SCHOOL STUDY PRESENTED TO COUNCIL Dr. Ira Harvey has completed the city school financial feasibility study sanctioned by the Alabaster City Council. On Wednesday, Sept. 7, he presented his findings to the City Council in a public work session at the City Hall Annex. The work session was the first of three such sessions to be held. The other two were held on Sept. 14 and Sept. 26. Harvey, a school finance consultant with 35 years experience, discussed the details of the report in a PowerPoint presentation that lasted just over an hour. The rest of the session was devoted to questions from both the City Council and members of the public who were in attendance. During his presentation, Harvey detailed a number of specific issues related to the report, including a general summary of the state laws governing public education in Alabama. “I’ve done this for quite a few municipalities,” he said. “The thing that’s always amazing when doing one of these is how little general knowledge there is about how schools are operated.” According to Harvey, the most basic requirement for a city school system pertains to the size of the city. “If you have 5,000 citizens, you are eligible to become a separate city school system,” he said. Another basic point pertains to the control of property, which Harvey said would be transferred to the new board at the time of
separation. Shelby County Board of Education property in the City of Alabaster presently includes Creek View Elementary, Meadow View Elementary, Thompson Intermediate School, Thompson Sixth-Grade Center, Thompson Middle School, Thompson High School, and the Shelby County Instructional Services Center. The sites total some 187 acres. “The people that live in the municipality have been paying taxes to the state and to the county for years; therefore they already have part ownership if not total ownership of the property. But they get total ownership at separation from the county,” said Harvey. According to Harvey, that would mean land, buildings, buses, and even school equipment. Along with that, however, the new city school system would also assume any debt. “They would be in charge of the debt of the school and the operation of the school, not the City Council,” said Harvey. According to the report, “there is a potential debt to be assumed of $26,067,614.03 as of September 1, 2011. This debt, however, will be further retired by time of actual financial separation.” The majority of that debt is also set to retire by fiscal year 2018. The report concludes that Alabaster’s current
demographics appear “favorable” for the creation of a new school district. “Alabaster is growing very quickly. Whether a separate city school system or a member of the county school system, growth will continue in a major fashion, and decisions will have to be made,” Harvey said. “So the issue comes down to do you feel like you’re in a better position as a municipality with a municipal board of education to make those decisions or do you feel like the county is going to make those decisions in your interest?” Local officials have expressed the value in having local control over resources, versus a group from other parts of the county. In terms of additional financing requirements, Harvey said that a one-cent sales tax increase would not be required but that it would be preferable. The report specifically recommends additional annual expenditures in the amount of $3,587,000 to “enhance the educational opportunities provided students.” There would also be funds needed to cover the transition period. “If you decide to form, you need to start forming a war chest,” said Harvey. “There are always unexpected transition costs.” The question-andanswer portion of the work session lasted for nearly two hours and reflected a great deal of interest on the part of the public. While there were those who voiced specific support for an independent city school
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
October, 2011
system, most of the questions simply sought clarification on a number of important issues. Among the questions raised were concerns regarding the amount of money needed to start a new school system, the challenges in separating from the current county school system, future funding for ESL programs, and problems related to future population growth. According to Harvey’s report, Alabaster has (CON’T ON PAGE 28)
Official Publication of the City of Alabaster 201 First Street N. Alabaster, AL 35007 Published Monthly Editorial Board The Public Relations Committee of the Alabaster City Council Committee Chair Councilwoman Sophie Martin Councilman Rick Walters Councilman Bob Hicks Editor Ted Vodde Contributors John Brackin Glenda Jones Eric Starling Danny Doyle Dawn South We welcome your comments & suggestions. Call 664-6831 Fax 664-6841 or e-mail at newsletter@ cityofalabaster.com Copyright 2011 City of Alabaster
BARK IN THE PARK OCTOBER 1 AT VETERANS PARK On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the fifth annual “Bark in the Park” event at Veterans Park in Alabaster. The event, which is produced in partnership with the Shelby Humane Society, has become a popular event with dog owners from around the city. It will start at 9 a.m. and last till 2 p.m. This year, the Humane Society will be providing free collars and dog tags to dogs from Shelby County. “We’ll be offering all Shelby County dogs a free collar and free tag,” said Jenny Miller, the executive director of the Shelby Humane Society. “All you’ve got to do is bring
proof of residency. So if you bring your dog to the event, they’re going to get a free collar and tag.” Bark in the Park raises funds for Shelby Humane Society, while also giving dog owners their own day to bring their canine friends out to the park for some fun. One of the highlights of the event is the Mutt Strut, which is scheduled to take place around 11 a.m. “The Mutt Strut is $15 and you get a T-shirt with that registration,” said Miller. “And people can also raise money. They can encourage their friends and family to sponsor them for the Mutt Strut and have them donate money for the walk. All
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donations are tax deductible.” The event also features pet-related vendors, plus food, music and entertainment. There will be dog contests as usual, plus an appearance from Ruff Ruff, the Shelby Humane Society mascot and lots of other fun activities. “Dreamcakes is going to be there. They have a mobile cupcakes vehicle. We’re going to have the dog contests. Maurices has confirmed to do the ‘Rescues and Runways’ fashion show again this year. We have some trainers that are planning to come do basic train-
ing. It’ll be a lot of fun,” said Miller. For dog owners, the event is also a great opportunity to get their dogs vaccinated. (CON’T ON PAGE 31 )
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C I T Y L E A D E R S. . . David Frings Mayor frings@cityofalabaster.com This issue I want to focus my attention on the feasibility study for the formation of an Alabaster City School system. Dr. Ira Harvey has completed, submitted, and presented his findings to our city council and the citizens. Dr. Harvey’s report is very through, complete and professional. I want to thank him for his diligence and hard work. This has been an interesting issue for our city. Citizens did not come out in large numbers on either side but many did express their concerns and desires. I want to thank each of you that did get involved in the process and encourage you to stay involved in order to support the best outcome. In reviewing the comments, emails, and facebook sites, I determine that there were citizens that were either strongly for or against the prospect of a city school system. However, the largest group was comprised of citizens that were worried about the unknown or just change period. That is human nature. Some were worried about their jobs in the Shelby County system, others that lived outside the city limits were concerned about their child’s education and where they would attend. Additionally, some were concerned about the services for special needs children and the creation of a substitute for the school of technology. These are all valid concerns that will have to be addressed if the separation occurs. I will not attempt to review all of the important aspects of the study since some are covered in this newsletter and all can be reviewed on the city website. In an effort to be transparent, we have posted a copy online that you can either read or print. The study basically states that we can create an Alabaster School system and do it well. We will get all of the facilities within our city limits by state law. Current taxes that are collected for schools are sufficient to run the new system at its current capacity. The total dollars available per child would be higher in an Alabaster system as compared to the current Shelby County system. Additional taxes would be needed such as a penny sales tax, if we wanted to make it better. A penny tax would generate approximately four million annually for the new system. This could be used to add programs, fund construction, pay off debt, etc. If you currently spend about a thousand a month from your budget on items that are subject to sales tax, an additional penny tax would increase your expenses by $10.00 each month. I have remained neutral through this process because I wanted to listen to all of you and see the financial results of the study. After reviewing all of the facts and disregarding the false rumors developed in the coffee shop, I believe that we should separate from Shelby County and form an Alabaster City School system. It is the right thing to do for our children and families as well as the city as a whole. Please continue to be supportive of our city council as they deliberate on this turning point issue for Alabaster. Thank you!
Jim McClain Council President Ward 5 mcclain@cityofalabaster.com
The much-awaited Alabaster School System Evaluation Report has arrived, and we have had a series of meetings on the proposal. You can read the report by going to the city web site www.cityofalabaster.com and clicking on the School System Report. It’s in PDF form and outlines every aspect to consider before deciding whether or not to create a city school system. Rest assured we will look at every aspect of this proposal, and what will guide our decision is what is best for the students and the city of Alabaster now and in the future as we grow. We also have a number of other activities coming on as Fall approaches, such as the Bark in the Park October 1 at Veterans Park, and of course with Halloween on a Monday this year, you’ll want to be extra careful as you take the little ones around for Trick or Treating. We want to salute Senator Cam Ward for donating $11,500 to Alabaster Schools to help with various programs; that is a great gift that I know the schools appreciate. Looking back 10 years, we remember 9/11 and salute the fallen, many of whom were firefighters heading toward the danger to help those in trouble. Also in October we have Fire Prevention week as we look to cooler weather and warming our homes; we want to take extra precautions to make sure our families are safe. With the coming of cooler weather, we start thinking about the holidays. This year we are moving the Christmas parade from Main Street (Highway 31) to the Colonial Promenade North. By keeping the parade on Alabaster Boulevard and the shopping center area, this will help with traffic control and allowing ambulances free access to the hospital, which is always a concern. Also as Christmas approaches, the Salvation Army is preparing to help families and looking for bell ringers and Facebook solicitors. Especially with the tornado devastation in the Spring, many families are hurting this holiday season, and the Salvation Army is there to help them. The local woodworking guild is also helping Habitat for Humanity this year with an eye towards the holidays so if you lack treasure, you can always donate time and talent for a worthy cause. Don’t forget Fall Fest at Buck Creek Park Oct. 29 it will be a lot of fun. Be cool and enjoy Fall days! HAPPY HALLOWEEN! October, 2011
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C I T Y L E A D E R S. . . Sophie Martin Ward 1
martin@cityofalabaster.com
Now that the Alabaster city school system feasibility study is complete, there is still research to be done and questions to be answered. The next steps for the city council and mayor include continuing to gather information and listening to feedback from the community. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their schedules to attend the feasibility study work sessions. Input from the community is crucial as the possibility of a city school system continues to be explored. This process and decision-making will continue with doing what is best for our children on the forefront. The feasibility study and the latest information will continue to be posted on the City of Alabaster website, www.cityofalabaster.com and Alabaster City Schools on Facebook. As the school year moves forward, please help our teachers and faculty through financial support, classroom needs or volunteering. Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail if you have any questions or comments. Blessings, Sophie
Bob Hicks Ward 2
hicks@cityofalabaster.com
There is much conversation about the possibility of an Alabaster school system. To be brutally honest, I am torn right down the middle on this issue. I know in my heart that Alabaster students would benefit from local control of curriculum, funding, and other items currently at the discretion of the county school board. Not to say that the county board is not doing a good job, just the opposite. They are doing a tremendous job considering the limited funding they have available to administer thirty-nine schools. Both of my sons are graduates of THS; one has a college degree and the other is a junior in college. They were in no way hurt by their time in the Shelby County Schools. I just believe more of our tax money is going out than is coming back to our students. Much talk was made of the ninth- and sixth-grade centers recently opened here. Folks don't realize they were built with windfall money, not our tax money. Our tax money is building schools in other cities. On the other side of the coin, there is the possibility of a penny sales tax increase to help fund the school system. In my heart, I don't feel now is the time to increase the tax burden on our citizens. We are trying to dig out of a recession, and more taxation would not help move in that direction. Add to that our low sales tax is what causes people to drive from Jefferson and Chilton counties to do their shopping, and to reduce their savings might reduce their incentive to make the trip to the Promenade. In short, I don't know what the right decision is at this point. Since I first came into office, I have always wanted a city school system. The numbers bear out the fact that they can do more for their students. Yes, Shelby County schools are among the top county systems in the state, but more interesting reading is where they rank against city systems. I know, apples to apples and all that, but my concern is for our children. They deserve the best we can get them. The final determinant is: at what cost? Shoot me an email, I want to know how you feel. Grace and peace, Bob
Adam Moseley Ward 3 moseley@cityofalabaster.com The Parking lot at the library is scheduled to be paved by the time you read this. The work will take away the “roller coaster” of riding over the tree roots that have bubbled up under the pavement. While it is a shame to lose any trees, a handful will be taken down, but it will make for a nicer parking surface and we will add a few more needed spaces. I think more patrons are visiting the library now than ever. There will be a change in your garbage service starting in the next few months. You will be receiving a new recycling container which will be just like your trash can, only with a different color lid. It holds 95 gallons. Your pick up for recycling only will go to every other week. Your cost is not changing, but we do get more capacity with this can every two weeks than we did with a once a week pick-up with the small blue bin. The new can will also help keep trash from blowing out of the bins and into the street or nearby yards. I just wanted to make you aware before the new cans start popping up! I know it is October, but it is time to think about the Christmas Parade! Get your floats ready to enter in one of Alabama’s largest parades. As always, please call me if you need anything.
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
October, 2011
C I T Y L E A D E R S. . . Rick Walters Ward 4 walters@cityofalabaster.com October 1st our Park & Rec Department and Shelby Co. Humane Society will host the 5th annual Bark in the Park. Our family intends to bring our dogs out for their annual immunizations and I hope you will too. It is a great deal and fun for the whole family.A city and its quality of life depend largely on its residents and the people who work for it. We have many dedicated employees that keep Alabaster a clean, safe and fun place to live. Last month we celebrated the retirement of one of our best, Deputy Fire Chief Greg Farrell. Greg is one of those people you may have never seen or heard of, but it was his organizational skills and attention to detail that kept his department on budget. He was instrumental in the purchase of our fire trucks over the years and obtaining grants that saved our city thousands of dollars. We will miss him and know that we are better off for his dedication and service. As a City Council, we will use these same skills to sort through the information and comments from our residents to determine if we should start our own school system. I look forward to hearing your comments and appreciate the opportunity to serve you. Keep in Touch!
Scott Brakefield Ward 6 brakefield@cityofalabaster.com I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the transition into Fall. I know that I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures. By the time you read this, the Council has held 3 Town Hall meetings to discuss and receive feedback regarding the potential Alabaster City School System. This is a big decision and one that will not be taken lightly. I have enjoyed working through this process because it is one that has stirred passion in our community. The feedback that we have received has been tremendous. As with every decision to be made, there are pro’s and con’s to each side. Whatever decision is made, it will be made with the best interest of our Children and our City in mind. Lastly, our THS Warriors have been on the road for most of the football season. When September comes to an end, the Warriors will have 6 games under their belts with just one being played at Larry Simmons Stadium. Regardless of their record, by the time October rolls around I hope this community shows its support for the Warriors and Coach Ross by coming out to the 3 home games in October. The THS crowds have been impressive at the road games thus far. So for our games at home show up, cheer loud and don’t stop supporting our team. I hope to see you there.
Tommy Ryals Ward 7
ryals@cityofalabaster.com
I talked about zoning last month and I’m still thinking about it. I recall the issue we had when a developer wanted to put a Mobile Home Repair Facility right out in front of Park Forrest subdivision. It was un-zoned county at the time. We, and the neighborhood, were pretty much panicking because we had no say over it. We pictured 300-400 broken down mobile homes stored out in front waiting for repair and bringing down property values. We were lucky to be able to convince a residential developer to step up and offer to buy the land, annex it into Alabaster, and put in some nice residences instead. As a result, the neighbors in Park Forrest mounted a successful campaign to get their beat of the county zoned so at least the County, if not the City, had some control over the area zoning. The message from last month and this month is to check the zoning of an area before you pick a place to live. If you want livestock, move to an agricultural zoned area, etc. If you want there to be some control over the area and some rules that you ALL have to follow, move to an area that has City or County zoning ordinances. If you don’t want anybody telling you what to do on your own property, keep in mind there’s nobody telling your neighbors what THEY can or can’t do either. Just sayin’. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
October, 2011
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I N T H E S P O T L I G H T. . . BETTY ELDER
Originally from Indiana, Betty Elder, horticulture specialist for the Alabaster Parks and Recreation department, has lived in Alabama for about three years and it was about that time that she began caring for the plants in the city of Alabaster. Betty owned her own landscaping business in Indiana, so it was a natural transition to take on the care of plants in her new hometown. It all began innocently enough. As a new resident Betty would go to Veterans Park for her exercise where she began asking questions about the care and maintenance of the plants new to her, i.e. crepe myrtles. Someone very soon handed her an application and she was employed as a laborer for the Parks and Recreation department, the only woman to hold that job. The first year was spent at Veterans Park. She soon became known and valued for her knowledge and expertise, which has resulted in her having responsibility for care of all the plants throughout the city and in
her job change to horticulture specialist. Betty is a master gardener and an Alabama certified landscape professional (ALCLP). The Alabama Master Gardener Volunteer Program is an educational program offered through county offices of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Through this program, individuals are trained and certified in horticulture and related areas. The Alabama Certified Landscape Professional Program (ALCLP) offers landscape professionals the opportunity to be recognized as the “best in their field” and to show that they have a thorough knowledge and job skills required to be successful in the industry. Betty was one of six out of an original 12 students in the last ALCLP class to graduate and the only woman. However, Betty’s work speaks for itself. One only has to take a drive down First Street past City Hall and Kelly’s Corner or visit
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any of the city parks or the Senior Center to enjoy the various plants and shrubs on display. These results do not come easily. Seven days a week, Betty begins at 7:00 a.m. by filling the water truck and making rounds throughout the city. As she waters the plants, she also applies round-up and checks the health of the plants. Special events call for fresh pine straw around the plants and extra weeding. Autumn and winter months are a good time for planting trees and shrubs as well as handling special projects. Great team work
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
October, 2011
Betty Elder is a horticulture specialist for the Parks & Rec Dept. within the department insures the success of special projects, and the digging required for planting and removing items. And did anyone mention that Betty is a favorite at the Senior Center where she teaches gardening, of course and also painting?
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YOUNG IMPRESSIONS CHILD CARE
For parents in search of affordable childcare in a clean and friendly environment, Young Impressions Child Care of Alabaster may be just the place. Located off Highway 119, in a quiet, residential neighborhood behind Thompson Intermediate School, Young Impressions offers childcare for children from six weeks old to 13 years old. “We’re open Monday through Friday. We’re open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” said owner Yoko Brown. “We also do Friday Nights Out during football season.” Brown opened Young Impressions Child Care in 2008 after teaching for several years in Alabama public schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in special education from the University of West Alabama. In 2005, she received a second master’s degree from the University of Montevallo in educational leadership. In 2007, she received her National Board Certification.
into remission. “Everything just worked out,” she said. Since opening, Young Impressions has done well in Alabaster. According to Owner Yoko Brown of Young Impressions Child Care, along with some of the children. Brown, the business “I always wanted to made a profit in its first year, open a daycare center,” and she’s currently looking said Brown. “I moved here forward to future expansion. to Alabaster in 2003 with “It’s been a learning expemy family. We purchased rience. It’s different than the building in 2007.” what I was exposed to in the For Brown, the business public school,” said Brown. became more personal Young Impressions is when her third child was located on a large, spacious diagnosed with leukemia. lot. It features several class“We purchased the rooms, two outdoor playproperty the year he was grounds, and a parking area diagnosed with leukemia. in the back. He was two years old,” she To help keep costs affordsaid. “We put systems in able, Brown said she’s been that would clean the air, able to secure funding from making sure that we kept outside sources. the place clean. It no longer “I have received local became just the nourishgrants. I have received ment and education part, it USDA support. ‘Success By became the environment.” 6’ has adopted the pre-K proAccording to Brown, his gram, which is the United leukemia has now gone Way. They provide equip-
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HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS For children across the city, October means Halloween, which means lots of fun costumes and plenty of sweet-tasting candy. To get the most enjoyment out of the annual holiday however, children and parents alike should exercise sound judgment when out collecting those delicious bags of treats. This year, Halloween falls on a Monday (Oct. 31), so city drivers should use extra caution that night when out and around town. Parents should also remember to be extra cautious that night, particularly around dusk as daylight starts to wane. Parents carrying trick-or-treaters are also advised to use parking lights whenever stopped on city streets. Parents can also increase
their child’s visibility by selecting a brightly-colored costume. Bright colors are one way to ensure that a child’s costume is visible. Dark costumes, on the other hand, are to be avoided. These might include a Darth Vader costume or perhaps Batman or the traditional witch outfit. Regardless of the specific costume, however, there are some easy steps that parents can take to enhance their child’s visibility. According to the Alabaster Police Department, these might include wearing reflective shoes, vests or tape and carrying fluorescent glow sticks, glow ropes or flashlights. The important thing is to take the simple precautions that might be the difference between a fun and memorable holiday and a not-so-fun trip to the hospital.
Parents can help protect their children by inspecting the candy they receive as well. In addition to possible choking hazards, they should look for possible signs of tampering. One of the less obvious sources of injury is the actual costume itself. There can be a number of potential hazards lurking on the costume aisle, so parents should make sure that their child’s costume doesn’t inadvertently lead to harm. Some of the things to be wary of include decorative contact lenses, dangerouslooking props, and even face paints. Halloween makeup can be a big part of Halloween, but the FDA warns not to overdo it or to get it too near the eyes: "Even products intended for use near your eyes can sometimes irritate your skin
if you use too much." (www.fda.gov) Classic props like pirate swords and magic wands can also be dangerous if they’re made from stiff plastic. And any costume that includes a mask should have eye holes that are large enough to not obstruct the child’s vision. As always, the Alabaster Police Department will have plenty of patrols out that night. To report any suspicious behavior, simply contact the department at 663-7401.
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A B E A U T I F U L S I G H T. . . October Beautification Award to Mr. and Mrs. James Anderson 651 Wynlake Cove, Alabaster, AL 35007
Is It Christmas Yet? Believe it or not, Christmas Elves have been calling from wherever they spent the dog days of August to find out the theme of the 24th Annual Alabaster Christmas Parade! So we encourage all elves to wash off the suntan lotion and get to work. That’s right, it’s never too early to put on your jingle bell thinking caps and get ready to “WOW” them at the new parade location at the Colonial Promenade North. The parade is Saturday, December 3, 2011. Please contact Parks and Recreation at 205-664-6840 or go online to the Alabaster City Website www.cityofalabaster.com under the Beautification Board tab and choose Christmas Parade where you will find the Christmas Parade Entry Application.
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Lawns are still growing in September and October, especially cool season grass such as fescues. Mow weekly. Also, consider aerification (coring) with an aerator. Aerators can be rented at equipment rental shops. Coring allows for better water and nutrition penetration.
BOOK REPORT... OCTOBER ACTIVITIES
Every Wednesday
10:15 World of Stories 3:30 pm Tunes & Tales
1st Thursday 1:00 pm Friends of Library Bookmenders Every Friday 10:30 am Toddler Tales (2s, 3s)
OCTOBER ADULT PROGRAMS Friends of the Library Meeting – Mon., Oct.10 AT 6 pm Cake & Culture – Saturday, October 15, 2011. 10:30 am Join us as Dolores Hydock presents Backstage at the National Storytelling Festival. Storyteller Dolores Hydock, just back from appearing as a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, shares some of what goes on behind the scenes at the festival, and tells some of the different kinds of stories that are featured at this amazingly diverse story event. Meeting takes place in the mobile unit. Library Book Group - Thursday, October 20, 2011. 7 pm – Join us in our discussion of “A Separate Country” by Robert Hicks. A tale inspired by the life of Confederate general John Bell Hood is set in post-Civil War New Orleans and follows his tragic struggles with disabling war injuries, his marriage and eleven children, and his battle with yellow fever. Meeting takes place in the mobile unit.
ADULT COMPUTER CLASSES COMPUTER CLASS AT THE LIBRARY is on the 1st and 3rd WEDNESDAYS. Please come by or call to sign-up for space as it is sometimes limited. Dates may change due to unforeseen problems. The library will always notify sign-ups as soon as possible if there is a cancellation. Basic Microsoft Word 2007 II 10:00 AM Wed., October 5th Basic Microsoft Excel (general) I 10:00 AM Wed., October 19th Basic Microsoft Excel (2007) II 10:00 AM Wed., November 2nd
OCTOBER KIDS ACTIVITIES Kids Can FALL Into Fun @ Our Library Tuesday October 4 Lego League 4:00 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Children are invited to create and build in this free-form program. We have Legos of all sizes – kids have the imagination! Children 6 years old and younger must be with an adult. Meets in the mobile unit. Tuesday, October 18 Alabaster Book Blasters Book Club 4:30 p.m. Children in grades first through sixth can sign up to explore books, reader’s theater, and more in our book club. This month’s theme is Wordless Wonders. Meets in the mobile unit. Children six years old and younger must be with an adult. Wednesday, October 19 Teen Read Week Celebration 6:15 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. Teen Read Week (TRW) is October 16 – 22 and we have a special evening planned for Young Adults (YAs), kids 11 years old and older. Teens and tweens are invited to our annual mini lock-in from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. The theme this year is Picture It @ Your Library. Teens, picture yourselves entertaining in our talent show – recite poetry, sing, play an instrument, show artwork, or dance! (Or be in the audience if you’re shy.) We’ll have a picture perfect craft, refreshments, door prizes and a behind the scenes tour of the library. It’s all free, but please sign up. This after-hours program will be in the library building. Monday, October 31 Costume Capers Party Children may come in costume to enjoy Halloween treats and the wonder of comic magician Russell Davis. The fun, surprises, and refreshments begin at 4:15 p.m. in the mobile unit. Children 6 years old and younger must be with an adult.
DOMINOS HELPS “RAISE DOUGH” LIBRARY FRIENDS PARTNER WITH DOMINO'S TO RAISE THE DOUGH THURS. OCT. 27 Domino's Pizza of Alabaster will host a "Raise the Dough" event for the Friends of the Albert L. Scott Public Library on Thursday, October 27. Domino's will donate 10 percent of all sales on that day to the Friends for their support of library programs. Thanks to Keith Staples and the crew at Domino's for their continued support! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
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SENATOR CAM WARD GIVES $11,500 TO CITY SCHOOLS State Senator Cam Ward today announced $11,500 in grants for Alabaster schools. Ward made the announcement as he toured several Alabaster area schools visiting with faculty and staff to learn more about their current budget needs. The grants, which were awarded to Thompson Middle School, the 6th Grade Learning Center, and Thompson Intermediate School, will be used for multiple educational purposes. With all three schools seeing some of the highest growth rate in the county, it is very difficult to keep up with the classroom instructional needs.
“Both Thompson Middle and the 6th Grade Learning Center expressed a need to purchase new teaching equipment for their classroom instruction, and I am glad I was able to play a small part in helping them,” said Senator Ward. Thompson Intermediate School teacher Ann Harrison contacted Senator Ward about her interest in continuing her 4H educational experience for her students. She stated that the school needed more funding to continue the program so that every student would have an opportunity to participate. “Although this
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grant does not cover all of the costs, I hope it helps somewhat with making this program accessible to more students,” said Senator Ward. The grants come at a time when schools are (From left) Thompson 6th Grade Principal facing an Brent Tolbert and Senator Cam Ward unprecedentCommunity Service Grant ed shortfall in funding for Commission, which is a part equipment and school of the Alabama Education supplies. The funding for Trust Fund Budget. school grants in Alabama comes from the
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Youth league basketball registration ends Friday, October 7. Registration after October 7 will incur a $25.00 late fee. Listed below are important dates to remember. Observations: Location will be at the Instructional Center on Hwy. 31 October 18th 6:00pm K/1st grade 7:00pm 2nd / 3rd grade October 20 6:00 pm 6th grade 7:00 pm 4th grade October 21 6:00 pm 5th grade Drafts: (Coaches only) Location (Parks and Rec office at Depot) October 24th 6:00 pm K/1st grade 7:00 pm 2nd / 3rd grade October 25th 6:00 pm 4th grade 7:00 pm 5th grade October 27th 6:00 pm 6th grade 7th thru 9th grade and girls drafts – TBA
FALL SPORTS PROGRAMS Football, Cheerleading, Soccer, Fall Baseball, Start Smart are all in full swing for the autumn months. This has been the largest group of players that we have ever had in youth sports in Alabaster with 1,061 players participating in the various programs. We want to especially thank all the many volunteers who work with our youth sports programs in Alabaster. They spend endless hours on the fields and sidelines working with the future athletes of this great city. Football 253 , Cheerleaders 175, Soccer 402, Start Smart Soccer 21, Fall Baseball 150, Fall Softball 60
Christmas Parade Moving to Prom
Christmas Parade Is Moving To Promenade For the first time in history the Alabaster Christmas Parade will be held at the Promenade Shopping Center on December 3, 2011. All the entries will be staged at Westwood Church. Once entries are ready they will line up on Alabaster Boulevard and head out to the Promenade. More details coming next month………….
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CHRISTMAS PARADE TO CHANGE LOCATION TO PROMENADE This year’s Christmas parade will offer a big change from past years, as it’s been moved to the Colonial Promenade Shopping Center (north) instead of its traditional route down U.S. Highway 31. The new location should provide a number of important improvements, including enhanced safety for the public. “We feel like it’s a lot safer for the public, getting off the main highway and with the ambulance services trying to get into the hospital,” said Lt. Mike Jones of the Alabaster Police Department. The new route will begin at the top of Alabaster Boulevard near Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q, come down the hill on Jimmy Gould Drive, turn into the shopping center parking lot by Moe’s Southwest Grill and pro-
ceed in front of the stores, where the spectators will be standing. At the end of the parking lot, the route will loop back around in front of Buffalo Wild Wings and continue in the other direction, in front of the Dairy Queen and Full Moon BBQ. The parade will end at the parking lot in front of Moe’s. According to Parks and Recreation Director Ricky Nance, the new location should also help facilitate the start of the parade, which in its previous location was often overcrowded. “We’re going to stage it at Westwood Baptist Church,” said Nance. “All the floats will come to Westwood, and then we’ll line them up on Alabaster Boulevard up to the Candlewood Suites and all the way up to Jim ‘N
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Nick’s. Then the parade route will go down the hill at Jim ’N Nick’s.” The Colonial Promenade location should provide a better experience for the viewers as well. “I feel like it’s more conducive to the holiday spirit being up there,” said Jones. “Everyone’s going to be up there shopping anyway. It’ll work out great.” According to Jones, the retailers at the shopping center are in full support of the move, and some of the restaurants are even making plans to provide hot chocolate. “I’m sure a lot of the stores are going to have sales that day” he said. “You’re talking three weeks out from Christmas.” For groups that are interested in registering for the parade, Nance said
they’ll begin accepting applications in October. “We’ll send out letters to those that were in the parade last year,” Nance said. “There’s no fee. They can just fax the form in.” The Christmas parade is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 10 a.m.
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FALL FEST OCTOBER 29 AT BUCK CREEK PARK In addition to Bark in the Park, October brings another fun festival to Alabaster in the third-annual Fall Fest, which is held around the pavilion on Buck Creek Trail. The day features an assortment of arts and crafts vendors, along with live music and plenty of great food. The event was created in 2009 to show off Alabaster’s beautiful Buck Creek Trail, and it’s been growing ever since. According to Parks and Recreation Director Ricky Nance, the turnout for last year’s event was double the attendance for the first year. The event no doubt benefitted from the addition of a “Trick-or-Treat” trail, which drew lots of children in festive Halloween costumes. According to Nance, they gave out some 500 trick-ortreat bags during the event.
This year, organizers plan to have another “Trickor-Treat” trail, plus the same fun activities as usual. “We’ll have arts-andcrafts vendors, ten or fifteen maybe. We’ve got a small area there by the trail where we put them. We’ve got seven in so far,” said Nance. “We’re also working on getting some sponsors for the candy this year.” Folks can also look forward to live blues provided by local band 2BLU and the Lucky Stiffs, fronted by Alabaster resident Bruce Andrews, plus some savory barbecue from Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q. There will also be hayrides going to “People can park at Buck For more information and from Buck Creek Park. Creek Park or the Senior call the Parks and For those who might not Center,” said Nance. Recreation Department at want to ride or walk from The Fall Fest will be held 664-6840. Buck Creek Park, parking will also be available at the Saturday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. Alabaster Senior Center.
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SALVATION ARMY READIES FOR CHRISTMAS It may just be October, but for the Greater Birmingham Salvation Army, it’s already time to start planning for Christmas. As usual, the organization will be conducting its popular Red Kettle Campaign this year, along with its ever-important Angel Tree program. The Angel Tree program is a unique program that facilitates gift-giving at one of the most important times of the year. Low-income families, who might otherwise have trouble celebrating the holiday, can register with the Salvation Army to receive much-needed Christmas assistance. Qualifying families are represented by paper angels, which are placed on Angel Trees around Birmingham so families or businesses can "adopt" them and provide them with gifts. According to Brian
Wallace, director of public relations with the Salvation Army, the programs are an important way to serve families in the Greater Birmingham area. “Last year we served over 13,000 children. Alabaster served almost 1,000 and that was just in the Shelby County area, so the need was just tremendous. We’re expecting the numbers to be even bigger this year,” he said. For residents interested in receiving Christmas assistance, registration will be held Oct. 3-Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Alabaster Salvation Army. It will be organized according to the last names of the applicants based on the following schedule: Monday, A-F; Tuesday, G-K; Wednesday, L-P; Thursday, Q-V; and Friday, W-Z.
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“There’s no appointment necessary. If their last name starts with one of those letters, they can just come on that day. If for some reason they can’t make it on their day, they can call and they’ll try to fit them in,” said Wallace. To qualify for assistance, applicants must be able to verify residence, income level and the ages of the children. Children should be 12 years old or younger. Applicants are required to live within Shelby County. “Applicants must have a picture ID, social security cards or birth certificates for all family members, proof of income and a current utility bill for proof of residence or a letter from their landlord with a contact number,” said Wallace. According to Wallace, families will have an oppor-
tunity to express specific needs or wants for each child. That might include clothing or a specific toy that the child wants for Christmas. Both the Red Kettle Campaign and the Angel Tree program will get kicked off this year on Nov. 18. The Red Kettle campaign is the Salvation Army’s most visible fundraiser, as it places bellringers and donation kettles in various high-traffic areas around Shelby County. The Salvation Army is located in Alabaster at 108 Plaza Circle off Highway 119. For more information, call 663-7105 or go to www.birminghamsalvationarmy.org.
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WOODWORKERS TO HELP HABITAT FOR HUMANITY The Alabama Woodworkers Guild, which is based in Alabaster, will be helping Habitat for Humanity provide a family with a very special Christmas gift this year. Each year, Habitat for Humanity builds a home for an area family, and the Woodworkers Guild will be providing custom-made cabinets for the project. “They have a house that they do for a deserving family for Christmas, and we build the cabinets for the kitchen and for the bathroom,” said Guild President Monta King. According to King, the group has partnered with Habitat for Humanity on the project for approximately five years. It’s a team-oriented project, and the resulting cabinets are very high quality. “We build solid oak cabinets, both the lower base cabinets and the upper cabinets for
the whole kitchen,” said King. “They’re real sturdy, and we make dovetail drawers for them and fullextension drawer glides where the drawers will come all the way out. We just do it up right.” Building the cabinets is a group-wide project that enables everyone in the Guild to participate. “We do it as a team project,” said King. “We have different people come in and build various components. We’ll probably start on it in September when we get the plans from Habitat, and we’ll actually go out and install the cabinets the first week of December.” King said they might also use the project to help demonstrate woodworking techniques for beginning
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woodworkers. “Sometimes we make a class out of it for someone who’s never built cabinets. We’ll demonstrate how to make the doors, how to do the drawers, that type of thing,” he said. The Woodworkers Guild has actually partnered with Habitat for Humanity on other projects as well. They use scraps of lumber that are left over from construction projects to build wooden toys, which are then donated to Children’s Hospital. “In their construction, they generally have a lot of cut-offs, like two-by-fours or two-by-sixes and that type of thing. Instead of taking them to the dump, they put that aside in a big bin and we make toys out of them,” said King.
For folks who are interested in viewing some examples of the Guild’s woodwork, the group is planning a fall show, which will be held at the Hoover Public Library. The show kicks off with a reception on Monday, Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show will run throughout the rest of the week. The Alabama Woodworkers Guild is comprised of approximately 165 members from all around the state. The Guild’s shop and education center is located in Maylene, in a renovated school building off Highway 17. To learn more about the group, visit www.alabamawoodworkersguild.org
CITY HONORS 9/11 VICTIMS A ceremony was held at Veterans Park on Friday, Sept. 9 to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the attacks and memorial ceremonies were held all across the country. “We are just a small part of the remembrance,” said Alabaster Mayor David Frings, who spoke at the event. During the ceremony, Frings remembered his own personal experience from that day, when he happened to be traveling to Washington, D.C., with Cam Ward, Jim McClain and Rick Walters. “I remember getting that one cell phone call home to Chief Oliver to be sure that the terrorism had not been nationwide and spread back home,” Frings recalled. “I asked him to be vigilant and make all of our public safety
employees visible within the community to help calm and look for trouble.” Pastor Ken Daniel of Alabaster shared his memories and feelings of 9/11 as well. “We as individuals changed and our nation changed,” Daniel said. “What we thought could never happen became a reality in our country. As we were told of the first plane flying into the World Trade Center tower, my heart went out to the passengers and the crew on the plane and the men and women who lost their lives on impact.” Daniel also recalled the sacrifice of the many first responders who were called into action that day. “Without hesitation, men and women lost their lives trying to save others. These people are indeed heroes,” he said. Members of both the
Alabaster Police Department and Alabaster Fire and Rescue Service were in attendance at the ceremony. An American flag was displayed at the entrance to Veterans Park in honor of the day. “Thank you for putting this event together,” said Frings. “You’ve done a great job. It was very moving just entering the park and seeing the flag displayed like it is.” The ceremony was held on the Friday before the anniversary to avoid
conflicting with other memorials that were planned for the area. “I’m very proud of our public safety people that are here,” said Frings. “I want to thank you for everything that you do every day.” A special wreath was placed at the Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park. People left flowers in memory as well. Local Boy Scout Matthew Kendall left a copy of a drawing that he did of New York City and the World Trade Center towers.
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FIRE PREVENTION WEEK OCTOBER 9 - 15 National Fire Prevention Week will be Oct. 9-15, and the theme for this year’s campaign is “Protect Your Family From Fire!” The annual promotion was started to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred in October of 1871 and was responsible for more than 250 deaths and the destruction of over 17,000 structures. The campaign was celebrated in 1920 as National Fire Prevention Day. In 1922, it became known officially as Fire Prevention Week. According to the National Fire Protection Association, it’s the longest-running public health observance in the country. Locally, the Alabaster Fire and Rescue Service will be conducting a series of educational programs for area schools. “We’ll be in the schools promoting fire prevention for kindergarten through fourth and fifth grade,” said Lt. Harold Mitchell, who oversees public education for the department. According to Mitchell, each age group gets a different program, with the youngest kids being exposed to the traditional firefighter gear and the next group get-
ting to experience the department’s “Smokehouse.” “We’ve converted an old FEMA trailer, and we use fake smoke to smoke it up. Then we show the kids how to stay low and go, and how to fight through the smoke and find their way out,” he said. Fourth-graders get to do a contest called EDITH, which stands for Exit Drills in the Home. “I have them draw an escape drill for their house, showing me two ways out of each room. I get them to label that and where the smoke detectors are,” Mitchell said. “We give like a $20 gift certificate for whoever wins.” According to the NFPA, there were over 360,000 home structure fires in the United States in 2009, which caused over 12,000 injuries and over 2,500 deaths. To help prevent injury in your home, the group recommends not only having a home escape plan but also practicing it. Most importantly, the group emphasizes the importance of having a functioning smoke detector in your home. Approximately 66 percent of
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fire-related deaths in the home occur in houses with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. The Alabaster fire department maintains a free smoke detector program for city residents. “If anybody doesn’t have a smoke detector, we’ll actually go out and put it in for them,” said Mitchell. “All they’ve got to do is call and give us their name and address and we’ll set up an appointment and we’ll come out and put it in.”
Residents should also be sure to maintain fresh batteries in their smoke detectors.
DEPUTY CHIEF FARRELL HONORED
(from left) Cheri Farrell, Deputy Fire Chief Greg Farrell, Mayor Frings, and Malorie Miller (Chief Farrell’s daughter) celebrate the proclamation by the city celebrating 30 years of service to the city on the occasion of his retirement. Deputy Fire Chief Farrell has held a number of positions in the Alabaster Fire Department and has worked closely with Chief Matherson to build the department into one that everyone in the city is proud of with dedication, hard work, and honor.
DRAMA IN OCTOBER South City Theatre presents “Dial M for Murder” directed by George Scott. Tony married for money. Now he’ll kill for it. And you’ll be on the edge of your seat every thrilling moment of this quintessential murder mystery. It’s a dark, dangerous, delightful whodunit of forbidden love, delightful suspense, blackmailers, and backstabbers—figuratively and literally. Performances are October 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th at the Camp Branch Civic Center in Alabaster (8pm), October 21st and 22nd at the Homewood Library (8pm Dinner Theatre!). Possible addition-
DIAL M FOR MURDER al performances at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church (7pm) TBAP Tickets are $15. Student, senior and groups of 10 or more are $12. Camp Branch Civic Center is located at the corner of Hwy 31and Hwy 26 across from the Snow Down Shopping Center. Call 621-2128. www.southcitytheatre.com
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SCHOOL STUDY PRESENTED TO CITY (CON’T FROM PAGE 2) grown at a manageable 30.23 percent over the past ten years, while other Shelby County communities have demonstrated more unrestricted growth. With potential future increases in population and possible proration on the horizon, Harvey said that he expects the burden on the Shelby County School Board to become “extraordinarily difficult.” And while a municipal school board would face similar challenges, he believes it would be better positioned to handle them. Another theme pertained to the issue of students who currently attend non-Alabaster campuses, like the Linda Nolen Learning Center, which is in Pelham, and the Shelby County School
of Technology, which is in Columbiana. To the question of how a new city district might affect school accreditation, Harvey assured the Council that that wouldn’t be an issue. “A change in board in no way affects accreditation,” said Harvey. City Council members indicated that they were viewing the material for the first time, so their own concerns should become clearer as they have time to review the report, which each Council member was given in bound form. A number of City Council persons also emphasized the importance of actually improving the quality of education for Alabaster students and maintained that this is in fact the ultimate goal.
The entire report, which is over 200 pages in length, can be downloaded as a PDF file via the City of Alabaster website. To view the document, please visit www.cityofalabaster.com and click the link for “Education Feasibility Study.” SHELBY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF ALABASTER Information proveded by the Shelby County Board of Education indicates that there is no 16th Section School Land located in the city of Alabaster. The Following table (2-14 appearing on page 37 of the report) summarizes the acreage of the Shelby County Board of Education Property located in the city of Alabaster:
School Site
Site Number
Creek View Elementary Site 0043 Meadow View Elementary Site 0005 Thompson Intermediate School Site 0130 Thompson 6th Grade Ctr. Site 0135 Thompson Middle School Site 0140 Thompson High School Site 0120 Shelby Co. Instructional Svcs. Ctr. n/a Total n/a
Site Grades Acreage K-3 K-3 4-5 6 7-8 9-12 n/a n/a
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DAR CONSTITUTION WEEK
Tax Tips You may not be thinking about your tax return right now, but it is a great time to start planning for next year. Organized records not only make preparing your return easier, but may also remind you of relevant transactions, help you prepare a response if you receive an IRS notice, or substantiate items on your return if you are selected for an audit. 1. In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return. It’s a good idea to have a designated place for tax documents and receipts.
(From Left) Nan Vodde, DAR Chapter Registrar, Mayor David Frings and A.J. Cooper, DAR Chapter Regent, display a Proclamation for the Cahawba Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution proclaiming the week of September 17-23 as Constitution Week. In doing so, our city joins cities across the country celebrating the writing of the United States
2. Individual taxpayers should usually keep the following records supporting items on their tax returns for at least three years: Bills, Credit card and other receipts, Invoices, Mileage logs, Canceled, imaged or substitute checks or any other proof of payment, any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return You should normally keep records relating to property until at least three years after you sell or otherwise dispose of the property. Examples include: A home purchase or improvement, Stocks and other investments, IRA transactions, Rental property records
3. If you are a small business owner, you must keep all your employment tax records for at least four years after the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later. Examples of important documents business owners should keep Include: Gross receipts: Cash register tapes, bank deposit slips, receipt books, invoices, credit card charge slips and Forms 1099-MISC; Proof of purchases: Canceled checks, cash register tape receipts, credit card sales slips and invoices; Expense documents: Canceled checks, cash register tapes, account statements, credit card sales slips, invoices and petty cash slips for small cash payments; Documents to verify your assets: Purchase and sales invoices, real estate closing statements and canceled checks. For more information about recordkeeping, please contact our office.
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SENIOR ACTIVITIES Calling all the Gone with the Wind fans! On December 13 we will take a trip to the Stately Oaks Plantation and the Road to Tara Museum in Atlanta. You will be taken back to the days of Scarlett, Rhett and of the War Between the States. You will enjoy costumed interpreters as we tour the white columned residence and explore the history of the house and its ties with the most famous book of the Old South. Cost includes motor coach transportation, admission to tours, lunch, and lots of fun on the bus: $70 for the first 25 Alabaster senior residents and $80 for all other seniors. Stop by the Senior Center to reserve your spot. Mystery Trip- Tuesday, October 18: This outing is full of surprises. Hop on the bus and have a fun filled day of adventure. Bring $8.00 for the activities and $10-$12 for lunch. Space is limited. Cost is $1.00 to reserve your spot. Outdoor Activities Celebration on October 4 at 9am. Come try out our new outdoor fitness equipment, shuffleboard court, walking track and much more. Light refreshments will be provided by Oasis Healthcare. Cookout and CardsSaturday, October 8 from 4pm- 8:30pm. Join us for a fun night of dinner and cards. Bring a dish and hotdogs will be provided. Please call to reserve a spot. New Walking ProgramEvery Tuesday and Thursday at 9am. Wear you tennis shoes and meet at the new outdoor exercise equipment behind the senior center. New Acrylic Painting – an ongoing class every Tuesday from 1pm-3pm. Beginner and experienced painters are welcome. Class will focus on fundamentals of composition, color basics 30
AARP- Driver Safety Program- November 8 9am-5pm at the Senior Center. This is an 8 hour classroom refresher that can help the effects of aging on your driving and how you can adjust your driving. Cost is $12.00/member and $14.00/nonmember. Stop by the Alabaster Senior Center no later than November 1 to reserve your spot. Make checks payable to AARP. You won’t want to miss all the activities at the senior center: Men’s Social Group- 1st Monday of each month 9am Wii Bowling –Tuesdays
12pm Zumba Gold (exercise)Wednesdays 1pm Beginner/Inter Line dancing – Thursdays 9:30am Beginner Line Dancing – Thursday 10:30am Tempo exercise – Fridays 10am Bridge- Thursday 12-3pm Rook- Wednesdays 9:00am Rummikub- Wednesdays 9:30am Timeless Treasures (singing) – Monday 10am If you would like more information concerning senior programs, please contact Alabaster Senior Center at 663-1307 or
and mixing, perspective and a variety of methods of applying acrylic paint. Cost is $15/person/month and supplies are not included. Ballroom Dance LessonsMondays from 1-2pm. Singles and couples are welcome. Come have fun and learn a variety of dances. Cost is $5/person/class. Bring $5 cash and pay the day of the class. This 6 week session will begin on October 3. A Book Swap- Monday October 10 at 10:30am. Can’t get your hands on enough mysteries or romance novels to satisfy your love of reading? JOB FAIR FOR MATURE WORKERS (50+) Come join us for a book OCTOBER 18TH swap. Bring two or three PELHAM FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ANNEX books and swap with others. A great way to meet 2867 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, AL 8am – 1:30 pm new friends. Sign up at the Sponsored by: center. AWARE (Aging Workers Are Reliable Employees) Flu Shots-Tuesday, A Division of Positive Maturity, Inc., A United Way Partner October 11 from 9amAnd Pelham First Baptist Church. Calera Chamber of 11am. Free Flu and Commerce, Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, Pneumonia shots to all Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, and South Shelby seniors with proof of one County Chamber of Commerce, Shelby County RSVP of the following insurances: This is a unique opportunity for mature workers who are Health Springs, Medicare looking for employment or a change in careers. For job seekPart B, Viva, Aetna, and ers there is no charge. Applications are available onsite. Job PFFS only plans. Cost for the uninsured- Flu $26 and skills workshops will be conducted during the event. Pneumonia $65. Call to sign up today! Slushies and Bingo with ADVERTISE IN THE NEW COLOR Town Village on October 18 at 10am. ALABASTER NEWSLETTER
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Local author – Phil Fishman presents his book, Teacher’s Gotta Dance on Tuesday, October 4 at 11:30am. “My book is my memoir of my ultra-short second career as a middle school science teacher. I was 67 when it began; but unfortunately, it was too much stress for an old man. My story is a candid mix of sadness and humor, but a true heartfelt account of my experience.”
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October, 2011
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Minutes of the Alabaster City Council Meeting Alabaster, Alabama August 1, 2011 A regular meeting of the Alabaster City Council was held in the Municipal Annex on Monday, August 1, 2011, at 7:00 P.M., and there were present at said meeting Councilpersons: Present: Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Adam Moseley, Rick Walters, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals and Jim McClain. Absent: None. MEETING OPENING Council Member Martin made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 18, 2011 meeting as read. Council Member Walters seconded the motion. Voting – Ayes: Sophie Martin, Adam Moseley, Rick Walters, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals and Jim McClain. Nays: None. Bob Hicks abstained due to his absence from the meeting. Motion carried. Council Member Moseley made a motion to approve the agenda for tonight’s meeting as presented. Council Member Ryals seconded the motion. Voting – Ayes: All Ayes. Nays: None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 080111 1. RESOLUTION REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION HOSTING THE ACCC STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS. Council Member Brakefield introduced Resolution No. 080111 showing full support and commitment of city resources for the ACCC State Championship Tournament for 2012, 2013 and 2014. The National Junior College Athletic Association has accepted the bid as submitted by our Parks and Recreation Department as host of the tournament for the next three years. Council Member Brakefield made a motion to approve Resolution No. 080111 with Council Member Moseley seconding. Voting – Ayes: Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Adam Moseley, Rick Walters, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals and Jim McClain. Nays: None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 080111-A 2. RESOLUTION REGARDING CONTRACT ON COPIER, PRINTING AND DIGITAL DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Council Member Walters introduced Resolution No. 080111-A allowing Mayor Frings to enter into a contract with Business Electronics for copier, printing and digital document management services for all departments as listed in Addendum “A” (see attached). Council Member Walters made a motion to approve Resolution No. 080111-A as introduced with Council Member Hicks seconding. Voting – Ayes: Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Adam Moseley, Rick Walters, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals and Jim McClain. Nays: None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 080111-B 3. RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE REDISTRICTING PROPOSAL OF THE SHELBY COUNTY COMMISSION FOR COMMISSION DISTRICTS OF SHELBY COUNTY. Council Member Hicks introduced Resolution No. 080111-B showing formal opposition to the current redistricting proposal released by Shelby County. Under the proposed plan the citizens of Alabaster will be divided into 6 separate and distinct commission districts, thereby fragmenting and diluting the voice and populace of the citizens of the City of Alabaster. Council Member Hicks made a motion to approve Resolution No. 080111-B as introduced with Council Member Walters seconding. Voting – Ayes: Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Adam Moseley, Rick Walters, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals and Jim McClain. Nays: None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 080111-C 4. RESOLUTION REGARDING TEMPORARILY CLOSING OF A PORTION OF GRANDE VIEW RIDGE. Council Member Ryals introduced Resolution No. 080111-C temporarily closing a portion of Grande View Ridge located in the Grande View Estates Subdivision until such time as the developer has completed the additional roads and infrastructure necessary to make the roadway safe, the roadway surface has been seal coated, and the numerous deficiencies and dangers to the general public are remediated. Council Member Ryals made a motion to approve Resolution No. 080111-C as introduced with Council Member Brakefield seconding. Voting – Ayes: Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Adam Moseley, Rick Walters, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals and Jim McClain. Nays: None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 080111-D 5. RESOLUTION REGARDING POSSIBLE REFUNDING OF CERTAIN OUTSTANDING DEBT. Council Member Moseley introduced Resolution No. 080111-D authorizing the advance refunding of the Series 2002 General Obligation Warrants and the Series 2003 Taxable General Obligation Warrants, currently outstanding in the principal amount of $6,540,000 and allowing the Mayor to engage a banker/broker and bond counsel in order to proceed in a timely manner with the sale of the City’s General Obligation Refunding Warrants, Series 2011. Council Member Moseley made a motion to approve Resolution No. 080111-D as introduced with Council Member Walters seconding. Voting – Ayes: Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Adam Moseley, Rick Walters, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals and Jim McClain. Nays: None. Motion carried. 6. ANNOUNCE FIRST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER WILL BE HELD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, IN LIEU OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 DUE TO HOLIDAY. After a brief discussion, Council Member Hicks made a motion to approve changing the first council meeting date in September to Tuesday, September 6 in lieu of Monday, September 5 due to the Labor Day Holiday. Council Member Martin seconded. Voting – Ayes: All Ayes. Nays: None. Motion carried.
7. SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON RECOMMENDATION FROM HOUSING ABATEMENT BOARD ON 332 PEBBLE LANE. Council Member Martin made a motion to set a public hearing on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 as an appeal hearing by the property owner at 332 Pebble Lane regarding the findings of the Alabaster Housing Abatement Board that said property is unsafe so as to be a public nuisance, and should be abated / demolished by the City of Alabaster. Council Member Ryals seconded. Voting - Ayes: All Ayes. Nays: None. Motion carried. 8. SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON RECOMMENDATION FROM HOUSING ABATEMENT BOARD ON 725 1ST STREET SOUTH. Council Member Martin made a motion to set a public hearing on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 as an appeal hearing by the property owner at 725 1st Street South regarding the findings of the Alabaster Housing Abatement Board that said property is unsafe so as to be a public nuisance, and should be abated / demolished by the City of Alabaster. Council Member Hicks seconded. Voting - Ayes: All Ayes. Nays: None. Motion carried. 9. STREET LIGHT REQUESTS IN SILVERCREEK SUBDIVISION. Council Member Brakefield advised the Homeowner’s Association of Silvercreek Subdivision has agreed to pay the expense as invoiced by Alabama Power for installation of two new decorative street lights, if the City will allow the usage fee as an added expense on the streetlight costs. Council Member Brakefield made a motion to maintain the power usage for the two new street lights in the Silvercreek Subdivision on Highway 119 as done for other developments. Council Member Ryals seconded. Voting – Ayes: Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Adam Moseley, Scott Brakefield, Rick Walters, Tommy Ryals and Jim McClain. Nays: None. Motion carried. 10. APPLICATION FOR A 050 RETAIL BEER (OFF PREMISES ONLY) LICENSE FOR BRITOS MINI MARKET, 345 1ST STREET SW, SUITE 343. Council Member Martin introduced an application for a 050 Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) License from Britos Mini Market, 345 1st Street SW, Suite 343. Council Member Martin made a motion to approve said application. Council Member Hicks seconded. Voting – Ayes: Sophie
BARK IN THE PARK OCT. 1 (CON’T FROM PAGE 3) Dr. Rhonda Ellison of the Calera Animal Hospital will be providing a lowcost vaccination clinic. Of course, the event isn’t just for dog owners. It can be a lot of fun for anyone. “They don’t have to have a pet to come. It’s just a fun event to bring their children to or just to enjoy the company of pets that are in our community,” said Miller. But if you are in the market for a new pet, the Humane Society will have some dogs on site that are available for adoption. Last
year, they brought 14 dogs out to the event to be adopted, and five of them ended up finding permanent homes. For more information, visit http://www.shelbyhumane.org.
CITY AIDS RV OWNERS When you venture out this RV season, don't forget we have a dump station at the wastewater treatment plant located at 104 8th Ave. NW. For info call Kenneth Hill @ 664-6825 between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM Mon- Fri. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
October, 2011
31
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALABASTER, AL PERMIT NO. 48
CITY OF ALABASTER 201 FIRST STREET NORTH ALABASTER, AL 35007
RESIDENT OR BOXHOLDER OR POSTAL PATRON
Calendar of Events
Oct. 3 City Council Meeting 7 pm Annex Beautification Board 6 pm Former Senior Ctr.(Gardner House) Water Board 7 pm Annex
David M. Frings, Mayor frings@cityofalabaster.com 663-7059 Sophie Martin, Ward 1 Oct. 5 Municipal Court Trial Date 9 am Annex martin@cityofalabaster.com 358-8742 Oct. 11 Housing & Abatement Board 5:15 pm Bob Hicks, Ward 2 hicks@cityofalabaster.com Oct. 12 Municipal Court 9 am Annex 663-1801 Finance Committee 5:30 pm City Svcs. Bldg. Adam Moseley, Ward 3 moseley@cityofalabaster.com Oct. 17 City Council Meeting 7 pm Annex 663-1564 Rick Walters, Ward 4 Oct. 18 Driving School 7 pm Annex walters@cityofalabaster.com Oct. 20 Public Works Committee 5 pm Annex 281-7394 Economic Development Committee 5:30 pm Jim McClain, Ward 5 mcclain@cityofalabaster.com Oct. 24 Board of Adjustments 6 pm Annex 663-1886 Oct. 25 Planning & Zoning 7 pm Annex Scott Brakefield, Ward 6 Housing & Abatement Board 5:15 pm brakefield@cityofalabaster.com Annex 685-0302. Tommy Ryals, Ward 7 Oct. 26 Municipal Court 9 am Annex* ryals@cityofalabaster.com Sewer Committee 6 pm City Hall 664-1301 Marsha Massey, City Clerk Questions about a meeting? Call 664-6800 mmassey@cityofalabaster.com A full 2011 Calendar is available for 664-6800 reference at www.cityofalabaster.com
Non-emergency Police matters 663-7401 Animal Control 664-6761 Personnel Dept 664-6838 Code Enforcement 664-5907
CITY DEPARTMENT PHONE NUMBERS
Nov. 2 Trial Date 9 am Annex Nov. 7 City Council Meeting 7 pm Annex Nov. 9 Municipal Court 9am Annex* Finance Committee 5:30 pm City Svcs. Bldg. Nov. 14 Water Board 7 pm Annex Beautification Board 6 pm Senior Ctr. Nov. 15 Housing & Abatement Board 5:15 pm Driving School 7 pm Annex Nov. 17 Public Works Committee 5 pm Annex Economic Development Committee 5:30 pm Nov. 21 City Council Meeting 7 pm Annex Nov. 22 Planning & Zoning 7 pm Annex Nov. 16 Municipal Court 9 am Annex* Sewer Committee 6 pm City Hall Nov. 24 & 25 Thanksgiving Holidays Nov. 28 Board of Adjustments 6 pm Annex Municipal Annex located behind City Hall at 127 1st Street SW just across the RR track. The City Services Building is located across from Thompson Intermediate School on 119.
Revenue/Business License Dept 664-6844 Garbage/recycling bins 664-6800 Alabaster Parks & Recreation 664-6840 Alabaster Water Board 663-6155
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32 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! October, 2011
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