The Official Publication of the City of Alabaster
Alabaster Connection September 2015
Alabaster’s Seniors
Lend a helping Hand Homecoming Parade
Sept. 30th 6 p.m. ■ Page 8
THS Volleyball Preview
Page 8
From the Mayor’s Desk... Happy Labor Day Alabaster! We have all been busy for the last couple of weeks adjusting to more structured schedules, start of football season, and celebrations, including Warrior Day, the Teen Back to School Bash, and the Community Pep Rally—which has everyone fired up for the hope of a successful football season. Everyone should be ready to enjoy the long weekend! On August 15th, we celebrated Warrior Day with exhibition games for all of our youth warrior teams, as well as Middle Marty Handlon Mayor, City of Alabaster School and High School. The Alabaster Teen Council hosted the annual Teen Fest—Back to School Bash. I believe it was a great success! Our teenagers gathered for a fun filled evening of friendly competitions and music, and there were no incidences which required the attention of our public safety! I want to commend the Teen Council members for their contribution to making this a fun event for their peers. I also want to give a BIG thank you to our Park & Recreation Staff, who had a really long day, and members of our Police and Fire departments for their hard work and dedication to those they serve. These public servants step up each time they are asked, and they do it with glad hearts and a smile. I’m thankful to have them on our team. I also want to let our residents know about a real heart-to-heart meeting we had with our current garbage service vendor, Advanced Disposal. In our meeting with company executives, we reiterated the level of customer service we expect is much different from that which we have been receiving in the first six months of their contract, and we have been extremely patient during the transition. Our contract contains specific expectations, as well as consequences for failing to meet the desired results. We are hopeful for the expected improvements, as they were very receptive to our concerns, and already in the process of making some necessary changes in their operations. One of those changes includes drivers with consistent routes, instead of rotating, which they believe will enhance the driver’s job performance by being more comfortable with the area serviced. Familiarity and relationships can be good for both sides. Each on-line concern reported by our residents is forwarded to Advanced Disposal, and they have re-committed to addressing each one as they are presented to an agreeable resolution. We appreciate all the residents who have taken the time to submit issues. And, it is important for all residents to continue to let us know about issues or concerns as they happen, so we can ensure accountability for the service we expect. Congratulations to our own Bobby Joe Seales, recipient of the 2015 Marvin Yeomans Whiting Award! The award is given each year to an individual, organization or institution that has made a significant contribution to the preservation and dissemination of local history in Alabama. We are proud Bobby Joe has been formally recognized for his outstanding and significant contribution to the preservation and dissemination of Shelby County and Alabama history. His work has been a labor of love for years that will continue to benefit many generations, and we are grateful to have him in our community. Thankful and blessed beyond measure,
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
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1953 Municipal Way Alabaster, AL 35007 ©2015 City of Alabaster
Non-Emergency City Numbers Police 24-Hours 663-7401 Alabaster Water Board 663-6155 Fire Department 664-6818
cityofalabaster.com 3
COuncil Comments
Scott Brakefield, Ward 6 City Council President
Greetings! I hope everyone has had a great Summer. As you have read, we are finishing up our Comprehensive Plan with help from the Regional Planning Commission. It is critical to have a plan to guide the City as we continue to grow and plan for the future. I am lucky enough to have lived here since the late 70’s and I have had the opportunity to watch Alabaster grow. I could have never imagined from a Dairy Farm we would get schools, pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, post offices, YMCA, etc. But through proper planning and having an eye for potential changes in the future, the Comprehensive Plan can lay out in detail what our City may look in the future. Then future leaders can use this as a guide as developers come to our City to build neighborhoods, shopping centers, etc. Thanks for all those who have been a part of these planning sessions. Lastly, we have kicked off another Warrior football season. These are exciting times as we kick off a new era and welcome the direction of our new Head Coach Mark Freeman. We are fortunate to host the first four games at Larry Simmons Stadium. So please come out and support the Warriors! The Warriors will actually play 6 home games this year 8/21, 8/28, 9/4, 9/11, 10/2 and 10/16. Plenty of opportunities for the community to come out and support the program. I hope to see you out there. Go Warriors.
Sophie Martin, Ward 1
Repair plans are being finalized for Alabaster Boulevard. This issue is being addressed – we are working on a solution that is the most cost effective regarding the usage of taxpayer money and one that is most convenient for residents. The initial plan was requiring Alabaster Boulevard to be closed for approximately three months. Since this would be a major inconvenience, especially for residents who travel this street on a daily basis, it is going to be repaired in phases. A revised plan will hopefully be in place in the next few weeks. Repairing Alabaster Boulevard remains one of my top priorities.
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Our city continues to experience positive growth – and so does Ward 1. Recently, all residents of Fogle Lake signed a petition requesting to annex into the City of Alabaster. After a recent public hearing, the council voted to approve their request. I’d like to welcome the residents of Fogle Lake to Ward 1 and our City. Congratulations! More than one hundred backpacks filled with school supplies were assembled and distributed to children living in Alabaster. Thank you to Meggie Collins, Meadow View Elementary teachers and faculty, and the First United Methodist Church for making this happen. We saw firsthand how their hard work, kindness and generosity made a key difference for children starting school with what they need in order to have a successful year. If you have any requests, questions or ideas for Ward 1 or our City, please feel free to contact me at martin@cityofalabaster.com or at 358-8742. Kindest regards, Sophie Martin
Bob Hicks, Ward 2
Hello, Alabaster: I wanted to open my comments with a huge thank you to our friends at Shelby County for the outstanding repaving and restriping of County Road 95, which was completed last month. It was much appreciated and is already showing improvements in traffic flow. It is mutually beneficial when cities and the counties of which they are a part work together for the benefit of the residents. Alex Duchock, Randy Cole, and the entire team over at the county are great partners, and I, for one, am very grateful for them. Yes, Warrior fans, it is football season once again. There are MANY new faces in the program this year, and we all need to make Coach Freeman and his staff understand that they are welcome and fully supported. Please be sure to visit the website to view this year’s schedule so ALL of us can get out and support OUR team. This month also marks the beginning of a new cross country season as well, and we should also be sure to support the THS high-mileage harriers. Lastly, September 7th is Labor Day, a time to honor the strong backs on which our country was built. Please join me in thanking all those past, present, and future members of the workforce that perpetuate the growth and development of our city, county, state, and country. Please remember to pray for them, as well as for our country, as we embark on yet another edition of the presidential campaigns. Most importantly, love one another. Grace and peace, Bob
Stacy Rakestraw, Ward 3
Please look at the Alabaster city website periodically. It has many updates and useful tools for residents and businesses to use. One example is the City Code Online. These are all of the city regulations and ordinances, including updates to keep them relevant and current with the growth of the city. Also, we welcome all citizens to attend our city council work sessions and meetings. As a reminder they are all open to the public. Our regularly scheduled meetings are currently the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month and held at 1953 Municipal Way. Especially if you are new to the city, we would enjoy meeting you. Did you know the Alabaster Fire and Rescue cover 30 square miles of territory? Cheers to the great job they did in “Filling the Boot” and raising $5,409.37 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Our police officers do an awesome job staying active in the community, as well as doing their jobs. Some had a fun time singing at Teen Fest recently! Check out the APD Facebook page. Last but not least, I want to thank Nan Abbott, the Library Director, her staff and the volunteer Library Board for running this department and managing their resources so well. Thank you for allowing me to serve you! Email or call me anytime rakestraw@cityofalabaster.com or 205.529.3326
Rick Walters, Ward 4
Now that school is back in full swing, it means that Thompson football has returned. It’s a new year with a new coach, and as a community, we should support them. This is probably their last year at Larry Simmons stadium, as work progresses on our new high school and stadium. Just last month, the County approved for the Alabaster Board of Education’s plan for turn lanes into the property off of Thompson Road. The latest additions to the city are the residents of the Fogle Lake community. Last month the Council approved their annexation request, and now they enjoy the same city services as the rest of us. Curbside trash removal, Advanced Life Support services, and great schools are just a few of the benefits we enjoy, that many cities do not offer. These services are provided mainly from the tax revenues generated from our shopping centers. Buying locally this holiday season is as important as ever because the revenues also support our school system. The more business our shopping centers do, the more other businesses want to relocate here. This month we will see the opening of the Walmart Neighborhood Market on HWY 119. The new Verizon store next to Panda Express is scheduled to open soon, as is the Ulta Salon. These are all great additions to our city. Thank you for supporting them and for the opportunity to serve you. Go Warriors and Keep in Touch!
Russell Bedsole, Ward 5
This happens to me every year. It’s like all of a sudden, and out of nowhere, summer is over! Now, I know the month of August, very much, is still summer, but in a few short days our children will be back in the classroom. Back to school for many families like mine means the end of summer. Here’s to another great school year to all Alabaster families! I could ask where the summer went, but for my family, and 11 others of the Alabaster 6u girls softball team, I know where we were - the ballpark. The girls, led by coaches, Rick Ellis, Todd Davis, Brandon McKim, Ryan Holtzapfel, and Dale Bailey, were the state of Alabama Runnersup in the USSSA state tournament. I am so proud of these girls and all their hard work. I want to offer a word of thanks to the coaches I just mentioned. These men gave up much of their summer to lead this group of girls. Their instruction was more than how to play the game. I can say I witnessed these men being positive adult role models to my daughter and the other girls. Thanks to each of you for serving your Alabaster community. As always, I love hearing from you. Please feel free to send me an e-mail and let me know how I am doing, or what you want to see in Alabaster. Till next time, have a great August.
Tommy Ryals, Ward 7
You may have read recently where the City settled another lawsuit. This is a very frustrating part of city government. Pretty much every city is an easy target for a lawsuit. More often than not, these lawsuits are without merit. For example, several years ago the city was sued because the handicap ramps at our parks were about an inch off the official handicap ramp specifications. An attorney was going around to several cities and filing these suits. The ridiculous part is that we basically lost that lawsuit. Another recent lawsuit stemmed from an alleged mistake that occurred in the 1970’s. We did not fare well on that one either. The city has insurance that helps with most of the cost of these actions, including our attorney’s fees, but it does not always cover all of it. The other frustrating part of these situations is that we cannot discuss any pending litigation so, when residents ask questions, sometimes we are not allowed to answer. This leads to the resident thinking we are trying to “hide” something. Believe me, this is YOUR money and we treat it that way. You should know that we do our best not to just hand it over to any slick attorney. Please also be aware that just because the law won’t allow us to openly discuss certain things, doesn’t mean we are being sneaky, it just means we are trying to abide by the law. cityofalabaster.com 5
happenings
Community
Helping Community Having a purpose larger than oneself is the key to living a life of fulfillment. Age is not a determining factor in having a purpose. Young or old can find fulfillment from a purpose larger than oneself. The Alabaster Senior Center is a place of recreation and activity, but under the leadership of Alicia Walters, it is also a place of fulfillment. “We have,” shared Walters, “several different organizations that we partner with, and make donations to, in the community.” According to Walters, there is one group of seniors who make quite a bit of this happen. “One of our biggest groups of passionate givers is our knitting and crocheting ladies.” This group of ladies has made 140 lap throw blankets, 26 shawls, and 75 soap holders for residents of seven local hospices and the VA hospital in the last year or so. The seniors have also donated school supplies, personal hygiene items, and greeting cards. “The lap throws fit perfectly on the lap of a person in a wheelchair, or sitting up in a chair,” Walters shares with a sweeping gesture of her hands over her lap. The shawl fits snugly on the shoulders, and the soap holder acts as an anchor for tender hands on slippery soap. When you hear Walters passionately share about these projects, you cannot miss hearing her say “purpose.” For her, and the large variety of seniors who make each item with tender love and affection, it is this larger purpose that drives them. “I think it is important for everyone to have an opportunity to give,” she said. With her excitement showing, she added, “If we can provide an outlet for anyone to give his or her time,
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talent, or passion, that is what we want to do. And because we have a large number of seniors, we can have a larger impact if we all work together.” Judy Franks A scare with cancer predicated the move to Alabama for Judy Franks. “After my cancer,” she says while pointing to a scar, “I wanted to be near my family.” Once she settled in to her new home, she started to attend the Alabaster Senior Center. While at the senior center, she joined the knitting and crocheting class. The class has a purpose of fellowship and camaraderie, but it also has a higher purpose. “We make lap throws and shawls for hospice and VA patients,” shared Franks. “When I had my cancer, I could not crochet, so I said to the Lord that if He would let me go back to crocheting, I would do it for such things as hospice and VA and so forth. I really felt like it was He who led me to do this,” she said. The group of seniors created dozens of lap throws and shawls over several months. Each one is made with care and love. “This is a shawl,” Franks said while pointing to a brightly colored stole she had placed on her back. “I make these for hospice residents.” The lap throws are perfect for added comfort while sitting in a chair or wheelchair, without being too cumbersome. “We give them to the veterans,” she shared with a smile. “They even sent us a picture back. It was nice to see the final product being utilized,” Franks proudly shared. When the group members are not making lap throws and shawls, they are creating little white blankets and caps for newborns that spend time in the NICU. Franks explained that the NICU nurses host baby showers for these mothers and babies. “It is just, I don’t know how to explain it. It just means so much to me, it just fills my heart,” Franks said about the handcrafted
gifts. “Someone is going to wear this,” she said while rubbing the lap throw, “and say ‘I am sure glad I have this.’” The seniors would love to create even more blankets, shawls, lap throws, and caps, but they are limited. “We are on a limited budget. It can get rather expensive to make a lap throw or a shawl,” explained Franks. “We really would like to have people donate yarn to us; we could do a lot more if we got more yarn,” she shared. She added, “Some of this yarn had been donated, and we really appreciate that.” If you would like to donate money or yarn towards this project, please contact Alicia Walters at 205-663-1307 Jane Cline Jane Cline has been attending the Alabaster Senior Center for about six years. “It is great. I love playing Rook and being with these other older folks,” she shared while flashing a full smile. For Cline, the Senior Center was, and is, a place of fun and refuge. Yet it took on a new, deeper meaning when in walked a certain lady. “The lady wanted somebody to sew. And I am a seamstress all my life,” explained Cline. What she wanted was quite special. “The lady wanted us to make little dresses for preemies who did not make it,” shared Cline. The lady is Mika Shelfer, who founded LAYAH’s Ministry, which makes Memorial Gowns from donated wedding dresses for preemies who have passed away. It would be an adventure that would prove to be a life changing experience for Cline. Jane Cline says she does not like to brag, but she is an expert seamstress. “My daughter,” Cline said, “would go to bed on a
“I feel honored that I have been asked. It is really challenging, but rewarding, to know that I can do something for people.” - Jane Cline she might not like to brag, but she certainly could. The first time she took a donated wedding dress home to transform it into a memorial gown, and it took her no time to see the pattern. In less than two hours she had made three gowns. But this project was unlike anything she had every done before. “When the lady came that day, and showed us what she was doing, it really got to me. I had a preemie born in our family - she is fixin’ to graduate high school this year,” she said with empathy and joy. “It is really challenging and kind of heart breaking to know what they are for. The first one I made, it was so cute,” she brightly said. “But then I just had to shed a few tears,” she recalled with fresh tears. This reaction of cute and heart breaking is a common theme
Lauri Williams, DMD, PC Charles Bordenca, DMD Jane Cline points out the details on the Memorial Gowns she helped create.
school night and say ‘mom I really want a new dress,’ and in the morning she would find one hanging on her doorknob.” At one point Cline was making all the band uniforms for Thompson High School, including color guard and majorettes. She did this for well over a decade. She had dresses travel the country and the world to individuals who requested certain styles from her. When she cannot sleep, she sits at her sewing machine and creates. “My mother sewed, and she taught me how. So I have been sewing since I was 3 years old,” she shared. She currently does all the alterations for Belk’s department store. To sum it all up,
Phone 205.664.2130 Fax 205.664.0287 After Hours 205.941.0631 219 First Street North Alabaster, AL 35007
Ha p p e n i n g s
for Cline. “I had a notary come to my house last week,” Cline shared, “and I was showing her the gowns, and she had her phone and she had to take some pictures. And then she just sat down and cried with me.” Cline reflected on the moment by adding, “She did not know me from Adam’s house cat. But to know what they’re for is what makes you want to cry.” The pain of losing someone close is something Cline can relate to. “When you lose someone like this it is hard; my grandson died several years ago - it is hard. And while it is different than losing a preemie, I imagine it is the same,” she tenderly said. While the work is difficult, it is rewarding as well. “I feel honored that I have been asked. It is really challenging, but rewarding, to know that I can do something for people,” Cline shared. “Maybe make them happy in a little small manner any way,” she reflects. To find out more about LAYAH’s visit. www.facebook.com/memorygownsAL.
3rd Annual Homecoming Parade and Community Celebration Alabaster City Schools will celebrate the 3rd Annual Homecoming Parade on September 30th starting at 6 p.m. from the Thompson Middle School, traveling down Thompson Road unto Hwy 119 ending in front of Thompson Intermediate School. The festivals will continue with a Pep Rally at the Stadium beginning at 7:15 p.m. The theme this year is Warrior Legacy. The Grand Marshal this year will be Coach Larry Simmons, the man many point to as building the Warrior Legacy. Dorann Tanner, Student Service Coordinator, is excited about this year’s theme and festivities. “I think it is a new year for warrior football and everyone is excited about our new coach and we are just excited to continue and keep building a legacy- which is our theme this year.” The parade will feature the Thompson High School marching band, elaborate floats from each class year, recreation sports teams, and the ROTC cadets and color guard. There will be plenty of candy thrown so have your little ones bring a bag and for the older ones in the group you might want a camp chair. Typically the floats will face their left side as they travel down the road so be sure to set up on the correct side of the roadway to 8 cityofalabaster.com
The ACS Homecoming Parade will feature the THS marching band and various floats.
have the best views. The community Pep Rally held in the stadium will showcase the Varsity Football players making their grand entrance, along with other student athletes showcasing their skills. The highlight of the evening for many is the awards for floats, including the coveted spirit stick. Concessions will be open so bring your appetite and settle into a comfortable seat for the evening. It is events like this that bring together our community. For more information visit www.alabasterschools.org.
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THS Volleyball Might Surprise You
Thompson High School Volleyball is excited to start its third season as an Alabaster City School (ACS) team. Last year, the team reached the elite eight of the Alabama High School Athletic Association tournament. This year will present several challenges to reaching that pinnacle, yet Judy Green, Head Volleyball Coach and Director of Volleyball for ACS, is excited to see this year’s team compete. “We are entering an era where we lost 4 significant players from a season ago. They helped THS get to the elite eight. Yet we are returning a lot great athletes. The rest of the
THS 9th grade and JV Volleyball Teams.
players are either new or role players. There has been a lot of teaching, and with teaching comes a learning curve,” she shared plainly. This leads Coach Green to preach growth, daily, to the young ladies. “Trying to develop every single player on our roster, every single day, is our goal,” she said. She then added, “For us to be successful, we are going to have to rely on all twelve players on our roster.” The team’s daily reminders of relentless development are in her mantras: “What do we need to do to win the day?” and “Keep it one day at a time.” Coach Green is not unfamiliar with developing players. After her collegiate career ended, she entered coaching. “My first head coaching job was with Montevallo, at 24 years old. I was at Montevallo for 10 years,” she said. She then spent 15 years at Alabama, leading them to their first NCAA appearance. She tacked on three years coaching at Birmingham Southern and a few years at UAB as the director of volleyball operation. She is not only interested in developing individual players, but a whole program. “The very first thing that was a priority when I took the position, was to get in place the right people and coaches for the 7th ,8th ,9th ,JV, and Varsity teams,” she explained. Her focus was on teachers first and coaches second, meaning the job is to teach life and coach volleyball second. “We now have that staff in place,” she said. “I am very pleased with the staff and how they interact with our student athletes.” Her second step in developing the whole program was in creating a shared identity. “We wanted to make all the
THS Varsity Volleyball Team with head coach Judy Green.
program under one umbrella, one vision,” she passionately shared. Coach Green rarely speaks of Thompson High School Volleyball, instead she says, “Warrior Volleyball program.” It is all part of her desire to see one group, all under one vision. “We started doing a lot of things collectively as a program. We had the first annual Warrior Volleypolooza day. All of our teams went out and did a minimum of 3-4 hours of community service. The second half of the day was a 5 on 5 volleyball tournament, where we integrated across age groups, so each team had a mixture of young players and senior player,” she said. She added with a smile, “It was a blast.” They ended the day with a potluck family dinner and family trivia night. It is events like this that showcase the uniqueness of what ACS is trying to accomplish with the Volleyball program. “It is really developing a whole program for the school system; it is really a new idea. A very creative and out of the box of way of thinking by Dr. Vickers,” she stated. This year’s varsity team is going to be quite a curiosity. “I get the sense that people think THS will not be very good this year, but,” she said with a knowing grin, “I think people will be absolutely surprised at what they see out of this group.” The team is returning just two starters: Milea Ray, who according to Coach Green is one of the most gifted all around players that she has seen at the high school level in a long time, and Madison Rayam, a sophomore. Two seniors, Kailyn Lilie and Germaisha Motton, will be anchoring the team’s defense. And senior, Sydney Canaday, is turning into a strong right side attacker. They will need this senior leadership with the difficult season ahead. “Our schedule is a very challenging schedule, to be honest,” said Coach Green. Two of the highlights from the upcoming season will be Mountain Brook (at home), the defending class 7A Champions, and Hoover (at home). How will they make it through this tough schedule? With your support. “We need the community to support us like they have never done before,” Coach Green entreated. To find out more about Warrior Volleyball Program, visit www.ths.alabasterschools.org.
Ha p p e n i n g s
Family Dinner Day September 28th
The Alabama Family Rights Association and the Shelby County Drug Free Coalition are partnering to encourage Alabaster to participate in this year’s “Family Day-A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children” on Monday, September 28th. Kenneth Paschal, with Alabama Family Rights Association, shared that Family Day is a national movement that informs parents that the involvement fostered during frequent family dinners is an effective tool to help keep America’s kids substance-free and help them overcome other unhealthy challenges in day-to-day life. “Active parents, voicing disapproval of bullying and drug use, have proven to be the most effective preventative method for keeping our children from engaging in negative behaviors,” shared Paschal. Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children was launched in 2001 by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University consistently finds that the more children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, and use illegal drugs. “Everyone can participate,” exclaimed Paschal.
“We’re asking parents to take time and make something delicious together on Family Day. For the parents whose schedules will not permit them the time to prepare a dinner during this special event, we encourage them to visit one of their local restaurants and enjoy dinner with their children,” shared Paschal. This year the local sponsors are looking to maximize the impact of this event by partnering with schools, churches, businesses, leaders, and other organizations to celebrate Family Day. “I just spoke with Chubb’s Grub Station, and they will be participating and provide ‘conversational starters’ at each table on September 28,” shared Paschal. For Paschal, his goal is to empower parents, grandparents, and guardians to raise the best possible children through the most important tool they have at their disposal. “This is an important community and national initiative to remind parents that what your kids really want at the dinner table is you,” he boldly declared. He added, “Show your support for children on September 28, 2015, in standing up for families by sitting down to dinner. This will remind everyone of the precious nature of childhood and our responsibility as adults to protect and encourage our children.” If you’re interested in being a co-sponsor and partnering with this year’s organizers, please email them at kenneth. paschal@alfra.org. For more information visit: www.alfra.org / www.shelbycountydrugfreecoalition.org.
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2015 Varsity Football Schedule Thompson Warriors Varsity 2015 Football Schedule September 9th 7 p.m.
vs. Spain Park
Home
September 11th 7 p.m.
vs. Mountain Brook
Home
September 18th 7 p.m.
@ Hoover
Away
October 2nd 7 p.m.
vs. Vestavia Hills
Home
October 9th 7 p.m.
@ Hewitt-Trussville
Away
October 16th 7 p.m.
vs. Tuscaloosa County
Home
October 23rd 7 p.m.
@ Oak Mountain
Away
October 29th 7 p.m.
@ Chelsea
Away
2015 Junior Varsity Football Schedule September 8th 5:30 p.m.
@ Spain Park
Away
September 14th 5:30 p.m.
@ Helena High
Away
September 21st 5:30 p.m.
vs. Hoover High
Home
September 28th 5:30 p.m.
@ Chelsea High
Away
October 5th 5:30 p.m.
@ Vestavia Hills
Away
October 17th 5:30 p.m.
vs. Tuscaloosa County
Home
12 cityofalabaster.com
2015 Thompson High School Cross Country Schedule All meets are tentative and can change. Meets may be added to this schedule.
September 3
Thursday
Warrior 2 Mile
September 12
Saturday
Chickasaw Trails
September 19
Saturday
TCBY Invitational
September 22
Tuesday
Shelby County Championships
October 3
Saturday
Jesse Owens Classic
October 8-12
Saturday
Disney Classic
October 24
Saturday
Hewitt Trussville Invitational
October 29
Thursday
Hoover Invitational
November 3
Tuesday
Alabama JV Championships (Those not running sectionals)
November 5
Thursday
Sectionals (Top 10 only)
November 14
Saturday
State Championships (Qualifiers only)
2015 Thompson High School Varsity Volleyball Schedule September 3rd 6 p.m.
Hoover
Home
September 8th 6 p.m.
Oak Mountain
Home
September 10th 6 p.m.
@ Calera
Away
September 15th 6 p.m.
Tuscaloosa County
Home
September 17th 6 p.m.
Helena
Home
September 22nd 6 p.m.
@ Hoover
Away
September 24th 4:30 p.m.
Tri-Match Prattville
Away
September 29th 7 p.m.
@ Oak Mountain
Away
October 1st 6 p.m.
@ Tuscaloosa County
Away
October 6th 6 p.m.
Calera
Home
October 8th 6 p.m.
Tri-Match Chelsea
Away
October 13th 6 p.m.
Walker (Jasper, AL) Location: Thompson High School Home
October 15th 6 p.m.
Pelham
Away
Ha p p e n i n g s
Evangel Christian Varsity 2015 Football Schedule
September 11th 7 p.m.
@ Lighthouse HomeSchool (Oneonta, AL)
Away
September 18th 7 p.m.
Hope Christian (Pelham, AL)
Home
September 25th 7 p.m.
@ Ezekiel Academy (Montgomery, AL)
Away
October 2nd 7 p.m.
TBA
October 9th 7 p.m.
Evangel Family Christian Academy (Montgomery, AL)
Home
October 16 7 p.m.
@ Freedom Cowboys (Huntsville, AL)
Away
October 23rd
Memphis Nighthawks (Arlington, TN)
Home
Kingwood Varsity 2015 Football Schedule September 4th 7 p.m.
@ Bessemer Academy (Bessemer, AL)
Away
September 11th 7 p.m.
vs. Glenwood (Phenix City, AL)
Home
September 18th 7 p.m.
@ Jackson Academy (Jackson, AL)
Away
September 25th 7 p.m.
@ Evangel Christian Academy (Montgomery, AL)
Away
October 2nd 7 p.m.
@ Cornerstone Christian (Columbiana, AL)
Away
October 9th 7 p.m.
TBA
Open
October 16th 7 p.m.
@ Tuscaloosa Academy (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Away
October 23rd 7 p.m.
@ Coosa Valley Academy (Harpersville, AL)
Away
October 30th 7 p.m.
vs. Monroe Academy (Monroeville, AL)
Home
205-223-2333 205-382-1134
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Calendar
Community September
1 Water Board 7 p.m. 2 Court Trials 9 a.m. 8 Housing and Abatement 5 p.m. 9 Court Plea Dockets 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. 14 Alabaster City School Board 5:30 p.m. 14 Council 7 p.m. 21 Board of Zoning Adjustments 6:30 p.m. 22 Planning and Zoning 7 p.m. 23 Court Plea Dockets 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. 28 Council 7 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. 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 September 7 - Labor day SAVE THE DATE! Fall Book and Bake Sale October 2-4 Adult Computer Classes Call or come by to sign up. 664-6822. September 2, 10 a.m. –Microsoft Word 2013 Part 2 September 9, 10 a.m. – Microsoft Excel 2013 Part 1 September 16, 10 a.m. – Microsoft Word 2013 Part I Job Search Workshops Join us as local expert Fabray Turner leads the following workshops: September 14, 6:30 p.m. – Job Searching Today September 21, 6:30 p.m. – Resume Writing Today September 28, 6:30 p.m. – Interviewing Today
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Out of the Darkness: From Suicide Prevention to a Life Worth Living September 10, 6 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. Lisa Holman, State Coordinator for our chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, will focus on understanding the suicidal mind, reducing the risk of suicide, and identifying suicidal thoughts. The program will also cover how to build an alliance with people in suicidal crisis, their family, and the community. Cake & Culture September 13, 2 p.m. Herbs with the Garden Girl – Lynda Dusseau has been growing herbs here in Alabama for over 18 years. She grows 15 different kinds of herbs in her suburban garden. This year she took her Garden Girl Herbs to the Alabaster Farmers Market for the first time, and it was well received. She will teach you all about herbs and their uses in cooking, healing, and repelling insects. Everyone will leave with a sample of either dried or fresh herbs as well as information on how to incorporate herbs into your cooking. “Herbs – learn to grow them, eat them, enjoy them, and be healed by them.” Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library. Program takes place in the Meeting Room. ABC & Ds of Medicare September 14, 1 p.m. Karen Haiflich of the Medicare Information Source will help you navigate through the process of Medicare. Learn about filing and benefits, and get answers to any other questions you might have. For more information, contact the library at 205-664-6822. Library Book Group September 17, 7 p.m. Join us in our discussion of I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Elizabeth McCabe. A tale inspired by true accounts, and a real female soldier’s letters home, follows the extraordinary experiences of a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to fight next to her husband in the American Civil War, an effort that tests the bonds of their relationship and their respective gender perceptions. Program takes place in the Meeting Room. Library Board Meeting September 22, 6 p.m. Mobile Device Workshop September 24, 6 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.
youth Events
All programs are in the Meeting Room behind the youth department. Children 6 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Fall Into Fun at your Library STory Times Wednesdays 10:15 a.m. Outreach Story Time at area day care centers Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. Tunes & Tales for all in the Meeting Room Fridays 10:30 a.m. Toddler Tales for 2 and 3 year olds in the Meeting Room
Miss Jennie’s Story Time Themes for September: • Labor Day/ Picnics, Beaches, Mountains Fun • Cars, Trucks, Trains, and Planes • Let’s Go to the Fair • Music, Music, Music • 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 their 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. Kids can check out some books right away. Apply at the circulation desk.
American Girls Club September 25, 4:00 p.m. Girls 7 years old and older can sign up for the fun of making friends, reading, learning about the character, Saige, and playing with dolls. Our special activity will be face painting with Miss Jennie. Come with or without a doll. Meets in the Meeting Room. Pete the Cat Book Club September 29, 6:00 p.m. Boys and girls 5 years old and older can join in the fun of cool cats, reading, and more. Please sign up. Meets in the Meeting Room. Children age 6 and younger must be with an adult.
Just a reminder: You can report any problems or concerns by calling 6646800 or by using the online “report a concern form” at www.cityofalabaster.com.
The Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library are announcing our
Fall
Book Sale October 2nd-4th
Lego League September 8, 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Kids of all ages can come and play with Legos of all sizes. Kids 6 years old and younger must be with an adult. Meets in the Meeting Room.
Friday 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
le!
e Sa & Bak
Members Preview Sale. Join at door for as little as $10. Be ahead of the crowd & enjoy first choice!
Saturday Sale 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. No limit – buy all you want. We’ll help you carry them to your car!
Sunday 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Fill-A-Bag. We’ll give you a bag to fill. For only $6 you get everything you can pack into it.
Teen Beach Movie Mania September 22, 4:00 p.m. Are you a surfer or a biker? Do you know the songs and the dance steps from both movies? Want to join in on some cool activities? Kids 6 years old and older can sign up for an evening of fun inspired by Disney’s Teen Beach Movie and Teen Beach Movie 2. The fun is in the Meeting Room. Kids 6 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
We have available an extensive assortment of history, biography, & fiction, in addition to many other categories. Paperback & children’s books will be $.50, & all other hardback books, only $1.00.
This Book Sale is one of only two each year as fundraisers to support the programs and services the Library provides our community.
Be a Volunteer Hero! Donate baked goods or help with the sale for a few hours. Contact Judy at 621-1803 or judymosely@ yahoo.com
albert l. Scott library
100 Ninth Street NW | Alabaster, AL | 205-664-6822
Calendar
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. CLOSED September 7 - Labor day FALL FEST VENDOR REGISTRATION On-Line Registration: Begins at 8 a.m. on September 21 and ends at 11 p.m. on October 9. Available at www. alabasterparks.org. Walk-in Registration: September 21 thru October 9 – weekdays only from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Depot. Cost: $30.00 for 15x15 booth. (You must provide your own table and chairs.) Event Date: Fall Fest will be on Saturday, October 31, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Buck Creek Trail. BASKETBALL On-line Registration: Begins at 8 a.m. on September 14 and ends at 11 p.m. on October 3. Available at www. alabasterparks.org Walk-in Registration: September 14 thru October 2 – weekdays only from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Depot. Cost: $85.00 (10% additional fee for non-residents) Open to: BOYS: Kindergarten through 9th grade. GIRLS: Kindergarten through 6th grade. *IMPORTANT: 9th graders who turn 15 before September 1, 2015, are not eligible. Kindergarteners have to turn 5 before September 1, 2015, to be eligible to play (no exceptions). FOOTBALL/CHEER Games will start the week of August 31 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 12, at the THS football stadium off of Thompson Road. Cheer Picture Day is set for Saturday, September 19, at the THS football stadium off of Thompson Road. We look forward to seeing you at the park this season as you show your support for the future Warrior football players and cheerleaders. FLAG FOOTBALL The Jamboree is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, at Veterans Park. The season begins on Saturday, August 15, at Veterans Park.
FALL BASEBALL The program is scheduled to begin on September 8 at Warrior Park. It will run for 6 weeks. FALL SOFTBALL Practices should begin the week of August 31. Games should begin around September 14 and conclude at the end of October START SMART SOCCER One hour sessions will be held each Tuesday night from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. beginning September 1 and ending on October 6. 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 Saturday, October 10, at 10:00 a.m. at Depot Field. FALL SOCCER Games are scheduled to begin on September 12 at Municipal Park, located at 500 Warrior Drive between TMS and THS. BARK IN THE PARK Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. It will be held at Veterans Park, 7305 Hwy. 119, Alabaster. Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss all the fun. There will be food, music, inflatables, vendors selling everything from dog bones to t-shirts, dog contests, etc. Registration for vendors and sponsors is available thru the Shelby County Humane Society at www.shelbyhumane.org/ On-Line Pavilion Rentals Visit www.alabasterparks.org. Several of our City Parks offer pavilions for events such as picnics, family reunions and birthday parties. The best way to assure 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. 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 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. Note: Space is limited in exercise classes. Sign up for each class begins 30 minutes prior to the start of a class. First come, first serve basis. CLOSED September 7 - Labor day
18 cityofalabaster.com
Scrapbook Princess Outing Tuesday, September 8 We will travel to the Moody area and attend a class where you will make 2 different cards and use 2 different techniques. Cost is $6, and you will need to bring $10-12 for lunch. Everyone is welcome who would like to learn more about making cards or scrapbooking. Sign up at the Senior Center. Petals from the Past Outing Tuesday, September 15 Do you want to learn more about how to grow herbs, and then what to do after you have grown them? We will attend a class and eat lunch at Petals from the Past. Cost is $25/person for class and lunch. Space is limited. Sign up at the Senior Center. Old Cook Stove and Amish Bakery Friday, September 18 We will enjoy a meal at the Old Cook Stove in Cullman along with a stop at the Amish Bakery. $1.00 to reserve your spot, and bring $12-15 for lunch. Space is limited. Sign up at the Senior Center. Fall Wreath Craft Tuesday, September 22, 12-1:30 p.m. You will create a fall wreath with coffee filters. Cost is $10 to reserve your spot and includes all supplies. Space is limited. Sign up at the Senior Center. Attention Fellow Bookworms September 28, 10 a.m. Want to meet new people, or get to know old friends better? Join us on the 4th Monday of each month at 10 a.m. to discuss the group’s latest book choice. Watch for monthly sign-ups and book announcements. Murder Mystery Play on the Harriot II Boat Saturday, November 21 We will travel to Montgomery to board the Harriot II boat and enjoy a family fun murder mystery play. You will even get a chance to guess “who did it” at the end of the night. Refreshments will be available to purchase on the boat. We will eat an early dinner prior to boarding the boat. This is an early sign up due to the tickets needing to be purchased in advance. Cost of admission for the Murder Mystery Cruise is $35. It has to be paid in order to reserve your spot. Bring $10-$12 for dinner. Space is limited. Zumba Gold Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Relatively high intensity, low-impact fitness class featuring Latin and World rhythms, and the same party favor as regular Zumba. A great cardio workout that is fun! Cost is $2/class.
New Adventures in Dance Wednesdays, 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 6 week class - Begins August 12 - September 16. A dance class especially designed for people with Parkinson’s Disease or other neurological disorders. Caregivers and other interested participants are welcome. If you love to move to music in a safe and caring environment, this is the class for you! This will be a 6 week program on Wednesdays from 2:15-3:00 p.m. Cost is $2/ class. NEW Gentle Yoga Thursdays, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. An hour class that combines traditional yoga postures and breathing techniques. Gentle movement is modified to allow the class to be completed from a standing or seated position. (Note: you will not be going to the floor in this class.) All levels of fitness are welcome. Cost is $2/person and space is limited. Tempo! Fridays, 10:00 a.m. This exercise class will focus on stretching, cardio, light weights and having fun! You won’t want to miss this class. $2/class. You won’t want to miss all the other Activities at the Senior Center... Timeless Treasures (singing): Mondays, 10:00 a.m. Head to Toe Fitness: Mondays, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Mat Stretch Class: Mondays, 2:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Wii Bowling: Tuesdays, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Rook: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. Arthritis Exercise: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. Zumba Gold (exercise): Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. Adventures in Dance: Wednesdays, 2:15 p.m. Beginner/Inter Line Dancing: Thursdays, 9:15 a.m. Beginner Line Dancing: Thursdays, 10:10 a.m. Gentle Yoga: Thursdays, 2:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Bridge: Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (note time change) Tempo exercise: Fridays, 10 a.m.
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Around Town
City Council Meeting Minutes (Abridged)
(Unabridged version of minutes and resolutions/ordinances can be found on city webpage at www.cityofalabaster.com)
July 13th, 7:00 p.m. Absent: Scott Brakefield
Mayor Comments
Mayor Handlon introduced members of the Alabaster City Schools team who visited Honduras recently. The team presented a plaque and shared a brief presentation of their efforts to create a sister school in Honduras.
Agenda Items *Public Hearing on these items 1. Resolution 071315* A HAB Expenses Simmsville Parcel #23-1-01-2-002-008.001 Council Member Rakestraw introduced Resolution 071315. Council President Pro Tem Martin then opened the public hearing on this matter allowing those present to speak for or against this Resolution to affix costs of demolition to the aforementioned property. With no one speaking for or against, Mrs. Rakestraw made a motion to accept Resolution 071315 affixing costs of $4,280.90 to said property. Council Member Hicks seconded. Motion Passed unanimously 2. Resolution 071315-A AHAB Expenses Simmsville Parcel #23-1-01-2-002-009.000 Council Member Hicks introduced Resolution 071315-A. Council President Pro Tem Martin then opened the public hearing on this matter allowing those present to speak for or against this Resolution to affix costs of demolition to the aforementioned property. With no one speaking for or against, Mr. Hicks made a motion to accept Resolution 071315-A affixing costs of $6,779.71 to said property. Council Member Bedsole seconded. Motion Passed unanimously 3. Resolution 071315-B AHAB Expenses 304 Forest Pkwy Council Member Ryals introduced Resolution
20 cityofalabaster.com
071315-B. Council President Pro Tem Martin then opened the public hearing on this matter allowing those present to speak for or against this Resolution to affix costs of demolition to the aforementioned property. With no one speaking for or against, Mr. Ryals made a motion to accept Resolution 071315-B affixing costs of $3,780.90 to said property. Council Member Walters seconded. Motion Passed unanimously 4. Resolution 071315-C PT Fire Inspector Position Council Member Bedsole made a motion to approve Resolution 071315-C creating the position of PT Fire Inspector. Council Member Hicks seconded. Motion Passed unanimously Said meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
July 27th, 7:08 p.m.
Absent: Tommy Ryals, Sophie Martin
Mayor Comments
Mayor Handlon conducted pinning ceremony for Alabaster Fire Department recognizing Paul Hunter as new hire and Thomas J. Lamb’s promotion to Lieutenant. Agenda Items *Public Hearing on these items 1. Resolution 072715 Archival Grant Council Member Walters introduced Resolution 072715, a public records archival grant of $2,000 through the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Council Member Walters made a motion to approve Resolution 072715, with Council Member Hicks seconding. Motion Passed unanimously 2. Resolution 072715-A Title VI Plan Council Member Rakestraw introduced Resolution 072715-A. Title VI Plan of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance (Alabama Department of Transportation in support of transit services). Council Member Rakestraw made a motion to approve Resolution 072715-A, with Council Member Bedsole seconding. Motion Passed unanimously
3. Resolution 072715 –B Dolphin Circle Streetlight Council Member Walters introduced Resolution 072715-B, regarding a streetlight installation and maintenance for Dolphin Circle to provide safe and secure environment for citizens. Council Member Walters made a motion to approve Resolution 072715B, with Council Member Rakestraw seconding. Motion Passed unanimously 4. Resolution 072715-C Fire Department Stations #2 & #3 Renovations Council Member Bedsole introduced Resolution 072715-C, authorizing use of Capital Funds up to $32,380 for renovations to Fire Department Stations #2 and #3. Council Member Bedsole made a motion to approve Resolution 072715-C. Council Member Rakestraw seconded. Council President Brakefield called for a Roll Call Vote. Motion Passed unanimously 5. Ordinance 150810-010 Franchise Agreement Southern Light LLC Council Member Walters introduced Ordinance 150810-010, granting a non-exclusive right-ofway use agreement to Southern Light LLC for the purpose of constructing and maintaining a fiber-optic transmission line within certain public right-ofways within the City of Alabaster, Alabama. Council Member Walters made a motion to set a Public Hearing on Ordinance 150810-010 to be held August 10, 2015, Council Member Hicks seconded. Motion Passed unanimously 6. Ordinance 150810-011 Annexation Thacker Property (Fogle Lakes) Council Member Hicks introduced Ordinance 150810-011, an Ordinance to alter and rearrange the Corporate Limits of the City of Alabaster, Alabama. Said parcel of land lying in the NW ¼ of the NW ¼ of Section 9, T-21-S, R-2-W, Shelby County, Alabama and containing [0.453] acres more or less. Council Member Hicks made a motion to set a Public Hearing on Annexation 150810-011 to be held August 10, 2015. Council Member Rakestraw seconded. Motion Passed unanimously Public Hearing is set for August 10, 2015 on Ordinance 150810-011 7. Ordinance 150810-012 Fogle Lake Annexations Council Member Hicks introduced Ordinance 150810-012, an Ordinance to alter and rearrange the Corporate Limits of the City of Alabaster, Alabama.
Lots in this ordinance: According to the Survey of Camp Branch Estates, Second Edition, as recorded in Map Book 11, Page 104 A & B, in the Probate Office of Shelby County, Alabama shall; come into the City of Alabaster as Municipal Reserve, and all uses of the property consistent with its use in the county prior to its annexation shall be allowed until said property is rezoned pursuant to the laws of the State of Alabama and the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alabaster, Alabama. Council Member Hicks made a motion to set a Public Hearing on Ordinance 150810-012 to be held August 10, 2015. Council Member Walters seconded. Motion Passed unanimously 8. Resolution 072715-D Authorizing Settlement Council Member Rakestraw introduced Resolution 072715-D, a Resolution authorizing Mayor Handlon to negotiate, finalize and sign all documents necessary to settle matter of Rafiki & Associates v. The City of Alabaster. Council Member Rakestraw made a motion to approve Resolution 072715-D. Council Member Hicks seconded. Motion Passed unanimously
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Around Town
Business Spotlight Hibbett Sports
Located just north of the Shelby County Airport sits Shelby Corporate Park West. Unbeknownst to most residents of Alabaster, this corporate park sits within the city limits and houses some of the largest employers in Alabaster, including one of the newest clients - Hibbett Sports. About a year ago, Hibbett Sports, a Birmingham based national retailer, opened up 420,000 square feet of distribution space, moving their whole distribution operation to Alabaster. Tony Lago, Vice President of
VP Tony Lago stands in front of just a few feet of the almost five and a half miles of conveyor belts.
Logistics, who made the move to Alabama from California, believes they could not have picked a better location. “I love it here. I have lived in different places and done work in a lot of states, but the south is a great place to live. The people, the attitude is different. It is a great place to be,” he shared with a smile. Lago came to Hibbett Sports to manage this new facility and operation. “I spent a good part of 30 years in logistics and supply chains. I recently was working as a consultant, so this feels good to get back to my roots of managing distribution and transportation,” Lago said. He also was excited for the challenge of something new and fresh. “This was appealing to me,” he said, “I knew I could offer something to the company. When I was able to see the building, I knew I could make a difference.” When Hibbett Sports started to look around for its new location, Alabaster quickly became the frontrunner. Lago immediately saw the advantages when he first visited the site as they were completing the construction. “I believe the key to this new facility is its central location. It is critical for us to have a way to get onto major interstates. Being, literally, right next door to 65 is an advantage,” Lago expressed. 22 cityofalabaster.com
When Hibbett Sports started to look around for its new location, Alabaster quickly became the frontrunner.
What most of us would see as a fairly simple task of moving boxes becomes a herculean task when you factor in almost 22,000 boxes needing to get sorted for daily delivery to over 1,000 stores, often multiple times a week. “The key,” shared Lago, “is to look at all the aspects of moving a carton from the vendor to the store shelf.” In the case of Hibbett Sports, it takes over 165 full time employees, 30 drivers, and 28,377 feet of conveyor belts (which equals 5.37 miles) to move one carton in 22 minutes. And while you might think the answer lies in the latest gee wiz gadgets, you would be wrong. “You have the building, and you have the technology, but no matter what business you are in, the key is people,” explained Lago. “We have a tremendous team; we have folks out there on the floor that are eager to learn. One day they are loading trucks, the next day they are leading a group of people. They want to do better; you don’t find that too many places these days,” he boasted. Lago also believes that Hibbett’s values help motivate the employees to achieve their best. “This culture, it attracts you into doing more. You don’t feel like you are being taken advantage of. You do the things you do because you enjoy doing them,” explained Lago. He added, “As big as we are, you don’t feel that ‘bigness.’ You can have the CEO come out and be talking about baseball with anyone. There is no ‘I’m up there and you’re down here.’” Alabaster is pleased to have such a strongly principled and intriguing corporate client among us. For more information visit www.Hibbett.com.
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Employee Spotlight Sharon Allen
Sharon Allen, senior clerk for the Alabaster Parks and Recreation department, is the first face you see when you enter the Depot- the offices for the Parks and Rec staff. And more times than not, it will be a smiling face. Allen started her career at the City of Alabaster over a decade ago. “Someone recommended me,” she shared. “Well, I stared working, and what was supposed to be part-time quickly turned into forty plus hours within two weeks.” Allen believes the department fits her well. “I like this department. I like it because there is so much interaction with so many different people, and there is so much variety in what I do,” she brightly answered. She is correct in that regard, there is quite a bit to do. Just the recreational sports - soccer, baseball, softball,
“I would say, in a sense, we are kind of like a family in here. We help each other out, whenever it is needed. “ -Sharon Allen basketball, adult softball, football, cheerleading, and flag football - would keep one person busy all year long. Add in to the mix the many special events and the maintenance of the sport fields, and you can see the pivotal role Allen plays for the department. “Most days,” she began, “there are people coming in. And there are tons of phone calls- the phone usually rings off the hook. I am the one who is responsible for the registration forms, and online registration. I process forms for those that don’t use the online forms. I handle all the money in the office. I do the online funds reporting. I do the info sheets. I am responsible for the website and for sending out any mass emails to over 5,000 people. I also post to social media, like Twitter and Facebook, for the city.” In the midst of this busyness one might lose focus on people, but not Allen. “This position, from the get go, has been kind of like being a counselor,” she reflected. “So many people come in, and various things are going on their lives so they want to vent, and so you just sit here and listen to them.” Allen paused a moment, then true to her nature, she added, “It is like you can be empathetic, and they just need someone to listen to them and they leave here and you feel like you made a small difference in their day, you know? At least when they leave here, I can pray for them.” And while being empathetic to the downtrodden is part of her role, she also wants to help the testy as well. “My challenge is to help the grumpy people, and my goal is to get them to smile, or at least not be so grumpy,” she shared with a laugh. Her coworkers add quite a bit to her job satisfaction. “I love working with them all. We get along so well. I would say, in a sense, we are kind of like a family in here. We help each other out,
Sharon Allen is always ready to offer you a smile.
whenever it is needed. We joke and cut up, but we are also serious when we need to be serious. We are supportive of each other. Not just here in the office, but on a personal level. We all care for each other,” she said. When she is not working, she is reading, walking nature trails, spending time with her husband, Tim Allen, and traveling, since her four children have now all hit adulthood. As a long time Alabaster resident, she is delighted to be working for her community, a community that she has known since her school days. “I just think it is cool that I get to work here because of the location. I graduated from the old Thompson High School,” she said. She added, “I just love it here.”
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Around Town
Distinguished Young Woman Mary Grace Long
Mary Grace Long, an Evangel Classical Christian School Senior, is Distinguished Young Woman of Shelby County for 2016. For those of us who are unfamiliar with Distinguished Young Woman, the first thing we need to know is, it is not a pageant! “They call it a program. It is a program, program, program,” exclaimed Mary Grace with a joyous smile. According to her, the difference between a pageant and a program is content and goals. “The program is very
“ The focus wasn’t on the competition, it was on being the best you could be.” -Mary Grace Long
“I’m going to go out there and do my best.” She quickly added an acknowledgement of her efforts, “I know I did the best I could do.” Mary Grace would encourage any young lady who is eligible to enter the program next year. “Absolutely go for it 110%. If you are going to do it, you need to give it your all,” she said. The results, to her, were just amazing. “Just the amount of growth I had in one week was unbelievable,” she exclaimed. Mary Grace is set to compete for the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama this coming New Year in Montgomery. “The state program is January 8th-16th but the actual completion is on the 15th-16th, in Montgomery,” she shared. She would love to win and represent Alabama in the national program, which is held in Mobile next summer. Mary Grace acknowledged that it would not be possible to compete without the support of those around her. “I would like Mary Grace Long, center, is Shelby County’s distinguished young woman.
much scholarship and academic based,” she said. The local program, held during July, was for Shelby County residents who were rising seniors. It was a grueling but rewarding experience for Mary Grace. “It was Sunday through Saturday, with the finale on Saturday. We had some kind of rehearsal every day - nine to 1 then take a break and be back from 5 to10. Those days were really taxing. But you are surrounded by a group of wonderful young ladies who just become your best friends,” explained Mary Grace. The program is scored in four categories. First, the contestant gives a 10 minute private interview, then she has an on stage fitness portion, followed by the self-expression portion - which is a choreographed two minute dance and a brief speech on a given topic. This is then followed by the talent portion. Mary Grace’s talent portion was a tap dance production to a remix of Aretha Franklin’s Respect. Even with all of these competitive events for the young ladies, it was not a competition so much as a measuring stick of self. “The focus wasn’t on the competition, it was on being the best you could be,” explained Mary Grace. “The director of the program said, ‘Don’t think about beating out the other competitors, it is really just all about yourself,’” shared Mary Grace. This led her to conclude, 24 cityofalabaster.com
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Alabaster residents Katherine Barrington, Ashley Pope, Saige Barnett, Mary Grace Long, Heather Thompson.
to thank my mom and dad and my brother and my sister. Angela Walker, my ballet instructor at Corky Bell in Alabaster. My Grammy, who did my alterations; and I also want to thank Heather Thompson, who did the program with me - for diving into it with me.” Alabaster was well-represented as other young women participated in the pageant and won several scholarship awards. Ashley Pope and Saige Barnett represented Thompson High School; and Heather Thompson along with Mary Grace Long represented Evangel Classical Christian School. For more information visit: www.distinguishedyw.org.
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Around Town
Alabaster Police Finish Renovations
The Alabaster Police Department finished its expansion into the old city hall on Main Street. It now occupies the top and the bottom floor. And everyone there is pretty excited for the change. “Elated,” exclaimed Captain Anthony. Why, might you ask? Well, he has his reason. “You know, there are 85 people in this department, and we were operating out of 1300 square feet. You can imagine what that would be like, with 85 people in your 1300 square foot home,” he explained with a smile.
“ Thank you to the city leaders, for allowing us the opportunity to acquire this additional space and the investment to make it what it is, and to the citizens who support us,” -Alabaster Police Captain Anthony If you move behind the secure door into the back hallway, you will find several offices occupied by very happy officers. You will also find something that the police department has never had in over 60 years- a kitchen. “We renovated the kitchen, something we have never had before - not even a break room. Before, if you wanted some water, you had to use the sink in the restroom. Now you can actually sit down and have a meal,” he boasted. Along with the newly erected walls and renovated space, the move allowed for the addition of enhanced security
Captain Anthony stands in the lobby of the newly renovated police facility.
They now have an additional 2,000 square feet of elbowroom. The newly renovated space was made available with the completion of the new city administration building, adjacent to the senior center. When the city’s administration offices moved, it was time to make upgrades and renovations to the vacant space. One of the most noticeable changes is the relocation of the entrance from the back, on the first floor of the building, to the front of the building, right off of Main Street. “With the old entrance, there was a tiny, maybe 4x7 lobby. Now we have a much larger, and inviting, lobby. It gives us an opportunity to serve more than one person at once,” declared Captain Anthony. Just off of the expanded lobby is a private and secure meeting room for officers to interact with the public in a safe and comfortable environment. “The ability to move around a little bit, to have meetings, it was really nice to be able to spread out and to separate general business from patrol,” said Captain Anthony. 26 cityofalabaster.com
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and installation of modern technology. “We have security on all the doors. You have to be granted access via a swipe card. In addition, we have cameras throughout the facility, and we can access security cameras at other city facilities,” shared Captain Anthony. New network cables were also installed to handle all of the additional electronic equipment. The unit that saw the greatest improvement of its working environment has to be the dispatchers. “They went from a storage closet, with technology that was 20 years old, to a large, modern set up with the most advanced communication equipment,” Captain Anthony stated, with a sweeping gesture of his hands and a broad smile. The three dispatch stations, which are manned 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, each feature four large computer monitors. One monitor shows every patrol car on the road, overlaid on an interactive city map - much like Google Maps shows your car’s location, but with dozens of small blue dots. Another monitor displays the communication system. The third is the internal database for the Alabaster PD, and the fourth is a database that is used by law enforcement nation wide. In addition to these individual monitors, there are two HD televisions that can show security cameras from around the city, or pull up local weather. Each operator is equipped with a Bluetooth headset, which allows for hands free operation and unfettered movement. None of these improvements would be possible without
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the community’s support. “Thank you to the city leaders, for allowing us the opportunity to acquire this additional space and the investment to make it what it is, and to the citizens who support us,” the captain gratefully said. All of these advancements were implemented to provide better customer service to the community. “We are here to serve the community, to build better relations with the community, and to be there when they need us,” shared Captain Anthony. “And this space, and these improvements, allow us to do that better.” To keep track of the APD, visit them on Facebook.com/ alabasterpolice.
Around Town Residential Beautification Award Winner 309 Dogwood Trail
Congratulations to Dan and Maxine Sparks, Alabaster’s Beautification Award winners for the month of September! Mrs. Sparks is known by all her neighbors as a dedicated gardener, frequently seen tidying their yard and planting new varieties of flowers and bushes. The Sparks recently installed a sprinkler system with new sod. Not only do they delight in offering something beautiful for their neighbors, they personally enjoy the fruits of their labor from their arbor swing. Thank you, Dan and Maxine, for making Alabaster a more beautiful place to live!
28 cityofalabaster.com
Let your light SHINE! Calling all Christmas light enthusiasts! Do you have that inner “Griswold”? The Alabaster Beautification Board is seeking addresses of all residents interested in having their home included in this year’s Parade of Lights. By submitting your name and address, you agree to have your home on the Christmas Lights registry and driving map. Please send an email to the ABB’s Volunteer Coordinator, Amanda Pearce (alpearce31@gmail.com). Please submit by October 15th.
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Around Town
APH RADIO RIBBON CUTTING
Once Again RESALES & CONSIGNMENT
APH Radio held a ribbon cutting for their new studio, located on Main Street just north of the Alabaster Police Department. The new studio boasts two new studios, several offices, a lobby and plenty of energy. To hear APH Radio tune into 99.9 or download their app from your smartphone and listen live anywhere.
Once Again Resales & Consignment located at 8919 Hwy 119 S., Suite 101, across from Elliotsville Church is your destination for great deals. The store has an assortment of women, men, and children’s clothing. Owner Anthony Taylor and his family are long time Alabaster residents.
Back to School Bash
Farmer’s Ribbon Cutting
The Alabaster Teen Council, along with support from the Parks and Rec department celebrated back to school with a huge blowout. The evening featured bubble soccer, a live DJ, crafts and karaoke. The Teen Council would like to thank the APD and AFD for their support and participation.
Kelley and Jeff Summerlin celebrated the opening of their new location at 126 1st Ave W Ste B, behind the APD Building, with a Ribbon Cutting. They recently moved to Alabaster and look forward to serving their new community with a high level of excellence.
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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 664-6831 | 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
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