ALABASTER
CONNECTION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF ALABASTER | FEBRUARY 2020
NEW CITY OF ALABASTER JUSTICE CENTER PG. 10
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: DEEP SOUTH CAKES COMPANY
HEART HEALTH MONTH
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pg. 20
pg. 9
FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF ALABASTER Alabaster Connection is published monthly and is delivered to citizens of the City of Alabaster. Editorial Board The Public Relations Committee of the Alabaster City Council. Committee Chair Councilwoman Sophie Martin Councilwoman Kerri Pate Councilman Greg Farrell Editor Luke Camara, me2graphics, LLC Contributors Shana Camara Lindsay Schluntz Megan Owens
We welcome your comments & suggestions. Call 447-2214 or email luke@me2graphics.com
To advertise call 447-2214 Non-Emergency City Numbers Police 24-Hours 663-7401 Alabaster Water Board 663-6155 Fire Department 664-6818
1953 Municipal Way Alabaster, AL 35007 ©2019 City of Alabaster
Happy Valentine’s Day Alabaster!
The month of LOVE gets an extra day this year, and may it cover and inspire you throughout all your days! “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 Brighter and longer days are just ahead, along with the start of soccer, Marty Handlon, baseball and softball seasons. Our parks will be full of families enjoying the Mayor City of Alabaster spirit of competition and making new friends, as well as memories to last a lifetime. It is quality of life and community that we hold so dear. Please forgive and be patient for any inconveniences you are bound to experience during the upgrades to Veterans and Abbey Wooley Parks. These will be temporary frustrations leading to more enhanced facilities. Thank you in advance for understanding! Speaking of parks! You may have seen or heard of our Park and Recreation Needs Assessment Survey, which was published and pushed out for your input. If you were not on any of our email lists or followers of our social media, you may have missed the notice. We still want to hear from you! Please check our website, or call City Hall, for instructions to access it. Let your voice be heard in our planning for the future of city parks and facilities. We have a very diverse community, and we need to know how to best meet the needs of it. Help us serve you better by completing the survey. We have heard from several residents requesting a more convenient location to take their recyclable materials, other than those provided throughout the county. We have ordered a community Recycle bin which will be located at our Public Works facility. It should be here in early March. We will provide more information about acceptable products and times of operation as soon as the site is ready to receive recycle. Department heads and several division supervisors recently completed Mental Health First Aid training, which is the result of a partnership between the City of Alabaster and Alabaster City School System. I am thankful I was also able to participate in this training, and can’t say enough positive things about it. Every participant felt it provided extremely helpful information for not only their own well-being, but for their daily interactions with co-workers and those they serve. We are blessed to have such a great resource and teacher, Brookie Harbison, to help us know more about mental health issues and how to identify early warning signs of distress. This initiative and proposal came from the Alabaster City School System, and I want to thank all of those involved in making it possible. This training is available to the community, and it is FREE to anyone who registers. I encourage you to reach out to ACS for information on upcoming training opportunities for you, your family, or your businesses. This is a great opportunity to help us help each other in countless ways. And, IT IS FREE!! Alabaster’s Prevention Team still meets bi-monthly at City Hall, and we would like our citizens to be engaged in this important effort. Our next meeting is February 11th at 11:00. Please join us if you can. Be Blessed!
THIS EDITION
4 Council Comments 6 Teen Council Comments 6 For Tomorrow Comments 22 Around Town 24 Calendar 30 CC Meeting Minutes
FEATURES
7 Valentine's Day 8 Black History Month 9 Heart Health Month 10 Justice Center
SPOTLIGHTS 12 Alabaster Helps 14 Citizen Spotlight 18 Employee Spotlight 20 Business Spotlight
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Scott Brakefield
Ward 6 | City Council President brakefield@cityofalabaster.com
Greetings! Recently you may have seen on social media or received an email blast from our Parks and Recreation Department that our City is looking for feedback regarding our Parks and Recreation offerings. We are asking that you provide that info via a short survey. Your input will greatly shape the direction in which we look to grow our program and improve our facilities. We are currently undertaking improvements as Veterans Park and Abby Wooley Park. But make sure your voice is heard and please fill out the survey. Speaking of filling out surveys. A big one is coming soon. The 2020 census is right around the corner. You should be seeing more and hearing more about the census in the coming month. It is critical that you make sure you participate in the census as it helps give an accurate representation of our City. We continue to move forward with our new Justice Center. Soon you will see some demoliition and grading in the Siluria area close to City Hall. We continue to make an investment in this area in hopes of truly making it the "City Center" we do not currently have. Lastly, How about those Warriors! Football, Bowling, Wrestling Duals..........All State Champs! Buliding Champions today and Champions of our Future! Thanks again for all that you each of you do to make Alabaster the best place to live! Scott
Sophie Martin | Ward 1 martin@cityofalabaster.com
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Recently, Alabaster Water celebrated the groundbreaking of their new facility centrally located behind the Alabaster post office off Highway 119. To better serve their customers, the new office and shop will be an innovative facility designed to have all departments under one roof with the resources needed to increase productivity and efficiency. With providing quality customer service at the forefront, Alabaster residents will enjoy convenient building access, additional parking, and an enhanced support service area including a drive thru customer care window. Please take a few minutes to complete the Alabaster parks survey. This is an excellent opportunity to give your feedback on our city parks along with any programs that you’d like to see offered including additional sports, summer camps and sports camps. The survey is available online at cityofalabaster.com. If you do not have access to a computer, please feel free to contact Alabaster City Hall at 205.664.6800 or contact me at martin@cityofalabaster.com and we will gladly provide you a hard copy to fill out. It is truly an honor to serve the residents of Ward 1 and our city. Sophie cityofalabaster.com
Rick Ellis | Ward 2 ellis@cityofalabaster.com
I hope that everyone is doing well and keeping up with those New Year’s resolutions. We have a lot of things going on in our city. One of those things is our recent Park and Rec needs assessment. The city will be sending out a needs assessment to survey our residents to gain a better understanding of your thoughts and priorities concerning our parks system. Please be on the lookout and give us your opinion so the City can better prioritize future improvements to our parks. Look for a QR code in this newsletter to get to the link for the assessment. Also, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Alabaster Water Board on the recent groundbreaking on the new facility. This new facility will relocate the current Water Board office to the new location behind the post office on Hwy 119. This building and location will provide easier customer access and better customer service to the residents of Alabaster. This building will be a great addition to our growing city. Congratulations! I hope that everyone has a Happy Valentine’s Day and if you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at ellis@cityofalabaster.com. Rick
Stacy Rakestraw |
Ward 3
rakestraw@cityofalabaster.com
We need your input so please go online now to www.cityofalabaster.com and participate in our Alabaster Parks and Recreation Needs Survey that is available for you to fill out online. This will make it possible for us to better access the needs from the viewpoint of the residents, especially those who use it the most. Mark your calendars! April 18, 2020, the City will host our annual Clean Sweep, “Shred - It and Ecycle” event. We will have some strong, young volunteers to help unload your electronics or documents for free disposal or shredding. NOTE: If you plan to bring one of these items there is a disposal fee: $25 per TV, $10 per CRT Monitor and $10 to shred a hard drive, all payable to Protec Electronic Recycling. Congratulations to the Thompson High School Boys Bowling team winning the State Bowling Championship and to the girls’ team for being the State runner up, at the end of January. The Thompson Wrestling Team will be competing for their 8th State Championship, February 14th & 15th in Huntsville. We are so excited for them and proud of their hard work! Coach Weltzin has done an incredible job building this program and working to make a positive influence in the lives of so many young men. #LiveRightPrayWorkHard Stacy
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Greg Farrell
| Ward 4
farrell@cityofalabaster.com
Recently two of the City’s Firefighters have been Military deployed overseas to protect our nation. Please join me in prayer for their protection and safe return. I want to thank them and their families for their service to our community and our nation. A great fundraising opportunity is coming up on March 7, 2020. The Angel Warriors Foundation will host their Annual “A Night for the Angels” Gala at the Hyatt Regency, (Winfrey Hotel) in Hoover. For ticket information go to; angelwarriorsfoundation.org. Alabaster Clean Sweep will be here before you know it. Here are some dates to mark on your calendars: April 18th we be the E-cycle and Shred-It Event at the former TIS from 8 a.m.-noon and April 25th will be city-wide litter cleanup. Greg
Russell Bedsole | Ward 5 bedsole@cityofalabaster.com
Greetings Alabaster! At a recent work session, we spent over three hours discussing various items of city business. I’m always happy to report that all members of our Council that you elected are very engaged and are certainly looking out for the best interest of our city. One of those topics at that lengthy meeting was the yearto-date financials for our city. While the full reports from the Christmas shopping season are not in, it appears we had another good year. One thing to note is the effect online shopping has on our revenue from sales tax. A look at the numbers indicate our revenue from local sales tax has continued to increase in a yearover-year comparison; however, the pace of that increase has slowed. And while that number has slowed in its growth, there is sharp increase in the amount of tax revenue received from online sales. On the surface this would appear to be all positive signs for our city... or is it? Is a sharp incline in sales tax revenue from online sales really a good thing? Let me try to explain my question. If you dive into state law related to how online sales tax disbursements are made, you will see $1 spent online is not equal to $1 spent in our city when it comes to tax revenue. On average, we as the city of Alabaster get about 2.4 pennies for every dollar spent on-line versus the 4 pennies we as a city receive when you and I shop in Alabaster. With simple math you can see that online sales create a deficit of 1.6 pennies for every dollar spent online versus the same product bought locally at one of our brick and mortar stores. I certainly understand the attraction and the convenience of online shopping. I am not casting stones here with my comments because when it comes to the topic, I live in a glass house. My family enjoys the benefits that online shopping has to offer.
With my comments this month I just wanted to attempt to create a little thought by everyone on the effect to our city when we all shop online. This "missed" revenue means less funds for things like parks improvements, additional police and fire protection, roadway paving and infrastructure improving, etc. I do not want to infer we are at a point of panic. We are far from this point, but when we say shopping local benefits us, it’s true. Please let me encourage you to shop local at every opportunity you have. Help us by reaching out to your state representatives and encourage them to make changes to the current structure so Alabaster receives the full tax revenue we should be getting. Many Thanks! Russell
Kerri Pate
| Ward 7
pate@cityofalabaster.com
Hello neighbors, I have had some people reach out to me about Kent Dairy Road not appearing to be complete yet from the repaving and striping that the county did back in late fall. The county has advised us that they are indeed not finished with it yet and will complete the striping, I do not have a date yet but will keep you all posted. I would like to congratulate the Thompson High School Bowling Teams, the boys are 7A State Champions & the girl’s team respectively are 7A State Runner-Up. Our Dynasty of a Wrestling Program are 7A Duals Champions and will soon be competing for their 8th State title in 7 years! Our boys basketball team have had a strong season and have once again brought some excitement back to that program & will begin area tournament next week, we wish them much success. Spring sports are in full swing, opening day for baseball & softball will be on February 17th. On the field, on the court, the lanes, the mats our Warriors are champions, but what makes me most proud is the stories of success in the classroom and the kindness in the hallways. If you question the goodness of this generation, I challenge you to get involved and get to know our young people in our community, you too will be very proud. A great service that we offer to our residents is the “Report a Concern” button on our city’s website, it is on the main page and all you do is click on it to report an issue. It could be anything from your garbage can wheel falling off, an unkempt, overgrown yard, a pothole, speeding etc., it is a great checks and balances system and will automatically send you back a confirmation of your report and follow back up with you. I often see people complain on social media and it begins a thread of negativity, should we complain? Yes, but it would be more beneficial to take our complaints straight to the source for some resolve. Using the “Report A Concern” button on our website takes less time that going to social media. Please let me know if you need anything, 205-965-8300. It is an honor to serve you! Kerri cityofalabaster.com
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TEEN COUNCIL COMMENTS
ALABASTER TEEN COUNCIL COMMENTS
By: Addison Lusco
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he last full month of winter is finally here! As the chills of January and early February begin to melt away into the springtime, reinvigoration is in the air. February is a month of new beginnings! The second semester of school is well underway, and with spring well in the future and the end of school even further,
this month can definitely feel like a drag. How does one manage this seemingly monotonous month? The truth is, this time of year is not dull at all! Now more than ever is the time to skip out on whatever variation of senioritis may be plaguing your work ethic and continue to blaze through the third nine weeks with confidence. This month, you can look forward to all of the excitement and activities that spring will bring and work to finish winter strong. Keep sight of your goals and continue to take the steps towards achieving them. During this time of year, I find it best to really plan out my goals for spring and keep my eye on the prize. School work can become more stressful during this time as the preparation for end of the year activities steadily increases, so take one day at a time and continue to hit your strides in a healthy
yet productive way. And if you are growing exhausted of your older hobbies, refresh yourself by trying something new! February doesn’t have to be monotonous; it can be motivating. Yes, the end of the year may seem miles away, but springtime will be here before you know it, so it’s time to wrap up winter by staying focused and committed to your resolutions and aspirations. Take that fresh spirit from January and continue it on into the following weeks. This new year and new decade holds more possibilities than ever to get active in your community and to make 2020 your own, so really allow yourself to emerge from the depths of winter and blossom into the warm productivity of the upcoming spring. February holds so much potential this year, so grasp it and get growing! AC
ALABASTER FOR TOMORROW COMMENTS
By: Brandon Matthews For Tomorrow, Program Director o you remember the 90's NBC public service announcements on Saturday mornings that would say "The More You Know?" What about the memorable phrase "knowledge is power?" Those statements may seem dated, but they carry a lot of truth. For Tomorrow works to educate and
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empower our community on real life issues that our neighbors are facing. From young people who walk the halls of our schools, to adults who lead, work, and live in our community, many are dealing with the devastating consequences of substance use. We believe that what we do today is for tomorrow. That's why people from every part of our city are joining together with For Tomorrow to be educated and empowered to eradicate substance use and the hurt that it brings. We can do more together than we can do apart, and I would love for you to consider making a difference with us. There are so many ways that you can make a difference. Consider doing today for the benefit of tomorrow. If you would like more information, feel free to email Brandon Matthews at bmatthews@alabasterfortomorrow.com.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT In 2019, For Tomorrow introduced the Family Friendly Vendor program implemented through Compact 2020. There were growing concerns about harmful products being marketed and sold to our young people at gas stations and convenience stores such as CBD gummy bears and suckers. In speaking with business owners, we learned that many of our owners were not aware of the concerns but were willing to make changes. Out of this came the Family Friendly Vendor program. Business owners sign a pledge to remove or relocate these items from checkout counters and receive a window decal showing the community their effort to make a positive difference in our community. For a full list of our Family Friendly Vendors, visit www.alabasterfortomorrow.com AC
FEATURE
Longtime Loves Celebrating love 365 days a year – not just on Feb. 14th Valentine’s Day generally serves as a reminder to couples to express their affection to each other. But when it comes to celebrating love, is one day out of 365 enough? Whether the holiday marks the first date of a blossoming relationship or serves as a way of annually stoking the coals of a decades-long romance, these Alabaster couples have discovered the secret to keeping love alive.
KIM & DOUG HARVEL – 46 YEARS The Harvels celebrate Valentine’s Day by remembering when they first met. Doug was in the Air Force stationed in Korea in 1973 and met Kim in a serendipitous way. His unit was driving outside their base town to visit an orphanage and their truck broke down. “We stopped in at a Tea House while we waited, because it was so hot,” he recalled. “I saw her, and she saw me, and we’ll have been married 46 years in April!” With their children now all grown, the Harvels enjoy traveling together. "Valentine’s is just a bonus day together.”
KAY AND CLARENCE WRENCHER – 52 YEARS This year, the Wrenchers will be enjoying the Valentine holiday at a special dinner sponsored by their church, Sixth Avenue Baptist in Birmingham. However, having been married 52 years in June, they say Valentine’s Day hasn’t really played a significant role in keeping the romance alive over the years. “It takes more than just one day for love and romance to happen. One day out of the year is not enough!”, Kay explained. Instead, they recommend daily applying patience (number one!), understanding, and finding something to laugh about together as the best ways to bring a marriage closer together.
SUE AND BUTCH HOLSOMBACK – 45 YEARS The Holsombacks will be celebrating 45 years of marriage in June. This year, they will be going to Lake Wheeler at Wheeler State Park for the Valentine holiday. It is a special place for them, as they took their sons there when they were little and now often take their grandsons and their friends. “Valentine’s Day and our anniversary are both special days during the year for us. But we don’t always go out on that night. We may just do dinner at home,” Sue pointed out. “But cards or candy or some sort of little gift is good,” Butch offered. “It’s not always flowers after this many years, but occasionally they get sneaked in!”
PAT & ED YATES – 27 YEARS Pat and Ed Yates were both teaching at Bessemer State when they met. Now retired and celebrating 27 years of marriage together, they enjoy the fact that they get to spend every day together. “Valentine’s Day is just a special day when we can specifically celebrate being together,” Ed smiled. Pat agreed, “I think when you’re our age, every day is special. On Valentine’s Day, we just celebrate the fact that we found each other.” cityofalabaster.com
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FEATURE
A LOOK INTO BLACK HISTORY
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mbracing heritage and cultural identity is what this country has moved towards over the years. Since many can remember, February has been observed as Black History Month in America, but can anyone remember how this came to be? Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. “Black History Month” History.com Harvard-educated historian Woodson noted a lack of documentation in the history of African Americans. Since African Americans were an integral part of shaping the United States of America, Woodson wanted to educate black and white Americans about black history while simultaneously preserving the
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memory of their accomplishments. In 1915, Woodson, and prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland, founded the Association for the Study of Negro (now African-American) Life and History (ASALH) in order to research and promote the accomplishments of black Americans and people of African descent. “Woodson also believed that, if white Americans knew the true history of blacks in America and in Africa, it would help overcome negative stereotyping,” penned Stacy Swimp in “The Origin and Purpose of Black History Month.” From this foundation came Negro History Week – observed the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. “Negro History Week was envisioned as a tool to develop and cultivate new awareness and new critiques,” Swimp wrote. “It was about unity. It was not a basis for ethnocentric pride and cultural divide.” Negro History Week became an
inspiration to schools and communities nationwide. Mayors across America began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing Negro History Week and by the late 1960’s, Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses. “President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to ‘seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,’” the article concluded. The ideas and concepts behind “Black History Month” were not to generate a cultural divide, but to nurture acceptance and cultivate unity. AC “The Origin and Purpose of Black History Month”: http://www.nationalcenter.org/ P21NVSwimpBlackHistory90213.html “Black History Month”: http://www.history. com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
FEATURE
JOIN SHELBY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER &
GO RED THIS FEBRUARY
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ccording to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. One person dies every 37 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease. One in every four deaths in the United States is a result of heart disease. While these statistics are staggering, heart disease is not inevitable. While you cannot change some risk factors, such as family history or age, there are plenty of ways you can reduce your risk of heart disease. On the first Friday of every February, which is designated as American Heart Month, the nation comes together, igniting a wave of red from coast to coast. This year, National Wear Red DayÂŽ will take place on Friday, February 7. On behalf of Shelby Baptist Medical Center, we encourage you to join us by wearing red to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. In addition to wearing red, Shelby Baptist Medical Center has a range of events and activities scheduled throughout the month of February in recognition of American Heart Month, including educational seminars about heart disease, knowing your risk, how to make lifestyle changes to promote a healthy heart and much more. Knowledge is power, and we hope you will register to attend one of our many educational opportunities led by our esteemed physicians designed to extend our community built on care. Visit https://www.shelbybaptistmedicalcenter.com/events for more information about these events. Daniel Listi, FACHE Chief Executive Officer Shelby Baptist Medical Center
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FEATURE
NEW CITY OF ALABASTER JUSTICE CENTER S
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I L L I Awith M S B L repairs A C K S and T O maintenance C K A R C H just I T Eto C keep T S it tarting in the next fewWmonths, an expected completion date of functional are not yielding the returns we Summer 2021, Alabaster will be seeing are looking for,” said Binzer. the largest public facility built to date be The new facility will feature not just erected in the historic Siluria district on more space, but upgraded and new Hwy 119. “The Justice Center, as we are space, as we bring Municipal Court and calling it, will include the new police sta- Alabaster Police Department into one tion and the municipal court,” shared city building. Along with Municipal Court, administrator Brian Binzer. The current the Justice Center will have areas our police station was built in 1953 with an Police Department has not had the additional annex of the old church build- benefit of for a department of their size. ing behind the current station location. It will have a training space, roll call “The current station is obsolete, the room, evidence room, administrative and city has grown quite a bit over the last command staff office space. It will have several decades, and it is at the point that a new, larger lobby area, with interview
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rooms to meet with individuals needing services of the Alabaster Police Department. This increased space will provide more opportunity to have the room in which the police need to do their work, and do so in a professional, attractive and safe environment. In total, the police and municipal court currently occupy about 15,000 square feet of space. The new facility will be in the neighborhood of 40,000 square feet. “The Justice Center will not just meet our current needs, which are plenty, but also future needs as well,” exclaimed Binzer.
FEATURE
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WILLIAMS BLACKSTOCK ARCHITECTS
BENEFITS Binzer believes that this new facility will provide a higher level of customer service for the community and spur development. One of these benefits is to highlight Siluria and establish a downtown feel. “The city adopted in 2016 a comprehensive plan and it really identifies the Siluria area as our gem. We relocated the Senior Center in 2009 and built the current City Hall in 2013 here as well,” said Binzer, adding, “We are trying to create this environment where it is centrally located and revitalizes the historical mill area. You can see the early fruit of this labor with some of the retail businesses and new restaurants within walking distance of all three facilities.” In addition, the new location will be on Highway 119, thus becoming a visually appealing facility that acts as an entryway to the whole municipal complex. “As we are building the Justice Center, we will also do much needed landscaping and roadway improvements to the current municipal center entrance way,” he said. Having the police near the administrative offices will also provide a level of productiveness that the city currently lacks. “It builds efficiency to have the court and the police department near each other and near the administrative department. Them being right here will be very JAN U A R Y Having 2 0 2 0 everyone under one beneficial. roof is a very efficient way to operate our court business,” explained Binzer. With the move of the municipal court to the new building, it will open up much needed space at City Hall. “With the recent relocation of the Alabaster City School System's Central Office to the old Thompson Intermediate School, and the future move of the municipal court to the new Justice Center, it will really open up more offices, allow us to bring remote city offices under one roof, and again provide a better experience for our citizens,” Binzer said. AC 16
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NON PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
THE GREAT GAINS OF GENEROSITY
Shelby Emergency Assistance (S.E.A.) continues to serve the community
SERVING THOSE IN NEED In 2019, the total number of individuals who were served by the organization totaled 2,166. This number is almost the same as 2018, when 2,160 people were served – 275 of which were specifically from the Alabaster community. “Some people may need just one service, like just food. Some people need a variety of needs met, like food or their power bill. Maybe they have hypertension and can’t keep up with their blood pressure medicine or have an abscessed tooth and they’re in a painful situation. The need changes with each person,” Karen described.
Pastor Matthew Ingram and Lilly stopped by to donate Thanksgiving food baskets prepared by members of First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster.
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he mission of the Shelby Emergency Assistance (SEA) is, “Helping people move from crisis to self-sufficiency in Shelby County.” This is accomplished by thoughtfully providing for the basic needs of people experiencing crisis situations, moving them towards the ability to care for themselves in a meaningful way, and empowering them to then make positive contributions in their communities. Karen Pendleton serves as the Executive Director of SEA. She has served in this role for almost 20 years. “At SEA, we see people who are at the most difficult time in their life – struggling to feed their children, put a roof over their heads, or keep the electricity on. Our goal is helping them through the crisis. In the process, they are able to learn new skills, have more resources and reach the point of meeting their needs,” she shared.
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THE SERVICES OFFERED BY SEA ARE CATEGORIZED INTO FOUR SEGMENTS: Social Services With services provided by licensed social workers, this includes assistance with food, housing, power, water bills, gas heating bills, home visits, prescriptions and financial assistance for doctor and dentist visits. Education Department With the aim to help clients learn new skills that can move them closer to self-sufficiency, SEA offers budgeting and spending planning, debt reduction skills, job and resume search services, pharmaceutical assistance applications, and GED/ ESL services. STEP Program Shelby Teens for Effective Parenting (STEP) promotes healthy babies and moms, educates parenting teens (ages 12-19) to care for their children, and supports healthy lifestyle choices while encouraging school attendance and graduation. Special Projects Providing Christmas gifts and school supplies, and installing free smoke alarms for low-income families and the elderly are examples of some of the special projects that SEA participates in throughout Montevallo and Shelby County. Regarding the community’s involvement in gift-giving this past holiday season, Karen said, “Giving at Christmas was incredible this year – more so than any of the previous 20 years that I’ve been here! I don’t know if it was the spirit of Christmas or just people feeling very thankful, grateful and wanting to give to others out of their own good fortune. I don’t know if it was the economy or if we’re just in a community of people who care.” ▶
NON PROFIT SPOTLIGHT HERE TO HELP! The organization’s most pressing goal is to ensure that the community knows that Shelby Emergency Assistance exists and is ready to help! “It’s difficult for people who have never been in a crisis kind of situation or they’ve never needed help before, to know where to turn. So it’s very important to get our name recognition out so people will know, ‘I’ve lost my job, I don’t know how I’m going to get food on the table for my kids,’ and to already know, ‘Okay, Shelby Emergency Assistance. I can start there and see if they can help or maybe refer me to someone who can.’ That’s the number one thing.” Individuals or families who need help can call SEA to set up an appointment to discuss their need, or Karen also said that they often get connected to clients who reach out through their contact form on the website. UPCOMING BARKS & BREWS FUNDRAISER “For folks who would like to give and help us continue our services, we have fundraisers throughout the year,” the executive director promoted. “Our first one this year will be a Barks & Brews in March at the Oversoul Brewery in Helena. It’s a good one for people who love their dogs and want to come out to a pet-friendly location, enjoy some good brews and spend some time with other dog lovers for a good cause.” Karen said they were very excited about having their first Family Fun Day in June 2019. This was a time for parents to bring their children out for lots of fun activities and entertainment at no cost. “We also had plenty of organizations on hand providing useful information for the parents. Head Start was there to provide enrollment information; Montevallo Fire Dept provided information about free smoke alarms, UM students helped provide arts & arts activities, and there was much more,” she enthused. “We are looking forward to have this event again this spring!” To remain aware of the various fundraisers, special events and opportunities to serve or to support the services of SEA, be sure to follow Shelby Emergency Assistance on Facebook. AC
2020 SEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OFFICERS: • Jim Hicks, President Airport Marine, Sales • Amiee Mellon, PhD., Vice President Assistant Professor of Marketing, Univ. of Montevallo • Charlene Robb Tucker, Secretary Alabama Power Company • Jeffrey Purvis, Treasurer Director of Operations, A.C. Legg, Inc. • Tim Alexander, Immediate Past President Police Chief, Univ. of Montevallo Police Dept.
BOARD MEMBERS: • Jasmine Burden Teacher, Calera Intermediate School • Susan Lehman Team Lehman / KW Realty • Martha McMinn Retired RN, Shelby Baptist Medical Center • Adele Nelson, Sponsor Coordinator Montevallo Chamber of Commerce • Bobby J. Pierson Retired, SCBOE • Emily Vonbartheld Engagement Consultant Daxko In 2019 SEA provided assistance for 2,166 individuals. 269 (12%) were from Alabaster.
Specific services provided in 2019 included: • Power Bill Assistance provided - 492 individuals • Food Assistance provided - 1,370 individuals • Provided Rent/Housing Assistance - 24 individuals • Financial Assistance with Doctor Visit - 67 individuals • Financial Assistance with Dental Visit - 80 individuals • Financially Assisted with filling 101 prescriptions • Provided 77 parenting education classes for teens • Provided Project Christmas assistance for 249 children • Provided School supplies for 108 children • Provided 1,879 Information and Referral services
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CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT: LARRY CRAWLEY
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lthough Larry and Jeanie Crawley are native North Carolinians, after finishing their educations, they found a home for their family in Shelby County. As 25-year residents of Alabaster, the couple is proud to have the opportunity to give back to the community. After earning a degree in architecture from NC State, Larry attended Auburn University to attain a degree in civil engineering. He now works for the Army National Guard as the Deputy Division Chief for Design & Construction. A DAY IN THE LIFE In his professional role, Larry manages seven other engineers and architects and
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up to 11 external consulting architects and engineers. “I’m a design manager now and I end up basically having to figure out how to solve the problems that the others can’t. That’s what 30 years of experience will get you,” he joked. “It tends to be very busy,” he continued. “But what I enjoy about my career, is that I spent the first 15 years of it building churches. I felt like I was doing something worthwhile and something that had meaning. Now, over the last 10 years, I’ve been doing what was necessary to try to have the best facilities that we can have for the National Guardsmen in our state. I feel that contributing to the national defense is also something
that adds value to the community. That’s really the goal, and what I am most interested in doing.” MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT HOME Larry’s desire to improve the way things are reaches throughout the state, but also applies to everyday life in his own community. “Way back, when I first moved to Alabaster, I had aspired to be a part of the local governmental leadership. But at that time, the city council was not the open-minded and diverse city council that it is now,” he recalled. “There have been quite many improvements in our ▶
CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT city government over the years that I’ve been in Alabaster.” He appreciatively acknowledged that the community is fortunate to have a very progressive leader in Mayor Handlon, and applauds all the developments and positive changes that have occurred in the city over the years, “These are just some of the many reasons why we felt Alabaster was a wonderful place to stay and raise our family.” When Larry became aware of a possible opening coming up on the Planning & Zoning Commission, he threw his hat in the ring. “I am always interested in contributing to the community. With my educational and experiential background, it made sense.” His desire to serve was rewarded as he was recently appointed a seat at the table of the P&Z Commission. “Although I know we have some very capable subject matter experts advising us, hopefully with my background I can add to the conversation. I am looking forward to learning the parts and pieces of our city’s particular ways of handling planning and zoning.”
outweighs what individuals may have to give up with it. “What you gain is more uniformity. More control over what is built in certain areas such that it makes for a better overall city. You gain something that has some common sense involved regarding land uses adjoining other land uses. It makes sure you don’t end up with an industrial facility right next to a residential facility. Or a farm next to a school. Or end up with schools that are located away from neighborhoods where they should be. It makes decisions not only for the city but also for property values,” he explained.
“We are living in a society now that is so consumed with, ‘What’s in it for me?’ that a lot of people are not willing to actually do anything to make their own community better. I feel like we have an obligation to do that and I hope that I can be someone who can make a positive difference while I P&Z IN LAYMAN’S TERMS serve on the [Planning and When members of the community hear Zoning Commission] Board.” of the P&Z Commission, questions are -Larry Crawley often asked regarding what the members of the board do and how it directly affects individuals. Larry’s explanation is simple, “We’re a very independent sort as Americans, so most of us don’t like to be told what we can and can’t do, especially with land that we own. The Planning and Zoning Commission allows not only for our neighbor to be protected from us, but also protects us from our neighbor if someone is making a poor decision that would negatively affect one’s property value.” He feels that what the community gains with a P&Z Commission far
A DIFFERENCE-MAKING FAMILY The Crawleys have three children, all Thompson graduates: Lauren (28), is a Speech Therapist at a healthcare facility in the Hueytown area. She and her husband now live in Homewood.
Their middle child, Philip (24), is a civil engineer in Trussville. His wife works with the marching band at Thompson, and they recently purchased a house in Alabaster. William (21) is studying biology at Auburn University. Jeanie, a graduate of NC State, works for Shelby County Schools serving visually impaired students through the special needs department. Larry identifies himself as one of those men that has difficulty sitting around. He spends 13-hour days at work and in the time remaining, often chooses to also assist with local Boy Scout troops. “I was first involved as Scoutmaster with Troop 532 and then was the first Scoutmaster of Troop 2, both in Helena,” he proudly shared. “I’m an Eagle Scout, and so were both of my sons.” Now that his boys have both aged out of the Scouts program, Larry remains involved on a consulting and training level. “I believe that just as the Romans believed, that every citizen owes a debt back for their citizenship. I’ve always tried to operate under that, whether that looks like being involved with the men’s group or Emmaus ministry at church, or whether it’s the Scouts or trying to do something like the Planning & Zoning Commission. I feel like we all should be giving something back,” he encouraged. “We are living in a society now that is so consumed with, ‘What’s in it for me?’, that a lot of people are not willing to actually do anything to make their own community better. I feel like we have an obligation to do that and I hope that I can be someone who can make a positive difference while I serve on the Board.” AC
For more informartion about the City of Alabaster Planning and Zoning Department, visit: cityofalabaster.com/446/Planning-and-Zoning-Department cityofalabaster.com
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
BLAKE WILDER, BUILDING INSPECTOR
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lake Wilder, Alabaster’s newest employee, is excited to be doing what he loves. Working in construction. “I have been in building and construction since I was eight years old. Started going on construction sites with my dad when he was doing new construction. During summer and fall breaks I would be helping out, in simple ways, like sweeping floors. As I grew older, I started to paint trim, and when I was eleven or so I started to swing a hammer,” he shared. During his high school years, he really took the life-changing direction of pursuing construction to a new level. “I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I always liked construction and I decided to pursue it,” Wilder said. As he worked with his father, he took the tasks more seriously. “I focused more on the jobs when I was on a site with my dad. I spent more time learning more details with my dad and others I was around. I did more tasks and I fine-tuned my skills,” he recalled.
"I get to help make sure people’s homes don’t fall apart on them or burn down. In another sense, it lengthens the life expectancy of the house. People are living in a safe place. Not something that could be potentially hazardous to them." -Blake Wilder, City of Alabaster Building Inspector Wilder’s focus was drawn to what is commonly referred to in construction as “the trades.” This would include plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. “I noticed I was drawn more towards the other trades then just general construction. I started to pursue them to see if I wanted to be involved in them. I really enjoyed electrical. I finally got to where I was comfortable with it. I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect to electrical work,” Wilder shared. This led Wilder to pursue a career in electrical work. He has earned all the hours for a journeyman's license and plans to take the exam in the coming months. “My current role as a building inspector, with my diverse background, allows me to know and have a better understanding of how different trades work and how the specialists view their job. I have hands-on experience, which someone who just read the code books would not have. I have real world experience of how the codes apply,” explained Wilder. The move from performing the work to being an inspector of the work has been a transition for him. “From doing the work
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all the time to telling people what needs to be done has taken some getting used to. I am so used to the hands-on, as opposed to being in a position where I am advising someone what needs to be fixed. It is different,” Wilder remarked. This transition has been very rewarding. “I get to help make sure people’s homes don’t fall apart on them or burn down. In another sense, it lengthens the life expectancy of the house. People are living in a safe place. Not something that could be potentially hazardous to them." When he is not working, he likes to rock climb, kayak and hang out with his German Shepherd, Chaos. AC
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
How Sweet It Is
Deep South Cakes Company
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s the third generation of cake bakers, Shannon Rumley’s cake business began about 40 years ago with her grandmother. “My grandmother, Betty Bell Dial, started it all with a small bakery in York, Alabama called Bet’s Country Kitchen. She would take her cakes all around to craft shows each month and people knew her as the Caramel Cake Lady.” During that time, Shannon was just a young girl. She and her sister would tag along with their grandmother to sell the cakes, “Who knew I would be selling cakes myself now!”, she laughed.
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A FAMILY KITCHEN As Betty got older, her daughter – Shannon’s mom, Donna Dial – took the lead in the cake baking. She began a catering business called Southern Elegance. “I was always involved in the business and in the baking,” she recalled. “But as kids, we hated it! Cakes were always everywhere!” Shannon continued to help her mom all the way through college until 1999 when she married Bryan Rumley and moved to the Birmingham area. Now a 20-year Alabaster resident, about 13 years ago she opened her own business in the community called Our Daily Bread, Meals to Go. There, she cooked and served homemade meals and also sold cakes in the store. “After giving birth to my daughter in 2010, I closed the shop and became a stay-at-home mom,” she continued. “It was ▶
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT then that I went completely back to my roots and began baking cakes full-time again. Now, 10 years later, I finally decided to open my own shop here in Alabaster.” DEEP SOUTH CAKE CO. Deep South Cake Company officially opened on Thursday, November 21, 2019. It is located in the Southbrook Shopping Village at 438 1st Street SW. The shop is open for walk-in business every Wednesday-Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. “If you are needing a cake on a day we are closed, you can reach out to me through Facebook or on the phone. I am usually at the shop baking for my orders and would be glad to unlock the door so you can get a cake!” She is proud to always have fresh cakes and cake slices ready and available, often including decadent flavors like caramel, chocolate, red velvet, carrot, and chocolate Oreo. She also takes special requests and makes wedding cakes and grooms cakes. Cake prices range from $22-$40. BAKING UP A DELICIOUS BUSINESS On an average week, Shannon bakes approximately 75 cakes. Although she doesn’t really remember the first cake she ever made, she confidently points to her caramel cake as the flavor she always makes the most of! “This year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we baked around 1,400 caramel cakes!” Her cakes have been featured in Southern Bride Magazine and are in high demand throughout the state! “My business is growing as a cake distributor. That is the main reason why I decided to find a commercial space so that I could grow my business.” Now sold and served to various restaurants and shops around Alabama, the cakes can be found locally at Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken and throughout the state at Big Mike’s Steakhouses. They are also available at the Cajun Cleaver and at her parents’ restaurant, called Diamond Jim’s and Mrs. Donna’s. “We are looking for more businesses to partner with us so please reach out if you would like more information,” she encouraged. STIRRING UP THE LOVE Right now, Shannon has one of her best friends, Terri Peerson, working with her as a stay-at-home mom now turned cake baker! “My nieces also like to help me out at the shop when they can,” she added. For the bakers, it is fun to be a part of their customers’ lives, even if in just a small way. One of the highlights is often experienced when they go grocery shopping. “So many people want to stop and talk to me about what’s in my buggy! So, I use it as a time to just talk and share my story, and it usually leads into getting a story back from them – I just love it!” AC
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AROUND TOWN
ALABASTER WATER GROUNDBREAKING EVENT
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labaster’s water board is excited to break ground on their new facility. The 18,400 square foot building will house the administration offices, customer service center, workshop and trading facilities. The new building is conveniently located on Kent Farms Way behind the Alabaster Post Office. This new space will replaces the current administrative offices in highway 31 and a workshop. This facility will allow the water board to better serve the community by featuring several amenities the current locate lacks. Such as additional parking, and a drive thru payment option. When it is completed in the summer of 2021 it will completely replaces the two facilities the water board currently utilizes.
THE ALABASTER PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT NEEDS YOUR HELP! Alabaster’s Parks and Recreation department is looking for your input! This brief survey will allow the city to know what you like, don’t like and would like to see started in the City of Alabaster’s parks, recreation programs and facilities. Even if you do not currently utilize any of our current parks or programs, we still need your input. Please complete this short survey to help guide city leaders in establishing priorities for the future and the growth of our community. www.surveymonkey.com/r/Alabaster_Parks Scan the image above with a QR reader on your phone to link directly to the survey.
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AROUND TOWN
PEOPLE AGAINST A LITTERED STATE PALS 2020 RECYCLED ART CONTEST No set theme, so get CREATIVE and ORIGINAL!! GUIDELINES: • GRADES: 7th-12th • ART PIECE composition considerations / suggestions: • May work alone or with one friend • A piece may be 2-D or 3-D and any size, as long as it can be easily moved. • Art must be made entirely of materials that are eligible for recycling or that would be otherwise considered trash, except for a small number of fastening materials such as screws, bolts, wire, welding, glue, tape and twine. • Pieces will be judged on originality, visual impact, overall design, and craftsmanship. • AWARD RECOGNITION FOR 1st, 2nd, 3rd place
PALS 2020 POSTER CONTEST GUIDELINES: • GRADES: K-3 / 4-6th (two categories) • THEME: “Litter just isn’t normal in 2020”. • Standard White Poster or Foam Board (Maybe split in half) • All mediums acceptable • Posters will be judged on clarity of theme, age-appropriate neatness, originality, overall design and inclusion of helpful information or tips. • AWARD RECOGNITION FOR 1ST, 2ND, 3RD place
LOCAL JUDGING: April 21, 2020 (Beautification Board will deliver winning artwork to the state for judging.)
STATE JUDGING: April 24, 2020, and announcements of winners by May 15. State winners will be recognized at Governor’s Awards Luncheon in November.
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he City of Alabaster is excited to announce the dates for its annual Clean Sweep events. April 18, 2020, we will host the E-cycle and ShredIt Event at the former Thompson Intermediate School from 8 a.m.-Noon. April 25, 2020, volunteer litter groups will be assigned to multiply roadways to clean up litter. They will have police security for protection as they walk along the side of the roadways, as well as supplies provided. Along with the Alabaster Beautification Board, we are working to educate our students by offering them a chance to be selected for the State of Alabama Pals Art Contest.
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CALENDAR
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
YA YA YARNERS
ADULT COMPUTER CLASSES -
February 3, 10, 17, & 24. 5:30 pm.
Call or come by to sign up. 205-664-6822.
If you would like more information concerning programs, please contact the Library at 664-6822.
FEBRUARY Feb. 3 Council 7 p.m. Feb. 4 Water Board Meeting 7 p.m. Feb. 5 Trial Day Feb. 12 Plea Dockets 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. Feb. 17 Council 7 p.m. Feb. 26 Plea Dockets 9 a.m. & 2 p.m.
All meetings are held at 1953 Municipal Way in the Council Chamber. View full calendar, agendas and resolutions at www.cityofalabaster.com.
LIBRARY The Albert L. Scott Library is located at 100 9th Street N.W., Alabaster. Mon., Tue. and Thu.: 9 am - 7:50 pm Wednesday: 10 am - 5:50 pm Friday: 9 am - 5:50 pm
Available by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the meeting room. Call or come by the Albert L. Scott Library to sign up. 664-6822.
the needles or hooks and yarn and a pattern. If you already have a project under way bring it along to work on. We also do community projects such as hats for service members, lap blankets, prayer shawls and many other things, plus we have a really good time. We hope you will join us! For more information please call the library at 205-664-6822 or email Carol Smith at csmith@shelbycounty-al.org. Program takes place in the meeting room.
Saturday: 10 am - 4:50 pm Sunday: 1 pm - 4:50 pm
FREE AARP TAX AIDE February through early April.
Monday evenings from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. The Ya Ya Yarners are meeting at the Albert L. Scott Library now! Do you knit or crochet? Would you like to learn how? If so, we have a group for you… the Ya Ya Yarners! We will teach you if you don’t know how. We will start you with one of two simple projects. We will supply
February 5. 2 pm.
Learn the basics of formatting and creating spreadsheets.
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MICROSOFT EXCEL 2013
cityofalabaster.com
Each office is independently owned and operated.
CALENDAR MICROSOFT PUBLISHER 2013 February 12. 2 pm.
Learn how to create brochures, programs and other graphic based documents.
GOOGLE APPS February 19. 2 pm.
This class is designed to teach you how to use all of the Google apps available to you with a Google account and hopefully keep you better organized. This class will cover Google Drive (file storage), Google Docs (free word processor), Google Forms (create online forms), Google Maps, and Google Calendar as well as a few other helpful apps. Need to have a Gmail/Google account.
ABC & DS OF MEDICARE
tells Alabama’s story through its historic tower clocks and bells. From its earliest history through the Civil Rights movements, the bells of Alabama have rung out in remembrance of the state’s solemn and sacred moments. Kaufmann will ask listeners to consider the historic significance of bells and the need for their preservation. Mr. Kaufmann is the Library Supervisor of the Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science Library at Tuskegee University. Copies of his book, Historic Alabama Bells, are available for purchase through amazon.com. Refreshments provided by the Albert L. Scott Friends of the Library. Program takes place in the meeting room.
February 10. 1 pm.
LIBRARY BOOK GROUP
Karen Haiflich of the Medicare Information Source will help you navigate through the process of Medicare. Learn about filing, benefits, and any other questions you might have. Program takes place in the meeting room.
February 20. 7 pm.
MAKE & TAKE SWEET HEART PIN February 12 & 14. 3 pm through closing.
Pop in and create a Valentine’s Day themed pin for a special someone or just for yourself.
MARDI GRAS MASK MAKING February 13. 5:30 – 7 pm.
We will have everything you need to make a fabulous mask for the Mardi Gras season. We will have King Cake and whoever gets the baby will win a NOLA themed prize! Call or come by the Albert L. Scott Library to sign up. 664-6822. Program takes place in the meeting room.
CAKE & CULTURE February 16. 2 pm.
Historic Tower Clocks and Bells of Alabama – Join us as architectural historian and preservationist Thomas Kaufmann
Join us to discuss The Hello Girls: America's First Women Soldiers by Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman. In 1918, the U.S. Army Signal Corps sent 223 women to France at General Pershing's explicit request. They were masters of the latest technology: the telephone switchboard. While suffragettes picketed the White House and President Wilson struggled to persuade a segregationist Congress to give women of all races the vote, these courageous young women swore the army oath and settled into their new roles. Elizabeth Cobbs reveals the challenges they faced in a war zone where male soldiers wooed, mocked, and ultimately celebrated them. Program takes place in the meeting room.
LIBRARY YOUTH EVENTS TODDLER TALES Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
SENSORY STORY TIME 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m.
OUTREACH STORY TIME Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m.
At area day care centers
HOMESCHOOL HAPPENING: BLACK SCIENTISTS WITH THE BURKS February 3 from 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
This Black History Month program features science educators Winfield and Elinor Burks who believe in the hands-on approach. They have presented several programs for us and more than 60 programs in the metro area. During this session they will spotlight black scientists and guide students as they apply methods. Students in kindergarten through grade 12 can sign up at the library or by calling 205.664.6822. Kids under age 7 must be with an adult. Meets in the meeting room.
LEGO LEAGUE February 4 from 6 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
Youngsters of all ages can play with Legos of all sizes. Kids under age 7 must be with an adult. Meets in the meeting room.
PETE THE CAT BOOK CLUB VALENTINE’S DAY EDITION
MEDICARE 101
February 11 at 6 p.m.
February 27. 6 pm.
Boys and girls 5 years old and older can join in the fun of cool cats, reading, and making Valentine cards during our meeting. Please sign up at the library or call 205.664.6822. Meets in the meeting room. Kids under age 7 must be with an adult.
A fun and informative class to learn what to expect with Medicare and how to ask the right questions. Perfect for anyone wanting to learn about their Medicare options. Presented by Eric Smith, the founder of Medicare Advisors of Alabama.
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CALENDAR AMERICAN GIRLS CLUB February 14 at 4 p.m.
Girls age 7 and older can enter history by taking part in an American Girls reader’s theatre, “Friendship and Freedom: A Play about Addy.” No memorizing. The play is about Addy who has escaped from slavery in 1864. Girls who aren’t actors can be in the audience – and so can their dolls and family members. All children in the audience under age 7 must be with an adult. Sign up for the fun at the library or by calling 205.664.6822! Meets in the meeting room.
WORDPLAY
PARKS AND REC
Alabaster Parks and Recreation offers a variety of youth sports and a couple of adult programs, along with several community events throughout the year. Additionally, they oversee pavilion rentals for all City parks. The Parks and Recreation Office is located at 7305 Hwy. 119, Alabaster. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. If you would like more information concerning Parks and Recreation programs, please contact the Office at 205-664-6840 or parksandrec@cityofalabaster.com.
February 18 at 6 p.m.
Writers and artists age 11 to 18 years old can share their talents and ideas. Whether it is poetry, short stories, scripts, songs, drawings or books talented tweens and teens can sign up at the library or by calling 205.664.6822. Meets in the meeting room.
READALICIOUS BOOK CLUB February 21 at 4 p.m.
Calling all Pinkalicious fans! In this session we’ll read Pinkalicious and Planet Pink, talk about it, do something artsy, and play games. Kids 5 to 9 years old can sign up at the library or by calling 205.664.6822. Kids under age 7 must be with an adult. Meets in the meeting room.
FAMILY FUN NIGHT: BLACK HISTORY IS NO MYSTERY
STAY INFORMED BY EMAIL If you would like to receive emails from Parks and Recreation regarding registrations and events, you can sign up by going to www.alabasterparks.org and scrolling down the page to the SIGN UP link. The only required information is your name and email address. NOTE: We cannot accept Checks as a method of payment. Please be prepared to pay for any fees with Cash, Debit, Visa, Master Card, or Discover.
ARBOR DAY TREE GIVEAWAY • 140 trees and seedlings will be given away at no charge on Saturday, February 29, at Veterans Park in the Maintenance Shop. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. Tree distribution will begin at 9 a.m.
February 25 at 6 p.m.
Step into the footsteps of athletes, inventors, an artist, a chef, and others during this hands-on evening. Look, listen, and learn, create and taste. It’s best for families with children in kindergarten and above. Please sign up at the library or by calling 205.664.6822. All kids must be with an adult. Meets in the meeting room.
START SMART BASEBALL • February 10 (Mon.) – 8:00 a.m.: Registration will begin for Start Smart Baseball at the Alabaster Parks & Recreation office located in Veterans Park. • Registration will close out once 20 children have registered, or at 5:00 p.m. on February 21 (Fri.), whichever occurs first. The fee is $90 (plus 10%
for non-residents). • The program is designed for children ages 3 and 4 as of April 30, 2020. • It is a six-week program with emphasis on fundamentals. The six-week sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. beginning April 7 and ending May 12. There will be a game and pizza/ cupcake party on May 16 (Sat.) at 10:00 a.m. • Registration must be done in person at the Parks and Recreation office. • Birth Certificate copies are required for new participants.
BASEBALL/SOFTBALL • February 10 (Mon.) – Fields open for Baseball and Girls’ Softball practices.
SOCCER • February 10 (Mon.) – Fields open for Soccer practices.
ADULT SOFTBALL REGISTRATION • Registration for teams (not individuals) will begin on March 2. It will end at 5:00 p.m. on March 31 at the Alabaster Parks and Recreation office located in Veterans Park. It will end online at www.alabasterparks.org on March 31 at 11:00 p.m.
PAVILIONS FOR RENT • Online Pavilion Rentals – available at www.alabasterparks.org • Several of our City Parks offer pavilions for events such as picnics, family reunions and birthday parties. The best way to ensure your event happens at the location of your choice is to reserve it early. • Please do not send out invitations listing one of our parks as the event location before you have secured a pavilion through Parks and Recreation. The pavilion you plan on using may not be available. cityofalabaster.com
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CALENDAR • Pavilions are available for use by permit only. There is a $40 rental fee (no checks accepted) which must be paid before your reservation is complete. • Note: Inflatables, charcoal grills, and piñatas are not allowed in any of the City parks. Please see our web site for a complete list of rules. • All open picnic tables (those not under a covering) are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis.
SENIOR CENTER
The Alabaster Senior Center, which is operated by the Alabaster Parks and Recreation Department, offers a variety of programs and services for individuals 55 years of age and older who live in Shelby County. The Senior Center is located at 1097 – 7th Street S.W., Alabaster. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. If you would like more information concerning Senior programs, please contact the Alabaster Senior Center at 205-663-1307 or belder@cityofalabaster.com.
JANUARY ACTIVITIES: SIGN UP FOR MARCH CLASSES/TRIPS February 3 - 8:10 a.m.
UAB EYECARE (FREE EYE EXAMS) February 4 - 9:00-11:30 a.m.
SINGO WITH KINDRED HOSPICE February 4 - 11:45 a.m.
BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS WITH SOUTHERN CARE CLANTON/SUNCREST February 5 - 10:00 a.m.
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BINGO W/ INTERIM HEALTHCARE
ARTHRITIS EXERCISE PROGRAM
February 7 - 11:45 a.m.
Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
MOVIE MADNESS
Helps alleviate pain and stiffness, maintain range of motion, improve balance and coordination, increase endurance and overall health. This is a seated class with health tips given on steps you can take to healthier living. Space is limited. $2.00/class.
February 11 - 9:00 a.m.
BISCUITS AND TEA WITH JIM N NICKS February 14 - 9:15 a.m.
STRETCHING YOUR BRAIN WITH STACY February 18 -11:45 a.m.
PENNY AUCTION WITH KINDRED AT HOME February 24 -12:00 p.m.
GROUP FITNESS CLASSES OFFERED AT THE ALABASTER SENIOR CENTER:
ARTHRITIS & MORE Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
This class is designed for those seeking to improve or maintain their mobility, muscle strength and functional ability. This class will include a variety of exercises working from head to toe while sitting and standing. $2.00/class.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS LINE DANCING
GENTLE YOGA
Thursdays from 9:15 a.m.-10:05 a.m.
Tuesdays from 1:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
For dancers with some prior Line Dance experience. High beginner and intermediate dances will be taught with more complicated steps and at a faster pace. Students may move up to this class when they feel they are ready. Space is limited. $2.00/class.
Combines traditional/modified yoga postures and breathing techniques. Come improve your overall health through understanding your body better and leave feeling refreshed and reenergized. Gentle movement is modified to allow the class to be completed by a standing or seated participant; all levels of fitness are welcome. Mats are provided. Space is limited. $2.00/class.
FACIAL YOGA (NEW) Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. (30 min) and 2:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m. (30 min)
As you age your facial muscles lose their memory. We will be working on facial exercise, massage, acupressure, relaxation and well being. It is never too late to smooth and tone your supporting facial muscles. We will be focusing on all areas of the face including forehead, eyes, cheeks, mouth, jaw and neck. $1.00/class.
BEGINNER CLASS LINE DANCING Thursdays from 10:10 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
For students, new to Line Dancing. Several easy beginner dances will be taught in each class. Instruction will proceed at an easy pace and repetition will be emphasized. Appropriate supportive shoes should be worn such as tennis shoes, boots and flats. High heels and backless shoes are not appropriate. Safety is a priority. Space is limited. $2.00/class.
GENTLE YOGA Thursdays from 2:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Combines traditional/modified yoga postures and breathing techniques.
CALENDAR Come improve your overall health through understanding your body better and leave feeling refreshed and reenergized. Gentle movement is modified to allow the class to be completed by a standing or seated participant; all levels of fitness are welcome. Mats are provided. Space is limited. $2.00/class.
ZUMBA GOLD Thursdays from 12:30 p.m.-1:20 p.m. (50 min)
The design of the class introduces easy to follow Zumba choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to sweat and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong! $2.00/class.
MOVIN’ & GROOVIN’ Fridays from 9:30 a.m.-10:20 a.m. (50 min)
Focuses on stretching, cardio, light weights and having fun! All taught to music! Learn safe ways to improve muscles to make everyday activities easier. Emphasis is on improving and maintaining overall health from head to toe. You won’t want to miss this class. Space is limited. $2.00/class.
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COUNCIL MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES (ABRIDGED) Unabridged version of minutes and resolutions/ordinances can be found on the city webpage at www.cityofalabaster.com. DECEMBER 12, 2019
Absent: Sophie Martin (1), Kerri Pate (7) A quorum was present.
Agenda Items:
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1.Resolution 120219 Authorizing an Agreement with Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co. for Mandatory Insurance for Firefighters Required by Alabama ACT 2019-361 Motion Passed Unanimously 2.Resolution 120219-A Authorize the Mayor to Sign Contract with Safety Environmental Laboratories and Consulting, Inc Motion Passed Unanimously 3.Resolution 120219-B Utility Tractor and Mower for Public Works Department Purchase Through State Bid List Motion Passed Unanimously 4.Resolution 120219-C Alabaster Fire Department Turn Out Gear Purchase Through HGAC Purchasing Cooperative Motion Passed Unanimously 5.Resolution 120219-D Authorizing Advertising with Shelby County Reporter to Honor Thompson Warrior Football Championship Motion Passed Unanimously 6.Resolution 120219-E Authorizing Mayor to Sign Contract Related to Tenant Improvements for Alabaster Administration Building Motion Passed Unanimously cityofalabaster.com
7.Resolution 120219-F Authorizing the Payment of Compensation for the City of Alabaster Justice Center Motion Passed Unanimously
Council Member Comments: A Work Session was scheduled for Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 6:00 PM. SAID MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:19 PM DECEMBER 16, 2019
Absent: Scott Breakfield (6) A quorum was present.
Mayor’s Report Proclamation January 2020 is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Agenda Items: 1.Resolution 121619 Authorizing a Lease Agreement with Alabama Power for 9 Safety Lights Located at the Senior Center and 1 Power Pole Located at the Water Tower Motion Passed Unanimously 2.Resolution 121619-A Authorize Purchase of Equipment for the Parks & Recreation Department Motion Passed Unanimously 3.Resolution 121619-B Authorizing Medical Clinic Board Bond Issuance Motion Passed Unanimously 4.Resolution 121619-C Authorizing Tower Purchase
for Expansion of the AIRS Public Safety Radio System within the City of Alabaster Motion Passed Unanimously 5.Resolution 121619-D Agreement with ALDOT for Veterans Park Entrance Relocation, Additional Turn Lanes and Safety Improvements Motion Passed Unanimously 6.Resolution 121619-F Authorizing Advertising Agreement with Shelby County Reporter Motion Passed Unanimously 7.Resolution 121619-G Authorizing Mayor to Sign to waive Certain Building Permits and Fees for the Alabaster Water Board Motion Passed Unanimously 8.Resolution 012020 Affirming Recommendation from Alabaster Housing Abatement Board to Demolish Structure Located at 965 Simmsville Rd. Motion Passed Unanimously 9.Ordinance 20-93 Pre-Zoning request for property under contract by Racetrac Petroleum, Inc to B-3 Commercial Business District Motion Passed Unanimously Ordinance 19-92 Amending Section 10527(a) of the Alabaster Code of Ordinances (2015) and Updating Various New Codes relating to Inspection Activities of the City of Alabaster, Alabama, and Enforcement of Life Safety Provisions as
Provided in Said Codes. Motion Passed Unanimously 10.Ordinance 19-92 012020 Amending Section 10527(a) of the Alabaster Code of Ordinances (2015) and Updating Various New Codes relating to Inspection Activities of the City of Alabaster, Alabama, and Enforcement of Life Safety Provisions as Provided in Said Codes Motion Passed Unanimously Said meeting adjourned at 7:24 PM.
BEAUTIFICATION BOARD There is an opening for a volunteer on the Alabaster Beautification Board. Application can be made by going to the City’s website: Departments, Boards & Commissions, beauty@ cityofalabaster.com.
Sign up for FREE bank draft for a chance to win a
$50 Amazon gift card. Enter February 1 – February 29
For more information and to sign up, visit: www.alabasterwater.com
Jon Kelton
IRT-4395D-A
Financial Advisor
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
6919 Hwy 119 Suite 300 Alabaster, AL 35007 205-621-0888
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CITY COUNCIL SOPHIE MARTIN, WARD 1 506-8961 martin@cityofalabaster.com
CITY OF ALABASTER 1953 Municipal Way Alabaster, AL 35007 www.cityofalabaster.com 664-6800 MARTY HANDLON, MAYOR 664-6831 handlon@cityofalabaster.com
RICK ELLIS, WARD 2 ellis@cityofalabaster.com STACY RAKESTRAW, WARD 3 529-3326 rakestraw@cityofalabaster.com GREG FARRELL, WARD 4 farrell@cityofalabaster.com
RUSSELL BEDSOLE, WARD 5 205-229-6021 bedsole@cityofalabaster.com SCOTT BRAKEFIELD, PRESIDENT, WARD 6 205-915-4439 brakefield@cityofalabaster.com KERRI PATE, WARD 7 965-8300 pate@cityofalabaster.com
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 48 ALABASTER, AL
POSTAL PATRON
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