280 Living October 2012

280 Living

www.280living.com

neighborly news & entertainment

October Features

Volume 6 | Issue2012 2 | October 2012 | October |

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Raising up change in Uganda

Oak Mountain grads and mom run Sozo Children

Out of the Darkness Walk-page 9

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Local walks and festivals Dr. Andy Sokol

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Stack Candles

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People you should know

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Local authors

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Game day recipes

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Restaurant Showcase

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280 Business Happenings

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Business Spotlight

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Gagnon family

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School House

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Sports

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Rick Watson

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Kari Kampakis

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Financial 360

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Library Happenings

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Live music schedule

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Calendar of Events

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The Sozo Children team, including Lisa Bond, Suzanne Owens, Jon Brennan, Catherine Wise Lenning and Allen Nunnally, took children in the homes they started in Uganda to eat and swim for the first time. Photo courtesy of Allen Nunnally.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM On May 3, 2010, recent college graduates Allen Nunnally and Jay Clark noticed a Ugandan girl named Fetuma’s feet were raw. When they asked about them, she and her friends said it was the

rats that ate at their feet at night. It was at that moment Nunnally and Clark knew they had to do something.

Fetuma was one of a group of children to whom Clark and Nunnally were bringing

food after finding them malnourished and abused living in an orphanage outside Kampala, Uganda. The children were only

See UGANDA | page 24

A Tiger in the Lions’ den Trotter brings 24/7 mentality to Briarwood

By RICK WATSON Auburn quarterback Barrett Trotter had the best game of his college career during last year’s Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, when he led the Tigers to victory over the Virginia Cavaliers. And with the roar of the crowd still ringing in his ears, the former Briarwood Christian star quarterback headed back to Birmingham – back to his high school alma mater.

See TROTTER | page 27

Former Auburn quarterback Barrett Trotter coaches Briarwood Christian School quarterback Chandler Wilkins (left) and receiver Daniel Robert (right). Photo by Rick Watson.

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Welcome Friends

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

Editor’s Note

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes forget that I live in a bubble. Sure, I drive up and down 280 everyday to work and to my gym and my church and my grocery store, seeing many of the same people, but I pride myself that I do try new things (like Tellini’s—excellent fresh and fast Italian food now open next to Chik-fil-A—see page 17) and meet new people.

I even venture to do things in other parts of Birmingham quite often.

But when I get on a plane or even drive north or south on I-65, my eyes are opened to how small my 280-centric world really is. As a more extreme case of that, when I travelled to Guatemala this summer, I was with people who had little possessions but were full of joy, who truly valued relationship over time and accomplishment, and who lavished hospitality on anyone who walked through their doors. Being with them reoriented my to-do list priorities in my daily life. Still, now that a few months have passed, I am back to the daily grind and was so thankful to have the people behind Sozo Children refresh my perspective yet again.

Relationship is what has Allen Nunnally and Suzanne Owens flying

back and forth to Uganda and working tirelessly in Birmingham to support the Sozo children. They say that when they are there, being with people is all that really matters. What’s more, I know that Allen and Suzanne left their day-to-day lives only streets over from mine and have returned with a mission that they have involved the 280-area community in. Be sure to read their story on the cover.

In a different way, Barrett Trotter, a Briarwood Christian School graduate, left for Auburn to play college football. Now that he’s back in the area, he’s brought his wealth of experience from the world of SEC ball to coach students a few years behind him in the game.

The more I leave and return, the more I realize how important it is for members of our community to experience new perspectives and then bring them back to their neighbors to enrich the small world in which we live. You don’t have to go to Guatemala or Uganda to step outside your bubble, but you do have to journey somewhere new and different.

Meet our intern Chelsea High School cheerleaders rally their classmates at the school before their game against Spain Park. The girls wore green ribbons and bandanas in memory of cheerleader Sammie LaBeau’s mom, who passed away a few weeks earlier. Green was her favorite color. Photo by Cari Dean.

Staff & Friends Contributing Writers

Madison Miller | Kathryn Acree Rick Watson | Kari Kampakis Lisa Johnsey | Katey Courtney Kaitlyn Seesholtz

Contributing Photographers Cari Dean | Barry Clemmons

Interns Kaitlin Bitz | Dannelly Farrow

Publisher Dan Starnes

Sales and Distribution

Creative Director

Matthew Allen | Warren Caldwell Dan Starnes | Rhonda Smith

Keith McCoy

Community Editor Jeff Thompson

Published by

Managing Editor

Starnes Publishing LLC

Madoline Markham

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: madoline@280living.com

For advertising contact: dan@280living.com

Legals:

Contact Information: 280 Living P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205)-370-0732

280 Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. 280 Living is designed to inform the communities along Highway 280 of area school, faith, 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. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 370-0732 or by email.

Please recycle this paper

Kaitlin Bitz is a senior at Samford University. She is majoring in journalism with a concentration in print and minoring in sociology. She is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and enjoys spending time with her three dogs.

Meet our new editor Jeff Thompson is a journalism graduate of Auburn University.

For the past four years he served as managing editor of The Tuskegee News, where he focused on bringing public awareness to causes including education, historical preservation, local arts and non-profit organizations. He has been awarded eight Alabama Press Association awards for coverage, photography and design. He has a wife, a dog and a cat; is bad at cooking; is worse at guitar; and refuses to drive down Highway 280 unless it’s between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m.

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280 Living

Don’t lose hope.

Lose weight.

RobeRt A. DeSAntiS, m.D., FACoG boARD-CeRtiFieD ob/GYn member of the medical Staff at trinity medical Center

Time and again, you’ve tried to lose weight and failed. Now, it’s time to succeed. Join Robert A. DeSantis, M.D., for an informational session and learn more about Ideal Protein, a medically designed weight loss protocol. Also learn valuable nutrition information to help you keep the pounds off for life.

Join us for one of our free sessions.

Thurs., Oct. 25 | Thurs., Nov. 29 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

All seminars will be held at Trinity Medical Clinic at Chelsea.

331 Chelsea Corners Way, Chelsea, AL 35043 Seating is limited. For reservations, please call 205-678-7779.

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8/14/12 1:08 PM

Chelsea Fire and Rescue to black out breast cancer

By KATHRYN ACREE Chelsea Fire and Rescue Department is once again holding its popular fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama. This year’s theme is “Black Out Breast Cancer,” and the department is currently selling T-shirts marked with their “Black Out” logo for $15. All proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.

“Our department does not make anything off this,” said Chelsea Fire Chief Wayne Shirley. “It’s one of three fundraisers we do a year and a very dear cause to us.”

The department started this program last October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month. Last year’s theme, “Chelsea Turns Pink,” was a big success.

This year’s fundraiser will conclude with a special ceremony on Black Out Chelsea Day during the Chelsea Hornets versus Pelham Panthers football game on October 19.

“The firefighters really got on board with this,” Shirley said. “Our department will wear a firefighter’s version of the Black Out shirt in October as their uniform.”

Shirley said he hoped the community

maintained its excitement for the event, noting an outpouring of support following a July preview on Facebook.

“We quickly had good comments and people sharing the news,” he said.

“Last year’s support was great, and we’re looking forward to that response again.”

Chelsea Fire and Rescue is selling these T-shirts as part of a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.

Photo courtesy of Chelsea Fire and Rescue.

Second Annual Shelby Blues & BBQ The Second Annual Shelby Blues & BBQ will be held at Helena Amphitheater on October 20 from 1- 8 p.m.

There will be a kids area open until sunset, a tailgating area to watch Alabama or Auburn on large screens, arts and crafts, blues music, and several types of food

vendors on-site.

Tickets are $5 a person in advance or $10 at the gate.

For more information, visit shelbybluesandbbq.org or contact Lisa Shapiro at 663-4542 or lisa@shelbychamber. org.

Fall Vendor Market at OMHS The Oak Mountain High School Choral Department will host a Fall Vendor Market on Saturday, October 20 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The event will feature handmade crafts, jewelry and baked goods. Catalog sales representatives can also purchase booth space to display and sell products in a family-friendly environment.

Proceeds will go toward travel expenses for Con Brio mixed show choir and Chanter

show choir. Last year, Con Brio made the finals of a national competition at the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, and Chanter won three of its competitions. This year, both groups plan to travel to Nashville for the national competition.

The market will be held at Oak Mountain High School, located at 5476 Caldwell Mill Road.

For more information, contact Kathy Parker at 995-0680 or 613-3743.

First annual Mitchell’s Chili Golf Championship The first Mitchell’s Chili Championship will take place Monday, October 15 at Greystone Founder’s Course at noon. The event, which its founders intend to host annually, will feature a golf tournament and lunch.

Hors d’oeuvres will be served during the award ceremony following the tournament.

Proceeds will benefit Mitchell’s

Place, Inc., an organization that provides comprehensive treatment to children with autism spectrum disorder. Players can sign up individually for $400 or for five player teams for $2,000. Space is limited, and players will be entered on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information, contact Jenny Wilson at jwilson@mitchells-place.com or visitmitchells-place.com.

Summit to host Light the Night cancer walk

By KAITLIN BITZ On October 18 The Summit will host Light the Night, an event is presented by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to raise money for those suffering from different types of blood cancer. Participants walk while carrying illuminated balloons of various colors to signify supporters, survivors and those walking in memory of a loved one.

Light the Night takes place annually in communities all across the nation.

Individuals, groups of friends, family and coworkers can participate. Each person is given the goal of raising $100 toward research, educational materials and local programs.

The event runs from 5:30-8 p.m. For more information on how to register, visit lightthenight.org/al/.

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Harvest Festival in Mt Laurel

Children at last year’s festival enjoy a fun-filled hayride. Photo courtesy of Kim McFall.

The 11th annual Mt Laurel Harvest Festival will take place Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The festival will feature more than 200 different vendors, a farmer’s market, craft fairs and more. Canine friends can participate in the Doggie Dress-up.

Children can pick from a wide variety

of activities including inflatables, hayrides and face paintings. There will also be special appearances by Cinderella and GhostBusters.

The festival, which drew more than 3,000 people last year, offers fun for the whole family. For more information, visit mtlaurel.com.

Run Away from Violence

Co-chairs Amy Reese, Mandy Cox and Angela Dunn are planning the Run Away from Violence together this year. Courtesy of Marsha Drennen.

The sixth annual Run Away From Violence will be hosted at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Health and Wellness Center on October 27. Participants have the option to walk or run the scenic 8K race, whose route will take them through the Greystone Founders community. The track is also USATF certified.

Hannah Home Shelby Auxiliary and St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Health and Wellness Center are organizing the race to raise money for the annual operating expenses of the local King’s Home.

King’s Home caters to abused and homeless women and children in the Birmingham area.

Registration for the race is $30. It will begin at 8 a.m., rain or shine. Awards will be given to the top two performers in each age group, as well as on overall female and male winner. There will also be a one-mile Fun Run at 9 a.m.

For more information, contact Angela Dunn at angela.dunn13@gmail. com or Mandy Cox at mandy.cox@stvhs. com. To register, visit active.com.

Community Flea Market at Saint Mark Knights of Columbus council number 13446 from Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church will host its seventh annual Community Flea Market on Saturday, October 20 from 7 a.m.-noon in the church parking lot.

Eighty-five vendor booths are available, and sellers price and sell their own items. The Knights of Columbus will provide advertising, a table and man

power to help unload and load wares. In exchange, sellers will donate 25 percent of their proceeds to the Knights of Columbus.

For more information or to register, send an email to StMarkFleaMkt@aol. com or leave a message at 866-622-STMK (7865), extension 1.

Saint Mark the Evangelist is located at 7340 Cahaba Valley Road.

Chelsea Park Elementary Fall Festival Chelsea Park Elementary will hold its annual Fall Festival on Friday, October 26, from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The event will include a silent auction, vendor booths, inflatables, games, entertainment, food and more. This is one of the largest fundraisers to benefit the students and teachers of CPES. Tickets will be available for purchase at Chelsea Park Elementary the week of the event for 50 cents and at the event for 60 cents.

Chelsea Park Elementary is located at 9000 Chelsea Park Trail and can be reached at 682-6700.

Chelsea Park students Colin Burrough and Avery Harris at last year’s Fall Festival. Photo courtesy of Lori Harris.

ALLER VISION

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280 Living

Scouts earn Bronze Award

OMHS’s Taylor crowned Miss Point Mallard’s Outstanding Teen

Girl scout troop 3590 juniors. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Rousseau.

Girl Scout Troop 3590 juniors earned Bronze Awards this year for planning a “Low-down,” Hoe-Down campfire sing-along to raise money for the King’s Home.

The girls served s’more cookies, popcorn, lemonade and hot cocoa to fellow scouts around a glowing candle campfire.

The event also acted as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts by founder Juliette Lowe. Many sister troops attended, and even though the campfire moved indoors due to the rain, the party continued.

The venue was donated by the King’s Home, and Chelsea Publix and Winn Dixie

donated supplies.

Scouts put together many individual and group hours and will complete the award after a project at Kanawahala Program Center in Chelsea to take place in November.

Troop members are all fifth graders at Chelsea Intermediate School: Alicia Rousseau, Bella Cavender, Savannah Trout, Ali Rebman, Bailey Drew McIntyre, Shelby Gerald, Anna Claire Williams and Mallie Engel are.

The troop is led by Karen Trout with assistance from Pam Gerald and Shelley Williams.

Callie Walker, Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen 2012, crowns Myrah Taylor as Miss Point Mallard Outstanding Teen 2012. Photo courtesy of Anna Malone.

Oak Mountain High School junior Myrah Taylor was crowned Miss Point Mallard’s Outstanding Teen during the Spirit of America Festival held July 3-4 in Decatur. She bested 18 other young women in the competition.

Taylor’s designation earns her a chance to compete in the 11th annual Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen Pageant, which will be held March 2013 in Sylacauga.

Myrah, daughter of Dr. Brenda and Robert Taylor, has danced for more than 14 years and has been a member of her middle and high

school dance team for four years. She is also the recipient of a Girl Scout Gold Award.

Her platform in the competition focuses on neglected and abused children, and she has a special desire to mentor girls with low self-esteem. Taylor partners with Grace House Ministries and The Owens House and said she hopes that communities will support her cause by purchasing blue ribbons to display on doors and mailboxes. Contact her at dadancegirl1995@ gmail.com to request a brochure and additional information.

280 Living

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Seventh annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk benefits suicide prevention

Participants walk through Heardmont Parkin last year’s Out of Darkness Community Walk. Photo courtesy of Out of the Darkness.

By DANNELLY FARROW After their son Matt took his life in 2006, Meadow Brook residents Alan and Cindi Weeks got involved in the first annual Out of the Darkness Walk at Heardmont Park. Last year, the Weeks helped the event raise more than $13,000 from a turnout of 1,300 walkers.

“The walk helps comfort hurting hearts, but it also raises money for research and awareness about depression and suicide,” said Alan Weeks.

Out of 250 walks nationwide, Birmingham’s walk always places in the top five in money raised. These proceeds benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) by funding research, education and support programs both locally and nationally. Out of the Darkness organizers said each year more than 34,000 people commit suicide, which averages out to one death every 15 minutes.

“This walk isn’t just about those directly affected by suicide. We also encourage friends of the cause to come out as well,” Alan said.

Many programs have started because of the local walk, including an initiative to show the “More than Sad” DVD in Alabama’s high schools. This Out of the Darkness organizers are beginning a pilot program in Jefferson County Schools to train counselors on depression and suicide.

“In my mind, we are very far behind in understanding depression and mental illnesses. I want to raise awareness that

this is a disease just like physical illnesses,” Cindi Weeks said.

Out of the Darkness has also started an outreach program for those directly affected by suicide. The program allows loved ones to speak to someone over the phone or through a house call. It helps those affected understand they are not alone and be a comfort for someone dealing with the loss of a loved one.

This year’s walk takes place on Sunday, November 4 at Heardmont Park and begins at 2:30 p.m. Registration is available for walkers the day of the event.

Participants will walk to honor a loved one, to support the cause, or to raise awareness. The public is encouraged to attend and there will be accommodations for wheelchairs, strollers and pets on a leash.

Mike Latham and Sean Bunn will provide music, and a bagpiper will play to commence the walk. There will even be a butterfly release after the walk if weather permits.

“We want everyone to come, to celebrate life, to remember a life and raise awareness for this cause,” Cindi said.

For more information about Out of the Darkness Community Walk and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, visit afsp. org/alabama or outofthedarkness.org. For more information about the suicide outreach program, call 382-5402.

Area churches host fall festivals

By KAITLIN BITZ Churches in the 280 areas are preparing for the excitement of fall. If you’re looking to celebrate the season, check out some of these festivals.

Saturday, October 20 ffNorth Shelby Baptist Church Trunk or Treat.

4-7 p.m. Visit northshelbybaptist.org.

Sunday, October 27 ffChelsea Church of God Fall Festival. 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Country Breakfast until 10:30 a.m. Ladies’ craft workshop, kids’ craft workshop and inflatables. Visit www. chelseachurchofgod.net/ladies-ministry.

Sunday, October 28 ffValleydale Church Fall Festival. 4-8 p.m.

Rides, games, and food will be available.

Halloween costumes are encouraged. No scary outfits please. Visit valleydale.org. ffShepard of the Hills Lutheran Church Trunks and Treats. 4:30 p.m. Visit sothl.org.

ffMeadow

Brook Baptist Church Fall Festival. 4-7 p.m. Carnival games, face painting, trunk or treating, food, candy, cakewalks and games. Call 991-8384. ffDouble Oak Community Church Fall Festival. 3-5 p.m. Trunk or treating and inflatables are among the attractions.

Call 995-9752. ffChelsea Creek Community Church Fall Festival. 4-6 p.m. Chelsea Park.

Inflatables, face painting and free hotdogs will be offered. Call 678-9565.

Wednesday, October 31 ffInverness Vineyard Church Fall Festival. Free inflatables, music, games and food. Visit invernessvineyard.org. ffChelsea Community Church Sweets and Treats. 6 p.m. Twenty different booths with food, games, and more will be offered along with a hayride and free inflatables. Call 678-9565.

Market for Missions at Oak Mountain Church Oak Mountain Church will hold its second Market for Missions on Saturday, October 13 from 9 a.m-3 p.m.

This marketplace will sell crafts, art, food and other items. A portion of each vendor’s proceeds will go to the Oak Mountain

Church missions fund.

Cathy Graham, missions assistant at the church, recommended using the event to get an early start on Christmas shopping.

Oak Mountain Church is located at 5080 Cahaba Valley Trace.

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Mascot to mutts: Local vet bleeds orange and blue

By KATEY COURTNEY Years ago, while wearing his Aubie costume, Andy Sokol held a baseball and bat in front of the Alabama Crimson Tide dugout. Tide fans began to heckle the Auburn University mascot as “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” swelled over the loudspeakers.

“Go home!” they screamed at him. It was one option. But from across the field his own dugout began to urge him on as well. “Do something!” members of the Auburn baseball team said.

Aubie, of course, sided with the Tigers.

He tossed the ball in the air and swung towards the dugout, scattering Bama players in the process. And for that, Auburn players saved Sokol a seat on the bus next to their star player.

“The guy I sat next to was Frank Thomas, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer,” Sokol said. “That was the beginning of my Aubie career and one of the best moments of my life.”

Sokol, a veterinarian at Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic since 1998, served as Auburn’s most treasured symbol from 1987 to 1988. And although his days of being Aubie are over, his love for Auburn spills over into his veterinary practice.

For starters, pictures of every memorable Iron Bowl game line his office.

“The 2010 Iron Bowl picture is a picture of Bryant-Denny Stadium. It took a lot for me to be able to hang that in my office, but the sky in the picture is orange and blue and because of that, I can handle it,” Sokol said.

Many of Sokol’s patients wear Bama colors and collars or have Alabama-themed names, but he refuses to compromise his Auburn loyalty, sometimes resorting to renaming the Alabama pups. When Julio – named after

highly respected veterinary program. The young boy, once adorned in crimson, was then well on his way to representing orange and blue.

On one elementary school visit during his tenure as the mascot, the crowd chanted for Aubie to dunk a basketball.

“I’m 5-foot, 7 inches, and dunking was going to be nearly impossible, so I decided to pick a member from the audience for some help,” Sokol said.

Sokol chose a boy who was not cheering, placed him on his shoulders and let him dunk the ball. The crowd went wild. Sokol was later told the boy he chose was suffering from brain cancer at the time.

The disease kept him out of school and made it difficult to make friends. Not long after meeting Aubie, the boy passed away.

“I know the simple act of being acknowledged and chosen changed that little boy’s life,” Sokol said. “After that day, I knew that Aubie truly had an impact on people and that he could change things.”

Sokol is a life member Veterinarian Dr. Andy Sokol reminisces about times he spent as Auburn’s mascot, Aubie, while holding his of the Auburn Alumni dog, Popeye. Photo by Katey Courtney.

Association and a member former Crimson Tide receiver Julio Jones approached him and said, “You must be of the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club. He goes to all the home games, – comes by, Sokol calls him Cam instead. really proud of your team.”

But Sokol didn’t always look the Without hesitation, Sokol replied, travelled to Atlanta for the Clemson part of a Tiger. The current Greystone “No, my mom makes me wear these,” game, and plans to go to Nashville for Village resident grew up dressed in and Sokol’s mother never dressed him the Vanderbilt game and to Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl this year.

Alabama gear. When he was 4, his in Alabama clothing again.

Sokol once shaved his head after an grandfather took him to breakfast His conversion to an Auburn fan the day after the Iron Bowl in his became complete years after, when undefeated season and hopes he can do best Alabama outfit. A family friend Sokol’s father told him Auburn had a it again someday.

When you give to United Way, you’re not just doing a good deed — you’re creating opportunities for a better life for all. Your donations go directly to our partners and initiatives in our community to help those who need it most. The truth is undeniable: doing good feels good. And nothing feels better than making good things happen with a partner like United Way.

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280 Living

Candles for a higher purpose

By ALLIE KLAUBERT It is not uncommon to find Stephanie Lloyd taking a few moments out of her busy day as a stay-at-home mom to light a candle. But to Lloyd, a lit candle means so much more than a simple flame.

“The whole idea is to light the candle and remember and give thanks,” said Lloyd, founder of Stack, a Biblicallycentered candle company.

The Highland Lakes resident based her candles off the Biblical practice of stacking stones, as found in the book of Joshua.

“In the Old Testament, when God moved in the Ancient Israelites’ lives,” Lloyd said, “He asked that the Israelites stack stones to remember God’s faithfulness.”

After the principle was introduced to her 15 years ago in a Bible study, Lloyd applied the act of remembrance to her own life. As Lloyd struggled with infertility, anxiety and depression, she would mentally “stack stones” to remember the Lord’s faithfulness in her life.

“You don’t understand in the midst of the situation, but looking back at the stacks of stones, you see God’s faithfulness,” she said.

Stack Candles feature scents including Seagrove, Cashmere, Orange Peel Cinnamon and Mediterranean Water.

Lloyd designed the candles with soy wax and cotton wicks as an everyday luxury.

“I wanted to create a luxurious, high end product that is also affordable,” she said of her $24 candles.

A member of Oak Mountain

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New council chapter to work with illiterate adults In September, the Literacy Council of Central Alabama launched its new Shelby County Chapter to reach illiterate adults in the area. Current estimates of the illiteracy rate in the county put the number at nearly 8,500 residents – approximately 7 percent of the county’s population.

“Despite the fact that Shelby County is one of the wealthiest and most literate counties in our state, there are still adults who reside there who can’t read,” said Beth Wilder, president and executive director of The Literacy Council. “While we’ve always worked with those in need in Shelby County, this takes it a step further implementing a program that offers a oneon-one approach that encourages success.”

The new chapter will offer adult literacy programs at the North Shelby Library on Highway 119 and at the Parnell Memorial Library in Montevallo. Tutor trainings are in progress, and a drop-in program will be starting soon.

“Sometimes people are functionally

illiterate,” said Katie Guerin, chair of the new Shelby chapter and director of library services at North Shelby Library. “We want to help people who might not be at the reading level they want to be.”

The Literacy Council’s mission is to support and strengthen organizations that provide adult basic literacy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) services in Central Alabama. The Council’s efforts include providing resources and referrals by maintaining a toll-free Literacy Helpline, which serves as a primary point of contact for individuals seeking adult basic literacy and ESOL assistance. Other Council efforts include training literacy tutors and conducting public awareness campaigns to keep the crisis of illiteracy in the public eye.

For more information on the Shelby County chapter of the Literacy Council, contact Katie Guerin at 439-5540. For more information about The Literacy Council, visit literacy-council.org.

Build Your Dream Today

Stephanie Lloyd’s Stack Candles were inspired by biblical practice of stacking stones. Photo courtesy of Emily Kicklighter Photography.

Presbyterian, Lloyd uses her candles as a ministry.

“I have story after story of God faithfully moving,” she said. “It is all about Him and His message. The candle is just an instrument,” Lloyd said.

Stack candles and diffusers are available at Greystone Antiques and Marketplace, Pepper Place, Rosegate Design and other Birmingham retailers.

To buy online or to share a story of God’s movement in your life, visit stackcandles. publishpath.com.

www.mtlaurel.com UPS Stores holding food drive to benefit families in need (205) 408-TOWN (8696)

Mt Laurel specializes in custom homes. Imagine living in a community where you can walk your children to school, ride bikes to Jimbo’s Soda Shop for an ice cream float, or enjoy an evening stroll on Plaza your wayhis to wife, a romantic at the Stone’s Throw.

Local UPS Stores at Inverness Myra, dinner founded drive.

He said his Swim in theat pool, at Spoonwood Lake orgoal watchisyour childrenand playdistribute while you 1,000 relax meals and The Village Leefish Branch are teaming to collect with Divine Missionary Baptist Church – approximately 1,300 pounds of with food – by at the Faith neighborhood playground or doggy park.

Plus, the Town Center is filled to sponsor a food drive dubbed “Meals for Thanksgiving. conveniences such as groceries, fresh cut flowers and a pizza parlor for those nights Fooddiscover donations dropped Marks you Village.” canned andus today and simply Donations don’t want toofcook.

Contact howcan youbecan make off at non-perishable food items received between either UPS Store location from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. this truly walkable community your dream come true.

October 1 and November 21 – the day before Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thanksgiving – will be delivered to Divine on Saturday. For more information, contact Hwy 280 East. Left on Daniel.

Right on in HwyMarks 41. Mt Laurelthe is 1.3 miles on the left. store at 991-9999 or the Lee Faith and distributed toHugh needy families Inverness Hwy 280 West. Right on Hwy 41. Mt Laurel is 3.4 miles on the right.

Village housing in the Gate City community of Branch store at 408-9399. For more information Birmingham. about Divine Faith Missionary Baptist, visit EBSCO Development Company, Inc. Jeff Fabian, who co-owns the stores with divinefaithmbc.org.

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Your Health Today

By Dr. Irma Palmer

(This is the first of a two-part series on cancer and chiropractics. This month we look at chiropractic’s role in cancer prevention.

Next month we’ll look at how chiropractic care can benefit anyone currently diagnosed with cancer.)

We hear so much about cancer, especially during October which is possibly the most easily recognized cancer awareness month with pink everywhere in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But what IS cancer? According to The Cancer Project, a committee of physicians committed to promoting cancer prevention and survival through a better understanding of cancer causes, cancer begins as a single abnormal cell that begins to multiply out of control. Groups of these cells form tumors and invade healthy tissue, and often spread. The development of cancerous cells is aided by our lifestyle, carcinogens from foods, the air, or even from within the body.

Although a great deal of scientific data is available regarding cancers of all types, sadly many people are unaware of how they can reduce their risk of developing cancer. The National Cancer Institute reports that as much as 80 percent of all cancers are due to identified factors, and therefore could potentially be prevented! Here’s what you need to know to reduce YOUR risk of developing cancer.

First, you need to understand that we all already have cancer cells in our bodies!

Our bodies’ immune system seeks out these cancerous cells and destroys them, all without a conscious thought! However, our immune systems are often compromised (due to an overload of toxins, carcinogens, or as a result of poor diet and lack of exercise) and as a result, they’re no longer able to keep up with the growth of cancerous cells. It can take years for the cancer to develop and grow before it’s detected and diagnosed, but there are ways to take control of your health and practice preventative care.

According to David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD, and author of “Anticancer,” the first step is structuring our diets around nature’s most nutrient-rich, cancer-fighting foods, and avoiding the sugars and bleached flours that are so common in our diets today.

And Dr. Servan-Schreiber isn’t alone in his assessment. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), together with the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), reports that about one third of cancers worldwide could be wiped out through diet and exercise.

They’ve published a report that took five years to complete and was based on more than 7,000 scientific studies, linking cancer risk to diet, physical activity, and weight.

Specifically, here are some lifestyle

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practices you can engage in now to reduce the chance of developing cancer later. And please note that all of this is central to what I, as a wellness chiropractor, teach my patients and how I live my own life:  Get rid of excess weight, especially abdominal fat.  Increase your physical activity.  Decrease consumption of red and processed meats (beef, bacon, lunchmeat, hot dogs, packaged meats, and sausage).  Eat lots of plant foods – fruits (especially berries) and cruciferous vegetables and dark, leafy greens (such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, romaine lettuce and collards).  Eliminate damaged or compromised fats (trans fats and hydrogenated oils such as corn, vegetable, canola and peanut oils).  Significantly reduce refined sugars and grains in your diet. (Research on the role of sugar in cancer goes all the way back to the 1930’s when Dr. Otto Warburg won a Nobel Prize for discovering that sugar is the food and fuel for cancer!)  Increase consumption of green tea (but don’t add sweeteners, especially artificial ones!)  Replace unhealthy fats with healthy fats, like olive and coconut oils.

 Supplement your diet as needed with essential fatty acids, Vitamin D and other vitamins and minerals as needed, based on your individual health needs. We offer specialized testing through hair analysis to verify what minerals and nutrients you are deficient in. A detailed report returns specific recommendations.  Detoxify your life as much as possible (educate yourself about cigarettes, pesticides, plastics and more!)  And finally, practice good spinal hygiene.

Chiropractic care can release the innate healing power already inside every person and is a proactive part of a healthy lifestyle.

This is just a smidgen of the wealth of information available to help us live healthier lives and reduce the occurrence of cancer.

Call my office at 205-991-3511 and come in for a complimentary consultation and let’s talk about how wellness-oriented chiropractic care can help you. Also, RSVP to attend our free Wellness Workshop on Tuesday, October 30th from 6:15-7 p.m. where we’ll delve deeper into chiropractic’s role in cancer prevention. Additionally, ask about our new line of Standard Process Supplements that can be individualized to address your particular deficiencies through specialized hair analysis testing and pre-screening.

www.280living.com

280 Living

People you should know Stacy Walkup

Executive Director, South Shelby Chamber of Commerce

By KATHRYN ACREE Stacy Walkup might have the title of being South Shelby Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, but she prefers to look at her role as being “executive directed” by the needs of its membership. The chamber, located in Columbiana, serves businesses in Chelsea, the 280 corridor, Dunnavant, Mt Laurel, Wilsonville, Harpersville, Westover and Vincent.

Is Columbiana home for you?

Actually I was born in Albany, Ga., moving to Montevallo when I was a kindergartener. My family lived there until we moved to Riverchase, and I completed high school at John Carroll. I went to Ole Miss, earning a bachelors in business administration.

What was your first job out of college?

After college I moved to Atlanta and worked as a property accounting assistant for a firm that managed commercial properties.

My family in Birmingham owned a medical supply company, Critical Systems, Inc., and my parents emphasized the importance of working elsewhere for a year before joining the family business back home. It gave me exposure to a variety of small businesses and how different businesses operated.

In Atlanta I met my future husband, Kevin, who was from Marietta. When I came back to Birmingham, I bought a house in Edgewood in the Homewood area, and Kevin eventually moved to Birmingham and we married.

Stacy Walkup

What lessons did you learn once you joined the family business?

Once I started in our family business, my mom was ready for “semi-retirement.”

That meant I jumped in and learned it from the ground up. You do what it takes, from cleaning the bathrooms on up!

After seven years, our family company merged with 11 other medical supply companies. I went into pharmaceutical sales for Professional Detailing, Inc. out of New Jersey and assisted in a Glaxo Wellcome contract. The work involved a lot of travel, and our son, Grant, was about three at the time. Kevin was in retail management in the grocery industry, which required him to work long hours too. At that point, I chose motherhood over working outside the home to be with Grant. We were living in a home we’d built in Calera, but decided to move to Columbiana.

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What led you to open a consignment shop?

We loved being in Columbiana and felt ready to open a small business. A neighbor of ours was interested in opening a furniture consignment shop, and my mom and I were interested in a clothing consignment shop. We went into business as The Little Red Hen, named for one of my favorite children’s stories. People really loved the store, and our goal was to have things there to appeal to any shopper. I always liked the idea of consignment and saw it, in a way, as a community service. People bringing items to the shop made money too because they received half of what their item sold for. Having a consignment shop in a small town meant you needed the confidence of the clients who brought things in and the confidence of customers who shopped there.

After four years of working with me to operate The Little Red Hen, my mom was pulled in many directions. She was helping me care for Grant, working at the store and helping out with my grandparents who had also moved to Columbiana. It was all becoming a bit overwhelming. In 2003, she and I agreed it was time to sell The Little Red Hen. How did you come to your role at the South Shelby Chamber?

Bonnie Atchison was one of our store customers and asked me what I was going to do after selling the store. She said she was looking to retire as director of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce and wanted me to consider working at the Chamber. I wasn’t sure what I thought of that at the time, but I received a lot of encouragement from friends and family.

Share a little about your experiences so far with the Chamber.

When I started here nearly 10 years ago, the growth in the southern part of Shelby County was really taking off. Chelsea was a new city with an expanding housing market.

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A lot of new residents there wanted to open a business near where they lived. I describe it as “we were all new together.” With all the growth, the Chamber now says we cover the South Shelby area/region because we have businesses that trade in our area but may be located in other cities, like Birmingham.

We’ve grown from about 100 members to almost 450 members. We have a lot of longtime members, and I think that’s a reflection of the Chamber being relevant to its members.

We strive simply to help our businesses and that help is available in a lot of ways. New members are able to go through orientation in a small group setting to see what all the Chamber offers — programs, networking events, multiple ways to plug in.

What are your thoughts on the down-turn in the economy affecting area businesses?

The economy has been tough on our businesses; it’s affected so many people.

When people are watching their spending from a small business standpoint, their chamber membership dollars are even more valuable, in my opinion, because the Chamber is there for them all year round. It’s a low membership fee for what is available for that business. If there is ever a time to be involved, it’s now. We create a venue for all aspects of the community to come together and learn about what each other is doing and a great way for businesses to network with each other. I’m passionate about that.

What are your favorite parts of your job?

I enjoy being able to highlight our area attractions. We have area wineries that are part of a wine trail, and the museum association has a new museum trail in the county. One of our Chamber board members, Jack Bridges, was instrumental in putting the trail together. From a business standpoint, it’s a nice way to draw visitors and tourists in our area to shop and eat in our towns.

Explore Your Creative Potential

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280 Living

Author releases new book with familiar setting The Birmingham Zoo has again inspired award-winning poet and author Irene Latham to pen a novel. Her latest, Don’t Feed The Boy, a fictional tale about a boy who lives at Meadowbrook Zoo, a facility modeled after the Birmingham Zoo and named after a familiar Highway 280 neighborhood.

“I have been driving through Meadow Brook nearly every day for the past 14 years, either taking kids to school, going to the library or visiting friends,” she said, “so when it came time to name my fictional zoo, it’s the first thing that popped into my mind. I like how it sounds. The word has a rolling romance to it, and it just feels like a good place to be. I thought it set the perfect tone for the role the zoo plays in the story.”

Latham, an Inverness resident, was a teen volunteer at the zoo until she witnessed her first surgery and decided to write about animals. Her book includes a multitude of animal facts and behindthe-scenes adventures drawn from her training and other research. She has been praised for her authentic and memorable stories in both Don’t Feed The Boy and her first novel, Leaving Gee’s Bend.

“The best part of being a writer is connecting with readers,” Latham said. “I can’t tell you how much interacting with students and teachers means to me. It’s one of the best, most unexpected joys of my life. It’s one way to practice what I preach, which is, ‘Live a life worth writing about.’”

Latham, her husband and their three sons, the oldest of which is a senior at Oak Mountain High School, are frequent visitors of the Birmingham Zoo. She loves sharing her passion for books and writing with kids and offers a special discount to schools located in Shelby County.

“Without question, humans are my favorite species. The best part about going

Inverness author Irene Latham.

to the zoo is sharing that experience with loved ones,” Latham said.

Latham will hold a book release party Sunday, October 14 from 2-4 p.m. at the

Birmingham Zoo. Admission is required, but feeding the giraffes is free. A second event will be held Sunday, October 21 from 2-4 p.m. at the North Shelby Library.

Admission is free.

For more information, visit irenelatham.com and follow her on Twitter @irene_latham.

Breakfast with the Survivors How Breast Cancer Affected Me Tuesday, October 30 8:00-9:00 a.m.

Join a panel of breast cancer survivors, including Brenda Ladun, two-time survivor and anchor for ABC 33/40, as they share their stories and fears about the diagnosis and treatment, and triumphs about recovery.

Be inspired by their strength, faith, and determination throughout the process of this disease. Bring your friends and family. Enjoy a light breakfast and mingle with these amazing women.

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280 Living

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October 2012

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Handing down faith through

The Schoolhouse

By MADISON MILLER In 1916, Elsie Thomas had no fear.

She had just received a new teaching job at Shady Grove School and was bursting with excitement when she stepped off the train in Marion County, Tenn. Little did she know it would turn out to be one of the hardest experiences of her life.

Thomas’ trials at Shady Grove have now been retold in The Schoolhouse, a book by her granddaughter Jill Glassco, a resident of the Highland Lakes community off Highway 280. Glassco’s book is based on Thomas’ own words.

Thomas wrote a 14-page letter about her experiences at Shady Grove and passed it down to her daughter. Years later, the letter was handed down once again to Glassco when she was in college. Although she always cherished the story, Glassco said she never thought about publishing it until a service at the Church of the Highlands last year that she changed her mind.

“The preacher encouraged the congregation to go after the dreams God has set out,” Glassco said.

Glassco wrote the first rough draft in a week, but lost confidence after several revisions. Like her grandmother, however, Glassco turned to her faith for support, finished the book and signed a contract with LifeHouse publishing. The Schoolhouse was released in June.

Glassco’s book not only tells the story

of her grandmother, but also offers a guide on how to live through faith. Each of the seven chapters concludes with a reflection page about ways Thomas found peace with each challenge that she faced. They also include tips and principles for readers to do the same.

“My hope was that it would be a book of encouragement to remind people going through difficult circumstances to finish strong and rely on God,” Glassco said.

Originally from Fort Payne, Glassco and her husband, Phillip, moved to Birmingham in 1996. They have three children and three grandchildren. She said she plans to write more stories based on the South that teach how to live through faith in God. She has already completed her second book, which takes place in Alabama, and said she wants to write one story set in every southern state.

The Schoolhouse is available to buy online at amazon.com for $17.99. It is also available locally at Cowboys on Highway 280, Family Christian in Inverness, Sanctuary Christian Bookstore at the Colonial Promenade in Alabaster, Briarwood Presbyterian Church and Church of the Highlands-Grants Mill Campus.

Glassco said she is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. She is appreciative of her family, publishers and

Jill Glassco, author of The Schoolhouse, stands by the fireplace in her home in Highland Lakes with a copy of her book. Photo by Madison Miller.

those who endorsed her book. As she pursues more writing, she will continue to share her grandmother’s and her own

faith in God. She recommended her book to children fourth grade and up as well as families.

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280 Living

Game day munchies

By LISA C. JOHNSEY Football season is one of our favorite times of the year. We love to have friends and family over to watch the games and, of course, to eat. While we may disagree about whom we are cheering for, we all agree that snacks are essential. Most of these recipes can be prepared in advance and laid out in a big spread just in time for kickoff. Everyone can make a plate, grab something to drink and be in front of the television for the game.

Mom’s Artichoke Dip 2 cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 1 cup Parmesan 1 cup sour cream 2/3 cup mayonnaise ¼ teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 3 slices (about ¼-inch thick) of pancetta Paprika, to taste Dice up pancetta. Brown in a skillet and drain on paper towels. Mix cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder and cayenne together. Add the artichokes and pancetta; stir to combine. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Sprinkle paprika over the top and serve with your favorite crackers (my favorite are Triscuits).

Our Favorite Hummus 1 can cannellini beans, drained 1-2 small cloves garlic, chopped ¼ of a bunch of Italian parsley 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1-2 drops Tabasco ½ teaspoon salt Drain can of beans, reserving the liquid; rinse the beans. Place all ingredients

in food processor and add 1 tablespoon of the reserved liquid. Blend in processor until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve to allow flavors to marry.

Serve with Pita Chips.

Pita Chips 1 bag of pita bread 1 tablespoon oregano Salt and pepper to taste Cut pita bread into triangles and spread on a baking pan. Sprinkle with oregano, salt and pepper. Bake at 375 degrees for about 6-7 minutes.

Game Day Chili Chili mix, like 2 Alarm or Shot Gun Willie’s ¼ cup of medium hot chili powder 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper 1-2 teaspoons red pepper flakes 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce 1 can diced tomatoes 2-3 cloves garlic chopped 1 onion diced 2 large cans of chili beans 2 small cans of chili beans 1 ½ -2 pounds ground turkey Add chili powder, cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes to chili mix.

Brown the turkey and drain on paper towels. Sauté onion until tender and add garlic, cooking continue until you can smell the garlic. In a large pot, add the beans, mix, sauce and seasoning; stir to combine. Add meat, onions and garlic; stir again. Add enough water to cover the bean mixture.

Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for about 1 ½ hours .

Serve with chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, tomatoes, green onions

Serve a buffet of snacks during game watching, including Mom’s Artichoke Dip, Italian “Salsa” with Mozzerella and homemade Pita Chips. Photo by Lisa Johnsey.

and jalapenos.

Halftime Sliders 1-1½ pounds ground chuck Salt and pepper, to taste Garlic powder, to taste Onion powder, to taste 1 egg, beaten 2-3 tablespoons ketchup Slider-sized buns In a bowl, place meat and seasonings and add the beaten egg. Mix until combined, trying not to over mix the meat.

Shape into patties about three inches in diameter. Grill to desired doneness.

Top with fixings like lettuce, tomatoes,

pickles, onion, ketchup, mayo and mustard.

Italian “Salsa” with Mozzarella 5-6 roma tomatoes 1 bunch basil 1 bunch parsley ¼ small onion, diced 1 tablespoon sugar 1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese Pita chips Mix tomatoes through sugar together and allow to set. To serve, cut mozzarella into desired-size pieces and place on warm pita chips. Dollop salsa on top and enjoy.

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Restaurant Showcase

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

280 Living |

October 2012

Tellini’s Italiano

Tellini’s opened next to Chick-fil-A on Highway 280 in September. Photo by Madoline Markham.

4618 Highway 280 South 408-4410 tellinis.com

Sunday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

If you take the fresh-fast food concept you find at Taziki’s Mediterranean Café and translate it to the realm of spaghetti sauce, mozzarella cheese and everything wellloved about Italian food, you have Tellini’s — the newest opening by Fresh Hospitality Group, The restaurant group, which runs Taziki’s as well as Jim ‘N Nick’s, Riff Burger and Little Donkey Mexican, already owns locations of the Italian chain in Tupelo,

Memphis and Huntsville, but the new Birmingham restaurant is different.

“We wanted a lighter menu with food you can eat for lunch,” said Nick Pihakis, founder of Fresh Hospitality.

“We added sandwiches and salads, chicken, fish — a healthier side of the menu.”

This new 280 restaurant, managed by operating partner Allen Mello, is acting as a prototype for a new fresh, from-scratch menu, whose entrees cost $7-15. After tweaking the menu at this location, they will adapt the model for other Tellini’s.

The Spaghetti Arrabbiata with its plum-sized San Marzano tomatoes, two types of chili peppers and fresh basil and garlic tastes like a friend whipped it up from a trip to the farmer’s market that morning.

The Chicken Marsala, topped with mushrooms, diced tomatoes and scallions, has a sweet wine sauce that is decadent yet not heavy.

The Tellini’s Chopped Salad combines salami, grape tomatoes, onion, garbanzo beans, pepperoncini peppers, fresh oregano with chopped lettuces in each bite. Their Pasta Salad tosses chilled cheese-filled tortellini with mixed greens, fresh basil, toasted pecans, roasted red peppers and balsamic vinaigrette If you can’t decide between a pizza and salad, the Piadine stuffs salad ingredients into folded, stone-cooked pizza dough. A different salad variety such as Caesar or Greek is offered daily.

Their new recipe for the 10-inch handcrafted pizzas comes with fresh twists, as well as more classic varieties like Five Meat. The Tellini’s Special (salami and fresh mozzarella) and Vegetarian have a layer of the tomato arribita sauce. Grilled chicken or grilled shrimp pair with pesto sauce, artichokes, mushrooms, onions and fresh mozzarella.

“Every day we roll our pizza dough and make the pizza sauces,” Pihakis said. “It’s all made here to bring a level of quality to in fast-casual dining.”

With this menu, Pihakis wants to offer the same quality food as a restaurant like Carraba’s but with a smaller price tag and faster service.

Pihakis said some of his favorites on the menu are the salads, paninis and pizzas.

The menu also offers a selection of more traditional Italian favorites including Fettucine Alfredo, Baked Ziti, Lasagna and Chicken Parmesan, all served with choice of

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Read all the past Restaurant Showcases at 280Living.com

Tellini’s house arribita sauce is made with San Marzano tomatoes. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Chicken Caesar Piadine, a salad inside a pizza sandwich. Photo

by Madoline Markham.

soup or side salad. To complement any entree, there are garlic-topped rolls — also fresh-baked — as well as a menu of wines by the bottles or glass and craft, domestic and imported beers.

The dessert menu makes a decision easy — there’s just Lemon or Strawberry Cheesecake, each a thick, creamy cake atop graham cracker crust.

Tellini’s owns the strip center where it is located in the former Shogun Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar space next to Chik-fil-A. “Who wouldn’t want to be on 280, except at 5 p.m.?”

Pihakis said of choosing this location.

Owning its own property here helps the restaurant financially. This is also the case where Fresh Hospitality owns the strip center that houses Riff Burger and Taziki’s in Hoover as well as the strip behind Krispy Kreme further South on Highway 280 where they plan to open Big Bag Breakfast at the end of the year.

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October 2012

| Business Happenings

280 Business Happenings

New Chelsea Italian restaurant and bakery

Pelotoni’s Italian Restaurant is scheduled to open in Chelsea around the first of October. It is owned by Heidi and Jim Colwell.

The restaurant, located in Benson Plaza next to Therapy South, will feature a bakery and traditional Italian food including pizza, steak and shrimp. The bakery menu will feature giant lemon cookies, snicker doodles, coffee ice cream, cannolis, cakes, cheesecakes and mousse. Items can also be ordered to-go.

Pelotoni’s is located at 100 Chelsea Corners Way, Suite 102 and can be reached at 678-2650. For more information, visit their facebook page. Restaurant hours are 3:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.- 7p.m. for Sunday brunch.

New cheernastics gym Loud N Proud Cheernastics is now open in Chelsea across from Ruff N Tuff.

The gym, owned by Krystle McCombs-Colvin, offers cheer and tumble classes with no more than an 8:1 student-teacher ratio. Classes are now open for enrollment for ages 2 and up, and the enrollment fee is currently being waived.

Classes are $67 a month for one day a week or $120 for twice a week. Once-a-week classes are $50 per child for families with two children enrolled.

Loud N Proud, which also rents out its gym space for birthday parties, is located at 10699 Old Highway 280 and can be reached at 678-YELL (9355) or lnpcheernastics@yahoo.com.

Inverness Ashley Mac’s to open Ashley Mac’s, a café that offers catering and gourmet to-go items, is opening a new location on Valleydale Road in January 2013. The cafe will be located in the Inverness Highlands shopping center near Southeastern Jewelers.

Like their Cahaba Heights location, their menu will offer sandwiches, salads and soups. Ashley Mac’s extensive dessert menu includes popular strawberry cake, and the cafe offers variety of frozen sides and casseroles, including Poppyseed Chicken.

The address will be 5299 Valleydale Road, Suite 101. For more information, visit ashleymacs.com.

Countrywide now SolAmor Hospice Countrywide Hospice, located in The Narrows, has rebranded itself as SolAmor Hospice. SolAmor offers patient and family support 24 hours a day with nursing, personal care, social work, chaplains and grief support available.

SolAmar is located at located at 13521 County Road 280, Suite 249 and can be reached at 991-9091.

Nex21 now open in Liberty Park

Nex21, a professional services company offering graphic design and printing, marketing, human resources, accounting and integrated technology services, is now open in Liberty Park.

Nex21 is located at 1400 Urban Center Drive, Suite 100. For more information, visit nex21.com or call 520-9916.

ITS Computers expands services

ITS Compuers in Chelsea is now offering computer classes and smart phone screen repair services.Classes in basic computing and basic Microsoft Office usage are located in a new classroom in the former Toluca Pottery location. They are offered during the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as on Thursday evenings.

ITS is located at 11732 Chelsea Road and can be reached at 618-9280.

Interim Healthcare anniversary Interim Healthcare, a privately owned and operated homecare agency with a local office at the Colonnade, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

The Birmingham affiliate is owned by French Forbes, the fourth-generation owner of the 122-year-old Forbes Piano Co., who sold that business to serve the community through Interim.

Interim is located at 3800 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 140 and can be reached at 298-6605. For more information, contact interimhealthcare.com/birminghamal.

Arlie’s Outdoors in Chelsea Arlie’s Outdoors, located in Chelsea, celebrated a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, August 29, with the South Shelby Chamber.

Arlie’s is a sporting goods store that offers items such as guns, bows, fishing gear, tackle and related apparel.

Arlie’s is located at 10699 Old Highway 280, Building 7,and can be reached at 678-4992.

October Events for the 280 Area 10/9- Chamber Works. 8:30-10 a.m.

Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr, Pelham No cost. Due to Columbus Day Holiday, RSVP required by noon, Friday, Oct. 5.

Sponsored by Cahaba Valley Computer Services, Charter Business, and Minuteman Press Alabaster 10/18- Grow & Go “The Power & Importance of Diversity in the Workplace,” presented by John Moser, First Response. 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr, Pelham Investment: $10. RSVP required by noon, Tuesday, October 16.

Sponsored by Business Telephones, Inc. 10/25- Network 280. 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Edwards Chevrolet, 5499 Hwy 280 E. No cost. No RSVP required.

10/25- Business After Hours. 5-7 p.m. Big Lots, 3550 US Highwy 31 South, Pelham. No RSVP required. No cost.

10/31-Monthly Membership Luncheon, Annual Safety Awards.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Dr., Pelham. RSVP required by noon, Monday, October 29. Investment: Members $17, futuremembers $25. Showcase City Feature: Hoover, Birmingham and Westover.

Sponsored by Alabama Telco Credit Union and FASTSIGNS.

G

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

For information about Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce events, go online to: www.shelbychamber.org or call 663-4542.

280 Living

www.280living.com

Business Spotlight

By KATEY COURTNEY

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October 2012

Beaumont Pharmacy & Gift Boutique

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19

Read all the past Business Spotlights at 280Living.com

264 Inverness Center Dr. 991-7171 www.beaumontpharmacy.com Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Beaumont Pharmacy & Gift Boutique goes beyond the normal, day-to-day operations of a typical pharmacy. It allows patrons to partake in a traditional soda shop experience while picking up their prescriptions or ordering a customdesigned gift basket.

“Customer service is our main priority,” said owner and lead pharmacist Tammy Rogers. “We know all of our customers by name and are willing to go above and beyond to satisfy every customer.”

The pharmacy, located across the street from Inverness Village on Valleydale Road, is fully equipped to assist customers with any medical need, from on-site pharmacy compounding to free medical and gift basket delivery.

Beaumont also specializes in pet medicine flavoring, child medicine flavoring, nutrition counseling and immunizations.

Since opening the pharmacy in October 2011, Rogers has been dedicated to expanding the traditional pharmacy experience. With the assistance of store director Shirley Lea, Beaumont has gained a positive reputation in the community.

They have worked with the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce on several occasions to assemble baskets of various gift items.

“They have been thoroughly pleased with the results,” Rogers said.

While waiting for a prescription

Beaumont Pharmacy owner and lead pharmacist Tammy Rogers holds one of the store’s speciality gift baskets. Photo by Katey Courtney.

to be processed, customers can enjoy a delicious frosty treat from Beaumont’s old fashioned, in-store ice cream shop.

The ice cream parlor offers everything from ice cream cones to build-your-own sundaes.

Lea and Rogers are happy to assist in designing and assembling the perfect gift

basket for any occasion. Beaumont also specializes in collegiate gear.

“Anything we do is fast, friendly and convenient,” Rogers said.

While some may be intimidated by a small pharmacy, Rogers implores people not to be.

“People don’t need to be intimidated

by the fact that we’re a small business,” Rogers said. “Our products are the same, and copays are typically the same from pharmacy to pharmacy. Our products are the same as the big chains, but our service is what we are known for.”

You can follow Beaumont Pharmacy on Facebook or Twitter @beaumontpharm.

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October 2012

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280 Living

Family ties: Fighting Cystic Fibrosis

By KATEY COURTNEY It’s unlikely the outside world sees anything extraordinary about Meadow Brook’s Gagnon family. Of course, like many other books hastily judged by their covers, the world has it wrong. Laney and Gary Gagnon are two of the 280 community’s most outspoken voices in the drive to raise awareness about Cystic Fybrosis (CF), an issue that, for them, truly hits home.

CF is a genetic disease that causes mucus in the body to become thick and build up, which creates problems in the lungs and pancreas. According to the American Lung Association, approximately 30,000 Americans currently suffer from the debilitating disease, including two of the Gagnon’s six children, 15-year-old Jonathan and 6-year-old Allison.

“Jonathan was a year and a half when we found he had CF, and we had no idea what it was,” Laney said. “We had to Google it to know what the doctor was talking about.”

Following Jonathan’s diagnosis, the Gagnons had each of their other children screened and learned Allison was also afflicted. The Gagnons said it was a relief to catch it so early in their daughter, but frustrating as well. Newborn screening wasn’t available when Jonathan was born, and Laney said it made his diagnosis harder to understand and accept.

Each day, Jonathan and Allison Gagnon take 28-30 pills, perform breathing treatments and participate in chest physical therapy for 30 minutes. Therapy is increased up to three times a day when the children are sick. Laney said these timeconsuming treatments are the most difficult part of the Gagnon’s efforts to give their children a normal life, especially since CF has no effect on their outward appearance.

However, the invisible condition can

The Gagnon family, including is fighting Cystic Fibrosis. Front row: Allison and Michael Back row: Laney, Jacob, Hannah, Jonathan, Katie and Gary (front), Photo courtesy of Sharon Gagnon.

also be a double-edged sword.

“It’s hard that people can’t tell that Jonathan and Allison are sick and sometimes forget,” Laney said. “They have a life-threatening condition. It limits them when they have to stay in the hospital for two weeks. It makes it rough on their studies and affects them when they miss out on school functions like school dances, games and extra-curricular activities.”

Allison, a first grader at Inverness Elementary, enjoys dancing and gymnastics.

“I don’t like getting IVs, but the doctors are really nice,” Allison said. “I like having visitors, getting gifts and getting Skittles when I‘m at (Children’s Hospital).”

Jonathan has adapted to his diagnosis and refuses to let it slow him down.

“I’m just like every other kid out there,” he said. “I like to listen to music, draw, watch TV, hang out with friends

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and go camping. I don’t let the fact that I’m sick slow me down. I’m pretty much the same as everyone else – I just have to take a lot of medicines and go to the hospital around once a year.”

All six children, including Jacob (12), Katie (9) and Michael (5), are active in sports and support one another.

Hannah Gagnon, a sophomore at John Carroll Catholic High School, is active in advocating for her younger siblings. In June, she attended Teen Advocacy Day for CF in Washington D.C. “I want to raise awareness so it’s a more commonly known disease,” Hannah said. “I want people to understand what it is to live with CF and to be in a family that is affected by CF. My favorite part of the experience was being able to talk to other teens affected by CF and having other teens to relate to in that regard. It was also nice to sit down with state representatives and

senators and be able to further the progress in raising awareness across the country.”

Laney Gagnon attended the event with Hannah and took great pride in her daughter’s efforts to make a difference.

“I enjoyed meeting other families that had a connection to CF from across the country,” Laney said. “It was also nice to feel like I had a voice with the congressmen and knowing that I was making a difference.”

While Hannah and Laney were attending Teen Advocacy Day, an announcement was made that a new, ground breaking drug for CF, Kalydeco, had completed its second phase of trials and has shown to dramatically improve lung function in CF patients. With the progression in modern medicine, CF treatments have increased the average life expectancy of CF patients drastically and give the Gagnon family hope for the future.

“I think the exciting thing is that the progress being made in treatments and life expectancy is getting better. In the 1950s, the life expectancy for most CF patients didn’t surpass kindergarten. Now, the median age for survival is at 37, a number that gives our family hope for a better future,” Laney said.

Regardless of medical advancement, the disease does not define the family.

“Obviously when we first received the diagnosis, it was devastating. Now, it’s a normal part of our lives and, with the support of our family, friends and our faith in God, we deal with it,” Laney said.

The Gagnon Family is active with Birmingham’s Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and participates in the Great Strides Walk every spring.

For more information on Cystic Fibrosis, visit cff.org. Consider participating in Sips for CF on October 11, Tee Off for a Cure on October 18, Birmingham’s Finest on November 8

at Ross Bridge in Hoover Saturday, October 13th 12pm to 5pm

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www.280living.com

280 Living

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October 2012

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21

LPS welcomes new students

New students at Liberty Park Middle. Photo courtesy Linda Rummell.

A “New Student Party” was hosted by counselors Stephanie Holcomb and Tre Munger at Liberty Park Middle School for students new to the Vestavia Hills City School System. The students were

treated to breakfast and played “Getting to Know You Games.” The Liberty Park SGA, sponsored by Anne Carter Finch and Courtney Burger, provided the food and activities.

The Miracle Worker to be presented

by Briarwood Christian School

By DANNELLY FARROW On Thursday, October 18 and Saturday, October 20 at 7 p.m., Briarwood Christian School’s theatre department will present their fall play, The Miracle Worker.

Based on Helen Keller’s autobiography, The Miracle Worker tells the compelling story of Keller’s relationship with her governess, Anne Sullivan, as they work together to help Keller overcome her blind and deaf

disabilities.

The play will feature students from the high school and elementary school at Briarwood Christian School. The play will take place at the Barbara B. Barker Fine Arts Auditorium on Briarwood’s high school campus, located 6255 Cahaba Valley Road. Tickets will be $5 for students and $10 for adults and can be purchased on Briarwood’s campus beginning October 15.

Call for Thanksgiving Essay Contest entries 280 Living is holding its second annual Thanksgiving Essay contest. Elementary and middle school students are encouraged to write about what they are thankful for or their favorite Thanksgiving memory.

Winners will be awarded by age group, and those entries will be printed in the November issue of 280 Living. All submissions must be sent by October 15,

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and should include the author’s phone number and email address so that 280 Living can contact winners.

Send all entries to Madoline Markham, Managing Editor, madoline@280living. com, or through the mail at 280 Living, P.O. Box 530341, Birmingham, AL 35253.

For more information, contact Madoline Markham at madoline@280living.com.

OMHS robotics team to compete Oak Mountain High Tech Solutions, a robotics competition team, is preparing for a BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) competition October 6 at UAB’s Bartow Arena.

The team hopes to compete in sectionals, regionals, and then go to nationals, where it has placed in the top ten in the country over the past few years.

The team is building a customdesigned robot that will compete with others schools. Team members also market the robot in competition and learn about how corporations operate in the process of developing a publicly desired product that is deemed successful by competition results.

On “game day” the different

schools all compete on a large playing field in a round-based tournament to complete specific tasks with their robot.

Meanwhile, the marketing and creative sections are working to help “sell” the team robot and company to the other schools and prospective buyers (i.e. judges). Although not as glamorous as the robot competition itself, the score counts just as much as the engineering and recorded notebook elements.

This year ’s theme is modeled after NASA’s concept of a futuristic space elevator concept. The robot must climb a 10-foot post to deliver and retrieve cargo from a home base.

To learn more about their team, visit oakmountainrobotics.com or email OMHSROBOTICS2012@gmail.com.

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October 2012

| Sports

157 Resource Center Parkway, Suite 102 Behind Logan’s Roadhouse on 280 Your source for teams sports

205-981-0291

John Michael Miller Oak Mountain High School Senior Football Our athlete of the month is Oak Mountain Eagle linebacker John Michael Miller. Miller has displayed excellence on the field, as evidenced by his selections to the All Metro seventh and eighth grade teams and by playing on the varsity squad all four years at OMHS. Off the field, he is involved in National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, Spanish Club, peer assistants and Relay for Life.

How long have you been involved in football?

I started playing when I was in the fourth grade.

Oak Mountain’s John Michael Miller. Photos courtesy of Annette Miller.

Eagle linebacker John Michael Miller, #22, reaches for a Spain Park ball carrier.

What is the best thing about being part of the Oak Mountain team?

To me, it’s the opportunity to grow up and play football with a lot of teammates and to think of them as my brothers.

Give us your overall thoughts on this year’s football season.

I have high expectations on how we start and finish games. I expect us to surprise some people and make the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

What are your college/career aspirations?

I would like to possibly play college football somewhere, but if that doesn’t

work out I will play intramurals. I also plan to study pre-med, but I’m undecided where. Probably Bama.

Tell us about your family. Any other siblings involved with sports?

I have a 22-year-old sister, Lauren, who just moved to Houston for physical therapy school. She played point guard for the OMHS Lady Eagles basketball team.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love hanging out with my friends and family and being outdoors. I also like to slalom ski and tube when we go to our lake house.

OMHS senior John Michael Miller enjoys slalom skiing in his spare time.

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If you’ve never been “baby bitten”, then drop by Pastry Art Bake Shoppe today to experience the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of one of our original Baby Bites. Once “bitten”, we know you’ll be back to try all 20 flavors.

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Sports

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Chelsea’s first 6A season

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October 2012

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23

Area football teams face tough October schedules Upcoming games

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Heading into the last game in September, four of seven teams in 6A Region 4 had the same record, and all eyes were on the Spain Park Jaguars (3-1, 3-0 region) to see if they could maintain their one-game lead. Trailed by one game by Oak Mountain (3-1, 2-1 region), Pelham (3-1, 2-1 region) and Stanhope Elmore (3-1, 2-1 region), competition is sure to be fierce through the end of the season.

Spain Park took on Lee High School in Montgomery (2-3) on September 28 before heading back into region play against Thompson (0-3) on October 5. After that, the Jags run the gauntlet, playing Oak Mountain, Stanhope Elmore and Pelham in the following three weeks.

Oak Mountain, however, already handed Stanhope Elmore a 10-7 loss when the two met on September 14. It received its lone defeat from Pelham the next week, 35-15. After taking on Pell City (1-3) September 28 and Chelsea (2-2), the Eagles have Spain Park and Prattville in back-to-back weeks. They close the season against Clay-Chalkville, which was ranked No. 2 in the state (behind Hoover) as of September 27.

Region newcomer Chelsea put up big wins against John Carroll Catholic and Thompson at the beginning of the season, but received 6A wake-up calls in the following weeks, losing to Spain Park 37-23 and Stanhope Elmore 47-7. The Hornets have four region games in four weeks during October.

In 5A Region 4, Briarwood Christian School (1-3, 1-2 region) faced a matchup with Gardendale (1-3) on September 28 before jumping back into region play in October. The Lions played division leader Sylacauga (4-0, 3-0 region) close at the beginning of the season, losing 24-20, and have the potential to make a push in the region.

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In the past, Chelsea has played a few 6A teams in various sports.

The teams are prepared for what will come up during their 6A seasons.

“6A is the best thing that has happened to Chelsea athletics,” senior baseball player Tripp Hobbs said. “It puts a fire inside each and every one of us to play up to our true potential and be a contender.”

As the football season continues to impress the Chelsea community, students and staff are eager to watch their other athletes shine in the 6A games.

Kaitlyn Seesholtz is a senior at Chelsea High School. She is involved in Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Future Teachers of Alabama, Peer Helpers and Key Club.

Kaitlyn enjoys photography, reading and volunteering, and she plans to pursue a career in education.

Coach

In its first two games of 6A play, Chelsea’s football team was undefeated. The Hornets beat John Carroll 42-9 and Thompson 42-23.

Unfortunately, the team lost to the Spain Park Jaguars the third week 2337. However, coaches said they were proud the team played a great game.

“We’re just going to come out and play straight up Chelsea football like we have been,” senior football player Wil Rodell said. “We have made a few adjustments, and this team is more than ready to bounce back and prove that we are ready for 6A football.”

The Hornets are continuing to set higher standards.

“6A isn’t going to be easy,” senior Zak Vandergeest said, “but I think it will make us a better team and school knowing we are going to have to

compete harder than ever.”

With their new challenge as a 6A team, students and staff are ramping up their spirit for the football season.

“I’m really happy we’ve moved up to 6A,” junior Christian Colburn said. “Our games will be tougher, but I think our teams will pull through.”

As the students increase their support for the current football season, the other teams are also training for their upcoming 6A seasons. In the spring, the Alabama High School Athletic Association had moved Chelsea High School from 5A into the 6A, Region 4 slot as a result of growth in the community.

“I am excited for the new challenges and excitement that 6A will bring to Chelsea High School athletics,” said Angela Gaines, physical education teacher and assistant softball coach.

Chelsea Hornets 10/05 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/02

Chelsea @ Spain Park Prattville @ Thompson Clay-Chalkville

Dana Buchman • David Meister • Diesel • Dolce & Gabbana • Donald Pliner

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Oak Mountain Eagles 10/05 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/02

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Chelsea Hornets ball carrier Cooper Page (11) tries to shake a defender in the Hornets’ loss to Spain Park in September 37-23.

The Hornets’ loss was their first to a team in their division since being moved up to 6A Region 4. Photo courtesy of Cari Dean.

24

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October 2012

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UGANDA

CONTINUED from page 1 eating every two to three days and had signs of physical abuse. They drank impure water, and some had malaria.

Ten days later, Nunnally and Clark welcomed 17 children into a fully furnished and staffed house staff in Uganda.

“Day one was great, but on day two we were asking ‘What in the world have we gotten into?’” Nunnally said.

Months earlier their life looked much different. 2004 Oak Mountain High School graduates Nunnally and Clark had grown up in youth group together and headed off to Auburn and Tuscaloosa, respectively, where they completed business degrees.

But they felt called on a different path.

Clark sold his truck. Nunnally quit his job, and they headed to Uganda for nine months with no set plan or agenda – all the while mentored by Suzanne Owens, their youth pastor from Asbury United Methodist Church.

More than two years later, Owens and Nunnally are consumed by the relationship with the Ugandans they have met. Sozo Children, the organization they run, supports around 70 children ages 4 to 18 in three different homes outside Kampala.

Their name, Sozo, comes from a Greek word that means to save, to nurture, to rescue, both physically and spiritually. By “sozo-ing” these children, the organization is raising them to be leaders in their own country.

“You see people everywhere there without food and water, and these kids will be able to make a change that we cannot,” Owens said. “We went to equip them to go out and affect change in the world.”

In order to achieve this vision, the kids remain in the homes until they turn 18 and are fully prepared for a vocation or further schooling.

“So many orphanages in Third World countries phase out kids at ages 12-14, and they don’t know how to transition into society,” Owens said. “We don’t see them

280 Living as orphans – we see them as family.”

Outside the homes, Sozo supports more than 300 children at Rays of Hope, a school in a slum area. There they have reconnected their electricity, provide them two meals a day plus tea, increased number of teachers—all things the headmaster could not otherwise do.

Sozo is filled with an army of servants from the area where its founders grew up, particularly Oak Mountain High School students and graduates.

2009 OMHS graduate Colby Ray works with media, art and web design. Catherine Wise Lenning and Lauren Bond, both 2007 OMHS graduates, first discovered Rays of Hope the summer before Clark and Nunnally started Sozo, and Lenning and her husband Jonathan were missionaries for a few months. 2002 OMHS graduate and current teacher Carrie Clark has been on numerous short-term trips.

Current OMHS senior Caitlin Owens (Suzanne’s daughter), junior Laurel Reeves and senior Kathleen Kinnebrew are working to start at Sozo Club at the high school this year to raise awareness about the children Sozo serves and advocate for them.

Many other students from Oak Mountain and Spain Park have been on short-term trips to invest in the lives of the children at Sozo and have stayed active with the group after returning. In addition to spending time at the orphanages, the teams go to the slums of Kabalagala to teach in schools, lead Bible studies for the adults, meet with families there and tell them about Christ.

“It’s a really broken but incredible place at the same time,” Nunnally said.

“The Bible studies have grown faster than we can even contain.”

Though Sozo, Dr. Todd Reaves, a dentist in Greystone, and his wife, Aimee, are looking to partner with a dentist in Uganda to train people there. Their family has also adopted two children from the slums of Uganda and hosted another child who traveled to Birmingham for medical

We Love to See You Move!

TM

treatment. Lee and Cindy Kinnebrew host fundraising dinners at their farm. Dr. Michael Semon, a marriage and family therapist on Valleydale Road, has also been involved. Local churches including Asbury United Methodist and Christ City Church support Sozo’s work.

The Sozo team is planning to build a self-contained community of 28 homes, filled with 12 children each, where they will be raised and trained to be productive leaders of their society.

“We want to focus on the family unit because we believe the family raises a child in Christ, and that’s how a community flourishes,” Nunnally said.

The community will also house a school, church and medical clinic.

They have recently found a 75acre plot that is a 45-minute drive from Kampala, and lawyers in Uganda are currently checking into the land’s titles.

“We are really praying that this is it,” Nunnally said.

Sozo is looking to raise around

$500,000 for the land and to start building housing.

Even amidst fundraising and planning for the future, Owens and Nunnally remain focused on what they see as the center of what they do: relationship. In Uganda, washing dishes for 50 people is not a task but an opportunity for conversation. When short-term teams go, they start to see things how Ugandans determine what is important and what is not.

“We are all about the relationship,” Owens said. “You don’t go on a mission trip to fix something. You go to glorify God.” When people ask why not just send money versus make a trip, Nunnally’s response is, once again, relationship.

“We absolutely need money, but the impact you make in their lives is so much more eternal, and when you come back you are so much more an advocate for them after seeing God work in their suffering.”

Ways to Support Sozo Sponsor a child. Child sponsorships are Sozo’s funding backbone and cost $140 per child per month. There is also an option to fund one or multiple $35 segments that cover medical, home, nutrition and education expenses. Sponsors stay connected to their child over Skype, letters, visits, report cards and more.

Attend an event. Sozo holds an annual mud run at Hargis Retreat Center, fundraising dinner at the end of the summer and golf tournament.

Go on a short-term trip. Upcoming trips are being planned for December and March and can be schedule any other time a team is interested.

Intern. College students can apply to spend the summer working with Sozo.

Buy jewelry. Sozo sells jewelry and other goods that their children make; contact Sozo to purchase these or other paraphernalia.

Send supplies. Short-term teams take things like books, arts and crafts supplies, quilts, pillow cases and toiletry kits over to Sozo. Contact Sozo to talk more about its current needs.

Share the Sozo story. You can learn more about Sozo and its work at sozochildren.org.

www.280living.com

280 Living

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My South

By Rick Watson

California Dreaming Have you ever had a song get stuck in your mind like an audible tattoo?

The other morning when I stepped out to feed the chickens, the grass was so thick with dew that my shoes looked as if I’d been wading in a creek. After filling the feeders with cracked corn and laying mash, I walked over to the fence to survey the morning sky. I had stood there a long time lost in thought when I realized I was humming the tune to “California Dreaming.” I hummed or whistled it all day long.

Just thinking about that song is like stepping into a time machine with the dial set to August 1967.

I was 16 the first time I heard the Mamas and Papas do that song. We didn’t have a record player then, but my sister had a Sylvania transistor radio the size of a brick, and the color of the setting sun. It had a tan leather carrying case with a long strap so you could carry it over your shoulder.

She let me listen to it one night in the summer of 1967. I laid down that night with the radio on my pillow. It was turned down low so not to disturb the family, but “California Dreaming” came pouring through that tiny speaker loud and clear.

I was not a rebellious kid, but hearing that song made me want to pack my belongings into a bag and hit the road for San Francisco.

My wife, Jilda, said she was 15 when she bought her first copy of that record.

She played it so much the needle of her phonograph practically wore grooves through the vinyl. By the time we married in 1974, it had been played so many times,

I think I could have seen through it had I held it up to a decent light.

Fast forward to this past week – our yoga buddy Janie bought an old CD by the Mamas and Papas at a yard sale. She brought it to class on Monday night and gave it to Jilda as a gift.

On the way home, my spouse put the CD in her player and jacked up the volume so loud my nose bled.

All the leaves are brown, Leaves are brown, And the sky is gray, the sky is gray According to Rolling Stone magazine, “California Dreaming” is one of the most popular songs of all time. So it would seem a lot of people had the same reaction to it as I did.

It’s a mystery to me why some music resonates and other music is forgotten quicker than the junk mail that comes in the mornings.

“California Dreaming” happened to come along during a time in my young life when I was full of expectation and angst about what I wanted to do with my future.

I knew I wanted to go places and do things that were well beyond the vision of the future my mom and dad shared for me.

They wanted me to go to school, find a job, get married and buy a house nearby.

A yard full of grandkids would have been icing on the cake. But at 16, I wanted to do something remarkable.

The song became a part of my life story, and that’s why I still carry it with me after all these years.

Rick Watson can cwatson310@charter.net.

be

reached

at

Shop Save & Share cards offers discounts

Employees of the new LOFT at The Summit prepare the store for Shop, Save & Share this October 24- November 4.

The Junior League of Birmingham, local retailers and restaurants have partnered to bring back the annual Shop Save & Share (SSS) card fundraiser. Cardholders receive a 20 percent discount at more than 500 retailers and restaurants throughout the Birmingham area, including retailers on the Highway 280 corridor. The $40 purchase of a SSS card is a donation to the Junior League of Birmingham that offers cardholders smart savings from October 24 to November 4 while supporting their community. Funds raised support JLB community projects that address some of Birmingham’s most critical issues, including literacy, domestic violence prevention, health education and life skills for families in transition.

Participating retailers include Anthropologie, Bailey Brothers Music, Belk, Books-A-Million, California Pizza Kitchen,

Chucks Fish, Fireflies and Fairytales, Gus Mayer, Iron Tribe Fitness, Monkey Toes, New Balance, Pinkberry, Saks Fifth Avenue, LOFT and Vineyard Vines.

The Junior League credits its sponsors, including The Outlet Shops of Grand River and LOFT, for contributing to the success of the event.

“This fundraiser is really a win-win for everyone,” said Valerie Ramsbacher, president of the Junior League of Birmingham. “The League raises money to support over 35 community projects. Cardholders receive discounts from their favorite retailers and restaurants, who in turn benefit from sales related to the Shop Save & Share card.”

Visit jlbonline.com or shopsaveshare.net to purchase your Shop Save & Share card and to review a complete listing of participating merchants and sponsors.

1/2 pri color M ce ondays & 1/2 pric e colo Saturda r ys from 26

Just another October day in the Salon... just cutting up, and doing beautiful hair!

5426 Hwy 280 East • 980-7444 www.gegessalon.com

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280 Living

Life Actually

By Kari Kampakis

Comparison is the thief of joy Recently I watched a bridal reality show in which a full-figured bride shopped for wedding gowns with her mom and sister, who looked like a supermodel.

Early on, the bride confessed her insecurities. Naturally, she wanted to look beautiful on her big day, but she worried she’d never find a dress to hide her flaws.

She also worried about feeling like an ugly duckling next to her sister because that has been their ongoing dynamic.

All her life, she said it would happened like this: After spending hours getting ready, she’d think she looked great. But once she saw her sister, her feelings deflated because her sister looked better. The sadness on this bride’s face was heartbreaking, and I eventually got so depressed I had to switch channels.

This show reminded me of how easily comparison leads to self-sabotage.

Physically speaking, this bride was no match for her sister, even on her best day.

But what the camera failed to capture were the qualities that made this bride sparkle.

Surely she outshone her sister in other ways, ways that were less obvious to the naked eye but still very important.

All of us struggle with feelings of inferiority. All of us know what it’s like to feel on top of the world one minute and crummy the next because someone has it better. With our status jeopardized, the claws come out. We get competitive, envious, fixated on ways to keep our opponent down. We start down a road of negative thinking, and the farther we walk, the harder it is to turn around.

When Teddy Roosevelt said, “Competition is the thief of joy,” he hit the nail on the head. It is the thief of joy, and a murderer at that. It kills our spirit, our

drive and our love for fellow man. And like a home intruder, it catches us off-guard. It can bind us up when we least expect it and hold us captive in our own residence.

But notice the operative word here is “can.” Happiness is a choice, and so are the thoughts we entertain. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” To me this means making conscious efforts to keep negative thoughts out. It means treating my heart like I do my home so I can sleep in peace at night.

If I leave the door wide-open, or even unlocked, intruders have access. But if I lock it and set the alarm, I have a warning system. I have time to react. Intruders may still come, but they won’t stay long, because there’ll be sirens going off and cops hurrying over to cart them off my property in handcuffs.

Keeping intrusive thoughts out is easier said than done, but I believe we can train our minds. One way to cure an inferiority complex is to remember that no one has to fail for us to succeed. We’re all designed to be winners, all members of the same team. People peak and valley at different points in life, and just because someone’s hitting home runs while we’re striking out doesn’t mean our day in the sun won’t come.

If someone in particular has a stronghold over you, try pushing through your feelings with prayer. Ask God to soften your heart so you can admire their gifts, not envy them. It takes time, but it works, especially if your prayer is sincere.

When it comes to blessings, God spreads the wealth. No one gets it all.

While I wish I could sing like Adele...and write like Rick Bragg...and look like Elle Macpherson, I must focus on being me. I must excel in my areas of expertise and nip any pity party in the bud.

Comparison sucks the joy out of life and turns happiness into stone. By treating it like an intruder, and arming our hearts against it, we free ourselves to enjoy life with a healthier, happier, and more productive attitude.

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Birmingham mom of four with a background in PR, writing and photography. Visit her website at www. karikampakis.com, find her on Facebook and Twitter or contact her at kari@karikampakis. com.

Shelby Chamber launches ShelbyOne initiative The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce unveiled its new five-year strategy for growth for the county at its August 29 luncheon. ShelbyOne, which began in task force meetings a year ago, aims to help Shelby County grow to be the best it can be as a leader in its region.

The strategy is divided into four parts: support for existing businesses and development in new business sectors; community development including training for current and future leaders; government relationship strategy; and marketing and communications.

DHL

At the meeting, County Commissioner Alex Dudchock emphasized that ShelbyOne is a collaborative effort and encouraged local business owners to get involved.

As of the luncheon date, ShelbyOne has garnered $1.05 million in pledges toward its $1.7 million goal.

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Dinner at 5-9(M-W) 5-9:30(TH) and 5-10(Fri&Sat)

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280 Living

www.280living.com

Financial 360

By KEVIN MORRIS

Making sense of mortgages Over the last decade, Shelby County’s population has increased by more than 3,000 people each year, making it Alabama’s fastest growing county in Alabama and among the fastest growing counties in the United States. The Highway 280 corridor is at the center of this growth and development due to the attractiveness of its commercial and retail outlets, residential developments, attractions and first class schools. People are choosing to seek home ownership in this desirable area of town as part of the American dream.

We find that sometimes, while in search of that dream, financing a home can seem like the American nightmare.

A mortgage is a mortgage is a mortgage, right? Wrong! With so many mortgage products on the market now, it’s even more important for you to do your homework in order to determine which type is best for you, and which lending institution offers the best terms for that loan.

To make the most informed decision, the key is to become aware and educated.

The Internet makes this process much easier. You can find out how large a loan you qualify for, compare loans, search for the lowest rates in your area and, in some cases, even apply online. Although this is a great first step, you will still need to need to seek the advice of a mortgage expert.

They can use their industry experience to bring your wants and needs to a workable solution. Their first-hand knowledge of Shelby County will prove beneficial as you choose not only your home but also the right mortgage.

With rates historically low, most mortgage originators are going to talk with you about a fixed-rate loan, because this type of credit offers you more predictable payments over the life of your loan and ensures your rate doesn’t increase. Down

payments required on these loans can be as low as 5 percent and offer terms from 10 to 30 years.

Depending on what your plans are, adjustable rate mortgages are available and usually provide a slightly lower rate. But borrowers beware. As interest rates increase, your monthly payment can increase too.

This type of mortgage is normally adjusted on an annual basis, and depending on the bank you choose, it could be even more frequent. These loans are popular with customers who expect rising income over the next few years because they can buy more house on a lower current income, confident that their increasing income will make the higher payments affordable if the interest rates rise in subsequent years.

If you know you’ll be moving in five to seven years but are uncomfortable with an adjustable rate, the balloon mortgage may be for you. These loans often have a somewhat lower interest rate than a conventional 30-year mortgage, but the loan is due in five to seven years. If you’re still in the house at the end of the term, you’ll have to find another mortgage in order to pay off the first one.

As you can see, there can be many variables to consider when searching for the perfect mortgage, and understanding these basic features will help guide you in the process. Much like the 280 area, mortgage products and specials change on a regular basis. As a homeowner, you should review your mortgage loan every three to five years to be sure that you have the best deal available. Just like everything important in life, a mortgage needs routine checkups and ongoing care.

Kevin Morris is the vice president of Regional Branch Management for M&F Bank at the Chelsea branch. He can be reached at kwmorris@mfbank.com.

TROTTER

CONTINUED from page 1 This summer when Briarwood Christian assistant coach Joe Craddock left for a new job at Clemson, it left a gap in the coaching staff. Trotter stepped in to lend a hand, and soon he was on the payroll as a part-time quarterback coach.

“He’s been a great addition for Briarwood,” Head Coach Fred Yancey said.

“He knows the system, and he’s learned an awful lot at Auburn.”

Indeed, when he drove to Auburn the day after graduation to start classes, the biggest surprise was the intensity surrounding the athletic program.

“Coming out of high school, young athletes don’t understand how big a job it is there. It’s football 24/7,” Trotter said.

He said playing for the Tigers was a tremendous experience and a lot of fun, but it was harder work than he ever thought it would be. However, he said he felt playing on the first Auburn team to win the first National Championship since 1957 was huge.

Although Trotter is young, Yancey loves what he brings to the field.

“He has instant credibility with our kids,” he said. “They watched him on TV last year and saw him win the bowl game for Auburn. They’re excited to have a coach pretty close to their age who has just gone through what they are going through.”

It also helps that Trotter played at Briarwood. In 2007 he lead the team to an undefeated regular season with the only loss coming to St. Paul’s in the semi-final game of the Alabama high school football championship.

“He’s great!” said receiver Daniel Robert. “Everybody respects him. We look up to him because of where he was last year. He brought in plays and ideas from

Auburn, which is a big advantage.”

Trotter is trying to help young Briarwood quarterbacks prepare for the this season’s games. He has his job cut out for him because neither of the students playing the slot had ever taken a snap at quarterback under the lights.

“He’s a great guy, but he’s a little different,” said quarterback Chandler Wilkins. “He’s hands on and very supportive helping the team with all the plays.”

On a personal level, Trotter is teaching the young guys to do the small things right, whatever they are doing.

“Get the little things fixed first,” he said.

Trotter added that a big part of the quarterback’s job is mental. He also tells young athletes that even if they aren’t getting to play, they should keep working hard to improve and show the coaches they have what it takes. He said that being successful partially comes from learning how to persevere through the tough times, when you don’t want to practice.

“It takes dedication to be good,” Trotter said.

When asked how he thinks the team will finish this year, he pointed to the school’s history despite losses at the start of the season for the young team.

“Each year, Briarwood has athletes who graduate and move on to play sports at the next level,” he said.

At Briarwood, Trotter threw for 7,968 passing yards, 88 touchdowns and 23 interceptions during his career. Both marks are school records, and his 88 touchdown passes are third all-time in Alabama state high school history.

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280 Living

Library Happenings October Happenings

North Shelby Public Library

Register for our programs and see our calendar at northshelbylibrary.org/children.html.

Special Programming Thursdays, 9:30 a.m.

Ready to Read This is a program designed to teach parents and caregivers how to get their 2.5-5 year olds ready to be readers. The first meeting on October 4 will be a workshop for parents and caregivers only. Please sign up with someone in the children’s department.

Saturday, October 6, 10-11:30 a.m.

Lego Club The library provides the Legos, the kids provide the imagination and creativity. .

Creations will then go on display in the Children’s Department. All Ages Welcome.

No registration is required.

Wednesday, October 10, 4 p.m.

B’Tween the Pages Book Club Join us to discuss books with stories of from other worlds and create book reviews. Ages 8-12. Registration required.

Thursday, October 11 Ivy + Bean Celebration We will have games, crafts, snacks and lots of fun. Ages 7-12. Registration required.

Wednesday, October 17, 1 p.m.

All Things Japan Join us to hear Tamara Moriya from Japan in a Suitcase discuss the culture and traditions of the Japanese people. Ages 8-12.

Registration required.

Saturday, October 20, 1:30 p.m.

Family Movie Day – The Pirates! Band of Misfits Come watch a fun-filled movie on the

big screen. Snacks served. No registration required.

Thursdays, 7 p.m.

P. J. Story Time Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies, and hear some wonderful bedtime tales. All Ages. No Registration Required. * For more information or to register for any of our programs or storytimes, call or email the Children’s Department at 439-5504 or northshelbyyouth@gmail.com or visit northshelbylibrary.org.

Wednesday, October 31 Trick or Treat!

Stop by each department of the library for Halloween treats! Costumes are welcome.

Monday, October 22, 6-7:30 p.m.

NSL Knitters This group is open to all skill levels. There is no fee. All ages are welcome. No registration is required.

Teen Happenings Contact Kate at 439-5512 or nsyouth@ shelbycounty-al.com for more information or to sign up for these events.

Friday, October 26, 4 p.m.

Paper Plate Jack-O’-Lantern All Ages. Registration required.

Fridays, 3:30-5:45 p.m.

Gaming Come to the teen department each Friday afternoon for Wii and board and card games.

Tuesday, October 30, 6 p.m.

‘Tween Halloween Party Ages 8-13. Registration required.

Wednesday, October 31 Trick Or Treat Stop by the library in your costume at any time during the day and pick up some sweet treats in each department.

Story-Time Programming Mondays, October 1, 8, 15, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Toddler Tales Registration will begin one week prior to each storytime. Ages 19-36 months.

Registration required.

Tuesdays, 9:30-10 a.m.

Baby Tales Story Time Ages birth to 18 months. Registration required. Registration will begin one week prior to program date.

Wednesdays, 10:45 a.m.

Mr. Mac (Storyteller Extraordinaire!)

Stories, puppets and lots of music for every member of the family. All Ages. No Registration.

Thursday, October 25, 6 p.m.

Craft Get ready for Halloween or Dia de Los Muertos (Nov. 1-2) by creating a skull mosaic. Register online at northshelbylibrary.org.

Monday, October 8, 6 p.m.

Teen Advisory Council Bring your ideas and your appetite! Snacks served and community service hours earned.

Thursday, October 11, 6 p.m.

Anime Night - Now with Origami!

Join us in the teen department for an evening of anime. Treats will be served and costumes are welcome! We will also fold origami.

Monday, October 15, 6 p.m.

Teen Book Club To participate, grab a book and start reading! Snacks served.

Sunday, October 21, 2 p.m.

Irene Latham Book Release Local author Irene Latham will talk about her new book, Don’t Feed the Boy. Light refreshments will be served.

Mt Laurel Public Library

Storytime Programming Toddler Tales Wednesdays, October 3 and 17, 10 a.m.

Registration begins two weeks prior to each storytime. Ages 36 months and younger.

Registration required.

Storytime with Ms Kristy Wednesdays, October 3 and 17, 11 a.m.

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

Special Programming Crafty Saturday Saturday, October 13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Drop in during the Mt Laurel Harvest Festival to make a Halloween craft at the library. All ages with parent help.

Friends of the Mt Laurel Public Library Used Book Sale Saturday, October 13, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

During the Mt Laurel Harvest Festival. All proceeds benefit the library’s building fund.

Trick or Treat!

Wednesday, October 31 Stop by the library at any time during the day for Halloween treats! Costumes are welcome.

Contact the Mt Laurel Library at 991-1660 or mtlaurellibrary@gmail.com for more information on these events.

Monday, October 22, 6:30 p.m.

Paranormal Birmingham Join us for an evening with a local paranormal investigator. Snacks will be served.

14 nights of special rides, fun & games!

2012 Birmingham’s Largest Indoor Children’s Facility!

157 Resource Center Parkway • 205.981.2696

Halloween Party Oct. 31st!

4 - 7 pm with costume judging and door prizes

Safety is our 1st Concern!

Birthday Parties! • Indoor Go-Karts Rock Climbing • Arcade • Party Rooms • Indoor Inflatables Snack Bar • Parent’s Lounge with Big Screen TV & Recliners! *Socks are required

Our New Website: www.ijump280.com Monday-Thursday 10am - 7pm • Friday & Saturday 10am - 9pm Sunday 12pm - 6pm

October 5-7, 12-14, 21, 25, 28 & 31 • 5–9pm October 19-20 & 26-27 • 5–10pm

NEW THIS YEAR

Pony Rides $5.50

Best Value!

Wear your favorite familyfriendly costume!

buy one get one FREE open play admission Expires 11-31-12

FEATURED PARTNER

G Eerie Express* featuring G Wildlife Show elements from Harry Potter G And much more! *requires ride tickets G Glow in the Dark Dot Maze* G Monster Mash Dance Party G Candy Land Hay Maze All prices include tax.

The Zoo will close at 4pm G Hallows Hayride* each night of Boo at the Zoo. G Gruesome Golf* Animals will not be on exhibit G Booterfly Exhibit during Boo at the Zoo. G Ghost Rollers* G Ghoul School G Scarousel*

Call us today to book your child’s party!

good at Crestwood or Highway 280

Admission $8 • Ride Tickets $3.50 Unlimited Attraction Wristband $12

birminghamzoo.com

Follow us

280 Living

www.280living.com

280 Live Music Listings HOGANS Irish Pub & Grill

507 Cahaba Park Circle • 995-0533 Every Wednesday / Thursday 8 p.m.

Live Music by Razz Ma Tazz Every Friday / Saturday 9 p.m. - Until Live Music by Razz Ma Tazz

CAFE FIRENZE

110 Inverness Plaza • 980-1315 Call for this month’s music listings.

Pablo’s

Restaurant and Cantina

3439 Colonnade Parkway • 969-1411

Live music Wednesday and Thursday, 6 – 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 – 10:30 p.m.

Village Tavern

The Summit, Lower Level • 970-1640

Every Wednesday and Thursday, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Artist Jeff Tyler performs. Fridays, 9 -11:30 p.m., Various live music.

City Vineyard Arbor Place, 5479 Highway 280, Suite 102 437-3360 • cityvineyard.net Every Friday Night live music, 7-10 p.m. on the patio.

Inside, they have a wine tasting, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

BILLY’S BAR & GRILL

Courtyard Oyster Bar & Grill 280 Band and dj schedule

Mondays & Tuesdays-Dj Kop 10/3-Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce 10/4-Eric & Erica 10/5-The Pistons / Jager Muffin 10/6-Atticus Avenue 10/7-Jager Muffin 10/10-Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce 10/11-Huck & Boss 10/12-Sexy Tractor / SK5 10/13-Todd Simpson and the Mojo Child 10/14-Tyler Ross duo 10/17-Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce 10/18-Eric & Erica 10/19-Voodoo Jones / Matt Hill band 10/20-Stomps Hill 10/21-Jager Muffin 10/24-Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce 10/25-Huck & Boss 10/26-Gentleman Zero / Jager Muffin 10/27-Shake that Kitty 10/31-Erica’s Playhouse

The Fish Market Restaurant

4520 Overton Road, Suite 104

GREYSTONE, 5407 Highway 280 980-8600

Call for this month’s music listings.

Every Thursday night live music with Jeff Taylor. All Parrotheads are invited.

Liberty Park • 956-2323

$30 OFF

your first visit with us!

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“Keeping You in the Independence & Comfort of Your Own Home” 13521 Old Hwy 280, Suite 153 Birmingham, AL. 35242

981-1800

www.comfortkeepers.com

Email: centralalabama@comfortkeepers.com

Need to rent your home?

Let us make it easy for you!

205-538-0462 2409 Acton Rd., Ste. 137 waltonandtower.com Rent@waltontower.com

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Classifieds Help Wanted

Counter person for retail business. Must enjoy contact with people. Point-of-sale experience preferred. 20-25 hours per week.

Fax resume/job history to: 205.980.8346

Beaumont Gift Boutique

Is looking for two permanent part time employees with previous retail experience that are able to work flexible schedules including weekends. Please apply in person.

Background check and references required.

264 Inverness Center Dr. Birmingham, AL 35242.

No phone calls please.

Comfort Keepers

is currently hiring quality caregivers.

205-981-1800

HELP WANTED

FULL OR PART TIME SALES ASSOCIATE. HOURS AVAIL: 12-6: SUN-SAT Apply Rogers Trading Company, Hwy. 280, resource center parkway: send resume or application to jenrtc@aol. com No phone inquiries accepted

280 Medical Supply is looking for part time help: Candidate will be responsible for making deliveries and repairing DME. Please send resume to info@BhamMed.com, fax to 888-611-8229 or call 205-678-8755.

PIANO LESSONS

Piano teacher with 20+ years of experience accepting beginner students of all ages.

Hoover, North Shelby County, 280 Area.

For more information contact BETTE HANEY - (205) 980-1721

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280 events Oct. 1 – The Teed Off Against Hunger Golf Tournament. 1 p.m. Inverness Country Club.

Benefits The BackPack Buddies Program and Vineyard Family Services. $149 for individual golfers and $575 for foursomes.

Visit golfdigestplanner.com/19870teedoffagainsthunger.com/.

Oct. 2 – Chelsea City Council Meeting 6 a.m. Call 678-8455.

Oct. 5 – Moments for Moms. 9 a.m. Liberty Baptist Church. Call 678-9928.

Oct. 5 – Chelsea High School at Oak Mountain High School. 7 p.m.

Oct. 5 –Briarwood Christian School vs. Talladega High School. 7 p.m.

Homecoming.

Oct. 6 – Mt Laurel Farmers Market and Craft Fair. 7 a.m. Every Saturday through the end of October. Call 408-8696.

Oct. 6 – Girl Power. 2 p.m. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. Class for 8-12 year old girls addressing self-image and body changes.

Call Dial-a-Nurse, 939-7878.

Oct. 6 – Chelsea Day. 9 a.m. Chelsea City Hall. Artists, vendors, music, and the Chelsea High School Hornet Pride Band will help celebrate the city. Call 678-8455.

Oct. 7 – Blessing of the Pets. 5 p.m. Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church. Visit sothl.org Oct. 9 – Trunk or Treat Open House Event. 10:30 a.m. Chelsea Recreational Park.

Hosted by Mom’s Club of BirminghamInverness. Picnic lunch available afterward with pizza provided by the club. Email momsclubinverness@gmail.com.

Oct. 10 – Shane’s Rib Shack Community of Hope Health Clinic Day. 20 percent of the day’s sales will go to Community of Hope Health Clinic. Call 874-6888.

Oct. 11, 18- Creating Memorable Images Photography Workshops. Hank Siegel, professor photographer and instructor for the Shelby County Arts Council, will teach the best practices for taking digital

September Calendar of Events email your events to calendar@280living.com

photographs. Chelsea Library. Call 678-8455 to register.

Oct. 12 – Oak Mountain High School at Spain Park High School 7 p.m.

Barbara B. Barker Fine Arts Auditorium.

Presented by Briarwood Christian School Theater Department. $5.00 for students, $10.00 for adults. Call Lee Eady, 776-5904.

Oct. 12 – Chelsea High School vs.

Wetumpka High School. 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 – Chelsea High School vs. Pelham High School. 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 – Mt Laurel Harvest Festival. 10 a.m.

Festival will include hayrides, a farmer’s market, and craft fair. Free admission. Call 408-8696.

Oct. 19 – Oak Mountain High School vs.

Prattville High School. 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 – Briarwood High School vs.

Ramsay High School. 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 – Oak Mountain State Park Fall Festival. 10 a.m. Dogwood Pavilion. Tickets are $1. Events include face painting, a dunking booth, hayrides and more. Call 6202520.

Oct. 20 – Trunk or Treat. 4 p.m. North Shelby Baptist Church. northshelbybaptist. org.

Oct. 13 – Market for Missions. 9 a.m. Oak Mountain Church. Food, crafts, and art will be available for sale. A portion of proceeds will go to Oak Mountain Church’s Mission Fund. Call Cathy Graham, 981-4318.

Oct. 14 – Irene Latham, Don’t Feed the Boy. 2-4 p.m. Birmingham Zoo. Award winning poet and author Latham will be signing her new book. This is Latham’s second book inspired by the Birmingham Zoo. Admission to the zoo is required and there will be free giraffe feeding. Call 879-0409.

Oct. 15 – Mitchell’s Chili Championship.

12 p.m. Greystone’s Founders Course. Golf Tournament benefitting Mitchell’s Place, Inc. Oct. 15- Greater Birmingham Foster Night Out Dinner. Irene Clements, president of the National Foster Parent Association, will be the keynote speaker. 6-8 p.m. Briarwood Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Email monikaprewett@yahoo.com.

Oct. 16 – Chelsea City Council Meeting 6 a.m. Call 678-8455.

Oct. 18 – Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Light the Night Walk. 5 p.m. The Summit.

The walk will benefit those fighting blood cancer. Visit lightthenight.org/al/.

Oct. 18, 20 – The Miracle Worker. 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 – Shelby Blues & BBQ. Oak Mountain Amphitheater. Grill teams will face off against one another, competing to win best chicken, ribs and pork. Venders, music and food will also be available for the whole family. Visit shelbybluesandbbq.com.

Oct. 20 – OMES Fall Fun Fest. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Call Marci Hackbarth ,OMES PTO president, at 613-1484.

Oct. 20 – OMHS Fall Vendor Market. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Crafts, jewelry, baked items and catalogue sales to raise money to cover travel expenses for the award winning OMHS Chorale. Call 682-5200.

Oct. 20 – 7th Annual Community Flea Market. 7 a.m.-noon. St. Mark the Evangelist Church. Hosted by Knights of Columbus 13446. A portion of proceeds will go to Knights of Columbus. Email StMarkFleaMkt@aol.com.

Oct. 22 – Chelsea Planning Commission Meeting. 6 p.m. Call 678-8455.

Oct. 25 – Foods of German. 6:30 p.m. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. Nursery provided.

Call 408-6550.

Oct. 26 – Spain Park High School vs.

Pelham High School. 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 – Harvest Hope Trail Run. 8 a.m.

Oak Mountain State Park. Dogwood

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Pavilion. Proceeds benefit ADAC Community Counseling. Visit active.com.

Oct. 27 – Run Away From Domestic Violence 8K. 8 a.m. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. Proceeds will benefit Hannah Home of Shelby. Email angela.dunn13@ gmail.com or visit RunAwayRace.com.

Oct. 28 – Fall Festival. 4 p.m. Meadow Brook Baptist Church. Visit meadowbrookbaptist. org Oct. 28 – Fall Festival. 4 p.m. Valleydale Church. Rides, games and food. Costumes are encourages, no scary outfits allowed.

Visit valleydale.org.

Oct. 28 – Trunks and Treats. 4:30 p.m.

Shepard of the Hills Lutheran Church. Visit sothl.org Oct. 28 – Fall Festival. 3 p.m. Double Oak Community Church. Trunk or treating and inflatables. Call 995-9752.

Oct. 28 – Fall Festival. 4 p.m. Chelsea Park.

Hosted by Chelsea Creek Community Church. Call 678-9565.

Oct. 28 – Audubon Teaches Nature at the Alabama Wildlife Center. 2 p.m. Oak Mountain State Park. Call 620-2520.

Oct. 30 – Breakfast with the Experts: Breast Cancer Awareness Panel. 8 a.m. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. Survivors, including news anchor Brenda Ladun, share their stories.

Call 408-6550.

Oct. 31 – Fall Festival. Inverness Vineyard Church. Free inflatables, music, games and food. Visit invernessvineyard.org.

Oct. 31 – Sweets and Treats. 6 p.m. Chelsea Community Church. Twenty booths including food, games and more. Hayrides and inflatables also available. Call 678-9565.

Mondays – Quick and Healthy Meals.

11 a.m. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. Meal planning with grocery lists and calorie information. Call 408-6550.

Tuesdays – Moms in Touch. 8 a.m. Liberty Baptist Church. Call 678-9928.

280 Living |

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Special events Oct. 1-31 – The Bell Center’s Annual Poinsettia Sale. Poinsettias are $17 a piece. Visit thebellcenter.org or Call Denise Williams, 879-3417.

Oct. 1-31 – Old Baker’s Farm Fall Harvest.

3 p.m.- dark, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-dark Saturday and 1 p.m.-dark Sunday. Admission: $10 per person. Old Baker’s Farm is located in Harpersville.

Visit oldbakerfarm.com/fallfestival.php.

Oct. 4-7 – Southern Women’s Show. 10 a.m. BJCC. Jewelry, handbags, cooking classes and more. Visit southernshows. com/wbl/.

Oct. 4-7 – Antiques in the Garden.

Botanical Gardens. Arts, jewelry and antiques will be presented by nationally renowned dealers. Visit bbgardens.org/ antiques.

Oct. 6 – Hikes for Tykes at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Noon. Call 414-3900.

Oct. 6 – Bark in the Park. Veteran’s Park.

Alabaster. Live entertainment, children’s activities, vendors and the Mutt Strut.

Free admission. Benefits Shelby County Humane Society. Email jhelberg@ shelbyhumane.org Oct. 6 – Pink at Pepper Place Breast Cancer Awareness Event. 7 a.m. Pepper Place Market. Cooking demonstrations, fresh produce, artisan cheese and bread and special products and vendors catered to breast cancer survivors. Visit uab.edu/ cancer.

Oct. 7 – 3rd Annual Cahaba River Society Fry-Down. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Alabama amateur catfish fryers will square off for the in a festival to celebrate the beauty and significance of the Cahaba River and to raise money for the Cahaba River Society in Trussville Springs. frydown.com.

Oct. 8 – 25th Anniversary Celebration. 6 p.m. Hot and Hot Fish Club. Cooking Light’s 25th anniversary celebration will feature a CVAprintad-10x7_5.pdf

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12-course walkabout menu. Proceeds will benefit FoodCorps. Visit CookingLight. com/Hot25Event.

Oct. 11 – American Red Cross Blood Services and Shelby Humane Society Partnership. Caldwell Trace Donor Center.

All blood donors will be able to adopt a fully neutered, spayed and micro-chipped pet for free. Call DeNita Young, 577-3477.

Oct. 11 – “Brown Baggin’ it at the Bell.”

Noon-1 p.m. Lunch and Learn. Email Denise Williams, dwilliams@thebellcenter. org.

Oct. 12-14 – Barber Vintage Festival presented by Triumph Dealers of North America. Events will include an air show, road racing, motocross and stunt shows.

Tickets start at $20 and children under 12 are admitted free. Call 967-4745.

Oct. 13 – Heights Village Halloween Hustle 5K. Awards will be given for best adult and children’s costumes. Proceeds will benefit Autism Society of Alabama.

3126 Heights Village, Cahaba Heights. Visit facebook.com/HeightsVillage or active. com.

Oct. 13 – Old Baker’s Farm Western Cowboy Day. 9 a.m.-dark. oldbakerfarm. com/fallfestival.php Oct. 13 – Heritage Festival. Jefferson Christian Academy. Call Wendy Burrows, 956-9111, wburrows@jcaweb.net.

Oct. 13 – Fiesta 10th Anniversary Celebration. Noon – 7 p.m. Linn Park.

Hispanic cultures will be celebrated and all patrons will leave with a rich appreciation of Latino neighbors. $5 for adults. Free for kids 12 and under. Visit fiestabirmingham. com.

Oct. 14 – Break ‘n Bread Food and Wine Festival. 1 p.m. Railroad Park. Tickets: $35.

Children 12 and under get in free. Visit birminghamoriginals.org.

Oct. 20-21 – Fall Plant Sale Botanical Gardens. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. Noon11:13 AM

4 p.m. on Sunday. Visit bbgardens.org/fallplant-sale.php.

Oct. 26 – Living History Day. Old Baker’s Farm. Civil War Demonstrations including artillery firing and old-fashioned soap making. Tickets are $7. Lunch is not included. Visit oldbakerfarm.com.

Oct. 27 – 71st State Farm Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola. Legion Field. Tickets starting as low as $20. Call 967-4745.

Oct. 27-28 – Old Baker’s Farm Cotton Pickin’ Celebration. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit oldbakerfarm.com Oct. 28 – Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show. 1-5 p.m. BJCC. Tickets are $10 a piece. Email Katie.Calhan@pwg.com or visit birmingham.pwg.com.

11/1 – Episcopal Place Bishop’s Dinner.

The Club. Episcopal community outreach to low-income seniors and disabled adults. Tickets are $75 a person. Visit episcopalplace.org.

Music and Art Oct. 4-6 – 39 Steps. 8 p.m. Terrific New Theatre. Visit terrificnewtheatre.com.

Oct. 4-7, 11-14 – The Color Purple.

7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

2 p.m. Sunday. Red Mountain Theater Company. Tickets: $30 to $35. Visit redmountaintheatre.org/1213-the-colorpurple.html.

Oct. 5-6 – Alabama Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall. Stefan Sanderling will be leading in Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. Visit alabamasymphony.org.

Oct. 6– Mike Epps. 7 p.m. BJCC. Tickets: start at $37.50. Visit bjcc.org/events. php#.

Oct. 7– Bonnie Raitt. 7:30 p.m. BJCC. Tickets range from $40 to $70. Visit bjcc. org/events/php#.

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Oct. 11-14, Oct. 18-21 – Driving Miss Daisy. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. 2:30 p.m.

Sunday. Virginia Samford Theatre.

Tickets: $30 for center, $25 for right and left. Call 251-1206.

Oct. 12 – Fred Thompson, Book Signing.

4 p.m. Alabama Booksmith. Fred Thompson’s Southern Sides: 250 Dishes That Really Make the Plate.

Oct. 12-14, 19-21 – Ramona Quimby.

ACTA Theater. Call 655-3925.

Oct. 13 – The Trumpet of the Swan. 6 p.m. BJCC. Presented by the Birmingham Children’s Theater. Call 458-8181 or Visit bct123.org.

Oct. 13 – The Gingerbread Man. BJCC. Presented by the Birmingham Children’s Theater. Call 458-8181 or visit bct123.org.

Oct. 15 – Bill Finch, Beth Maynor Young, Rhett Johnson and John C. Hall Book Signing. 4 p.m. Alabama Booksmith. Longleaf, Far as the Eye Can See. Oct. 20 – Eric Church. 7:30 p.m.

BJCC. Tickets starting at $37.50. Visit redmountainentertainment.com/event. php?cn=420.

Oct. 26 – Battle of the Bands. 6 p.m to 10 p.m. BJCC. Featuring Alabama A&M University versus Alabama State University, along with nine fraternity and sorority shows. Tickets: $20 preordered, $25 at door. Call 458-8400.

Oct. 26-27 – Alabama Symphony Orchestra. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall. Ingrid Filter will play Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Call 975-2787.

Oct. 31 – Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove.

BJCC. Featuring Disney princesses such as Rapunzel, Tiana, Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and more. Call 800-745-3000.

Erin King ad 10x15-75.pdf

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Life.

Conquered.

An Open Letter From A Stage 3 Cancer Survivor To Anyone Else Who Craves ... Life.Conquered.

My name is Erin King, and this is my “Life Conquered” story.

It was November 1st, 2010, when I faced the stark reality of how short life really is. I was only 27 years-old when the doctor diagnosed me with stage 3 breast cancer. The lump measured 9 centimeters, and had spread to 8 of my lymph nodes. As you can probably imagine, the following surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments robbed me of my hair, took a beating on my body, and stripped me of my self confidence. It was during this challenging time I knew I would have to choose which attitude I would adopt. I chose to conquer cancer and live my life!

I still had one radiation treatment to go when I joined Iron Tribe Fitness. I decided to start classes anyway, because I need more energy. And did they ever deliver! I have never attended a workout class (of any kind) where the coaches motivate you as much as Iron Tribe. Even my teammates constantly push me. I remember the day I saw people doing pull ups, and I said to myself, “That’s impossible. I could never that.”

Today, I’m thrilled to announce, “I do the impossible!” Iron Tribe has given me back the confidence cancer’s toll took on my body. Cancer put me on my back; Iron Tribe put me back on my feet. Now, I’m in nursing school because I want to help other cancer patients. Iron Tribe is much more than just fitness. Iron Tribe is ... LIFE. CONQUERED. .

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280 Sold Out / DOWNTOWN HOMEWOOD Sold Out / MTN. BROOK