Shelby Living July 2012

SHELBY Living Cahaba

anoe the

Perk’s Harpersville BBQ is worth the drive

Naseem Aljouny

Warriors On tour with Jay-Z and Kanye West

July 2012 • $4.95

Water Adaptive Aquatics teaches disabled to ski July 2012

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From the Editor

M

y idea of a perfect summer day involves water.

I don’t care if it’s a lake, ocean, river or even a pool.

All I want to see on a hot Alabama day is water.

Lucky for me, Shelby County offers lots of options for the aquatically inclined.

I haven’t had a chance to get out on the Cahaba River since moving to the area last August, but Jon Goering’s gorgeous photos are enough to motivate me to schedule a trip. Check out the photos from his early morning canoe trip with Canoe the Cahaba on page 42. When you get a chance, make sure you and your friends schedule your own trip.

In this issue, we also profiled Adaptive Aquatics, a Wilsonville nonprofit organization dedicated to helping disabled youth and adults enjoy water sports, such as skiing, tubing and canoeing.

For those who prefer the ocean to the river, Shelby County even has a connection down at the Gulf of Mexico. Alys Beach is a resort town that was founded by EBSCO Industries, which is based in Shelby County. The gorgeous town includes several rental options, as well as stunning wedding locations. Read more about the development of Alys Beach on page 29.

The biggest news for Shelby Living this summer is our second annual Best of the Best Shelby County contest. The first round ends June 29, and our staff will narrow down the submissions to three nominations per category.

The second round of voting begins July 9 and continues through Aug. 10. Whether you’re a foodie, athlete, art lover or health nut, our contest includes a category that will interest you. So, make sure to let your favorite business know you appreciate their hard work.

Don’t forget that I want to hear from you. I received several story ideas from readers over the last month, and I really appreciated their efforts.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Have a wonderful summer! l

Katie McDowell, Editor

Katie.McDowell@ShelbyLiving.com

ON THE COVER Tatum, a student at the Linda Nolen Learning Center, experiences for the first time water skiing at Adaptive Aquatics in Wilsonville.

Cover design: Jamie Sparacino Photography: Jon Goering

SHELBY Living ediTorial Katie McDowell Amy Jones Wesley Hallman Neal Wagner Christine Boatwright Aldo Amato Daniel Porter ConTribuTors Lisa Phillips Laura Brookhart Angie Brown Kala Bolton produCTion Daniel Holmes Jamie Sparacino Amy Baldis Jon Goering Kreable Young Jessica Crihfield markeTing Alan Brown Melissa Clark Thomas LaBoone Nicole Loggins Meagan Mims Barbara Buchanan Diane Fant LaShan Johnson Tracy Jones adminisTraTion Tim Prince Jan Griffey Mary Jo Eskridge Annie McGilvray Catherine Cousins Shelby Living is published monthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Shelby Living is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Shelby Living, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051.

Shelby Living is mailed to select households throughout Shelby County, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses.

Please visit Shelbyliving.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $22 for one year by emailing subscribe@ shelbyliving.com, or calling (205) 669-3131, ext.

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Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@shelbyliving.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 26.

July 2012

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in every issue 9

The simple life Walking away from clutter

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SHORT STORIES Greystone student places in Doodle 4 Google contest

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Shelby spotted Relay for Life, Special Equestrians Gala and more

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out & About Find out what’s going on in the month of July

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WHY I LOVE SHELBY COUNTY Naseem Aljuony Jr. shares Shelby County stories

arts & culture 12

Fran Nagy’s dragon kiln Inverness artist gets creative with her process

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READING ROOM North Shelby librarian shares her love of reading

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July 2012

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features 16

The sweet smell of success Local runs Cheeky Maiden Soap Co. from her Chelsea home

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Treating varicose veins Shelby Baptist launches new treatment center

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True blue Surround yourself with the color of summer

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A waterfront retreat Alys Beach has a surprising connection to Shelby County

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water warriors Wilsonville organization helps disabled people learn to ski

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Waters from above A primer on the Cahaba River

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rollin’ on a river Canoe the Cahaba offers canoeing and kayaking trips

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underwater adventures Dive Alabama provides training, recreation and retail

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home & food 53

first of its kind Leeds home qualifies for energy efficiency program

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earthcents Southern Company initiative assists homeowners and builders

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Perk’s bar-b-que A taste of home — right around the corner

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Unveiling the secret Columbiana’s Bonnie Atchison shares her Pride Cake recipe

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The Simple Life of the

best best Walking clutter Shelby County

brought to you by:

SHELBY Living

Go ahead. Play favorites.

Shelby Living magazine is holding our second annual Best of the Best in Shelby County contest. We’re asking readers to tell us their favorite local businesses and people from the best yoga studio to best children’s clothing store. Only establishments located within Shelby County are eligible for entry. Each reader who submits a complete ballot will be entered to win a Best of the Best in Shelby County gift basket. So, go ahead, tell us who’s best.

Two-stage voting: Part 1: Write-in nominations will be accepted for each entry within the four categories of Dining & Nightlife, Arts & Culture, Business and Health & Beauty. Write-in nominations will be accepted until Friday, June 29.

Part 2: The nominations will be narrowed to the top three in each entry. Starting Monday, July 9, readers may vote for their favorite of the three in each entry until Friday, August 10.

Winners will be announced in the October issue of Shelby Living.

How you vote: Paper ballots: Paper ballots may be cut out of Shelby Living magazine, filled out and mailed to Best of the Best, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Only original ballots from the magazine will be counted. No photocopied or hand-written ballots will be counted.

Online ballots: Readers may fill out the ballot online at Shelbyliving.com.

Rules: Only one ballot per person will be accepted. Participation is open to all readers 18 years and older. To select a prize winner, a ballot will be drawn at random by a member of our staff, and the winner will be notified.

“Clutter” is definitely the buzz word of the year. By definition, it means “to fill or cover with scattered or disorganized things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness.” It also means a “confused mass or collection.” how do you see it … as a noun or a verb? While most of us can recognize clutter on our kitchen counters or around our desks, understanding how it walked through our doors can be eye-opening. We know that we have to physically remove those piles of papers, but how did it get there in the first place and who brought it in? There are three ways that “clutter” as a noun appeared on your doorstep. acquiring. Many times others are to blame. (Thank goodness it isn’t entirely our fault!) School papers and projects, mail and furniture from a parent’s downsizing are all ways that you acquire things you may or may not have room for or even need. Gifts are another way things appear in our space. Clutter just walked right in and made itself at home. buying. You paid money to bring it into your home or office. Often times we associate money with value. This is one reason many people can’t dispose of a closet full of clothes that do not fit, appliances that are not being used or books they will not read. You paid money for that gadget, so you can’t get rid of it. Before making a purchase, ask yourself these five questions.

1.Can I borrow this from someone else?

2. Do I already have something similar?

3. Where will I store this?

4. Do I have time to use it or take care of it?

Lisa Phillips, 5. Why do I want it? owner of SimpleWorks, Consenting. This is lisa_phillips@bellsouth.net, the invisible clutter that 981.7733 takes your time, thus robbing you of something you will never get back.

Clutter doesn’t just intrude on your physical space; it can eat away at your mental capacity and cause you to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Email, phone calls, over commitments on your calendar, not being able to say “no.” All of these intangibles can weigh heavy on your shoulders.

When you understand how the door opened for Clutter doesn’t just clutter to appear in your world, you will intrude on your then know how to physical space; it can keep the door shut and not let it walk eat away at your mental right in without even ringing the doorbell. capacity and cause you Make sure you keep close control of to feel overwhelmed whom or what you and stressed. let into your space.

It’s that simple. l July 2012

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Short Stories &

Oak Mountain’s BMX champion

Doodle 4 Google Greystone Elementary fifth-grader Reily Randolph was a finalist in the national Doodle 4 Google contest after her drawing was chosen as a state winner out of more than 114,000 entries.

For the Doodle 4 Google contest, entrants were told to finish the sentence, “If I could travel in time, I’d visit…”

Participants then used their preferred time travel destination to reinterpret the iconic Google logo.

Randolph said when she needed to pick a time period for the setting of her Doodle 4 Google drawing, her mind went to the

Industrial Revolution.

“It was a really fun time,” said Randolph, who said she wanted to capture a steampunk vibe in her drawing.

Randolph’s drawing, one of 50 state winners, went on to compete in the national competition, although she did not win the top prize.

Her artwork, along with the other 49 state winners, was featured in a special exhibit at the New York Public Library. It was also featured on the Google homepage on May 18 for 24 hours.

— Amy Jones

Leadership Shelby County 2012 Leadership Shelby County, now in its 17th year, celebrated the graduation of the 35 members in its 2012 class in May. LSC is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization designed to develop Shelby County’s current and future leaders.

Participants learn the dynamics of team building and experience the esteemed bonding that each class develops. Once a month from October through May, they attend a full day session on a specific highpriority topic.

During the graduation ceremony, the participants shared ways they are looking to positively impact the county. They also showcased projects covering middle school drug use, social media and reading readiness.

Member of the LSC 2012 class are Alan

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Campbell, Miranda Carter, Stephen Craft, Helen Dean, George Henry, Daniel Holmes, Kerry Horton, Lori Leonard, Joseph McGee, Aubrey Miller, Kristin Webb, Kendall Williams, Kathryn Acree, Naseem Aljouny, Dennis Blackerby, Stuart Brock, Tammy Brush, Michelle Johnston, Bill Keller, Cindy Kelly, Maurice Mercer, Dwight Mullis, Teresa Nichols, Terry Suttonn, Phil Burns, Neal DePiano, Amy Jones, Jon Lauderdale, Linda Maxwell, Jenny Wilson, Robby Owens, Lori Quinn, Larry Sailes, Jessica Vance and Marlene Wallace.

— Neal Wagner

Ten-year-old William Seitz, who has been training at the Oak Mountain State Park BMX bike track for the past five years, recently competed at the 2012 BMX World Championships.

This year marks the second straight year he has competed in the World Championship.

Since he began riding a little more than five years ago, William has risen in the BMX skill ranks from novice to intermediate to expert. To reach the expert level, William and his family have put in countless hours of practice at the OMSP BMX track. He was recently named to the Team USA BMX World Championship team.

“I’d say we are at the track three or four days a week,” said his father Bill Seitz, who has been BMX racing for more than two decades.

—Neal Wagner

From Shelby County to the silver screen A lieutenant with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office recently showed off his acting skills in the motion picture “42,” which is partly being filmed at Rickwood Field in Birmingham.

Lt. Dennis Blackerby, 49, said he recently was approached by the Atlanta-based CL Casting Agency to play a minor role in the Jackie Robinson biopic “42.”

“They told me to send a head shot and body shot,” said Blackerby, who also serves on the Wilsonville Town Council. “So I sent those in and a couple hours later they wanted me to go up to a fitting in Birmingham and that’s where I found out I’d be playing a vendor selling peanuts, popcorn and whatnot.”

Blackerby said filming began early, sometimes at 4:30 a.m. at the historic Rickwood Field. But despite the early starts, he was grateful to have landed a small role in the film, which stars Harrison Ford and Alabama native Lucas Black.

— Aldo Amato

A royal welcome Two Oak Mountain High School students and a Pelham High School student were rewarded by royalty on April 28.

Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2012 Callie Walker, Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2011 Mi’a Callens and Miss Tennessee Valley 2012 Hayley Barber were recognized by His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, the youngest son of the Queen of England, at an afternoon garden party at a private Mountain Brook residence.

Callens, 18, Barber, 17, and Walker, 14, were awarded bronze medals for their accomplishments in the Duke of Edinburgh’s

Award program. The award, which recently formed a partnership with the Miss America organization, promotes self-development through encouraging and recognizing youth participation and achievements in community service, physical fitness, special skills and an adventurous journey.

Since its inception in 1956, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has been achieved by more than seven million youth, ages 14-25, in 132 countries. It is currently in its fourth year of operation in the United States.

— Kala Bolton

Growth for Alabaster YMCA The Alabaster YMCA is looking to more than double the size of its facility by early 2013.

In addition to the expansion, the facility will also add a new, six-lane pool, said YMCA District Vice President Lane Vines.

The YMCA has raised about $1.7 million to construct the new 18,000-square-foot addition and six-lane pool. The project will more than double the size of the Park Circle building,

and will add additional parking areas to accommodate the larger crowd.

The new addition will house the YMCA’s child care programs, and will include a halfcourt gym.

The Birmingham-based JohnsonKreis construction company is handling the expansion project.

— Neal Wagner July 2012

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Arts & Culture 2

Inverness artist gets creative with her process 1

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Dragon Kiln

Fran Nagy’s

Story and photographs by Laura Brookhart

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he torches, she burns, she braves the elements. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Fran Nagy plays with fire!

For Nagy, an Inverness resident, the highlight of working with the Raku process is the revealing moment when the fiery hot vessels, having reached 1,900 degrees in the kiln, are removed and plunged into combustible materials that bring the surface iridescence to life.

Protective gear is donned, the tongs are at hand and the mouth of the dragon kiln opens to reveal its prize.

Still glowing, the clay forms are plunged into buckets filled with sawdust and newspaper or water and capped off.

The closed container causes oxygen to be pulled from the porous clay itself, resulting in flashes of color.

Raku originated in Japan where it was used for ceremonial teapots and cups.

Western Raku is more decorative, and the metals in the glaze – iron, copper, lead – are not suitable to use for drinking.

Nagy first studied ceramics in New Orleans with Charlie Bohn of Shadyside Pottery who apprenticed in Bizen, Japan

with Shoji Takahara.

Nagy demonstrated three techniques that can be created in her unique gas-fired clamshell kiln created from a grocery cart, a 2,500-degree fire blanket and welded car parts.

Raku Glaze, Naked Raku (having nothing to do with removing clothing) and Horse Hair Raku each incorporate techniques that can only be controlled to a point.

“Disappointments happen,” Nagy said, “and you learn quickly to detach from the expectation of results. Each cool-down contributes its own transformational stamp on the clay and final scraping and sanding is necessary to bring forth the surface qualities the artist sees within.”

First removed from the kiln is the unglazed white bowl, onto which Nagy drops fine amounts of horsehair, the carbon imparting a sizzling design into the clay.

On her prize-winning vessels, such as ‘The Connected Couple’ that received an honorable mention award in the Ninth International Ceramics Exhibition in Mino, Japan, Nagy, after firing, looks

at the surface design then interprets it further with acrylic color. This she refers to as the apophenia process — the experience of seeing meaningful patterns or connections in random or meaningless data.

To the largest vessel, Nagy applies a commercial glaze called Komodo. After firing and its immersion into sawdust and newspaper, it bursts forth into a rich array of greens and aqua with copper highlights.

A second unglazed vessel emerges from the water bath in monochromatic tones enhanced with a crackled finish.

Nagy previously had studios in Avondale and the Village at Lee Branch on U.S. 280, but has since converted the lower level of her Inverness home with husband Tim Nagy to house the array of tools that allow her to innovatively play with fire.

Fran Nagy and her Kozuki Dragon on wheels are available for demonstrations in the various processes of firing in a Raku kiln and wheel-throwing techniques.

Her work is shown locally at Little House Gallery in Homewood. Info: Franjnagy.com. l

1. Nagy sands pottery at her Inverness home, where she has a studio. 2. The final step of Nagy’s Raku process is plunging the still-hot pottery into buckets filled with water, newspaper or sawdust. 3. Nagy’s Kozuki dragon kiln — a gas-fired kiln made from a grocery cart, fire blanket and welded car parts – is available for demonsrations. 4. Raku originated in Japan, where the pottery was typically used for ceremonial teacups. Western Raku is more decorative, such as the monochromatic vase, and the metals in the glaze typically aren’t suitable for drinking. 5. Once the pottery is removed from the kiln, it is plunged into combustible materials, which create the iridescent quality. 6. Nagy places horsehair onto an unglazed white bowl. 7. Nagy’s process includes several steps, beginning with firing in the kiln.

July 2012

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Arts & Culture

Reading Room: Kate Etheredge

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Photograph by kreable young

ate Etheredge is the young adult librarian at the North Shelby Library and the branch manager for the Mt Laurel Library. She received a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s in library science from the University of Alabama. She lives in northern Shelby County with her son. q: What drew you to shelby County?

A: I am an Army brat, but my mother’s family is from Shelby County. When my father retired, we moved to Columbiana. After adventures in Tuscaloosa, North Carolina and the Azores, I moved back to Shelby County so my son and I could be close to my parents and grandparents. q: Why do you love to read?

A: Reading provides entertainment and information. Whether reading fact or fiction, through books you can find new worlds or see the world you know from a different point of view.

I have always loved to read. My parents and siblings read constantly when I was growing up, even at the dinner table. I feel lost without something to read. The ironic thing about being a librarian is that I am surrounded by great books, but I don’t get to read as much as I would like. q: What’s the first book you remember loving?

A: I really enjoyed the Robert Heinlein books for young readers like “Star Beast,” and I read all the Nancy Drew mysteries more than once. But the book I remember loving was

“The Little Princess.” I cried every time I read it. There was just something about the richesto-rags story that gripped me as child. q: What are your favorite types of books?

A: I read just about anything, but science fiction tops my list of must-reads. Recently I have enjoyed the surge in popularity that dystopian fiction like “The Hunger Games” has had.

As you might be able to tell from my recommendations, my other favorite genre is graphic novels, which use art to tell the story instead of relying exclusively on words. They are usually a quick read, but they can have just as much impact as a regular novel. They are also great for reluctant readers. Pictures really are worth a thousand words. q: Why did you decide to pursue a literary career?

A: I don’t think I had much choice in the matter, I think it is in my blood. I grew up in the library. My mother was a librarian, and she volunteered us to help out everywhere she worked. I was an “assistant librarian” in my elementary school library, and when I was old enough for a real job, it was at the local library.

I even spent a summer as Al the Summer Reading Alligator.

I love connecting people with information and books. Nothing is more exciting to me than finding the fact or the story you never thought you would. q: do you have anything you want to promote?

A: The North Shelby Library is a busy place right now. Summer reading is here! We have reading programs for children, young adults

and adults with prizes for each level. We have performers, crafts, storytimes, movies, contests, snacks and, of course, books going on until July 23. We also have a children’s summer reading program at our Mt Laurel Branch.

All of our programs are made possible by local support. Over the past several years, the library has worked to strengthen our ties to the community and area businesses. We are thankful for all of our local sponsors. We have also received grants from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and the Young Adult Library Services Association.

We are also expanding our technology in order to become a 24/7 resource. We recently became the first library in the state to offer an app through which all Shelby County library card holders can renew books, place holds, find reading lists and much more. We have increased our e-book offerings both in fiction and reference. The library also offers downloads of songs from the Sony Music catalog and a online language learning program. l

Kate Etheredge’s Reading Recommendations friends with boys by faith erin hicks In this graphic novel, Maggie starts high school after years of home-schooling. Her only friends are her three older brothers.

Of course, things aren’t the same at school as they are at home and Maggie has to learn how to navigate her new world. Oh, and deal with a ghost.

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smile by raina Telgemeier This autobiographical tale follows Raina as she deals with her life after she accidentally knocks her two front teeth out. The book provides a look at the painful dentistry she had to go through but also how she grows up and successfully navigates middle and high school. I love her humor and her resilience.

anya’s ghost

by Vera brosgol Anya is a Russian immigrant who is trying her hardest to fit in at her school. She avoids a fellow Russian student and is unsure if she really wants to have her only friend.

Then she befriends a ghost who may or may not make things easier.

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LEFT: Shelves of soap wait to be packaged and labelled. ABOVE: Missi makes a batch of shave soap, a green-colored product made of lavendar and bergamot that creates a rich lather when used.

The sweet smell of success

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n a warm day, the walk up to Missi Burgess’s Chelsea home smells slightly earthy and fragrant.

The perfumed air is a result of a large patchouli oil spill from about a year and a half ago.

Written by katie mcdowell Photographs JON GOERING “As soon as it starts warming up, you can get a good whiff of it,” Missi said.

The scent is the first sign the two-story abode is more than just a home to the Burgess family – Missi, her husband, Brent, and their brood of five ranging in age from five months July 2012

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TOP LEFT CLOCKWISE: Missi Burgess operates Cheeky Maiden Soap Company out of her Chelsea home. A few years ago, Missi had a six-foot cutout Cheeky Maiden made, which now travels with the family during trips to local farmers markets. Missi began creating dental soap at the request of one of her customers. It’s now one of her best sellers. Arwen, 7, places labels on bars of soap. The children make two cents per unit of soap they label. In addition to soaps, Cheeky Maiden Soap Company also makes shampoo, dental soaps, oils, deodorants and other products.

to 7 years old. The home is also the headquarters of Cheeky Maiden Soap Company.

Founded six years ago, the Cheeky Maiden line now includes a wide range of all-natural soaps and shea butter products. In 2011, sales of soap bars reached 6,000 – all produced in the home’s “soap room.”

Missi’s start in the soap business began in 2006 when her favorite soap company went out of business.

“The next year I got a book from my husband about how to make soap,” she said. “I guess I kind of had a knack for it. My family and friends liked it.”

The Burgesses – described on their website as “an organic eating, homebirthing, homeschooling family” – were already interested in healthy living. Brent works for Whole Foods, and the family began its gradual transition to organic living when Missi was pregnant with their oldest child, Arwen.

Missi brought that outlook to Cheeky Maiden when it was founded, although it took several years to make the switch to all-natural soap products.

“That’s where we got the name Cheeky Maiden,” she said.

“I wanted it to be pure and natural and not boring. Cheeky is a synonym for sassy, and maiden is a synonym for pure.”

Interest in the business has grown steadily with the company. Cheeky Maiden received its first request from a store a year after it was founded.

The slow but steady growth has given Missi time to experiment with her products, which now include soaps for hair and teeth, deodorant, laundry detergent, oils and bath salts and scrubs.

“Before the business got really big, it was easy to do what I wanted,” she said. “I could make a different soap every month, and I did. It was important to me because I am a creative person.”

When the family moved from Atlanta to Chelsea a few years ago, Missi originally used the kitchen and a guest bedroom for the business, but it was not enough space. Two years ago, they created the “soap room,” which is where the entire process from manufacturing to labeling to storage takes place.

“Right after (we built the soap room) is when we got our biggest order ever,” Missi said. “It was 2,500 for Anthropologie. It took six weeks from the day we got the order to the day we shipped it out, and I was really pregnant.”

While Missi makes all of the soap, the company is now a family affair with her husband handling the design, web and shipping and the children even pitching occasionally in by placing labels on products for two cents per unit.

Soap-making days are restricted to Monday afternoons and Thursday mornings. The soap room is stocked with large drums of oils – olive, coconut and palm. Each oil gives the soap a different quality from moisturizing to foaming.

The gloves come on when Missi mixes the oils with lye and other fragrances using a blender. Then the soap is poured into molds and left to set, a process that usually takes a couple of days but can take several weeks for certain soaps.

On soap-making days, the room is filled with fragrant scents. The smell was more intense in the early days of the business when the soaps were still made with synthetic fragrances, which are stronger.

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LEFT: Cheeky Maiden soaps come in all shapes, sizes and fragrances.

ABOVE: Charis, 6, helps stock the shelves of the soap room.

The overwhelming smell – it was like “living in a Yankee Candle factory” – and the family’s dedication to healthy living prompted a switch to all-natural products.

Cheeky Maiden saw a large increase in business after the change, and its dedication to organic products has encouraged a large, stable customer base.

“Technically our demographic is women between the ages of 18 and 35,” Missi said. “We definitely have a whole lot of customers that don’t fit that. We have a lot of people who are concerned about their health.”

Many of the customers live in Shelby County and the surrounding areas. Cheeky Maiden is a regular participant in local farmers markets, including Calera on Tuesdays, Helena on Saturdays and Tuscaloosa on Thursday evenings.

The strong local following is an easy way to receive feedback about current products and gauge interest in future soaps.

While the company has grown beyond her imagination, Missi and her family have no plans to stop.

“I never had any plans for this (business), so we just try to keep up,” Missi said. “I’d like to keep doing it long enough to give it to one of my children one day.”

For more information, visit Cheekymaidensoap.com. l

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Treating varicose veins Written by kaTie mCdoWell

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helby Baptist Medical Center recently launched a vein center at its Pelham location.

Varicose veins, which are caused by venous disease, are the cosmetic plague of many women and men during the summer. However, bulging veins and swollen legs can also be painful. Shelby Baptist estimates that varicose veins affect about 25 percent of women and 15 percent of men in the United States.

The Shelby Baptist Medical Center Vein Center was launched in November 2011 to address a growing need for venous disease treatment in Shelby County.

“In recent years, it has become obvious there is a need to treat venous problems,” said Dr. Dale Elliot, one of the center’s three doctors.

The new center offers medical and cosmetic treatments for venous disease, varicose veins and spider veins.

Veins have one-way valves that assist with the process of moving blood toward the heart. For a person with venous disease, blood that is being pumped toward the heart slips back through the valve between Shelby Baptist heartbeats, which puts estimates that pressure on the veins. varicose veins affect “The pressure tends about 25 percent to expand the veins, of women and 15 and you get percent of men in the ropey varicose veins,” Elliot United States. said.

Typical symptoms of venous disease include swollen, painful legs, but it can also cause heaviness, restlessness, cramps, skin discoloration, numbness, tingling, ulcers and blood clots.

Elliot said genetics play a large role in determining who will develop venous disease. Women, especially those who have had multiple pregnancies, are also more likely to develop the disease. Other risk factors include age and professions that require long periods of sitting or standing.

The Shelby Baptist Vein Center, which also includes Dr. John McBrayer and Dr. Cliff Vance, uses heat to seal off the vein with a treatment called endovenous thermal ablation.

A catheter is inserted into the diseased vein by a small incision. The valve is then cauterized, which seals off the vein.

Blood is naturally re-routed through other, healthy veins.

“The patient is generally asked to go home and walk two miles, so there’s really no recovery time,” Elliot said.

Spider veins are also treated at the center with medication that is injected into the veins, but the treatment is considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance.

Shelby Baptist offers free screening days for venous disease throughout the year. For more information, call 621-0065. l

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Blue

Marketplace&

True

Surround yourself with the color of summer Jazz up your beach outfit with this packable, UPF 50+ hat. Navy Geo Hat, $24.99, Plain Jane Children & Gift Shop, Lee Branch Shopping Center, 270 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 600.

This royal blue, floral print dress is a perfect, lightweight dress that can go from day to night. Dress, $46.99, Plain Jane Children & Gift Shop.

These denim espadrilles were hand-stitched in Spain.

Espadrille, $86, Agatha Ainsely Shoe Boutique, 270 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 300, Birmingham.

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With its rope handles and blue coloring, this straw bag is perfect for a day at the beach, but sturdy enough for your daily errands. Bag, $24, Prissy’s, 16700 U.S. 280, Chelsea.

for her

The brilliant blue and size of this ring will pack a punch for any outfit. Ring, $28, Chic Boutique, 270 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 300, Birmingham.

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&Marketplace

With its stunning color and undulating shape, this handmade tray calls to mind the ocean. Tray, $112.50, English Ivy.

for home

Sweeten up your home with this decorative oil lamp in a gorgeous shade of peacock. Oil lamp, $59.95, English Ivy, 250 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 100, Birmingham.

Bring the beach to your dinner table with this fun crab bowl from M. Bagwell’s Water Collection. Crab bowl, $16, Chelsea Lane, 16700 U.S. 280, Suite A, Chelsea.

Liven up your next gathering with this cheerful chip platter. Chip n’Dip platter and bowl, $58, Chelsea Lane.

The rope detailing on these wooden picture frames give them a nautical feel.

Picture frames, $20 each, Chelsea Lane.

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Marketplace&

for the kids

Your little swimmer will look sweetly Southern in this seersucker suit. Swimsuit, $52, Fireflies and Fairytales.

These hand-smocked swim trunks are available in a range of sizes. Swimtrunks, $60 each, Fireflies and Fairytales, 61 Doug Baker Blvd., Ste, 115, Birmingham.

She’ll be ready for her first swimming lessons in this ruffled suit. Swimsuit, $46, Fireflies and Fairytales.

This keepsake plate is perfect for your little sailor. It is also available in other patterns.

Plate, $25, Fireflies and Fairytales.

He’ll be ready to explore this summer in these navy sandals. Riley Roos, $29.99, Monkey Toes, 2800 Greystone Commercial #3B, Birmingham.

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This smocked dress features summer favorites – lobsters and buckets – along the collar. Dress, $78, Fireflies and Fairytales.

This adorable swimsuit features a bucket full of her favorite beach friends. Bucket swimsuit, $29.99, Plain Jane Children & Gift Shop

The butterflies on these navy sandals will quickly make them her favorites.

Sandals, $45, Monkey Toes.

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A waterfront ret reat

Alys Beach has a surprising connection to Shelby County

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Written by katie mcdowell Photographs contributed

ocated about 230 miles south of Shelby County is a development with a wide expanse of pristine sand and blocks of stucco homes with alabaster roofs.

The development, which is known as Alys Beach, calls to mind a

Mediterranean town. While it’s located along the same strip of 30A as Rosemary Beach and Seaside, Alys Beach is a newer and less developed community.

It also has a strong connection to Shelby County, as it is a part of EBSCO Industries, headquartered in Chelsea.

Many locals are aware that EBSCO, a widely diversified corporation with business in publishing, manufacturing, information services and outdoor

products, also has a real estate development component. Alys Beach is the lesser known of EBSCO’s real estate developments; the other is Shelby County’s own Mt Laurel.

The 158-acre property was bought by Elton B. and Alys Stephens in 1978, but construction didn’t begin until 2004. Since that time, the development has grown to 62 homes with potential growth for hundreds more.

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Marketing Director Kerri Price said Alys Beach also has a rental program with options ranging from two-bedroom homes to six-bedroom compounds.

“We’re adding some one bedrooms,” she said. “People want to stay in Alys Beach, even if it’s for two days.”

While Alys Beach is still in the early stages of development, the master plan sets out a self-sufficient community.

“The idea is to have a community that is based on a pedestrian scale,” Price said.

Designed by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, the town was developed on the principles of New Urbanism, which emphasizes community development.

With its wide sidewalks, a 22-mile nature trail and a wide expanse of beach, Alys Beach encourages walking, rather than driving. Even parking is situated at the backs of houses, so cars are not a visible part of the town’s façade. Future development of the town center and other public places was planned with the buildings placed close together to encourage walking, as well.

Currently, Alys Beach has a bike shop, numerous parks, the Caliza Pool, Caliza restaurant, the Fonville Press coffee shop and the community center.

“While you stay in Alys Beach, you get the amenities of the Caliza restaurant, which is open to the public at night,” Price said.

Price said the town will see many additions over the next 12 months, including a town market and the Alys Shoppe, a boutique that will offer boutique items from around the world as well as Alys Beach logo products.

“We’re basically just now embarking on our town center,” Price said. “That’s really our purpose is to grow the town center and add new life to Alys Beach.”

Price said Alys Beach is also waiting on the results of a feasibility study for a potential elementary charter school.

“It would add a civic component to our development,” she said.

Of course, the main component of any development is the people.

Currently, Alys Beach has about 60 completed homes and eight under construction. The master plan includes the potential for approximately 900

PAGE 29: Alys Beach was planned around the components of New Urbanism, which encourages community development, outdoor living and walkable communities. Alys Beach has strong Mediterannean influences including white stucco homes and white tiled roofs. LEFT: Guests gather at the bar by the Caliza pool.

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homes – 600 single-family units and 300 multi-family units.

Even the home plans are centered around the proponents of New Urbanism. The homes feature outdoor amenities, including courtyards and pools or water features.

“One of the things that differentiates Alys Beach from other developments is the homes are built around courtyards,” Price said. “You have this privacy, but you’re still outside.”

There are four types of homes available at Alys Beach: • Courtyard home: A single-family home centered around a courtyard with zero lot lines. The homes are not attached, but the walls touch.

• Villa: A single-family home centered around a courtyard. There are spaces between the lots, the walls do not touch and some have garages.

• rowhouses: A smaller version of courtyard home. These homes are attached, but none are built in Alys Beach yet.

• Compound: A single-family home centered around a courtyard, separated into suites and connected by breezeways.

Twenty-two of those homes are involved in Alys Beach’s rental program.

“It’s a big part of our revenue stream,” Price said.

It’s also a great way for Alys Beach to showcase its amenities to potential homeowners.

Rental rates range between $240 a night for a two-bedroom home and $2,136 a night for a six-bedroom unit that sleeps up to 22 people. Given the popularity of weekend beach trips, Alys Beach is also adding several onebedroom homes to the rental program this year.

Price said Alys Beach has also seen a lot of interest in destination weddings recently.

“We’re learning that our wedding opportunities are quite extraordinary,” she said.

Several outdoor and indoor venues are available for weddings of all sizes, including the Fonville Press and Green, Central Park, Papilio Park, Arboleda Park and, of course, the beach.

A vacation home rental is a requirement to host an event.

For more information about Alys Beach, visit Alysbeach.com. To inquire about an event, email events@alysbeach. com. l LEFT: Alys Beach has several outdoor and indoor locations for events and weddings of all sizes. It is also home to several parks and greens, where concerts are often held throughout the year.

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Warriors Water

Wilsonville organization helps disabled people learn to ski Written by Kala Bolton Photographs by JON GOERING and Jessica Crihfield

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E

very spring and summer, Evan Majewski likes to escape the sweltering Alabama heat by spending a couple of hours on Wilsonville’s Lay Lake during weekends. This active 14-year-old Calera High School student, who grew up playing football, basketball and wrestling, now considers water skiing as one of his favorite sports.

But Majewski’s technique varies from traditional water skiers. He “sit-skis,” as his battle with cerebral palsy has bound Majewski to a wheelchair.

Majewski is one of thousands who have learned the joys of water sports through Adaptive Aquatics, a 501-c3 nonprofit organization aimed toward helping disabled children and adults, as well as injured veterans.

“Everybody that comes to us has some sort of disability,” said Joe Ray, executive director of Adaptive Aquatics. “We’ve had kids as young as 3 years old ski with us and we’ve had adults in their 80s ski with us.”

Ray has a shared experience with those who attend his clinics, as he was paralyzed in a car accident when he was 20 years old. Soon after, he heard of a program, run by Adaptive Aquatics founder Phil Martin in 1980, that taught water skiing to disabled individuals, so he thought to give it a shot.

“I thought, ‘I can’t do this, I’m in a wheelchair. I can’t even swim and I’ve never skied in my life,’” Ray said.

“Finally, he convinced me to get out there, and I skied and loved it.”

Ray enjoyed the skiing so much that he was willing to do whatever he could to get more time on the water. Through this passion, he found his true joy in becoming an instructor himself.

“I wanted to ski more, so I actually started helping him teach and instruct,” Ray said. “That’s when I really found out what it was about. It was about introducing this wonderful sport and showing a person with a disability that you can do this, that you can do more.

It basically becomes a stepping stone to other stuff in their life.”

PAGE 34: Linda Nolen Learning Center student Shelby enjoys a ride during a visit to Adaptive Aquatics in Wilsonville on May 15. RIGHT: Matthew Anderson, who has spinal bifida, knee boards during an Adaptive Aquatics on May 26.

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When Martin moved Adaptive Aquatics to Georgia, an inspired Ray decided to start his own program here in Birmingham. Eventually, the two programs merged and Ray took over as executive director. After 32 years of operation, Adaptive Aquatics remains one of the longest-running adaptive water sports programs in the nation.

“I’d say we’ve served anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 people, and we’re not talking just in this region,” Ray said.

“We’re talking here in Shelby County, surrounding counties, surrounding states, across the United States and we’ve had people that have come here from different countries to visit us before too.”

All instructors work on a volunteer basis, and the organization also uses certified lifeguards. While physical activity is a main aspect of the organization, instructors say the main goal is to develop the participants’ selfconfidence.

“No matter what happens, they succeed,” said Carrie Doescher, a physical therapist at Children’s Hospital who has spent weekends as a volunteer instructor at Adaptive Aquatics since 2007. “They might have this look of sheer terror at first, but within five

seconds, it’s the biggest grin you’ve ever seen. There’s different little levels of things that you can do to help them, but they always succeed.”

Majewski’s mother, Storm, has seen this effect first-hand as she has watched her son flourish under the teachings of Ray and his staff of volunteers. Ray, an expert skier himself, has won 11 world championships and holds seven world records “I think it just shows them that they are capable of doing anything that anyone else is doing,” Storm Majewski said. “It may have to be modified, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Joe has even won some gold medals, and that’s very inspiring to Evan and a lot of these other kids. It shows them that they can shoot for gold and reach for gold and live a very happy, satisfying and able-bodied lives.”

Adaptive Aquatics, which is mainly supported by donations, works with both large groups and individuals, and each lesson is catered to that person’s specific needs and skill level. The services are free of charge and open to anyone with disabilities. With such skilled instructors, many participants have followed in Ray’s footsteps, participating in competitions to

showcase their skills.

“The individual sessions we do here at the facility are usually hour-long sessions,” Ray said. “Some of these guys actually move into competition. I’ve had several people who went through our program become national and world champions.”

Ray attributes his success and that of many Adaptive Aquatics participants to the lessons it teaches them about ability and self-confidence, and that’s what Ray says is the main goal of the whole operation. He wants their time skiing with Adaptive Aquatics to be a steppingstone to bigger goals and dreams.

“They don’t know what they can do or can’t do, so they finally get that feeling of accomplishment,” Ray said. “Their self esteem all of a sudden changes and is elevated, and if they’ve got friends or family, peers there with them, all of a sudden, they’re elevated in the eyes of their peers. I’ve seen students who have gone through water skiing here to then go on and start playing wheelchair basketball or join a wrestling team at their school. It’s amazing how they really move forward and they feel like they can do anything.”

For more information, call 205-8077519 or visit Adaptiveaquatics.org. l

RIGHT: Adaptive Aquatics owner Joe Ray talks with participants before the day’s activities. BELOW RIGHT: Lawrence Lilly and Kathy Cusimano share a moment of exhilaration with LNLC student Anthony during a visit to the lake. BELOW LEFT: Linda Nolen student Tatum sit-skis during a trip to Adaptive Aquatics.

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A classroom is not bound by the walls that surround it, but by the imagination of the one who leads it. And for us, we seek at every turn to challenge, inspire and grow those individuals who have been called to selflessly impart knowledge to others. Just as those who taught us to think for ourselves, challenged us to explore and encouraged us to go further, we ready our students to teach, inspire and develop the next generation of thinkers. Because this is more than curriculum: it’s the building of character.

Welcome to Unconventional Wisdom.

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For more information: graduate@montevallo.edu or 205.665.6350

July 2012

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Waters from above Written by kaTie mCdoWell Photograph by Jon goering

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hile it’s best known for the lilies that bloom in the spring, the Cahaba River offers year round entertainment and discoveries.

At 190 miles long, the Cahaba is the state’s longest free flowing river, and it cuts a winding path across Shelby County. It’s also one of the most diverse rivers in the state with more than 135 fish species and dozens of types of mussels, snails in the river and its tributaries.

The name “Cahaba” is Native American, and researchers believe it means “waters from above,” according to Beth Stewart, the executive director of the Cahaba River Society.

Stewart said the name is particularly appropriate for the river. For the society, the name is a reminder of the rain that fills the river and the fact that the river is also fed from the headwaters.

“It also reminds us that rain and the river are blessings of creation that are in our hands,” she said. “We need to be good stewards of this wonderful part of creation.”

Recognized as one of “Alabama’s Ten Natural Wonders,” according to Outdooralabama.com, the river draws outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy fishing, rafting and bird watching.

For many, the Cahaba Lily is the biggest attraction. While the flowers typically are in season from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day, this year they bloomed about a month early.

While sight seers have missed the blooms this year, the Cahaba River Society offers canoe trips to discover the river’s beauty through midOctober.

For more information, visit Cahabariversociety.com. l July 2012

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Rollin’ on a river

Written by NEAL WAGNER Photographs by JON GOERING

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own a short dirt road just off Morgan Road near the Cahaba River in Helena, a canopy of trees hides a hub connecting Shelby County to Trussville and the Gulf of Mexico.

A large, warehouse-like structure at the top of the Cahaba River’s bank is lined with canoes and kayaks of all shapes and sizes, and a path stretches down the bank to a tranquil shoreline used by local canoe enthusiasts for decades.

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PAGE 42: Boats line the walls of the Helena shop. PAGE 43: A canoe cuts through the peaceful waters of the Cahaba River on a cool morning. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Canoe the Cahaba owner David Butler moved back to Alabama from New Jersey where he was working on Wall Street, a job he says was not always fulfilling for him. Early morning fog rises off of Buck Creek in Helena, one of the launching points for trips on the Cahaba. Cahaba Lillies, nearing the end of their season, stand in the middle of Buck Creek.

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“It’s a perfect location. You can go five miles north to the Buck Creek dam in Helena and you can go 10 miles up to Hoover,” said David Butler, owner of Canoe the Cahaba. “You can go from here up to Trussville, where the Cahaba River begins, and you can go south to where the Cahaba meets the Alabama River in Montgomery.

“You could go from Montgomery all the way down to the gulf if you wanted to,” Butler said. “I’m very fortunate to get to do what I do. I don’t feel like I have to work.”

Butler has been working at Canoe the Cahaba for about six years. When he started, he was in charge of the company’s rental program, which gave visitors a chance to rent a canoe and take it out on a journey down the river.

Back then, Canoe the Cahaba featured a full retail store offering a wide range of boats and canoeCLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Butler displays a crawfish and kayak-related gear. But as big- found in the waters of where Buck Creek meets the Cahaba box sporting goods stores came River. Trees are reflected in the calm waters of the river in the early morning. A parked canoe waits on the banks of the creek to the area, business at Canoe while the paddlers explore. A canoe-turned-planter decorates the Cahaba’s retail store started the outside of the Helena shop. declining, Butler said.

“We were a mom-and-pop a few years up North, and said he was surshop facing Academy and Dick’s,” prised by how much he enjoyed working at he said, noting the retail portion of Canoe Canoe the Cahaba. the Cahaba closed a few years ago.

“I had no idea how much I’d enjoy it,” After the retail store closed, Butler took ownership of the entire business and began Butler said as he gazed out onto the river on a recent spring afternoon. “I feel like to focus on a different business model. people really get what they pay for when Today, he focuses more on getting people they come here. I didn’t always feel like on the river and ensuring they have a good that working on Wall Street.” experience than keeping a fully stocked When he began taking canoeing trips retail store. down the Cahaba, Butler said he was In mid-May, Butler was planning several additions to the former retail building, surprised to learn how varied the wildlife is along the river. Especially in the spring such as large aquariums showcasing wildmonths, everything from the rare Cahaba life found along the Cahaba and several Lily flowers to muskrats and river large pictures displaying the scenery along otters can be seen while traveling down the the river. waterway.

“I want to educate people about what “People will say ‘I can’t believe this is they will see when they go out,” he said, here in my backyard, and I have been livnoting he is planning to re-open the retail ing here for 20 years,’” Butler said with a store with a smaller inventory than it had laugh. in the past.

Many people who take a trip down Most of the photos displayed in the store the river have a misplaced fear of being are from Butler’s extensive photography attacked by a snake while on the water, collection, which he has been building Butler said. since he graduated from the University of “Nobody has ever been bitten by a snake Alabama with a journalism degree. in the 30 years this place has been here,” In college, Butler admitted he did not Butler said. “People think all snakes are see himself one day owning a canoeing out to get them, but they are an important company in Helena. After graduation, he part of the ecosystem out here. moved to New Jersey to take a job on Wall “The number-one thing I would worry Street, where he was financially successful about would be ticks, not snakes,” Butler but not always fulfilled, he said. said.

He moved back to Shelby County after

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Butler regularly takes groups as far as they want to go on the Cahaba River and beyond, and can work with everyone from first-time canoers to seasoned river veterans.

To learn more about the company, visit Canoethecahaba.com or call Butler at 874-5623.

“I’ve been down the river hundreds of times, but I could still get out and do it again tomorrow,” Butler said. “I just love it.” l

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Here we GROW again!

Henderson & Walton Women’s Center is excited to announce our new satellite office in Chelsea! The physicians you know and trust at our main office in Birmingham will now be coming to YOU in Chelsea.

They bring with them the excellence you have come to expect—healthcare that is delivered in a personal, considerate, sensitive and knowledgeable manner.

Give us a call at (205) 678-8093 to set up an appointment in our Chelsea office and meet our physicians.

398 Chesser Drive, Suite 3 | Chelsea, AL 35043

ma aba Al

Baby & Child Maga zin e’s

2012

ma aba Al

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Baby & Child Maga zin e’s

2012

Underwater Adventures

A former lime-mining quarry turned scuba-diving hot spot provides training, recreation and retail for divers.

Written by Angie Brown Photographs kreable young

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unken cars, fire trucks, sailboats, a satellite dish, a washing machine, a camper and a number of dive training platforms are just a few of the various underwater attractions in Dive Alabama’s diving site. Located in Pelham, the former quarry is also home to aquatic life, such as bass, sunfish, bream, Japanese koi and turtles. Perfect for beginners to advanced divers, Dive Alabama is a go-to destination for diving services and gear as well as a technical dive training and recreational facility.

Twenty-four acres with water depths ranging from 4 feet up to 140 feet (the average depth is 100 feet), the deep-water site began as a lime-mining quarry in 1973, according to Business Manager Stefanie

Combs. When a spring was accidentally hit, the quarry filled up with water.

“It used to be an old mining quarry, so once you go deep enough you can actually see the roads that they used to drive on,” she said. “Old equipment is left over too, like cranes. Those are real deep. Most of that only advanced, technical divers can see that kind of stuff.”

It then became a swimming hole and eventually a scuba diving facility. The site is currently owned by Stefanie’s sister and brother-in-law, Michelle and Bryant LaPoint, since February 2011. The LaPoints are both divers, Stefanie said, and enjoy diving all around the world.

Dive Alabama offers beginner courses to become certified, as well as other courses after certification. It’s also a

recreational location, so anyone who is already certified can enjoy diving after paying an entry fee of $25. Dive Alabama also provides rentals and has a retail store on-site. Their dive season runs from April until November, and on any given weekend an average of 50 to 100 people a day dive in the quarry. Dive enthusiasts travel from all over the Southeast as well as other regions of the country to enjoy Dive Alabama’s facility. A number of colleges bring their students to the quarry for open water dives in order to complete their certifications, Stefanie said.

Dive Alabama offers excellent dive training courses, such as its open water diving certification class for beginners.

It costs $425, which includes most equipment, though a student must provide July 2012

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his own mask, fins, booties and snorkel.

It begins with an e-learning course that students must complete before coming to dive. After that, it consists of four full days, usually two weekends in a row, of learning pool skills, taking the gear on and off, learning to put the mask on underwater, and more, and then going on four check-out dives. The certification is then printed out at the facility, and after logging a certain number of dives over time, the divers can qualify for other courses.

Some of Dive Alabama’s other courses include advanced open-water diving, night diving, nitrox diving (a different gas that enables a longer bottom time to dive, says Stefanie), a rescue class, a refresher course and more. They offer a special scuba discovery course that is perfect for beginners uncertain about investing in the open-water certification class. The scuba discovery course only costs $75 for a half-

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day program of two to three hours. The price includes all necessary equipment and air fills. Students learn how to use all of the equipment, learn to assemble the equipment and become overall familiar with diving. The class concludes with one or two dives of up to 40 feet with the instructor. If the students then want to take the open water certification course, their $75 applies to the $425 fee, so no money is lost, said Stefanie. This option is attractive for those who want to try diving out first before investing. This type of class is scheduled by appointment only, depending on the student and the instructor’s schedules.

Dive Alabama also provide divers with equipment services, such as air and nitrox fills, visual inspections, hydrostatic testing, O2 cleans and more. They rent out everything from wet suits to dive computers to full gear rentals.

The scuba diving site is an adventure

just waiting to be discovered by beginners and advanced divers alike.

We have bream beds that are real shallow, real pretty to look at. Everybody likes to look at those. Those are at 12 feet,” Stefanie said.

With such interesting sunken attractions as well as aquatic life, not to mention the excitement of learning to dive, Dive Alabama’s facility is ideal for the person seeking a new challenge this summer or for those already passionate about diving. As an added underwater treasure for divers to find, Stefanie says they soon plan on sinking a donated Cessna 172 airplane.

The facility is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. Find out more about what Dive Alabama offers or sign up for a class at divealabama.com or call 663-7428. l

PAGE 49: Students learn to dive at Dive Alabama in Pelham.

PAGE 50: Students prepare to dive at Dive Alabama. ABOVE: A student tests his equipment during a lesson at Dive Alabama.

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Home & Food

At home in Leeds

Bell family creates energy efficient, Craftsman-style retreat

Written by KATIE MCDOWELL Photographs by JON GOERING

July 2012

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W

hen Brett and Donna Bell began looking for a new home, energy efficiency was not at the top of their wish list.

They wanted a larger lot, open house plan and natural décor.

They got all of those things, in addition to lower utility bills thanks to energy efficient design and appliances. Their Leeds home was also the first in Shelby County to qualify for Alabama Power Company’s Earth Cents program, an initiative that encourages builders to save money and energy through efficient design and appliances.

Brett, owner of Cross Creek Group who said he has a long-standing relationship with Alabama Power Company, was intrigued by the initiative and decided to use it for his own home before promoting it through his company.

“For me, it’s an educational tool,” he said. “This house is a guinea pig because it is the first one.”

There’s more to the three-story home than energy efficient features. The Bells, who have two teenage children, searched for months before finding their Leeds property.

“We love the house,” said Donna, who is a University of Montevallo professor.

“We looked for a long time, for over a year probably, trying to find something, a home or land. When we came across this, it was perfect.”

At three acres, their property offered more space and privacy than their Indian Springs home.

The Bells worked with Clem Burch, Mt Laurel’s home designer, for the home plans. Brett and Donna liked the look of Mt Laurel’s Craftsman-style homes, but they chose a brick exterior for easier maintenance.

“My wife and I had the concept in our head,” Brett said.

“This is probably a combination of three different houses. They also incorporated Craftsman influences in the home with cedar beams and mantles.

The ground floor of the home features an open concept plan for the kitchen, dining room and great room. The use of granite marble, stone and neutral paint color adds to the home’s natural feel.

Most of the materials for the home were bought in the county.

While the Bells just moved into the home this summer, the screened patio has already become the favorite room.

Located off the kitchen overlooking the

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PAGE 53: A stone fireplace is the focal point of the great room. The ground floor features an open concept plan. RIGHT: The exterior of Donna and Brett Bell’s home features Craftsman-style influences, although they chose brick for easier maintenance.

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“We looked for a long time, for over a year probably, trying to find something, a home or land. When we came across this, it was perfect.”

— Donna Bell back lawn, the porch features an arched ceiling, stone fireplace, and, of course, a flat-screen TV for fall football viewings.

“We love the screen porch,” Donna said. “Once you put a TV out here, everyone wants to come. It kind of makes it an extra room. You feel like it’s another living area.”

The master bedroom and bathroom are also located on the ground floor, while three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms can be found on the second floor.

An entertaining area and another guest bedroom and bathroom are located on the bottom floor.

While Donna worked with designers on the interior of the house, she left much of the design and construction plans to Brett, including the energy efficiency decisions.

The decision to participate in the program was an easy one, according to Brett.

In fact, when Brett reached out to Alabama Power Company, he found out his home already qualified for the program based on the decisions they had made, such as spending more for additional or higher quality insulation, windows and caulking.

Now that the family has moved into their home, they are looking forward to a hot summer without the added worry of higher power bills.

“It’s easy to do,” he said. “You’re going to spend a little bit more, but you’re going to get your money back quickly.” l CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Many of the materials in the house, including the cabinets and the granite, came from Shelby County.

The Bells only moved into their home in May, but the screened porch has already become a favorite. Craftsman-style influences can be found throughout the house, including cedar beams that serve as a fireplace mantle. The Bell family loves their new home in Leeds.

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Home & Food

EarthCents

promotes energy efficiency

Written by kaTie mCdoWell For many homeowners, the rise in summer temperatures is accompanied by an increase in utility bill payments.

The culprit of those high bills often can be traced to the home itself.

Insulation, caulk, door sealant, ceiling fans, appliances and even pool pumps can play a big role in how much energy – and money – you lose each year.

Alabama Power Company’s EarthCents program offers a way for builders to protect homes against energy loss.

“The whole idea behind the program is to promote energy efficiency,” said Steve Paternostro, a residential account manager with Alabama Power Company.

“The typical home can lose 30 percent of its heating (and) cooling capacity.”

To receive the EarthCents designation, a home must receive a HERS (Home Energy Rating) rating of 78 or below as determined by a third party not affiliated with Alabama Power Company.

The third party HERS rater is involved throughout the process, beginning with planning and construction to offer advice about how to save energy.

“There are ways you can make a huge impact on your energy costs,” said Misty Kerr, a new market program manager

for Alabama Power Company.

After construction is complete, the HERS rater will perform an audit of the house to ensure it reaches the 78 HERS rating.

Kerr said EarthCents homes are typically “15 percent more energy efficient than a traditionally built home in Alabama.”

The EarthCents program launched in late 2011. While only one Shelby County home has qualified as an EarthCents home, Kerr said more have qualified in

Company sends an auditor to the home to assess the home’s energy efficiency.

Typical procedures include examining several years’ worth of energy bills to look for spikes and using a sensor to detect if air is infiltrating windows.

The auditor will discuss potential cost-saving changes with the homeowner and follow up with an overview of that discussion.

Many of the changes can be made by the homeowner, such as caulking windows or sealing doors.

“The whole idea behind the program is to promote energy efficiency. The typical home can lose 30 percent of its heating (and) cooling capacity.”

— Steve Paternostro the Birmingham area, including nine Habitat for Humanity homes.

“Recently, it has really begun to take off,” she said.

The program is only one of several energy efficiency initiatives Alabama Power Company offers.

The company also offers free energy check-ups and audits for owners of existing homes. Alabama Power

Paternostro said the programs often offer surprisingly easy ways to save energy and money.

“It’s paying attention to details,” he said.

For more information about energy efficiency, visit Alabamapower.com/ residential/energy. To view a list of qualified EarthCents builders, visit Hbaa.org. l

Get more for your money.

Purchase two movie tickets — or 52 weeks of Shelby County’s best local news coverage for $14.04.

To sign up today, email “MORE” to subscribe@shelbycountyreporter.com, or call 205.669.3131.

shelbycountyreporter.com

July 2012

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Perk’s Bar-B-Que A taste of home — right around the corner Written by CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT Photographs by JON GOERING

T

he homey warmth of Perk’s Bar-B-Que in Harpersville lends itself to anyone willing to look off the beaten path for a tasty, home-cooked meal.

Theophilus and Frances Perkins opened Perk’s in 2001 with a ribbon cut-

ting and a community welcome.

“I am Perk,” Theophilus Perkins said.

“I had bought 13 acres, and they were just sitting here. We’ve never done this before, and didn’t know much about business. We were just trying something, and it seemed to work.

“We knew nothing about the business, and had to learn as we go,” he said. “Mostly we had to feel our way.”

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PAGE 60: Frances and Theophilus Perkins opened Perk’s Bar-B-Que in 2001.

Frances Perkins said Perk’s has “famous cheeseburgers,” and the burgers sell as well as the restaurant’s barbecue offerings. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The walls of Perk’s are covered with photos and newspaper clippings of relatives and Harpersville community members. Perk’s Bar-B-Que is located at 41 Kelly Hill Circle, a block off U.S. 280 in Harpersville. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Perkins sell their pork sandwiches smothered in homemade barbecue sauce. Keep an eye out for the Perk’s Bar-B-Que sign, and turn in for a homemade lunch. Perk’s grilled chicken salad is one of five salads offered.

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“I think experience is the best teacher in the world,” Frances Perkins said.

Theophilus said the key to staying in business is doing the work themselves.

“We make sure whatever we send out is right,” he said.

While customers eat outside on picnic tables either under a pavilion or in the fresh Harpersville sunshine, the inside of Perk’s walls are covered with newspaper clippings and photos of local victories and honors. The walls include photos of the Perkins’ son, Harpersville Mayor Theoangelo Perkins.

“I was just going to put a little, old barbecue place here. I thought this was the closest to 280 I’d get,” Theophilus said. “I’ve always like barbecue. I was always the one doing the barbecuing for family reunions.”

Theophilus learned to barbecue from watching other people, and he said he uses mostly pork in his recipes.

“We make our own sauce,” he said, “but we don’t give the recipe out.”

Theophilus handles the restaurant’s barbecuing and grilling requirements.

“We probably sell as much or more cheeseburgers than barbecue,” he said.

“We have famous cheeseburgers,” Frances added.

Theophilus said the cheeseburgers are best-sellers because the beef is ground every morning.

“It doesn’t come in patties. We make our own patties, and there are no additives or fillers,” he said.

her own recipe for baked beans, potato salad and sweet potato pie.

“We’re both retired, so it gives us something to do,” Theophilus said. “It’s a lot more work than what most retired people do.”

The lunch rush picks up between 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

“We have people stop in from Opelika and Auburn. With people passing through, their GPS system will bring them in. They come from all over the state,” Theophilus said.

“It took a while for people to find out we were here,” he added. “People would come in and — Frances Perkins say, ‘I saw that sign and was wondering where you are.’

People know where we are now.”

Frances said Perk’s can stand up against any barbecue joint.

“Just like our name, we perk you up,” she said, laughing. “If you love people, they’re coming back.”

Perk’s is located off U.S. 280 in Harpersville at 41 Kelly Hill Circle. The restaurant is serving up down-home goodness Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. l

“Just like our name, we perk you up. If you love people, they’re coming back.”

Theophilus said they see a rise in business during football season as people travel to and from Auburn.

Perk’s offers tailgate specials of ribs, pork, baked beans, coleslaw, buns and sauce that feed five to six people.

Frances bakes all of the freshly made desserts lining Perk’s long counter. A dispenser of Fran’s Punch sits behind the counter, a wedding punch recipe Frances made her own. She also has

ask the professionals

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Home & Food

Unveiling the secret B

ABOVE: Bonnie Atchison wears a variety of hats in the Columbiana community, but the one she dons in the kitchen comes from her mother. RIGHT: Bonnie Atchison said making the cake from scratch results in a larger cake, but the froma-box variety gives a similar result.

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Written by CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT Photographs by JON GOERING

onnie Atchison doesn’t believe in secret family recipes.

“I used to make a caramel cake that I took to everything,” she said. “I gave the recipe out, and everyone started bringing caramel cake.

“I just made it my desire, if it’s good, I want everyone to enjoy it,” she added.

As the former president of the Columbiana Rotary Club, former director of the South Shelby Chamber, Novella Club member and recently retired curator of the Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington, Atchison, 80, has had plenty of reasons to bake for various functions throughout her more than 35 years in Columbiana.

“I always have to bring something. Novella Club asks for me to bring the banana pudding. Sometimes it’s ‘this’ big around,” she said, indicating the size of a beach ball with her arms.

“I’ve got worlds of recipes,” Atchison said while standing in the kitchen of her 1848 home in downtown Columbiana.

“Momma was a great cook,” she said. “We always had something sweet. She always ‘topped off her meal,’ as Daddy would say, with something sweet.”

Atchison remembers walking home from school and warming herself with gingerbread or sugar cookies from her mother’s old cook stove.

“This cake has a million names,” she said, speaking of her Alabama/Auburn Pride Cake, which is printed in the Novella Club cookbook. “You can find it in about every recipe book.”

“I thought someone would hurt me if I called it the Alabama Pride Cake,” she added, laughing.

Atchison makes the cake from scratch using cake flour, but for the “short route,” it can be made with Duncan Hines butter cake mix.

“Instead of water as the liquid, use a small can of Mandarin oranges and a fourth of an orange,” she said. “That’s the only difference in my recipes and other recipes.”

She said the cake made from the mix is “just as good” as the made-from-scratch version, and it’s quicker to make. The original version makes a larger cake, however.

To add extra flavor to the frosting, Atchison adds coconut.

“You can add coconut to it, but a lot of people don’t like coconut, so I left it out this time,” she said, as she was taking the cake to church. l

Your House

+

Your Home Equity Loan Alabama/Auburn Pride Cake Ingredients: 3 cups cake flour 4 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup butter 2 cups sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 4 eggs 1 small can Mandarin oranges Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. Sift flour with baking

powder and salt.

3. With electric mixer, cream butter, adding sugar gradually.

4. Add vanilla.

5. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each.

6. Add Mandarin oranges; beat two full minutes.

7. Pour into three greased cake pans.

8. Bake for 25 minutes.

9. When cooled, remove cakes from pans and frost.

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Big Celebrity Golf Classic

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The 2012 Big Celebrity Golf Classic, which supports Kevin Derryberry Ministries, was held April 12 at Timberline Colf Club in Calera.

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1. Jared Thorton, Charlie Hazel and Nick Peters 2. Steve Carter, Kevin Derryberry, Rick Burgess, Carol Carter, Mollie Carter, Connie Derryberry 3. Shane and Marie Odom 4. Kevin Derryberry, Arlyn Marhiene, Joel Valente, Jeremiah Castille, Justin Barker and Randy Watts 5. Marky Bingham and Rick Burgess 6. Carli Linton, Kelly Parker, Leigh Watts and Kendall Gardner 7. Marky Bingham, Leighanne Cutler and Susie Mattis 8. Rick Ward, David Conrad, Bill Finley and Todd Fulmer 9. Marky Bingham with Connie, Kevin and Cameron Derryberry

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Azia’s Little Black Dress Charity Event benefiting the Skin Cancer Foundation was held May 3.

1. Dee Wadysare, Leah Galbreath, Juliana Jeffcoat, Betsy Savage, Jenni Mizzell and Chelsea Alt 2. Deborah Taylor, Tamala Savage and Melanie Douglas 3. Sylvia Rupe and Sharon Bynum 4. Donna Andrews, Nicola Wright and Stephanie Smith 5. Krista Guy and Ashley Wakefield 6. Donna Watkins and Cheryll Puls 7. Dr. Donald and Diona Walters 8. Kathy Brown and Amy Ondrako 9. Meghann Moreno and Jennifer Pyles 10. Jan Skeens, Larry Skeens and Lindy Wilson

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Scott Squared

The Shelby County Arts Council held the opening reception for its Scott Squared exhibit on May 3.

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1. Billy Clow, Terri Sullivan and Bob Whetstone 2. Lea Ann Thorn, Jennifer Stewart and Candye Lundy 3. Jim and Beth Strickland and Lynn and Rusty Dodson 4. Dr. Scott Meyer and Scott Stephens 5. Susan Dennis Gordon and Kay Bishop 6. Bob and Marj Berguson 7. Stephanie Dikis and Lee Crandell 8. Poppy Meyer and Janet Seaman

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Jump for the Stars Special Equestrians Gala The Special Equestrians Gala was May 12 at Windwood Farms in Pelham.

1. Ross and Bernie Gregson and Kathy and Jerry Claybrook 2. Jim Collins and Annette Troxell 3. Sally and Challis Gamble 4. Lauren Cornealius and Andrea Weed 5. Doris and Neal Snider 6. Aimee and Wil Puckett 7. Linda and Sidney Smith 8. Sharon and Tom Stuart 9. Donna Sappington and Camille Jones

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15 16 10. Bruce, Sydney and Wendy McKee 11. Alejo Maddalena, Michael Arreola and Kevin Morrison 12. Justin and Emily Palmore 13. Laura Aycock and Anne Heppenstall 14. Cat Miller and Kaitlin Clemmer 15. Vicki Moore and Rhonda Frazier 16. Cal and Barbara Malki 17. Sarah Kathryn and Eddie Tarter 18. Patty Lucas and Pam Dyar

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The Hilltop Arts and Music Festival

The Hilltop Arts and Music Festival was held April 20 at Hilltop Montessori School in Mt Laurel.

1. Jill Walton and Donna Swalley 2. Pat Hager, Patsy Burke and Jennifer Burke 3. Marcia Fellows and Jack Flowers 4. Martin Vizzina, Michael Vizzina and April Mraz 5. Heather Brooks and Ruth Brooks 6. Armaan, Sohil and Arhaan Lalanie 7. Jin and Daniel Minderhout 8. Sherry Cook, Vicky Boyd and Carol Reddington 9. Mia and Linda Asher 10. Tamer, Zane and Susan Habash

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Montevallo’s Family, Fun and Fitness Day

The city of Montevallo held Family, Fun and Fitness Day April 29 at Orr Park.

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1. Sarah Birdsong, Kelly Garrett and Tyler Reeves 2. Octavia Saunders, Katy Hutto, Emma Greenwood and Nicola Stolworthy 3. Elizabeth Franklin, Sandra Brooks, Ashleigh Cocke, Jennifer Holmberg and Alana Palermo 4. Mariah West and Kirsten Parker 5. Joyce Miller and Priscilla Jones 6. Jesse Smitherman and Michaela Martin 7. Ellie Pratt, Libby Pratt and Catherine Bowman 8. Molly Hall and Kelly Redding July 2012

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Celebrate Hoover Day

The city of Hoover held Celebrate Hoover Day at Veterans Park May 5.

1. Jill Pickett and Aubry Karvonen 2. Lisa Dunbar, Verona Petite and Leah Studdard 3. Nisha Brown and Alexandra Harrison 4. Lauren and Jason Trim 5. Debbie Bartoletti and Randall Cottrell 6. Matt and DeDe Lange 7. Kathy Albano and Angela Williams 8. Erica Pearson and Carol Wells 9. Kristin Arrington and Michele Robertson 10. Ann McAdams and Judy Thompson 74

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Services

Plumbing • Heating • Cooling

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Feast of Saint Mark Italian Food Festival

The inaugural Feast of Saint Mark Italian Food Festival was held April 28 at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Birmingham.

1. Steve and Becky Boner 2. Jessica, Chris and Noah Keller 3. Anna Scalici and Lauren Yarnish 4. Tom and Colleen Ruszkowski 5. Joey, Sophia and Nancy Biggio 6. Raquel and Bernard Tamburello 7. Al and Terry Lupenski 8. Miguel and Amalia Galindo 9. Bryon and Adrienne Russell 76

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10. Andres, Maria and Elliot Marrero 11. Michael Connolly, Susan Wilkens, Mindy Towery and Grace Connolly 12. Mike and Ann Henson 13. Vicky Smith and Jennifer Norman 14. Maureen Ernst and Ginny Walker 15. Paul, Jen, Joseph and Rebecca Milazzo 16. Dennis and Margaret Charles 17. Anna and Jean McGuire

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South Shelby Relay for Life

South Shelby Relay for Life took place at Chelsea High School May 11.

1. Nick Hill, Ivy Hamilton, Lucy Collier, Sarah Quick and Lyndsey Knecht 2. Cody Garrard, Darius Walker, Aki Coles, Garrett Payne, Amanda Annonio and Phillip Padgett 3. Lauren Fleming, Maddie Kuykendall and Faith King 4. Traci and Bubba Bailey 5. Chelsea Strength and Treasure Hanks 6. Matt Mann and Ciara Coker 7. Taylor, Bailey and Joran Bennett 8. Melissa Shaw, Anna Hyre, Danielle Whitehurst and Madison Shaw 9. Amanda Hinnergardt and Shawna Hutchins 78

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10. Sarah Prader, Kendall Vinsant, Kelsey Robertson and Lauren Saint 11. Alana Blocher, Marleigh Shoemaker, Ally Pulmano, Mary Katherine Bush and Kalle Teal 12. Jalene Clymore and Jaden Hamer 13. Kendra Parton, Anita Davis and Terry Davis 14. Veronica Cohill and Sharon Martin 15. Cindy Brophy, Bailey Brophy and Lauri Davis 16. Kourtney Foster, Jason Hill and Malloree Delbianco 17. Ashley Mealins, Jo Bess Yancy, Katelyn Bailey and Katie Day 18. Linda and Jimmer Bolden

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North Shelby 3 Relay for Life

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Spain Park High School hosted Relay for Life April 27.

1. Kevin Wozniak, Annaleigh Little, Emily Thompson, Andrew Tucker, Erin McCown and Taylor Burton 2. Atarah Caldwell, Asarah Caldwell and Briana Allen 3. Alex Gaskins and Miss Teen Alabama United States of America Polly Gaskins 4. Abby Underwood, Emily Couch, Megan Schrock and Caroline Ozgun 5. Eric, Eilie, William and Emily Ness 6. Cathy McLaughlin and Marty Imman 7. Nicholas and Sophia Ritchey 8. Ella and Anne Dawson 9. Staci, Alaina, Alan and Kayleigh Simpson 10. Blakely Wright, Claire Largin, Caroline Fort and Sydney Garlington

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10

of the

best best Shelby County

brought to you by:

SHELBY Living

Go ahead. Play favorites.

When voting for Best of the Best, don’t forget these local businesses!

5 Star Heating & Cooling Alabama Furniture Market Alabaster Optical Alabaster Pediatric Dentistry Albritton & Ardovino Family Dentistry American Cancer Society Baptist Health Centers Bellini’s Ristorante Black Market Bar Blue Phrog Bolton Funeral Home Cahaba Tire Pros Calera Dental Center Carl’s Comfort Shoes Chic Boutique Children’s of Alabama Davis Drug Co. Encore Rehab Evans Services Favorite Laundry Foote Brothers Furniture Gravlee Fitness Growing Up Pediatrics Henderson & Walton Hollywood Feed Imagesouth J Allen’s John Allen Baggett, DMD Klassy Klean M&F Bank Massage Envy McMillian Dentistry Richard Bell Attorney at Law Rux Carter Insurance Agency The Madison at Shoal Run The Melting Pot Thirty-One Gifts University of Montevallo Valleydale Hearing & Balance Center

Enroll in Cancer Prevention Study-3.

By enrolling in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study (CPS-3), you can help us understand how to prevent cancer, which will save lives and create a world with more birthdays for everyone.

Enrollment in CPS-3 will take place at locations throughout Birmingham August 22-29, 2012.

For more information or to make an appointment, visit cps3birmingham.org or call 1-888-604-5888.

Special thanks to our host sites:

Proudly supported by Shelby Living Magazine July 2012

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UM graduation

The University of Montevallo’s spring commencement ceremony was held on Flowerhill’s lawn on May 5.

1. Pauline Mbogo, Anthony Muya, Richard Thou and Gerald Muraya 2. Braxton and Haeden Wright and Sunshine McClendon 3. Kimberely Rasberry and Betty Cooedy 4. Ron and Becky Lambert 5. Tomesha Cleveland and Carlton Williamson 6. Andrea McCary and Amy Smith 7. Michelle Gonzales and Ginny Davis 8. Carolyn and Algy Turner 9. Malachi McGrew and Sylvester Williams IV 82

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10. Andril Bishop, Jessica Carpenter and LaToia Jackson 11. Anna Kathryn Littleon, Celeste Littleton, Gentry Berry, Carrie Beth Littleton and Sean Garrison 12. Tiffanie Thomas and Tamela Hughes 13. Emma Breen and Hannah Rae Joseph 14. Jetuan Parker and Queen Johnson 15. Lewis and Janice Goggins 16. Sarah Kathryn Hix and McCall Harwell 17. Heather Cosby and Megan Dayvolt 18. Hunter Brown and Crystalyne Alexander

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Calera Strawberry Festival was held April 28 at Oliver Park.

1. Daryl Ray, Cody Moon, Luke Crim and Keith Johnson 2. Amber, Lola, Mark and Georgia McGinnis 3. Drew and Dale Williams 4. Joel, Emily and Will Dixon 5. Betty and A.M Crawford 6. Anna Potyoimledna and Don Miller 7. Kay Hart and Barbara Hoskins 8. PJ O’Donnell 9. Mark and Elias Turner 10. Mayor Jon Graham, JD King and John Moore

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Oak Mountain State Fair The Oak Mountain Amphitheatre hosted its first spring fair in late April, featuring rides, food and entertainment.

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1. Zoe, Jason and Colton Drummond 2. Rob Briscoe, Amanda Briscoe, Han Briscoe, Patrick McCaghren and Indie Briscoe 3. Collen Crump and Judy Horton 4. Trinity, Tommy, Trenton and Takeeka Goshay 5. Sharon Hupalo and Lisa Shuper 6. Suzann Isaacs and AJ Billinger 7. Webb Eno, Robyn Kimber and Reinard Bodenhorst.

8. Megan and Stephen Gregg 9. Kristin Drew Vickers 10. Kashun, Kamryn and Keith Ward July 2012

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Buck Creek Festival

Helena held its annual Buck Creek Festival from May 11-12 near the Buck Creek dam.

1. Leonard and Carol Davis 2. Crystal, Randall and Zachary Townley 3. Shannon and Cole Ashe 4. Christian and Brandon Cunningham 5. Joshua and Clark White 6. Justin and Robi Davenport 7. Garrett Bryan 8. Bryan, Missy and Geoff Wilson 9. Jennifer and Ben Taylor 10. Colton and Crystal Littlejohn

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11. Art Martin and Betty Haynie 12. Emma Kate, Meredith, Marc and Macie Bridgewater 13. Rose Burns 14. Reid Lucas 15. Jim and Ruth Miller 16. Cris and Tommy Nelson 17. Nate and Alex Taylor 18. Kylie and Hal Woodman 19. Nate, Cade, Gracie and Darla Adams

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Out & About Liberty Day

Independence Day at The American Village

Ongoing

Columbiana Farmers Market: The Columbiana Farmers Market will kick off in April. It will be held every Saturday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on West College Street.

Contact Randy Glenn at 3058632 for more information.

Valleydale Farmers Market: The Valleydale Farmers Market will be held on Saturdays through August from 8 a.m.noon at 4601 Valleydale Road in Birmingham. Contact Jed Park at 868-4575.

The Worker: Miracle The South City Theater will perform multiple performances of The Miracle Worker, based on Helen Keller’s life and directed by Lisa Ponder. The performances will be held July 19-21 and July 26-28. For more information, visit Southcitytheatre.com.

Helena Market Days: Helena Market Days is held every Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon June 3-Aug. 25 at 4151 Helena Road.

Upcoming events include Chef Gray Byrum, Echelon Catering, July 7; first annual Boston butt cook-off, July 14; Chef Austin Davis, Bright Star, July 21; Chef Randall Baldwin, Dyron’s Low

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Country Cuisine, July 28, Chef Robert Camp, Ross Bridge Resort, Aug. 4; Chef Hamric, Rio’s Bar and Grill, Aug. 11; Chef Chris Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Aug. 18; Chef George Reis, Ocean, Aug. 25.

For more information, contact Cris Nelson at 205-296-6153 or Ron Holly at 205-410-4496.

Sundown Cinemas: Head to the Helena Amphitheater every Friday during the summer for movie night. Bring a blanket and chairs to watch a movie on a huge inflatable screen. The movies, which are sponsored by the Helena Business Association, start at sundown, and admission is free. Summer movies include Dolphin Tale, July 6; Surf’s Up, July 13; The Incredibles, July 20; Zookeeper, July 27; Kung Fu Panda, Aug. 3.

Liberty Day Art Exhibit: The Shelby County Arts Council will feature work of local artists in conjunction with Columbiana’s Liberty Day celebration. The opening reception will be Friday, June 26 5-8 p.m., and the exhibit will be on display June 26-July 31 Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

“Paris in July” Summer Art

Camp: The Shelby County Arts Council’s 2012 art camps will focus on the works of Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt and Atoni Gaudi. Professoinal artist teachers will teach the classes. The classes will feature various art techniques, painting with plastic palette knives, making mosaics and creating with clay. Students will have projects to take home at the end of camp.

Camp dates for 5-8 year olds are July 16-20 from 8:30 a.m.12 p.m. Registration is $125/ week plus a $25 registration fee for new students. Camp dates for 9-12 year olds are July 23-27 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is $195 a week plus a $25 registration fee for new students.

June 29-30

Liberty Day Celebration, 27th Annual: Join the festivities and activities in downtown Columbiana on Main Street. Liberty Day Celebration begins June 29 at 6 p.m. and continues all day June 30 with parade at 3 p.m.

A fireworks display will end the event. Info: 669-9075 or Southshelbychamber.com.

July 4

Independence Day at The

American Village: Enjoy fun, food and fireworks at The American Village on July 4. See and hear George Washington, Patrick Henry, Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson and visit with Teddy Roosevelt in his magnificent White House East Room. Watch the elegant Independence Ball as costumed interpreters dance to all the latest 18th century tunes accompanied by the Colonial Consort.

Spectacular and amazing entertainment includes stilt walking from Tom Foolery, sword-swallowing from Dan Meyer, and the entertaining clockwork clown, as well as old-fashioned family entertainment like pie-eating contests and sack races. Act of Congress will provide evening entertainment as the American Village celebrates our nation’s 235th birthday with an unusual candle blowout followed by Alabama’s best up close and personal fireworks spectacular with great patriotic music from The Montevallo Community Band.

Gates open at 11 a.m. and programs begin at noon. Admission for adults and children age 5 and over is $5. All active military and veterans enter free. The American Village is

Out & About located at 3727 Highway 119 in Montevallo.

Fourth of July Parade: Celebrate the Fourth of July at the Campground Pavilion at Oak Mountain State Park on July 4 at 10 a.m. Come make a flag or other patriotic craft, then parade through the campground showing off your flag. Free after admission to the park. For more information, contact oakmountain.naturalist@ dcnr.alabama.gov or call 6202520.

July 4th Celebration: 6 p.m.

- 9 p.m. Head to Morgan Creek Winery for an evening of fireworks and music by Tekneek. The five members of Tekneek play a little something for everybody.

Tekneek provides soulful Motown sounds to make you get down, pop that will make you drop, R&B that you won’t believe and smooth jazz that soothes and lasts. Tekneek will also play patriotic songs as the time for the fireworks display nears. The event will take place from 6-9 p.m. at 181 Morgan Creek Lane, Harpersville, 35078.

July 6

Miss Hoover Pageant: The

sixth annual Miss Hoover Pageant will be held Friday, July 6 at 7 p.m. at Spain Park High School, 4700 Jaguar Drive, Hoover.

July 11

Big Time Summer Tour: The Big Time Summer Tour, featuring Big Time Rush, Cody Simpson and Rachel Crow will begin performing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, at the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham.

July 20

Miss Shelby County Pageants: The Miss Shelby County 2013 Pageant will be July 20 at Shelby County High School. All contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 24 and live, work or go to school in Shelby, Chilton, Jefferson, Talladega, Bibb, Coosa or St. Clair Counties.

Info: Missshelbycounty.org or call Pam Oliver 283-1893.

The Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen Pageant for contestants ages 13-16 will be held with the Miss pageant.

Info: Haley Saptes Mims, 6175128. Deadline for pageants: July 6.

July 28 A

Red

Tie

Affair:

The

Shelby County Chapter of the American Red Cross will host A Red Tie Affair on July 28. The event will honor local individuals who have had an extraordinary impact on the community or have demonstrated the values of courage, character, humanity or personal initiative.

Members of the county are invited to nominate a local Hero for consideration.

Honorees will be selected by members of the Shelby County American Red Cross Board of Directors.

Areas of consideration when identifying a Hero for nomination include: Youth, Public Safety, Animal, Education, Senior Adult, Work Place, Military and Health Care. Please send Hero nominations to herbert. orise@redcrossal.org. Please support the Shelby County American Red Cross Chapter by attending A Red Tie Affair, July 28 at 7 p.m. at the Pelham Civic Complex. For ticket information call 9872792 or email herbert.orise@ redcrossal.org.

July 31

The Tour 2012: The Tour 2012 starring Kiss and Motley Crue will hit the stage at the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

on Tuesday, July 31 at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the Kiss and Motley Crue concert are set to go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on March 23.

August 15

Fireworks and Music: Join music and wine lovers at Morgan Creek Winery for Firewords and Music. The Big Tasties are a high-energy band from the Southeast.

They bring energy, soul, funk, great songs, lots of horns and even more dancing to any occasion. Fireworks and Music takes place from 6-9 p.m. at 181 Morgan Creek Lane, Harpersville, 35078.

August 20

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: The second annual walk will feature men (and women) walking one mile in high heels to raise awareness of the issues of domestic and sexual violence. All proceeds will benefit SafeHouse of Shelby County: A place of safety, hope and healing for victims of domestic and sexual violence and their children. The walk will be held Aug. 20 at 7 a.m. at Veteran’s Park, 4750 Valleydale Road in Hoover.

For more information, visit Safehouse.org. l

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Miss Shelby County Pageants July 2012

89

Why I LOVE Shelby County

Naseem Aljouny, Jr.: ‘Life is short, so make the most of it.’

H

Written by KATIE MCDOWELL Photograph by KREABLE YOUNG

oover resident Naseem Aljouny Jr. has supplied locals with barbecue for years at his Full Moon branch in Alabaster.

He and his wife, Tena, have two young daughters.

Aljouny, who grew up in Shelby County before attending the University of Alabama and Santa Fe College in Florida, is also active in the local community. He recently completed Leadership Shelby County, and Full Moon Alabster has helped raise more than $75,000 for local organizations, churches and schools in the last year.

Q: What was your favorite part of growing up in Shelby County?

A: I grew up near the base of Oak Mountain, and I loved having the ability to explore the state park on a daily basis Q: You and your cousin own two Full Moon Barbeque restaurants, one in Alabaster and one in McCalla. What’s your day-to-day experience like?

A: About three years ago, I teamed up with my business partner, Chase. There is

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nothing better than having your childhood best friend as your business partner. My home base is the Alabaster store and his is McCalla. I go to the store early in the morning and make sure everything is set up and that all of our catered lunches go out properly. Catering is a big part of what I do. My sister, Ashley, and I cater about 50 big events a year. Those include plated seated dinners for weddings, corporate on-site cookouts, tour and disaster relief.

Q: You began working for

Full Moon as a teenager. Why did you decide you wanted to operate your own location?

A: I went to work for my cousins Joe and David Maluff at Full Moon about a year after I moved home from Gainesville, Fla. I was 21 years old, and I started as a dishwasher and line cook. I worked with Joe during the days at the Southside store and with David at night in Hoover. They taught me everything I know about the restaurant business. I knew Full Moon was what I wanted to do after the first month of working for them. I was intrigued with working on a barbecue pit. I would work the pit all day and worked the pit all night in my dreams. I not only loved what I was doing but who I was working for.

Q: Other than barbecue, what are your favorite foods?

A: My favorite foods are anything I can cook on a grill and Arabic food.

Q: You served as the personal caterer for Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Watch the Throne” tour last summer.

How did that happen?

A: I lucked into working for Jay-Z and Kanye. Bobby Schneider, their production manager, contacted me three days before rehearsals began and said they could not reach an agreement with the caterer.

He told me I came highly recommended and asked if I was interested in handling their meals for the 17 days they were in Birmingham. We parked my 30-foot travel kitchen outside the BJCC and cooked lunch and dinner for them everyday during rehearsals.

They left Birmingham on a

Thursday to start their tour in Atlanta. They were not happy with the way their food was being handled. Bobby contacted me on Sunday and asked if I would go on tour with them and coordinate the breakfast, lunch and dinner for the crew. He asked me to get on a plane that day, but I told him they would have to wait until Tuesday because I was taking my kids trick-ortreating on Monday night. I flew to Baltimore Tuesday and met up with the tour.

Q: What were their favorite meals?

A: In Birmingham, we did not repeat any meals except for Kanye’s entourage and the band. They wanted Full Moon barbecue ribs, chicken, fried catfish, collard greens and macaroni and cheese every day.

Q: Have you learned any lessons from parenting that apply to the business world?

A: Patience!

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: My hobbies are gardening with my kids, traveling, mountain biking and snow skiing. I love spending time in mountains.

Q: What’s the best and worst advice your parents gave you?

A: My parents have provided me with tons of good advice and not much bad. More importantly, they have provided me with a standard for the way I should live my life. They have taught me that family comes first - for me and for my employees.

Other lessons include always do the right thing, be respectful and help others. Life is short, so make the most of it. l