At UAB Medical West, our number one priority is to offer quality, convenient care for those in West Jefferson County, AL. Currently offering emergency care, 12 health centers in your community, and a brand new state-of-the-art hospital just off of I-459 in McCalla, UAB Medical West is committed to being here for you and your entire family. It’s one more way we can offer quality, compassionate care near you.
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ValYou Care™
by ArchWell Health
A Better Approach to Primary Care
Have you ever wondered why some doctors spend so little time with their patients?
Healthcare providers often charge a fee for each service. That puts pressure on doctors to see as many patients as possible. No wonder people feel like their doctors don’t have time or don’t listen to them.
With ValYou Care™ from ArchWell Health’s, YOU are your doctor’s number one priority. Their job is to keep you healthy—NOT just treat you when you’re sick. By taking a more preventive approach to your health, we catch small problems before they become serious. And keep you active doing the things you love longer.
Electronics (computers, cell phones, televisions, security equipment, small appliances)
Fire Extinguishers
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Mercury and Mercury Containing Items (thermometers, thermostats)
On the Cover
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.
Subscriptions are available for $35 per year. Email subscribe@jbmcmedia.com for details on how to subscribe or send a gift subscription.
Does your business want to connect with West Jefferson County residents? Email us: advertise@jbmcmedia.com, and let’s talk!
All content in this magazine remains the property of JBMC Media, LLC. Any requests to reprint or republish should be directed to matthew@jbmcmedia.com.
Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
Matthew Allen
Publisher (205) 617-9609
matthew@jbmcmedia.com
jesse@jbmcmedia.com
Michelle Salem Haynes Marketing Consultant (205) 381-1311 michelle@jbmcmedia.com
Jesse Chambers Content Director
Photo by Brittany Fields
Clinton “CJ” Harris, III, follows in his father’s footsteps with their family business, CJ’s Ventures in Hueytown. CJ, pictured on our cover at a job site in Tarrant, is one of several small business owners and entrepreneurs from West Jefferson County we feature in this month’s issue. Read more about them starting on page 16.
Each month of the year arrives bearing its own long list of holidays, milestones and special observances. This includes major holidays, such as Labor Day, to be celebrated on September 2.
There’s Patriot Day on September 11, which honors those killed in the terrorist attacks on America on that date in 2001.
There are solar events, like the Autumn Equinox on September 22.
Today.com – the website for NBCTV’s “Today” show – lists about 180 daily observances, 10 weekly observances and 30 monthly observances for September 2024
Some of the items listed, such as International Literacy Day or National Suicide Prevention Week, seem quite serious. Others are clearly meant for fun, such as National Ants on a Log Day, National Butterscotch Pudding Day and Ask a Stupid Question Day.
My personal favorite is National Pepperoni Pizza Day on September 20. I can get on board for that one – especially if somebody gives me free slices.
However, one monthly observance caught my attention and seems relevant to me and to other people my age. (I’m 67, by the way.) September is Healthy Aging Month, according to several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Healthy Aging Month seeks to raise awareness of the physical and mental health
of older adults, according to dhs.gov. The observance is also a reminder that our minds and bodies change as we age and that it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to cope with those changes.
I can certainly relate to this. I take medicine daily for high blood pressure and have gotten physical therapy recently for such aches and pains as a golfer’s elbow and heel spur. I also feel an almost desperate need these days to exercise much more often to help stave off the physical and mental decay I see in so many people in their 70s and 80s.
Actress Bette Davis once said that “Getting old ain’t for sissies,” and she’s right. However, we can’t just give up and succumb to the passing years without doing everything we can to extend and increase the quality of our lives.
Dhs.gov offers the following advice for older people who want to take a proactive approach to aging by adopting healthy habits.
Healthy eating plan
Eat nutritious foods that are low in cholesterol, fat and artificial ingredients. Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Eat nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy products.
Get up and move
Staying active helps you prevent, delay and manage chronic diseases, improve balance and stamina, reduce the risk of falling
and improve brain health. We should aim for moderate physical activity – walking, for example – at least 150 minutes per week. We should also engage in muscle strengthening activities, such as carrying groceries, at least two days a week. Consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.
Preventive care matters
It’s essential that older people go to their doctors regularly for check-ups and screenings. This allows doctors to catch chronic diseases early and can help patients reduce risk factors for disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Your brain will change
Our brains change as we age, but dementia isn’t normal, and there are lots of things we can do to reduce cognitive decline related to age or to manage dementia – for example, not smoking, getting enough sleep and taking part in social and intellectually stimulating activities. See your doctor if you have questions about memory or brain health.
For additional information on healthy aging, go to the National Institute on Aging website at nia.nih.gov/health/ healthy-aging.
Small Town Newspapers
Springville, Alabama (pop. 5,043). I am downtown with a few minutes to kill. I pick up a copy of the Trussville Tribune, sit on a bench by the antique store and count cars.
I count four.
I shake open the newspaper beneath an angry noontime sun. The Tribune is a slender paper. Not much to it. You’d need at least three to line a litter box.
The Tribune is your typical small-town paper. Just like small-town papers used to be. The paper is not loaded with reports of stabbings, shootings, and senseless acts of politics. Just local stuff. It reminds you of a bygone age.
The front page, for example, features important breaking news from nearby Argo (pop. 4,364). The headline reads: “Ann ‘Granny’ Grimes celebrates 100th birthday at Fox’s Pizza Den.”
“God has just been good to me!” Granny is quoted as saying.
Granny has nine grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and six greatgreat grandchildren. She also ties down a full-time job at Fox’s Pizza.
She works in the kitchen, preparing her special spaghetti sauce, prepping food, and washing the dishes in the three-compartment sink.
The article goes on to say that if you should ever visit Fox’s Pizza, you should ask Granny for proof that she’s 100 and “she will gladly show you her current driver’s license!”
That’s what you’ll find in a small-town paper.
There’s also the weather forecast, sponsored by Trussville Water and Gas. This week’s forecast: you’re going to die of heat stroke.
In other news, the Winn-Dixie in Pinson is remodeling. And, in case you were wondering, 2,000 people attended the rodeo. More on Page 5.
There’s the classified section. The first three for-sale ads are advertising adjoining funeral plots. Get ’em while they’re hot.
The community calendar of events is slamming. Visit the Trussville Public Library for summertime stories, read by Ms. Alicia. And don’t forget, ladies, the “Yarn Manglers” knitting club meets on Thursday for “fellowship and creativity!” Be prepared to get a little crazy.
Bring your own needles.
Football season updates. The Huskies are looking good. The Blue Devils are struggling, but Coach Ganus is working on it, so get off his back. And the obituaries.
Jerry Cross, 80, of Northport. Passed away in Fayette. “He served the Mountain Brook Police Department… and retired after 27 years of service.”
Jackie Dewayne “Wayne” Frederick, 55. “Wayne was an avid wrestling enthusiast, and a particular fan of Hulk Hogan.” “To our brother Wayne, your laughter, love, and kindness will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.”
Betty Carol Goss, 76. “Betty worked as a hairdresser and later moved into working retail.” “She loved the Lord with all her heart.”
And my favorite line: “Betty loved her family more than she loved herself.”
America is losing two newspapers per week. At this rate, experts predict we will have lost a third of U.S. newspapers by next year.
In another 20 years, experts don’t think there will be newspapers. Most local papers have either vanished or reduced operations, publishing weekly or bi-weekly.
But for today—just for today—I was caught up in the olden charms of newsprint. Just for today, I touched soy-based ink and recycled paper. And I miss it all.
So, I’m going to hope the experts are wrong about newspapers. I’m going to pray the huge media outlets don’t win. And most importantly, I’m going down the street to ask to see Granny’s driver’s license.
Illustration by Sean Dietrich
Setting the Bar Holy Moly
I was seven when I started gymnastics. Ballet just wasn’t for me. I had too much energy for slow and steady and graceful. I needed to run and bounce. And to flip and bend. So, gymnastics was perfect.
I remember the distinct smell of the gym. Chalk and sweat and equipment—specifically, the floor. We’d sit and stretch toward our bare toes, not being able to reach far at first, but the longer you held that painful position, the tiniest bit further you could reach. The splits were the everelusive goal.
As we stretched, I’d watch the girls who were older and much more advanced than I, one-on-one with their coach, as they would perform a “giant” on the bars. This move was perfectly named, because only a real giant would have the courage to attempt one. You’d start with your body mounted up on the top bar—almost eight feet from the very hard ground— and swing your legs down and then, with the building momentum, you’d launch yourself into a handstand. As if that weren’t enough, you’d then swing your body completely around the bars and land, miraculously, back in your same handstand. Like a human windmill.
I never tried one of these. I know you probably thought that was where I was headed, but it’s not. I never made it that far. But the bar exercise, or just “the bars,” were my jam. Out of the four events—bars, beam, floor, and vault—I excelled most at bars. Mostly because that was where I felt most confident and consistent. Bars were much less scary than the beam and required less flexibility than the floor exercise. And this is where I would score the highest, leading to blue ribbons or the occasional medal being sent my way. So, this event took a lot of my focus because, even if I fell off the beam or landed on my rear on the floor exercise, well, bars were my constant— and that’s pretty big when you are 11. Well, until they weren’t. I can remember this moment like it was yesterday and not 27 years ago. It was the State Championships for youth gymnastics in Alabama. I had trained all year as a level 4 gymnast, which isn’t very high in the skill ranking overall but still took me a few years to get to. I had actually spent two long years training at this level because, when it was time to “move up,” my coaches decided I
just wasn’t ready, so I had to stay behind as my peers and buddies moved up to level 5. Talk about embarrassing, but that story is for another day. So I was pretty good at this bar routine by the time the State Championship came around the second time. I knew I could win bars.
There’s a lot of pressure on you, at 11 or any age, when you are expected to do well at something. I was so nauseated as we moved to the bar exercise. It was the third event, with bars and beam left for me. I was doing well. My coach told me to eat some chalk to settle my stomach, but the thought of that was worse than my nausea. I saluted the judges and stepped up to the bars. I did the beginning of my routine—so ingrained in my muscles and brain from repetition—and as I was thinking of the landing and “sticking it” so as not to lose any points, I completely choked and fell backwards out of a routine move. I couldn’t believe it. I was so shocked because I had done that simple move so many times, and it wasn’t something I should have messed up. I regrouped, finished the routine, and did stick the landing. But I was devastated. That fall backwards was a half-point deduction. I was so incredibly angry at myself for choking when this was supposed to be my year. I got second place and missed the 1996 State Champion title by two-tenths of a point. Sheesh. By the time 1997 rolled around, I was doing regular 12-year-old things and not thinking about eating chalk and spending three hours in the gym. And, as an adult, watching the summer Olympics leaves me in awe of the tenacity of these athletes.
So, here’s to all the 2024 Olympic athletes—the ones returning with medals and the ones without. Your grit and focus are inspiring, and we’ve all enjoyed watching. Way to go, Team USA!
Alana Smith is a boy mom (ages 9 and 4), 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.
Business News
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.
ALDI to convert Bessemer Winn Dixie, Fairfield gets food oasis and funds for biking
Going Aldi
The Winn Dixie supermarket at 2910 Morgan Road in Bessemer is closing and will be converted into an ALDI store, according to media reports. The store, located in the Morgan Road Square retail center, was slated to close Aug. 18 and be converted to the ALDI format in about six months, The Hoover Sun reported in mid-July, citing a store manager. In August 2023, ALDI announced its acquisition of Winn-Dixie and Harveys from Southeastern Grocers in Jacksonville, Fla. The purchase includes grocery stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, AL.com reported. In March, ALDI said in a news release that “a significant number of WinnDixie and Harveys Supermarkets will convert to the ALDI format over the next several years” and that the conversions were to begin this summer. “ALDI anticipates that approximately 50 stores will begin the conversion process during the latter half of 2024, with the majority of these stores reopening
as ALDI in 2025,” the company said in the news. However, the company said it “intends for a meaningful amount of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets to continue to operate under their current banners.”
There’s also an ALDI store located at 710 Academy Drive in Bessemer.
Oasis in a desert
The Carver Jones Market is now open in Fairfield, giving the city – widely considered to be a “food desert” – its first grocery store in nearly a decade, according to media outlets. The market, which is located at 4800 Gary Ave., opened at the end of July, reported WBRC Fox 6 News, WVTM-13 and Bham Now. Carver Jones Market is minority-owned, and founders said their goal is to provide fresh, affordable food, jobs and resources to the community, reported Fox 6. The USDA defines food deserts as areas with limited food retailers, low-income households and poor transportation. Fairfield has been without a market since Walmart closed in 2016. “This is exciting,” Jameria Davis, a local
shopper, told WVTM-13. “I’ve been waiting for this day. This is a great option for me, not many grocery stores around here.”
Let’s get biking
The city of Fairfield will receive $11.7 million in federal grant money to construct bicycle trails, according to media reports. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of its RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grant program and will pay for about 3.8 miles of bicycle facilities along Dr. MLK Boulevard, Vinesville Road and 52nd Street Ensley in Fairfield and Birmingham, according to ABC 33/40. Bicycle facilities can include any space or path designated for bicycles, as well as other features that support bicycle use, according to online sources. “This RAISE Grant is
going to be transformational for the City of Fairfield,” Fairfield Mayor Eddie Penny told the station. “It will not only give our citizens a safe place to exercise but will also help with economic development along the walking trail and better connect students from Miles College to the rest of the community.”
Honoring the best
The Bessemer Business of the Year Awards – sponsored by the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce – are presented annually to businesses in the city that have achieved success in their respective industries and size categories. Winners will be recognized during the 31st Annual Remembrance Honor and Awards Day on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Bessemer Civic Center. For more information, call 205-425-3253 or go to bessemerchamber.com.
Staff photo
An ALDI supermarket in Birmingham. ALDI, which recently purchased Winn-Dixie, will close the Winn Dixie in Bessemer and convert it to an ALDI.
Photo by Wikimedia user Michael Rivera
Bike trail in Monticello, Fla. The city of Fairfield was recently awarded a federal grant of $11.7 million to build nearly four miles of bike facilities.
20-Minute Chili
In The Kitchen with Kathleen Phillips
Grits & Gouda blogger
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.
Prep Time: 2 minutes | Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Get that slow-simmered flavor with this quick and easy 20-Minute Venison Chili. The secret to all that hearty flavor is in 3 of the ingredients during the first step. This shortcut comfort food recipe has less than 10 ingredients! No deer hunters in the family?
Substitute any lean ground meat or even turkey.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground venison (deer meat), ground round, elk or turkey (or combination half venison and half ground chuck)
2 cups chopped onion about 1 large
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 to 15.5-ounce) can small red beans chili beans, pinto beans or kidney beans
1 cup beef broth or stock (optional) 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Start with a cold pot. Cook ground venison, onion and garlic salt together in a Dutch oven or large pot over high heat until no longer pink, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. (Do not drain unless substituting high-fat ground beef.)
Stir in remaining ingredients to the pot except for toppings.
Bring the mixture up to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, 9 minutes.
Add desired toppings and serve warm.
Notes
• If using half ground beef (70/30% fat ratio) and half venison or lean meat, drain the meat mixture at this point. No draining necessary when using all venison or 90/10% lean meat.
• Instant Pot Instructions: Cook venison, onion and garlic salt in the Instant Pot. Stir in remaining ingredients except for toppings. ADD an additional 1 cup of broth or water. Cook on HIGH pressure for 10 minutes. Quick Release.
• Crock Pot Instructions: Cook venison, onion and garlic salt in a large skillet. Some slow cookers have the capability of browning meat right in the slow cookers. Stir in remaining ingredients except for toppings. Cook on LOW for up to 8 hours or HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
• Substitutions: Any lean ground meat can be substituted for venison. If you don’t have garlic salt, substitute 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
• Make ahead meal prep tip: Cook ground meat, onion and garlic salt together and let cool completely. Freeze in a freezer Ziploc bag or vacuum seal with a FoodSaver to be used later for chili, spaghetti and Sloppy Joes.
Small business, large impact
How local entrepreneurs are driving the West Jefferson County economy forward
by JESSE CHAMBERS
I admire people who are self-employed or operate their own businesses and are willing to put in the work needed to sustain their dreams of independence. Entrepreneurs and small businesses also boost the economy. Entrepreneurship drives innovation, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create lots of jobs.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, SMEs created two of every three jobs added to the economy in the last 25 years. In Alabama, SMEs employ 47.5% of workers, the SBA says.
This month, we look at three growing businesses in West Jefferson County and the people who run them, and we can assure you that we’re not done. In future issues of WestJeff Magazine, we’ll bring you more stories of the entrepreneurs who help make West Jefferson County a thriving, dynamic area.
A family legacy
CJ’s Ventures in Hueytown is a growing demolition, waste management and third-party logistics company founded over 20 years ago by Clinton Harris Jr.
The family-owned company is now managed by his son, Clinton Harris III, better known as CJ, a 23-year-old entrepreneur.
“I take great pride in running the company my dad started,” CJ said. “Family means a lot to me, and being able to work alongside my father has been amazing.”
CJ said his father has been “a great parent” and “continues to be a great mentor.”
His family inspired CJ to become a business person.
“Growing up in a household with both parents being business owners, I was influenced by them to embrace an entrepreneurial mindset,” he said.
CJ’s Ventures does a lot of demolition work in the Birmingham area and sees it as a way to improve communities. Removing dangerous or blighted structures helps reduce crime, boost the value of surrounding properties and increase the potential for new projects.
“We’re not just removing buildings,” CJ said. “We’re making room for positive development.”
The company offers numerous other services, including construction management and installation of gas lines and fiber-optic cable, according to its website.
The company is committed to hiring locally and providing comprehensive training.
Continued on Page 18
Photos by Brittany Fields. | WestJeff Magazine
CJ Harris is an ambitious, 23-year-old entrepreneur from Hueytown who runs a growing demolition and logistics firm started by his father about 20 years ago.
“We aim to create meaningful employment opportunities, particularly for individuals facing challenges in securing stable work,” CJ said. CJ said that he enjoys running the company, even the administrative aspects.
“I strive to learn as much as I can every day,” he said. “Knowing how to manage the office and employees, as well as going out to negotiate business deals, is very fulfilling.”
His immediate goals for CJ’s Ventures include expanding into another city with the company’s roll-off dumpster delivery services.
“Currently we serve the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas, and expanding to another city in Alabama, like Huntsville, would be a significant milestone for us,” CJ said.
Recently, CJ launched a podcast at youtube. com/@cjsventures in which he interviews industry leaders and others, including Cici Thomas, a supplier inclusion and sustainability consultant at Southern Company.
“I take pleasure in incorporating innovative ways to continue growing our business,” CJ said. He offers some tips to people who want to start an enterprise.
“My main advice is to not be afraid of taking risks, as all entrepreneurs do,” CJ said. “Don’t
start something just because it will make you money, because being a business owner comes with a lot of overtime and sacrifices, and it requires a lot of dedication and passion.”
Meeting people’s needs
Veteran pharmacist Teri Anders—owner of two independent stores, Rock Creek Pharmacy and Hinkle’s Pharmacy—finds her work to be “very rewarding,” she said.
“When you have an independent pharmacy, you can get to know your patients and connect with the community a lot more,” Anders said. “I feel like that is lost a lot in what I call big-box stores. You know your customers. You go to church with them. You go to different events with them. They’re your family, and we are there to help them out.”
Anders said she doesn’t “know how many times” she’s been called on the weekend and has met a customer at the store to fill a badly needed prescription.
“You definitely grow a closer relationship with your customers, and they trust you more,” she said.
A Concord native, Anders graduated from Hueytown High School in 1990 and completed
pharmacy school at Samford University in 1995.
Anders worked at Food World Pharmacy in Hueytown for 10 years and was happy in her job. However, she saw a need for a pharmacy for Concord and Rock Creek and opened Rock Creek Pharmacy in 2005.
In 2012, Anders purchased and moved into the building she now occupies next door to her original location.
In January of this year, Anders took over Hinkle Pharmacy in Bessemer.
Pharmacy is a family affair for Anders. Her youngest daughter, Samantha Hagood, graduated from the McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University this year, got married in August and is working with Anders at Rock Creek Pharmacy and Hinkle Pharmacy.
Anders’ oldest daughter, Haley Spence, graduated from the Harrison College of Pharmacy at Auburn University in 2023 and is working at Walmart Pharmacy. Spence is married and expecting her first child.
“We call ourselves one big ‘pharmily,’” Anders said.
Anders is always open to trying new things. In 2013, she added a Subway restaurant in the building in Rock Creek.
Continued from Page 16
Photo courtesy of Teri Anders
Teri Anders (right) is shown with her mother, Janice Hulgan, at Rock Creek Pharmacy. Hulgan serves as the store’s over-the-counter inventory manager.
In 2018, Hagood—along with Crystal Early, one of Anders’ employees—opened Rock Creek Boutique at Rock Creek Pharmacy.
During the pandemic, Anders adapted a storage barn as a location to provide vaccinations and offer wellness screenings and diabetes education classes.
She’s also looking for new opportunities at Hinkle Pharmacy.
“The Hispanic community is not serviced a lot in the Bessemer area, and they don’t have a lot of resources, so we’re trying to expand our Hispanic offerings,” Anders said.
For example, she recently hired a bilingual cashier.
Anders is also starting diabetes education classes and other offerings in Bessemer.
“I’ve incorporated some things we’ve done at Rock Creek at Hinkle and made it better,” Anders said.
She’s also faced the challenge of running an expanded operation with two stores.
“I’ve turned more into a HR person, having to manage double the amount of people,” Anders said. “I’m not at Hinkle all the time, so it’s kind of hard to make decisions and make things happen.”
Help is on the way, however. Hagood is now working for her at both stores.
In everything Anders does, she’s dedicated to strong customer service.
just diagnosed with cancer. Some of them are loved ones who are losing family members and need hospice help.”
She advises anyone who wants to start a business to find a mentor to guide them.
“Find someone – a successful somebody – that is in basically the same field and just mirror what they do,” Anders said. “That’s what I did. I found a girl who opened a store about a year before me.”
It’s also important to avoid being cocky or overconfident.
“If you stay humble and seek out help, people are willing to help you,” she said.
Enjoying what they do
The three owners of Five Star Real Estate in McCalla celebrated their 10-year anniversary in business on Aug. 1. They held the celebration at their office, which they purchased six years ago.
The partners shared some strong emotions regarding their decade working as partners.
“I feel very blessed,” Texie Warnick said.
“I can’t believe it’s been 10 years,” Donna Thigpen said. “We have had so much fun.”
“It’s amazing that we’ve actually developed a relationship with our business partners,” Rhena Maharrey said. “We are friends and we trust each other. That is huge in our world today.”
“We’re almost like sisters,” Thigpen added. “We
“You just meet people where they are and meet their needs,” Anders said. “A lot of times, they’re coming to you in a vulnerable time in their lives. Some of them just had a baby. Some of them were
argue and go back and forth, but we love each other.”
The three women said they truly like what they do every day.
Photo courtesy of Teri Anders
Pharmacist Teri Anders (right) is shown with her daughters, Samantha Hagood (center) and Haley Spence (left), both of whom followed in mom’s footsteps and became pharmacists. “We call ourselves one big ‘pharmily,’” Anders said.
Photo courtesy of Five Star Real Estate
The owners of Five Star Real Estate in McCalla (L-R): Rhena Maharrey, Donna Thigpen and Texie Warnick.
“This isn’t work,” Thigpen said. “This is something we all enjoy.”
“To go to a closing table, and to see a smile on people’s faces when they are buying their home –that’s the joy of it all right there,” Warnick said. The co-owners and their agents serve numerous communities in Jefferson, Tuscaloosa and Shelby counties, including McCalla, Pleasant Grove, Helena and Hoover.
Warnick is originally from Fultondale, attended Fultondale High School and lived in McCalla for 30 years before moving to Wilsonville. She’s worked in real estate for 23 years.
Thigpen, who holds the broker license for Five Star Real Estate, grew up in Oak Grove, attended Oak Grove High School, has lived in the Greenwood neighborhood in Bessemer since 1979 and has worked in real estate for 18 years
Maharrey grew up in Lipscomb, attended Midfield High School, lives in Greenwood and has worked in real estate for about 20 years.
All three are licensed real estate agents.
Five Star Realty originated when the large real estate company that Warnick and Maharrey worked for closed its office in McCalla.
“We didn’t want to go anywhere else because we were already established there,” Warnick said.
She and Maharrey talked to Thigpen, who was working for another large real estate firm, about starting a company.
The three women – along with a fourth partner who later left the company – started Five Star.
Five Star has grown to have a total of 26 agents, including the owners.
“Real estate agents are independent contractors,” Mahrarry said. “We just facilitate what they do. We are not trying to get rich off what they do because we are doing the same thing.”
Customer service is critical to what the company does.
“We’ll answer questions and take care of you just like we do our own family members,” Thigpen said. “I love working with young couples, because I will treat them like my own daughter and guide
them through the process.”
The agents at Five Star also work hard to secure the trust and confidence of their clients.
“People trust us with one of the biggest decisions in their life, and that’s one of the reasons we have repeat business,” Maharrey said.
Clients also know that the agents at Five Star will tell them the unvarnished truth about a property or transaction.
“”They trust us and they know that we will tell them the good, the bad and the ugly,” Maharrey said.
This trust factor is especially important because real estate agents are considered to be fiduciaries, which means they have legal and ethical obligations to act in their clients’ best interests.
“That is a lot of responsibility,” Maharrey said. “We have to look out for their interests and make sure that what we are telling them and advising them is in their best interest in the market.”
When asked for advice to give to new entrepreneurs, the women kept it simple and direct.
“Just be honest,” Warnick said.
“Treat everybody the same,” Thigpen said.
As the women celebrate their 10th anniversary, there are no signs of them slowing down.
“I’m at the age where I could retire, but I don’t want to retire,” Warnick said. “I enjoy what I do.”
Five Star Real Estate in McCalla celebrated its 10th anniversary in August.
Freshwater Land Trust announces major land deal in West Jefferson County
by JESSE CHAMBERS
The Black Warrior River watershed is home to over a million people and is a major source of drinking water for Birmingham, Bessemer, Cullman, Jasper, Tuscaloosa and numerous other cities.
The watershed also supports over 180 freshwater species, including fish, mussels, turtles and snails, 11 of which are listed as federally endangered or threatened.
This critical area is now a little bit safer due to a land acquisition in West Jefferson County by the nonprofit Freshwater Land Trust.
FLT recently acquired 366 acres on a peninsula situated at the confluence of the Mulberry Fork, Locust Fork, and Black Warrior River.
“We are very excited to acquire and protect such an environmentally valuable property on the Black Warrior River,” said Liz Sims, FLT Land
Conservation Director,
FLT originally acquired about 259 acres of the property as part of a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) obligation included in a mutually agreeable consent decree between eco-group Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Drummond Company regarding the closed Maxine Mine location near the property. Drummond Company voluntarily agreed to contribute another 107 contiguous acres of the parcel to FLT.
The total 366-acre parcel of ecologically significant land will be permanently preserved by the FLT.
“Freshwater Land Trust has a strong track record of implementing SEPs,” Sims said. “We believe this is a great outcome for everyone involved.”
The land is covered in pine, sweetgum and white oak trees, with minimal invasive species, and great blue herons and great egrets hunt at the
water’s edges surrounding the forest, according to an FLT news release.
The property is a prime candidate for FLT’s habitat restoration work to improve forest composition and increase species diversity, the release states.
With this acquisition, FLT has now conserved 1,962 acres in the Black Warrior River watershed.
“Preservation of the Mulberry and Locust forks’ confluence has long been a goal of mine because it is such a special place at the formation of the Black Warrior River,” said Nelson Brooke of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “After the Mulberry Fork flows 122 miles and the Locust Fork flows 158 miles through the Cumberland Plateau, they converge to form the Black Warrior River, which then flows for 168 miles from the tail end of the Appalachian Mountains and through the East Gulf Coastal Plain before emptying into the Tombigbee River.”
Photos Courtesy of Freshwater Land Trust
The ridge along the west side of a 366-acre parcel recently acquired by Freshwater Land Trust at the confluence of the Mulberry Fork, Locust Fork, and Black Warrior River.
Background
The Maxine Mine opened in about 1903 and was acquired by the Alabama By-Products Corporation (ABC) in 1925, according to a history of the mine at bhamwiki.com.
ABC reopened the Maxine Mine in 1952 to supply coal for electrical generation by such customers as Georgia Power, Gulf Power and Alabama Power. However, the costs of domestic coal began to exceed imported fuel, and the Maxine Mine closed in 1983.
In 2006, Black Warrior Riverkeeper began documenting acidic run-off into the Locust Fork from the mine’s waste pile.
In 2016, the Southern Environmental Law Center and Public Justice filed a lawsuit accusing Drummond of violating the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation Recovery Act.
U.S. District Court Judge Abdul Kallon ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in 2019, agreeing that Drummond should be responsible for cleaning up the site.
Black Warrior Riverkeeper also filed another lawsuit in 2021 based on new reports of polluted discharges
In a 2022 consent decree, Drummond agreed to clean up the mine and to pay some other costs and penalties.
The players
Freshwater Land Trust, founded in 1996, is one of the largest land conservators in Alabama and manages over 11,000 acres of land in 11 counties. Through partnerships with governments, corporations, landowners
The outline of the 366 acres of environmentally sensitive land recently acquired in West Jefferson County by Freshwater Land Trust.
and community groups, FLT seeks to protect Alabama waterways and to create more outdoor recreational opportunities.
Black Warrior Riverkeeper seeks to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. They are a membership-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting clean water for the sake of public health, recreation and wildlife habitat throughout the Black Warrior River watershed.
Drummond Company, based in Birmingham, was founded in 1935 and is a leading producer of coal and coal-related products.
The confluence of Locust Fork (left) and Mulberry Fork (right).
Hueytown receives grant to begin work on West Rock Mountain Preserve
by JESSE CHAMBERS
Hueytown’s new West Rock Mountain Preserve – the city’s first-ever nature park – took a step closer to becoming a reality on July 18 when the city was awarded a $400,000 grant to begin work on the project. Governor Kay Ivey awarded the grant to Hueytown using money from the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration.
The money will be used to build the first phase of the 330-acre nature preserve, which is located on West Rock Mountain.The city will build approximately 5.3 miles of hiking and biking trails and a gravel parking area at the south trailhead.
Hueytown Mayor Steve Ware said that the city is “incredibly grateful” for the grant.
“This funding will allow us to develop new hiking and biking trails at the West Rock Nature Preserve, to improve outdoor recreational opportunities for our residents and visitors,” Ware said. “The timetable for the beginning of construction will be announced at a later date. By using this grant to develop hiking and biking trails at [the preserve], we are providing our residents with a variety of outdoor spaces to enjoy nature, stay active and spend quality time with family and friends. Additionally, these trails will attract visitors, which can boost local businesses and support our economy.”
Ivey approved grants for Hueytown and five other communities in Alabama.
“These projects will benefit people of all ages and provide them with even more reasons to enjoy Alabama’s outdoors,” Ivey said in a news release from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), which is administering the awards.
“Beyond the benefits of having a way to exercise, a wellused and well-maintained trail casts a positive reflection on a community and its people,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
Happy Anniversary
The Hueytown Study Club, a women’s organization founded in 1934, is celebrating its 90th birthday in September, according to a club spokesperson. The club is dedicated to improving the community and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer work. The
the new West Rock Mountain Preserve in Hueytown. The
fund hiking and biking trails and other amenities at the site.
Hueytown officials announced the creation of West Rock Mountain Preserve in August 2023. The park will be built on land that the city purchased from The University of Alabama. The city purchased a total of 850 acres and may use about 450 acres for other purposes, such as single-family residences and athletic fields.
When West Rock Mountain Preserve is completed, it will be one of only four large nature preserves in Jefferson County, along with Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, Ruffner Mountain and Red Mountain Park. It will be the only such facility in West Jefferson County.
For more information, go to hueytownal.gov/1232/Hueytown-West-Rock-Mountain-Preserve
club members have taken part in numerous service projects through the years. For example, they have put on a blood drive, put up “Do Not Litter” signs, offered support to first responders and collected clothing for school children. Each year, the group has a service day on the final Saturday of September. In 2023, they helped provide food and clothing to those in need at The Grace Place, a ministry in Bessemer.
On Sept. 28, the HSC will do a project for the Grace’s Kitchen ministry in Birmingham. Members will wrap plastic flatware in napkins, tying them with a ribbon and attaching an encouraging Bible verse. They will also prepare take-out boxes by writing Bible verses on the lids. HSC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Photos courtesy the City of Hueytown. There are many beautiful trees, plants and pathways to be discovered at the 330-acre site of
city recently received a grant to help
Chiquita Marbury Technology Innovation Award Winner
Dr. Denise Bryant, E-Team Leader and Media Specialist for Center Point High School received the Chiquita Marbury Technology Innovation Award. Bryant was awarded then honor at the annual Alabama Educational Technology Conference in Mobile by the Alabama Department of Education.
Free Breakfast and Lunch
for Students
PowerEdUp! Technology Conference
The 2nd Annual PowerEdUp! Technology Conference was a tremendous success! JEFCOED teachers and central office staff highlighted some of the county’s top technology resources, while vendors shared information about the latest products. The 1990s theme added an extra layer of fun with vibrant decorations, nostalgic music, and tech trivia.
Space Academy
Laura Hume and Dee Downs, teachers from JCIB Middle School, were chosen to attend Space Academy for Educators in Huntsville, AL. They joined 40 other teachers from across Alabama for an exhilarating experience, including flying space mission simulations, climbing a 40-foot tower, zip-lining into a pond, and building and launching rockets. They also explored the future of space exploration and are bringing back exciting new ideas for their students in the 2024-2025 school year.
Jefferson County students are able to receive free breakfast and lunch for the 2024-2025 school year. This is because Jefferson County now qualifies as a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) District. CEP is a program offered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture It gives districts the opportunity to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to students without collecting household applications. “This is something that is a game changer for our district. Students can’t learn if they are hungry. This program will ensure every student has access to a nutritious breakfast and lunch,” said Dr. Walter Gonsoulin, Superintendent. Gonsoulin continued, “I appreciate the USDA for offering this program to districts, and I appreciate our hard working child nutrition program staff for working to make it happen.
Bessemer City School District
The Bessemer City School District recently added three new members to its leadership team:
• Technology Coordinator: Dr. Florence Williams
• Child Nutrition Program Director: Sharon Sanders
• Transportation Supervisor: Dr. Santonia Davison
Concord Elementary School
Concord Elementary School is excited to welcome Alexandria Loggins-Howlett as Assistant Principal. Loggins-Howlett said, “It is an honor to introduce myself as the new Assistant Principal of Concord Elementary and to join this extraordinary school community. Throughout my years of service in education, I have had the pleasure of serving as a teacher and Literacy Coach. I believe “it takes a village” to ensure student success. I aim to work diligently with our community to leverage partnerships and foster positive relationships with students, parents, and teachers to embrace, educate, and empower all stakeholders. I look forward to meeting the Concord family as we kick off the new school year.”
We Build It Better STEM workshop
The We Build It Better STEM workshop was held at the JEFCOED Central Office this summer. Career Tech instructors from all over the southeast attended. Middle school teachers engaged in an indepth exploration of innovative teaching methods. Their goal is to empower students to create and innovate throughout the school year, bringing fresh ideas and techniques back to their classrooms.
Charles F. Hard Elementary School
Hueytown Middle School
Hueytown Middle School Cheerleaders participated at Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) July 10-13. The camp allowed the cheerleaders to learn various skills such as stunting, team building, and crowd participation. HMS cheerleaders won first place in the small group division for their game day, camp cheer, and band dance, and overall for their performance. The Panther Cheerleaders are under the leadership of Mrs. Sherry Archibald Fitch.
Charles F. Hard Elementary School, the home of the Mighty Rams, is welcoming a new Principal, Mrs. Adriene Evans. According to the school, “Mrs. Evans brings with her a wealth of experience, passion for education, and a commitment to creating a nurturing and empowering environment for all our students and staff. Her vision and leadership are sure to inspire and uplift our entire school community.”
Bessemer Center for Technology
BCT-CTE is excited to add a new program: the Education and Training Early Childhood Pathway. Possible Careers for this program include: Childcare center director, childcare worker, elementary school teacher (except special education), kindergarten teacher, nanny, preschool teacher (except special education), special education teacher, substitute teacher and teaching assistant. Education and Training focuses on preparing the next generation of educators to serve children and youth from birth through 12th grade. Courses are designed to acquaint students with the wide variety of careers in education and give them a head start on preparation for classroom teaching. After completing Foundations in Education, students may choose courses leading through Early Childhood Education. The Early Childhood Education program focuses on careers in infant, toddler, and preschool, emphasizing child development, health and safety, learning environment, classroom practices, observation and assessment, professionalism, and program management. Internship experiences are an essential component of the Early Childhood Education Program.
McAdory Middle School
McAdory Middle School is excited to welcome several new members to its staff:
• Assistant Principal: Dezell Plump
• School Counselor: Darian Hurst
• Special Education Teacher: Geoffrey Lockhart
• Special Education Teacher: Michael Canady
• Math Teacher: Emma Tafazoli
• English Teacher: Benita McLean
• English Teacher: Ke’Maria Jones
Hueytown Intermediate School
Hueytown Intermediate School is excited to welcome Selithia Holyfield as the new Assistant Principal.
Western Area Events
Sept. 4, 11, 18 & 25: West End Crocheters. 10-11:30 a.m. West End Branch Library, 1348 Tuscaloosa Ave., Birmingham. Learn to crochet or work on a project of your own while enjoying snacks and making friends. Free admission. 205-226-4089. cobpl.org/locations/branch/WestEnd
Sept. 5, 12, 19 & 26: District 8 Walking Group. Birmingham Crossplex, 2331 Bessemer Road. Each Thursday at 8 a.m., meet at the CrossPlex Starbucks for a 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
Sept. 3: Hueytown Board Of Zoning Adjustments. 4:30-5 p.m. City Hall, Council Meeting Room, 1318 Hueytown Road. 205-497-0522. hueytownal.gov
Sept. 3: 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
Sept. 3: 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
Sept. 9: 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.
Sept. 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 multi-purpose room on the first floor of City Hall. 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org
Sept. 10: 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
Sept. 10: 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
Sept. 12: 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
Sept. 19: 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
Sept. 21-22: Tannehill Trade Days. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. 12632 Confederate Parkway, McCalla. This long-popular Tannehill event features more than 300 vendors and dealers selling a wide range of clothing, jewelry, knives, tools, furniture and other items. Regular and overflow spaces for vendors are $40 for the weekend. 205-477-5711. tannehillstatepark.org/trade-days
Sept. 16: 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
Sept. 16: 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.
hoto by Wikimedia user Acabashi CC BY SA 4.0
Even for those not gifted with a green thumb, it can be fun to raise some plants. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens will host its Fall Plant Sale Sept. 6.
Western Area Events
Sept. 17: 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
Sept. 17: 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
Sept. 17: 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.
Sept. 17: Bessemer City Council. 9 a.m. Bessemer City Hall, 1700 Third Ave. N. The Council meets the third Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall. 205-424-4060. bessemeral.org
Sept. 23: 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.
Sept. 23: 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
Sept. 24: 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
Sept. 26: 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
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
Other Area Events
Sept. 1: Mike Epps. 6:30 p.m. Comedy Club Stardome, 1818 Data Drive, Hoover. A veteran actor and stand-up comic, Epps achieved national recognition in 1995 when he appeared on the “Def Comedy Jam” tour and on HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” TV specials. Epps recently released a new comedy DVD, “Funny Bidness,” and will follow that up with a debut comedy rap album called “Funny Bidness: Da Album.” Tickets start at $75. 205-444-0008. birmingham-theater.com/shows/ stardome-comedy-club/mike-epps
Sept. 6 & 7: Fall Plant Sale. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road. The nonprofit Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens will host its annual Fall Plant Sale with hundreds of plants—many of which have been nurtured at the Gardens by the Friends’ dedicated volunteer growing groups. Attendees can choose from dozens of natives, perennials, herbs, tropicals, ferns, camellias, trees and shrubs. They can also get expert advice from seasoned gardeners, many of whom have trained under the Jefferson County Master Gardener program. Admission is free, 205-414-3950. bbgardens.org
Continued on Page 30
Photo courtesy of Sister Hazel
Rock band Sister Hazel headlined CityFest in Hueytown in June. Now they’re back to appear at Avondale Brewing Company on Sept. 13.
Events Calendar
Other Area Events
Continued from Page 29
Sept. 6 & 7: Birmingham Artwalk. Various locations, Birmingham Loft District. Artwalk is a two-day festival that turns downtown Birmingham into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 80 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors and children’s activities. The event typically draws about 8,000 people. Admission is free. Friday 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. birminghamartwalk.org
Sept. 9: The Moth Birmingham GrandSLAM. 8 p.m. Dorothy Jemison Day Theater, Alabama School of Fine Arts, 1800 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. Billed as the ultimate storytelling competition, The Moth GrandSLAM invites winners from previous open-mic StorySLAM events back to the stage for the Birmingham storytelling championship. $35. 205-458-0381 us.patronbase.com/_DJDTheater/Productions/61/Performances
Sept. 10: Theo Lawrence. 7:30 p.m. Avondale Brewing Company, 201 41st St. S. Lawrence is a French-Canadian singer, songwriter and musician based in Austin, Texas. His music is rooted in the country music of the 1950’s and 1960’s and borrows elements from soul, pop, and rock ’n’ roll. $15. 205-403-4546. avondalebrewing.com
Sept. 11: Astronauts of Albania. 5-7 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. As part of its Music at the Museum series, the BMA presents the Astronauts of Albania, which is led by talented Albanian emigre flutist Geni Skendo. AOA blends Balkan and Celtic folk music with elements of jazz, classical and world music. The group offers distinctive instrumentation, odd-meter Balkan grooves and dazzling solos. Admission free. 205-254-2681. artsbma.org/event/astronauts-of-albania
Photo courtesy of Cat Power Top: Legendary singer-songwriter Cat Power will appear at the Alys Stephens Center at UAB on Sept. 21 to perform the songs of Bob Dylan.
Photo by Denise Ofelia Mangen courtesy of The Moth Left: A performer at a storytelling event hosted by The Moth, which will present a storytelling competition at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater Sept. 9.
Photo by Wikimedia userJpwhitmore Railroad Park downtown hosts all sorts of events, including cooking demonstrations, exercise classes and—on Sept. 13—the Magic City Pop-Up Plaza with retailers and food trucks
Other Area Events
Sept. 13: Sister Hazel. Avondale Brewing Company, 201 41st St. S. Sister Hazel is an American rock band from Gainesville, Florida, whose style blends elements of jangle pop, folk rock, classic rock, and Southern rock. They are best known for their 1997 single “All for You.” $23. 205-403-4546. avondalebrewing.com
Sept. 13: Magic City Pop-Up Plaza. 3-7 p.m. Railroad Park, 1600 First Ave. S. A wide variety of food trucks and retail vendors from the Birmingham area will set up on the Plaza at Railroad Park downtown. Admission free. 205-521-9933. railroadpark.org
Sept. 21: Cat Power Sings Dylan. 7 p.m. Jemison Concert Hall, Alys Stephens Center, Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. S. Singer-songwriter Cat Power has explored deep emotions through heartfelt songs and brutally honest lyrics since the 1990s. She is touring to support her latest album, “Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert.” Tickets $59$99. alysstephens.org
Through Dec. 16: City Center Art. Space One Eleven, 2409 Second Ave. N. City Center Art is Space One Eleven’s after-school studio art program for students of all skill levels and is designed to build visual communication skills and foster creative thinking. Through individually conceived projects and collaborations, young artists learn the elements of art and principles of design, strengthen foundation skills and further their understanding of art criticism, art theory and art history. Art class fees are based on a sliding scale, so families may qualify for free or reduced tuition. 205-328-0553. spaceoneeleven.org/citycenterart-2
Staff Photo by Jesse Chambers
Space One Eleven in the Loft District downtown will present its City Center Art After School Classes through Dec. 16.
Photo courtesy Theo Lawrence
Rising young country crooner Theo Lawrence will perform at The Upstairs at Avondale Brewing Company on Sept. 10.
For kids like Gwen •
Because Gwen came to Children’s for the diagnosis and treatment of her blood disorder, she received the best care available thanks to ground-breaking research made possible by clinical trials for cancers and blood disorders. The research happening today will lead to future cures, and it is happening here at Children’s of Alabama.
