THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF ALABASTER
ALABASTER CONNECTION
OCTOBER 2013
THE 5 ANNUAL TH
FALL FEST
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
Bark in the Park - October 5th Operation Christmas Child
AT BUCK CREEK OCTOBER 26TH
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From the Mayor’s Desk...
Official Publication of the City of Alabaster
October is upon us and so is the beginning of a new fiscal year. I want to thank all of our Department Heads and our City Manager for their work in helping to develop the 2014 budgets. Alabaster Connection is published I also want to extend thanks to the City Council for its approval. monthly and it is delivered to citizens Although our economy is still in recovery mode, the city has of the realized modest growth in revenues, and we believe this will conCity of Alabaster tinue with the new businesses which opened during 2013. (And, Editorial Board we hope to have more to announce in the coming months.) We The Public Relations have been able to fill some vital positions left vacant during the Committee of the recession, as well as continue the growth in our restricted reserve Alabaster City Council funds. We have not yet finalized our capital funds budget, but Marty Handlon Committee Chair plan to include the city’s matching funds for projects such as Councilwoman Sophie Martin Mayor, City of Alabaster Thompson Road improvements, Hwy 80 intersection, and the Councilman Rick Walters Buck Creek Trail expansion to YMCA. Councilwoman Stacy Rakestraw The month of September seems like a blur as it flew by with much activity! Our new City Hall Editor Administration building officially opened for regular business on September 23rd. And, I want to Luke Camara, thank our QB, George Henry, for his dedication to details and problem solving skills to lead the me2graphics, LLC team and make our transition as smooth as possible. We are excited about the increased efficiency and level of service for our residents now that so many departments are under the same roof, as Contributors well as the much improved working conditions of our municipal court staff. I think you will be as Shana Camara Heather Leavell pleased as we are with this addition to our city. Becky Beall The weather finally allowed us to start some paving projects during September. And, one long Asha Ashley overdue project is the parking lot behind our main street businesses. I know many of our residents Rubin E. Grant and owners of the main street businesses are very happy to see this happen. This project is also made possible by the improved communications between the city and CSX. It is amazing the things We welcome your we can learn by just opening lines of communication. Thanks to all who helped us make this hapcomments and suggestions. pen! On September 15th, Chief Golden and five firefighters represented our city by their participation Call 447-2214 or in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb (110 stories) in Montgomery at the RSA Towers. They representemail luke@me2graphics.com ed us well! Here in the city, our first responders were treated very well by members of our community on 9/11, and they truly appreciated the gestures of so many. I want to thank VITAS Innovative To advertise call Hospice Care for hosting a First Responders Cookout at Buck Creek for our police and fire employees and DEA Home Property Management for delivering meals from Joe’s Italian to our police and 447-2214 fire departments and school SROs on this memorable day. We all appreciate living in a city with such excellent public safety departments, and I believe they felt the love. On behalf of them, I thank you for taking the time to let them know of your appreciation. I also want to thank the Thompson Warriors for their hard work on the football field, in defeating Pelham at home, and allowing us to bring the rival trophy back to our great city. It will be a nice 1953 Municipal Way Alabaster, AL 35007 traditional addition to our new city hall. It was truly an exciting night for the whole community! It is just another sign of the spirit this community has in supporting our school system. The Warriors ©2013 City of Alabaster are off to a great start this year, and I wish them continued health and success during the season! We will be celebrating Fall Fest the last weekend in October, so bring the family out and enjoy this community-wide event along the Buck Creek Trail. I also want to remind you to use our webNon-Emergency City Numbers site for reporting concerns or comments, as this provides a tracking log of issues for follow-up and Police 24-Hours 663-7401 completion. It is monitored daily and routed to the appropriate personnel. If you do not have access Alabaster Water Board 663-6155 to the website, our receptionist, Nancy Martin, will log it in from your phone call to city hall and route Fire Department 664-6818 it to the appropriate place. Finally, as you begin to shop for the holidays, Shop Alabaster First! Blessings,
cityofalabaster.com 3
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Scott Brakefield, Ward 6 City Council President
On Friday, September 13th, I got the opportunity to watch the Thompson Warrior’s defeat the Pelham Panthers for the first time in a long time. I want to congratulate all the football players, coaches, parents and everyone else that was involved in the big win. As I write this the Warriors are 3-0 with 2 of those wins being region wins. That evening I was also extremely impressed with the support from the community. It was a standing room only crowd with lines to get in well after kickoff. It is an exciting time for our schools and a great day to be a Warrior. As we wind down our youth football season we begin our youth basketball season in our Parks and Rec department. This is one of the more challenging seasons due to the limited space we have for basketball. Recently an article was written in the Alabaster Reporter discussing the City’s increased enrollment in youth sports and the need to address this growth by building new facilities. It is something that the City Council will have to continue to monitor and discuss as our City’s youth sports programs continue to grow. Please continue to support our new school system and our City by shopping Alabaster first. The holiday season is just around the corner!
Sophie Martin, Ward 1
Improvements continue to be made in Abbey Wooley Park located off Simmsville Road. Asphalt maintenance, new basketball goal installation, painting, and other needed enhancements are in the completion stages. As the City continues to work towards resolving the aesthetic issues along Alabaster Boulevard, caution signs will soon be installed on the right-of-ways to warn drivers of specific “dip” areas along this road. Thank you for your continued patience as we work towards resolving this issue. I am truly grateful to Mayor Handlon and the City of Alabaster department heads for partnering closely with the council to finalize the budget. Their input and expertise truly
has a vital impact on this decision-making process. Finally, Happy 80th Birthday to Alabaster resident Jimmy Gould! We are truly grateful for the many years of service and leadership Jimmy has given to our city. He has truly had a positive impact on Alabaster and continues to make a wonderful difference in so many different capacities. If you have any ideas, questions or concerns regarding Ward 1 or our city, please contact me at 358-8742 or martin@cityofalabaster.com.
Bob Hicks, Ward 2
A friendly reminder to all: any issues you uncover, which you feel require the attention of one of our city departments, should be entered into the space set aside for that purpose on our city’s website. This mechanism was put into place to allow our City Manager to properly allocate the situation to the department best suited to handle it; the goal being the speediest possible resolution. The primary function of the city administration and city council is to meet the needs of our residents. The website is easily the fastest, most efficient format in which to initiate the meeting of those needs. As Alabaster moves forward in streamlining operations with increased efficiencies, our citizens will receive the services they deserve as residents of a top-notch city. Now that the school year has begun, please be sure to go by and witness the changes that are taking place as we speak. Thanks to Jeff Adkins and his team, upgrades, repairs, and replacements long overdue are rapidly happening. I am extremely pleased with the transformation happening as the Alabaster City Schools continue developing their own identity. Dr. Vickers and the school board are working relentlessly to improve the quality of our children’s academic experience. I, for one, am truly thankful. Our sports teams are in full gear, so be sure to take in a game and support our students. These are OUR schools, filled with OUR children and they deserve OUR maximum support. It truly is the greatest of days to be a Warrior. Finally, for later on this month, I wish a pleasant, safe, and cavityfree All Hallow’s Eve (original name for Halloween) to all. And...”boo”. Grace and peace, Bob
Thompson High School 2013 Football Schedule October 4 Spain Park Away | 7:00 p.m.
October 11 Stanhope Elmore Away | 7:00 p.m.
October 18 Wetumpka (Senior Night) Home | 7:00 p.m.
October 25 Oak Mountain Away | 7:00 p.m.
November 1 John Carroll Away | 7:00 p.m.
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Stacy Rakestraw, Ward 3
The number of people who want to help and serve in our city is such an encouragement. Students from different schools have offered their services for projects ranging from cleaning up to developing marketing plans. Also, for the 3rd year in a row, seven area churches are hosting Friday morning breakfasts to feed, encourage, and pray for all 110 THS Football players, coaches and cheerleaders. Our elementary students helped as well by choosing the theme for the Alabaster Christmas Parade 2013. Thank you Sharon Allen, from Parks and Rec, for all of your help and patience! Thompson beat Pelham this year! It was great victory for our community, but it especially was for the football players who have persevered through all the years of criticism and changes in coaching staff. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the sport you love! Coach Montgomery and staff, your consistency and dedication are paying off in many ways, even beyond wins. City hall is beautiful! George Henry, our City Manager, has done an incredible job of overseeing this project from beginning to end. A BIG thank you to George and all of the city employees who helped!
Rick Walters, Ward 4 Part of the job of being a Councilman is fielding question about Ordinances and dealing with problems that residents have. We do our best to address them as soon as possible and within the constraints of the law. If someone is breaking a City Ordinance, (like grass too high) the resident is contacted and given an opportunity to correct the problem. In most cases, they are given up to 10 days. After that they can be cited (ticketed) and must appear in court where fines can be up to $250 per day. We always try to work with our residents because we just want the problem corrected. Part of the process is establishing the complaint, which can be done at www.cityofalabaster.com. On the main page is a “Report a Concern” button that takes you to a simple one page “Issue Submittal” form. The complaint is then documented and is directed to the appropriate department. It is not necessary to leave your name or contact information, but it is recommended that you do in case we have any questions about your submittal. It is our policy to not release your identity. Your City webpage is also a great resource to find out what is going on in the city. There are full online versions of our Newsletter, as well as links to City Resolutions and Ordinances. It is our goal to provide excellent City Services and to keep our residents informed. If you have an idea on how we can
improve the process, please let us know. I appreciate the opportunity to serve you – Keep in Touch!
Russell Bedsole, Ward 5
Happy New Budget Year! Not a greeting you are accustomed to exchanging with your friends and family, but it sure seemed like an appropriate way to begin my thoughts for this month. Your City Council spent a solid month reviewing the proposed budget for the current fiscal year, and I am extremely confident in the financial health of our city. Thank you to Mayor Handlon and City Manager, George Henry, for their hard work and preparation. Last month I asked to hear some of the wants and desires you have for your city. I would like to offer my thanks to my friend Greg Whitley for taking the time to send me a very passionate list of truly great ideas. For those of you who do not know Greg, Greg gets what it means to love this city. Greg has spent his 42 years as part of this community, and his list is not a collection of self-serving requests. Greg’s list communicated ideas that would assist others and that would further make Alabaster a great place to call home. You can be assured I will be carefully examining Greg’s ideas and any others you wish to share with me. As always, I can be reached at bedsole@cityofalabaster.com or follow me on Twitter @RussellBedsole.
Tommy Ryals, Ward 7
Ready for some semi-useless information and trivia? Recently, the Birmingham Business Journal listed Alabaster as the 16th largest city in Alabama. We are bigger than Opelika and Bessemer, but smaller than Gadsden and Decatur. Birmingham is No. 1, Hoover is No. 6 and Anniston is No.24, as a reference. Also, the BBJ recently published the Birmingham area’s 25 wealthiest zip codes. Alabaster (35007) and Maylene (35114) were in the top 12. If you average the median income for Alabaster and Maylene, we pass Vestavia Hills (35216). As Alabaster residents, do we care? Probably not. We care about our quality of life and we all know we’ve got it good in Alabaster. Over the 30 years I’ve lived here, I’ve heard some people describe Alabaster as somewhat of a “first time home buyer location.” Their intent was to eventually move closer to Birmingham. Well, with the influx of more professionals, the shopping centers, and now the city schools, Alabaster’s image has transformed and continues to transform from a rural outlying community to “the place to be.” The more we, as residents, talk it up, the faster that old image goes away. Be proud; it’s contagious. cityofalabaster.com 5
HAPPENINGS
5TH ANNUAL FALL FEST at Buck Creek
The summer warmth gives way to the crisp air of fall’s embrace. The sound of the gentle crunch of fallen leaves under the soles of your shoes, inviting music, and the cheerful giggles of children fill the air. Just the perfect setting for a festival in the community of Alabaster! At Buck Creek Park on October 26, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Alabaster will embark upon the 5th year of Fall Fest. This daytime festival will be at the pavilion with the waterfall, and perfect parking will be at the new Alabaster Administration Building and the Senior Center. “Plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy,” said Bruce Andrews, the Executive Director of the Shelby County Arts Council and lead singer of 2BLU and the Lucky Stiffs - the headliners again this year. “The leaves will be changing and it’s a quaint little scene.” The community coming together is what Fall Fest is all about, and it is free to attend. “Last year, we estimated that close to 10,000 people attended, which is about double the previous year,” said George Henry, Alabaster City Manager. “Adding the Trick-or-Treat Trail and quality arts and crafts vendors, and continuing to have excellent music by 2BLU and the Lucky Stiffs, has increased 6 cityofalabaster.com
annual attendance.” Take a hayride through the trail with your family and friends, and then unpack the lawn chairs and oversized blankets and enjoy the live music by 2BLU and the Lucky Stiffs. “My bandmate, George Dudley, is an excellent sound tech - along with being a fine guitar player - so he’s been fundamental in making sure the entertainment is in place,” Andrews said. “Having said that, the city of Alabaster has a great staff [with] people who always show up early and leave late to make sure everything is as good as it can be.” Andrews made mention of the “strategic” guest artists that 2BLU invites each year to sit in with the band. “Good musicians always show up to sit in. Last year, notable singer-songwriter, Kendra Sutton, played a few with us,” Andrews shared as he set the scene for the type of family-friendly environment that takes place. “It’s loose and casual with kids dancing with their Moms and good stuff like that,” Andrews added. He shared how 2BLU and the Lucky Stiffs typically bring bags of candy with them each year to throw out into the crowd. Since the stage is a pavilion and not very high off the ground, the overall mood of the festival is casual and more intimate. Fall Fest is another place where the community of Alabaster can enjoy good company and enjoy the assets that the city has to
You’re invited... to dinner at the
Aaron’s Staff
2nd Annual Aaron's Staff Gala November 9 First Baptist Church of Alabaster 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. RSVP to Rhoda@aaronsstaffrespite.org or 205.261.9914
Benefitting parents and guardians who have children with special needs. Tickets:
$25 individual/$40 per couple/$50 families (two adults only please)
An entrance to the Trick or Treat Trail decorated in a fun, family manner.
offer. “A lot of local businesses participate and pass out information about who they are and what they have to offer,” said Christie Johnson, a citizen of Alabaster who brings her family to participate in Fall Fest each year. “It’s one of those places that you’re bound to see someone that you know.” “We’ve tried to grow Fall Fest over the years,” said Tim Hamm, Alabaster Parks and Recreations Director. “I’m expecting our largest group ever this year.” There will be a plethora of things that the whole family can enjoy – inflatables for children, nature for all to explore, Trick-or-Treat Trail and select vendors to browse through. Fall Fest is a safe, fun environment for Trick-or-Treating. The pathways and trails are lined with small pumpkins, which the
children can take, leading into the “hidden” passages throughout the park. Trick-or-Treat Trail is also an opportunity for daring explorers to unearth trails that they may have never noticed otherwise. “We have a lot of off-shoot trails and we decorate the entrances so the kids can visit the different (Trick-or-Treat) stations,” Hamm said. He also mentioned that on several occasions a patron would comment to him that he had never known that the trails were even back there. “It’s a great introduction to the trails at Buck Creek Park.” If you’ve “tricked your last treat” or if your children have “deflated themselves within the inflatables” and you are looking to do some shopping, there will be a variety of shopping options for those that may be looking to decorate the door at home or
We made it new just for you. Come see everything the new Alabaster YMCA has to offer your family. YMCA Alabaster
117 Plaza Circle | Alabaster, AL 35007
663-7240 ymcabham.org/alabaster Mission To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Vision We will lead our community to become the healthiest in America. A United Way Partner.
HAPPENINGS
shopping for the holidays. Vendors will be selling food, handcrafted jewelry, artwork and more. “Last year we had 41 or 42 vendors selling everything from candles to different kinds of hats,” stated Hamm as he expressed his expectations for this year’s vendors to supersede those of the previous year. For more information visit www.cityofalabaster.com
Bark in the Park
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “dog” or “cat?” Does “extension of my family” come to mind? Do you quickly think of the family member you possibly “dress-up” for the holidays, or the pet who eagerly greets you at the front door? Do you ever think of the homeless animal that rummages through garbage cans for its next meal? Or do you think of the abandoned pets that are now stalking gutters and old shoe boxes for shelter? Typically, people tend to the think of “dog/cat” as something closer to the family pet rather than a homeless stray. “How can we keep our pets at home?” asked Sara Shirley, Director of the Shelby Humane Society. This is a befitting question considering the circumstances. Shirley and the team of volunteers at the Shelby Humane Society strive to give pets warm, new homes and help keep family pets with their beloved owners. On Saturday, October 5, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, you can join the fight and help keep down the number of unwanted animals in the streets. “Bark in the Park is a family event with two purposes – it is a fundraiser for the Shelby Humane Society and an outreach/introduction to our programs,” said Shirley. Although the event is free to attend, any revenue made goes back into the fight to keep pets off the streets. There will be a vaccine clinic set up for the animals, adoption areas, a variety of pet vendors, the annual Mutt Strut, professional pet photos by “Forget Me Not Photography,” and even a Kid Zone. The Wild Mammal Care of Alabama will make a guest appearance as well as the Alabaster Police Department and Animal Control. They will be there to promote and teach animal safety with children. Not only is this event a fundraiser, but it was also designed to introduce to the public the programs that the shelter offers. Those programs include: Training Wheels – a program that takes the services offered by the shelter to the people, Shelter Partners – a volunteer transport program, and Quick Fix – a neutering service that has immensely reduced the number of unwanted pets. There are so many ways that patrons can contribute. Volunteering at the shelter is a viable option. “We always need volunteers,” Shirley said, “For anyone who wants to volunteer, we will get something for them that fits their personality.” For some, it may not be easy or convenient to get to the shelter to volunteer. There are other ways to
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Bark in the Park is open to all four legged friends and two legged friends.
help the shelter. Some people have had bake sales, garage sales, or fundraisers to contribute. Simply collecting old newspapers is also an easy way to assist. One special way that others have given back still resonates with Shirley. “And this one way,” said Shirley as she fought back emotion, “just made me cry. Some children hold birthday parties and take up donations for the shelter. When I was a kid, I was selfish. I couldn’t imagine doing something like that. I think that it’s just great!” For more information visit www.shelbyhumane.org
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Fire Prevention Month
The Alabaster Fire Department is excited for October. “Fire prevention month is one of our favorite times of the year. We enjoy spending time with kids and talking with them about the importance of fire safety,” said Fire Chief Jim Golden. Nationally, Fire Prevention Week is the first full week of October each year. “In an effort to effectively reach as many kids as possible, we expand Fire Prevention Week to Fire Prevention Month in Alabaster,” said Chief Golden. This year, Alabaster Firefighters will be visiting Creek View and Meadow View Elemen-
• •
When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting sleeves. Keep potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper and plastic bags, towels, and anything else that can burn, away from your stovetop. • Clean up food and grease from burners and stovetops. “We will also highlight our Alabaster Fire Department smoke alarm campaign during fire prevention month. Our goal is for all homes in the City of Alabaster to have a working smoke alarm. Any City resident can request AFD to install a working smoke alarm in their home, free of charge, by calling 664-6817,” shared Chief Golden. Visit Sparky.org for children games, books, and downloads.
Operation Christmas Child Making an Impact
Alabaster Firefighter and Sparky the Dog show students how to be safe in a fire and how to prevent one.
Sue Valentour was looking for something to do in the second half of her life after retiring from years of working in the banking industry. She found it while attending Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida. The church was heavily involved in packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child (a division of Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham). Once Valentour started participating in the ministry outreach, she couldn’t stop. When she moved to Alabaster in May 2009 - after ten and a half years in Pensacola, she decided to become a year-round Operation Christmas Child volunteer. “The ladies in our Sunday school class were doing shoeboxes, and in 2011 we had a INTRODUCING...
tary Schools, as well Evangel, Kingwood, and Westwood schools and YMCA groups during October to emphasize fire safety. “Our firefighters,” he said, “will be discussing the importance of home smoke alarms, not playing with matches and lighters, calling 911 in the event of an emergency, and demonstrating firefighter gear and equipment. We will also give the kids an opportunity to see and climb through our fire engines.” Additionally, Alabaster Firefighters will distribute handouts for kids to take home to their parents highlighting this year’s Fire Prevention theme: “Prevent Kitchen Fires.” According to research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with two out of every five home fires beginning in the kitchen—more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries. Among the safety tips that will be highlighted in the take home material are the following: • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, broiling, or boiling food. • If you must leave the room, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove. • When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you. • When children are present, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove.
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HAPPENINGS
chance to go to the Processing Center in Atlanta,” Valentour said. “After packing boxes for several years, and then seeing what happened to them on the next leg of the journey, I became interested in being a year-round volunteer.” Valentour is a member of the Community Relations Team for Operation Christmas Child in the Birmingham area. “We try to get organizations, schools, and clubs interested in packing shoeboxes,” she said. “Last December, as a way to say thanks to those in Alabaster who were involved in packing shoeboxes, we submitted an entry in the Alabaster Christmas Parade. We decorated my husband’s pickup truck representing one of the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.” On the side, there was a sign that read: “The Power of a Simple Gift,” and on the back was a sign that said: “Thank You.” Valentour enjoys spreading the word about Operation Christmas Child. “When it’s something you believe in, you should be excited about telling people about it,” she said. “Even though Operation Christmas Child has been going on since 1993, there are still so many who don’t know about it.” Since its inception, more than 100 million children, in more than 130 countries, have received shoeboxes from Operation Christmas Child, which works with local churches throughout the United States and other countries. It’s that global impact that brings Valentour satisfaction. “There are so many organizations that you give money to and you never hear what they do with it,” she said. “But with Operation Christmas Child, you get feedback from children who have been in orphanages and come to the United States after being adopted; or have the opportunity to come to the states for school and they tell how much receiving a shoebox impacted their lives. “The items in the shoebox gift are things we take for granted each day, but they are treasured items to the children. More than the items in the box, it gives these children hope, joy and lets them know someone cares about them.” Valentour describes the shoebox as the vehicle used to share the love of Christ with hurting children. “When I
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Corey Green, Community Relations Volunteer; Ali Richard, Church Relations Coordinator; and Alabaster resident Sue Valentour, Community Relations Volunteer prepare to march in the 2012 Alabaster Christmas Parade
hear that those simple items mean so much to them, I want to get more kids here involved in packing shoeboxes,” she said. “I want them to do more than just think about themselves.” Valentour continues to pack shoeboxes of her own, doing at least 10 each year. She, and 15-20 ladies in her Sunday School class, collect items throughout the year and get together and have a packing party. Last year, they packed more than 90 shoeboxes. They hope to exceed that total this fall. “We’ve already started wrapping boxes, in preparation for our packing party set for Nov. 18.”
she said. That’s the first day of the 2013 National Collection Week, which is Nov. 18-25.
Written by Rubin E. Grant, freelance writer and volunteer Media Relations Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child in the Birmingham Area.
City Council Meeting Minutes (Abridged)
(Unabridged version of minutes and resolutions/ordinances can be found on city webpage at www.cityofalabaster.com)
A regular meeting of the Alabaster City Council was held in the Municipal Annex on Monday, August 5th, at 7:00 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS 1. Resolution 080513 Filing Systems for Administration Building Council Member Martin made a motion to approve Resolution 080513. Council Member Rakestraw seconded. Voting: (Roll Call) Ayes – Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Stacy Rakestraw, Rick Walters, Russell Bedsole, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals; Nays – None Motion Passed 2. Ordinance 13-010 Amend Sewer Ordinance Council President Brakefield opened up the public hearing on this matter allowing those speaking against said ordinance to share thoughts with City Council. Two residents from Independence Drive spoke against proposed ordinance. No further comments for or against. Public hearing closed. After a brief history and explanation, Council Member Ryals made a motion to approve Ordinance 13-010. Council Member Walters seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously 3. Resolution 080513-A CR80/SR119 ALDOT Intersection Maintenance Agreement Council Member Ryals made a motion to approve Resolution 080513-A. Council Member Hicks seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously 4. Resolution 080513-B ROW Vacation Dicks Sporting Goods Project Council Member Bedsole made a motion to approve Resolution 080513-B. Council Member Martin seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously 5. Resolution 080513-C Waive tap fee for 2008 King Charles Court Council Member Hicks made a motion to approve Resolution 080513-C. Council Member Rakestraw seconded. Voting: (Roll Call) Ayes – Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Stacy Rakestraw, Rick Walters, Russell Bedsole, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals Motion Passed Unanimously Meeting adjourned at 7:39 pm.
A regular meeting of the Alabaster City Council was held in the Municipal Annex on Monday, August 19th, at 7:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEMS 1. Resolution 081913 Police Department vehicle purchase Council Member Bedsole shared the reasoning and timing of proposed purchase, and then made a motion to approve Resolution 081913. Council Member Hicks seconded. Voting: (Roll Call) Ayes – Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Stacy Rakestraw, Rick Walters, Russell Bedsole, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals; Nays – None Motion Passed Unanimously 2. Resolution 081913-A Public Works Department equipment purchases Council Member Ryals made a motion to approve Resolution 081913-A. Council Member Walters seconded. Voting: (Roll Call) Ayes – Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Stacy Rakestraw, Rick Walters, Russell Bedsole, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals; Nays – None Motion Passed Unanimously 3. Resolution 081913-B Extension of closing agreement Dick’s Sporting Goods Council Member Hicks made a motion to approve Resolution 081913-B. Council Member Bedsole seconded. Motion Passed Unanimously 4. Resolution 081913-C Fire Department Administrative Assistant Position Council Member Martin made a motion to approve Resolution 081913-C. Council Member Rakestraw seconded. Voting: (Roll Call) Ayes – Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Stacy Rakestraw, Rick Walters, Russell Bedsole, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals; Nays – None Motion Passed Unanimously 5. Resolution 081913-D Fire Department Station Three Improvements Council Member Rakestraw made a motion to approve Resolution 081913-D. Council Member Walters seconded. Voting: (Roll Call) Ayes – Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Stacy Rakestraw, Rick Walters, Russell Bedsole, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals; Nays – None Motion Passed Unanimously 6. Resolution 080513-C Waive tap fee for 2008 King Charles Court Council Member Hicks made a motion to approve Resolution 080513-C. Council Member Rakestraw seconded. Voting: (Roll Call) Ayes – Sophie Martin, Bob Hicks, Stacy Rakestraw, Rick Walters, Russell Bedsole, Scott Brakefield, Tommy Ryals; Nays – None Motion Passed Unanimously Meeting adjourned at 7:29 pm.
CALENDAR
COMMUNITY
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.
OCTOBER 1 Water Board, 7 p.m. 7 City Council Meeting, 7 p.m. 8 Housing and Abatement, 5 p.m. 9 Municipal Court, 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. 14 Alabaster City BOE Meeting, 6 p.m. 21 City Council Meeting, 7 p.m. 22 Planning and Zoning Board, 7 p.m. 23 Municipal Court, 9 a.m. & 2 p.m. 28 Board of Zoning Adjustments, 6:30 p.m.
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS Tuesday, October 8, 9:15 a.m. Join us to have your blood pressure checked with Comfort Care Hospice.
ALL MEETINGS ARE HELD IN THE NEW CITY HALL AND COURT View full calendar, agendas and resolutions at www.cityofalabaster.com
RECYCLING COLLECTION SCHEDULE Red -October 6th-12th, 20th-26th Blue - October 1st-5th, 13th-19th, 27th-31st UMW (UNITED METHODIST WOMEN) FALL FLING Saturday, October 12, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Alabaster United Methodist Church
REMEMBER
ALL CITY MEETINGS HAVE MOVED TO THE NEW CITY HALL AND COURT FACILITY
N
6th Ave. 1st United Methodist Church
Buck Creek Park
31
1953 MunicipalWay Alabaster, AL 35007 www.cityofalabaster.com 205.664.6800
nic Mu ipa l W
119
ay
Senior Center
11th Ave
.
B uc k Creek
7th S tree
t
Take 119 turn onto 11th Ave. Turn Right onto Municipal Way Follow directional signs for Court or City Hall entrance.
Thompson Road
12 cityofalabaster.com
BOOK CLUB Friday, October 25, 10:00 a.m. We will be reading Murder Boogies with Elvis by Ann George. We will meet every 4th Friday to discuss the book and introduce a new book. NEW TAI-YOGA-LATES FLOW CLASS 1st and 3rd Monday, 1:00 p.m. Space is limited. This class will combine Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. Come check out the new class. Encouraged donation of $2 per class.
Directions to the New Alabaster City Hall and Court Take 119Turn onto 11thAve.
TIS
MEN ONLY OUTING Friday, October 18. All men are welcome to join us for a tour of the Shelby County Iron Works Museum and lunch. Cost is $1 to hold your spot.
TAI CHI EXERCISE CLASS Every Monday and Thursday (except 1st and 3rd Monday), 1:00 p.m. Space is limited. Encouraged donation of $2 per class.
DirectionsTurntoRight the ontoNew MunicipalAlabaster Way Follow directional signs for Court or City Hall entrance City Hall and Court
6th Gr. Center
HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS Wednesday, October 16, 9:30 a.m. Mark your Calendars: Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging SHIP representative will be here to discuss health insurance plans and changes during the open enrollment period. She will be available to speak one-on-one following her presentation. Sign up at the Senior Center.
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION EXERCISE PROGRAM Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. Space is limited. Encouraged donation of $2/class. ANTEBELLUM HAUNTED MANSION STORIES Thursday, October 31, 10:00 a.m. Join us as Jim Phillips shares many of the haunted stories from around the Alabama area. GARDENING WITH BETTY Every 3rd Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. On October 15, the class will replant all of the plants and hanging baskets around the center. Join us and go home with your own fall plant. $5 per class and includes all supplies. Must sign up ahead of time.
YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS ALL THE OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THE SENIOR CENTER... Men’s Social Group, 1st Monday of each month 9 a.m. Timeless Treasures (singing),–Mondays, 10 a.m. Wii Bowling, Tuesdays, 12 p.m. Rook, Wednesdays, 9 a.m. Rummikub, Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. Zumba Gold (exercise), Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Beginner/Inter Line Dancing, Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. Beginner Line Dancing, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Bridge, Thursdays, 12-3 p.m. Tempo exercise, Fridays, 10 a.m. Zumba Gold Toning, Fridays 1-2 p.m.
LIBRARY
The Albert L. Scott Library is located at 100 9th Street N.W., Alabaster. Hours of operation are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 9 a.m.-7:50 p.m. Wednesday - 10 a.m.-5:50 p.m. Friday - 9 a.m.-5:50 p.m. Saturday - 10 a.m.-4:50 p.m. Sunday - 1-4:50 p.m. If you would like more information concerning programs, please contact the Library at 664-6822.
ADULT EVENTS
ADULT COMPUTER CLASSES Call or come by to sign up. 664-6822. Wednesday, October 2, 10:00 a.m. – Microsoft Word 2007 pt.1 Wednesday, October 16, 10:00 a.m. – Microsoft Word 2007 pt. 2 POSITIVE MATURITY JOB SEARCH WORKSHOPS Join us as A.W.A.R.E. volunteer Denise Stamps guides job seekers 50 and over through the process of returning to the workplace. Programs take place in the meeting room. Thursday, October 3, 10:00 a.m. Orientation Workshop Thursday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. Resume Workshop Thursday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. Interviewing Skills Workshop Thursday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. Networking Workshop Thursday, October 31, 10:00 a.m. Social Media Workshop
CAKE & CULTURE Sunday, October 20, 2:00 p.m. Join us as Judy Sheppard presents The Crucifixion of Gould Beech. He was once called radical and a Communist. Now he’s called a visionary journalist. Hear about the recently uncovered letters and documents of Gould Beech, former newspaper editor and campaign manager for James “Big Jim” Folsom. This lecture is part of the Draughon Seminars in State and Local History. It is coordinated by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University and funded by the Kelly Mosley Endowment. Program takes place in the Meeting Room. Refreshments will be served. COUPONING WITH BIRMINGHAM BARGAIN MOM Thursday, October 24, 6:00 p.m. Join us as Birmingham Bargain Mom, Christie Dedman, dives into the world of couponing. Learn all the basics to saving your household tons of money in addition to many more helpful tips to becoming bargain savvy. This program is brought to you by MakingCents – Resources to help your money grow and by Smart investing@your library® series, a partnership between the American Library Association and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.
Fall
The Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library are announcing our
BOOK SALE October 11-13 Friday 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. 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.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY MEETING Monday, October 14, 6:00 p.m.
Fill-A-Bag. We’ll give you a bag to fill. For only $5 you get everything you can pack into it.
LIBRARY BOOK GROUP Thursday, October 17, 7:00 p.m. Join us in our discussion of Trail of Crumbs by Kim Sunee. This book traces the South Korean author’s personal quest for identity and belonging after being abandoned at the age of three and subsequently adopted by a New Orleans couple in a non-Asian community. Program takes place in the Meeting Room.
There is something for all ages and interests with 1000’s of books to choose from. Bargain pricing, $1.00 for Hardbacks and $.50 for Paperbacks. Funds from the sale benefit special programs and activities for the Library benefitting children, teens, and adults.
Albert L. Scott Library 100 Ninth Street NW | Alabaster, AL 205-664-6822
CALENDAR
LIBRARY EVENTS CONTINUED...
YOUTH EVENTS
KIDS CAN FALL INTO FUN & LEARNING AT THE 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 ages in the meeting room; Children six years old and younger must be with an adult Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Toddler Tales in the meeting room; Children must be with an adult. SPECIAL PROGRAMS All programs are in the meeting room behind Caroline’s Corner in the youth department. POETRY ALIVE! October 1, 6:15 p.m. Pennies and poetry are paired thanks to the lively antics of Poetry Alive! The high-energy performance and interactive workshop provides kids with an indepth exploration of literary analysis and writing and speaking skills. The program is part of MakingCents Resources to help your money grow a Smart investing@ your library® partnership between the American Library Association and FINRA Investor Education (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). This grant project provides free, unbiased information to the community about financial literacy and personal finance. The Albert L. Scott Library is one of 15 select libraries in Birmingham, Jefferson, and Shelby counties that is taking part in this grant this year. Our library’s resources include new books for children and adults, DVDs, and more. The goal of the project is to empower library patrons to make smart financial decisions for long-term investing and day-to-day money matters. Poetry Alive! is for elementary through middle school age children and caregivers. All children must be with an adult. BUNNY MONEY AT TODDLER TALES October 4, 10:30 a.m. Even the youngest children can learn about money and business. Miss Jennie will lead Toddler Tales by showing a simple way to introduce the concept of money to some of our youngest citizens. It is part of MakingCents Resources to help your money grow a Smart investing@ your library® partnership between the American Library Association and FINRA Investor Education (Financial
14 cityofalabaster.com
Industry Regulatory Authority). This grant project provides free, unbiased information to the community about financial literacy and personal finance. The Albert L. Scott Library is one of 15 select libraries in Birmingham, Jefferson and Shelby counties taking part in this grant this year. Our library’s resources include new books for children and adults, DVDs, and more. The goal of the project is to empower library patrons to make smart financial decisions for long-term investing and day-to-day money matters. All children must be with an adult. HOMESCHOOL HAPPENING! MOOLAH MONDAY: MONEY MATTERS AND A MEAL October 7, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Homeschool students and their caregivers are invited to learn about money and business in Alabama. We’ll welcome Thomas Bailey of Seacoast Publishing who will reveal the life and times of Alabama business historical leaders A.G. Gaston and Thomas Martin. Seacoast Publishing specializes in books about Alabama and has a series of Alabama biographies. We’ll discuss money smarts and business ownership, enjoy lunch, and paint a ceramic piggy bank. Children in 1st grade through 12th grade can sign up. The program is part of MakingCents Resources to help your money grow a Smart investing@your library® partnership between the American Library Association and FINRA Investor Education (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). This grant project provides free, unbiased information to the community about financial literacy and personal finance. The Albert L. Scott Library is one of 15 select libraries in Birmingham, Jefferson and Shelby counties taking part in this grant this year. Our library’s resources include new books for children and adults, DVDs, and more. The goal of the project is to empower library patrons to make smart financial decisions for long-term investing and dayto-day money matters. Children 6 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
LEGO LEAGUE October 8, 4:00 p.m. Kids of all ages can come and play with Legos of all sizes and make new friends. Children 6 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult. MONSTER MAKEOVER: FACE PAINTING WORKSHOP October 15, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. This creative makeup activity will celebrate Teen Read Week: Seek the Unknown @ your library. Face painting expert Jennie Bunton will demonstrate fun and easy techniques to create monsters,
zombies, vampires, fairies, and more. Young Adults 11 years old to 18 years old can sign up for painting and snacks. No younger siblings, please. AMERICAN GIRLS CLUB October 18, 4 p.m. Girls 7 years old and older can learn about Kaya and her world. Sign up and come with or without a doll. COSTUME CAPERS WITH RUSSELL DAVIS THE MAGICIAN October 31, 4:15 p.m. Children of all ages who appreciate magic and laughter may come in costume, if they like, to enjoy the wonders of magician Russell Davis. All children must be with an adult.
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.
be located behind the Alabaster Senior Center. Parking will be available at Buck Creek Park with shuttles running to the trail. FALL SPORTS PROGRAMS Our athletic fields are quite busy with Fall Sports underway. We currently have 1,100 participants in our youth programs which include Football, Cheer, Soccer, Girl’s Softball, Baseball, and Start Smart Soccer. We also have a Fall Adult Softball program. As always, our programs depend on volunteers who selflessly give of their time and experience to work with our youth. We would like to say “Thank You!” to each of you. You may be the one person who makes a difference in the life of a child. PAVILIONS FOR RENT Outdoor Rental Facilities: Several of our City Parks offer pavilions for rental use. The best way to make sure your event happens at the location of your choice is to contact Parks & Recreation before our books are filled with reservations. Pavilions are available for use by permit only. There is a $40 rental fee and an additional refundable $40 deposit which must be paid before your reservation is complete.
BASKETBALL Registration, Sept. 16 thru Oct. 4 The last day to register is Oct. 4 at the Depot. On-line registration will close at 5 pm on Oct. 4. Registration after Oct. 4 will include a $25 late fee – should there be any spots remaining. Cost: $80.00 ($10 additional fee for non-residents) Open to: BOYS-Kindergarten through 9th grade GIRLS-Kindergarten through 6th grade *IMPORTANT: 9th graders who turned 15 before September 1, 2013 are not eligible. Kindergartners have to turn 5 before September 1, 2013 to be eligible to play (no exceptions). BARK IN THE PARK Saturday, Oct. 5, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The 7th Annual Bark in the Park will be held at Veterans Park, 7305 Hwy. 119, Alabaster. This event is hosted by the City of Alabaster and the Shelby Humane Society. Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss out on lots of fun. Admission is FREE for a fun filled day that celebrates the bond between people and their dogs. There will be music, children’s activities, food, vendors selling everything from dog bones to t-shirts, and dog contests. There will also be adoption booths where you can find adorable pups looking for new homes. Please contact the Shelby Humane Society with any questions at 205-669-3916, extension 29 or info@shelbyhumane.org. FALL FEST AT BUCK CREEK Saturday, Oct. 26, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The 5th annual Fall Fest will be held at Buck Creek Trail from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. with FREE admission. This will be a great family outing with live music, inflatables, Trick-or-Treat Trail, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, hay rides, etc. All activities will
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Citizen Spotlight
Adle Virginia Reach Kirkland
“My name is Adle Virginia Reach Kirkland, but everybody knows me as Tiny,” said the charming 86-year-old woman. “Ya see, I weighed two-and-a-half pounds when I was born, so my sister said, ‘Mama, let’s call her Tiny,’ and I been Tiny ever since.” Kirkland is the epitome of Southern hospitality. She opened her home to a complete stranger, immediately offered a glass of sweet tea, and made her guest feel as “at-home” as possible. The youngest of 10 children, Tiny was raised on 80 acres of farmland in Alabaster off Hwy 11. After her family sold the land, she married and had a son, Billy, whom she calls “the pleasure of her life,” and now has two grand- and three great-grandchildren. The land now is occupied by homes as far as the eye can see. “I’ve been living in this house since 1962,” she said, and when asked if she had built the house, she responded in
Tiny relaxng in her kitchen.
the pleasant way only found here in the South. “Lord, yeah! My brother, and my husband, and me – we built it ourselves. We been here that long and I will be here as long as I live.” Between laughs and sips of tea she added, “And I won’t be moving cause if I had a house payment, it would kill me!” During the time that Tiny was growing up, times were simpler. There was no hustle and bustle. They took more time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. “We used to ride horses from here to the Florida Short Route, that is what we called Highway 280 then,” she said as she recalled a beloved pastime she shared with about 18 of her companions. “We would ride that far and get us a Coca Cola, then turn around and ride back. That was our daily ride.” The month of November will mark her 32nd anniversary of employment with Walmart. Tiny spoke of her time with the company, as it has changed locations 16 cityofalabaster.com
three times here in Alabaster and grown into the company that it is today. “Now, the first one I loved. We were like a big ol’ happy family,” she said of the locations and environment. “The second one I liked pretty good. This one is very large.” Tiny and her family will be celebrating their 75th Family Reunion on October 6, where the theme is to Bring Something Old – a way to share some wisdom with future generations. Would you like to nominate someone for a Citizen Spotlight? E-mail Mayor Handlon handlon@cityofalabaster.com, Council Member Sophie Martin martin@cityofalabaster.com or editor Luke Camara Luke@me2graphics.com
Employee Spotlight
Battalion Chief David Lash
Battalion Chief David Lash is a lifelong firefighter. He started at the Alabaster Fire Department in June of 1985 - back when it was a mix of volunteer and paid firemen. “I was hired so that the other guys could get a day off,” he said. Chief Lash got his start in the fire service at a young age. He grew up in Montevallo since the 4th grade, and he has been around this area his whole life. When he got old enough, he joined Montevallo Fire Department’s Secondary Program - the forerunner of today’s Fire Explorer program. It started him down a path that he never left. “They took us all over the southeast to train with them. This was so long ago that we would ride on the back of the trucks to fires - no one does that anymore not even the guys today,” he shared. From this early beginning he fell in love with fire service, building a career out of a passion. Throwing his hands up as if in surrender to the obvious, he exclaimed, “I don’t know what else I would be other than this.” After his early years of floating from station to station as a fill in, he settled down and earned a promotion to lieutenant over Station 2. In 2006 he received his current rank of Battalion Chief over all three stations during his shift. Over those many years he has seen quite a bit evolve. “There
“I love it. I love the guys I work with. I love the people and citizens I take care of. I love the relationships formed over the years.” -Battalion Chief David Lash
have been a lot of changes - good changes - over the years,” he said. In the past, they would only have as few as two men to each truck. Station 1, his current station, was less than half its current size - with only two bays, one small living quarters and two small offices. Now they run with at least four personnel. “Kudos to the Mayor and Council for maintaining a four man minimum on the engines. It is a big deal,” Chief Lash said. In his eyes, that number of personnel per engine is the perfect amount to cover and assist in most situations they encounter. As further evidence of the department’s progress, every shift has a minimum of two paramedics per engine. “[Having] two paramedics provides another set of eyes and another set of hands to respond with,” he said. It does not take much time being around Chief Lash before you start to hear him speak with such pride about his sons and his wife also. “I have been married for 15 years- 15 wonderful years,” he exclaimed. And his two boys hold a special place in his heart. “I got one son who is a firefighter here in Alabaster and another son who is a Police officer near Jacksonville, Florida,” he shared. He added, “They both have the same job - taking care of people.” When it comes to the work he has dedicated himself to he would not change a thing. “I love it. I love the guys I work with. I love the people and citizens I take care of. I love the relationships formed over the years,” he said. Part of loving on his guys is helping them cope, especially the younger ones, with the struggles of the job and life. “Over the years we have celebrated highs and made it through lows,” he shared. As he gets closer to the end of his career he jokingly says that
Battalion Chief Lash with the members of Station 1, 2, and 3 at the training complex.
he might work until he gets to 30 years of service, or maybe 35. “I change my mind every day,” he said. Then in a moment of reflection about the future under the current leadership of Mayor Handlon and the city council, City Manager George Henry, and Chief Golden, he thinks he might stay on for a while. “I may stay on just to see what happens,” he says with a hint of excitement.
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Business Spotlight K and J’s Elegant Pastries
Just three months ago, Kristal Bryant opened the doors to K and J’s Elegant Pastries - the charming little bakery located on Kent Dairy Road near Thompson Middle School. Open Tuesday through Saturday, K and J’s Elegant Pastries offers a variety of confections ranging from custom cakes to specialty cookies and numerous flavors of cupcakes. “What sets us apart from other bakeries is that other bakeries only offer sheet cakes and things like that, but we sell truly custom cakes,” Bryant said as she spoke of the different shapes of cakes she’s made. This bakery is a new shop located here in Alabaster, but Bryant is no novice to the food industry. She went to culinary school at Virginia College in Birmingham and landed a job as a Five-Star Line Cook for The Cheesecake Factory. She helped to open several stores with the company, and she mastered every level as a cook. “After 6 years of doing that, I guess I just outgrew it,” she said laughingly. “So, I started doing cakes for family and friends. When I left the Cheesecake Factory, it was a leap of faith. It was tough, but worth it in the end.” Bryant had never baked a cake before, but she was eager to launch into uncharted waters. “My first cake was just terrible,” she said, overcome with laughter. “Well, it wasn’t that bad, but looking back at it, and what I can do now, my standards have greatly changed.” Over the next five years, she taught herself and built her clientele. She shared how a client entrusted her with the job of catering a wedding. That client has now become a long-time customer. “For my first job, I had to create a wedding contract and I realized I had to come up with a name for the company, and I really wanted our name to mean something,” she said. That’s when K and J’s Elegant Pastries was born – K stands for Kristal and the J represents her husband and two daughters. Bryant chose the Kent Dairy location because she fell in love with the charm of the space. “I noticed there is only one other bakery on this end (of Birmingham) and people have to travel to Hoover for cakes like this,” she said. “I browsed by this store and saw the checkered floors and knew this was the place.” Bryant’s attention to detail and consistency is part of what drives K and J’s Elegant Pastries to create delicacies for the City of Alabaster that are unforgettable. “We love being here in Alabaster. We’ve had so much support from the community and it’s the community that keeps us alive,” she added. “When we are more settled in, I want to offer after-hours cake courses to
18 cityofalabaster.com
Kristal Bryant with one of her display cakes.
the public.” The bakery offers an after school special (buy 3 cupcakes and get 1 free) from 3-5p.m. daily and will offer free Halloween treats for children only on the day of Halloween. For more information www.kjselegantpastries.com
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“What sets us apart from other bakeries is that other bakeries only offer sheet cakes and things like that, but we sell truly custom cakes.” -Kristal Bryant
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OLD COTTON MILL . April 18, 1953, saw the cotton mill
almost completely destroyed by a tornado. It took a year to rebuild the mill and get it running again. It was estimated that the storm did over $2 million worth of damage. Bobby Joe Seales’ father was on duty as the night watchman and was spared when the twister did not touch the office building - which was the only building left standing. The old mill sat in almost the exact location as the new administration building.
9/11 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB. Firefighter Chad Trautwein, Firefighter Zach Cruce, Firefighter Chase Smith, Firefighter Calem Hicks, Lieutenant Nathan Smitherman, and Chief Jim Golden participated in the 9/11 memorial stair climb. In full gear they climbed 110 stories (the same height as the Twin Trade Towers) in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others.
GRAND OPENING. K Maxx Convenience Store and Gas Station EAGLE SCOUT. Stephen Mitchel Gibbs, 16, of Alabaster has
earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He is the son of Mitchel and Holly Gibbs and is a sophomore at Thompson High School. He began his scouting adventure as a Tiger Scout in 2004 at age 6, with Pack 220, which started at Westwood Baptist Church. Stephen has been a member of Troop 220 - formerly chartered by Westwood Baptist Church in Alabaster - since February 2009. As a Boy Scout, Stephen has earned 26 merit badges and has held several leadership positions, including Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. He completed National Youth Leadership Training and is a member of the Order of the Arrow - the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America. He had many great adventures as a Boy Scout including a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and Florida Sea Base in the Florida Keys. For his Eagle Scout project, Stephen built garbage can protectors for Brierfield Ironworks Historical State Park in Bibb County. The park has many wild animals and these wooden protectors will keep the animals out of the garbage cans, help keep the park clean, and will be a nice place to visit and camp. Stephen earned the rank of Eagle on July 22, 2013.
celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Scott Holden, owner of Andalusia Holden Energy LLC, was on hand to cut the ribbon. There are several K Maxx brand locations in the area with this being the first in the Alabaster market. Stop by their newest location at 1550 Kent Dairy Rd.
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TAYLOR PRESTON PHILLIPS is a member of Troop 548
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DR. FITTS. Pictured are Mayor Handlon and Councilwoman Sophie Mar-
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AROUND TOWN
BRANTLEY FAMILY
Chip and Mary Brantley and their two sons, four year old Kade and nine month old Hunter are participating in the eCO Saving Race. Chip, an eleven year veteran of the Alabaster Fire Department and Alabaster resident, is competing against three other families to see who can garnish the most votes. Each family is tasked with losing debt and saving money. As part of the competition they get free financial coaching, and attend Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Seminar. The winner is selected through public vote, eCO Credit Union vote, and CBS 42 new officials vote. The public can cast a vote online every 24 hours. To help the Brantley family win vote at www.ecosavingrace.org
CHILDREN VOTING ON CHRISTMAS PARADE
First graders at Meadow View Elementary voting for the Christmas Parade theme using a smartboard. Creek View and Meadow View students were given the responsibility this year to select via a vote the theme for the Alabaster Christmas Parade this year. With a final tally of 712 votes Wishin’ For A White Christmas was the winner. Candy Canes and Christmas Caroling came in second with 609 votes.
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Ian Alexander Bevel, a member of Troop 548, was honored with a proclamation from Mayor Handlon on achieving the Eagle Scout Award. Ian completed his Eagle Scout Project by constructing and installing benches at Veteran’s Park in Alabaster. His parents accepted the proclamation on his behalf.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Alabaster School Calendar City School Events Update
Just over a month into a new era, Alabaster City School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers is excited about the shift from county schools to city schools. “We have 6,100 students on our six campuses and we had a very, very smooth transition starting out,” he shared. Adding, “It has been about as smooth as it could be.” “We are just about complete on the renovation we started back in the summer. We are set to make another round of improvements come October 1st,” said Dr. Vickers. One of the many noticeable improvements was turning the gravel parking lot, for students at the high school, into first rate parking. This was accomplished through a partnership between Shelby County Commission, the ABOE, and the City of Alabaster. “I am just very pleased where we are,” exclaimed Dr. Vickers. And when most school systems would be pleased to simply have a smooth opening month, Dr. Vickers and the Alabaster Board of Education are still aching to make the improvements that have been promised for two years now. “The rest of the year we will start to make some changes. Slow changes, so we are meeting the needs of our Alabaster kids. They will start to see those changes and the different direction we have been talking about,” Vickers said. With an eye towards these changes, Dr. Vickers eagerly awaits the future. “Next school year,” he said, “will be outstanding.” All these changes are culminating to reach one goal. That goal is to become the best school system in the state for academics, extracurricular activities, and athletics. Dr. Vickers visited the school, as he has done on multiple occasions thus far this year, and he witnessed faculty and staff that are dedicated to teaching. “They want to be the champions of our kids’ future,” he exclaimed. The reason he is so optimistic that they can accomplish their goals is because of the focus they all have. “A city school system only has one wagon to pull through town,” he said. He goes on to add, “This is the secret ingredient to becoming the top school district in the state.”
Notice:
The Alabaster City School System is utilizing its new offices at 1953 Municipal Way, Suite 201 - on the second floor of the new city hall.
SYSTEM WIDE PARENTING WEEK Oct. 7th - 11th Various activities planned at each school
THE CHOICE BUS Oct. 21st -23rd The Choice Bus will be visiting the 6th grade center. The role of the Choice Bus is to show students their possible future if they drop out of school. TESTING Oct 22nd Explore Test for 8th Graders PLAN test for 10th Graders RED RIBBON WEEK Oct 28th - Nov 1st All Calendar Events are posted on www.alabasterschools.org
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seekiNg veNdors Businesses & individuals who wish to exhibit & sell goods, paintings, woodcraft, photography, jewelry, wearable art, or other items are invited to submit applications.
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SCHOOL NEWS
Warrior Wrestling
The Thompson High School Wrestling program is on a roll. With three consecutive State 6A Championships trophies in the showcase, it is easy to forget that just a few years ago - 2006 for the middle school program and 2007 for the high school program - there was no wrestling in the schools. It all started in the basement of Glenn Albarado, Youth Director. “The Alabaster Youth Wrestling Association was founded in the Spring of 2004 and ran out of a home basement,” said Ben Wanagat, Web and Communications Director for Alabaster Youth Wrestling Association (AYWA). When space ran out, they moved into the rented space at Camp Branch Community Center from the summer of 2004 until November 2007. A friend of the program helped them move into their current home - the Warrior Wrestling Complex. From this modest beginning came the genesis of the Thompson, Calera, and Chelsea high school programs. Helena high school will be beginning soon. There is such excitement about the successes the high school and the youth programs have achieved over the
“The Alabaster Youth Wrestling Association was founded in the Spring of 2004 and ran out of a home basement.” -Ben Wanagat their lives,” said Wanagat. This is not just something the directors wish to teach, it is something that they have experienced. For Glenn Albarado, Youth Director for AYWA, it was a life changer. “Wrestling, and the wrestling community, stood in the gap for me while in high school. The sport molded and shaped my life in many ways, especially in the areas of work ethic and steadfastness,” he said. The AYWA is in the midst of a fundraiser called The 365 Warrior Project. “The concept is that we need to stand in the gap and stand firm in our responsibilities to support and develop our young people. By giving $1 a day (thus the 365) we can offer our programs to Alabaster youth and other local communities as well,” shared Wanagat. He added, “The goal exists in the knowledge that individual actions will lead to exceptional results; these Warriors will have a lasting impact on the youth of Alabama.” For more information contact Glenn Albarado 205.337.1732 glennalbarado@gmail.com •residential reModeling•
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years. But it has always been more than just about wrestling. “We teach the art of wrestling in both national and international styles while mentoring the youth under our tutelage,” shared Wanagat. But that is not their mission. “Our mission exists in the knowledge that we will encourage and promote personal growth spiritually, physically, and emotionally through positive reinforcement of activities, which constantly challenge the spirit, body, and mind,” he said. It is through the sport of wrestling that the mission is fulfilled. “The sport of wrestling creates a unique platform for athletes to experience the personal challenges associated with one-on-one competition. The wrestlers encounter and grapple with those time-tested traits that form the character of a man. We believe it is essential to teach these principles as the foundation of success in the arena of competition thereby empowering our young wrestlers for the rest of 26 cityofalabaster.com
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CITY OF ALABASTER 1953 Municipal Way Alabaster, AL 35007 www.cityofalabaster.com
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 48 ALABASTER, AL
Marty Handlon, Mayor handlon@cityofalabaster.com, 664-6800
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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