Alabaster Connection September 2017 by me2graphicsllc

ALABASTER

CONNECTION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF ALABASTER | SEPTEMBER 2017

Fire chieF Golden

homecominG Grand marShal

pg. 14

homecominG Parade: WedneSday SePTember 27Th 5:30 P.m. labor day pg. 6

Fire Truck reSToraTion pg. 12

Vineyard Family SerViceS pg. 16

From the Mayor’s Desk Official Publication of the City of Alabaster Alabaster Connection is published monthly and is delivered to citizens of the City of Alabaster. Editorial Board The Public Relations Committee of the Alabaster City Council. Committee Chair Councilwoman Sophie Martin Councilwoman Kerri Pate Councilman Greg Farrell Editor Luke Camara, me2graphics, LLC Contributors Shana Camara Heather Leavell Lindsay Schluntz Megan Owens Lynn Barnett We welcome your comments & suggestions. Call 447-2214 or email luke@me2graphics.com

To advertise call 447-2214 Non-Emergency City Numbers Police 24-Hours 663-7401 Alabaster Water Board 663-6155 Fire Department 664-6818

Happy Labor Day, Alabaster! We have all been busy for the last couple of weeks getting in last minute vacations and adjusting to more structured schedules. Everyone should be ready to rest and enjoy the long weekend! I want to commend the Alabaster Teen Council members on their Marty Handlon, Mayor hard work this summer for the benefit of their peers. These young City of Alabaster leaders actually “work” each of their events with the whole hearted concern, effort, and expectation beyond their years of experience— and it is absolutely awesome to watch them in action. I love their motto and mission: “For Teens by Teens”. And on August 19th, the Teen Council hosted their annual “Back to School Bash” and it was a great success. Our teenage citizens, a very diverse faction of our community, gathered at Municipal Park for an evening of celebration, fellowship, fun activities, and music—from both Mac the DJ and themselves in Karaoke. I want parents to know we always have our public safety professionals present at each event so our young people have the opportunity to enjoy good, clean fun. I also want to remind everyone these events are designed for teenagers in grades 8th through 12th—the appropriate level of maturity and personal responsibility not requiring constant supervision. I want to give a BIG “Thank You” to Tim Hamm & the Park and Recreation Staff, Karen and Hank Fillingim, and Sgt. Plumb, along with various other members of our Police and Fire departments for their help in making these events successful. These public servants step up each time they are asked, and they do it with glad hearts and a smile. On a more somber note, I hope everyone is aware of the drug epidemic which has plagued communities across the country, taking the lives of young people, and leaving broken hearted parents and loved ones in its wake. Our community is not immune to this epidemic and this is why the city is a proud and invested partner with the Shelby County Drug Task Force and Compact 2020. Our school system has also joined all other systems in Shelby County in the fight against the problem. Compact 2020’s original goal was rehabilitating and keeping track of drug court participants, but it soon realized drug problems are starting in adolescence. They have since started investigating drug use among teens. Through these investigations, Compact 2020 identifies teens using drugs, and reaches out to parents to provide resources to help them address the problem, before it escalates to the point law enforcement has to get involved. Although this will be an ongoing battle in our society, the goal is to keep our children from being tempted as long as we can. Anyone interested in learning more about how we can help our young people battle this temptation can follow Compact 2020 on Facebook, or their website at www.Compact2020.com, and Be the Excuse. We want to do all we can to provide education and awareness to help address drug addiction, as well as mental health, because they may not be that far away from each other, or mutually exclusive. This is a battle which will require participation from the whole community, and I know we are up for it. Thank you in advance for being part of it! Thankful and blessed beyond measure,

THIS EDITION

FEATURES

Spotlights

4 Council Comments 24 Around Town 26 Calendar 30 CC Meeting Minutes

6 Labor Day 9 Garbage Update 10 Alabaster Pictorial Book 12 Fire Truck Restoration 16 Vineyard Family Services

18 Alabaster Helps 20 Citizen Spotlight 21 Employee Spotlight 22 Business Spotlight

Council Comments

Scott Brakefield

Ward 6 | City Council President Greetings! The Dog Days of August have surely hit us! With the heat index often reaching above 100 degrees, it makes me think of all of our City Employees who work out in the heat every day to provide services for our Residents. From Parks and Rec to Public Works and Environmental Services to Public Safety, they are all out, beating the heat, to make Alabaster the best it can be. One topic I would like to touch on in my comments this month is the use

Sophie Martin

Ward 1 Recently, I had the honor of attending the Alabaster City Schools Institute Day where Superintendent Dr. Vickers gave a current overview of our school system and goals set for the near future. Our graduation rate is now at 98%, an almost ten percent increase over the last several years; ACT composite scores are above the state average and almost equal to the national average; and our new state-of-the-art high school, one of the largest in the state, will be opening its doors soon. Results like these are impressive and continue to reinforce our decision for Alabaster to have its own school system. With two daughters of my own in ACS and one now in college, I see firsthand the impact these successes are having on our children. Sincere thanks to the Board of Education, Alabaster City Schools leadership and faculty for their partnership and for their commitment to Alabaster having the top school system in Alabama and the country. The youth of Soldiers of the Cross Ministries, a growing church right here in Alabaster, gave up their Saturday to clean up several streets in Ward 1. More than a dozen youth, along with several adult supervisors, picked up litter and debris in ditches and along the sides of the roads. These group of young leaders exemplify excellence. We truly appreciate their willingness and hard work to make Alabaster an even more beautiful city to live in. If you have any questions or ideas for our city or Ward 1, please contact me at martin@cityofalabaster.com or 506-8961. Kindest regards, Sophie

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of Social Media to reach our Residents. We have improved our communication with the community through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. It is great to have information shared via social media to keep our Residents updated and informed. Whether it's a traffic update from APD, some training and community involvement from AFRS, or notifications about upcoming events in the City from Parks and Rec, using Social Media is a quick and easy way to get our information out to the community. One area we are looking into currently is the use of Facebook Live, Podcasts or short video clips to show Council meetings and work sessions. We hope to be able to provide this sharing of information in the coming weeks and months. I look forward to hearing your feedback once we begin sharing information via this format.

Rick Ellis

Ward 2 As I think about things to write for this month’s comments, I realize this time last year, you, the citizens of Ward 2, gave me the honor of electing me to be your representative. It’s hard to believe it has been a year since the election, and I have learned a lot. At times, it has felt like I was trying to take a sip of water from a fire hose. I did not realize how much goes into city government for a city the size of Alabaster. If you ever have questions about what is going on or why, please feel free to contact me. Or, better yet, come to a council meeting and meet with us in person. I would love to meet with you and discuss your concerns or suggestions for our city. This last year has definitely been exciting, and I am honored to work for you! As we move into September, school has started back, and the kids are getting settled into their new classrooms with their new teachers. I am also excited about the upcoming football season for all of our school teams. It promises to be a great season and something amazing for our community to rally around! Also, let’s not forget about the fall Park and Rec teams - these kids work very hard and deserve our support as well. Go Warriors! Again, if you have any suggestions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at ellis@cityofalabaster.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Rick

Stacy Rakestraw

Ward 3 The City has recently updated job descriptions for positions within the city. This provides us with a complete inventory of all positions, and an accurate description , with specifications for each class of work. This along with our

Council Comments recent pay study and change in our salary schedules, will really benefit our employees. We want to be competitive with the wages we pay our employees, and the work done on this project helped us do just that. We have received complaints of the newspaper and advertisement bundles being thrown out onto streets, driveways, and sidewalks. To stop this service at your home, contact the Birmingham News to cancel the delivery by calling (205) 325-4444 or go online to www.birminghamnewsextra.com. There is a lot of road work and construction going on along Thompson Road. Utility work, county road work, and the new high school are all part of progress in our city, but please be mindful of your speed for the safety of the workers, students who have started back to school, as well as other drivers. And be patient - the widening of the bridge over Buck Creek could take 6-9 months. There is also a plan in place to extend Buck Creek Trail once the bridge work is done. Thank you for the opportunity to serve our City. Please join us at any of our work sessions and meetings as they are all open to the public. Stacy Rakestraw

Greg Farrell Ward 4

As many of you know by now, the City will begin its own garbage collection service in January of 2018. Watch for regular updates in future newsletters on the upcoming service information. We anticipate a smooth transition, but with anything new, there may be bumps in the road. Please be patient during this process. As a reminder, your garbage fee is not increasing. The City Council will once again be working on the annual budget. We do everything we can to provide the best services to our citizens. We will continue to provide services with excellence and efficiency to the best of our ability. With fall approaching and football season upon us, try to catch a local game at one of our three schools (public and private).

Russell Bedsole Ward 5

Everywhere you turn, we have divided ourselves along political, racial, and even religious lines. We live in a day and age where the most common way to air your opinion is to get behind a keyboard and post an anger-filled rant on what you believe is wrong with our country, state, city, or even your neighbor. It has become so easy to take to social media and offer a criticism on anything and everything. All of a sudden, social media has made us more knowledgeable than everyone else, or more correct than the next person with an opinion.

Here is what I ask of you today - be different than the rest of our country. Opinions are great, but everyone has one. If you have an issue with the way your county, state or city is led, skip the anger-filled rant, and go directly and respectfully to the person or entity that you believe is not performing at the level you wish. I assure you - you will get more results with this approach rather than putting your literary talents on display on social media. It’s your choice to not agree with others about their point of view, or even with how your local government is run, but there is a better way to handle it. There is a great saying I use with everyone I supervise: “We disagree in private, and we praise in public.” By following this simple advice, we will settle our differences without hurt feelings or embarrassment, and we will progress beyond everyone’s expectations. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Kerri Pate Ward 7

I hope everyone has settled into their school year routines and your children are transitioning well. I certainly do not show my appreciation nearly enough to our local educators. My children love their schools (TMS & THS), and I attribute that to the positive environment and the opportunities they are exposed to daily. So thank you to ACS, KCS and ECS for making a difference in the lives of children in Alabaster! This month has been especially busy for the Council, and we have spent many hours making decisions that may seem small to some, but we face them with careful consideration. One example is the pouring rights agreement that the City has with a beverage company. Since April, when two bids were received, we have asked many questions, taken into consideration the changes that both companies presented, and considered the benefits to the City. The bid was awarded to Coca Cola. The biggest change is that we will begin selling bottled sodas instead of fountain drinks. We will also receive a new scoreboard next year at Buck Creek (and maintenance on the existing scoreboards), as well as some other negotiated incentives. Both companies explained that all ball parks will be transitioning to bottled sodas as their contracts are renewed, with fountain drinks no longer being available. We will all have to adjust to this change, and eventually, we will get accustomed to it. Hundreds of families in our City are involved in sports and I want you, as well as everyone else, to know how we fully examined the details of this agreement. This may seem small, but it is a change that many of you will experience, and I wanted to give you a good explanation and some insight into the decision. I also want to remind you that you are always invited to our work sessions and Council meetings. Please be patient with all of the road projects in the City - we will all be grateful when they are completed. Thanks again for entrusting me to serve you - it is truly a privilege that I take very seriously. See you on Friday nights at Larry Simmons Stadium - GO WARRIORS!

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recognizing Labor Day

What do you love about your job? In recognition of Labor Day, we talked to a number of employees who serve the Alabaster community, working in businesses and organizations around the city.

Derrick Morrissette – Pastor – Mind of Christ International Church “I love serving people and connecting with people. Helping them get from the place they are to where God has called them to be.”

Frank Davis – G4S Custom Protection Officer at Legacy Community Federal Credit Union

“I really love this job. I meet people and make them feel safe when they come into the Credit Union. I’ve been doing this job for 13 years since I retired." cityofalabaster.com

Anita Roper – Owner – Cuts and Such “I love working with people. I love all my clients; we’re just all one big family. I’ve been doing hair in Alabaster for about 25 years.”

Jessica Lin – Hostess at Bamboo Garden Restaurant and Junior at Thompson High School “My favorite part about working here is meeting new people. We talk a lot and it’s fun to see the different kinds of people in Alabaster.”

Shanice Harris – Alabaster Beauty Supply

“I love meeting new people and learning new things about the customers.”

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Press Start Presents: AWF

Game Fest $10 ENTRY PER GAMER

$250 IN PRIZES!!! CONCESSIONS TOO!

9.23.17 4:00 to 9:00PM

Thompson High School 100% OF PROFITS WILL BENEFIT SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE ANGEL WARRIORS FOUNDATION.

A n ge l Wa rriors Fou n dation is h avin g a Ga min g Tou rn a m e n t! Press Start of Alabaster has been gracious to help us bring an exciting experience to our community. We will have other games so everyone can join in on the fun. There will be raffles, door prizes and concessions. Please help us to continue to provide different activities and services to our special needs community. We would not be able to do anything with the help and support of so many! If you have any questions, please contact Jamia Alexander-Williams at jwilliams@ angelwarriorsfoundation.org

In January 2018 The City of Alabaster will introduce a new self-supporting city service:

GARBAGE COLLECTION www.CityofAlabaster.com

WHAT TO RECYCLE The City of Alabaster is gearing up to begin the new garbage and recycling removal system. To raise awareness, the Public Works Department would like to share the following information with you about recycling.

As always, please do not contaminate the recycling cart with trash.

Recycled materials can be the following: PAPER: • Aseptic cartons (milk, juice, broth cartons) • Corrugated cardboard boxes (Cut into sections to fit within the recycling can) • Junk mail • Newspaper • Office paper • Paperboard (cereal boxes) • Telephone books

METALS: • Aluminum cans • Aluminum foil • Disposable bake • Steel and /or tin cans PLASTICS: • Plastic bottle caps left on the bottle • Plastics No. 1 - No. 5, No. 7

Read the Alabaster Connection next month for new and up-to-date information about this public service. Current information will also be posted on the City of Alabaster website: CityofAlabaster.com

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of Alabaster Documented in Pictorial Book “History never written is soon forgotten.”

Bobby Joe and Diane Seales display a copy of the pictorial history book of Shelby County that they compiled in 2006. “Alabaster & Siluria, The Early Years – A Pictorial History” is available for pre-order now.

cityofalabaster.com

obby Joe Seales and his wife, Diane, have spent the better part of 2017 working on a pictorial history book of Alabaster and Siluria to preserve pieces of history that are quickly being forgotten. “One of the biggest reasons we want to do the book is because a lot of the older people are beginning to pass away. There are a few people that we’ve gotten pictures from who have already passed away since we started the book. The pictures we requested from several families had been discarded because children and grandchildren didn’t know who were in them. So the old pictures are disappearing,” Diane said. The book, titled “Alabaster & Siluria, The Early Years – A Pictorial History,” gives the reader a real look at what life was like in Alabaster. Pictures included in the book date back to 1809 and span through the 1950’s. The book is in recognition of the Alabama Bicentennial. The years 20172019 mark important bicentennial anniversaries for the state and for Shelby County. In 1817, Alabama Territory was established when Mississippi separated, Shelby County became a county of the Alabama Territory in 1818, and Alabama officially became a state in 1819. Bobby Joe and Diane had over 1,000 pictures to choose from for the publication, which is sponsored by the City of Alabaster and Alabaster City Schools.▶

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“People were so generous with their pictures. I was overwhelmed,” Bobby Joe exclaimed. “Personally, I’d rather look at a picture and read a short description than read a whole book. A picture is worth a thousand words.”

The main purpose of the book is to preserve this history so that future generations can see where we came from, where we are today and what potential we have for the future.

For 16 years, Bobby Joe served as the director of the Shelby County Museum and Archives and president of the Shelby County Historical Society, and now he is the Alabama Bicentennial Ambassador. “As the ambassador, I get to go around and speak to a lot of organizations and promote the Alabama Bicentennial, and I get to be in parades. I enjoy the parades! My dream is to one day be the Grand Marshall of the Alabaster Homecoming Parade.” Since he was born and raised in Alabaster, there weren’t many surprises found in the pictures for him. “My family was here in Shelby County before it became a county,” he laughed. He thinks that many people will be surprised by some of the quality pictures that are included in the book. Many people may even recognize family members or other prominent people from the early days of Alabaster. He and Diane worked hard to identify as many people in the pictures as possible. There are over 200 pictures in the book, including the following: • Old cotton mill • First school buildings (Alabaster School and Thompson) • 2nd Graduating class of Thompson (1923), including George Scott Jr. – the first mayor of Alabaster • Original handwritten copy of the Thompson Alma Mater

• Pictures of Peanut Davenport when he attended Thompson • Damage from the Storm of 1953 • Churches and congregants • Public services – fire and police departments • May Day celebrations • Original Alabaster Hospital • Aerial photos of Alabaster • Many pictures of people and more The quality of the pictures is impressive. “They’re old, but they are good and clear,” he said. The books are available for pre-order now at Alabaster.PictorialBook.com. The book is being published by Pediment and will begin shipping toward the end of November. According to Bobby Joe, the plan is to print 1,000 books, 700 of which have already been ordered. “The main purpose of the book is to preserve this history so that future generations can see where we came from, where we are today and what potential we have for the future. We need to preserve the history before it’s lost. We owe a lot to our forefathers and ancestors - they have made us the people we are today,” Diane said. Bobby Joe volunteers his time to preserve this history because, as he says, “I love history and I love Alabaster.” AC

Expires:09/2017

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Restoring Alabaster

Fire Department's First Motorized Hero Saving AFD Engine 1 Members of the Alabaster Fire Department have been interested in locating their Department’s very first fire engine for some time. “This was important to us for many reasons,” Fire Chief Jim Golden shared. “But high among those reasons is that we have a passion for preserving Alabaster Fire Department and the City of Alabaster’s history, and honoring those who worked so hard before us to provide the foundation we are all building on today.” Finding an Old Friend This passion and pursuit of such a valuable piece of Alabaster’s firefighting history led to the discovery of a fire truck found approximately 100 yards off Highway 11 near the Alabaster/Pelham city limits. “Once we confirmed this truck was indeed AFD’s first fire engine, we began the process of attempting to track down the owner,” Chief Golden explained. “After multiple

cityofalabaster.com

telephone calls, we were able to speak with the owner, and after explaining the importance of the truck to Alabaster Fire Department, the owner was proud to donate it to us!” Putting the Pieces Together Originally, Engine 1 – as the apparatus was monikered – was factory equipped with an 80-horsepower, inline six-cylinder gasoline engine and a three-speed manual transmission. It weighs about five tons. (By comparison, the most modern fire engine the AFD has currently received has a 500-horsepower engine and weighs around 23 tons!) “This was the first fire engine Alabaster Fire Department used. The truck was acquired in 1952 and was used in some capacity up to the 1980s,” Golden said. “The fire engines of that period operated in much the same fashion as modern fire engines, but pumped a lot less water.” After the truck was retired from the AFD, the City street department used it to help clean ditches and pipes. After that, the engine was considered surplus and removed from City inventory. ▶

feature “We have not been able to determine who purchased the engine yet or the exact date, but it’s believed to have been in the late 1980s. After this, the engine was passed around several times and eventually found its way to that field off Highway 11, where it had been sitting for years.” A City Coming Together After securing the donation, Alabaster’s local Wheeler Wrecker Company donated their services to remove the engine from the roadside and transport it to Alabaster Firehouse #3. However, the community’s generosity didn’t stop there. After learning of the firefighters’ restoration project goals, Vini Madrigal – owner of Vini's Hot Rods, based in Alabaster – contacted the Department and said his shop wanted to help! “Although we are currently raising funds to secure the needed materials [for the restoration], Vini has agreed to complete the restoration work as a donation,” Golden said with gratitude. Other community fundraising efforts have included Engine #1 hat sales, children’s lemonade stands, ‘fill the boot’ drives, assistance in locating hard-to-find parts, and more! Be A Part of Restoring History To date, over $8,500 of the needed approximately $70,000 have been raised. No City funds will be used for this project, so they are relying completely on donations. The time frame to complete the project largely depends on how quickly the funds are contributed. “We have incorporated Friends of Alabaster Firefighters, and the IRS has classified it as a not-for-profit organization, so donations are tax deductible,” Chief Golden clarified. “We have a Facebook page set up to capture the progress of the project, and there is a donate button on the page.” The organization also has a GoFundMe page established, and donations can be made at any Alabaster firehouse. Checks should be made to Friends of Alabaster Firefighters. “The ultimate goal of this community project is to restore AFD Engine 1 to its original condition so that we can preserve the history of Alabaster Fire Department and the City of Alabaster,” he said with enthusiasm. “The engine will be used to assist with fire prevention and public fire and life safety education.” AC

Courtesy of Bobby Joe Seales. AFD Engine #1 – circa 1961 – filling its water tank on Hwy 31 just below Hwy 26. The Garrett house is seen in the background.

HelP history As our local firefighters continue to learn more about their newfound missing piece of department history, they are seeking more information and pictures of the engine in action. If you or someone you know can share any memories, stories or photos of Engine 1 during its glory days and valorous years of service, please contribute them via the Facebook page or email them to AFD@ AlabasterFire.org. For More Information or to Contribute: www.facebook.com/SaveAFDEngine1 www.gofundme.com/SaveAFDEngine1 …or stop by any Alabaster Fire Department #AlabasterPride #SaveAFDEngine1 The Alabaster Fire Department is dedicated to serving with pride and professionalism through the delivery of quality emergency and public services, acting with respect, and bringing honor to our community, department, and family at all times. cityofalabaster.com

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Alabaster Fire Department is

AFD Fire Chief selected as Homecoming Grand Marshal

lthough Alabaster Fire Department Fire Chief Jim Golden will be honored as the Grand Marshal of the 2017 Homecoming parade, he is more than willing to share the recognition with the rest of the Department. “This selection is special to me because it represents the Alabaster Fire Department as a whole. I may be the one riding in the Grand Marshal car, but it is my partners at AFD that make the Department great,” he humbly said. “I am honored to be able to represent them, and we thank Alabaster City Schools for their recognition and allowing us to be one of their partners.” A Well-Deserved Kudos While Alabaster residents are generally aware of the fire suppression and emergency services their fire department provides year-round, the AFD also provides a full array of community risk reduction efforts. For example, firefighters actively install smoke alarms and change batteries at no cost for city residents. They also install child safety seats free of charge, teach community CPR classes every other month, and regularly attend community events. Modeling ‘Red Hot’ Core Values to ACS Students The Homecoming theme of “Red Hot Warriors” is a perfect fit for the AFD. Chief Golden shared that he is proud of how the department members each embody the AFD core values of: • Accountability • Commitment • Excellence • Integrity According to Dorann Tanner, Alabaster City Schools’ Student Services Coordinator, “We are honored to be able to recognize the men and women of the AFD. They are all true heroes!" ▶ Firefighters demonstrate fire safety principles and show fireman's gear to kids from Alabaster City Schools.

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feature These community heroes have special places in their hearts for Alabaster students. “Each of our companies have an assigned school they visit a minimum of two times per month,” Chief Golden shared with a smile. “These visits include having lunch with the students, reading to them, participating with the students in PE activities, etc. We also attend Alabaster City School events to provide medical care.” “We are proud to partner with Alabaster City Schools to invest in the students. They are the future of our City, and we want to do everything we can to help ACS develop these students.” Learn more about the Alabaster Fire Department: www. cityofalabaster.com/175/Fire-Department.AC

Meet the Chief: Jim Golden Jim Golden is originally from Pell City, AL, and began in the fire service in April of 1994. He served in the City of Auburn Fire Division, and with a local volunteer fire department in St. Clair county before coming to work in Alabaster in 1999, and quickly rising through the ranks to become appointed Alabaster's Fire Chief on February 4, 2013. “I enjoy working in a community that supports the department and truly cares for others,” the Chief said of his now-hometown of Alabaster. He and his wife, Kris, are raising their two sons, Jack – age 12 and a 7th grader at Thompson Middle School, and James – age 5, along with their two English Bulldogs, Woody and Stella. Jim’s other hobbies include drone racing, teaching for the Alabama Fire College, and being a Professor of Fire Science for Columbia Southern University. He earned his own Master of Science from Jacksonville State University, his Bachelor of Science in Public Safety & Health Administration from Athens State University, and an Associates in Applied Science in Fire Science from Jeff State. Chief Golden is currently enrolled in the Geospatial Analysis and Intelligence program at Delta State University.

Red Hot Warriors

Homecoming 2017

f you combined a parade, the Thompson Warriors, and the Alabaster Fire Department, what would you end up with? The 5th Annual Alabaster City Schools’ Homecoming Parade, of course! This year’s homecoming theme is “Red Hot Warriors,” and it will honor the Alabaster Fire Department, with Fire Chief Jim Golden serving as the Grand Marshal. Student Services Coordinator, Dorann Tanner, is excited about the prospects for this year’s event, and for the school year ahead. She believes that the Warriors will be the best in academics, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities. “ We are ‘red hot!’” she said, with enthusiasm. “ We are striving to be the best school system in the State of Alabama!” The parade will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27th, and will begin at Thompson Middle School. The route will travel down Warrior Drive, past Thompson High School, and turn left on AL 119 to arrive at Larry Simmons Stadium near Thompson Intermediate School. Red Hot Football Matchup The homecoming football game this year will see the Thompson Warriors face rival Pelham Panthers. The home game will be held September 29th. To fan the flames of competition, a pep rally will be held immediately following the Homecoming parade, where THS head football coach Mark Freeman, team captains and other ACS leaders will speak. Awards will also be given to outstanding parade participants. “All schools and Thompson Youth Football participate each year. In addition, the wonderful Southern Marching Sounds, dance teams, ROTC, cheerleaders, THS and TMS athletic teams and extracurricular groups participate,” she listed off. “It is a fun, friendly competition to build the BEST float!” Dorann expects somewhere between 50 and 75 registrants to participate in the parade festivities. Registration forms for floats are available on the district website (www.acsboe.org). “We invite everyone to come and watch the parade and experience the community pep rally! Warrior Football is going to be "red hot" this year! Come and enjoy the Friday night lights!” AC

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A Race to End Hunger

September 16th First annual 5K to raise money to feed local children

hat if you could help feed public school children ages 5-14, who are at-risk for food insecurity, simply by participating in a fun run or 5K… would you do it?

when September 16th

Entry Fees 5K Race 8:00 am

Now’s your chance! Vineyard Family Services (VFS) provides Alabaster City and Shelby County schoolchildren with backpacks filled with over five pounds of nutritious (and yummy!) foods to help fill their stomachs over the weekends and school holidays. This program is called BackPack Buddies. To raise the money needed to fill these children’s backpacks, VFS is hosting their first annual Race to End Hunger 5K and Fun Run on Saturday, September 16th. The 5K race begins at 8AM and the one-mile Fun Run starts at 9AM. Groups – and families! – are encouraged to register as a team. A $5 discount is given to each 5K runner after the 10th team member registers. Packets can be picked up at the Trak Shak in Homewood, at the VFS building in Pelham, or the day of the event at Veterans Park in Alabaster.

$30 pre-registration until September 15 $35 day-of-race registration

1-Mile Fun Run 9:00 am $20 pre-registration until September 15 $25 day-of-race registration

Snooze for Food: $30 pre-registration until September 15

Location Veterans Park 7305 Hwy 119 Alabaster, AL For more information go to www.vfsdads.com or contact Lori Coward at loricoward65@gmail.com or Stephanie Grissom at stephiegrissom0@gmail.com

cityofalabaster.com

Vineyard Family Services (VFS) is a faith-based non-profit, dedicated to building healthy families in Alabaster and throughout Shelby County by strengthening dads, encouraging moms, and ensuring that children’s basic need for nutritious food is met.

Make a Difference for Families Not everyone loves to run, but everyone can play a part in ensuring that Alabaster and Shelby County children are fed. Even if you aren’t a runner, you can simply make a donation, drop off in-kind contributions of food, or you can participate on a larger scale as a sponsor for a school, a class or a family. ▶

feature “Because of the generous support of our individual and business sponsors, we are able to feed children in every Alabaster school,” Program Director Stephanie Grissom said gratefully. “It usually costs us over $5,000 for the year, for 20 kids. This allows us to feed them every weekend, plus double during breaks.” Sponsors give security, support, comfort, care and hope to families with children in need. In addition to the BackPack food, these donations also help provide hygiene bags, Christmas stockings, and family emergency food boxes that are immediately delivered in situations that need instant attention. Vineyard Family Services (VFS) is a faith-based nonprofit, dedicated to building healthy families in Alabaster and throughout Shelby County by strengthening dads, encouraging moms, and ensuring that children’s basic need for nutritious food is met. AC

Vineyard Family Services WAYS YOU CAN HELP • Run, Walk, Sleep In, or Sponsor Race to End Hunger 5K • BackPack Buddies • Adopt A School Sponsorship • Make A Financial Donation • Donate Grocery Gift Cards • Host A Food Drive or Hygiene Drive • Donate Christmas Stockings For more information, email Stephanie Grissom at stephanie@ vfsdads.com or call 205-317-9897 www.vfsdads.com *Service Letters Provided For All Students Participating

BackPack Buddies

5K & Fun Run September 16th

Alabaster Veteran’s Park

5K Race 8 am 1-Mile Fun Run 9 am

Because Hunger Doesn’t Take a Break on the Weekends! Sign up today at

Runsignup.com For more information go to

www.vfsdads.com

or contact Lori Coward at loricoward65@gmail.com or Stephanie Grissom at stephiegrissom0@gmail.com cityofalabaster.com

Alabaster Helps

Welcome to my sister's Place Bringing Hope & Healing to Hurting Women

rior to 2011, a Christ-centered shelter to house and help heal the hopeless, helpless and hurting women of Shelby County did not exist.“I had a dream to develop a place that would embrace, enlighten, empower and elevate women who needed God as much as you and I do!” Cindy Hildebrand said fervently.

his dream became My Sister’s Place - a non-profit, transitional residential organization for women, to provide hope through mentorship, structure, and guidance in a Christcentered, loving environment. Cindy serves as the Founder and Director of the organization. The first resident arrived in October 2011. By 2012, the ministry purchased two houses designed to comfortably house six women each. In 2014, two more homes were purchased, which could accommodate for some of the children of residents, as well.

Many of the women going through the program have minor children and need to have weekly visits arranged for them. These visits had been happening at the local McDonald's or at a city park or church. But in July of 2017, the organization saw Mama’s Place open. Here, many hours of bonding can occur between mothers and their children. “Many mommies are being made new by God through this program. These little ones will never have to see the ‘old’ mommy again!” she exclaimed.

Seeing God’s Hand at Work “God continues to grow us,” Cindy celebrated. “In February of 2017, we were able to purchase another home, which allows us to now house 30 women!”

Fulfilling the Mission Since its inception, My Sister’s Place has been a refuge and place of healing for over 145 women and more than 26 of their children. The impact of the program is staggering, with 76% of ▶

cityofalabaster.com

Alabaster Helps graduates continuing to do well and succeeding in their new lives. "We want to help these ladies get back on their feet and help them live a different way. It’s about forming relationships and loving them so they can love themselves and become all that God has created them to be," Cindy said. The mission of My Sister’s Place is to provide “Hope for the Hurting— Restore hope of women through discipleship and encouraging relationships with Christ. Help for the Helpless— Serve the physical and emotional needs of women through the recovery process. Healing for the Humbled — Brightening futures with proper life skills to establish solid homes for women and their families.” There are dozens of women who have experienced this hope, help and healing, including: Stevie B. – This mother of two was facing over 15 years in prison before entering the program. Not only did she turn her life around, but she earned her GED and is able to be a strong, stable mother to her girls. Denise M. – After 20+ years of drug and alcohol abuse, Denise came to My Sister’s Place with severe addictions. For this reason, her daughter was afraid and unwilling to leave Denise alone with her young granddaughter. Today, Denise serves as a ‘house mom’ to the other women who come into the program, works for her exhusband, and regularly babysits her three-year old granddaughter. Julie A. – After a run-in with the law, Julie lost custody of her daughter. After her time at My Sister’s Place, her daughter was returned to her and the family was reunited. Brooke K. – After completing the program while facing 20 years in prison, she said, “I doubt I would be alive today without the love and acceptance I found at My Sister’s Place.” “This extraordinarily successful program, the only one of its kind in Shelby County, is reshaping lives and our community through empathy towards human error and the love of Christ, providing support, direction and hope to women who have lost their way,” said Board Member Judge Lara Alvis. How You Can Help The best ways for the community to invest into My Sister’s Place so that they can help more women, daughters, mothers and sisters to regain healthy, productive and successful lives are to: Pray – “We recognize that it is God who makes these transformations happen. Many of the women give their lives to Christ and are baptized while a part of our program! That’s what makes the real difference.” Contribute – One-time or recurring monthly financial gifts

The residential facilities allow program participants to live, learn and grow together.

will support increased services to the women. In-kind donations, like twin mattresses, ladies’ toiletries, and toilet paper are also helpful. Share Your Talents – There are lots of opportunities to volunteer and to be a part of impacting these ladies’ lives, including doing ‘handy-man’ work and auto mechanics, grant writing, fundraising, or building a website. Mentor – Being able to have someone to talk to, learn from and imitate is key for program participants. Looking to the Future The needs are great in the area, as there are increasingly more women in Alabaster and throughout Shelby County who need the opportunity to be served by the ministry of My Sister’s Place. To accommodate for the kind of growth that the program has experienced – and that it expects to see continue! – the organization needs additional facilities, a crisis dorm and getting to a point of affording salaries for staff members. “My Sister’s Place has no full-time staff,” Cindy shared. “Even as the Director, I work another full-time job. I really need to have the ability to at least employ a full-time assistant.” Adding a second Mama’s Place would also greatly benefit the women. Brett Sheedy is a Founding Board Member of the organization. He said, “My Sister’s Place changes lives! And not just the lives of the women who become a resident of MSP, but the lives of their families and loved ones. For every MSP resident who finds healing and strength through Christ and then is enabled to rejoin their family and the workforce, there is a ripple effect on the entire community that cannot be overstated.” AC

For more information about My Sister’s Place, contact Cindy Hildebrand at 205-434-0701 or by email to mysistersplaceinc@yahoo.com. cityofalabaster.com

Citizen spotlight

Home Clean Home

John Ellison – Taking pride in his Alabaster home If you chat with John Ellison for very long, you’ll quickly discover how deep his passion for his City runs. A 40+ year-long Alabaster resident, John knows the value of having a place to call ‘home.’ His wife, Cindi, and stepson, Zachary, live with him in Maylene. “I have lived here about all my life,” he said fervently. “To me, then, this is where your children grow up, where your family’s going to be for years to come, so we need to keep it clean!”

ohn is known by many as the man who cleans up the roadways of Alabaster. Two or three days of every week, Alabaster residents regularly see him going along key roadways – like Hwy 119 or Hwy 31 – with a garbage bag in hand. It’s not uncommon for him to fill multiple large bags at a time with litter and trash from the ditches and road shoulders. He has even installed large garbage cans in strategic places along 119 and Smokey Road in an attempt to curb the amount of trash carelessly tossed along the roadsides. “It’s a shame that it has gotten bad. People just don’t seem to realize,” he lamented. “I wish people would just get out and walk around their neighborhood – maybe not even to pick up trash at first, but just to see how much trash there is out there!” John has picked up hundreds (or more!) of beer boxes, fast food wrappers, household garbage, even paint cans, and dirty diapers. From his perspective, if drivers can see pieces of trash from the road, they can typically assume that much more junk can be found just out of sight! cityofalabaster.com

A Humble Heart is a Happy Heart John was nominated as this month’s citizen spotlight by Alabaster resident, Susan Crotzer. She said, “He is so incredibly humble and he would never even care if anybody knew what he was doing. He just feels like it’s what God wants him to do. He has such an amazing servant’s heart.” One of the motivations that keeps John consistently – almost daily – picking up after sloppy drivers who choose to litter, is that he wants to set an example for the next generation. “We can’t expect the younger generation to care if we don’t. And then the generation after them won’t care. And it just continues,” he explained. “So, I’m going to do as the Good Lord guides me until I just can’t do it anymore.” Serving Those Who Serve This standard of doing the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do can also be seen in John’s life outside of his garbage pick-up efforts. Susan works alongside John as an active member of the Alabaster Public Servants Foundation (APSF). The APSF is a non-profit organization John founded a few years ago as a means of recognizing and coming alongside the City’s police and fire departments.

Perhaps best known for their “Feed the Police” and “Feed the Firefighters” dinners, APSF volunteers also work together throughout the year to deliver cases of water, serve occasional treats and meals, and provide other supplementary support. “It takes a number of community partners and about 6-8 weeks to organize, promote and coordinate, once we have a date set,” John explained. “But we believe [Alabaster’s police and fire departments] deserve it. They are our community heroes!” Do Your Part Whether it’s picking up trash outside or along the road, or simply helping purchase the trash bags and cleaning solutions for others, John is convinced that if everyone pulled together, we could make Alabaster a clean city again. “If the community would join in the effort, we could get Alabaster cleaned up!” John said. “But just a few people can’t do it. I encourage each and every one of us to get out and pick a garbage bag full up. If everyone would do that, or if everyone would pitch in to purchase the bags and supplies needed…if only everyone pulled together, we could make Alabaster a clean city again. But it takes everybody.” AC

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Nancy Burns Serving the City with Excellence & Heart

ancy Burns has been passionate about serving the community of Alabaster for decades. Not only has she lived in Alabaster for her whole life, but on October 5th, she will celebrate her 30th year of working for the City. “When I first put my resume in, the mayor [at that time] needed someone right away to fill in for Marsha Massey, who was going on maternity leave for her twins,” she recalled. “Somehow, they promptly reviewed my resume and called to ask if I wanted a job!”

Working Her Dream Job Working for the City had always been a goal for Nancy. She began her new career in Alabaster in Accounts Payable, Payroll and Bookkeeping, and she still serves within that department today! “I remember during that first year [1987], the work was scattered everywhere because they were trying to go on a new computer system,” she shook her head and smiled at the memory. With the growth of the City over the years, the advancements in systems, processes and technology have made a difference in the way Nancy does business. “I’m still into the books – general ledgers, balancing bank statements and such – but I also manage the City’s insurance…” she paused for emphasis before continuing. “… which is a lot. There are a lot of vehicles to keep up with!” Touching Lives Across the City In her role, Nancy has the opportunity to

For 30 years, Nancy’s office has been a place where work was always done well, and where kids could always find a lollipop and a smile!

deal directly with essentially every department – from the court system to the senior center, Parks and Rec to the fire department, and others! For this reason, seemingly everyone throughout the City has gotten to know Nancy. She jokingly says that it’s because she’s been keeping them in line for the past 30 years! After serving under four different mayors, she’s clearly doing a very good job. “I really take my job very seriously. I check all my P’s and Q’s,” Nancy said with sincerity. “Besides, I like numbers, so it seems like a good place to me!” However, it’s not always about the numbers. Not only does she enjoy the people she works alongside, but through the years, she has developed a strong rapport even with her colleagues’ children. She was famous with the children for her warm and welcoming personality, and for her redlidded candy jars she always kept handy and well-stocked! “I love kids. Everybody knows I’m just a big kid at heart,” she said with a joyful laugh. “Some of the kids from when I first came to work here have come back to see me. Of

course, they are all grown now, but they still hug me and I’m just so grateful that I’m here to be able to see them.” All About Family Although Nancy’s husband, Timothy Burns, passed away in 2013 from colon cancer, she’s grateful that they got to see their own two children, Tim and Narkita, grow up. Narkita attended UAH for nursing, and Tim works with the City of Alabaster at the sewer plant. The idea of family is important to Nancy, which is one of the reasons why – in her spare time – she enjoys serving through her church, Apostolic Way of Life Ministries, in Saginaw. One of her favorite ministries reaches out to almost 100 different individuals - the elderly, sick and shut-ins. “It was started by my mom,” she began. “We go throughout the community, especially during Christmas time, delivering fruit baskets to remind them that they’re remembered.” Thank you, Nancy, for your continued investment into our City and our community! AC cityofalabaster.com

BUSINESS spotlight

The Barber of Alabaster - Pit Stop Barber Shop

f you ask Gray Keith how he got into cutting hair, his answer may surprise you! “Dumb luck!” he’ll say, with a laugh. Gray went to a trade school, and he was required to take an elective trade class during one of his semesters. “I already knew how to work on cars, so just through dumb luck, I went into the cosmetology class and discovered I was good at it!”

The Barber of Alabaster Although he ‘caught a lot of grief ’ for years for cutting hair, it’s worked out well for him. Gray has been cutting in hair salons and shops all down Hwy 119 for the past 19 years. About four months ago, he felt it was time for him to open his own business, called The Pit Stop Barbershop. Located in a high-traffic area directly across from Publix, The Pit Stop Barbershop offers a no-frills, masculine vibe. Red Craftsman toolboxes hold the tools of his trade, and the

cityofalabaster.com

painted cinderblock walls are hung with funky and nostalgic lighted signs and logos. The atmosphere is perfect for his clientele, mainly men and boys. Bring in the Boys Gray’s focus on providing a place where the fellas don’t mind coming for a haircut can also be seen in the foosball table set up in the shop. “The kids love being able to play while their dads get their haircut,” he said with a grin. ▶

BUSINESS spotlight The Pit Stop Barbershop offers a no-frills, masculine vibe. Red Craftsman toolboxes hold the tools of his trade, and the painted cinderblock walls are hung with funky and nostalgic lighted signs and logos.

Senator Cam Ward and Hungry Howie’s, FREE backpacks and school supplies from A to Z Auto, and car wash gift cards from Marc 1 Car Wash. Gray shared the story of a parent who was overcome with gratitude for the generosity of the businesses. “They told me, ‘This is so great, because I literally just spent my whole paycheck getting school supplies, and these haircuts were the last items on the list.’” The bearded barber paused a moment. “You know, even if it wasn’t for anybody else, if it was just for that family, it was still all worth it. AC

But it’s not just the building’s layout and amenities that help put children at ease. “A lot of people say I’m magic with kids,” Gray humbly admitted. “I have a lot of kids come in with autism and sensory issues. They don’t usually get upset in my chair, and the parents are always amazed by that.” Perhaps part of his magic can be explained by his speedy scissors. He is widely recognized for how quickly he is able to cut his customers’ hair. 119 Gives Back to School Although Gray and his wife, Regina, along with their two children – Bryson (6) and Layla (4) – live in Montevallo, most of his clientele and personal circle live in Alabaster. This connection with the community triggered a unique service opportunity this summer. “It all started at my church,” he began. “We have a big Serve Day every year, but since I work on Saturdays at the shop, I wouldn’t be able to go participate. But I felt like God was telling me to try something different, something that would help take some of the pressure off of families getting their kids ready to go back to school, even if it was something as simple as a haircut.” He discussed his idea with his wife and with Kerri Pate, an Alabaster City Council member, and the 119 Gives Back to School project was created. On Aug. 6th, voluntarily participating businesses offered complimentary services for students, such as FREE haircuts from The Pit Stop Barbershop and Salon 119, FREE kids’ teeth cleanings from Boohaker Dental, FREE food sponsored by

The Pit Stop Barbershop | 205-230-6201 9183-A Montevallo Rd | Alabaster, AL 35007 Business Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 – 6:30 Saturday 9:00 – 4:30 Sunday CLOSED

PICKETT CONSTRUCTION,

LLC

FULL SERVICE CONTRACTOR REMODELING

HOME IMPROVEMENT Licensed & Insured with over 30 Years Experience!

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION

205-620-1798

www.PickettConstruct.com

Located at 8101 Hwy 119 in Alabaster.

cityofalabaster.com

around town

TIM MITCHELL DONATES PERSONAL Residential Beautification FINANCE CURRICULUM TO THOMPSON September WINNER Dave & Betty Bachelor, 106 Sweetbay Lane, HIGH SCHOOL

Realtor Tim Mitchell with Leading Edge Real Estate Group is donating Ramsey Solutionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Foundations in Personal Finance curriculum to Thompson High School. Foundations in Personal Finance is a curriculum for teaching financial literacy to students.

Residential Beautification REPRINT- JULy WINNER Jeremiah & Jessica Boyd - 124 Fox Valley Drive, Congratulations to Jeremiah and Jessica Boyd on being selected as the July winners of the Residential Beautification Award! Thank you for helping make Alabaster a beautiful place to live.

Congratulations to Dave & Betty Bachelor on winning the September Residential Beautification Award!

Creating solutions to everyday problems All phases interior and exterior remodeling Custom decks, screen rooms and sunrooms Kitchen and bath remodeling 10% off labor Door and window replacement for veterans & Vinyl, fiber cement and masonite siding first responders Custom showers Basement finishing and room additions (up to $250) Roof replacement

Call Scott Lamoreaux at

205-365-4486

www.bestremodelever.com

cityofalabaster.com

FREE

Estimates

around town

TEEN BASH 2017

cityofalabaster.com

CALENDAR

Community september 5th Water Board 7 p.m. 6th Trial Dockets 13th Court Plea Dockets 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. 11th School Board 6 p.m. 11th Council 7 p.m. 12th Housing Abatement Board 5 p.m. 18th Board of Zoning Adjustments 6:30 p.m. 26th Planning Commission 7 p.m. 25th Council 7 p.m. 27th Court Plea Dockets 9 a.m. & 2 p.m.

All meetings are held at 1953 Municipal Way in the Council Chamber. View full calendar, agendas and resolutions at www.cityofalabaster.com.

library The Albert L. Scott Library is located at 100 9th Street N.W., Alabaster. Hours of operation are: Mon., Tue. and Thu.: 9 am - 7:50 pm Wednesday: 10 am - 5:50 pm Friday: 9 am - 5:50 pm Saturday: 10 am - 4:50 pm Sunday: 1 pm - 4:50 pm

If you would like more information concerning programs, please contact the Library at 664-6822.

CLOSED Monday, September 4

Adult Computer Classes Call or come by to sign up. 664-6822. September 9, 10:30 am

Microsoft Power Point 2013 September 12, 10 am

Microsoft Excel 2013 Part 1 September 19, 10 am

Microsoft Excel 2013 Part 2

Tai Chi for Health Wednesdays 10:30 am. Begins September 6th

Join us as local instructor Rachel Hickman teaches a 7-week course in Tai Chi. Tai Chi is an exercise that improves balance, sharpens cityofalabaster.com

the mind and circulates oxygen throughout the body, while gently massaging all the joints, ligaments and muscles in the entire body. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes that will not slip during movement. Try not to miss any classes because each class builds upon the previous ones. Newcomers will not be allowed after the second class takes place. Program takes place in the meeting room. Participants must complete the Enrollment Form at the front desk before the first class.

ABC & D's of Medicare September 11, 1 pm Karen Haiflich of the Medicare Information Source will help you navigate through the process of Medicare. Learn about filing, benefits, and any other questions you might have. Program takes place in the meeting room.

Library Book Group September 21, 7 pm Join us to discuss The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. In this imaginative, multi-layered novel, Iris describes the 1945 death of her sister, Laura, who drives her car off a bridge, followed, two years later, by the death of her husband, a wealthy industrialist whose body is found aboard a sailboat. This

Fall Book and Bake Sale October 6th-8th The Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library will hold their annual Fall Book and Bake Sale on October 6-October 8, 2017. Hours are: Friday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Friends only) and is open to the public on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Sunday customers can fill a bag for $6.

Friends of the Library October 9th The next Friends of the Library meeting will be held on October 9, 2017, at 6 p.m. in the library meeting room.

story features a novel-within-a-novel about two unnamed lovers who meet in a dark backstreet room. Program takes place in the library meeting room.

Cake & Culture September 24, 2 pm Premocar: Made in Birmingham. Join us as J. D. Weeks presents the story of the Premocar, an automobile built in Birmingham, Alabama from 1919 to 1923. Program takes place in the meeting room. Refreshments provided by the Albert L. Scott Friends of the Library.

Library Board Meeting September 26, 6 pm

Mobile Device Workshop September 28, 6 pm 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.

Library 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.

Story Times Wednesdays 10:15 am

Outreach Story Time at area day care centers. Wednesdays 3:30 pm

Tunes & Tales for all ages with Mr. Mac. Fridays 10:30 am

Toddler Tales for toddlers and caregivers with Miss Jennie. Miss Jennie’s Story Time Themes:

It’s Teddy Bear Day! ; My Gramps! Let’s Go to the Fair!; Music, Music, Music!

CALENDAR Library Card Sign up Month September is National Library Card Sign up Month and children age 5 years old and older 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.

Lego League September 5, 4-4:45 pm Junior builders of all ages can use our blocks with their imaginations. Meets in the meeting room.

Homeschool Happening September 11, 10-11 am “Writing about Science” with award winning writer and television producer Roger Reid. He’s the three-time Emmy award winning writer, producer, and director of the Alabama Public Television series Discovering Alabama, and the author of the young adult novels Longleaf, Space, and Time. If students have a chance, read one of the books and/or watch the TV show to get more out of the session. Children in grades 1-12 can sign up to attend. Six year olds must be with an adult. Meets in the meeting room.

Pete the Cat Book Club September 12, 6 pm Kids 5 years old and older can sign up for reading, talking, and more. Five and six year olds must be with an adult. Meets in the meeting room.

American Girls Club September 15, 4 pm Girls who are 7 years old and older can sign up to learn about Felicity’s world! Dolls are welcome! Meets in the meeting room.

Magic Tree House Passport to Adventure September 19, 6 pm Kids in grades 1-4 can sign up to take part in this new series of programs featuring Jack, Annie, history, and fun. During this session we’ll celebrate ‘Talk like a Pirate Day’ by

focusing on Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne. Six year olds must be with an adult. 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.

STAY INFORMED by EMAIL If you are not receiving emails from Parks and Recreation regarding registrations and events, you can sign up by going to www. alabasterparks.org and scrolling down the page to the SIGN UP link. All you have to enter is your name and email address.

Payments NOTE: We cannot accept Checks as a method of payment. Please be prepared to pay for any fees with Cash, Debit, Visa, Master Card, or Discover.

CLOSED Monday, September 4 BASKETBALL* On-Line Registration will be available at www.alabasterparks.org beginning at 8 am on Sept. 11 and ending at 11 pm on Sept. 30. Walk-in Registration will be available at the Depot between 8 am and 5 pm, weekdays only, from Sept. 11 thru Sept. 29. Available to: BOYS: Kindergarten - 9th grade GIRLS: Kindergarten - 6th grade Cost: $85.00 (plus 10% for non-residents) For more information, please contact Nik McCrimon at 664-6840 or nmccrimon@ cityofalabaster.com.*PLEASE NOTE: 9th graders who turn 15 before September 1, 2017 are not eligible. Kindergarteners must turn 5 before September 1, 2017 to be eligible to play (no exceptions).

FALL FEST VENDOR REGISTRATION On-Line Registration: Continues through 11 pm on Oct. 13. (Available at www.alabasterparks.org) Walk-in Registration: Continues through Oct. 13 - weekdays only - from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm at the Depot. Registration is free and includes a 15x15 space. You must provide your own table and chairs. Event Date: Fall Fest will be on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm on Buck Creek Trail.

FALL BASEBALL The program is scheduled to begin on Sept. 5 at Warrior Park. It will end in early November.

FALL SOFTBALL Games should begin around Sept. 25, and conclude in early November.

START SMART SOCCER One hour sessions will be held each Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm beginning Sept. 5 and ending on Oct. 10. The program will conclude with a scrimmage and party on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 10:00 am. Location TBA.

FALL SOCCER Games are scheduled to begin on Sept. 9 at Municipal Park located at 500 Warrior Drive between TMS and THS. The season should wrap up in early November.

BARK IN THE PARK Bark in the Park is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. 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, dog contests, etc., along with vendors selling everything from dog bones to t-shirts. Registration for vendors and sponsors is available thru the Shelby County Humane Society at http://www. shelbyhumane.org/; phone 205-669-3916.

OnLine Pavilion Rentals Visit www.alabasterparks.org. Several of our City Parks offer pavilions for events such as picnics, ▶ cityofalabaster.com

CALENDAR 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.

NEW Game day 1st Tuesday of each month beginning September 5, 12-3 pm

Bring your own game or cards or borrow one of ours and come have fun playing and meeting new friends.

Through the Back Door: The Music That Bridged the Bayou

levels welcome! Join us as we strengthen our body, mind and spirit and support each other in the pursuit to make everyday a healthier day!

Gentle Yoga Tuesdays from 1:15-2:30 pm Thursdays from 2:15-3:30 pm

Combines traditional/modified yoga postures and breathing techniques. Come improve your overall health through understanding your body better and leave feeling refreshed and reenergized. Gentle movement is modified to allow the class to be completed by a standing or seated participant; all levels of fitness are welcome.

Tuesday, September 12, 9:45 pm

Arthritis Exercise Program

Senior Center

Delores Hydock will be entertaining us on Tuesday, September 12 at 9:45pm. Stop by and reserve your spot - space is limited!

Wednesdays from 9:30-10:30 am

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.

Monday, September 18, 9:30 am

Christmas Overnight Trip to Callaway Gardens and Wild Safari Animal Park December 5-6, 2017 This will be a great Christmas trip! We will be traveling on a 35 passenger bus and will be staying at the beautiful, newly renovated Callaway Lodge and Spa. This trip will include one nights lodging and admission to Callaway Gardens, the amazing Fantasy in Lights and the Christmas Village. We will have a step-on-guide to share the history of Callaway Gardens. Sign-up begins on September 5. Space is limited. Cost: $180/persons – triple occupancy; $205/person – double occupancy; $285/person – single occupancy

Technology Class Friday, September 1, 12-1:30 pm

Learn more about how to navigate and protect your Facebook accounts. Sign up today.

Southern Heritage 28

They will be addressing concerns and show you how easy it is to start planning your funeral and cemetery pre-arrangements. This will be a relaxed and informal environment. Call or stop by to reserve your spot.

Tuesday, September 5, 10 am-11 am cityofalabaster.com

Upcoming Book Club We will be meeting the 3rd Monday to discuss the book and introduce a new book. Sign up at the senior center.

Check out our great fitness & exercise classes! 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. Space is limited. $2/class.

Helps alleviate pain and stiffness, maintain range of motion, improve balance and coordination, increase endurance and overall health. This is a seated class with health tips given on steps you can take to healthier living.

Line dancing Thursdays, 9:15 am

For dancers with some prior line dance experience. High beginner and intermediate dances will be taught with more complicated steps and at a faster pace. Students may move up to this class when they feel they are ready.

Beginner Line Dancing Thursdays, 10:10-11: 00 am

Looking for new Fitness Instructor: We are looking for a certified group fitness instructor who loves teaching seniors to teach on Fridays at 9:30am. If you are interested, please contact Alicia at 663-1307.

Head to Toe Fitness Class

For students new to line dancing. Several easy beginner dances will be taught in each class. Instruction will proceed at an easy pace and repetition will be emphasized. Appropriate supportive shoes should be worn such as tennis shoes, boots, and flats. High heels and backless shoes are not appropriate. Safety is a priority.

Mondays, 1-2 pm

Movin’ and Groovin'

Join this class for fitness and fun! Improve your cardiovascular and muscular endurance along with balance, flexibility and range of motion to assist with daily activities. A winning combination of low-impact aerobics mixed with strengthening exercises using hand-held weights, resistance tubing, balls, etc. All fitness

Fridays, 9:30-10:20 am

Focuses on stretching, cardio, light weights and having fun! All taught to music! Learn safe ways to improve muscles to make every day activities easier. Emphasis is on improving and maintaining overall health from head to toe. You won’t want to miss this class. AC

CALENDAR

Lauri Williams, DMD, PC Amber Martin-Bishop, DMD

e c a F e k a h S # only at

K & Jâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Elegant Pastries Specializing in Shakes, Cupcakes & Birthday Cakes

Phone 205.664.2130 Fax 205.664.0287 After Hours 205.941.0631 219 First Street North Alabaster, AL 35007

236 1st St. South | Alabaster, AL www.kjselegantpastries.com 205-663-4827 bring this coupon in and when you

Buy 3 Cupcakes, Get One

Free!

cityofalabaster.com

COUNCIL MINUTES

City Council Meeting Minutes (Abridged) Unabridged version of minutes and resolutions /ordinances can be found on the city webpage at www.cityofalabaster.com July 10, 2017, 7:07 p.m. Present:

Sophie Martin (1), Rick Ellis (2), Stacy Rakestraw (3), Greg Farrell (4), Russell Bedsole (5), Scott Brakefield (6), Kerri Pate (7)

Agenda Items *Public Hearing on these items

1. Resolution 071017 Allow Police Department Purchase of Fingerprint System Motion Passed Unanimously

6. Resolution 071017-E Regarding Necessary Change Order to Alabaster Boulevard Pavement Rehabilitation Motion Passed Unanimously

Department Report – Greg Farrell June 2017 Planning & Safety Report – Kerri Pate

7. Resolution 071017-F Authorize Installation of Rumble Strips on Cohill Drive Motion Passed Unanimously

1. Resolution 072417 Adopt New Pay Plan for Employees Motion Passed Unanimously

8. Motion – ABC Application BeChamp Corporation – Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Company Motion Passed Unanimously

9. Ordinance 170724-044 Amend Business License Ordinance Public Hearing was set for July 24, 2017.

3. Resolution 071017-B Allow Public Works Department Purchase of Roll-Out Carts Through NJPA Purchasing Cooperative Motion Passed Unanimously

Said meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.

2. Resolution 071017-A Creation of Floodplain Management Planning Committee Motion Passed Unanimously

July 24, 2017, 7:01 pm. Present: Sophie Mar-

4. Resolution 071017-C Declaring the Purchase of Senior Center T-shirts a Public Purpose Motion Passed Unanimously

tin (1), Rick Ellis (2), Stacy Rakestraw (3), Greg Farrell (4), Scott Brakefield (6), Kerri Pate (7) Absent: Russell Bedsole(5)

5. Resolution 071017-D Adoption of New Financial Management Policy, Replacing Policy Adopted by Resolution 012110-D Motion Passed Unanimously

Council Reports:

cityofalabaster.com

June 2017 Library Services Report – Sophie Martin June 2017 Public Works Report – Stacy Rakestraw June 2017 Fire Department Report – Greg Farrell June 2017 Police

Agenda Items

2. Resolution 082817 Set Public Hearing (August 28, 2017) for Placement of Lien on 2022 Butler Road Motion Passed Unanimously 3. Resolution 082817-A Set Public Hearing (August 28, 2017) for Placement of Lien on 2040 Butler Road Motion Passed Unanimously 4. Ordinance 170724-044 Amend Business License Ordinance (Public Hearing) Motion Passed Unanimously 5. Resolution 072417-A Award Bid – Youth Cheer Uniforms Motion Passed Unanimously 6. Motion – ABC Application Murphy Oil USA – 560 Colonial Promenade Parkway - Type of License 050 – Retail Beer (Off Premises Only) 070 – Retail Table Wine (Off Premises Only) Motion Passed Unanimously Said meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm.

Sta rt g e t t in g yo u r

C h r i st m a s

l i g h t s a nd d ec o r at i o n s r e a dy ! The Alabaster Beautification Board will be sponsoring a Christmas Tree Route this year, and we want you to be part of it. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months the full route will be published in our December issue. You won't want to miss it!

cityofalabaster.com

City Council Sophie Martin, Ward 1 506-8961 martin@cityofalabaster.com

City of Alabaster 1953 Municipal Way Alabaster, AL 35007 www.cityofalabaster.com 664-6800 Marty Handlon, Mayor 664-6831 handlon@cityofalabaster.com

Rick Ellis, Ward 2 ellis@cityofalabaster.com Stacy Rakestraw, Ward 3 529-3326 rakestraw@cityofalabaster.com Greg Farrell, Ward 4 farrell@cityofalabaster.com

Russell Bedsole, Ward 5 205-229-6021 bedsole@cityofalabaster.com

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid PERMIT 48 ALABASTER, AL

Scott Brakefield, President, Ward 6 685-0302 brakefield@cityofalabaster.com Kerri Pate, Ward 7 955-8300 pate@cityofalabaster.com

Postal Patron

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