The Official Publication of the City of Alabaster
September 2014
2014
Homecoming
Inside this issue...
Tying together our communities and schools
Backpack Buddies page 8 Thompson High School All Stars page 16
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From the Mayor’s Desk... Happy Labor Day! After almost a month of adjusting to structured school schedules, I hope everyone will enjoy the long weekend, taking advantage of Alabaster’s retail specials and the start of football season on the new SEC channel. It is the talk of the town, among college football fans! On August 16th, the Alabaster Teen Council hosted the first annual Teen Fest. I believe it was a great success! Our teenagers gathered for a fun filled afternoon and evening, and there were no incidences which required the attention of our public safety workers! I want to commend the Teen Council members for their dedication and hard work in making this event happen for their peers. It was a great learning experience for each of them in salesmanship, planning, organizing, Marty Handlon Mayor, City of Alabaster and project management. As with any first time project, these young organizers already have ideas to build on this experience, yielding an even better event for Alabaster teens next year! We want to thank Full Moon Bar-B-Que for being the title sponsor for the first Alabaster Teen Fest and giving away almost 400 free sack meals to participants. We also want to thank the following participating sponsors: APH Radio & Gene Rowley, Alabaster Arts Council, Alabaster YMCA, Cool Box, Press Start, Warehouse 31, Alabaster Reporter, and BOE Member Ty Quarles. Each of these community businesses, organizations - and residents played a vital role in making this event successful. And, congratulations to the winners of the Talent Show Competition! We have some very talented teenagers among us! At the August 18thCity Council meeting, nine residents were appointed to the new and improved Alabaster Beautification Board: Donna Morris, Jamia Alexander-Williams, Cheryl Hutcheson, Bobby Price, Randi Dicus, Don Botta, Amanda Pearce, Marie Jordan, and Christine Carr. The board shall study, investigate, develop, and propose plans for improving the health, sanitation, safety, and cleanliness of the city by beautifying the streets, highways, alleys, lots, yards, and other similar places. The board will recommend those plans to city officials and promote public interest in the improvement of the appearance of our city. I want to thank each of these residents for their interest and dedication to building pride in and around the city. I look forward to their impact on our community. During the month of September, we will be finishing this year’s paving projects. Please be mindful of these areas for traffic issues and the protection of your vehicles. September is also Gynecologic Cancer Awareness month, and all are encouraged to become educated about the symptoms and risk factors of gynecologic cancer. I want to thank resident, Cathy Moore, and the GYN Cancer CanSurvive Support Group for bringing more awareness to the fourth largest killer of women in the U.S. In recognition of the need for awareness, we will see teal lights all around our city and county during the month of September. Mothers, daughters, and sisters—please get your appropriate cancer screenings. Blessings
Official Publication of the City of Alabaster Alabaster Connection is published monthly and it 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 Councilman Rick Walters Councilwoman Stacy Rakestraw Editor Luke Camara, me2graphics, LLC Contributors Shana Camara Heather Leavell Asha Ashley We welcome your comments and suggestions. Call 447-2214 or email luke@me2graphics.com
To advertise call 447-2214
1953 Municipal Way Alabaster, AL 35007 ©2014 City of Alabaster
Additional Calendar Information fire hydrant testing The Alabaster Fire Department will be conducting necessary fire hydrant flow testing to verify available fire flow and confirm fire hydrants are in good working order. Testing will be conducted in the following areas during the months of September and October: September: Along and off Highway 31, along and off Highway 68, along and off Simmsville Road and Old Highway 31, Promenade shopping centers, South Forty subdivision, along and off Highway 87. For more information visit www.facebook.com/ alabasterfire
YMCA 5th QUARTER PARTIES Calling all students grades 9-12! Keep the good times rolling on Friday nights with your friends! September 12th, 19th, 26th October 10th, 24th 9:00 p.m. - Midnight For more information, contact Rhonda Elmore at 663-7240
ARCA Family Fun Day / Member Swap Meet Saturday, September 13 | ARCA at Limestone Park For members, immediate family that live in your household, and special guests. For more information, contact Bob Anderson at rcnxs@yahoo.com or 205-568-2886
Non-Emergency City Numbers Police 24-Hours 663-7401 Alabaster Water Board 663-6155 Fire Department 664-6818 Cover photo: ECCS/ECS’s Tyler Byrd and Annie Hoge; KCS Mascot’s VictorWebster; THS’s Zach Brammer and Yantasia Thomas.
cityofalabaster.com 3
CO u n c i l C o m m e n t s
Scott Brakefield, Ward 6 City Council President
Greetings! I hope all of you are doing well. The dog days of August are behind us, and hopefully we will see some cooler temperatures soon. With the transition to fall, comes one of my favorite times of year - football season! By the time you read this, the THS Warriors will be two games into the season. This year brings a challenging move to 7A and a very difficult schedule. You will only have four opportunities to catch the Warriors at home this year, and those dates are: September 19th, October 10th, 24th and 30th. I encourage you to come out and support the Warriors. Outside of CityFest and the Christmas Parade, home football games are the largest gathering of Alabaster residents. If you can make just one home game this year, I would like to encourage you to attend the September 19th game versus Hoover. This will be a rededication of Larry Simmons Stadium, as the field and the stadium have seen significant upgrades thanks to Alabaster City Schools (ACS). These upgrades were long overdue and will reflect a more positive image to our visitors from other school systems. Speaking of ACS, what a great start back to school! I heard nothing but positive things as our students started year number two of Alabaster City Schools. It was impressive to see our ACS Board Members and much of the Central Office Staff in each of our schools checking on the students, faculty, and staff. I hope to see you at a game this fall! Go Warriors!
Sophie Martin, Ward 1
Ward 1 has grown by more than 400 new residents since Saddle Lake Farm residents voted to annex into the City of Alabaster. I look forward to serving the residents of this new addition to our city. Welcome! Two new businesses recently opened up in Ward 1 at the corner of Highway 11 and Weatherly Club Drive: Studio Vive and Lj’s Boutique. It’s great to see more small businesses opening up around Alabaster. Be sure to stop by, 4 cityofalabaster.com
pay them a visit, and find out what they are all about! School is back in session, and by now the new school year is well underway. Please try and find time to volunteer to help our local teachers. Volunteers are always welcome to read to the children, work in the library, and even make copies at work. We appreciate everything our teachers, administration, and central office staff do for our children! If you have any ideas or comments for Ward 1, or our city, please feel free to contact me at 358-8742 or 441-0698. Blessings, Sophie
Bob Hicks, Ward 2
Year two of Alabaster City Schools kicked off with a roar. The ACS Foundation was started to actively endorse academics in our schools. The BOE deserves kudos for creating such an innovative way to remind us that we need to support all of our students - whatever their gifts. I am ecstatic about the upgrades that are continuing to happen, and the Larry Simmons stadium has not looked that good for as far back as I can remember. Every part of the community experience that IS Alabaster City Schools shows more and more promise, daily. Please, please, go to a game, attend a concert, take in a Scholar’s Bowl event, attend a fundraiser... just do whatever you can for our kids. They deserve it. There has been much conversation over the past few years about an ordinance controlling people parking in their yards. I have wrestled with this problem for a decade myself, trying my best to evolve legislation that would be equally fair to all residents of Alabaster. It is just difficult to equally monitor people with two car garages and a long driveway versus those in a town home with barely enough room for two cars on the driveway and three or more drivers in the household. To encourage parking on the street in the second situation flies in the face of logic, since public safety teams need the roads clear to do their jobs. But allowing people to park in their yards allows fluids to seep into the ground and pollute our ground water. We are working on this issue now and hope to resolve it shortly. Finally, take time over Labor Day to give thanks to those who put their shoulders to the wheel in the development of our country. It was no easy job... Grace and peace, Bob
Stacy Rakestraw, Ward 3
The Alabaster Main Street Medical Mile was launched this past spring in an effort to promote our large medical community along Hwy 31, in downtown Alabaster. Soon we will launch the official Main Street Medical Mile website and have print materials to market our medical community to surrounding areas. Another goal of the Medical Mile is to update and help revitalize our downtown area. We are continually looking for ways to increase economic development. If you see a need that our community has, please email me
your suggestions. Alabaster has a trade area of 160,000 people. Many of you ask about big retail chains such as Sam’s, Kohl’s, or Hobby Lobby. They are all still on the radar, but for example, Sam’s likes to put stores in cities with a trade area of about 200,000. As we continue to grow, more doors of opportunity will open for us. I want to thank Jeffrey Chupp from Ward 3 and the other volunteers on the Alabaster Abatement Board. They spend a lot of time helping our Building Safety department and property owners find resolutions to safety concerns in the city.
Rick Walters, Ward 4
As the seasons change so does our community. From a new football field, press box, and soccer field surface to the commercial additions of Panda Express and Aldi Supermarket, Alabaster is on the move again. The Alabaster City School Board of Education says it hopes to close on the new school property this fall and begin construction shortly thereafter. I am impressed with what has been done to the existing football stadium and look forward to the improvements planned for the other facilities. Weather permitting, we also hope to complete the numerous paving projects approved earlier this spring. Construction on the Thompson Road widening project is moving again. Water lines will have to be relocated to make way for the new bridge over Buck Creek as well as the realignment of Warrior Drive and Thompson Road. A left turn lane from Thompson Road onto Warrior should help traffic flow for everyone. Every effort will be made to minimize the disruption of traffic flow during construction, and we ask for your continued patience until the project is completed in the spring of 2015. I hope you enjoyed the Labor Day holiday and thank you for the opportunity to serve our community. Keep in Touch!
Russell Bedsole, Ward 5
Greetings again, as another new school year is in full swing. I am sure our students are already counting the days until Christmas break. Let’s hope that all our schools in our city have a fantastic year! During the month of August, the residents of Saddle Lake Farms voted to annex into our city. For so long these residents have very much been a part of our city by shopping, serving, worshiping, and playing sports in our city. Now they can officially call themselves citizens of Alabaster. Welcome to you and to the others who have recently requested to be a part of our city through annexation! On the topic of annexation, we in leadership have been engaged in a process of listening to any groups or individuals, whose property is outside the corporate limits of our city, who wish to discuss annexation into Alabaster. As these requests come before us, we diligently consider how the growth of our city will impact those who are already a part of Alabaster. From public works to public safety, the question is asked, “Will further growth of our city negatively impact the service we provide our citizens?” I am confident any recent growth has only strengthened our city and continued to make Alabaster the best place to live in Shelby County! As Alabaster City Schools continue their achievements at such a phenomenal pace, I expect to see more requests to join our city. Please tell me your thoughts on recent growth to our city or your desires for growth to Alabaster. Email me at bedsole@cityalabaster. com or on twitter @RussellBedsole
Tommy Ryals, Ward 7
I’m often asked about the status of the City Center property. If you recall, this 111 acre parcel is located over the hill from the Burger King on Hwy 119. It’s still there - lake and all. You can’t tell by looking, but we have access off 119. Pre-2008, our plan was to put a city hall building there and hopefully partner with a developer to build a “new downtown.” The plan was for it to expand from the lake over the hill to Hwy 31 and serve as an entrance to the city. The recession, of course, put that on hold. We had to have some room at City Hall, and the budget was tight. So, rather than have to pay to install that entire infrastructure (including water, sewer, and roads), we decided to build a city hall on the old Buck Creek Mill property. There are those of us who still feel the property is viable for some sort of mixed use “City Center.” The City obviously can’t pay to build the entire development. We have to partner with a developer, but the City needs to invest in the property to get it kick-started. Our investment could include a library, for example. Or, we could just sell it for offices and forget the city center concept. I’d like to hear your ideas. ryals@cityofalabaster.com cityofalabaster.com 5
happenings
Homecoming Thompson High School QB Zach Brammer, Cheerleader Yantasia Thomas, and Landen Franklin
Homecoming is many things to many people. It’s the trademark game which begins a head-to-head, competitive season filled with bragging rights, the daunting community service projects, and the ridiculously fun, animated papier-mâché floats. It is the thumbprint that identifies our schools and the commonality that ties the community and schools together. Kingwood Christian School “One thing that highlights our homecoming traditions is our giving back to the community,” said Principal Ruth Gray. “The students select a charity or project, and during homecoming week they raise money as a competition between the classes. The total amount that is raised is donated to that project.” Last year, KCS donated $3,000 to the Carly Chandler Foundation. “When we donated to the Carly Chandler Foundation, Carly’s mom and dad brought her to the stadium for the pep rally, following our parade, and we actually got to see and meet her,” continued the humbled principal. “The students were able to see who they were helping. When you give money to Red Cross or donate to clean water in India, all of those are great places we can contribute money too, but they are kind of abstract in a child’s mind.” Principal Gray noted that the students raised more money than usual last year because it was real to them. “They fell in love 6 cityofalabaster.com
with the cause, not just to have bragging rights.” Every homecoming week, the KCS traditions of fundraisers, pep rallies, parades, and spirit events unite the students and bring the community together. From the intense powder puff football games to alumni reunions, each year is more memorable than the next. “It’s one of the most fun, challenging, rewarding, memorable, and exhausting weeks of the year, but it’s well worth it in the end,” added Principal Gray, laughingly, as she relived each
“One thing that highlights our homecoming traditions is our giving back to the community.” -Principal Ruth Gray Kingwood Christian School beautiful memory. “It’s a special night. It requires a lot of work, and Saturday, when it’s over, you are exhausted!” Principal Gray spoke volumes about the work that the Headmaster and Educational Pastor, Benny Cunningham, and the supporting staff are doing to make each year better than the
last. She spoke, too, of the legacy that the founder, Pastor Ron Cox, gets to re-experience with his grandchildren. KCS vs. Cornerstone Christian School is October 3rd Evangel Classical Christian School “Our school has a relationship with the homeschool Evangel Christian School, also under the umbrella of our church, making homecoming both a joint and a separate event,” shared Principal Mellissa Bell regarding the especially unique homecoming tradition. “The first few years that we celebrated with ECS, we didn’t have any alumni to come home. We only had 9th grade.” ECCS is a “brick and mortar” school while ECS is a homeschool. ECS is home for the athletics department while ECCS offers in-classroom academia. This unique relationship is under the umbrella of Evangel Church PCA. Here you see separate entities working in harmony. “The big pep rally and the football game (held at Evangel Sports Complex) [include] both the homeschool students and the classical students,” she continued. “Instead of having a homecoming court presented at half-time, we present all of the seniors and their parents, from both schools.” The joint homecoming dance, sponsored by the cheerleaders from both schools, is where students announce the Homecoming Kings and Queens. “During homecoming week, we do the typical things that you think of,” continued Principal Bell about ECCS’s traditions. “Our kids compete at grade levels with dress up days, silly games, and door decorating contests.” ECCS students, 6th through 12th grades, are sorted into six houses – the days of creation. This “house system” is a mentoring program where older students mentor younger students and together compete for “house points.” Homecoming week is the only week that they compete by classes. “We’re tough academically. The kids are writing and defending senior thesis papers, [so] to just have a time to say, ‘And now we’re going outside to play a game,’ is a good thing,” she added with a laugh. “Everyone, including teachers and staff, participates. The trouble is getting them NOT to participate so extensively that they cannot function during the part of the day that is still reserved for classes.”
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ECCS/ECS, THS, and KCS pose at the goalpost at KCS football field.
Homeschool and Classical students look forward to homecoming because it’s an opportunity to exemplify the unique bond between the schools. “I think it’s important for the students to have opportunities at school to fellowship with one another, in a way outside of the classroom, and I love that homecoming brings our two schools together,” concluded Principal Bell with a smile. “It’s very different from any homecoming I know.” ECS/ECCS vs. Central Christian Lightning is September 19th
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Happenings
Thompson High School “It was my understanding that it has been 50 years or so since we’ve had a homecoming parade,” began THS Athletic Director Cara Crosslin about the newest homecoming tradition. “Since we’ve changed from the county to the city, I just thought it was important for us to do something for the community.” A themed week, filled with dress-up days and elaborate competitions, is just the prelude to a revived tradition that THS and the Alabaster community hope to continue for many years to come. “It’s a way to get the community involved with our new school system and get the kids involved in a parade that they’ve had before,” continued Crosslin. “Sure they’ve participated in the Alabaster Christmas Parade, but they haven’t really had anything for them at the high school level to celebrate homecoming and show the community how much pride they really have in their school.” The spirit committees will use this year’s theme to show the community what it means to have “Warrior Pride.” “[The parade] highlights all aspects of our school. Different clubs and organizations showed up to make floats,” excitedly interjected Michelle Holdbrooks, science teacher and homecoming sponsor. “You saw more than just what you would see at a homecoming pep rally. You saw more of a community celebration of all the aspects of Thompson and Alabaster City Schools.” Garnishing the floats took the place of decorating the halls so that the community receives a firsthand look at a true “Warrior’s Pride.” “Last year it was really fun to watch the floats go up because virtually no one who built a float had built a float before. It was Google and the how-to and materials list,” Holdbrooks said jovially as she was reminded of the chaos. “We ended up taping and bracing until time to start the parade.” With the needed resources and the growing pains under control, THS is taking on the second year of the new tradition. “A special shout out [goes to] Mayor Handlon and the City of Alabaster,” concluded Crosslin and Holdbrooks. To loan trailers for floats, convertibles for the court, or to participate, register online. THS vs. Hewitt-Trussville is October 10th
Backpack Buddies
The fight against hunger is no joking matter. Those involved with Vineyard Family Services (VFS) adapted the national program, Backpack Buddies, to ensure that the odds of children being fed over weekends and holiday breaks were in their favor. “Backpack Buddies is a feeding program for children
8 cityofalabaster.com
Stephanie Grissom is the VFS program director.
that are ages five through fourteen that are in public schools,” began Stephanie Grissom, VFS program director. “[The program includes] children that are assessed by the guidance counsellors, teachers, principals, and vice principals - in confidence - for risk of food insecurity.” Food insecurity indicators can vary from extreme hunger on Monday mornings and rushing food lines to short attention spans and the inability to concentrate on the tasks at hand. “Our agency, or a sponsor agency, delivers buddy bags that
“The goal is to catch any kind of missed meal or under nutrition that they might experience over the weekends.” -Stephanie Grissom, VFS Program Director are filled with two meals, two breakfasts, and lots of drinks and snacks for the weekend,” Grissom elaborated. “The goal is to catch any kind of missed meal or under nutrition that they might experience over the weekends.” VFS partners with the Alabaster City Schools, and all of these buddies are on the free or reduced meal plan at school. Monday through Friday, the buddies are definitely receiving breakfast and lunch, but there may not be enough to eat over the weekend, for various reasons. However, these shelf stable, easy to open buddy bags offers a buffer of nutrition stability. “We have fantastic guidance counsellors, and they’re the ones that really have to do the other end of the work to facilitate this program,” she added appreciatively. “One of the unexpected results, because the bags are given privately, is that the child has to connect with the counsellor every week, which gives the
counsellor more time to see what other issues are going on.” From its beginning in two schools in 2009, the program has grown to 24 schools in Shelby County and a 95% grade promotion for the buddies. In Alabaster, Backpack Buddies is involved with each of the city schools with the exception of the high school, due to other systems against hunger deficiency which are in place. “I feel like it’s everything about what’s great about Alabaster and about Alabama. The community really does care about social issues, and we’ve found a creative way to address hunger,” Grissom said in awe. “I love Shelby County in general because I’ve never seen a community put aside their differences and work so well together to address childhood hunger.” This community driven program couldn’t happen without the sponsors and volunteers. Thanks to the Alabaster-Pelham Rotary Club, Backpack Buddies now has a specialized van to make deliveries. To donate, to volunteer, to participate in packing parties, or for more information, visit: www.VFSdads.com
Starbucks Silent Auction
During the interval between customers, a Starbucks store manager and a barista found themselves excitedly scribbling out the details of a fundraiser to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). With a coffee-stained Starbucks napkin, a sharpie from one of their green aprons, and their
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Kent Dairy Road Starbucks Manager Rhett Blackwell adjusts a painting displayed in the store.
community-minded, combined ideas, they drafted a simple idea that would be so effective it would need a yearly encore. “Starbucks has been involved with the JDRF for the last five years,” began the Starbucks store manager, Rhett Blackwell. “Last year, Bruce Andrews, now the executive director for the Shelby County Arts Council, and I came up with the idea of a Starbucks Silent Auction – raising $1,700. This year we’re looking to top that number.” JDRF is an organization that is engaged in a process of curing type-1 diabetes for all ages and all stages of this disease. “There are fundraising events happening all over the Birmingham-Starbucks area, but we are the only one that does an art auction,” continued Blackwell. “You can come in and find your local barista, place your bid, and whoever has the highest bid for each piece wins. Their donation goes straight to the JDRF.” The Starbucks Silent Art Auction will feature pieces from local artists from the Shelby County community. A variety of pieces, from sketches to mixed medium, are donated to be auctioned September 22nd through the 26th, at the Hwy 119 location. Capping the event, there will be live music from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the 26th. “When I came to this Starbucks three years ago, I found out that the best way to grow this business is to be involved in the community,” said Blackwell. “I strongly believe that all busi-
Happenings
nesses should be heavily involved in a community, and this is just one of the events we do – the one we look forward to the most.” Each year Blackwell looks forward to seeing the community of Alabaster interacting with and helping each other. “Every year that we do this shows positive growth and an increased awareness for JDRF, which is the number one priority,” concluded Blackwell. “We’re trying to raise more money for this organization that is helping families that are learning to cope and live with diabetes.” Blackwell looks forward to sharing a cup of coffee with the City of Alabaster as the community members browse and bid on their favorite works benefitting JDRF. For more information on the auction, call Starbucks at 685-9705. For more information concerning JDRF, visit: www. jdrf.org
Stop the Violence
Violence today is on an all-time high - family turning against itself, peer turning against peer. Now is the time to stop the violence. “I had a conversation with a young person about his future,” shared Dwayne Thompson, chairperson of Stop the Violence. “After a few minutes of prodding, the 13-year-old said that his only future plans were of his death.” The young man had planned his obituary. He planned his funeral arrangements and expected his mother to outlive him long enough to speak at his last viewing. Awestruck, Thompson began to investigate how many other youths were struggling with this mentality. Uncovering more struggling with similar issues, he said within himself that “something has to be done.” Eight years ago, Thompson initiated a program called Stop the Violence. The program is designed to teach life skills, critical thinking, anger management, communication skills, anti-bullying, conflict resolution, and mindset renewal strategies. “We keep trying to ask young people to think differently, but we are not giving them anything to work with,” the passionate life coach and minister added. “I believe that if you change the mindset of a man, you change everything surrounding the man.” The mobile program comes to you. “I have found that there are individuals that won’t come to certain parts of town, so we make it our business to come to you,” he continued. Geared toward educating and empowering troubled
10 cityofalabaster.com
Dwayne Thompson, chairperson of Stop the Violence.
young men and women, Stop the Violence strives to create positive role-models for generations to come. “We are ‘Motivating today’s youth, to think about their tomorrow,’” concluded Thompson. “Stop killing our tomorrow, today.” For more information, visit www.allyouthagainstviolence. wordpress.com
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Calendar
Community September
2 Council, 7 p.m. 2 Water Board, 7 p.m. 3 Court Trials, 9 a.m. 9 Housing and Abatement, 5 p.m. 10 Court Plea Dockets, 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. 15 Alabaster City School Board, 5:30 p.m. 15 Council, 7 p.m. 22 Board of Zoning Adjustments, 6:30 p.m. 23 Planning and Zoning, 7 p.m. 24 Court Plea Dockets, 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. All meetings are held at 1953 Municipal Way in the Council Chamber and Are open to the public . View full calendar, agendas and resolutions at www.cityofalabaster.com
Recycling Collection Schedule Red -September 7th-13th, 21st-27th, Blue - September 1st-6th, 14th-20th, 28th-30th
Senior Center
The Alabaster Senior Center is located at 1097 7th Street S.W., Alabaster. If you would like more information concerning senior programs, please contact Alabaster Senior Center at 663-1307 or awalters@ cityofalabaster.com. Couponing class Monday, September 8, 9:30 a.m. If you want to save money by sharing couponing ideas, this class is for you. Bring any coupons and ideas that you have to share. We will look at current and upcoming coupon offers for all kinds of products. Apple Orchard, Amish Bakery and Lunch in Cullman Friday, September 12 We will travel to the Cullman area to an apple orchard for a tour and tasting of a variety of apples. You can purchase apples and then enjoy lunch at the Old Cook Stove. We will make a quick stop at an Amish bakery. Cost is $1 hold your spot. Bring $12-15 for lunch and money to purchase apples. Space is limited. Trussville Flea Market and McEnally’s Mercantile outing Thursday, September 18 Cost is $1 to hold your spot. Bring $10-12 for lunch. Space is limited. 12 cityofalabaster.com
AARP Smart Driver Class Tuesday, September 23 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. This is a 6 hour classroom refresher that can help the effects of aging on your driving and how you can adjust your driving. Cost is $15.00/AARP member and $20.00/AARP nonmember. Bring your own lunch. Make checks payable to AARP. Zentangle Inspired Beginner Workshop Friday, September 26 12:00 p.m. - 3 :00 p.m. Join Jan Rogers for basic classes in creating ZENTANGLE© inspired pen and ink drawings. There are NO MISTAKES! Give up your fears and produce interesting new designs from your practice. This art form allows you to draw and RELAX at the same time. It’s fun; and after this workshop, you will draw like a pro. You will complete your own pattern for a new (insulated) coffee mug. Cost is $15/person. All supplies are included. Space is limited. Fall Door Decoration Monday, September 29 9:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Cost is $10/person and you must sign up ahead of time. Space is limited. Upcoming Day Trip to Atlanta, GA Thursday, October 2 Located on 33 acres in the heart of historic Buckhead, the Atlanta History Center invites you to explore Georgia’s past through award-winning exhibitions, two historic houses (the 1928 Swan House and 1860s Smith Family Farm), Centennial Olympic Games Museum, and 22 acres of historic gardens and trails. First, we will experience a guided tour of one of the country’s largest exhibitions on the Civil War. With over 1,500 Union and Confederate artifacts, including cannons, uniforms and flags you can experience the Civil War through the eyes of the soldiers and civilians. Then you may independently tour a fabulous exhibit of Southern folk culture and traditions, and discover the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games museum as well as the Swan House and Smith Family Farm. Cost is $25/person and includes transportation on the 25 passenger bus, admission to museums, homes, gardens and lunch. Note: there is walking on this trip and space is limited. Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. Space is limited. $2/class. Zumba Gold I Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. A relatively high intensity, low-impact fitness class featuring Latin and World rhythms. Same party flavor as regular Zumba. It results in a great cardio workout that is fun! Cost is $2 per class.
You won’t want to miss all the other Activities at the Senior Center: Timeless Treasures (singing),–Mondays, 10 a.m. Head to Toe Fitness, Mondays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Wii Bowling, Tuesdays, 12:00 p.m. Rook, Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. Arthritis Foundation Exercise, Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. Zumba Gold I (exercise) Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. Zumba Gold II (exercise)Wednesdays, 2:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Beginner/Inter Line dancing, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. Beginner Line Dancing, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Bridge, Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m. Tempo exercise, Fridays, 10:00 a.m. Zumba Gold Toning, Fridays 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
library
The Albert L. Scott Library is located at 100 9th Street N.W., Alabaster. Hours of operation are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 9 a.m.-7:50 p.m. Wednesday - 10 a.m.-5:50 p.m. Friday - 9 a.m.-5:50 p.m. Saturday - 10 a.m.-4:50 p.m. Sunday - 1-4:50 p.m. If you would like more information concerning programs, please contact the Library at 664-6822. Closed Labor Day September 1 Yoga at the Library September 4, 10:00 a.m. Join in for health & relaxation on Thursday mornings in the Meeting Room. All levels of fitness welcome. For more information, call 664-6822. Out of the Darkness: From Suicide Prevention to a Life Worth Living Monday, September 8, 6:30 p.m. Suicide is a growing issue across all populations in Alabama. Prevention and intervention are often discussed, but helping people understand the suicidal mind is less frequently talked about
SHRED EVENT September 17th, 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. On September 17th, Fox6 and AARP Alabama are bringing a shredder to the old Whitestone Shopping Center (at 9200 Ala. 119). The free service will be offered from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit AARP.org for more information.
Masterpiece Book Club Friday, September 12, 2:00 p.m. Join this new book club as we explore Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. Enthralled by his own exquisite portrait, Dorian Gray makes a bargain to sell his soul in exchange for eternal youth and beauty. With his new found youth on his side, Dorian is drawn into a corrupt double life, where he is able to indulge his desires while remaining a gentleman in the eyes of polite society. Program takes place in the Meeting Room. Couponing 101 Saturday, September 13, 10:30 a.m. This FREE workshop will teach you the ins and outs of couponing. Have coupons? Bring them to the workshop and see firsthand how couponing can save you money! Registration is required; please call 664-6822 to sign up. Library Book Group Thursday, September 18, 7:00 p.m. Join us in our discussion of The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell. A gothic, intricate tale of family secrets, lost lives, and the freedom brought by truth, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox is a haunting look into one woman’s tragic past. Program takes place in the Meeting Room. Patsy Tidwell Saturday, September 20, 10:30 a.m. Join us as local cookbook author, and former owner of the Red Geranium restaurant, dishes on all that is fabulous about Southern cooking. Cookbooks will be available for purchase. Program takes place in the Meeting Room. Mobile Device Workshop Thursday, September 25, 6:00 p.m. Computers, tablets, and smartphones - your questions answered! Join us as Bob Fitzgerald, of Personal Computer Consulting in Alabaster, offers a FREE workshop where experienced techs will answer your questions about your mobile electronic devices. Troubleshooting, how-to, and consulting provided. Program takes place in the Meeting Room. Fall Book Sale October 3rd - 5th Adult Computer Classes Call or come by to sign up. 664-6822. Wednesday, September 3, 10:00 a.m. – Basic Internet & Email Wednesday, September 10, 10:00 a.m. – Microsoft Word 2007 Part 1 Wednesday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. – Microsoft Word 2007 Part 2
Calendar
ADULT events continued... Job Search Workshops Join us as local expert Fabray Turner of Turner & Associates, in Pelham, leads the following workshops: Wednesday, September 10, 11:30 a.m. – Resume Writing Today Wednesday, September 17, 11:30 a.m. – Interviewing Today Wednesday, September 24, 11:30 a.m. – Networking Today
youth Events Outreach Story Time Wednesdays 10:15 a.m. At area day care centers Tunes & Tales Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. Tunes & Tales Musical stories is fun for all ages. Children six years old and younger must be with an adult. Meeting Room Toddler Tales Fridays 10:30 a.m. Toddler Tales for toddlers and caregivers. Children must be with an adult. Meeting Room Miss Jennie’s Weekly Story Time Themes: Grandpa’s Farm Let’s Go to the Fair Cars, Trucks, Trains, and Planes Going on a Safari Library Card Sign up Month September is National Library Card Sign up Month, and children who get their first library card at our library will also get a surprise. They must be with their parent or legal guardian who must bring proof of Shelby County residency identification. This does not apply to replacement cards. The library card will be ready in about five minutes after filling out a short form. Summer Challenge Wraps Up! A summer of science-inspired exploring and reading is over for Alabaster’s children of all ages at the Albert L. Scott Public Library, where they became reading champions. Seven hundred fifty youngsters signed up for the program. “Fizz Boom Read and Spark a Reaction” was the slogan for Young Adults (YAs) - kids 11 years old to 18 years old. Youngsters
14 cityofalabaster.com
picked personal reading goals, checked out and read library books, and earned prizes for reading. When they reached their goal they received a certificate. During the Challenge there were entertainers, a science book club, crafts, a concert, a puppet show, and other activities. The Summer Challenge ended with a Fizz Boom Finale. The goal of the Summer Challenge is to encourage children to read for pleasure when they are not in school. Parents and other caregivers are invited to participate and help pre-literate children enjoy books and develop a love of reading. The 2014 Summer Reading Program is supported in whole, or in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Alabama Public Library Service. We would like to thank our sponsors: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, AmStar Cinemas 14-Alabaster, Arby’s, Bike Link, Birmingham Barons Baseball, Chick-fil-A, Dairy Queen, DeSoto Caverns Park, Dynamic Education Adventures, Friends of the Albert L. Scott Public Library, Logan’s Roadhouse, Oak Mountain Lanes, Parent Teacher Store, Red Mountain Park, the UPS Store (Pelham), and Whataburger. Lego League Tuesday September 16, 4:00 p.m.- 4:45 p.m. Kids can come play with Legos of all sizes and make new friends at the same time. Meets in the Meeting Room. Children age 6 and younger must be with an adult. Pete the Cat Book Club Thursday September 25, 4:00 p.m.
Boys and girls 5 years old to 8 years old can join in the
fun of cool cats, reading, and more during our meeting. Please sign up at the circulation desk. Meets in the Meeting Room. Children age 6 and younger must be with an adult. American Girls Club Friday September 26, 4:00 p.m. Girls age 7 years old and older can come learn about Lanie and her world! Come with or without a doll. Please sign up at the circulation desk. Meets in the Meeting Room.
Parks and Rec
The Parks and Recreation Office is located inside the Depot at 100 Depot Street, Alabaster. Office hours are Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. If you would like more information, call 205-664-6840 or visit www.alabasterparks.org. NEW ONLINE REGISTRATION We now offer a new and improved ONLINE registration for our sports. Please give it a try. It’s available 24 hours a day for your convenience. Go to our website at www.alabasterparks.org for the online link.
FALL FEST VENDOR REGISTRATION Registration - September 22 thru October 17 Weekdays only from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Depot. Cost: $30.00 for 15x15 booth. (You provide your own table and chairs.) Fall Fest will be on Saturday, October 25, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Buck Creek Trail. BASKETBALL REGISTRATION September 15 thru October 3 Walk-in Registration: Weekdays only from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Depot. On-line Registration: September 15 at 8 am thru October 4 at 2:00 p.m. Cost: $85.00 (10% additional fee for non-residents). Basketball is open to boys that are in Kindergarten through 9th grade; girls that are in Kindergarten through 6th grade. *IMPORTANT: 9th graders who turned 15 before September 1, 2014 are not eligible. Kindergartners have to turn 5 before September 1, 2014 to be eligible to play (no exceptions). FOOTBALL/CHEER We have around 355 children combined in both programs. Games will start on Septembers 2 and run through the end of October. All home games are played at Buck Creek Park located at 701 Sixth Ave. S.W. All games are played on weeknights with game times beginning at 6 p.m. Football Picture Day is set for Saturday, September 6, at the THS football stadium off of Thompson Road. Cheer Picture Day is set for Sunday, September 7, at Buck Creek Park. We look forward to seeing you at the park this season as you show your support for the future Warrior football players and cheerleaders.
BARK IN THE PARK Saturday, October 4, 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. It will be held at Veterans Park, 7305 Hwy. 119, Alabaster. Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss out on lots of fun. There will be food, music, inflatables, vendors selling everything from dog bones to t-shirts, dog contests, etc. PAVILIONS FOR RENT Several of our City Parks offer pavilions for rental use. With warm weather upon us, everyone is ready to visit the local parks for picnics, family reunions, and birthday parties. The best way to make sure your event happens at the location of your choice is to contact Parks & Recreation before the books are filled with reservations. Pavilions are available for use by permit only. There is a $40 rental fee (no checks accepted) and an additional, refundable $40 deposit (cash or check only) which must be paid before your reservation is complete. All open picnic tables (those not under a covering) are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis. Please see our web site for a complete list of rules. Note: Inflatables and charcoal grills are not allowed in any of the City parks.
FALL BASEBALL Begins September 9 The program is scheduled to begin on September 9. It will run for 6 weeks. FALL SOFTBALL Practices will probably begin the week of September 2. Games should begin around Sept. 15, and conclude at the end of Oct. START SMART SOCCER Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. One hour sessions will be held each Tuesday night from 6:00 until 7:00 pm beginning September 2 and ending on October 7. The sessions will be held at Depot Field (located at 100 Depot Street outside of the Parks and Recreation office).The program will conclude with a scrimmage and party on October 11 at 10:00 am at Depot Field. FALL SOCCER Begins September 13 Games are scheduled to begin on September 13 at Municipal Park located at 500 Warrior Drive between TMS and THS. Pictures are scheduled for September 21.
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AHSAA All Stars Week
Kelsea Bivins and Stephan Poplin were selected by their coaches to train on teams with athletes from around the state. In a short amount of time, they had to quickly make friends and compete in the Alabama High School Athletics Association (AHSAA) All-Star Week in front of captive audience and live broadcast. According to the website, “The Alabama High School Athletic Association, founded in 1921, is a private agency organized by its member schools to control and promote their athletic programs.” Headquartered in Montgomery, it sponsors state championship programs for high school sports in Alabama. These include baseball, softball, basketball, football, cross country, soccer, swimming and diving, track and field, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and indoor track. Bivins, THS Volleyball middle/outside hitter, and Poplin, THS Baseball starting pitcher, competed on North and South teams in the Class 7A Area 5 with teammates from Hoover, Oak Mountain, and Tuscaloosa County. During the All-Star games, Poplin pitched two innings, striking two batters out for the North, and Bivins won one of two MVPs for the South. “We just had to start new,” remarked Poplin about the experience. “Nobody really had a game plan going in. We were playing with a bunch of guys that we didn’t know.” The North team won its second baseball game, but unfortunately the South team did not win its volleyball match. “I didn’t see it coming,” said Bivins, lightheartedly, as she recounted the shock of losing the match yet still receiving the MVP award. “I guess I got MVP because I had the best attitude, kept people up and motivated, and did the best I could.” Cherishing the experiences, the two senior athletes said that if they had the opportunity to do it again, they’d take it. But the two are not novices to the sports. “Playing volleyball was like a forced thing at first because of my height,” shared Bivins. “I went to this camp and almost quit, but when I tried it again for the school in 7th grade, I found that I really liked it.” Poplin has been playing baseball since he was 3-years-old and pitching since he was just 10-yearsold. Now he’s the starting pitcher for THS. “You have to build up arm endurance,” Poplin said with a smile as he readjusted his hat and leaned forward. “Sometimes you’ve got to go seven
16 cityofalabaster.com
THS’ All-Stars Kelsea Bivins and Stephan Poplin recently competed in the AHSAA All-Star Week.
innings; other games, if we’re hitting good, you will just go four or five.” Although the two athletes have created, and will create, great memories at THS, during club and travel season, the greatest memories are yet to be made. After graduating in May 2015, both athletes will find themselves in Florida. Bivins is going to the University of Central Florida, and Poplin is heading to St. Johns River State College – both on full scholarship, and no, it was not planned.
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City Council Meeting Minutes (Abridged)
(Unabridged version of minutes and resolutions/ordinances can be found on city webpage at www.cityofalabaster.com)
July 14th, 7:00 p.m. Present: Bob Hicks, Tommy Ryals, Sophie Martin, Rick Walters, Stacy Rakestraw, Scott Brakefield Absent: Russell Bedsole
2. Ordinance 14-009* Annexation Request – “Roy Property” Hwy 119 Alabaster LLC Council President Brakefield opened the public hearing on this matter by allowing those present to speak for or against proposed Ordinance. No one present spoke for or against and the public hearing closed. Council Member Ryals made a motion to approve Ordinance 14-009. Council Member Rakestraw seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously
Mayor Comments Mayor Handlon recognized Taylor Drake for obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout via proclamation.
3. Ordinance 14-010* Beautification Board Council Member Rakestraw made a motion to approve Ordinance 14-010. Council Member Martin seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously
Agenda Items
4. Resolution 071414 Council Meeting Date/Time Amendment Council Member Martin made a motion to approve Resolution 071414. Council Member Hicks seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously
1. Ordinance 14-008* Annexation Request – “Baldwin Property” Hwy 119 Alabaster LLC Council President Brakefield opened the public hearing on this matter by allowing those present to speak for or against proposed Ordinance. No one present spoke for or against, and the public hearing closed. Council Member Ryals made a motion to approve Ordinance 14-008. Council Member Walters seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously
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6. Resolution 071414-B RSA One-time funding for retiree pension Council Member Martin made a motion to approve Resolution 071414-B. Council Member Hicks seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously 7. Resolution 07414-C AHAB Recommendation 10601 Hwy 17 Council Member Walters made a motion to approve Resolution 071414-C. Council Member Ryals seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously
3. Resolution 072814 US 31/11 II LLC Maintenance Bond Council Member Ryals made a motion to approve Resolution 072814. Council Member Walters seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously 4. Resolution 072814-A Amended Paving Resolution 062314 Council Member Martin made a motion to approve Resolution 072814-A. Council Member Hicks seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously Said meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Said meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. July 28th 7:00 p.m.
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Present: Bob Hicks, Tommy Ryals, Sophie Martin, Rick Walters, Stacy Rakestraw, Scott Brakefield Absent: Russell Bedsole Mayor Comments Mayor Handlon shared proclamation regarding MDA Firefighter appreciation month and recognized Scottie Burke on his retirement. Agenda Items 1. Ordinance 14-007* Repeal Ordinance 11-006 – Sales Tax Allocation Council President Brakefield opened the public hearing on this matter by allowing those present to speak for or against proposed Ordinance. No one present spoke for or against and the public hearing closed. Council Member Hicks made a motion to approve Ordinance 14-007. Council Member Martin seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously 2. Ordinance 14-A08* Annexation Request – Keystone LLC Council Member Walters made a motion to allow for immediate consideration of Ordinance 14-A08. Council Member Ryals seconded. All members, by roll call vote, affirmed this request to allow for immediate consideration. Council President Brakefield opened the public hearing on this matter by allowing those present to speak for or against proposed Ordinance. No one present spoke for or against and the public hearing closed. Council Member Walters made a motion to approve Ordinance 14-A08. Council Member Ryals seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously
18 cityofalabaster.com
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Citizen Spotlight Cathy Moore
Often times you go to the doctor’s office for aches and bruises expecting them to “kiss” your boo-boos and give you something to make the pain go away. It was just like that for Cathy Moore, except when she woke up, she found out she had stage 3C ovarian cancer. In August of 2011, Moore went to the doctor for her yearly check-up, and to complain about a nagging abdominal pain that had been ailing her. Finding an unexplainable mass on her ovaries, the team of doctors quickly got her into an ultrasound and then to surgery.
and the survival rates to overcome it are pretty slim,” added Beth. “Most people are diagnosed at 3C and usually dead within five years. How can you get a movement going when people are barely getting the treatment done?” Cathy started the Moore Life to Live Foundation under the umbrella of the CanSurvive support group. Hosting golf tournaments, the foundation raises funds that go directly back to supporting the women fighting cancer. For more information visit: www.aSTATEofTEAL.org
Business Spotlight 1471 Hwy 31, Alabaster, AL 35007 www.emccartyford.com
Earnest McCarty
“I first started selling Fords in 1953 at Bob Arnold Ford in Ensley,” began Mr. Earnest McCarty, the 79 year old owner of Earnest McCarty Ford. “In that era, Ensley and Fairfield were the largest employers in the state, and Avenue E was called Automobile Row. Ford, Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, Plymouth, Oldsmobile, Pontic - every single car manufacturer was represented.” “As things usually do, the pendulum has to have a correction. I don’t know what caused things to start swinging like they did, but the Ensley/Fairfield area went from 40 or 50 thousand people working there to 2,000 people. That caused the industry
Cathy Moore, seated, and her partner Beth Blackburn.
“When I woke up, they told me I had cancer – two months before my 50th birthday,” said Cathy. The news floored Cathy and her partner, Beth Blackburn. “I spent five days in the hospital and every day the doctor would come in and say, ‘I’m gone tell you every day until you hear what I am saying. Cathy, you have cancer.’ I think I finally heard him on day four.” Beth had recently lost a close, long-time friend to ovarian cancer. She had walked closely with her friend, knew the warning signs, and understood first-hand what Cathy would soon experience. “She had no symptoms up until about 2-3 weeks prior,” started Beth as she recalled how she did not foresee the diagnosis. “And because she had no symptoms, even I wasn’t questioning it as being more than a routine check-up.” Cathy postponed treatment so that she and Beth could go to Las Vegas and enjoy their once-in-a-lifetime, fourth row seats at an Elton John concert just before starting an aggressive chemotherapy in October. After six excruciating rounds of chemo, Cathy was diagnosed N.E.D. – No Evidence of Disease - in February 2012. The term B.E.A.T. is a way to quickly identify the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Bloating, Eating less, but feeling full, Abdominal pain, and Tell your gynecologist or general practitioner. “The key is to know your body,” said Cathy. “If you know something’s not right, go to the doctor.” “The big thing with ovarian cancer, or any gynecological cancer, is that you don’t find out until you’re in the late stages,
Earnest McCarty standing in his recently rebuilt showroom.
to go where it’s happening.” McCarty and his business partner moved to 3rd Avenue West just as the economy began to change in the mid 70’s. On April 1, 1983 they moved to the Alabaster location where market studies were showing Shelby County to be the fastest growing county in the state. “In 1983 the interstate wasn’t open. You could not buy a nail, hammer, or two-by-four in the city limits of Alabaster, but the market studies showed that this was going to build up,” continued McCarty. “Their market study was right.” Ford asked Mr. McCarty if he would take the Alabaster location. He and his business partner owned nine different busi-
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nesses at the time. His business partner died unexpectedly, and the agreement that they had was to either buy or sell, so he sold and took on the Alabaster location. “When I came to this store, they only had nine cars. Now there are 300 cars - both new and used,” McCarty said. Now, Earnest McCarty Ford offers a body shop, Quick Lane at Earnest McCarty Ford, a fleet of new and used cars, and service that puts the customer first. Recently Earnest McCarty Ford upgraded the show room and all of the customer “touch points.” His objective was to create a fresh, customer-friendly environment in which the customer could feel at ease. “It’s very important to put your customers first. You can never spend too much money doing that, because if you don’t, you won’t have any customers,” said McCarty with a big smile as he started to laugh. “What are you supposed to do with your money if you can’t do something worthwhile? Go home and count it? Look at it? It’s not just McCarty. It’s all these hundreds of thousands of people – customers and employees.” Although much has been remodeled, Mr. McCarty is the same trustworthy man that still takes customer’s calls and makes newcomers feel right at home. Earnest McCarty Ford is still the dealership from which customers buy their first, last, and their “in between” cars. Dealership located on Hwy 31. For more information, visit: www.emccartyford.com
Employee Spotlight Judith Wright
Investigating the pages of genealogy records or old marital licenses to find a single lost detail or finding multiple sources for a thirty page research paper can feel like pulling a solitary needle from an endless haystack. That’s why there are librarians who would love to lead the way. “The fact that I can try to find something is really interesting,” said Judith Wright, a librarian at the Albert L. Scott Library. “Little details are overlooked, we forget things, we lose things as time goes by, and I guess it’s the librarian in me, but I want to make sure all of the information is readily available.” Wright worked at the Hoover and Homewood libraries before transferring to the library in Alabaster in November of 2012. Combining her love for detailed research with her drive for helping people, some would say that a profession as a librarian was a perfect match for her. “Coming from Jefferson County, it’s different,” she continued. “I like how you have the small, southerntown feel. It’s a throwback where people know your name – being known as the Library Lady makes my heart happy.” From working diverse programs hosted by the library to simply working in her yard and giving
20 cityofalabaster.com
Librarian Judith Wright always has a good book to recommend to you.
directions to the facility, Wright never fails to find a way to promote the library. “It’s new every single day. Every time I come in, I never know what the day is going to bring,” Wright added with adventure in her eyes. “It could be research project or me trying to fix something or even the interesting questions I will be asked.” A historian at heart, she loves searching through archives and microfilms in search of brushed-over details and even forgotten obituaries and moss-covered tombstones. Wright is in the process of becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she is a judge for multiple author competitions. “I volunteer at Kids First Awareness where I do a book club,” Wright added. “I look forward to that most, because no matter what kind of hard day I’ve had, when I go there, they are so excited to see and work with ‘Book Club Lady.’” Sometimes Wright makes discoveries that are more closely related to the present than the past when she stumbles upon unconventional bookmarks such as uncooked bacon, personal checks, and $600 in cash, just to name a few. But of the things she does, assisting people in unexpected ways intrigues her the most. “I think the best thing is the reaction when someone’s face lights up,” she said as her own face lit up with joy. “Or when you find exactly what they’re looking for when they didn’t even know what they were looking for.”
First Baptist of Alabaster Food Ministry
Terrorism, crimes against humanity, and government spending may be making the headlines, but the real crisis is hunger. Blue collar workers making 60 to 70 thousand dollars a year were hit hard during the economic shift and now find themselves working three part-time jobs and yet still not having enough to eat. Single parents with young children and the elderly with limited income may be suffering with food scarcity. Your neighbors are suffering and you don’t even know. “We want families to know that if you live in Shelby County,
Michelle Weaver stands in the pantry of First Baptist of Alabaster’s Food Ministry.
there are resources out there, and you are welcome to come to our food ministry,” said the director of the First Baptist of Alabaster Food Ministry, Michelle Weaver. On the second and fourth Mondays of every month, the Food Ministry serves all of the residents of Shelby County. Giving families fresh fruits, vegetables, and frozen meat, the ministry is determined to make sure that the family is fed, regardless of how that family ended up in the situation. “We give them everything to make four meals through the week,” Weaver continued. “What we try to do is educate the client in budgeting and help them get back on their feet.” The program is designed to help alleviate some of the pres-
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sure of feeding one’s family while simultaneously coaching the clients on how to maximize the money that they already have. “A lot of times our clients that come to us are lost and don’t know what else to do,” Weaver expounded, remembering a time when she was in their shoes. “What our church is here to do is help them understand that there is hope. Jesus loves you and there are resources out there for you, and we are going to try to connect you with them.” For new clients, the process is simple - schedule an appointment, fill out an application, and receive the assistance that you need. The purpose of the application is to help assess the client’s needs so that the volunteers can ensure that the needs are being met. “We schedule for clients to come only once a month, but if they call us due to an emergency, they are absolutely allowed to come again,” said Weaver. “We’re not going to tell them that after any extent of time they can’t come back. We know that the economy is getting better, but it’s still taking a long time for the families that were hit hardest to come back.” Having a disability (nerve damage) from a serious car accident with a drunk driver, Weaver noted that people can be one paycheck, one injury, one car accident away from not being able to afford their groceries or any necessities. “It was a scary time in my life and it made me realize how things can change so quickly,” she concluded. “It just opens your eyes to the other side of the world.” For more information, visit: www.FBCAlabaster.org or call (205) 222-6809 ext. 1031
FREE VEIN SCREENING Painful or swollen legs?
You may suffer from venous disease. The Shelby Baptist Vein Center provides comprehensive treatment of varicose and spider veins. We want to help keep your legs healthy! Join us
Wednesday, September 3 and Wednesday, September 17 5:00 pm 1022 First Street North, Suite 400 Alabaster, AL 35007
Do you experience leg pain, aches or cramps, burning or itching of the skin, leg or ankle swelling, heavy feeling in the legs, skin discoloration or restless legs? Our team can treat the underlying cause of venous disease with minimally invasive methods to give you relief and improve blood flow.
Please call 1.877.222.7847 to RSVP.
Growing with our community. 1 0 2 2 F i r s t S t . N o r t h , S t e . 4 0 0 | A l a b a s t e r, A L w w w. b h s a l a . c o m
Around Town
Grandparent Day at Senior Center
TEEN Fest
The Alabaster Senior Center hosted its Third Annual Grandparents day on August 5th. This intergenerational program started with the vision to allow grandparents a way to interact with their grandchildren in a fun environment. Twelve children, ages 4-10, came with their grandparents to enjoy a fun day. This year’s theme was “Birds, Butterflies, and Bees.” Each child made a bird house out of a recycled milk carton, made a butterfly feeder, and learned about bees. The Senior Center had a local bee keeper come in and show the group how bees live and make honey. To end the day, the grandparents and their grandchildren enjoyed pizza and sodas for lunch.
Alabaster’s Teen Council and Mayor Handlon take a moment during the festival to take a picture. The event drew over 500 teens from around the community. Alabaster’s Teen Council wished to thank their sponsors: Full Moon BBQ, Cool Box, YMCA, Alabaster’s Art Council, Press Start and Shelby County Reporter.
Scottie Burke Retires
SHINE4SPINE
David “Scottie” Burke recently retired from the Alabaster Fire Department after 34 years of service. He began his career as a volunteer in 1980, joining the force full time in 1983. He moved up the ranks from Fire Fighter, Apparatus Operator, Lieutenant, Captain, and retiring as a Battalion Chief. The City Council gave Burke a standing ovation and wished him well in his retirement.
Mike Jezdimir hosted the 2nd Annual Shine4Spine 5K Glo Run. Participants ran after sunset through Veteran’s Park decked out in glo necklaces and bracelets. Jezdimir wished to thank : Chubb’s Grub Station, Stacy Rakestraw, Wade Simmons, Leigh Griffith Hulsey, and Board Members Kerri Bell Pate, Debbie Santiago, Jamie Purvis, Steve Crainich, and Louann Jez. A special thanks to TM-er’s, Kim Ravenscraft Harrison, Kim Peterson Smith, Loretta Grizzle, Tiffiany Watt Butler, Ashley Bishop, Linda Gibbs and Elisa Smith. Finally he thanked Dr. Tara DeSilva for her contribution and research.
22 cityofalabaster.com
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you’ll want to join the YMCA September 15-30 Good things come together at the YMCA of Greater Birmingham. Whether it’s a class for yourself or a sports season for the kids. Support your family with programs that develop youth, that help you lead a healthy lifestyle, and that give back to our community. It’s your choice. New Members Only. MISSION To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. VISION We will lead our community to become the healthiest in America. A United Way Partner.
City of Alabaster 1953 Municipal Way Alabaster, AL 35007 www.cityofalabaster.com 664-6800
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid PERMIT 48 ALABASTER, AL
Marty Handlon, Mayor 664-6800 | handlon@cityofalabaster.com City Council
Sophie Martin, Ward 1 358-8742 | martin@cityofalabaster.com Bob Hicks, Ward 2 663-1801 | hicks@cityofalabaster.com Stacy Rakestraw, Ward 3 529-3326 | rakestraw@cityofalabaster.com Rick Walters, Ward 4 281-7394 | walters@cityofalabaster.com
Russell Bedsole, Ward 5 205-229-6021 | bedsole@cityofalabaster.com Scott Brakefield, President, Ward 6 685-0302 | brakefield@cityofalabaster.com Tommy Ryals, Ward 7 664-1301 | ryals@cityofalabaster.com
Postal Patron
come see the NEW ErNEst Mccarty FOrD
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Ernest McCarty Ford is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in the area. From the moment you walk into our showroom, you’ll know our commitment to Customer Service is second to none. We strive to make your experience with Ernest McCarty Ford a good one – for the life of your vehicle.
1471 1st strEEt NOrtH, aLaBastEr, aL 35007 | 888-696-5067