er, ary ate eague and ope addo will leave a legacy that will be hard to match by future classes. In the past, being at the state tournament , pain ar was just thrilled to be a part of this and it was just a bonus for every step. hese girls have set some lofty goals,” pain ar coach . . aw ins said. ven though the ags fell short of a state championship trophy in those three state appearances, aw ins sang the praises of her team following pain ar s third-place finish at the lass state tournament, held at agoon ar in ontgomery ay - . I couldn t be more proud of them,” said aw ins. hey re all roc stars. hey compete and they represented our community, represented our school. hey brought so much love and e citement to our area. hey re champions.” pain ar began its run in the state tournament with a wild - victory over uburn on ay . pain ar did not e ecute to the best of its ability throughout the contest, but continued to battle despite entering the seventh inning trailing - . aroline endric scored on an error to tie the game, and with the bases loaded, ls ews i was gra ed in the arm by a pitch, earning her base and forcing in the winning run. hat s a huge lift, because that was a game we had to come from behind, and we haven t done that in a couple wee s,” aw ins said after the game. e ve been cruising a little bit. uper proud of them showing resiliency and overcoming adversity and some of the mental mista es and stic ing together.” nsurprisingly, ls ews i put together another productive campaign to cap off her career at pain ar . In , she hit . with seven homers and Is. he uburn niversity signee finished second on the team with hits. edder began the scoring in the uburn game, as she capped off an eight-pitch at-bat with a line drive shot over the fence in left field for a home run to give pain ar the - edge in the first inning. It proved to be the final bomb of her illustrious career. he niversity of e as signee hit for a . average with nine homers and Is for the year. he second game for pain ar on that first day
Mary Katherine Tedder — a University of Texas commit — hit for a .460 average in her senior season, along with nine homers and 57 RBIs. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
featured much less drama, as the ags bro e out the lumber and run-ruled a er, - . fter going -for- in the uburn game, ar er delivered a bases-clearing double to give the ags a - lead in the first inning. ar er finished off her season and career with arguably the most productive three-wee stretch of her life. Her secret to that success was simple: watching the ball all the way to the point of contact. In the ags two games in the orth entral egional, shutout wins over uscaloosa ounty and a ountain, ar er rac ed up si hits and drove in five runs. ver three games at the area tournament, ar er drove in four runs against uffman, went -for- with two Is against a ountain in the semifinals and batted -for- with three Is against a ountain again in the finals. fter ta ing that early lead, ar er drove in another run as the ags rolled to the victory. The second day of the state tournament did not go as well for the ags, as they dropped a - decision before coming up on the short end of an - loss to par man, eliminating pain ar from the tournament with a thirdplace showing. aw ins said, hey re competitors. hey re winners. hey e pected to be at the top, being able to come out of our area and come out of our region and dominate li e we did and then come out - in this tournament. his was heartbrea ing when it doesn t go our way.” ross finished her career on a high note against
par man, going -for- at the plate with two runs scored, and made several impressive defensive plays on the day, including a catch at the fence in the first game of the day and an assist in the third inning, as par man s amryn arman tried to stretch her hit into a double and was gunned down with a perfect throw. ross was a perfect second-hole hitter, as she hit . for the year with a team-leading runs scored to go with hits and Is. eague and addo combined to give the ags a pair of reliable options behind the plate at the catcher position. eague has signed with , and the two catchers combined to drive in runs on the year. he younger supporting cast was led by leadoff hitter and uburn commit addie ajors, who set a school record with hits while posting a . average. he sophomore showed off her speed and productivity with a team-leading eight triples and stole bases. ighth-grader nnabelle idra helped carve the path to state from the pitching circle as well. he finished the year with a - record and a . in just over innings pitched. aylor arrington, ailey owers and le is nderson each logged significant playing time throughout the season, and those three along with ajors, idra, and a cast of others waiting in the wings will attempt to fill some of the void left behind by the strong senior production departing.
280Living.com
July 2017 • B13
B14 • July 2017
280 Living
RIDE ON
Wakeboarders, wakesurfers put on a show at OMSP
Austin Hair.
Reed Hansen.
Above left: Community members enjoy the beach while a wakeboarder practices in the background. Above right: Cory Teunissen.
Wakeboarder Austin Hair practices going airborne in preparation for the Supra Boats Pro Wakeboard Tour at Oak Mountain State Park in May. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.
280Living.com
July 2017 • B15
B16 • July 2017
280 Living
Community
Birmingham-area students gathered the week of June 5 at the Hargis Retreat in Chelsea for Anytown Alabama, a weeklong teen leadership summit. Delegates discussed topics ranging building an inclusive community; culture; ethnicity and spirituality; and empowerment to apply what they learn from these conversations to real-world situations. Photos by Erica Techo.
Progression of inclusivity Students discuss privilege, classism at Anytown Alabama teen summit B y ER I C A TEC H O Standing in a room of their peers, more than 80 teenagers from 3 5 schools confronted the advantages and disadvantages life has dealt them. “If you had more than 50 books in your house growing up, take one step forward. … If your family ever had to move because they could not afford rent, take one step back. … I f you own a car take one step forward. … If you had to rely primarily on public transportation, take one step back.” These questions were read out in a meeting hall at the Hargis R etreat in Chelsea on June 6 , as part of a “Privilege Walk” activity with Anytown Alabama. A teen leadership summit that includes students from a variety of neighborhoods, schools, races, religions, gender identity and sexual orientations, Anytown Alabama is geared toward empowering students and helping them embrace diversity and use that to “help make their schools and communities more fair and inclusive for all,” according to a release. “It’s empowering our local teens to lead the progression of inclusivity in Birmingham,” said co-director Anamaria Santiago, who added that the program celebrates all parts of an individual’s identity while showing how attendees — called delegates — can celebrate themselves and celebrate others. D uring the Privilege Walk, delegates started by all holding hands in a square. They then stepped forward or backward, depending on their relationship to statements that were read. These statements represented advantages and disadvantages that were out of the students’ control — where they grew up, the state of their parents’ job, their gender, race or sexual orientation.
By the end of the list of questions, the camp delegates were no longer in straight lines. Some had approached the center of the room, while others were back against the wall. he activity was just a reflection of how circumstances beyond their control … how that affects their experiences,” Santiago said. The goal is not for students to feel bad about where they end up, but to recogniz e how those circumstances can affect where individuals end up in life. While she had participated in a privilege walk before, Brianna Braden, a Chelsea High School student, said the Anywhere Alabama activity went into more details of every aspect of life and hit on a personal level. “You kind of realiz e how big of a part those [ factors] are in who you are,” she said. R ecent Huffman High School graduate Jordan Williams said acknowledging some of the parts of the privilege walk made the activity difficult. “The Privilege Walk was heavy. I didn’t want to realiz e I was under privileged,” he said, adding that it allowed him to see individuals coming together despite differences in privilege. “I just realiz ed even though everyone is from different backgrounds, we all still love each other.” Following the Privilege Walk, the group broke into smaller caucus groups, where delegates talked with others who ended up in similar positions. Students could open up about individual experiences in a smaller group, Santiago said, and thereby be more comfortable to talk about their takeaways in the larger group. As a large group, the delegates discussed how the activity made them feel, and how it made them feel about other delegates. “I was proud to go through some of that stuff,” one student said, in reference to the
Following the Privilege Walk, students broke into smaller caucus groups, in which delegates talked with others who ended up in similar positions about exercise takeaways.
statements that meant he would step back. “E ven though we’re in the back, we can still be successful,” another student said. “We just have to work a little harder.” Other students discussed using their privilege to help individuals with less privilege and to encourage those with more privilege to do the same. And while the exercise divided them into smaller groups in a way, the discussion allowed them to come back together, Santiago said. “We’re still kind of connected, even if we can’t hold hands,” said one student. Conversation then turned to how privilege can manifest itself in everyday life — including through wage gaps, community resources and other means. Students discussed how those advantages or disadvantages also go on to impact employment opportunities, potential colleges and treatment in the criminal justice system. Following the group discussion, Johnson
reminded everyone that “inequities are caused by institutions, not individuals.” “We can’t choose our gender, sexuality … but we can use our advantages to level the playing field,” ohnson said. As they continued their week, delegates discussed topics such as building an inclusive community; culture, ethnicity and spirituality; and empowerment; and applied what they discussed to real-world situations. On the second day of the program, Braden said she looked forward to leaving Anytown Alabama with a renewed sense for social justice and a goal to help change her community. I have definitely interacted with people who I never would have had the opportunity to meet, and I think that’s where you learn the most,” she said. Being around like-minded people can just support your worldview, rather than challenge it, she said, and being around a diverse group helps you learn from others’ experience and foster a sense of community.
280Living.com
July 2017 • B17
B18 • July 2017 Delta Alpha Delta president Brad Mize works to clear off the walls in MES’s four corners” room, which will soon become the school’s STEM room. Photo by Erica Techo.
OMES hosting serve day B y ER I C A TEC H O Members of the Oak Mountain community are invited out to Oak Mountain E lementary School for a serve day July 15. Held every year, the serve day is an opportunity to clean up in and around the school, from laying pinestraw and cleaning windows to collecting stic s and fi ing the pond in the school’s patio area. A large focus of this year’s serve day will be cleaning up and constructing OME S’s new STE M room, said Brad Miz e, a parent volunteer and the president of D elta Alpha D eltas, a volunteer group of dads at OME S. After applying for a grant from Lowe’s Toolbox for E ducation, OME S was granted $ 7 8,159 . This money will go toward the new STE M room, which will include multiple learning tools including a kitchen, interactive Promethean board, robotics, tablets, computers, legos and other STE M items. “It’s going to be quite an undertaking,” said OME S Principal D ebbi Horton. Horton added that the new room will allow OME S to meet new teaching standards by providing the opportunity for more engineering work. The STE M room will go in the school’s current “four corners” room, which was built when the school originally opened. While that met older science standards, Horton said OME S felt the room could be better utiliz ed. On the serve day — also a “Lowe’s D ay,” Miz e said — the D elta Alpha D eltas and other volunteers will work to clean out the four corners room to make room for more equipment. Lowe’s will also come in to install large appliances in the room during that day. “What we’re planning is to have the room ready,” Miz e said. Other groups will go throughout the school working on other projects. “We try to open it up to anybody … We can have grandfathers, [ or] kids from the high school,” Miz e said. While the school could use funding to hire a service to come out and do some of the work that takes place on a serve day — such as spreading mulch or pine straw — Horton said parent and community volunteers taking on those projects allows the school to better focus its resources, and to reinvest that into students and their education.
280 Living
Opinion My South By Rick Watson
Hook hooks our hearts I’m afraid we have a new dog. owner, but no one knew anything about him. As always, we didn’t go looking, but around mid-May, when temps were toying We discovered Hook was deaf, and with the high end of the thermometer and I got a sinking feeling that he wasn’t a lost dog at all, but an abandoned dog, or the humidity made it feel hotter than the D evil with a mouthful of habaneros, I one that someone dumped at our house. looked out the window and saw a scrawny After all, who wants a deaf bulldog that white bulldog looking in through the glass. is full of fleas and has a touch of mange His tongue was dangling out one side of It’s a sad tale that’s told too often. his mouth, and he’d been going around to Animal shelters have their hands full the water containers in the front yard looktrying to place abandoned dogs. Often ing for a drink. Jilda had her shoes on, so the critters are euthaniz ed because no she uic ly stepped outside and filled all one steps forward to take ownership. It Watson makes me sad to think someone would the containers with cool water. The critter looked at her with thankful eyes. discard one of the most loving and loyal creatures on the e thought at first he belonged to someone down the planet as if it were a piece of garbage. road, and perhaps he ran out of water at home. But he Jilda began feeding Hook, giving him medicine for didn’t leave. He was so thin I could trace the outline of heartworms, fleas and tic s. ut we have two other dogs his ribs with my finger, so I poured a small scoop of dog to consider. Neither of these purebred dogs was warming food in a bowl and placed it under the water oak at the up to Hook, but he seemed to understand that his future end of our walkway. depended on finding his place in the pec ing order. Later that evening, our great-nephew, Jordan, walked I thought at first that with him being deaf, I wouldn t be over to howdy up with us. The dog, which is ghost white able to communicate with him, but he watches our every with a black patch over his right eye, ran to greet him as move and responds to hand signals. he walked up the hill. We sat down on the front steps, and The other night he was barking at someone walking Jordan began petting the bulldog. down the road in front of our house. When I stepped onto “He looks like a pirate,” Jordan observed. the front porch, I guess he sensed the movement out of The dog laid his head in Jordan’s lap to facilitate the the corner of his eye. He looked at me, and I pointed to petting process. the screen porch. He immediately ran back onto the porch “What should we name him? ” he asked as he petted. and laid down. I quickly told him that he wasn’t our dog. The next step is to take Hook to the vet to see if he has “What should we name him? ” Jordan persisted. “We any other serious health issues, but it’s looking more and could call him Patch,” he suggested. more like we’re getting a new critter. I guess you could I paused for a while before saying, “Why don’t we say we’ve been Hook(ed.) call him Hook? ” “Yes. That’s perfect because he reminds me of Captain R ick W atson is a columnist and auth or. H is latest book, Hook,” Jordan said as he petted. “ L ife G oes O n,” is av ailable on A mazon. com. Y ou can I did some investigation, hoping to find the dog s contact h im at rick@ h omefolkmedia. com.
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July 2017 • B19
FORE-WARD THINKING
New developments like single-family housing replacing closed golf courses B y LEX I C O O N In recent years, many Birmingham golf courses have seen changes — be it from closings, additions or renovations — and the courses along the 280 corridor have not been immune. Since 2 015, Altadena V alley Country Club and E agle Point Country Club have both closed their course. Both areas have also seen new developments come to the land. “In general, I think you can state the reason they’re closing is because of financial issues,” said Shelby ounty hief evelopment fficer Chad Scroggins. Connor Farmer, with Highpointe Properties, said Highpointe purchased the E agle Point property because of the location and demand for housing in the area. He added that there aren’t as many golfers in the game nowadays, too. “Since the recession, not as many people are playing golf,” he said. “Therefore, green fees have gone down, and the number of rounds is not enough to maintain the course and ma e a profit in some cases.” When E agle Point officially closed, Scroggins said it was still open to public play for surrounding
areas. But once it closed its doors, the golf course and country club were turned into residential lots — something the owners had been prepared to do. “It’s a unique situation,” Scroggins said, “where he actually z oned the golf course area for residential, being apartments and homes, and then had a golf course on top of it before any of the other homes were [ there] .” The property was later rez oned from multi-family housing to have just single-family homes. D uring a planning commission meeting regarding the rez oning, several E agle Point residents spoke in favor of removing the potential for apartments in the middle of their subdivision. Scroggins said developers were able to have the property z oned for housing but developed as a golf course due to fle ibility with open recreation space uses. He added “nobody’s ever been upset about having a really nice golf course in their backyard,” although some homeowners may not like looking at a new neighborhood in an area that was formerly lush greens and trees. According to Bob House, city planning consultant with the city of Hoover, Greystone Golf and
Connor Farmer, with Highpointe Properties, said Highpointe purchased the Eagle Point property because of the location and demand for housing in the area. Staff photo.
Country Club is z oned similarly as single-family residential property. The golf course is permitted under conditional use for the property. In regard to possible concerns from surrounding residents, Scroggins said different z oning is something potential home buyers in the area can look for on z oning maps from the county. Those maps will give details on what is already approved for development on the land, such as commercial properties or multi-family housing. While the property’s z oning allowed E agle Point an out from the golfing world once the mar et saw a dip, Heatherwood Hills Country Club stuck to its recreational roots and came back from its closing in 2009. The club reopened seven years later, in late-2016. “E agle Point, Chase Lake, Altadena … all of those closed because the price of the property could sell
for an astronomical amount,” said Mike Wesler, a long-time resident of Heatherwood Hills. He said after the neighborhood heard Heatherwood was closing, the surrounding community rallied to show its desire to have the land remain a golf course. “The sentiment throughout the neighborhood was that they absolutely wanted it to remain a golf course and a country club,” Wesler said. “It was a united effort across the neighborhood [ to support the golf course and country club] .” After bringing in Cypress Golf Management, the country club and course were reopened in the fall of 2 016 . Tim McCoil, pro shop manager for Heatherwood, said the company has been a huge help in reopening the course. D espite declining trends in golf, McCoil said many are picking up the
sport again as a way to get outside and socializ e with friends or family. “It took a hit for a little while as an industry, but it’s coming back,” he said. “You’re going to start seeing younger and younger people [ playing] .” He and Wesler agreed too that recent growth in the nearby area has helped Heatherwood Hills have a positive reopening. “We have probably 15 different communities within a two mile radius of the front door,” Wesler said. “E asily,” McCoil added. And as more families are moving to the area, McCoil said Heatherwood is working on making the country club more community friendly by trying to include a club pool and remaining open for public use. “It’s not just golf,” McCoil said, adding the club offers amenities to both members and the public. “It’s good for everything, not just golfing.”
B20 • July 2017
280 Living
KICKBALL FOR ALL HANDS program’s Kinect Sports League helps autistic teens, adults expand skills B y S YD N EY C R O M W ELL In a simple red kickball, Courtney K ing sees a tool that can bring teens and adults with autism new confidence, emotional growth and fun. K ing, is a behavior analyst, started the program years ago to offer therapy and other services to children, teens and adults with autism. he also started the labama Autism Assistance program about seven years ago to help families pay for their services. he office on alleydale oad is host to individual therapy sessions, social groups, school services and seasonal activities such as summer day camp. ut down the street at eterans ar in oover, its ic ball league is a hit with clients. hey have a blast,” ing said. I thin it gives them more confidence, and it gives them an opportunity to participate in a sport that otherwise they wouldn’t have an opportunity to do.” ic ball is part of inect ports eague, which started about two years ago. he league includes three seasons — spring, summer and early fall of wee ly ic ball games and a winter bas etball season at alleydale aptist hurch s gymnasium. ic ball, ing said, is probably the favorite, and they typically have to people participating in a season. “I just thought it would be a really good way to just get the people together, and it’s a sport that s pretty easy to learn,” ing said. The league is open to autistic teens and adults older than 16 , though K ing said they sometimes allow younger children who demonstrate that they can understand the rules of the game. arents, siblings and volunteers often called side ic s” also will ta e the field, and ing and her family are fre uently among them.
Members of the Kinect Sports League play kickball at Veterans Park in May — the end of their spring season. The Kinect Sports League is hosted by the HANDS program and is open to individuals with autism and their families. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
I play I ref I eep score whatever they need me to do,” ing said. Some players need guidance to remember the rules or help with running the bases or another part of the game, while other players can participate independently. ing said she enjoys seeing her HAND S clients grow their skills and cheer each other on. As they play, they’re learning about being a
good sport and being part of a team as they score homeruns and tag out other players. “[ I like] watching them learn and participate, and we have kids who are nonverbal, diagnosed with autism, and they’re out there running the bases, pitching, ic ing with no help whatsoever,” ing said. K ing said one player on the team travels with her father from adsden each wee to play
together. nother teammate started out needing someone to prompt him for every part of the game, but can now pitch independently. he inect ports eague is free for participants and paid for through donations and corporate sponsorships. or more information, go to thehandspro gram.org, call or email thehands program gmail.com.
280 Living
B21 • July 2017
A burning passion B y S YD N EY C R O M W
ELL
obbie ewis will be the first to tell you her hobby is pretty dangerous. hen you play with fire, you re going to get burned and she has the singed hairs to prove it. It has a rush about it,” ewis said. ire has that same essence of getting your adrenaline up and it s li e, ow, did I really just do that ” s long as the burns aren t severe, she and other members of the uminarts fire performance troupe are pretty blas about the possibility of losing a few hairs to the flames. ou don t even now until you re done spinning fire , and you smell burned hair,” uminarts co-founder aige armolejo said. I ve never seriously burned myself.” ince they re so calm about stepping onto the stage with a hula hoop, staff or other prop set abla e, armolejo said many times their audience assumes there s a tric or illusion. Is that real fire is a common uestion that I get a lot. eople just can t believe that you would really be playing around with real fire,” armolejo said. eople as that a lot with fire eating, too. hey re li e, what s the tric to it nd I m li e, It s not necessarily a tric . I m actually e tinguishing the flame with my mouth. ” ewis, a helsea resident, and armolejo, a outhside resident, are the founders of the uminarts troupe, which came together in ctober . hey came to fire arts first through hula hooping. hen you start hula hooping, that s when you learn that people who have been doing it, they also dabble in fire hooping and then you learn other props li e poi balls set on the end of ropes ,” ewis said. It just opens a whole other world of flow, and being able to move and having a prop as your dance partner. nd when you add fire, it just
Members of the uminarts re troupe at an vondale community Fire am. Photo by Sydney Cromwell.
illuminates the e perience.” here s more than one way to play with fire. oops and poi are the most common, but members of the uminarts troupe can also breathe or eat fire, as well as perform with a staff, fire fans or unusually named props li e a dragon staff or puppy hammer. armolejo, who was in a fire troupe in l aso, e as, before moving to irmingham, said the general rule is to practice with just the prop until you would feel comfortable performing with your eyes closed. hen, you light it on fire. ometimes, the first couple attempts with a
new prop end in burns or hair caught on fire. s seems to be typical for fire performers, ewis described those instances as small fires, you now, manageable.” he uminarts troupe was born out of the monthly ommunity ire am, held at vondale rewing downtown for novice and e perienced fire performers to practice their s ills and learn from each other. It also became the place where uminarts found its first troupe members. e would try different ways of bringing community together and some of those efforts would dwindle, so we were always loo ing for something new,” ewis said of the ire ams,
which began in ugust . he recalled the first time she set a hoop on fire, when not only the heat but the noise of the flames surprised her. ewis said performing with fire has added fun and warmth and danger” to her life. It s a balance of being comfortable enough to ta e the ris , but not so comfortable that they get injured through carelessness. hen ewis or other troupe members perform, they tend to draw a little attention and a crowd. It creates that element of wow for the audience, which is really fun,” ewis said.
B22 • July 2017
280 Living
MOCHAS & MINISTRY
St. Catherine’s rector makes himself available to community at coffeehouse
B y LEA H
IN G R A M
EA G LE
After starting in his new position in January as rector of St. Catherine’s E piscopal Church in Chelsea, Father E ric Mancil wanted to have a way to reach out to the community and let people know that both he and St. Catherine’s were in the area. He can be found on Tuesday mornings at Chelsea Coffee House, sitting outside with a sign that reads “How can I pray for you today? ” He said he felt doing ministry at the coffee shop was a way to make himself available a few hours each week to serve people and to talk and pray with them. “It’s going back to the old model in the church of E ngland where the whole community revolved around the church,” Mancil said. “We want them to know that we are here for them to serve them in any way we can. As we see the shift continue in our culture, I think we can continue to use it as a way to be the church modern day.”
When approached by Mancil, shop owner Jeff Gross said he had no problem with Mancil being there, adding that customers have had a positive response to it. he customers have been fine with it; people even call to see if he’s here,” Gross said. “I think it’s a good thing he’s here. We are a faithbased shop, so anything like this is welcome, and it’s not pushy.” D uring his time at the coffee house, Mancil also posts on the Chelsea Neighborhood Facebook page and takes online prayer requests. He said many people have reached out to ask him to pray for them, and he is glad to do that. “While I’m sitting here enjoying my coffee, I’m also praying for people needing prayers online,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot of positive response. People who don’t know anything about the E piscopal Church will come over and introduce themselves and just say, “Hi.” E ven if they’re not specifically wanting to talk to me about something or
Father Eric Mancil with St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church sits outside Chelsea Coffee House on Tuesdays, asking members of the community if they have any prayer requests. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.
wanting to pray, it’s interacting in a way that’s really positive.” Mancil said his parishioners have enjoyed seeing his presence both in
the community and on social media, and know he is having an impact on people outside of the church. Amy Molloy was visiting St.
atherine s on ancil s first unday and has been attending there since. She said she enjoys seeing Mancil’s presence at the coffee house and on social media. “I think it’s useful to bring people in and be welcoming,” Molloy said. “It’s an open door to what we are doing. When I comment on his posts, I see friends go to different churches comment also. I think it’s great.” Mancil has also started a new YouTube video series called “The Middle Way” that answers questions about the E piscopal Church. Similar to a newcomers class, Mancil shares a weekly post on social media where viewers can like, comment or respond and also leave questions. “It can be intimidating for people to not feel comfortable coming to a church they’ve never been to, and I thought creating a video series would be way for people to have the same experience without having to come to a class.” St. Catherine’s is the newest parish in Alabama and has been around for eight years. It is in a temporary location on Shelby 3 9 and has plans to start construction on a permanent location in the next few years. Originally from South Alabama, Mancil and his wife are pleased to be back closer to home. After attending seminary at V irginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, V irginia, they moved to Texas and eventually to Chelsea. “We’re just really comfortable here,” Mancil said. “We are close enough to Birmingham, but Chelsea has that small-town feel. Being back in Alabama in general is like coming back home, and we feel good about being here.” For information, go to stcatherines al.com.
280Living.com
July 2017 • B23
Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis
What middle school parents should know I’m a fairly typical mom in how I felt when my child started middle school. I’d heard the horror stories and also the funny stories, like one mom telling me how she still gets hives when she drives by her child’s junior high. Fortunately, we’ve had a good experience so far. The biggest challenge for my daughter has been learning to manage a demanding schedule, while the challenge for me is figuring out my role as a mom and how I need to change as my kids grow up. My primary advice to my daughter was simple: “Make good choices, and don’t worry about being popular or fitting in with the cool crowd. Just make good choices that set you up for a positive future.” In my opinion, middle school is a launching pad. It’s where a child starts to make life-shaping decisions that determine the direction their life will go. While good choices launch them in a positive direction, poor choices launch them in a negative direction. Clearly all kids will make mistakes, but learning early from these mistakes can make all the difference in the path they ultimately take. Parenting a middle schooler is different than parenting a small child. Here are a few things I have learned in this chapter we are in. 1. Your child is changing - and so is your relationship If you ever attend a junior high assembly, I encourage you to notice the difference between grades. The contrast is drastic because so many changes happen at once (physically, emotionally and mentally) in this season of growth spurts.
The parent your child needs at age 4 or 10 is different than the parent they’ll need at 14 or 18. Just as your child is in constant transition, so is your relationship. Our job as parents is to help our kids not need us, to work ourselves out of a job by cultivating self-sufficient young adults who have character, coping skills and a strong work ethic. Obviously, middle schoolers need guidance and protection, but they also need opportunities to make their own decisions, handle their own conflicts and grow to be independent. In an age of helicopter parenting, it can be hard to loosen the reins, but sometimes we have to step back, notice the growth taking place and give them a little more rope. 2. Your middle schooler still needs your voice (and presence) in their life Just as it’s easy to be the parent who does too much, it’s easy to be the parent who doesn’t do enough. As your child pulls away from you and starts turning to friends and others for support and advice, it can be tempting to become hands-off and adopt a mindset of “I’ll let them figure it out.” But the truth is, they still need your guidance. Nobody cares about your child’s well-being the way you do, and even their best friends will be looking out for themselves. Middle schoolers get pulled in a lot of directions. They’re surrounded by voices that scream for their attention. Our gift as parents is to speak the truth in love, have their back and help them tune into that quiet voice inside them that helps them stay true to themselves and stay on track. 3. You still need a village
Last year I spoke to a group of young moms at my church. Many had babies on their laps, and I could sense a real camaraderie. It was refreshing to see this solidarity among moms who love each other and each other’s kids. I encouraged them to maintain their support system because as kids get older, the village often weakens. Competition and jealousy amp up as you have 50 kids showing real talent apply for 10 spots. With a middle schooler, it’s important to know who’s in your corner, who you can openly talk to and who you can count on for the truth. It’s also important to be trustworthy and genuinely hope for other people’s kids to succeed. 4. Like your middle schooler, you will face peer pressure — the pressure to parent like everyone else Sometimes parenting is lonely. Sometimes doing the right thing for your child — like not letting them attend a party where you suspect there may be trouble — can make you the odd parent out. You may be the only parent not giving in, the only one whose child is mad at them. It’s a tough position, but if we’re parenting correctly we’ll all feel alone in our choices sometimes and tempted to cave for the wrong reasons. None of us will agree on everything, and that is okay. The popular thing to do may not be the right thing for your family, so trust your gut and parent in a way that feels right to you. 5. Every middle schooler has the potential to be an awesome adult. They want someone who believes in them and loves them exactly
as they are Teenagers are notorious for eye rolls, mood swings and pushing the limits. They can be difficult, challenging and stubborn. While we certainly need to notice and work on the weaknesses/landmines that can hurt our children or ruin their opportunities, we should also see the good. We should remember that when God looks at us, He sees potential. He sees who we can become and loves us according to that. In just a few years, middle schoolers start to look grown up. But even as they physically mature, even as they grow world-savvy and self-sufficient, they still have emotional needs. They still want us to show up for their games, express love and affection, and engage them in meaningful conversations that make them feel heard, valued and understood. Middle schoolers long to hear, “I’m proud of you, and I love who you’re becoming.” So let’s look for opportunities to share that message, let’s build them up with words and actions, and let’s remember that they are searching and listening, hungry for guidance on who they should be and which direction their lives should take. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, columnist and blogger for The Huffington Post. Her two books for teen and tween girls — “Liked: Whose Approval Are You Living For?” and “10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know” — are available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Join her Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer,” visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@karikampakis.com.
B24 • July 2017
280 Living
280
Real Estate Listings
272 Highland Park Drive
MLS #
Zip
Address
Status
Price
786707
35242
272 Highland Park Drive
New
$519,900
786551
35242
5008 Kerry Downs Road
New
$279,900
786929
35242
4697 Jackson Loop
New
$449,900
786903
35242
4037 Crossings Lane
New
$324,900
786592
35242
4345 Heritage View Road
New
$275,000
786600
35242
1057 Dunnavant Place
New
$294,900
786565
35242
121 Bridge Drive
New
$359,900
786787
35242
2016 Forest Meadows Circle
New
$424,900
786766
35242
4000 Milner Way
New
$399,900
786517
35242
2492 Magnolia Place
New
$350,000
786369
35242
3104 Ashington Lane
New
$484,900
786917
35242
3517 Cahaba Valley Road
New
$299,500
785855
35242
4885 Provence Circle
New
$504,900
786120
35242
1208 Highland Village Trail
New
$409,900
785643
35242
790 Reach Crest
New
$164,000
785730
35043
114 Shore Front Lane
New
$419,000
786898
35043
286 Pin Oak Drive
New
$275,000
786832
35043
479 Lake Chelsea Way
New
$319,900
786914
35043
2000 Preston Lane
New
$185,000
786761
35043
502 Alta Vista Drive
New
$369,900
Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on June 15. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.
3517 Cahaba Valley Road
280Living.com
July 2017 • B25
Calendar 280 Area Events July 4: Greater Shelby Chamber – Small Business Mentorship Program. 8 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham. Visit business.shelbychamber. org. July 5: Greater Shelby Chamber – Workforce Development Group. 8:30 a.m. Location varies. Visit business.shelbycham ber.org. July 5: Greater Shelby Ambassador Work Group. 11:30 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber, 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham. Visit business.shelbychamber.org. July 5: Greater Shelby Chamber Small Business Work Group. 4 p.m. Location varies. Visit business.shelbychamber.org.
North Shelby Library Kids Mondays, July 3, 10 & 17: Toddler Tales. 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. tories, songs, fingerplays and crafts make up a lively 3 -minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Ages 19-36 months. Registration required. Wednesdays: Family Storytime with Mr. Mac. 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Stories, puppets, and lots of music for every member of the family. All Ages. No Registration. Thursdays: PJ Story Time. 6:30 p.m. Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies, and hear some wonderful bedtime tales. All ages. No registration required. Thursdays, July 6, 13 & 20: Family Movie Days. Watch a family friendly, new release movie. Call or visit the library for movie list. All ages are welcome. Snacks served.
July 12: Greater Shelby Chamber Existing Business & Industry Work Group. 8:30 a.m. Location varies. Visit business.shelby chamber.org.
July 1: Lego Club. 10 a.m. All ages.
July 13: Greater Shelby Chamber Investor Reception. 11:30 a.m. Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
July 6: Pajama Storytime. 6:30 p.m.
July 14: Greater Shelby Chamber Health Services Work Group. 8:30 a.m. Location varies. Visit business.shelbycham ber.org. July 18: Greater Shelby Chamber Entrepreneur Roundtable 280. 11:30 a.m. Location TBD. Visit business.shelbychamber. org. July 18: Greater Shelby Chamber Network 280. 4:30 p.m. Taziki’s Lee Branch. Visit business.shelbychamber.org. July 24-28: Singing Safari Preschool Music Camp Mason Music, Greystone Studio. Introduction to musical concepts for ages 3-5. $125. Visit masonmusicstudios.com. July 27: Greater Shelby Chamber Governmental Work Group. 8:30 a.m. Location varies. Visit shelbychamber.org. July 31-Aug. 4: Mason Music Camp for Beginners. Mason Music, Cahaba Heights. For students ages 6-9 with little or no experience with music. They can learn to sing and play instruments. $175. Visit masonmusicstudios.com.
July 3: Family Fort Night. 6 p.m. All ages. A chance for the family to use their fort building skills. July 11: Picture Book Club. 10 a.m. Stories, games, craft and snacks. All ages. July 11: Garden Gates. 4 p.m. Hands on STEM with nature focus. Ages 5 and up. July 11: Craft Time. 2 p.m. All ages. July 17: Alabama 4H Center Animals: Keep It Wild. 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. See animals of Alabama.
July 27: Maker Madness. 4 p.m. STEM learning and creativity. For ages 8-12. Registration required. July 28: Preschool Kitchen Science. 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs and STEAM experiences. Registration required. Tweens (Ages 8-12) July 3 & 5: Coding Club – Music and Sound. 3 p.m. Students use the computer to play musical notes, create a music video, and build an interactive music display while learning programming. This is an 8-hour course, and attendance at every class is preferred with two make-up days scheduled in July. Ages 8-18. Registration required. July 5: Tween Program- Build a Better Suncatcher. 2 p.m. Decorate a cup with your design. July 6: Teen Breakout! 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Figure out clues to get out on time. July 10: Be-AT Your Best International Music Show. 2 p.m. and 6.m. Show with music and drums from around the world. All ages. July 10 & 12: Coding Club- Music and Sound (Make-Up). 3 p.m. Students use the computer to play musical notes, create a music video, and build an interactive music display while learning programming. This is an 8-hour course, and attendance at every class is preferred with two make-up days scheduled in July. Ages 8-18. Registration required. July 11: Tuesday Tech: Makey Makey. 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Navigate a maze and build a cup tower using a written symbol code. Ages 8-18. Registration required. July 12: Tween Program- Lego Build Party. 2 p.m.
July 18: Craft Time. 2 p.m. All ages.
July 13: Family Ice Cream Social. 6 p.m. Make sundaes. All ages.
July 21: Preschool Kitchen Science. 10:30 a.m. Hands-on science.
July 15: All Ages Lego Competition. 1 p.m.
July 22: Summer Reading End Party with Lew-E the Clown. 10:30 a.m. Show of comedy and music for the whole family.
July 18: Tuesday Tech: Stop Motion Animation. 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
July 24: Build a Better Cupcake. All ages. 2 p.m. Cupcake decorating for prizes.
June 19: Tween Program- Build a Better T-Shirt. 2 p.m.
July 25: Sensory Storytime. 10 a.m. For children with caregiver support. Registration required.
June 26: Tween Program-Drum to the Beat with John Scalici. 2 p.m.
July 25: Hodgepodge Craft. 2 p.m. All ages.
July 25: Tuesday Tech: Virtual Reality. 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Teens
B26 • July 2017
280 Living
North Shelby Library (cont.) Fridays: Open Gaming. 3 p.m.-5:45 p.m. Board games, card games, Wii, XBOX ONE, and Minecraft. July 6: Teen Breakout! 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 10: 3D Printing for Teens. 4 p.m.
pacing. Registration required. July 18: Brushes and Slushes. 6 p.m. July 20: Nerf Wars. 6 p.m. Bring your own nerf gun. July 21: Teen Summer Reading End Party. 4 p.m.
July 10: Anime Night. 6 p.m. Anime and snacks along with origami. July 13: Manga/Comic Book Club. 4 p.m. A whole hour devoted to manga and comic books. Share with each other what we’ve been reading and get ideas of what to read next. Snacks will be served. July 13: Mario Kart & Super Smash Bros Tournament. 6 p.m.
Adults July 11: Paint & Pour. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Registration required. $5 fee. July 13: olor herapy. p.m.-8 p.m. Registration re uired. Pages, colored pencils, coffee, wine and rela ation provided. July 20: NSL Book Club. 10:30 a.m.
July 15: Teen Writing Workshop. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Local YA author Anne Riley prepares teens to write their novel: characters, plot, and
July 20: olor herapy for dults. p.m.-8 p.m. Registration re uired. Pages, colored pencils, coffee, wine and rela ation provided.
Chelsea Library Wednesdays: The Tot Spot. 10:30 a.m. A 30-minute story time for Preschoolers. We read, sing, dance and sometimes craft.
ages 5 and up.
Thursdays: Basic Mobile Filmmaking Class. 9 a.m. Chelsea Community enter. earn to make short films from your iPhone or iPad.
July 12: Sixth Day Creatures. 2 p.m. Chelsea City Hall. See exotic animals.
Thursdays: Advanced Mobile Filmmaking Class. 11 a.m. Chelsea Community Center. Learn to make short films from your iPhone or iPad.
Mt. Laurel Library
July 11: Library summer movie series: Rogue One. 1 p.m. Chelsea Community Center.
July 18: Library summer movie series: Movie TBD. 1 p.m. Chelsea Community Center. July 19: Hoops for Fitness. 2 p.m. Chelsea City Hall. Hula Hoop program.
Wednesdays: Craft Wednesdays. 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Drop in to make a craft at the library. All ages with parent help.
drink ideas from a professional bartender. Ages 21 and up.
Fridays: Toddler Tales. 10 a.m. Stories, songs, fingerplays, and more make up this 3 -minute program designed especially for short attention spans and their caregiver. Registration required. Ages 36 months and younger.
July 19: Craft at Mt. Laurel. 12 p.m. All ages. July 20: Build a Better Cupcake. 2 p.m. Cupcake decorating for prizes.
Fridays: All Ages Storytime. 11 a.m. Stories, music, and more for every member of the family. All ages. July 6: Alabama 4H Center. 2 p.m. Meet live animals. All ages.
July 21: Mt. Laurel Storytime. 11 a.m. Stories and music for the whole family. July 21: Stuffed Animal Sleepover. 4 p.m. July 22: Lego Club. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Build creations which will be displayed in the library. July 26: End Party with Skip Cain. 2 p.m. All ages.
July 7: Building Slime. 4 p.m.
Adults
July 13: Alabama Innovators. 10 a.m. Showcasing 10 Alabama innovators with demonstrations of their inventions. All ages.
July 7: Adult Break Out! 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Figure out how to escape a room in one hour.
July 16: Summer Cocktails. 4 p.m. Learn new
July 28: Mt. Laurel Acrylics 101. 6 p.m. Paint a ower pot using acrylics.
St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Wednesdays: Baby Café.10 a.m.-noon. Moms will have the opportunity to meet with a lactation consultant, as well as network with other breastfeeding moms. The group is designed to give breastfeeding moms encouragement and support, as well as helpful information and tips from our expert. Free to public. Please call Rosie at 930-2807 to reserve your space. July 11: Wake Up to Wellness – Meet the Team: Physician ffice B . - a.m. ducation on healthy living and St. Vincent’s One Nineteen’s services. Stop by the front desk.
Fridays: BYOC – Bring your own crochet (craft). 10 a.m. Audio/Reading room.
July 25: Library summer movie series: Moana. 1 p.m. Chelsea Community Center.
July 11: Blood Pressure/Body Mass Index Screening. 8-11:30 a.m. A representative from Wellness Services will be screening for blood pressure and BMI in the front entrance. This is a free service.
July 5: Build A Better World. 2 p.m. Build with Strawbees and Legos.
July 29: A Minor Film Festival. Chelsea Community Center. Students of the mobile filmmaking class present their films.
July 17: Breakfast with the Doc: Foot and Ankle Injuries. 8-9 a.m. Join Francisco Caycedo, MD, with Ortho Sports Associates to learn more about the latest diagnostic and treatment resources available for foot and ankle injuries.
July 8: Lego Club. 9:30 a.m. For
July 18: Mt. Laurel Family Movie. 2 p.m. All ages.
Dr. Caycedo will share how dynamic exams with tools, such as ultrasounds, are now being used to better treat ankle sprains and control in ammation. Bring your uestions and enjoy this presentation and a light breakfast. Please call 408-6600 to register for this free seminar. July 17: Wellness Screenings. 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. To stay abreast of your numbers, cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference screenings will be held by appointment. Results and interpretation in fifteen minutes with a simple finger stick. he cost is for members and non-members. Please call 408-6550 to register. July 19: Wake Up to Wellness – Farmers Market Recipe Round-Up. 9-11 a.m. Education on healthy living and St. Vincent’s One Nineteen’s services. Stop by the front desk. July 27: Wake Up to Wellness – Exercise Tips to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle. 9-11 a.m. Education on healthy living and St. Vincent’s One Nineteen’s services. Stop by the front desk.
Let us help spread the news! Email sydney@starnespublishing.com to submit your announcement.
280Living.com
July 2017 • B27
Area Events Saturdays: The Market at Pepper Place. 7 a.m.12 p.m. Visit pepperplacemarket.com.
July 14: Tim Hawkins. 7:30 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $17-$83. Visit timhawkins.net.
July 1-2: WERA Regionals. Barber Motorsports Park. 8 a.m-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit barbermotorsports.com.
July 14: Alabama Theatre Summer Film Series: Ghostbusters. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com.
July 1: Southeastern Outings Kayak and Canoe Trip. Locust Fork River, Blount County. Depart 9 a.m. from Cleveland Chevron. Contact Dan Frederick at 631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net. Visit seoutings.org.
July 15: Southeastern Outings Short Hike and Long Swim. DeSoto State Park. Depart 9 a.m. from Applebee’s in Trussville. Call 491-8845 for information. Visit seoutings.org.
July 1-2: Magic City Con. Hyatt Regency, The Wynfrey Hotel. Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $30 weekend pass. Visit magiccity con.com. July 1-16: Gypsy. Virginia Samford Theatre. $15$35. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org. July 2: Get Healthy on the Railroad Cooking Classes. 3:30 p.m. Railroad Park. Free. Visit railroadpark. org. July 4: Southeastern Outings 4th of July Picnic. 6:30 p.m. Bartow Arena. Music by UAB Summer Band and viewing of fireworks show. For information, contact 205-631-4680 or email seoutings@ bellsouth.net. Visit seoutings.org.
July 15-16: Tannehill Trade Days. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. $3-$5. Visit tannehill.org. July 15: Float Your Boat Festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, 3906 Turkey Creek Road, Pinson. Fun-filled day with balsa wood boat races with prizes, food and swimming. Call 3054385 or visit turkeycreeknp.com. July 15-16: Sloss Music & Arts Festival. 1:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Sloss Furnaces. Featuring 40 bands, beer and cocktails, arts and crafts, live iron pouring demonstrations and more. Two-day general admission passes $115-$155. Visit slossfest.com. July 15: David Blaine Live. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $29-$79. Visit davidblaine.com.
July 4: Thunder on the Mountain 2017. 9 p.m. Vulcan Park. Fireworks show. Free to the public. Visit visitvulcan.com.
July 16: Alabama Theatre Summer Film Series: Singin’ in the Rain. 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com.
July 5: Throwback Thursday Kids Club: Finding Nemo. 10 a.m. Alabama Theatre. 9 a.m. kid’s activities, face painting and prizes. $5 adults, $3 kids 12 and under and free for 2 and under. Visit alabama theatre.com.
July 20: Throwback Thursday Kids Club: Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. 10 a.m. Alabama Theatre. 9 a.m. kid’s activities, face painting and prizes. $5 adults, $3 kids 12 and under and free for 2 and under. Visit alabamatheatre.com.
July 6: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 113 22nd St. N. Meet local artists and performers and buy their work. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com.
July 21-23: 34th Annual World Deer Expo. BJCC Exhibition Halls. 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. $13 adults, $7 children 4-11, under 3 free. Visit worlddeerexpo.com.
July 7: Alabama Theatre Summer Film Series: Grease Sing-Along. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com. July 7-30: Newsies. Red Mountain Theatre Company, Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre. 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets start at $25. Visit redmountaintheatre.org.
July 21: Art on the Rocks! 7 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art. $15-$30. Visit artsbma.org. July 21: Alabama Theatre Summer Film Series: Christmas Vacation. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com.
July 8: Second Saturday at Sloss Walk and Talk. 10:30 a.m. Garden at Sloss Quarters. Plaintain Salve- Grandma’s Sure-Fire Remedy. Presented by Birmingham Historical Society. Visit bhistorical.org.
July 22: Southeastern Outings Short Hike and Long Swims. Bankhead Forest. Depart 9 a.m. from Floor Décor Store on Green Springs or at 10:20 a.m. at Jacks in Double Springs. Contact 631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net. Visit seoutings.org.
July 8: Antique Engine and Tractor Show. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. $3-$5. Visit tannehill.org.
July 23: Alabama Theatre Summer Film Series: White Christmas. 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com.
July 8: Southeastern Outings River Float. Locust Fork River, Blount County. Depart 9 a.m. from Cleveland Chevron. Contact Dan Frederick at 631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net.
July 23: Alabama Theatre Summer Film Series: Elf. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre. com.
July 8-9: Alabama Gun Collectors Association Summer Show. BJCC Exhibition Halls. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visit algca.org. July 8: Journey. 8 p.m. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. With special guest Asia. $38-$340. Visit journeymusic.com. July 9: Jazz in the Park. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Helena Amphitheater. Presented by Magic City Smooth Jazz. Featuring Joe Carnaggion Trio and Phil Denny. Free. Visit magiccitysmoothjazz.com. July 9-12: Birmingham Barons v. Mobile Baybears. 6 p.m. Sunday, 7:05 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. $7$14. Visit barons.com. July 9: Alabama Theatre Summer Film Series: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com.
July 27: Throwback Thursday Kids Club: The Little Mermaid. 10 a.m. Alabama Theatre. 9 a.m. kid’s activities, face painting and prizes. $5 adults, $3 kids 12 and under and free for 2 and under. Visit alabamatheatre.com. July 27-Aug. 6: Willy Wonka, Jr. Virginia Samford Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $15-$20. Visit virginiasam fordtheatre.org. July 28-30: Magic City Ice Classic. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Pelham Civic Complex. Figure skating competition. Free. Visit bhamfsc.com. July 28: Alabama Theatre Summer Film Series: Steel Magnolias. 7 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com. July 29-30: NASA Mid-South. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Barber Motorsports Park. Visit nasaproracing.com.
July 10: BAO Bingo. 7 p.m. Birmingham AIDS Outreach. $15-$25. Visit birminghamaids outreach.org.
July 30: Alabama Theatre Summer Film Series: The Sound of Music. 2 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $8. Visit alabamatheatre.com.
July 13: Throwback Thursday Kids Club: Beauty and the Beast. 10 a.m. Alabama Theatre. 9 a.m. kid’s activities, face painting and prizes. $5 adults, $3 kids 12 and under and free for 2 and under. Visit alabamatheatre.com.
July 30: Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience. 7 p.m. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. $29.95-$99.95. Visit foreigneronline.com. July 30: Alabama Music Awards. 5 p.m. BJCC Theatre. $20-$25. Visit alabamamusicawardsshow.com.