WestJeff Magazine - February 2025 by JBMC Media

City of Bessemer unveils plan for rejuvenation and growth

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On the Cover Staff

Matthew Allen Publisher (205) 617-9609 matthew@jbmcmedia.com

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Brittany Kenny Graphic Designer

Who We Are

WestJeff Magazine serves the communities and people of West Jefferson County. Published every month, the magazine is available for free at more than 100 locations in Bessemer, Hueytown, McCalla, Pleasant Grove, Concord, Oak Grove, Sylvan Springs, and other areas.

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Kayla Burroughs (Event Coordinator), Taylor Chatman (Theatre Director at Pleasant Grove High School) and Amiyah Hall (President) jumping for joy.

Read the story starting on page 16.

PHOTO BY ALLISON CARPENTER

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The West Beat

by JESSE CHAMBERS

February is a time when our thoughts turn to love. After all, Valentine’s Day falls on February 14.

Granted, some of the more cynical among you may think of Valentine’s Day merely as a creation of the advertising industry – a way to sell flowers, chocolate and greeting cards. And certainly, Valentine’s Day has a huge commercial impact, according to the following statistics cited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at their website.

• In 2024, the National Retail Federation estimated that 53% of American consumers planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and that nearly $26 billion would be spent on the holiday –about $182 per person.

• The National Confectioners Association said that 92% of Americans planned to purchase candy for Valentine’s Day, including an astonishing 58 million pounds of chocolate.

• The Society of American Florists reports that 250 million roses are prepared by U.S. florists for Valentine’s Day, which is the No. 1 holiday for floral purchases.

But Valentine’s Day has much deeper roots

– and a deeper meaning – than that. Also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, Valentine’s Day was created by the Catholic Church as a feast day to honor a martyr in Rome in the early Christian era named Valentine, according to Wikipedia and other online sources.

According to legend, Saint Valentine of Rome was jailed, tortured and executed for secretly marrying couples to save them from being separated by the Roman Empire.

This was considered a serious transgression because Emperor Claudius II had banned marriage to ensure that more soldiers were available for the Roman army.

The holiday also has roots in the pagan festival of Lupercalia, an event held each February in Rome in ancient times to celebrate fertility and prosperity. As the centuries rolled by, Valentine’s Day gradually became a popular celebration of romantic love. This cultural role for Valentine’s Day got a big boost in the heyday of courtly love in the 14th and 15th centuries.

In 18th-century England, Valentine’s Day also became an occasion for couples to express their love for each other with flowers, candies and other gifts.

Whatever the holiday’s origins –and regardless of the way it’s been commercialized – the practical effect of

Valentine’s Day is to force us to stop and think about how much we truly love and need the people closest to us.

It’s an important way for all of us to celebrate the importance of our relationships, including those with our best friends.

The overall tone of the holiday is, of course, very light – with lots of cupids and flowers and romantic platitudes – and that’s fine.

But I suppose that Valentine’s Day, given its original significance for the church, is not just about love, but sacrifice – with Saint Valentine setting the example..

In fact, love and sacrifice really seem to go together. In other words, if you love someone – I mean, if you really, truly love them – it follows that you'll put them above yourself.

You will do almost anything to show them joy, to make them happy – to even give your life to save them, if necessary.

So perhaps we can think of Valentine’s Day as a time to celebrate the important bonds of love and friendship and to realize that love is really a powerful, magnetic force that holds out societies together.

So get into the spirit. Find a cool gift or think of something nice you can do for someone you really care about. Don’t just feel your love for them. Find a way to show it. Happy Valentine's Day, y’all!

HOUSEHOLD DROP-OFF 2025 EVENTS

Contentment

Contentment: Being in a state of peaceful happiness and satisfaction.

Man, that sounds wonderful. I’m not sure I’ve quite found that state, but it sounds wonderful nonetheless.

“When I get married, I am going to have kids in a house like that, on a street like this, with a yard in the back for you,” I’d tell my Jack Russell. “Then, I’ll be content.”

Today, almost 20 years later, I’m walking a different dog, down a similar street, living out what I pictured back then. But as I walk, I still think of goals I’m chasing and have thoughts of “when we aren’t paying for day care, we will do this…” and “when I have more time, I can do that…and then I’ll be content.”

I think we are all chasing contentment in some way. I know I am. I yearn to be satisfied and at ease. I hope that at some point in my life, after I’ve checked all the boxes and done all the things, that I’ll be parked on a lake pier somewhere, rocking my chair in contentment. I hope the wind is in my face and I’m thinking of how good fortune and hard work have led to a life well lived. I sure hope that’s how it plays out, anyhow.

But, why wouldn’t I be content now, instead of in the future? My kids are healthy. We have food on the table. I have a house to call home. A family. Some good friends. I have transportation to a job that isn’t too bad. I have a good dog that listens to me talk. The American Dream, right?

Yet, I find myself searching for the next thing most of the time. The next project for our house. The next exciting addition to our lot. The next vacation. The next opportunity. The next challenge. I’ll finally reach the peak of something I’ve worked so hard for, and, shortly after, I’ll want to go just a little further, or make something just a little better.

When I was about to start nursing school, I had a little one-bedroom apartment that I could barely make the rent on. It was nice enough and it was safe, but it was lacking so much that I envisioned for my future. When I wanted to take my dog for a walk, I would drive over to a nice, quiet neighborhood, and stroll down the street. I’d pass neat and tidy houses, with trees that I didn’t know the names of. Swings would be on porches, wreaths on doors, and bicycles left in driveways. It was the American Dream.

Some days, I’ll sit down on my porch and watch my kids play in the yard, and I’ll get a sweet glimpse of contentment. I really am happy and fulfilled, honestly. But then, I’m right back after whatever thing needs to be done or planned. I guess I just don’t like to be stagnant. And as a mom, we are all just really busy tending to everyone. But even more than that, maybe it’s just human nature—our desire to constantly move forward. To improve. To better our situation for ourselves and the ones who depends on us. I don’t really think that’s a bad thing, when I think of it like that. Maybe I need to focus less on the end goal and more on the journey. Because when I’m finally sitting in the rocking chair on the pier, the journey—with its struggles and its growth—will be all that’s left to think about. And surely then, I will be content.

Alana Smith is a boy mom (ages 10 and 5), nurse anesthetist, and writer in Birmingham. She shares her writing at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she tackles all things motherhood and marriage.

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Muffuletta Dip

In The Kitchen with Kathleen Phillips

Kathleen Phillips is a food blogger, food stylist, cookbook author, and former Oxmoor House test kitchen director (Southern Living cookbooks). On her food blog, GritsAndGouda.com, she creates Southern shortcut recipes. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Food Blogger, GritsAndGouda.com

If you love a good Muffuletta (Muffaletta) Sandwich made popular at the Central Grocery & Deli in New Orleans, you will flip over this dip. I simply took all the ingredients inside that sandwich —olive salad, deli meats and cheeses— and chopped them up!

I make this easy Muffuletta Dip with an Alabama twist because my husband makes his own venison salami.

Perfect for a Mardi Gras party, game day gathering or any party where good food and fellowship are found.

Ingredients

½ cup Italian pickled vegetables (Giardiniera, found next to olives)

1/3 cup chopped green olives

2 tablespoons chopped black or kalamata olives

2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini peppers

2 tablespoons chopped roasted bell pepper from a jar (can be omitted if pimiento-stuffed green olives are used)

1 garlic clove, minced (½ teaspoon)

½ cup chopped hard salami (Genoa or venison)

½ cup chopped capocolla, ham, or mortadella

¾ cup diced provolone or mozzarella cheese (or combination of both)

2 tablespoons finely shredded or crumbled Parmesan cheese (grated tends to make the dip murky)

¼ teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or the liquid from Giardiniera or green olives

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Tortilla chips, French bread crostini, or crackers

Make the day before and refrigerate overnight for perfectly melded flavor!

Instructions

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate at least 2 hours, but it tastes even better overnight so the flavors and meld together.

Serve with tortilla chips, French bread crostini, or crackers

NOTE: If you don’t want to hand chop everything and don’t mind the mixture being a little finely chopped, chop everything in the food processor starting with the garlic clove alone, then add the rest. I’d still chop the meat and cheese with a knife.

At WestJeff Magazine, we seek to provide comprehensive coverage of business activity of all kinds in Western Jefferson County – and not just the big projects. We want to hear news and updates about all of the businesses in the area, both large and small. We also report on real estate, construction and infrastructure projects. Please contact us with any tips, information or photos you have at jesse@jbmcmedia.com.

Bessemer has a ‘Gameplan,’ Smucker ramps up, ALDI is coming

by JESSE CHAMBERS

The City of Bessemer and its project partners created a new comprehensive plan for the city in 2024, called Gameplan for Growth. The city worked with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham and the consultant team of PlaceMarkers and Kimley-Horn and Associates to create the plan, which focuses on downtown redevelopment, multimodal transportation, the stabilization of historic neighborhoods and the redevelopment of the U.S. Highway 11 corridor.

The final draft of Gameplan for Growth was completed in November, and the RPCGB voted unanimously to approve the plan on Nov. 19.

The Bessemer City Council voted unanimously to endorse the plan at its meeting for Dec. 17, said Toraine Norris, director of the city’s Economic and Community Development Department.

Public input was a huge part of the creation of Gameplan for Growth.

The planners and city officials held numerous public meetings in 2024 to solicit feedback from Bessemer residents and business people. They also solicited public comment online.

The amount of public participation “was very encouraging,” Norris told WestJeff Magazine in July.

There was one priority for Bessemer that almost everyone who offered feedback seemed to support. “Everyone has an interest in seeing downtown Bessemer revived,” Norris said.

The Gameplan for Growth originated after

Bessemer was awarded $14 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Economic and Community Development Department requested that its $300,000 allotment be used for a comprehensive plan, Norris said.

Gameplan for Growth is an outgrowth of Vision 2040, a long-range summary of the Bessemer’s vision, mission and goals created by the community in 2020-21. Go to bessemergameplan.com to view the final plan.

Smucker gets started

As reported in WestJeff Magazine in January, The J.M. Smucker Co. recently held a ribbon cutting for its new 900,000-square-foot, $1.1-billion manufacturing facility in McCalla along the Old Tuscaloosa Highway.

Smucker will use the facility, which was expected to create about 750 jobs, to ramp up production of one of the company’s most popular products, the Uncrustables frozen sandwiches.

Business Alabama magazine published an update on the facility on Dec. 13 at businessalabama.com

The factory will begin producing Uncrustables in 2025, the outlet reported, citing a Smucker spokesperson.

Nicole Newell, Smucker’s director of operations, told Business Alabama the company was still fully completing the facility,

ALDI purchased the Bessemer Winn Dixie in 2024 and coverting it to an Aldi opening soon.

but believed that the final cost would be in line with its original projections.

At the time, the company was also hiring employees for the new facility, the outlet reported.

Mark Smucker, the company’s president, CEO and board chair, attended the grand opening in early November. "This is the biggest plant we've built, the largest capital investment we've ever made,” he told ABC 33/40.

ALDI coming soon

Discount grocery chain ALDI will open a new store at 2910 Morgan Road in Bessemer in 2025, according to a report by USA Today on Dec. 26. The location was formerly a WinnDixie Supermarket.

At press time, the company had not announced an opening date, but AL.com reported on Nov. 21 that the Morgan Road location was among the Winn-Dixie stores that had been closed and were being renovated to reopen as ALDI stores.

In August 2023, ALDI announced its acquisition of Winn-Dixie and Harveys from Southeastern Grocers in Jacksonville, FL. The purchase includes grocery stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, ALDI said in a news release that “a significant number of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets will convert to the ALDI format over the next several years.” There’s also an ALDI store located at 710 Academy Drive in Bessemer.

THE ALDI ON CRESTWOOD BLVD; STAFF PHOTO

Miles College band wins title, Bobby Allison remembered

by JESSE CHAMBERS

ESPN Division II Band of the Year

The Miles College marching band – the Purple Marching Machine (PMM) – defeated the Trojan Explosion of Virginia State University for the Division II crown at the prestigious ESPN Band of the Year Championship in Atlanta on Dec. 13.

The championship, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as part of the Cricket Celebration Bowl weekend, showcased the nation's best HBCU marching bands in Division I and Division II.

The Marching 100 of Florida A&M defeated North Carolina A&T in the Division 1 final.

“The Purple Marching Machine continues to make us proud, demonstrating the excellence and dedication that define Miles College. Their performance this evening was nothing short of spectacular,” Miles College President Bobbie Knight said in a statement cited by several local media outlets.

The band dedicated their performance to

the late Dr. Arthur Means, and the band’s prize of $75,000 will go towards uniforms and balances for some of the students.

The invitation to the ESPN event “is proof that all our hard work, long rehearsals and commitment to excellence are paying off,” PMM Director Professor Willie J. Snipes said in a December news release from the college.

Earlier in the season, the PMM took part in the Pepsi Battle of the Bands in Houston, Texas, was featured on the CNN podcast “5 Good Things” and was ranked No. 2 in the nation among HBCU bands by HBCU Buzz, according to the news release.

The PMM contributes to the school’s "tradition of excellence,” Knight said.

Final remembrance of Hueytown hero

Auto racing lost one of its all-time greats on Nov. 9 when Bobby Allison died at age 86 at his home in Mooresville, North Carolina.

A stock-car racer, Allison won 85 NASCAR

races, placing him fourth on the all-time victory list. He also won the 1983 NASCAR championship and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011.

For these and many other accomplishments in racing, Allison was remembered with widespread media coverage.

His death was covered by every major news outlet in the United States, including CNN, CBS, Fox News, USA Today, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Reuters and National Public Radio. It was covered by such automotive publications as Autoweek and Car and Driver.

But no place felt Allison’s loss more keenly than Hueytown, a town that Allison helped to put on the world’s motorsports map.

A Florida native, Allison – along with his brother Donnie and fellow racer Red Farmer – moved to Hueytown in the 1960s to start a hugely successful racing group that would become known around the world as “the Alabama Gang.”

Allison’s death is “a loss to everybody that calls Hueytown home because the Allison name with Hueytown, they just went together," Hueytown Mayor Steve Ware told WVTM-13.

On Nov. 16, Allison was buried in a private ceremony at Highland Memorial Gardens in Hueytown, according to media reports.

During the funeral procession from Peoples Chapel Funeral Home, fans turned out along Brooklane Drive and Davey Allison Boulevard to pay tribute to Allison.

“It was a powerful scene” as Allison’s fans “lined the road,” reported ABC 33/40 News.

"Everybody just worldwide knows him, his name is synonymous with NASCAR, and he's helped make the sport the great sport that it is today," fan Brandy Durrett told the station.

"He helped put NASCAR on the map, and obviously Hueytown comes along with that,” fan Chuck Hurlamin told ABC 33/40. “Our city is grateful for what he's done for our city throughout the years.”

“Bobby was a great man and it’s a sad day in Hueytown when this happened,” Mike Elrod, a Hueytown resident, told WBRC-6 News.

"Bobby was the ultimate fan's driver," Allison's family said in a statement cited by numerous outlets. "He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his fans and would stop to sign autographs and have conversations with them everywhere he went.”

The Miles College band – the Purple Marching Machine – won the prestigious ESPN Band of the Year Championship in Atlanta in December.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MILES COLLEGE

‘Making greatness happen’: Theatre students thrive at Pleasant Grove High School

BY JESSE CHAMBERS

Theatre programs offer many social and academic benefits to highschool students, according to sources like scholastic.com, Arts Education Partnership and the American Alliance for Theatre & Education.

Drama classes help students develop communication skills, and students build critical thinking through analyzing scripts and characters. Improvisation and scene work can help kids adapt to situations and

react in a creative way, and drama provides a safe space for young people to explore a wide range of emotions. Perhaps above all, taking part in drama can boost students' confidence and self-esteem.

These soft skills have great value for young people in the rest of their lives outside the theatre. Not only that, but drama students have the marvelous opportunity to present their work in their communities and to inspire and entertain others.

Continued on Page 18

PHOTOS BY ALLISON CARPENTER

Left to Right: Taylor Chatman (Theatre Director), Amiyah Hall (President), Eriana Ealons (Vice President) , Kyla Caffey (Secretary), Kayla Burroughs (Event Coordinator), Alana Willams (Treasurer), and Kaleigh White (Public Relations) have fun while building a set.

CLOCKWISE: Spartan Showstopper, Kamryn Ward, in the scene shop detaching a tree to reconstruct and reuse in future productions. Chatman showing middleschool representative for Spartan Showstoppers, Jenesis Delk, how she sews in seventhgrade costume class. PGHS drama student Christian Aigboose using script as he rehearses. Middle-school student, Dylan Merino-Nunez, working on the set for the musical "What’s Happening in the Emerald City."

This is all certainly true of the theatre program at Pleasant Grove High School, where a growing number of students are putting on an impressive roster of events each school year.

During the spring term, the Spartan Showstoppers drama club will present such events as the annual Miss Pleasant Grove Pageant at the school auditorium Feb. 1. The event has a Disney theme, “Where Dreams Come True.”

And the group is excited about the original musical – “Pump It Up” – they will present in May. The program is led by a young, energetic teacher – Taylor B. Chatman – who serves as Theatre Director at PGHS. “I've always had a passion and a joy for teaching,” she said. “I like to give back to the community and love inspiring the youth.”

The students relish the theatre program’s opportunities, and they express great appreciation for Chatman. “She’s constantly looking for opportunities for us to succeed,” said Jekeoti Williams, a 10th grader. “Her hard work doesn’t often get noticed but we all love and appreciate her.”

A Birmingham native, Chatman earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Musical Theatre from The University of Montevallo in 2020. She is a veteran stage performer in Birmingham, having performed at professional venues including Red Mountain Theatre, Virginia Samford Theatre, and she also worked for Birmingham Black Repertory Theatre and Encore Theatre and Gallery.

In her second year at PGHS, Chatman has increased the department's membership by 70 students, written two musicals and raised funds for the department, according to a news release. She is seeking to raise money to improve the sound and lighting at the 600seat PGHS auditorium.

Chatman “always wanted to be a teacher.” she said. “It was the first dream job I ever wanted as a kid.”

The Spartan Showstoppers, with more than 100 members, is an

PHOTOS BY TAYLOR CHATMAN

interactive, hands-on student theatre club, according to the release.

The club presents two main stage shows each school year. Members compete in the statewide Walter Trumbauer Festival Competition, create original works and host Black History Month productions.

They also organize a banquet, talent shows, Saturday socials and field trips, including an upcoming trip to the BJCC to see a touring production of the musical “Six.”

Students can take classes, including acting, tech, playwriting, set building, costume or makeup design, and musical theatre.

A love for theatre

“The department has helped me boost my confidence,” said 12thgrader Kyla Caffey, current theatre secretary. “Academically, it’s helped me maintain an A honor roll because you must maintain good grades to stay in the department.”

Caffey has taken part in such productions as “Clue,” “Shrek” and “What's Happening in Emerald City?”

“This year I wrote my very own production, ‘Death Due Us Part,’” Caffey said.

“I am benefiting from it socially by getting to meet new people and academically when I have to present projects in class by taking what I use on stage into the classroom,” said 12th-grader Kayla Burroughs, who currently serves as the program’s event coordinator.

“I love theater as a whole and enjoy taking trips and acting with the other students in the club” said Burroughs, who’s taken part in “Pride and Prejudice,” “What’s Happening in Emerald City?” and “A One-Act Play Gone Wrong.”

Eleventh-grader Erianna Ealons enjoys the theatre because of “how friendly and welcoming people are,” she said. “It allows me to come out of my shell.” Ealons has been a light technician on several productions, including a Black History Month production. For the spring, Ealons is excited about “stepping down from the light board and acting on stage.”

Eight-grader Jenesis Delk serves on the pageant committee, is a middle-school representative and took part in the fall showcase, “A One-Act Play Gone Wrong” and “What's Happening in Emerald City?”

“Socially, I’ve made many friends in the department that I wouldn't have made without it,” Delk said. “Academically, I make sure I keep my grades up so I can go on field trips and Saturday socials.”

Oshene Bates, an eighth grader, is a middleschool representative, serves on the pageant committee and has served in a variety of roles, including actor and assistant stage manager.

“I enjoy making long-lasting friends,” Bates said. “Academically, it keeps me on my toes and helps me multitask.”

“I enjoy being a part of making greatness happen – from shows to events,” Bates said.

Amiyah Hall, a 12th grader and current

“PUMP IT UP” will be held on May 9-10 at 6 p.m. in the Pleasant Grove High School Auditorium. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults.

For more information, go to facebook.com/p/Pleasant-Grove-HighSchool-Theater-Department-100094580455252 or email Taylor Chatman at tbchatman@jefcoed.com

Trophies from the State Walter Trumbauer High School Theatre Festival Competition. Six students placed in their events, making them among the best in the state in their category for the entire state of Alabama.

She’s constantly looking for opportunities for us to succeed.

theatre president, serves on the pageant committee and has been part of productions including “Pride and the Prejudice.” Hall enjoys “being a part of putting smiles on people’s faces when they leave the auditorium.” For the spring, Hall looks forward to “being in my last high-school show with the people I adore the most.”

A big spring

The students in the PGHS theatre program are staying busy this semester. The Miss Pleasant Grove Pageant is open to the public and will crown Miss Pleasant Grove High School, Miss Pleasant Grove Elementary School and Miss Pleasant Grove Middle School.

The pageant “got a lot of attention last year, and it drew a big crowd this year,” Chatman said. “Hopefully we can keep it going.”

The musical, “Pump it Up,” is written by Chatman with music by Brian Smith, a musician and the PGHS director of bands, who wrote six songs for the show. “Pump It Up” is about a teenager trying to make a cheer team at her new school but facing challenges and is the second musical Chatman has written since coming to PGHS. About 50 students will take part in some capacity, Chatman said.

Smith said his music for the show is “soul with influences from Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Lil Wayne and musicals such as ‘Bring it On’ and ‘Mean Girls.’”

During the show, Smith will play the piano and conduct the musicians in the orchestra pit. “This will be our first time opening the orchestra pit,” Chatman said. Smith said he is excited by the opportunity. “This collaboration has not only allowed me to tap into the musical theatre world, but allowed me to compose original works,” he said. “Without Ms.Chatman's inspiration, this would not have happened.

“I’m proud to share the underrated art form of musical theatre with the next generation of thespians and musicians,” Smith said. “We hope

THE MISS PLEASANT GROVE PAGEANT

SATURDAY, FEB. 1, AT 5 P.M.

PLEASANT GROVE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

Open to the public l Tickets are $5 cash Tickets available at the door only.

The Spartan Showstoppers drama club, with over 100 members, will be very busy in the spring semester.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR CHATMAN

Last year Spartan Showstopper, Jordan Nation, won Miss PGHS 2024. PHOTO BY TAYLOR CHATMAN

to spark the kids' interest in joining the performing arts department next year to produce student works.”

Smith sees “Pump It Up” as a great opportunity for the students. “Students from the performing arts are coming together to create a story written and composed for and by them,” he said. “Hopefully they will understand that they are making history here at Pleasant Grove High School.”

Chatman said the drama program’s “very girl-heavy,” and she wanted to write a story these young women could relate to. And after all, high-school girls understand what it’s like to try to fit in or be accepted.

“Bringing something for them and by them is very important,” Chatman said. “It’s something they can experience or have experienced on a day-to-day basis. That’s something I try to put on stage.”

Producing greatness

Chatman believes that theatre programs and the other arts are very important to schools and their communities.

“You see a lot of schools and the first thing they cut is fine arts, so just to be able to produce greatness and keep it running is something I'm passionate about,” Chatman said.

This is especially true in Alabama, which is “a heavy sports state.” she said. “Pleasant Grove is good not just in academics and athletics but in performance, as well.”

Students place in the state Trumbauer competition

Pleasant Grove High School theatre students did well in this year’s Walter Trumbauer Festival, including the district and statewide competitions.

At the district festival; 10 Spartan Showstoppers competed, earning 16 superior ratings and 4 excellent ratings, according to the news release.

Ten students advanced to the state Trumbauer competition, and The Spartan Showstoppers earned nine superior ratings and one excellent rating.

The following six students placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in their respective categories:

First Place: Amiyah Hall and Kayla Burroughs

Duet Readers Theatre, Novice

First Place: Kyla Caffey

Acting Comedic, 2005-present, Novice

Second Place: Kayla Burroughs

Acting Comedic 2005-present, Novice

Third Place: Eriana Ealons

Solo/Duet Acting Comedic Classical (pre-1900), Novice

Third Place: Jekeoti Williams

Musical Dramatic 1980-2015, Novice

Third Place: Kamryn Ward

Makeup Design, Novice

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Health & Wellness

Welcome to our Health & Wellness pages, the newest addition to WestJeff Magazine. Each month, we share tips from a variety of sources showing you how to improve the quality of your life in simple, practical ways. Let us know if there’s a particular health or wellness topic you’d like to see us cover. Write to us at jesse@jbmcmedia.com.

by JESSE CHAMBERS

Living long and well: Health & Wellness trends for 2025

An increasing number of people are making wellness a major focus in their lives. In 2024, 82 percent of consumers in the U.S., 73 percent in the U.K. and 87 percent in China reported wellness as a top or very important priority in their lives, according to a McKinsey & Company survey.

This means that more people are trying to exercise, eat a good diet, manage stress and get their sleep, among other goals.

One of the biggest health trends for 2025 is longevity – not a shock, since people have always wanted to live as long as they could. Longevity will “dominate the wellness sector in 2025,” according to voguebusiness. com, citing a global consumer survey by Euromonitor International.

This month, we take a look at this new obsession with longevity. We also shine a light on some other hot wellness trends for the new year, drawing on online sources.

Longevity ‘buzzword’

The obsession with longevity is not just about the number of years we live. “Healthspan is the new wellness buzzword,” says wellness expert Anna Bjurstam at usa.boutiquehotelier.com. “It's no longer about how long you live, but how well you live.”

Longevity is also about being proactive and trying to stay ahead of health problems.“The longevity trend marks a significant shift in

One “evergreen” fitness trend is outdoor recreation, and it will continue to be popular in 2025.

PHOTO BY GRAHAM YELTON, COURTESY OF RED MOUNTAIN PARK

how we approach aging — emphasizing prevention, optimization and overall healthspan enhancement rather than simply managing symptoms,” says destinationdeluxe.com.

In some ways, the playbook for living a long, healthy life hasn’t changed and includes the basics mentioned above – diet, exercise, sleep and stress management.

But the health and wellness industry is leveraging recent scientific discoveries about aging to offer people additional choices.

This is leading consumers to try such therapies as cellular rejuvenation, biohacking, saunas, IV therapy, hormonal optimisation and even cryotherapy.

Sleep “maxxing”

As discussed in our Health & Wellness feature in January, good sleep is critical to good health. It can improve your mood, boost your brain health, help you control your weight and lower your blood pressure.

Sleep enhancement is among the hot wellness trends for 2025 and is “a fixture on every wellness trend list because sleep is simply that essential,” according to destinationdeluxe.com

“Busier lifestyles, heightened stress levels and overstimulated minds from constant digital exposure” are among the factors making it harder for people to get quality rest, the site says.

Sleep enhancement – shape.com calls it “sleep maxxing” – can involve simple, common-sense steps. For example, you can limit your consumption of caffeine or alcoholic beverages and reduce your exposure to TV and other devices before bedtime.

LEFT: Many people are seeking to get their exercise as part of a social activity, such as fitness classes. BELOW: Many people are turning to meditation to help reduce stress.

Feeding your head

However, many consumers are trying other solutions, including smart mattresses, wearable devices, guided sleep meditations and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. There are even sleep retreats with personalized assessments and holistic treatments, according to destinationdeluxe.com.

Going outside

Recreation in the great outdoors – far away from TVs and computers –will remain popular in 2025. Outdoor recreation is “one of those trends in health and wellness that is evergreen,” according to glossgenius.com. Adventure-based wellness, which blends physical and mental health in such activities as forest bathing, yoga and guided meditation hikes, is growing in popularity, according to perseverancesurvival.com.

“Mindfulness, meditation, and prioritizing your mental and spiritual health has become one of the top trends in health and wellness,” says glossgenius.com. This may include efforts to manage anxiety and reduce stress. Many people “are turning to treatments like meditation and breathing exercises (rather than medication) to help manage their stress,” the site says.

Working out with others

Many people are seeking to take part in fitness activities with others rather than going it alone. Such activities include pilates, yoga, spinning and running clubs. ”People want to combine seeing others with physical activity, especially since we spend so much time on the computer during the weekdays, working from home,” Pilates instructor Julia Oravisto tells voguescandinavia.com.

BY WIKIMEDIA USER MONA HASSAN ABO-ABDA. OWN WORK, CC BY-SA 4.0.

McAdory High Student Athletes commit to College Teams

Four student athletes from the McAdory High School Softball Team were celebrated at the school’s college sports signing day. Congratulations to the following: Kamille Carter, committed to Grambling University’s softball team; Addison Mitchell, committed to Marion Military Institute’s softball team; Sheridan Kynard, committed to Mississippi Valley State University’s softball team; and Savieuna Catlin, committed to Snead State Community College’s volleyball team.

Charles F. Hard Elementary Students build first robot

The students at the Tech Lab at Charles F. Hard Elementary School recently built their first Vex robot. The children worked together to solve problems and celebrated each milestone along the way. Through this project, they're gaining valuable skills in engineering, coding and teamwork, all while having a great time.

Jonathan Pettway named CRAFT Academy Employee of the Month

Hueytown High School is proud to celebrate Johnathan Pettway, who was named November Employee of the Month for Building Construction at CRAFT Academy. He earned this honor by achieving the highest score on the ACT Employability Scale for the month.

Lyric Brown wins McCalla Elementary Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Lyric Brown, the winner of the 2024 McCalla Elementary Spelling Bee. She will represent the school at the Jefferson County Schools District Spelling Bee, with runner-up Mariah Johnson ready to step in if needed.

Hueytown High School Career Tech Students present Day of Relaxation

Hueytown High School’s cosmetology students showcased their skills at the CTE Day of Relaxation by providing manicures and hand, foot and neck massages to Jefferson County Central Office staff. Culinary students also impressed attendees by preparing and serving an array of hors d'oeuvres and desserts. The event offered a chance for the central office team to unwind for the holidays, highlighting the exceptional talents of the school’s career tech students.

Jameis Winston donation to Hueytown High School

Jameis Winston's Dream Forever Foundation recently made a generous donation of weight room equipment to Hueytown High School, benefiting all student-athletes. The school recognized Coach Ant and Coach Travis from The Pro Elite Academy for making this opportunity possible for the students.

Fairfield City Schools awards Donald Smith as Teacher of the Year

Donald Smith, Pre-K teacher at Forest Hills Tri-City School, was recently named Teacher of the Year for his outstanding dedication to early childhood education.

Hueytown Middle School presents Teacher of the Year to Shernell Lewis

Congratulations to Shernell Lewis for being named Teacher of the Year by Hueytown Middle School. Lewis is known for her passion for education and commitment to excellence, which have made a positive impact on her students.

Greenwood Elementary Teacher of the Year

Greenwood Elementary School recently presented the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year award to Caroline Kaiser. She teaches third grade and goes above and beyond for her students, their families and her fellow teachers.

Hueytown Primary School names Patti Lagle Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Patti Lagle on being named Teacher of the Year at Hueytown Primary School. As a first-grade teacher, she brings learning to life with her engaging and enjoyable teaching style.

Coach Cindy O’Brien recognized as Hueytown Intermediate School’s Teacher of the Year

Cindy O’Brien was recently honored as Teacher of the Year at Hueytown Intermediate School. As the school’s P.E. coach, she is celebrated for her exceptional ability to connect with students and make physical education both enjoyable and impactful.

Erin Stevens named Oak Grove Elementary Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Erin Stevens on being named Oak Grove Elementary’s Teacher of the Year. Her unwavering dedication to her students and passion for education have made a lasting impact on the school community.

West Jefferson Elementary awards Jana Hanner Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Jana Hanner for being selected as the West Jefferson Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Hanner is a firstgrade teacher who was recognized for her exceptional dedication and commitment to her students.

Western Area Events

Feb. 3: Pleasant Grove City Council. 6 p.m. Pleasant Grove City Hall, 501 Park Road. The Pleasant Grove City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. 205-744-1723. cityofpg.com.

Feb. 3: Fairfield City Council. 6-8 p.m. Fairfield City Hall, 4701 Gary Ave. The Fairfield City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. 205-788-2492. cityoffairfieldal.org.

Feb. 4: Hueytown Board Of Zoning Adjustments. 4:30-5 p.m. City Hall, Council Meeting Room, 1318 Hueytown Road. 205-497-0522. hueytownal.gov.

Feb. 4: Bessemer City Council. 6 p.m. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The Council meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall. 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org.

Feb. 4. Brighton City Council. 6 p.m. Brighton City Hall, 3700 Main Street. The Brighton City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. 205-428-9547.

Feb. 6: Jefferson County Commission. 9 a.m. 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Room 270, Birmingham. The Commission meets on the second floor of the County Courthouse downtown in the Commission Chambers. 205-325-5300. jccal.org.

Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27: District 8 Walking Group. Birmingham Crossplex, 2331 Bessemer Road. Each Thursday at 8 a.m., meet at the CrossPlex Starbucks for coffee and a casual 1.5 mile loop. Walkers of all abilities and speeds are welcome. Sponsored by the Freshwater Land Trust. freshwaterlandtrust.org/get-involved/events

Feb. 10: Midfield City Council. 6 p.m. Midfield City Hall, 725 Bessemer Super Highway. The Midfield City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

Feb. 10. Bessemer City Council. 9 a.m. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The Council holds a planning session on the second Tuesday of each month in the multipurpose room on the first floor of City Hall. 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org.

The Broadway hit musical SIX takes the stage at the BJCC Concert Hall Feb. 11-16.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOAN MARCUS

Feb. 11: Hueytown City Council. Hueytown City Hall, 1318 Hueytown Road. The Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. The pre-meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. 205-491-7010. hueytownal.gov.

Feb. 11: Bessemer Board of Zoning Adjustment and Appeals. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The city’s Board of Zoning Adjustment and Appeals meets on the second Tuesday of each month. For meeting times, call 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org.

Feb. 16: Fairfield City School Board. 6 p.m. Fairfield Board of Education, Gladys T. Coleman Boardroom, 6405 Avenue D. Fairfield. The five-member school board meets on the third Thursday of each month. 205-783-6850. fairfieldschoolsystem.com.

Feb. 17: Fairfield City Council. 6-8 p.m. Fairfield City Hall, 4701 Gary Ave. The Fairfield City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. 205-788-2492. cityoffairfieldal.org.

Feb. 17: Pleasant Grove City Council. 6 p.m. Pleasant Grove City Hall, 501 Park Road. The Pleasant Grove City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month. 205-744-1723. cityofpg.com.

of each month in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall. 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org.

Feb. 18: Bessemer Planning and Zoning Commission. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission meets on the third Tuesday of each month. For meeting times, call 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org.

Feb. 18: Hueytown Planning & Zoning Commission. 5-6 p.m. City Hall, Council Meeting Room, 1318 Hueytown Road. This nine-member board, appointed by the mayor and City Council, meets on the third Tuesday of each month. 205-497-0522. hueytownal.gov.

Feb. 20: Jefferson County Commission - Bessemer. 9 a.m. Criminal Justice Center, 1851 2nd Ave. N., Bessemer, AL. 205- 325-5300. jccal.org.

Feb. 24: Midfield City Council. 6 p.m. Midfield City Hall, 725 Bessemer Super Highway. The Midfield City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

Feb. 24: Bessemer Beautification Board. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The city’s Beautification Board meets on the fourth Monday of each month. For meeting times, call 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org.

Feb. 18. Brighton City Council. 6 p.m. Brighton City Hall, 3700 Main Street. The Brighton City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. 205-428-9547.

Feb. 18. Bessemer City Council. 9 a.m. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The Council meets the third Tuesday

Feb. 25: Hueytown City Council. Hueytown City Hall, 1318 Hueytown Road. The Council typically meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, however this month the meeting will be held on the second and third Tuesday, due to the holiday schedule. The pre-meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. 205-491-7010. hueytownal.gov.

Ongoing: Exercise classes. Legacy YMCA, 1501 Fourth Ave S.W., Bessemer. Legacy presents a wide variety of exercise classes for members year round, including swimming, aerobics, aquacise, yoga, cycling, Zumba and Power HITT. Legacy also offers lots of youth sports, camps and health and wellness programs. For details, call 205-426-1211 or go to legacyymca.org.

Ongoing: Classes and workshops. Bessemer Public Library, 400 19th St. N. Bessemer. The library presents a wide range of classes, workshops and other activities for children, teens and adults. Adult classes include nutrition, computers and self-publishing. Activities for children include a toddler playgroup and Pre-K storytimes. 205-428-7882. bessemerlibrary.com.

Black Jacket Symphony is making its way back to Birmingham to perform the music of Journey’s classic 1981 album “Escape” on Feb. 8 at the BJCC Concert Hall.

PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK.COM/BLACKJACKETSYMPHONY

Lee Brice’s "You, Me and My Guitar Tour" with special guest Rebecca Lynn Howard will be featured at The Alabama Theatre on Feb. 13.

Other Area Events

Feb. 1: Southern Soul and Blues Lover’s Festival. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. 2100 Richard Arrington Blvd. N. An evening of the best in soul and rhythm & blues featuring Tucka, West Love, Cupid, Fat Daddy, Big Ro Williams and DJ Trucker. For tickets and information, go to bjcc.org/events.

Feb. 2: The Vitamin String Quartet. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center. 1200 10th Ave. S. The Los Angeles-based Vitamin String Quartet has helped establish classical crossover as a force in contemporary music. On their latest tour, VSQ presents fresh arrangements of the cultural phenomenon that is Taylor Swift, along with familiar hits from Billie Eilish, BTS, The Weeknd and Daft Punk, as well as the tunes they recorded for the hit TV series “Bridgerton.” VSQ is one of the most popular string ensembles in the world with over two billion streams and seven albums charting on both the Billboard classical and classical crossover charts. For tickets or information, call 205-975-2787 or go to alysstephens.org/ events/vitamin.

Feb. 4: Robert Jon & The Wreck. 7 p.m. Woodlawn Theatre. 5503 First Ave. N. Southern California band Robert

Jon & The Wreck have taken Southern rock to new heights with powerful songs, electrifying guitar solos and lush vocal harmonies and have played gigs all around the world. For tickets and information, go to woodlawntheatrebham.com/events/ robert-jon-the-wreck.

Feb. 6-16: “Assassins.” Virginia Samford Theatre. 1116 26th Street S. Stephen Sondheim originally presented his musical “Assassins” in 1990, and the 2021 revival won six Tony Awards. The new VST production features local favorites Kristen Campbell, Caleb Clark, Amy Johnson and Nick Crawford in a stunning, darkly comic journey into the minds of history’s most famous, and infamous, assassins. For more information – including showtimes – and to purchase tickets, call 205-251-1206 or go to virginiasamfordtheatre.org.

Feb. 8: Black Jacket Symphony. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. 2100 Richard Arrington Blvd. N. Remember putting an album on your stereo and listening from start to finish? Relive that moment with a live concert experience unlike any other as The Black Jacket Symphony recreates Journey’s classic 1981 rock album “Escape.” The event also features a stunning visual experience. For tickets and information, go to bjcc.org/events.

Feb. 8: Flatland Calvary. 7 p.m. The Alabama Theatre. 1817 Third Ave. N. Flatland Calvary is a country and Americana band from Lubbock, Texas. The band, with its blend of country, folk, Americana and rock, has been compared to the acclaimed Turnpike Troubadours. For tickets and information, call 205252-2262 or go to alabamatheatre.com.

The Birmingham Home Show is back for its 51st year at the BJCC North Hall Feb. 21-23 and will feature Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb of HGTV’s “Unsellable Houses.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF RED LIGHT MANAGEMENT

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIRMINGHAM HOME SHOW

Feb. 11-16: SIX Broadway National Tour. BJCC Concert Hall. 2100 Richard Arrington Blvd. N. The hit play “Six” is a British musical comedy presented in the style of a pop concert that offers a modern retelling of the stories of the six wives of King Henry VIII. “Six” remixes 500 years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st century girl power. For more information – including showtimes – and tickets, go to bjcc.org./events.

Feb. 13: Lee Brice. 7:30 p.m. The Alabama Theatre. 1817 Thirds Avenue N. Country artist Lee Brice has more than 3.7 billion on-demand streams and has placed multiple hit records at

the No. 1 spot in country radio, including “Memory I Don’t Mess With,” “One of Them Girls” and “Rumor.” Brice will appear in Birmingham as part of his “You, Me and My Guitar” acoustic tour. For tickets and information, call 205-2522262 or go to alabamatheatre.com.

Feb. 14: Marc Broussard:

“Time is a Thief Tour.” 8 p.m. The Lyric Theatre. 1800 3rd Avenue N. Marc Broussard is an artist with a unique gift of channeling the spirits of classic R&B, rock and soul into contemporary terms. Marc released multiple albums with major labels for 10 years, but has recently returned to his independent roots having released multiple successful original and covers records. For tickets and information, call 205-252-2262 or go to lyricbham.com.

Feb. 21-23: Birmingham Home Show. BJCC North Exhibition Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N. The 51st annual Birmingham Home Show will feature a multitude of local businesses to assist with ideas for home improvements and updates. The show will feature Leslie Davis and Lyndsay Lamb from HGTV’s “Unsellable Houses” and will also include the Fresh Ideas Stage, Hometown Flavor Cooking Stage, Custom Container Living and a Kids Workshops. For times, tickets and information, go to birminghamhomeshow.com.