WOMAN OF FAITH New pastor settles in at Faith Lutheran Church. 15
Vol 2 | Issue 3 | January 2017 As Trussville As It Gets
MADE GAME FOR THE
Anthony Holmes does it all for Cougars. 24
GOD IS BIGGER
WRITING HISTORY
Trussville local Rachel Shaneyfelt starts movement after diagnosis. 6
Dale Ridgeway publishes a book about his father’s naval service. 18
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH EDITOR’S NOTE | SYDNEY CROMWELL Breaking your New Year’s resolutions might be as much of a tradition as setting them in the first place. I looked back over this last year and realized that I don’t think I hit a single one of the targets I set for myself when 2016 was just getting started. That’s a little disheartening, but I’m trying to reframe it in my mind as a chance for growth, not a personal failure. I’ve always had a big problem with failure. Being a Type-A, perfectionist sort of person has meant that even just coming up a little short on a goal could send me into a spiral of self-criticism. It’s never a healthy place to be, and I have to continually be on guard so that one tiny misstep doesn’t knock me back on my heels. But I shouldn’t see my resolution-breaking as a failure, and neither should you. In 2016 I found new goals that I could have never predicted last January, and I met them. My life took turns that I couldn’t have seen coming, and flexibility is no bad thing. Reflecting on the goals I didn’t reach is also a chance to realize why I didn’t reach them. There’s that famous adage about doing things the same way every time and expecting different results. So I’m not going to approach my resolutions the same way I did last year. If my shortcomings in 2016 are a chance to learn about myself and do better in 2017, then can I really call them failures? If you are feeling like you came up short in 2016, be kind to yourself and don’t fall into the trap of assuming one failure defines you as a person. But don’t let it stop you from raising the bar for yourself in the New Year and finding a way to reach that bar, either. You are capable of great things if you just don’t let yourself get stuck in the same old things.
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A giant bike was brought to the grand opening of the remodeled Regions branch at 193 Main St. Photo by Ron Burkett.
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Trussville local starts God is Bigger Movement after rare diagnosis By MEGAN MILLER
Rachel Shaneyfelt (center) with friends at an event for the God is Bigger Movement she founded. Photo courtesy of Rachel Shaneyfelt.
From a type of cancer with an inevitable death sentence to a movement with nearly 8,000 followers, Rachel Shaneyfelt has turned her cancer diagnosis into something much bigger. Shaneyfelt was in her first year of clinical rotations for nurse practitioner school when she started experiencing shortness of breath. Shaneyfelt soon found out she had mesothelioma, a rare, asbestos-related cancer that forms on the thin protective tissue that covers the lungs and abdomen. An estimated 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed annually in the United States, the majority of which are formed from job-related exposure to asbestos. “It can lie dormant for 10 to 40 years before it raises its ugly head, and it only takes a small particle,” Shaneyfelt said. “You don’t have to be engulfed with
asbestos to get mesothelioma. I don’t know where I actually got it.” Shaneyfelt, who is the founder of the God is Bigger Movement, said diagnosis to death is only nine months; however, Shaneyfelt has survived the disease for six years. The God is Bigger Movement was born after Shaneyfelt became a medical anomaly. She had one biopsy after a lesion was found in her chest, and when doctors wanted to do a second because they didn’t trust the results of the first, they found the lesion had shrunk by 70 percent. “I told the doctor, ‘You’re not going to believe this, but my lesion has shrunk by 70 percent, praise God,’” Shaneyfelt said. “He said, ‘That’s great, get yourself a T-shirt.’ I did exactly that. If he was going to be a smart butt, I was going to be one back.” Shaneyfelt went into the hospital and
JANUARY 2017 counted the nurses, aides and other hospital personnel, and she had 130 T-shirts printed. “He didn’t know what he triggered, but that’s how the movement began,” Shaneyfelt said. While the movement started out with T-shirts, it really took off in the form of gray silicon bracelets. Shaneyfelt developed a challenge for her small group after ordering the first batch of 1,000 bracelets, asking members to give them away to a stranger. Within one week, they were gone. Now, she orders 50,000 bracelets at a time. People have been gifted bracelets all over the world, including locations such as Croatia and Romania. The movement was founded to give hope to others who might not know the Christian message, but also to draw attention to a solution and a cure, rather than a problem. Most God is Bigger apparel is made in neutral colors so attention is not drawn to the problem. However, Shaneyfelt said the colors chosen represent messages such as healing, spiritual purity and power. “We’re very thoughtful and conscientious about what we put on the shirts,” Shaneyfelt said. “I don’t want people to see the color and say, ‘Oh, she’s got breast cancer,’ before they know her salvation.” Shaneyfelt has received an email from a man in Croatia who saw a God is Bigger bracelet in a sauna in a hotel, and after watching the bracelet for two hours waiting for its owner to come back, took it for himself, knowing it was for him. Bracelets have also been given to orphan children in Romania. The movement has been painted on a racecar, and many have gotten tattoos. Although the God is Bigger Movement has gone global, Shaneyfelt has used a great deal of her personal savings to continue giving the bracelets away instead of selling them for profit. That’s where the God is Bigger Movement
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7 The annual God is Bigger Thankful Run was held in November. Photo by Ron Burkett.
Thankful Run comes in. The third annual God is Bigger Thankful Run was Nov. 19 with the sole purpose of raising money for more merchandise to continue to spread the movement globally. “We do it right before Thanksgiving, so we can say what we’re thankful for every year,” Shaneyfelt said. “The purpose of the run is to give people a platform to say they’re running for the Lord, but also to raise money to purchase
more product, because we give away more product than we sell.” Shaneyfelt said she doesn’t think anyone has ever said they’re thankful for cancer, but with this movement, she is. “It’s totally amazing to me what me and the Lord have been through,” Shaneyfelt said. “Everywhere in the Bible I’ve read there’s action behind your faith. That’s why we do the 5K.”
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COMMUNITY
Fifth annual bridal show coming to Trussville By ALYX CHANDLER Wedding cake with a side of convenience is headed to the Trussville Civic Center this month. For the fifth year, the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Trussville Bridal Show Jan. 8 from 2-5 p.m. with more than 30 vendors from the Birmingham area. The vendors will gather to offer a sample, taste or preview of their product or service to brides and their guests to help plan their dream weddings. Additionally, brides are admitted free with a paid guest. Admission is $5 per person, cash only. “Brides-to-be, as well as vendors, will appreciate the smaller, more intimate setting of the Trussville Civic Center,” said Diane Poole, the executive director of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce. Poole said 50 to 75 brides usually come to the bridal show, all in different planning stages of their wedding. Family members and interested couples also attend.
For a bride-to-be who wants to get to know a local vendor on a personal, face-toface level, this is an event that allows the time to talk in-depth with that particular vendor. Poole said she hopes to have vendors from as many categories of wedding planning as possible. Confirmed vendors include It Works, a body wrap and skin care vendor; Putting on the Ritz, a wedding DJ service; Flowers from the Heart with floral arrangements; Complete Cleaners; Fran Aldridge, a Trussville Realtor; and two hotels, Courtyard by Marriott and Hilton Garden Inn. “We sometimes get new chamber members from events like this when businesses see all the events our chamber coordinates,” Poole said. Other activities will include a fashion show, makeovers, food and door prizes. Tickets are available at the Trussville chamber office and at the door the day of the event. A list of vendors are on the chamber’s website. For more information on the event, call the chamber at 655-7535.
A couple of models in the 2015 fashion show smile at the Trussville Bridal Show. Photo courtesy of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Participants in the Southern Classic swim meet. Photo courtesy of Birmingham Swim League.
Trussville photographer part of new book that shows insight into the lives of ballet dancers and rescue dogs By MARYELLEN NEWTON
Birmingham Swim League set to host Southern Classic swim meet Birmingham Swim League, a USA sanctioned swim club, will host a competition at the Birmingham CrossPlex Jan. 20-22. Swimmers from Mountain Brook, Vestavia, Homewood, Trussville and other cities across Alabama will be competing in events ranging from the 50-yard freestyle to the 400-yard individual medley and more. For some swimmers, this will be the first chance to compete in year-round swimming,
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while others are seasoned veterans of the sport and preparing for national level competitions. Birmingham Swim League offers swim lessons with innovative technique and skills instruction from professional coaches for all ages and ability levels. For more information, call 823-5512 or email the coaches at swim4bsl@gmail.com. – Submitted by Birmingham Swim League.
SAVING
Dogs and dancers are seemingly unrelated, but they combine and contrast perfectly in a new photo book, “Sit. Stay. Plié.” The book brings together rescue dogs and members of the Alabama Ballet as the dancers go throughout their day with the dogs at their sides. Produced by Kay Simon and Asha Gangolli, with photography by Trussville resident Connie Collum, “Sit. Stay. Plié.” is a glimpse into the working life of ballet dancers and how their dogs enhance their worlds, Simon said. The idea for “Sit. Stay. Plié.” originally began as a calendar, but many doors opened, and the women turned it into a 112-page photo book. For Simon, it was striking how everything fell into place. While some may think the hardest part of working with the dogs would be getting them to cooperate for the pictures, this wasn’t the case for Collum. Rescue shelters throughout Birmingham provided dogs, and though it was challenging to have the dogs in a foreign environment and meeting people for the first time,
Photo courtesy of Connie Collum.
the chemistry between the dogs and the dancers was striking. The women designed the book with one purpose in mind: education. Simon, Gangolli and Collum strove to make readers aware of the plight of rescue animals and animal shelters across the city and state. On the flip side, they wanted to educate the community about the lives of the members of the Alabama Ballet. All profits benefit various animal rescues across Alabama and the Alabama Ballet. “Sit. Stay. Plié.” is available for purchase on Amazon, at Books-A-Million in Trussville and at sitstayplie.net.
MONEY
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Business Happenings
lix, 7272 Gadsden Highway, was awarded the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Customer Service Award for October at its luncheon on
Bryant Bank, 137 Main St., was the recipient of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Awards, 1-10 employee category. 661-5900, bryantbank.com
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Massey, Stotser & Nichols, PC, 1780 Gadsden Highway, was the recipient of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Awards, 11-50 employee category. 838-9000, msnattorneys.com
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Dr. Jerry Ambrosia has joined Alabama Orthopaedic Surgeons, 52 Medical Park East Drive, Suite 220. He earned his medical degree from East Tennessee State University and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Marshall University. He also completed a shoulder and elbow fellowship at St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute in Columbus, Georgia. Dr. Ambrosia is seeing new patients for any orthopaedic conditions. 838-4747, alabamaorthopaedicsurgeons.com
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Regions Bank, 193 Main St., has reopened in its new, state-of-the-art building. 228-7560, regions.com
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RealtySouth, 428 Main St., has hired Dottie Myers as a residential Realtor. 655-8877, realtysouth.com
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Realty, 192 Main 4 Brik St., was awarded the Emerging Small Business Award in the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Small Business Awards. 206-4333, brikrealty.com
Hirings and Promotions
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shirts, hats and outerwear, is now open at 1905-B Edwards Lake Road. 661-0310, bootbarn.com
October 20. 661-1415, publix.com
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CHAMBER Dr. Pattie Neill to speak at January Trussville Area Chamber luncheon By CHRIS MEGGINSON Dr. Pattie Neill, superintendent of Trussville City Schools, will return to the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce for her annual update at this month’s luncheon Jan. 19. The luncheon networking will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Trussville Civic Center. Neill will speak shortly after the noon lunch is served. Neill, who is in her fifth year as Trussville City Schools superintendent, plans to share about the success of the school system’s dividing its elementary school into three schools this past fall — Paine, Cahaba and Magnolia. She said the division of 2,000 students from Paine Elementary into three schools went seamlessly. “It has been an amazing endeavor,” Neill said. “It was done with such professionalism with everybody on staff.” She also plans to discuss results of last spring’s test scores, which recently came out. While the elementary test scores were only taken at Paine in 2015-16, the classes were
zoned by students’ addresses to help smooth the transition to their new school in 2016-17, thus providing a glimpse of scores for each of the three schools before they opened. The January luncheon will begin with a 30-minute network development time during which members and guests can network and exchange business cards with the estimated 80 to 100 expected to attend. Prior to lunch, the chamber will honor its monthly Customer Service Award winners. Door prizes also will be given away. To register, visit Trussvillechamber.com or contact June Mathews at 665-7535 or june.mathews@trussvillechamber. com. Cost is $17 (cash or check) or $17.34 if paying by credit or debit card (2 percent processing fee). Online registration is closed at midnight Jan. 16, but the chamber office will accept registration by phone until noon Jan. 17. All nonmembers must pay in advance. The Trussville Civic Center is at 5381 Trussville-Clay Road.
Dr. Pattie Neill, superintendent of Trussville City Schools. Photo courtesy of Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Southern Rustics continues family love of woodworking By SAIGE LEOPARD
Chad Lindsey in his home workshop. Photos by Ron Burkett.
Concrete, with its qualities of great strength and durability, is now making a statement for its beauty. Custom furniture builder and hobbyist Chad Lindsey started building his concrete-topped, pine base coffee and console tables about three years ago. The Stockton resident started the venture more out of necessity than anything else. “In our first home here, we didn’t really have any furniture,” Lindsey said. “So, I knew I wanted to build it and started trying things out. I had always wanted to try the concrete, too.” The Lindseys moved to another home in the same neighborhood, and he now builds out of their single-car garage. By day, he works as an appraiser for Safeway Insurance. By night, he does what his grandfather did — honing his love of building and creating. “My grandfather did it as a hobby, and I hung out in his shop with him every time I was there,” Lindsey said. “I love it because I’m able to be creative. You start with a piece of wood and turn it into something; I really enjoy that.” To date, he’s built large-scale wood wall clocks and coffee tables and console tables. It usually takes about two weeks to build a piece. Lindsey’s wife, Leah, helps with taking orders
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JANUARY 2017 and communicating with buyers. But adorning tables with stained concrete tops is where Lindsey said he definitely has carved out his niche. “What sells it is the concrete,” Lindsey said. “Our dark concrete with dark wood is the most popular right now.” Using melamine to make the form and then pouring the concrete mix in upside-down, Lindsey then caulks the edges of the table. Trial and error have taught him to use a lighter-weight concrete mix that has enhanced his overall product. He uses concrete sealer and stains the concrete. To stain the wood, he uses a method with steel wool and vinegar, and brushes it on the wood to rust it, creating the popular aged look. Some people want even more of a distressed look, he said. “This is why we call it Southern Rustics,” Lindsey said with a laugh. “Because there’s not an entirely smooth edge. I can fix the chips in the concrete if needed, but some people even ask for chipped edges. They don’t realize how rough it will be.” He custom builds to certain sizes, but his biggest pieces have been a 6-foot-long console table and a 3-foot by 3-foot coffee table. “A few people have asked for concrete countertops, and people have asked us to ship to California,” Lindsey said. “But I really don’t have the space for that, and shipping isn’t something we can do now.” His goals include providing more of a variety of furniture in the future. “No financial goals or anything, I just want to continue providing affordable furniture for people who love custom built furniture. It’s therapeutic for me,” Lindsey said. For more information, go to their Facebook page at Southern Rustics.
Chad Lindsey’s creations include coffee and console tables and other pieces of furniture.
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Serendipity returns to its roots By SAIGE LEOPARD They’ve been gone from Trussville for eight years but certainly not forgotten. Serendipity Boutique, originally beginning their story on North Chalkville Road in 2004 and then moving to Cahaba Heights, has just reopened in Trussville — a second location on Main Street. They sell clothing, gifts, jewelry, shoes and some children’s clothing. “We’ve come back to fulfill a need here,” said co-owner Samantha Jones. “What sets our boutique apart here is our customer service and special attention. We analyze what our customers already have in their closet, and we want to put them in clothes that they will wear more than once.” Establishing those personal relationships is also what Samantha Jones loves about her business. “A customer came in days after we reopened here that we have known since the beginning,” she said. “It’s building those relationships that I love.” “Serendipity’s niche is we do acrossthe-board buying for our customers,” said co-owner Vicki Jones. One new aspect to their business is that
The staff at Serendipity. Photo by Ron Burkett.
the owners have stepped outside the U.S. to find their pieces. “That’s the biggest difference with what we’re doing,” Samantha Jones said. “We don’t buy clothing made in China. We’re now
going to market in Birmingham, England. It’s worth it because those suppliers are right on the money as far as our market goes. Also, the size patterns of European clothing fit our women better.”
Having an English woman, Pauline Hartman, out of the five on staff has helped, Samantha Jones said. Hartman has worked in the fashion industry for more than four decades. “Pauline’s insight has taken it to the next level,” she said. “It’s a family business here regardless of if they are actually family.” Samantha Jones’ longtime friend Leslie Harwell is manager of the new store, but she also has a creativity calling, too. Harwell custom designs T-shirts and jewelry, connecting her love of photography with fashion. Her Leslie Jean Designs shirts showcase popular stadiums from across the state, among other things. Now Trussville residents and having a business in Trussville again, Samantha Jones said she truly enjoys being more invested in the community. “We’re going to be able to do community projects and things for the schools here now, and that’s fun,” she said. Serendipity has 2,000 square feet of selling space, and it offers personal styling. It’s at 418 Main St. For more information, go to shopserendipityboutique.com or to its Facebook page at Serendipity 2.
As
Trussville as it gets.
Advertise with us, and tell your story to all of Trussville. matthew@starnespublishing.com | 205-313-1780
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WOMAN OF
faith After yearlong process, new pastor settles in at Faith Lutheran Church
Faith Lutheran Church’s new pastor, Karen Boda. Photo by Ron Burkett.
By MEGAN MILLER
F
aith Lutheran Church’s new pastor gave her first sermon on Oct. 23 and has been getting to know her new congregation and community since then. Unlike many other denominations, Lutherans receive a call to their pastoral duties, so after serving in other capacities in the church, Pastor Karen Boda was called by Faith Lutheran Church from her previous home in Atlanta. Although Boda said she came to Trussville for the job, the community has been a bonus. “I was excited about the family nature of this church, the people, the commitment to service in the community and their commitment to a strong worship presence,” she said. Boda transitioned into pastoral life from corporate America, and said she’s excited to use the skills learned in the business world in her new position. “I served in churches in Atlanta in different capacities, but this is my first official call,” Boda said. “Even though my background has been corporate all my life, my heart and my soul have always been fulfilled by being in the church. It’s a great opportunity to use some of my corporate skills for my real purpose, which is serving God and serving the community.” The process to find a new pastor has been a long one
for Faith Lutheran, lasting more than a year. The call process for Boda began in June, and she started the job Oct. 17. The Lutheran faith emphasizes the saving grace of Christ, with principles derived from Martin Luther. The faith is celebrating the 500th year of the Protestant Reformation, after Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the door of Wittenburg University in 1517. The Lutheran Church is also a liturgical church, which means they concentrate on hearing the biblical word as well as participating in communion every Sunday. “It nourishes and sustains us for the work we do when we’re sent into the world each week,” Boda said. “We don’t know all the answers, but we believe God gives us the grace to fulfill our mission in the world.” The Lutheran Church has 3.8 million members and 10,000 congregations across the United States and the Caribbean. Faith Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA). The ELCA shares common convictions about theology, mission and worship with the Moravian Church, the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church in America, the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. Faith Lutheran is also active in the community, as one of the local churches that supports TEAM. TEAM, which stands for Trussville Ecumenical
Assistive Ministry, is a nonprofit ministry that provides food and clothing to those in need. The church routinely collects canned food and clothing to distribute to TEAM. Additionally, Faith Lutheran has an active preschool program and music program. The preschool program is open to any child ages 2-5, regardless of faith, and the music program was one of the attracting factors of the church for Boda. “Our worship is focused on music,” she said. “Our pianist, Dr. Adam Bowles, is outstanding. The music that is in this place is first rate.” Other programs include a weekly quilters meeting, a weekly Bible seekers meeting, as well as women’s Bible study and a weekly church council meeting. Women’s Bible study meets the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m., and Seekers Bible Study meets Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. Faith Lutheran was founded in 1956, and they have been in their current location since Sept. 11, 2001. “The first unofficial service was Sept. 11, 2001,” church member Janie Pahr said. “Because of the events of that day, the membership felt like they wanted to be together.” Faith Lutheran Church is at 6704 Deerfoot Parkway. Services are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. each Sunday, with Sunday school at 9:15 a.m.
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Brenda Pigott works on a quilt as part of the Heart of Dixie Quilters Guild. Photos by Ron Burkett.
uilting B
By SAIGE LEOPARD
HOPE
Quilt-makers still keeping NICU newborns covered
abies staying in the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Vincent’s East will, once again, stay a little warmer this winter swaddled in handmade blankets from the Heart of Dixie Quilters Guild. As their main community service project of the year, its 25 members already have made 40 quilts to donate, said Linda Layfield, second vice president. The goal each year is 80 quilts. The parents of any child in the NICU get to pick out a quilt the guild has made, and for foster children, the guild chooses a children’s book and designs the quilt based on the chosen book. It’s been a community service project for so long that Layfield said she can’t remember when it began. “The nurses always reinforce the fact that what we do is such a needed mission,” Layfield said. “They rave about how wonderful the quilts are and how much the parents love them.” Guild members visit the nurses
throughout the year and deliver the quilts, and they have a couple of other groups that also contribute to the collection. The guild, which formed in 1988, is open to any skill level and holds meetings at Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church in Trussville. President Mary Ann Raley had a great-grandmother who quilted, but she knew nothing about it when she started the hobby in 2005. “I am the first in a while in my family to quilt,” she said. “I enjoy the making-it process — figuring out what blocks and colors go together and how it’s an accuracy-intense project. I also enjoy the connection to my ancestry. I think about the quilts my great-grandmother had when I was growing up and wonder if my descendants will one day have my quilts.” Layfield, a 19-year guild veteran, was 9 when she started to sew and 24 when she learned how to quilt. “I never dreamed I’d be a quilter,” she said. “But I do come from a long line of quilters. I made everything I
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The creations of the Heart of Dixie Quilters Guild include a variety of patterns and colors.
wore until I got overweight. I made my wedding gown and other dresses in just six weeks.” Like most things, the veterans of such a craft have a certain way of doing things. “My mother always insisted that the separate pieces of a quilt had to be hand-stitched together,” Layfield said. “We do it on a sewing machine — not everything is done on it, but a lot is.” Then there’s also the “A” word: applique. There’s a certain often-used method that’s frowned upon by quilting and sewing enthusiasts — one that leaves a raw edge on the fabric and a red flag that its maker is cutting corners, so to speak. Layfield cringes when she sees this and also when she hears the phrase “sewing is a dying art.” “Sewing and quilting are not dead,” she said. Like the family members who preceded her, Layfield has passed her passion down the line. Her daughter is also a member of the guild, and her oldest granddaughter made her first quilt when she was 7 years old. So where do quilters store all their masterpieces? Many give their quilts away, but guild members also dress their walls and beds with them, Layfield said.
The guild visited Southside in early November for their annual members-only retreat. It’s considered a UFO event, meaning unfinished objects. “It’s a time for us to get together and get away, and eat, sleep and quilt,” Raley said. “The retreat is a time for fellowship and learning more skills or to get better at what you know,” Layfield said. “I love spending time with fellow quilters.” They have one man in the guild now, too, who’s been quilting a couple of years. “He’s already won a ribbon at a show,” Layfield said. “When men start piecing, it’s amazing what they can do.” The cost of quilting varies. “It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be,” Layfield said. “The sky is the limit, and the basement is there, too.” The group also makes Quilts of Valor for veterans to recognize them for their service. The guild is a nonprofit organization with a $20 annual membership fee. They meet on the third Tuesday of each month at Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church. For more information, go to hodquilt.com or to their Facebook page at Heart of Dixie Quilters’ Guild.
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writing HISTORY
Dale Ridgeway with “Stalwart,” the book he published about his father’s naval service. Photos by Ron Burkett.
S
By CHRIS MEGGINSON ince childhood, Dale Ridgeway has been fascinated by the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of World War II. He knew his father, E.J. Ridgeway, fought in the Navy as a gunner’s mate in the war, but that was all he knew. As a boy, he doodled Navy vessels shooting down Japanese planes — mimicking images he found in “The Blue Book,” a pictorial history book of the USS Santa Fe, the second vessel his father sailed on from 1942-1946. Over the years, his father shared bits and pieces of a few stories, but he didn’t find out more about his father’s war record, including 16 battle stars, until his funeral in 2005. “The pastor started reading off this list of commendations, awards and certifications Dad had, and it was mind-boggling,” Ridgeway said. “I noticed one of the Navy guys’ eyes got as big as silver dollars when they were reading where Dad had been.” He knew he had to write a book. “Stalwart: Naval Journeys of E.J. Ridgeway” was published for Kindle by Amazon.com on Oct. 31. Paperbacks are also available. “I did this to honor him,” said Ridgeway, 68, who lives in Clay. After the war, E.J. Ridgeway married the sister of one his fellow sailors and moved to Birmingham. In the 1960s, the family moved to Decatur, where Ridgeway was a home builder and then later bought Pathway Bookstore in Midfield before he and his son sold it in 1987. He was also an
ordained Church of God bishop. But Ridgeway wanted the book to focus on his father’s time in the Pacific. “I knew about his business. I knew about his ministry, but I did not know about his Navy experience, and I wanted to know,” Ridgeway said. “If someone is interested in the Pacific, there is some good information and some pertinent new information. There are some things in there from Dad that, over the years, dribbled out.” Ridgeway started slowly researching his father’s past in 2005, but picked up steam after his retirement from retail management in 2010. He began with “The Blue Book” — his prized possession and “second Bible” — and used countless other books, web researches and trips to the Birmingham Public Library to dig deeper. “It grew and grew and grew. I became more and more fascinated of the journey he was on,” Ridgeway said, who holds a B.S. in sociology and a minor in history from Tennessee. “This book isn’t about my father as an individual as much about the journey he took as a sailor.” That journey began when the boy from Snead moved to California and enlisted in the Navy in 1940 as a seaman first class. The book chronicles his father’s time on the USS Vincennes, beginning 75 years ago on a secret mission off the coast of South Africa before the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 to the Doolittle Raid, attack on Midway, Guadalcanal campaign and the ship’s sinking. From there, E.J. Ridgeway was reassigned to the USS Santa Fe, where he sailed to the Marshall Islands, Iwo Jima and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He left the Navy as a
Ridgeway’s recently published “Stalwart” was partly inspired by the “Blue Book,” a picture history of the USS Santa Fe.
gunner’s mate first class. Ridgeway said it’s rewarding to see the book complete, which he published with Amazon at no cost to him, other than his research costs and paper and ink during the proofing process. His wife, Janice, designed the cover with Homewood-based Banner Digital and Publishing, Inc. “The opportunity (to publish a book) is out there for so much more now, but like any opportunity, you’ve got to be willing to work, and it is work,” Ridgeway said. Dale Ridgeway will have a book signing on Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Clay Public Library.
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Heroes Martial Arts coaches demonstrate a jiu-jitsu technique. Photos by Ron Burkett.
Heroes Martial Arts offers superhero themed training
I
By CHRIS MEGGINSON t’s far away from Gotham City or Metropolis, but Heroes Martial Arts Academy, behind the Pants Store on Gadsden Highway, is allowing men, women and children to train in techniques found in a DC or Marvel comic. “If you could go to class to be Batman and Robin, that’s what that class is,” said Chris Mize, head instructor and founder of Heroes, referring to the new kids’ classes. Little Heroes (ages 4-6) and Heroes Kids (ages 7-10) introduce elements of gymnastics and parkour, along with self-defense and jiu-jitsu, to help teach not only self-defense, but also discipline, respect and confidence. The classes also provide opportunities to talk through situations that may have happened at school. “Chris has compassion for kids, and I think his compassion is going to take someone’s child to the next level,” said Todd Chappell, a parent, trainee and instructor at Heroes. To help play up the superhero theme, paintings of Wolverine, Batman, Spider-Man, Hulk, Superman, Wonder Woman and others fill the wall in the kids’ area. A youth jiu-jitsu program (ages 9-12) is also offered. However, Heroes is not only for children. Nearly 70 percent of the academy’s members are adults — professionals
ranging from mid-20s to 40s. Adult programs are offered in Gracie (Brazilian) jiu-jitsu, Civilian Tactical self-defense, Combat Submission Wrestling and STX Kickboxing. Steve Brown and Robby Eaton join Mize and Chappell as assistant instructors. Regardless of age, Mize said, “once people come in and feel the magic of it, if they’re really serious about wanting to train, they fall in love with it.” Such was the case for Clay’s Lora Whitehead, 27, who is approaching her one-year anniversary at Heroes. Whitehead learned about the gym from her boss as a workout replacement for running, but it turned out to also provide a sense of security. “I feel a lot more confident walking down the street. I’m much more aware of my surroundings. I don’t worry about anybody grabbing me from behind, because I know how to get out of it and know what to do,” Whitehead said, who works as a management trainee in the textiles industry. She said one of the keys is accepting defeat in class or competition and to “learn to not be caught in those types of positions again.” “The more we lose sometimes, the more we learn. It teaches you a lot of life lessons and a good set of values. You respond and react to situations better in the real world than if you hadn’t been exposed to jiu-jitsu,” Whitehead said.
Heroes Martial Arts Academy • WHERE: 1840 Gadsden Highway • CALL: 401-0808 • WEB: heroesmma.com • FACEBOOK: Heroes Martial Arts
Mize, considered to be the first to open an MMA gym in Alabama, has studied martial arts for more than 30 years and has trained everyone from kids to law enforcement and military special forces. He says his base focus is less on giving students a full toolbox and rather helping them use a tool with multiple functions. “I want them to get really good at two or three things that will apply to a lot of different situations rather than have a thousand things that you have to pick the right one to use, especially when doing a self-defense class,” he said. One of the beauties of the classes is that anyone can do it, Chappell said. “This is something we can do every day, something
JANUARY 2017 the average Joe can do. It’s not something you have to be a super athlete to be able to protect yourself or learn basic moves and basic techniques,” he said. Chappell, now 40, has done mixed martial arts since he was 29 and has worked with Mize for the last decade. The two earned their black belts together in 2014. A former MMA fighter and Gold Gloves boxing champion, Chappell works for a pacemaker vendor by day, instructs classes and trains, as well as bringing along his 11-year-old son, TJ. TJ is a baseball player who benefits from using Heroes as an offseason workout. It helps with upper body strength, overall athleticism and awareness. While some families work out together, Whitehead said the group at large feels like a second family. “You see a lot of the same people; you train together; you help each other train and grow in the art,” she said. “It’s been one of the most rewarding and most memorable experiences of my life … You’re all in there after the same goal no
matter what level you are. It’s a humble art — not a lot of ego in there.” While Heroes serves the Trussville and Clay areas primarily, Mize said they have trainees from across the Birmingham area and some from as far away as Tuscaloosa and Gadsden. Many pick Heroes as their workout and training destination on their way to or from work. “Usually they say most of your business comes from within five miles, but it’s a tribute to the product. They drive by a lot of different places to come to my place.” Mize said. “This is going to be a good year for us. We’ve finally got everything in place where we can go and the word finally is getting out there that what we have is really a hotbed of information and good training for everybody.” Classes are available Monday through Thursday and on Saturday. Private lessons are available on Fridays. For more information about Heroes Martial Arts Academy, go to heroesmma.com.
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Students practice hand-fighting techniques at Heroes Martial Arts.
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SCHOOL HOUSE HTHS students rate superior in annual Trumbauer performing arts competition
Students in the HTHS Electrical Academy. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
HTHS Electrical Academy receives lumber donation The HTHS Electrical Academy was given a large donation of 2-by-4 -inch lumber to use in building cornhole games for their fundraiser, and they will also use the wood to build frames
in their classroom to practice mounting electrical boxes. The wood was generously provided by Brad Klinner at Ash Renovations. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
HTHS student Josh LeBerte received a Superior rating in the Solo Male Contemporary Comedic category at the Trumbauer Secondary Theatre Competition in November. LeBerte will go to the state competition in this category. Noah Graham received a Superior rating in the Solo Male Musical Dramatic category. Graham will go to the state competition in this category. He also received an Excellent rating in the Solo Male Classical Dramatic category. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools. Josh LeBerte, left, and Noah Graham, right. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
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Visit our model home in Brooke’s Crossing today! New homes for sale or lease in Trussville. Gated Community, located across from the Pinnacle Shopping Center on Hwy 11.
Mayor Buddy Choat with kindergarten students at Paine Elementary School. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
Mystery reader visits Paine Elementary New Mayor Buddy Choat was the mystery reader at Paine Elementary School recently. He read stories to Mrs. Lackey’s and Mrs. Walker’s kindergarten classes. He also told
students about his trip to Maine and how the leaves were changing colors for the fall season. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
HTHS staffers awarded at Project Lead the Way At the Alabama State Project Lead the Way Conference in November, HTHS Academy teacher Chris Bond was named the Alabama PLTW Engineering Teacher of the Year. HTHS Assistant Principal Joy Young was named Alabama PLTW Administrator of the Year. Bond and Young were honored by the Trussville Board of Education at the board meeting on Nov. 21, 2016. – Submitted by Trussville City Schools.
3251 Chase Court, Trussville “Bradford II” 2,164 sq feet (incl.garage) 3 BR, 2 BA
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Chris Bond and Joy Young. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
HTHS Engineering Academy receives donation The HTHS Engineering Academy thanks Amerex Corp. and its executive vice president, Vic Modic, for their recent donation of $4,000 to the engineering program. Photo courtesy of Trussville City Schools.
3271 Chase Court, Trussville “Brooke I” 2,157 sq feet (incl.garage) 3 BR, 2 BA
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SPORTS COVER STORY: Anthony Holmes does it all on the court for Cougars
MADE FOR THE GAME By KYLE PARMLEY
Holmes said his time at Clay-Chalkville has been amazing. Photos by Ron Burkett. Cover by Kyle Parmley.
Anthony Holmes is just enjoying his time at ClayChalkville High School. “It’s been amazing,” Holmes said of his experience as a player in the Cougars’ basketball program. “I couldn’t picture myself in any other place. I love this team.” Holmes transferred to Clay-Chalkville for his sophomore season, but he did not see game action until midway through his junior season because of various hoops and hurdles dealing with his eligibility. While that would deter many student-athletes, Holmes put his head down and worked hard. Finally able to step on the court midway through last year, Holmes’ ability immediately made a positive impact on the Cougars. “Anthony kind of does it all,” third-year Clay-Chalkville coach Jeremy Monceaux said. “He rebounds; he defends; he blocks shots; he runs the floor.” Monceaux remembers the first time he saw Holmes with a basketball in his hands. “We didn’t really know much about him, because he was
a new student in my PE class,” he said. “He came down, and they were just playing around, and he dunks it two hands, and I was like, ‘Holy cow.’ He showed a natural athletic ability that got us excited.” Holmes has been as advertised for the Cougars. He has continually improved his game since he stepped on campus. “When he got here, he didn’t shoot it very well, and his ball-handling was a little weak. We have summer workouts, and we work on that, but he’s done the extra it takes to really improve on that, to make himself an all-around player,” Monceaux said. The work ethic Holmes has shown is just one reason teammates gravitate toward the senior, despite having just played a little more than a full season’s worth of games in his high school career. “His teammates have a great respect for him, mainly because he’s earned it,” Monceaux said. “He quietly goes about his business. He brings it every time. He’s not necessarily a perfect player, but he loves the game of basketball.” Early in the season, Clay-Chalkville was competing in the North Shelby Tip-Off Classic at Chelsea High School. One
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You’re not promised anything, and I don’t even know if I’m going to play in college. So I want to play each and every game this season.
”
ANTHONY HOLMES
day during that week, Holmes was involved in an automobile accident with a fellow teammate. Despite a trip to the hospital, Holmes wasn’t going to take no for an answer. He wanted to play that night. “I was fully ready to just go without him,” Monceaux said. “I think that speaks to just his love for wanting to compete and wanting to play and not wanting to let his teammates down. He put a headband over his Band-Aid [and played].” He played that night, and wound up on the all-tournament team, as Clay-Chalkville won the event. “You’re not promised anything, and I don’t even know if I’m going to play in college. So I want to play each and every game this season,” Holmes said. That makes for an ideal scenario for ClayChalkville’s basketball program, because Holmes has established himself as a leader, and he’s one who has bought into the principles of the program.
“At Clay-Chalkville, we’re a defensive team,” Holmes said. “We’re going to lock you up before we score 100.” While high-flying offenses grab headlines around all sports and is generally viewed as the most attractive aspect of the game, Monceaux’s defense-first mantra is proven to work, and getting his players to believe that is an important step to a successful team year-in and year-out. “The thing that’s great about Anthony is he’s been bought in,” Monceaux said. “Even when he wasn’t playing — he was having to come duke it out every day and then sit in a warm up on the sideline — he was bought in. You can see the guys kind of migrate to him, in the tough times, in practice and on the floor.” Monceaux said the Cougars will go as far as leaders such as Holmes and Jalen Jordan take the team. One thing is sure: Holmes will show up to play each and every night. “I want to be great,” Holmes said.
Anthony Holmes was not eligible to play until midway through last season but has made the most of his chances.
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Lady Huskies listening to new voices By KYLE PARMLEY
M
allory Posey and Bailey Berry don’t even have to turn their heads. They know. While they don’t necessarily hear coach Tonya Hunter’s words, they know exactly what she would say in a given situation. When they do turn their heads, their suspicions are confirmed. “We kind of know what she’s thinking,” Posey said. “We can tell by the looks on her face what we should be saying to the team.” The Hewitt-Trussville High School senior basketball players have had to step up in the absence of their coach’s voice. Hunter is still there, but her voice is on the mend. Hunter had surgery to remove her thyroid in early October, throwing a wrench into her normal basketball routines. The constant practice sounds of dribbling basketballs drowned out by Hunter’s voice have been replaced by much softer peripheral sounds, so she can be heard throughout the gym. “They rely so heavily on my voice that now we’ve got to find a new avenue to get that accomplished,” Hunter said. Instead of always looking back to Hunter now, Berry and Posey must make their own voices heard. “I’ve done a lot more talking and vocalizing this year, especially with coach Hunter not being able to yell as much,” Berry said. “Everyone realizes it’s on us to send them the message of what we’re supposed to do.” The Lady Huskies did not start the season on the best note, with the adjustment period being partially to blame. However, the two senior leaders did not use that as an excuse, especially coming off last season. “The season hasn’t started like we planned,” Berry said. “We’ve lost some, but every team’s going to lose some. We’re just working on some things. As a team, I think we have all the talent, all the capability in the world, it’s just putting it all together on the court.” Last season, Hewitt-Trussville qualified for the Northeast Regional by winning the Class 7A, Area 6 tournament, a huge stepping-stone for the now-burgeoning program. “We were just all really excited because we’d never made it before. Our whole school was there and it was just a really great experience,” Posey said. Posey admitted the team lost its confidence following a couple of missed layups in the regional final, otherwise the Lady Huskies could have ended up in the Final Four at the BJCC. But that postseason experience will prove valuable down the road. “We just knew how hard we needed to work to get there,” Posey said. “Going to (Jacksonville State University) and winning area [tournament], that’s just an amazing thing, and we need to work hard and do it again.” If the Lady Huskies are to make it back to Jacksonville, they will rely heavily not only on Posey and Berry’s leadership, but also their abilities on the floor. Both agreed their skills are adequate, and they focused on finding the confidence to elevate their play. “When I came out on the court, I had the ability and knew what to do, but it was just having the confidence to do what I was supposed to do,” Berry said. “I was afraid of making a mistake or doing something wrong. But after talking to coach Hunter and working extra outside of practice and doing everything I can, it’s a major change.” Berry’s ability to shoot the 3-point shot has blossomed in her time at Hewitt-Trussville, while Posey garners the
Bailey Berry brings the ability to shoot the 3-point shot to the Lady Huskies. Photo by Ron Burkett.
majority of the post minutes this season. Both have used past experiences to ensure they lead the Lady Huskies deep into the playoffs once again. “We know how to be leaders, but as seniors, we knew it was going to be mostly our role. We’ve talked about how to become better leaders, and we kind of know by being
around it for the last four years or so,” Posey said. The two have played together since playing in the Over the Mountain league as kids, and they are looking to prolong that experience as long as possible. “Everyone’s going to have to be really committed,” Berry said. “It’s just the small things.”
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OPINION My South By Rick Watson
Walk back in time My birthday is later this week, and I decided to buy myself an early present, but I didn’t realize it would require a walk back in time to find it. Let me explain. Jilda told me this morning on my way to work that she was making fagioli soup. We discovered this soup a few years ago while eating at Olive Garden and fell in love with it. My lovely spouse is like the Pink Panther except she cracks recipes instead of safes. My stomach rejoiced when she cracked the fagioli soup code. She’s made it several times, and if there’s a better meal on frosty winter evenings, I’ve never eaten it. Of course, soup requires cornbread. Spending time up north, I learned a lot of folks there ate crackers instead of cornbread, which I consider almost sinful. I don’t cook a lot of things, but in my opinion, my cornbread is exceptional. Through the years, I developed a secret recipe with a thin top crust that is crunchy
and golden brown. Solving this problem is The only good way I’ve where the walk back in time found to bake cornbread is in came in. I’ve never seen an iron an old-fashioned skillet that’s skillet at the big-box stores. as heavy as a blacksmith’s You can get the thin ones made anvil. in Asia, but I wouldn’t use one The perfect crust is almost for cornbread. an art form. The skillet preYesterday, I walked into heats with the oven. Andrew Posey & Son HardWhen the timer dings ware store in Jasper humming saying the oven is at 400 happy birthday to me. A small degrees, I remove the empty bell on the door jingled. It skillet and toss in a scoop of wasn’t an electronic chime, Watson coconut oil, which instantly but a real bell. Hearing that melts, greasing the skillet, so the bread sound triggered a déjà vu experience. The doesn’t stick. wooden floors looked as if they were made When the cornbread comes out of the oven from heart pine and creaked in places as I after about 30 minutes, it’s an excellent com- walked up and down the aisles. plement to most any kind of soup. On the old shelves were tools, toys and The one problem is that all our skillets are aqua-colored mason jars used for canning. about as big as manhole covers, and in the The store is jam-packed with all kinds of past we wound up tossing half the uneaten useful things for the house and garden. When cornbread out to the chickens. is the last time you saw a place that sold
butter churns, cookie cutters and replacement ax handles? Out front was a line of Red Rider wagons. There’s an old photograph of me as a barefoot kid in a diaper riding in one of these wagons. I must have pushed that baby a million miles. It’s a miracle I didn’t max out my credit cards before I walked out. But when I left, all I had was a new iron skillet that’s about half the size of our old ones. Progress and change are inevitable. Many of the old hardware and dry goods stores were lost in the rush toward things that are cheaper, faster and shinier. I’m thankful some of the stores have survived in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia to give us an opportunity to walk back in time and buy things that will last. Rick Watson is a columnist and author. His latest book, “Life Changes,” is available on Amazon.com. You can contact him at rick@ homefolkmedia.com.
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Trussville
5428 Wisteria Trace
Real Estate Listings MLS #
Zip
Address
Status
Price
769603
35173
5428 Wisteria Trace
New
$189,900
769673
35173
106 Mohawk Drive
New
$214,900
769624
35173
458 Will Keith Road
New
$140,000
769617
35173
5238 Drew Run
New
$350,000
769579
35173
416 Still Oaks Circle
New
$153,700
769562
35173
5173 Cruise Street
New
$319,900
769550
35173
7871 Caldwell Drive
New
$318,240
769459
35173
4731 Granite Run
New
$287,000
769350
35173
526 Rockridge Avenue
New
$250,000
769308
35173
197 Woodland Drive
New
$136,900
769658
35173
626 Brandy Drive
New
$189,900
769110
35173
3030 Weatherford Drive
New
$193,900
769108
35173
6246 Mountain Court
New
$229,900
769099
35173
6143 Longmeadow Way
New
$235,000
769071
35173
401 Woodward Road
New
$480,000
769067
35173
2969 Pronghorn Circle
New
$358,800
768968
35173
8738 Highlands Drive
New
$240,000
768952
35173
4726 Stonegate Place
New
$249,900
768914
35173
5417 Wisteria Trace
New
$204,900
768805 35173
5066 Park Pass
New
$273,000
768785
35173
6536 Winslow Drive
New
$382,900
769572
35173
8452 Ledge Circle
New
$310,000
768595
35173
6556 Hemlock Street
New
$307,000
768566
35173
6237 Jonathans Way
New
$345,000
768517
35173
405 Still Oaks Circle
New
$234,900
768478
35173
5905 Longview Lane
New
$232,000
768459
35173
7896 Caldwell Drive
New
$354,500
768399
35173
7116 Crown Lane
New
$477,000
768376
35173
2150 Overlook Place
New
$195,000
768292
35173
3253 Cahaba Manor Drive
New
$299,900
769609
35173
7943 Wynwood Road
New
$725,000
768241
35173
226 Calumet Place
New
$260,000
768180
35173
30 Brooke Trail
New
$214,900
768178
35173
4720 Boulder Drive
New
$264,900
768164
35173
400 Roundabout Drive
New
$298,000
Real estate listings provided by the Birmingham Association of Realtors on Dec. 19. Visit birminghamrealtors.com.
626 Brandy Drive
8452 Ledge Circle
7943 Wynwood Road
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CALENDAR HTHS ATHLETICS
TRUSSVILLE EVENTS Jan. 1: New Year’s Day. Jan. 4: City Council. 6 p.m. City Hall. Jan. 6: Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse Association high school practices begin. Jan. 8: 5th Annual Bridal Show. 2-5 p.m. Trussville Civic Center. Contact bobbie.roper@trussvillechamber.com. Jan. 9: Lego Night. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Trussville Public Library. Call 655-2022 to register. Jan. 9: Planning and Zoning. 6 p.m. City Hall.
Lacrosse Association youth practices begin. Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Day. Jan. 17: Dudes and Doughnuts. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Trussville Public Library. Book club for 1st-3rd grade boys. This month’s theme is Lego. Snacks will be served. Jan. 17: City Council. 6 p.m. City Hall. Jan. 19: Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Trussville Civic Center. Tickets are $17.
Jan. 10: Intro to Chess. 6 p.m. Join Coach Charles Smith for free introductory lessons. Contact kpdavis@bham. lib.al.us; 655-2022.
Jan. 19: Chips and Chapters. 4:305:30 p.m. Trussville Public Library. Book club for 4th-6th grade. This month’s theme is realistic fiction. Snacks will be served.
Jan. 13: Greater Birmingham Youth
Jan. 19: Board of Zoning Adjust-
ments. 7 p.m. City Hall. Jan. 23: American Girl Club. 6:30 p.m. Trussville Public Library. This month’s characters are Maryellen and Julie. Crafts and refreshments included in this club for K5 to 5th grade girls. Please register in advance. Jan. 24: Intro to Chess. 6 p.m. Join Coach Charles Smith for free introductory lessons. Contact kpdavis@bham. lib.al.us; 655-2022. Jan. 30-31: Trussville’s Got Talent rehearsals. Jan. 31: City Council. 6 p.m. City Hall. Thursdays: Homeschool PE classes. 1-2:30 p.m. Trussville Athletic Center. Participate in activities such as basketball, football, shuffleboard and hiking.
Jan. 2: Wrestling Match @ Alexander High School. Douglasville, Georgia. Jan. 5-8: Wrestling Match @ Fairfield Senior High School. Fairfield, Ohio Jan. 6: Boys and Girls Basketball vs. Gadsden City. Jan. 7: Indoor Track Icebreaker Invitational. Birmingham CrossPlex. Jan. 9: Boys and Girls Basketball vs. Hueytown. Jan. 10 and 13: Boys and Girls Basketball vs. Pell City. Jan. 27: Boys and Girls Basketball vs. Pinson Valley. Jan. 27-28: Indoor Track Last Chance Invitational. Birmingham CrossPlex. Jan. 27-29: Highstepper Competition. Atlanta. Jan. 30: Boys and Girls Basketball @ Shades Valley. Wednesdays: Cheer Practice. 1:45-5 p.m. Visitors’ Locker Room Stadium.
JANUARY 2017
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TRUSSVILLE CITY SCHOOLS Jan. 3: Students return to school. Jan. 9: Cahaba Elementary PTO Meeting. 6:307:30 p.m. Cahaba Elementary cafeteria. Jan. 10-12: Mr. and Miss Hewitt Rehearsal. 3:30-7:30 p.m. PA Center. Jan. 13: HTHS Senior Dance. 9 p.m. Trussville Civic Center.
Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Day. All schools and offices closed. Jan. 17-20: Mr. and Miss Hewitt Rehearsal. 3:30-7:30 p.m. PA Center. Jan. 21: Mr. and Miss Hewitt Pageant. 8 a.m.11 p.m. PA Center. Jan. 31: Debate Team Match. 12:30-6:30 p.m. Samford University.
AREA EVENTS Through Jan. 15: Birmingham’s Winter Wonderland. Railroad Park. Outdoor ice skating rink. Open seven days per week. $10 for twohour session. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Visit railroadpark.org.
Halls. 12 p.m.-5 p.m. $12 advance, $15 at the door. Visit eliteevents.com.
Jan. 5: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Downtown Birmingham, 113 22nd St. N. Local artists and performers. Free. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com.
Jan. 18: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $49-$82. Visit alysstephenscenter.org.
Jan. 15: Reflect and Rejoice: MLK Concert. Alys Stephens Center. 3 p.m. $9-$24. Visit alabamasymphony.org.
Jan. 7: Boyz II Men. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $50-$85. Visit alabamasymphony.org.
Jan. 21 & 28: Wake Up Brother Bear! 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. BJCC Theatre. $10 children, $15 adults. Visit bct123.org.
Jan. 7-8: Alonzo King LINES Ballet. 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Alys Stephens Center. $28-$45. Visit alysstephens.org.
Jan. 27: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $25-$74. Visit alabamasymphony.org.
Jan. 7-8: Monster Jam Triple Threat Series. Legacy Arena at BJCC. 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. Visit monsterjam.com.
Jan. 27-29: Kami-Con Season 9. BJCC Exhibition Halls. Celebrating Japanese culture, anime and manga and more. $25-$45. Visit kamicon. net.
Jan. 8: Kathleen Madigan “The Mermaid Lady” Standup Comedy Tour. 8 p.m. Lyric Theatre. $35. Visit lyricbham.com. Jan. 12: Turtle Island Quartet with Cyrus Chestnut. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. -$42-$78. Visit alysstephens.org. Jan. 13: Dirty Dancing. BJCC Concert Hall. $30-$60. 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Visit theaterleague.com/Birmingham. Jan. 14: MLK Day 5K Drum Run. 7 a.m. Kelly Ingram Park. $30 registration. Visit mlkday5kbham.com. Jan. 14-15: BrickFair Lego Expo. 11:30 a.m.4:30 p.m. BJCC Exhibition Halls. $15, ages 3 and under free. Visit brickfair.com. Jan. 14: WWE Live. 7:30 p.m. Legacy Arena at the BJCC. $17-$102. Visit wwe.com. Jan. 15: Southern Bridal Show. BJCC Exhibition
Jan. 28: 11th Annual Chinese New Year Festival. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Boutwell Auditorium. $5 tickets, 12 and under are free. Visit bhmchinesefestival.org. Jan. 28: Miranda Sings Live… You’re Welcome. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $33.55-$66.50. Visit alabamatheatre.com. Jan. 29: Elevate the Stage: UA v. AU Gymnastics. 4 p.m. Legacy Arena at the BJCC. $12-$27. Visit elevatethestage.com. Jan. 30: Miles v. Lane College Basketball. 5:30 p.m. women, 7:30 p.m. men. Miles College. $10. Visit milesgoldenbears.com. Jan. 26-Feb. 11: The Miss Firecracker Contest. Theatre Downtown. $12-$18. Visit theatredowntown.org. Jan. 26-Feb. 12: Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. Virginia Samford Theatre. $15$35. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org.
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