280 Living January 2012 by Starnes Media

280 Living

www.280living.com

neighborly news & entertainment

January Features

2012

Volume 5 | Issue2012 5 | January 2012 | January |

START THE YEAR OFF WITH A CLEAN SLATE. Everyone can appreciate a thorough clean from The Maids. Call now to receive your free, no-obligation estimate

871-9338 www.MAIDS.com Scan with your smartphone QR code app to like us on Facebook.

Referred for a reason.

Winn-Dixie planned for Inverness

Women of

280

Savvy • Energetic • Creative Smart • Strong • Brave Page 16 Editor’s note

Callens at Miss America

Ashley Dawson

Soup recipes

Photographer Chris Mason

School House

Sports

High School Correspondents 14 Women of 280

Restaurant Showcase

Business Spotlight

Library Happenings

280 Business Happenings

Paul Johnson

Rick Watson

Kari Kampakis

Calendar of Events

Music Listings/Classifieds

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Winn-Dixie has applied for a permit for the former Bruno’s location in Inverness Corners. Photo by Kathryn Acree.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM A Winn-Dixie grocery store is anticipated to open in the former Bruno’s location in Inverness Corners. On Dec. 14 Winn-Dixie applied for a permit for the space, Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey announced during his state-of-the-city address on Dec. 16. A lease has not yet been finalized for the space. Mayor Ivey said that Hoover is excited to have the 53,000-square-foot space filled. The building has been vacant since Bruno’s

closed in the summer of 2009. “We have had a lot of our big buildings fill up this year,” Mayor Ivey said. “In this economy we are excited to have people wanting to get new businesses opening in the city.” Area residents and business owners are also looking forward to having another grocery store along Highway 280 in addition to the Fresh Market as well as the Walmart and Publix south of Inverness.

“As a business owner in Inverness Corners, we’re thrilled that Winn-Dixie will be opening here which will increase foot traffic,” said Patsy Smith, owner of The Sewing Room located next to Kohls. “I live in this area as well, so I’m so happy to see a much-needed grocery store for the Valleydale/280 area.” 280 Living will continue to follow progress of the grocery store to keep you up-to-date on its offerings and opening.

A life of Secret Service By RICK WATSON

On November 22, 1963, four shots rang out at Daley Plaza in Dallas, the shots that were heard around the world. Former Secret Service agent Lem Johns of Inverness remembers all too well where he was on that fateful day – less than 150 feet behind John F. Kennedy’s Lincoln Limosine. “I was in the right rear seat of the car following the vice president’s limo, and I heard a shot that came from the right,” he said. Johns was riding in the third car in the motorcade with his door cracked, and the instant he heard the shot, he bolted from the vehicle and raced toward Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson’s limo. Johns’ primary responsibility was protecting Johnson, and he needed to be in the car with him. Film taken at the time of the assassination showed that Johns and his boss Rufus Youngblood both reacted instantly to protect the vice president when the first shot was fired. But even with the lightning reflexes of the Secret Service, it was too late for

See SECRET SERVICE | page 15

Inverness resident and former Secret Service agent Lem Johns holds a photo of himself standing behind President Lyndon Johnson and Jacqueline Kennedy as Johnson took the oath of office following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Photo by Rick Watson.

| January 2012

280 Living

Renaissance Consignment Boutique is ready to receive your dresses!! The time is fast approaching for prom, pageant and upcoming weddings. A new year with many events requiring formal wear, so allow Renaissance to be your one stop shop. We would love to consign your dresses and invite you to shop our huge selection for fashionable dresses. We have sizes from toddler to plus, so there is something for everyone! No Appointment needed to bring dresses by for us to look at for consignment.

Need Dresses ?

Over 2000 dresses can be shopped in our expanded formal area with professionals to assist in your selection. Accessories for all formal wear are available. Before you shop anywhere else, please come by to see all the fashion options at Renaissance. The prices and variety are excellent.

You can now Shop Online Anytime, New items added daily 6801 Cahaba Valley Road (Hwy 119) 1/4 South of Hwy 280, Along with Bellini’s, Cantina, and Edgars Bakery Opened 10-6 daily with extended hours on Thursday until 9 pm. Closed on Sundays.

205-980-4471

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7 for Mankind • Anne Klein • Anthropologie • Antik Denim • BCBG • Betsey Donald Pliner • Ectetera • Ed Hardy • Ferragamo • Free People J Crew

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280 Living

| January 2012

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| January 2012

Welcome Friends

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

Editor’s Note

Being a big fan of reflecting, my favorite way to start the new year is by writing out a list of the good and bad of the previous year, and I am always overwhelmed by all that has happened in 12 months. In 2011, we wept with those who were affected by the April 27 tornadoes, even just across I-459 in Cahaba Heights. We rejoiced when Grants Mill Road opened at last. We continued to wait on a new hospital and Highway 280 traffic relief. And, my favorite of all things in the paper, we celebrated life with the many heartwarming stories of individuals who live along the 280 corridor. After my reflecting, I like to cast a life visionary list for the next year, preferring to leave the details more open than everimpossible quantified “resolutions.” One of my personal visions for 2012 is to more deeply invest in my community, and I would encourage you to do the same. Take time to get to know a someone

new whose stories just might rival Lem Johns’ (cover story). Build relationships with those in the area while you get in shape with a boot camp (7) or Iron Tribe (23). Support a local nonprofit like Hope for Gabe through The Red Shamrock Pub (22) and local artists like nature photographer Chris Mason (9). Sit down to eat dinner with your family and share stories from your day over a meal like Lisa Johnsey’s soups (8). Explore your city’s history by visiting the Civil Rights Museum on the MLK holiday for free (6). Brainstorm on what your vision for community looks like, and try something new. Wishing you and your family a wonderful start to 2012!

Call for Alabama-LSU National Championship photos The top three finishers at the Liberty Park Middle School Geography Bee were Chris Hughes (third place), Jack Hart (first place) and Will Smith (second place). The National Geographic Bee is a nationwide contest for students in fourth through eighth grade. All questions are provided by the National Geographic Society.

Staff & Friends

Headed to New Orleans for the big LSU-Alabama BCS National Championship game? We want to see your photos! Email them to madoline@280living.com with names of the people in the picture to be considered for publication online and in print. Roll Tide and Geaux Tigers!

Contributing Writers

Paul Johnson | Lisa Culotta Johnsey Brent Watson | Rick Watson | Kari Kampakis

High School Correspondents

Cole Moffett | Collier Kauffman Tabitha Fulton

Cari Dean | Barry Clemons

Publisher

Editor at Large Joe Samuel Starnes

Creative Director

Intern

Keith McCoy

Krysti Shallenberger

Managing Editor Madoline Markham

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: madoline@280living.com

For advertising contact: dan@280living.com

Legals:

Susan Harbison Ros

$25 to Birmingham Bake & Cook Thanks for reading and being fans of 280 Living.

Please Support Our Sponsors

Dan Starnes

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Congratulations to the winner of the January Facebook fan giveaway:

This month’s winner will receive:

You must e-mail dan@280living.com to claim your prize.

Contributing Photographers

Community Editor

Fan Giveaway

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Sales and Distribution Dan Starnes | Angela Morris

Published by Starnes Publishing LLC

Contact Information: 280 Living P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205)-370-0732

280 Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. 280 Living is designed to inform the communities along Highway 280 of area school, faith, family and community events. Information in 280 Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/ photos submitted become the property of 280 Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/ photos as deemed necessary. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 370-0732 or by email. Please recycle this paper

280 Medical Supply (19, 29) AAA Travel (31) Alabama Allergy & Asthma (9) Beaumont Pharmacy (20) Beyond Wellness (16) Birmingham Bake and Cook Co. (18) Birmingham United Soccer (12) Brentwood Properties (25) Chiropractic Today (17, 21) Chop Suey Inn (10) Comfort Keepers (10) Dales’s Southern Grill (14) Diana’s Organic Greenscapes (15) Diana’s Salon (27) Dugald McMillan (5) Encore Rehabilitation (11) Exclusively Ballet (17) Fancy Fur (15) Ge Ge’s Salon (15) General Pest Control (28) Homewood Chamber (27) Iron Tribe (3) Isbell Jewelers (8) La Tavolo (20) Lulie’s on Cahaba (26) MedHelp (6) Mitchell’s Paper Etc.(29)

Mountain Brook Chamber (30) Mountain Brook Sporting Goods (21) Mughal Indian (10) Narrows Family Eye Care (17) Outdoor Living Areas (5) Pastry Art (16) Plain Jane (18) Pure Barre (9, 19) Raceway (23) Renaissance Consignment (2, 18) Renasant Bank (22) Richard Joseph Salon (1) Rosegate Design (20) Seniors Helping Seniors (27) Sew Sheri (14) Southeastern Jewelers (12) St. Vincent’s One Nineteen (22, 32) Studio Zen Fitness (6) Tea Party Castle (19) The Maids (1) The UPS Store (19) Total Care 280 (7) Varsity Sports (12) Village Tavern (23) Vulcan (8) Wee Peat Boutique (20) Window Décor Home Store (13, 17)

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280 Living

inc.

| January 2012

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| January 2012

280 Living

Mind body and a way of life

Shelby County Arts Council 2012 Visual Art Exhibits The Shelby County Arts Council has announced their 2012 Calendar of Visual Art Exhibits to be held in their gallery in Columbiana. All art exhibits are free and open to the public. January/February – Director’s Invitational featuring the visual art of public school teachers in Shelby County. March/April – Regional Folk Art Exhibit with guest Curator Bruce Andrews. Andrews will create a cohesive, high quality body of folk art works featuring regional outsider-artists. An outsider-artist is a contemporary, self-taught artist whose creations celebrate daily life, diversity and culture. June/July – Sisters in Art, A duo show with sisters, Diane Ellis and Sylvia McDonald, displaying their acrylic and oil

Studio Zen Fitness specializes in a total cardio-driven core workout The studio offers classes in Piloxing • Beyond Barre • Pilates • Yoga

Complimentary classes the week of

January 16th-20th

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paintings along with stoneware pottery. August– Shelby County Arts Council Instructor/Student Show and Open House. This exhibit features works in a variety of mediums from professional artist instructors of the SCAC and their students. September/October– Fourth Annual Juried Art Show attracts talented artists from across Jefferson, Shelby and other neighboring counties. More than $1,000 in awards is available for top entries in each category and Best of Show. December- Fourth Annual Artist Market. Presented by members of the Shelby County Arts Council, the Annual Holiday Market will feature one-of-a-kind items created by council members. Find additional information and photos of past gallery exhibits at www. shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

OMHS senior to sing at Miss America Pageant Oak Mountain High School senior Mi’a Callens has been chosen by the Miss America Board of Directors to perform our National Anthem at this month’s Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas. Mi’a was crowned Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen in March and competed in the national pageant in Orlando in August. As Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen, Mi’a has received $104,000 in scholarships, savings bonds and other cash awards. Even with a very busy schedule, Mi’a remains active at OMHS; she is involved with Con Brio show choir, Alabama Ambassadors Choir, Drama Club, Key Club, FCCLA (where she is president), POGS (promotion of Girls Sports) club, Spanish club, Broadcasting Team, AAA (Africian Americian Achievers) club, Make-A-Wish Foundation, dance and piano. She is the the recipient of the Prudential Spirit of Community Service Award, At Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Mi’a finished second runner up overall and was a top five “Teen in Action” community service finalist. She was also awarded $10,500 in scholarship funds. “My college tuition is paid for, thanks to many college sponsors of this wonderful program,” Mi’a said. “I feel so honored to have been chosen to perform on the ‘big stage,’ the Miss America stage.” While in Las Vegas, Mi’a plans to cheer on Miss Alabama Courtney Porter. The Miss America Pageant will be held Jan. 10 through 14. ABC television will air the Top Finalist event on Jan. 14. Viewers

Oak Mountain’s Mi’a Callens has been selected to sing at the Miss America Pageant on Jan. 14. Photo by Frank Carnaggio.

can follow the event all week at www. missamerica.com. The upcoming Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen Pageant is scheduled for March 3 and 4 in Sylacauga.

Visit Civil Rights Institute for free on MLK holiday On Monday, Jan. 16 the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) honors the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday with a day of celebration and service. BCRI Galleries open to the public at 9 a.m., and no admission is charged. The BCRI celebrates its 20th anniversary this year as it continues to promote civil and human rights worldwide through education. In addition to the special MLK event in

January, the Institute’s David Vann Gallery will continue to host “Encouraging Stories: Written and Spoken Word, Music and Visual Arts,” an exhibition by members of Birmingham’s homeless community through Jan. 22. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is located at 520 16th Street North in Birmingham. For more information, visit www.bcri.org.

Heatherwood Garden Club Show The Heatherwood Garden Club held a Test of Christmas Tea and Belk Fashion Show at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in December. Shelley Boockholdt, Gail Greene, Alice Faye Couch and Sue

Richards all made flower arrangements for the flower show. The club is looking forward to their 2012 Spring Flower Show on March 14-16.

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280 Living

| January 2012

Fit for life

Heardmont Park boot camp instructor Ashley Dawson prepares for the Ragner Race; her team placed first among the women’s teams. Photo courtesy of Ashley Dawson.

By KRYSTI SHALLENBERGER Only once has Ashley Dawson canceled her outdoor boot camp class at Heardmont Park. That was during the infamous April tornadoes. “It doesn’t matter what people’s (fitness) levels are; I can push them to do more, and they do that every class,” she said. Some students in her class come off the couch and others are avid marathon runners, but all come together for the same hour-long cardio, weight and core workout. The goal of Extreme Fit Boot Camps, according to Dawson, is to strengthen the heart. “What it did for me was to take me to a level of fitness that I didn’t know I had,” she said. And that drive and desire is what she now wants to impart to her students. “A girl came three weeks ago and couldn’t make it once around the track, but today she ran a mile without stopping,” said Dawson. That’s just one example of how the Boot Camps work. Dawson first started attending the boot camp as she was experiencing setbacks that led to closing Paper Dolls, a stationery and gift shop she owned. “I fell in love with the drive and encouragement I experienced there,” she said. “And that’s what I feel I do with my classes.” Dawson sees people come into the boot camps with a desire to change more than their physical bodies. The camaraderie and encouragement they receive from the group helps them through difficult times. Boot camp isn’t the only thing that keeps Dawson running, literally. The intense

workouts and drive she experienced at boot camp led her to participate in the Ragnar Race, a 200-mile route from Chattanooga to Nashville, Tenn., where her team placed first in the all-women’s division. “My students inspired me to try it,” she said. “They inspire me every day because I see their progress and how they reach their goals every day.” Dawson’s love of cooking helps her students understand healthy eating, and they trade recipes on a daily basis. She never stops giving encouragement and life advice to the people all around her, not only as a boot camp instructor but also as a mother of three girls, member of Asbury United Methodist Church and a friend. And she is fastidious about cleaning just like fitness; for her, a fun day consists of cleaning out closets. Dawson is also the new conditioning coach for the girls’ lacrosse team at Spain Park High on which her daughter, Anne, 16, plays. She is also working to re-open her Paper Dolls business online. Still, boot camp will always be her passion. “It opened my heart and mind and my soul at the right place, at the right time,” she said. “People have told me that God put me in their life. Well, I can do so much more; that’s what I do with everything in my life.” For more information about Extreme Fit Boot Camps, visit www.extremefit.com. Dawson’s classes meet at Heardmont Park on Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. and Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. For more information about her Paper Dolls online store, visit www.paperdollsbham.com.

Box Tops for Hackleburg

Mon-Fri 7:30 am–6:30 pm Sat 8am–2 pm, Sun closed Extended Hours Available by Appointment

Flu shots now available!

Catherine Cochran, Hackleburg Principal John Hardin, Dr. Sherri Weissman, Scarlett Echols, Paula Greenway and Connor Greenway. Photo courtesy of Dr. Sherri Weissman. Orthodontist Dr. Sherri Weissman and her staff held a contest for to help rebuild Hackleburg High School, which was completely destroyed by the April 27 tornadoes. In conjunction with

patients Connor and Cole Greenway, Dr. Weissman’s office collected more than 6000 Box Tops for Education, and Dr. Weissman donated matching funds to the school.

Look for us at our new location at Lee Branch this Spring

| January 2012

280 Living

Soups for a weeknight family dinner 6-7 cups chicken broth Salt and pepper, to taste

By LISA CULOTTA JOHNSEY A quick Google search reveals that the number of families sharing a meal together three or more nights a week continues to erode to what I consider an alarming and shameful percentage. This New Year, I encourage you and your family to consider eating together more often. It is beneficial to the well being of the entire family. You will develop healthier eating habits, bond and create memories. Growing up, my mother prepared meals, and we ate together every night at 5:30 as Daddy requested. This was considered a time to be together, sharing stories and unwinding from the rigors of our day. I remember Daddy would share a funny story about his workday. The television was always turned off, and we never answered the phone if it rang. My mother has always been a fabulous cook, but it didn’t matter what was for dinner; the important thing was that we were together. Now that I am married and have children of my own, my husband and I have carried on this tradition in our family. We take turns saying the blessing, just as we did when I was young. After dinner, everyone helps me do the dishes and take out the trash. My husband started helping with the dishes when we were first married because everyone helped his grandmother after dinner. It is a nice way to say thank you to the person who prepared the meal. I have included some recipes for your family to try that are easy and perfect for cold January evenings. I hope all of you consider more family time this year; it’s important. Lemony Chicken Soup 7 cups chicken stock or broth ½ cup lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)

Sauté onion, celery and garlic until tender. Meanwhile, brown Italian sausage separately. When sausage is brown, add sliced sausage, lentils, tomato sauce and chicken broth. Let simmer until lentils are tender, about 45 minutes. Serve with your favorite salad and crusty bread.

Lemony Chicken Soup makes a quick and comforting weeknight meal. Photo by Lisa Culotta Johnsey.

1 bay leaf 3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced 8 oz. spaghetti, broken into thirds 3 cooked chicken breasts or one rotisserie chicken, diced* 1 cup Romano cheese Parsley, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste In a large pot, bring the chicken stock, lemon juice and bay leaf to a boil on medium-high heat. Add the carrots and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Add the chopped chicken; continue to cook about 10 minutes. Add the pasta and cook until tender. Stir in ½ cup of the cheese and

We Buy Gold

parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Top each serving with the remaining cheese. *Note: I roast three bone-in chicken breasts. I debone and chop or shred and add to the soup. Lentil and Sausage Soup 1 onion, diced 1 stalk celery, diced 2-3 cloves garlic, minced 3 Italian sausage links, casing removed ½ package turkey sausage sliced ½ package smoked sausage sliced 1 pound lentils, rinsed and drained 8 oz. tomato sauce

Chicken Chili 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion, diced 4-5 cloves of garlic, diced 2 pounds ground chicken 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons cumin 1 tablespoon fennel seeds 1 tablespoon dried oregano 2 teaspoons chili powder 3 tablespoons flour 2-3 cans white beans, rinsed and drained 1 bunch Swiss chard, washed and chopped 4 cups chicken stock Red pepper flakes, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste Parmesan cheese for garnish Parsley for garnish Sauté onion in olive oil until tender. Add garlic and cook for about one minute or until you can smell it. Add the chicken and the next five ingredients. Cook, stirring often until the chicken is cooked through. Add flour and stir until blended. Next, add the chard and chicken stock. Bring the mixture up to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour or until it has thickened. Add red pepper flakes and continue cooking for 1015 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish each bowl with cheese and parsley. Serve with crusty cheese bread.

SAY “I DO” OR RENEW YOUR VOWS this Valentine’s Day 2012

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280 Living

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Capturing natural beauty

Photographer Chris Mason enjoys capturing landscapes like this at Bryce Canyon. Photos courtesy of Chris Mason. Mason captured De Soto Falls near Fort Payne in northeast Alabama.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Mason’s shot of a farm house off I-65 north of Birmingham.

lift • tone • burn

Chris Mason has a thing for waterfalls. And for barns. And national parks. And even dead flowers. “I want to capture what I see when hiking or camping and share it with other people,” said the 280 area photographer. Mason likes to wake up early in the morning and go for a drive, exploring until he finds an image to capture. He scouts out the exact set up for the photo. If the lighting isn’t perfect at the moment, he’ll come back the next day when it is. He doesn’t like to edit his photos extensively; he wants to primarily capture the image through the camera. People who buy his prints say they like how he captures lighting in the pictures.

| January 2012

Originally from Northeast Georgia, Mason lived in Colorado and loves to photograph the scenery of the National Parks out west. “Often people say they have been to these National Parks but they didn’t capture them in the same way,” Mason said. “The photos recreate the experience they had there.” Mason also shoots on his day excursions from his home: Waterfalls at Noccalula, Little River Canyon, Weinti and Bankhead National Forest. Old barns in the countryside. Sunflowers at Jones Valley Urban Farms. Nightscapes on Morris Avenue downtown. Views from a kayak at Oak Mountain State Park. Flowers, full of life or dead, at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Even a parking deck at the Birmingham Airport. Mason has also started creating mixed media pieces by printing photos on metal and then mounting them on painter’s board. On some pieces, he touches up the photo with acrylic paint to add texture. “It looks more like art than a framed picture,” he said. “It also allows me to be more creative and add texture.” Mason first started photographing with a Polaroid at age 6 and graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta in 1995. However, after that he gave up pursuing photography until about six years ago, just for fun. His friends encouraged him to sell his work, and this year he started doing so at the Pepper Place Saturday Market downtown and later showed his work at ArtWalk. Mason’s photography business has picked up over the year and is now breaking even. He dreams of making his part-time passion his profession, of traveling from national park to national park to capture images and share them with others at art shows. But for now he’s out to capture more sites around Birmingham; it’s what people tell him they want to see. For more information on Chris Mason Photography, visit www.chrismasonphoto. com or call 470-7006.

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| January 2012

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Representative Jim Carnes and Senator Slade Blackwell helped present the grant check to Greystone Elementary principal Dr. Maurine Black. Also pictured are representatives from Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development.

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In December Greystone Elementary announced it was the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Cawaco Resource Conservation and Development. The grant money will be used in the construction of an outdoor classroom on the school grounds. The purpose of the project is to provide several different kinds of natural settings that allow students to study, observe and interact with their environment. K-5 students can now enjoy the benefits of an

outdoor classroom and teachers are better equipped to engage their students through hands-on-learning. Cawaco Resource Conservation & Development supports educational and community development projects in Central Alabama. The council’s name originates from the principal natural assets of the area, the Cahaba, Warrior and Coosa Rivers.

Shelby students named National Merit Semi-Finalists

The National Merit Scholarship Program recently named six Shelby County students as National Merit Semifinalists. Students from our area named as National Merit Semifinalists include Oak Mountain High School’s Helen Caldwell, Megan Hennessy and Eunyoung Jo. National Merit Finalist standing requires an outstanding academic record throughout high school; endorsement and recommendation by school principal; earned SAT scores that confirm student’s earlier performance on the qualifying PSAT/NMSQT test; a detailed scholarship

application, which includes student’s selfdescriptive essay; and information about participation and leadership in school and community activities. National Merit Finalists will be announced in February. Shelby County also had four students who were named National Merit Commended Students, which recognizes and commends juniors for outstanding academic promise. These students were Casey Bailey, John Michael Majors and Connor Stein, all from Oak Mountain High School, and Kellie Mitchell from Chelsea High School.

Officers share Internet safety Liberty Park Middle School Counselor Stephanie Holcomb recently hosted a parent “Brown Bag Lunch.” Holcomb invited Officer Lee Goodwin and Officer Jared Freeman to share the latest topics on Internet safety. Some topics covered included the dangers of internet chatting, Facebook

privacy settings, third party information sharing, understanding internet/texting lingo and the potential dangers of posting images from your cell phone to the Internet because of GPS coordinates. Parent “Brown Bag Lunches” are offered each semester at Liberty Park Middle.

OM Toys for Tots celebration Students from Oak Mountain High School and Oak Mountain Middle participated in a special ceremony in November honoring volunteers who assisted with local Toys for Tots efforts. The students assisted the Marines and the Blue Angels at the Alabama Air National Guard Base at the Birmingham International Airport. Oak Mountain Middle School still holds the national school record for the most money raised for Toys for Tots: $42,000 in 2006. Special guests at the event included Governor Robert Bentley, First Lady Dianne Bentley, American Idol winner

Taylor Hicks, and ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann. There are an estimated 80,000 children who need toys in Alabama this year. That is an increase of 20,000 more children than last year, primarily due to the April tornado outbreak. The Blue Angel’s C-130 cargo plane, Fat Albert, picked up and delivered toys collected by employees of Lockheed Martin (the maker of the C-130 aircraft) in Atlanta and Fort Worth. The students, special guests and other community volunteers assisted with the efforts to unload the toys from the cargo plane.

LPES students jazz it up in school play The fourth grade classes at Liberty Park Elementary School recently performed We Haz Jazz, a play that depicts the history of jazz throughout the years. Students were dressed as jazz musicians and acted, sang

and danced throughout the play. Everyone who participated in and attended the play now knows much of the history behind this popular genre of music.

School House | January 2012

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First graders enjoy American Village

Hayley Watts and Melissa Smith’s first grade classes at Mt Laurel Elementary School enjoyed a recent field trip to the American Village. Students were able to actively participate in the early Americans’ journey to the new land in search of independence and to experience life as a pilgrim aboard the Mayflower.

LPMS eighth grader selected for honor choir Mallory Pitts, an eight grader at Liberty Park Middle School, was recently selected to sing with the 2012 American Choral Director’s Southern Division Middle School Honor Choir. Pitts was the only student from Alabama to receive this honor. To be selected for the choir, Pitts participated in a blind audition. She had to sing two songs and two scales and submit her own CD. Heather Cantwell, the LPM choir director, assisted her with this process. At the end of February, Pitts will travel to Winston Salem, North Carolina, to rehearse with the other selected students from middle schools through the Southeast. Mallory began singing with her

Eighth grader Mallory Pitts with Heather Cantwell, Liberty Park Middle School choir teacher.

church choir at age 3. She has continued participating in children’s and youth choirs ever since as a member of the Liberty Park Singers and the choirs of Liberty Park Middle School.

Chelsea Intermediate canned food drive benefits OM Missions The Chelsea Intermediate School Student Council collected more than 2,300 cans in an Iron Bowl school-wide canned food drive. “This is our first school-wide service project, and the participation has been outstanding,” said Laura Hodges, student council sponsor. Student council class representatives provided each classroom with an Auburn

collection box and an Alabama collection box, encouraging classrooms to bring in canned food items during the week to put in their favorite team’s box. Alicia Smith’s class brought in the most cans for fourth grade with a total of 248 cans. The fifth grade winner was Mary Ramsey’s class with a total of 277 cans. Cans were collected for Oak Mountain Missions Ministries in Pelham.

Teacher organizes Purple Stride run

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The MLES team at the Purple Stride Run included Carla Johnson, Melissa Wilbourne, Laura Beth Dick, Penny Houston, event organizer Kathryn Brekle, Ramona Martin, Angela Walker, Kelli Hayn, Beth Ansley, and Casey Parsons. Photo courtesy of Melissa Wilbourne.

In November, Kathryn Brekle, a third grade teacher at Mt Laurel Elementary, helped organize Purple Stride, a run/ walk event in Homewood hosted by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The event had over 500 participants and raised over $46,000 for pancreatic cancer research. The run/walk included a team of teachers and administrators from MLES. Students at Mt Laurel wore purple in the days before the Purple Stride event and contributed to the cause by each bringing in $1.00. Funding pancreatic cancer research has a personal connection for Brekle who lost her mother to the disease. “I looked but could not find any fundraising event for pancreatic cancer research in Birmingham

so I started my own,” Brekle said. The first event she organized was a run/walk in the Mt Laurel area on Mother’s Day in 2009. Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death and the tenth most commonly diagnosed. As the Birmingham coordinator for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Brekle attended leadership training in Dallas where she met actor Patrick Swayze’s wife, Lisa, the organization’s national spokesperson. “She (Brekle) is a phenomenal teacher and our students and teachers are so proud of her,” said Angela Walker, principal of Mt Laurel Elementary. “We are lucky to have her in our MLES family.” For more information on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, go to pancan.org.

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280 Living

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There are really two great things about being a part of this team. One of those is just the team itself; we have a wonderful team and we all have a lot of fun. The second thing would have to be Coach Trucks; he is an awesome coach and he works very hard with us and for us. The whole atmosphere, from coaches and team members, is one worth being around. Give us your overall thoughts on this year’s cross country season. This season was a really fantastic season. Everyone practiced hard every day; I feel like we put a lot of heart and effort into making our team the best we could this year and that showed when we made it to state. I am certain next year will be even better.

Cheyenne Thompson Junior Chelsea High School Cross Country

Chelsea’s Cheyenne Thompson received her nomination for 280 Living’s Athlete of the Month from Coach Wayne Trucks. The Hornet’s women’s cross country team recently finished in first place in sectionals, a first in school history. We asked Cheyenne about being part of the team and her future plans. How long have you been involved in cross country? I have been running cross country for two years now, my sophomore and

Chelsea’s Cheyenne Thompson. Photo courtesy of the Thompson family.

junior years. This year was almost a bust because I have been recovering from ACL surgery that was done in May. What is the best thing about being part of the Chelsea team?

What other activities are you involved in at CHS? I will be playing on our varsity soccer team in the spring, and I am taking on a leadership role at school through our new group, Athletes in Action. I am involved in a few scholastic groups at Chelsea as well. What are your future college/career aspirations? Right now, I plan on being a pediatric physical therapist. After my knee injury, physical therapy helped me get back to

being active, and I want to help children do the same. As far as college goes, I am looking locally at UAB or Washington University in St. Louis as a couple of possibilities. I have not nailed it down yet. Tell us about your family. Do you have siblings involved with sports? I have three brothers, a sister and two amazing parents. They are all very supportive. I think I have a pretty fun family. We are a little bit quirky, but what family does not have its quirks? My younger brothers, Sterling and Chase, also do well in cross country, and just this year Sterling started playing soccer for the high school. My older brother and sister both ran when they were in high school too. My whole family is really very active, and we definitely do a lot of running and a whole lot of soccer. It keeps us busy. What do you like to do in your spare time? In my spare time I like to read a book and listen to some music or hang out with my best friend, Rachel. Sometimes I will go and kick a ball around or run for fun. I also like to sit down and hang out with my brothers. Even if they are not really doing anything too interesting, it’s nice to just talk to them. Of course, spare time is rare, but I enjoy every minute I get of it!

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Bama-LSU II For the sixth year in a row, a team out of the Southeastern Conference will carry the hardware and title of college football’s national championship as the rematch between Alabama and LSU will happen on Jan. 9. There was some unwarranted but understandable controversy from the Big 12 conference as they wanted their conference champ, Oklahoma State, to play for the BCS championship. The squabbles are unwarranted, in my opinion, because it’s obvious that the two best teams are playing for the championship. Just take a look at OSU’s lone loss, Iowa State, and The Tide’s only blemish coming, obviously, verses LSU. The argument is understood, in this opinion, because the conference must “stand up” for their members. The national championship argument will be there every year until a tournament is put in place. Now, there will always be controversy. That’s life, but an eight-team playoff would soften the debate. I think this year’s national championship game will be the turning point toward a tournament in the near future in Division I football. Other conferences are losing money because of the SEC having two teams battling for the coveted championship. So, when millions of dollars are lost, even the deepest of roots in history begin changing.

by Brent Watson

Speaking of history, if the Crimson Tide comes away with the win over the Tigers, it will be the first time that the national champ has come out of the same state three times in a row. I think we will witness both with the Tide beating LSU in what should be a classic in college football. We will see, and I must be honest, I didn’t think this game would happen in the BCS format. So, I must give kudos out to the powers that be in making the right vote. It is just so obvious that the two best teams in college football are playing for the right to be called the best. Even if Oklahoma State had not slipped up in Iowa verses the Cyclones, this game still should have been played, in my opinion. There would have been some mad people in Oklahoma if it had panned out that way, which would have put even more weight on having a playoff. The Pac-12 and the Big 12 conferences are the only other conferences that are even close to matching the SEC, and it’s undisputable. Six straight years of an SEC member carrying home the championship in this championship format doesn’t give much room for debating on conference’s strength. Alabama vs. LSU II, it should be one for the ages.

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OM Youth Football wins championship The 120-pound Oak Mountain Red Eagles finished a perfect season when they beat the Vestavia Red Rebels 20-0 in the Jefferson-Shelby Youth Football League (JSYFL) Championship. It was the second championship for this team in two years, a first in Oak Mountain history. The team won all eight regular season games, outscoring their opponents 254-32. No other team in either division scored more than 200 points, and none held their opponents to such few points. The JSYFL expanded once again this year adding Hoover and Spain Park. There are currently 13-teams that make up the

league divided into two divisions. “Although we continue to instill in the boys they must finish every game (like with last’s year motto, “finish”),” Last years motto of “Finish” was replaced this year according to Head Coach Freddy Thomas, we wanted to take it a step further, and soon the 2011 motto became one word “Dominate” The team’s coaches say all the players represent a bright future for Oak Mountain Football and that they will tell you that they couldn’t do it without their hard working and dedicated cheerleaders.

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The 2011 Oak Mountain Red Eagles hold up two fingers signifying their second championship in two years. Bottom Row: Tori Martin, Brooklyn Thornhill, Lexy Ayers, Grace Whitley, Megan Crapis, Ellie Ingram, Catherine Mitchell, Sydney Burnett, Amina Johnson, Emma Spencer, Kayla Isbell, Sara Adamson, Madison Sanford, Kaitlin Fecik and Jordan Crapia. (Not Pictured: Millie Elia and Haley Gaston). Second Row: Jack Roberts, Tyler Martin, Griffin Etheridge, Peyton Long, Peyton Johnsey, Nick Ayers, Drew Peters, Dylan Hoye, Dane Moody, Will West, Skylar Etheridge, Cole Thomas. Third Row: Ty Ramer, Drew Martin, Jacob Gagnon, Travis Thomasson, Luke Percer, Manish Nagaraj, Lex Wedgeworth, Payne Watkins, Russ Autrey, Noah Brown, Austin Forrester, DeCameron Adamson, Shadrick Byrd, Randy Alarcon, Jackson Kimbrell, Nick Heino and Skylar Johnston.Back Row: Head Coach Freddy Thomas, Assistant Coaches Jeff Martin, Jason Kimbrell, Mark Pretner, Tracy Percer, David Moody, Karl Heino, and Cheer Coaches Michelle Fecik and Michelle Adamson. Photo courtesy of Jeff Martin.

Pate wins cheer competition Claire Pate, a fifth grader at Oak Mountain Intermediate School, won first place in the Senior Division 1 at the UCA Individual Cheerleading Competition at Vestavia High School. Claire was required to choreograph a cheer/dance routine to perform for a panel of UCA judges. She was scored on categories of dance, skill incorporation, motion execution, choreography and showmanship.

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Claire Pate. Photo courtesy of Dana Pate.

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School House

Briarwood Christian High School BCS experiences revival By COLLIER KAUFFMAN

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concern for the ‘heart’ relationships that are more important than the rules (even though the rules matter). You add the desire for some students to really lead spiritually in that good nurturing place and you have a chance to see significant growth.” Last summer, Mathews shared an article on revival that mentioned a few specific things on what fuels it: desire to worship, diligent discipline, study of the Word and prayer. Mathews has seen very specific changes in students. “What has been really nice is that there is no condemnation or pressure to be super spiritual,” he said. “My daughters are students here, and as a parent, it does my heart good to see them excited about the spiritual growth in our school.” However, this revival is not meant for just Briarwood. It’s meant to be for the city of Birmingham, the state of Alabama, and all throughout the nation. By the grace of God this revival will continue throughout the rest of this school year and will hopefully send a message to the world that this generation of young students is rising up in God’s name.

The Westminster School at Oak Mountain Westminster houses compete for decorative honor BY COLE MOFFETT At Westminster, we have an unorthodox method of uniting all students in the seventh through 12th grades. When students graduate from the sixth grade, they are placed into one of four different houses: the house of Dante, Tolkien, Calvin, or, my personal favorite, Augustine. Each house is named after a famous Christian author. Throughout the entire school year, the houses compete against one another in various competitions such as football, soccerf and ultimate Frisbee. Students from all grades are encouraged to participate, bringing all grades together. When the Christmas season rolls in, the houses spread the festive spirit throughout the school by competing in decorating our classrooms. After a week to complete their look, each room’s decorations are judged on creativity, artistry and Christmas spirit. In the most recent event in December, the prevailing strategy was to wait until the last deadline and devote that whole day to decorating. From afternoon until evening, the houses frantically tried to finish their decorating before the deadline. The House of Calvin’s room gave the impression of being under a Christmas tree, surrounded by presents. Dante’s room made it appear that you were in a “Peanuts” comic strip, surrounded by Charlie Brown and his gang. Tolkien’s room added diversity to the mix by showing what Christmas looked like around the world, while Augustine’s room was transformed

Westminster students hold a competition each year for the best decorated classroom at Christmas. Photo courtesy of Cole Moffett.

into a land of gingerbread houses. When all the decorating was complete, students celebrated by having a Christmas Story-type dinner at a local Chinese restaurant, a fantastic way to end the unique Westminster House Competition. Cole Moffett is a senior at The Westminster School at Oak Mountain. He plays soccer and runs cross country and also serves as chair of the House of Augustine, one of four houses that compete in intramural sports and organize upper school social events.

Jefferson State ranks as third fastest-growing community college

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Over the past few months, students at Briarwood have triggered a revival within the school. It started out very small with just a few students coming to pray in Coach Jay Mathew’s (Dean of Students) office during lunch, but it has grown greatly since the beginning of the school year. “The whole movement began with three junior boys, so it was just those guys in my office,” said Mathews. “We quickly grew out of two offices and now average more than eighty 80 within two lunch periods on Wednesdays.” The atmosphere change in the halls of Briarwood is very clear. Students are more involved in their youth groups and helping with outreach efforts such as Daniel Cason Ministries. The Tuesday chapels have also become more of a treat than a routine for the students. Worship in chapel has also become more exhilarating as students and teachers are expressing their love for God more than ever. Blue grass band Act of Congress came to play during a chapel in November. When asked what has contributed to the students’ love for God, Mathews said: “The students tell me that Briarwood has a great atmosphere for Biblical training and

12/19/11 2:03:49 PM

Jefferson State Community College has been ranked among the nation’s fastestgrowing two-year schools by Community College Week. With an enrollment increase of 15 percent, Jefferson State ranked as the third fastest-growing community college in the nation out of colleges with enrollment between 5,000 and 9,999 students. Community College Week posted its rankings based on an analysis of U.S. Department of Education Data from the fall of 2009 to the fall of 2010. The ratings were based on a review of the enrollment of more

than 1,100 community colleges nationwide. In the fall of 2010, Jefferson State reported an enrollment of 9,688 for-credit students. “We are excited to see Jefferson State rank as one of the fastest-growing community college in the nation,” said Jefferson State Director of Community Relations David Bobo. “It’s a strong indicator of the tremendous educational value offered at Jefferson State and we are extremely proud of our faculty and staff who make our college such an attractive choice.”

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School House

| January 2012

Chelsea High School Diana’s Organic Greenscapes LLC Chelsea High hosts pageant By TABITHA FULTON

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www.DianasOrganicGreenscapes.com High school pageant contestants congratulate newly crowned Miss Merry Christmas, Kayla Hollis.

The annual Miss Merry Christmas Pageant was held Dec. 10 at Chelsea High School. The reigning 2010 Miss Merry Christmas from middle school, Morgan Gay, and high school, Susie Coffee, crowned the new winners. There were five age categories with top winners crowned in each category. In the birth to age four category, third alternate was Bella Averie Mayfield, second alternate was Aviana Smitherman, first alternate was Madelyn Grace Gaither, and the new Miss Merry Christmas 2011 for birth to four years old is Grier Lillianne Feldman. For the kindergarten to second grade category, third alternate was Avery Harris, second alternate was Heidi Kuykendall, third alternate was Chloe Nelson, and the new Miss Merry Christmas for 2011 is Ella Frances Thrasher. In the third to fifth grade category, third alternate was Baylee Nale, second alternate was Amber Wooten, first alternate

was Martha Ann Chasteen, and the new Miss Merry Christmas 2011 for the third to fifth grade category is Megan Grace Caddell. In the middle school category, third alternate was Brooklyn Parker, second alternate was Bonnie Blue Chasteen, first alternate was Kelley Elizabeth Snider, and the new Miss Merry Christmas 2011 is Sara Beth Prince. In the high school category, third alternate was Savannah McWilliams, second alternate was Kylie Dutton, first alternate was Morgan Pederson, and the new Miss Merry Christmas 2011 is Kayla Hollis. The pageant was open to any girl who resides in Shelby County and was sponsored by the Chelsea High School newspaper staff. Proceeds raised by the event went to purchase computers, paper and other supplies needed to produce the monthly paper for the school.

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SECRET SERVICE

CONTINUED from page 1 Kennedy, the target of the bullet. In a historic photograph taken later that evening, Lem Johns stands just behind Jacqueline Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson on Air Force One as he took the oath of office to become the thirty-sixth president of the United States. After the assassination, Johns continued his role as Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAIC) but his duty station moved to the White House. He already had experience in the White House protecting President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the late 1950s. “Being in the White House with Eisenhower gave me a chance to learn how things were done there,” said Johns. The Secret Service had been understaffed for years, but after the Kennedy assassination, the organization ramped up its protection of high-level government officials as well as candidates for the presidency. As the role of the Secret Service expanded, Johns became ASAIC for not only the presidential detail but for all the Secret Service. His role as ASAIC put him in a position to implement a number of initiatives that helped the Service to be more effective. For example, he made presidential drivers and mechanics part of the Service. The drivers helped with advance team preparation whenever the president traveled. Johns also upgraded the weapons used by agents and acquired a bulletproof limousine, even though the president was hesitant to approve the expenditure. During Johns’ time at the White House, President Johnson ushered a law through Congress that gave the Secret Service more power to coordinate with the military and other security organizations. Once enacted, the law was useful when the Service needed additional resources. Another example of Johns’ creative problem solving came during the 1968 Republican National Convention in Miami.

The Secret Service needed 500 rooms to house the agents necessary to provide security for the convention. He soon learned there were so many candidates, delegates and media personnel at the event that there were no rooms available for the Secret Service. Johns phoned the Joint Chiefs of Staff and requisitioned a naval ship to serve as lodging for agents. The ship was in dry dock in Norfolk, Va., undergoing renovation, but it was the only ship large enough to fit the bill. “I asked them to double the work crews and complete the renovations on the voyage to Miami,” he remembered. And his strategy worked. Hoover-based filmmaker John Jenkins took interest in Johns’ remarkable experience with the Secret Service and recently produced a documentary about his life that aired on Alabama Public Television. Still, his life was not all the glamour worthy of films. Civil unrest of the 1960s made the job of the Secret Service even more stressful. There were a lot of divorces because of the demands on the agents, according to Johns. “I always said, being an agent requires a team of two: the agent and his wife,” he said. Johns and his wife Nita have been married 65 years, and his service must have made an impression on his family. His son, Jeff, became a Secret Service agent for Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, and his grandson Michael has served as a Secret Service agent for the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. Perhaps they were inspired by how Johns never regretted the stress and risks in his work. “At any given moment, an agent is a foot away from history, but I’ve always considered it a great honor to serve.”

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Women of 280

2012

Women of

Savvy • Energetic • Creative • Smart • Strong • Brave

280

Each January 280 Living recognizes businesswomen dedicated to our community. We applaud them for their creative, enthusiastic and entrepreneurial spirit and appreciate their efforts to make the place we call home the best it can be. Through their businesses, these women represent our area to all who stop through, and for that we are grateful.

Ashley Curtis Nicholson

wner and nurse practitioner Ashley Curtis Nicholson is excited to offer weight loss and other medical services for your New Year’s resolution in a new location in the Inverness area. New this year, Beyond Wellness now offers bioidentical hormone replacement, red light therapy, laser hair removal, tattoo removal and erbium yag treatments, and they have a new medical director, Marla Wohlman, M.D., as well as laser educator certification. Beyond Wellness also still offers weight loss services and other procedures including Hydrofacial Jet Peel, RC Power (lifting without surgery), Botox, Permanent Make Up, Vein Wave, and Chemical Peels. Not only does Beyond Wellness have staff nurse practitioners, but they also have physicians to help with Botox and other procedures. In all their services, it is the goal of Beyond Wellness’ staff to promote self-esteem and well being.

B eyond Wellness

4898 Valleydale Road • 408-2889 • www.beyondwellnesstoday.com

Carol Gregg

estled in the heart of Inverness Corners between Kohl’s and Mellow Mushroom, you will most likely find Carol Gregg in Pastry Art Bake Shoppe designing a one-of-a-kind wedding cake or preparing her signature Baby Bites for her ever-expanding 280 corridor customer base. These scrumptious two-bite cakes are available in numerous flavors and are perfect for any event as well as after-dinner dessert or after-school treats. They can even be customized with school logos, colors, baby shower motifs or birthday celebrations. Carol and her talented staff work out of a state-of-the-art kitchen that she designed to make everything from scratch daily. The shoppe’s yesteryear ambiance is highlighted by turn-of-the-century wooden cabinets and showcases stuffed with antique cooking utensils and treasures that evoke memories of grandmothers, family get-togethers, and quieter, gentler times.

940 Inverness Corners • 995-5855 • Pastryartcakes.com

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Women of 280

| January 2012

Monica Barnett Smith

r. Irma Leon Palmer has been in practice in Birmingham for over 18 years, and her passion for improving the lives of those in our area has only grown stronger with each passing year. She’s committed to helping individuals reach their full potential by encouraging them to live The Big 5…five keys to a happy, healthy life. Dr. Palmer routinely cares for patients with back or neck pain, but she’s also committed to discovering the root of the problem and not just treating the symptoms. As a wellness-oriented chiropractor, she advises patients in all areas of healthy living (The Big 5)…faith, eating, moving, thinking, and neurological connection. As we begin 2012, it’s a great time to come in to see Dr. Palmer and get a free Big 5 Workbook that will help you assess your current state of health and set goals that will move you to a true wellness lifestyle.

onica Barnett Smith is celebrating 20 years of community dance education in her studio, Exclusively Ballet & Dance. Today Exclusively Ballet offers classes in not just ballet and pointe but also pas de deux, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, dance team and ballroom dancing—all taught by faculty who hold degrees in dance. A former principal dancer with the Alabama Ballet, Smith holds a BA in dance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has choreographed for Miss Alabama contestants including Miss America 1995 Heather Whitestone, Miss Alabama 2005 and Birmingham’s CBS morning show news anchor Alexa Jones, and Miss Alabama 2009 and former Shelby County Junior Miss Liz Cochran. The Exclusively Ballet studio is equipped with sprung floors, floor-toceiling mirrors and parent viewing windows. Smith invites anyone to tour their facility and to visit exclusivelyballet.com to learn more about what they offer.

420 Inverness Corners • 991-3511 • www.chiropractictoday.com

7154 Cahaba Valley Rd • 995.9220 • www.exclusivelyballet.com

Jessica Palmer

Marianne Langan

r. Jessica Palmer can turn your blurry vision into clear sight. The owner of Narrows Family Eye Care is attentive to each of their patients and their individual eye care. Dr. Palmer believes that every patient should be much more than a number on a doctor’s clipboard. She offers a broad range of eye care needs. She diagnoses and treats eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration and also has the necessary medical equipment to diagnose diabetic and hypertensive retinal disease. In addition, Dr. Palmer offers dry eye and ocular allergy treatment, as well as basic vision and eye health exams. In many cases, she can offer same-day single vision glasses and accepts most insurance companies. She is even happy to schedule after-work hour appointments for clients who are too busy to make an appointment during regular business hours.

13521 Old Hwy 280, Suite 233, The Narrows 980-4530 • www.narrowsfec.com

indow Decor HomeStore owner Marianne Langan has enjoyed a lifelong love of colors, textures and fabrics. As a girl she would sit and sew with her great-grandmother and sisters on an old fashioned pedal sewing machine, and this time inspired a fascination with patterns and design. Today Langan’s skill in selecting blinds, shutters and window treatments at Window Decor HomeStore helps create unique and inviting rooms that her clients fall in love with. “We work with all budget ranges whether a client is making a complete change or just updating the look of the room,” Langan said. “Our designers take the time to build a relationship, providing the outstanding service and selection we are known for.”

1401 Doug Baker Blvd., Ste. 109 • (205) 437-9575

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, Saturdays by appointment only

| January 2012

Women of 280

Paid Advertorial

Rosemary Chesser

Rebekah Mills

ince 2008, Rosemary Chesser has fulfilled her dream of owning her own store. Each day she looks forward to helping her customers select the perfect gift from her Lee Branch store. Four years ago she bought Plain Jane’s Children & Monogram and changed the name to Plain Jane Children & Gift Shop. The store still monograms but now carries gifts for women of all ages including clothing and accessories. Plain Jane also has a full line of gifts for babies, children, teens and women. It is a great place to shop for that perfect birthday, wedding or little happy gift. Shopping at Plain Jane is a fun experience, and the customers love that they gift wrap for free. Rosemary said her success comes from listening to her customers: “They tell me what is hot and what they want, and I go out and find it.”

unique and beautiful tradition is alive and well at The TownHouse Tea Shoppe in Mt Laurel. Rebekah Mills invites you to enjoy the opulent, yet simple pleasures of Fine China and Lovely Crystal in a most pleasant surrounding. Whether you are just dropping by for a scone or two, or to enjoy the one-of-a-kind Formal Three-Tier English Tea Service, you will not be disappointed. The delicious menu includes a hot entree’ every day, salads, sandwiches & marvelous desserts, to be savored in a welcoming atmosphere. “Meat & 3 Plus Tea!” The quaint and cozy charm of MT Laurel provides the perfect spot for Birthdays, Brides Maids Luncheons, Rehearsal Dinners, Small Weddings and Receptions. TownHouse Tea Shoppe is a Delightful Destination. Open for Lunch and Tea Service Wednesday through Saturday 11 - 2 and for Afternoon Tea by reservation from 2 - 4.

TownHouse Tea Shoppe

23 Olmsted St, Mt.Laurel • 529-0081 thetownhouseatmtlaurel.com thetownhouseteashoppe@gmail.com

270 Doug Baker Blvd # 600, Lee Branch 991-1995 • www.plainjanegifts.com

Susan Green

food industry veteran, Susan Green now offers her cooking expertise for her customers at Birmingham Bake and Cook Co. in Inverness. Her in-store selection includes cutlery, innovative tools and gadgets and anything else imaginable to equip the kitchen. Her cooking and baking essentials include brands like Le Creuset, Lodge Cast Iron and Nordicware. The store also sells local and other specialty foods including McEwen & Sons, Sweet Melissa’s and Salsa Senorita. Whether you are looking to invest in a new set of knives or find a small gift for a friend, Susan will assist you in selecting the best product available. She also teaches cooking classes, including a monthly class on knives, and welcomes cooking experts from around the city and region to teach topical and seasonal classes. The store is the destination for all who love to bake and cook in Birmingham.

5291 Valleydale Road • 980-3661 • www.BakeandCookCo.com

Kathy McMahon and Jane Ann Mueller

enaissance Consignment Boutique is a destination must in the new year! Designers such as Louie Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci cover the shelves of their 6000-square-foot, high-end shop. With more than 2,000 dresses to select from, their inventory provides options for all. “People travel from all parts of the South to shop for bridal and pageant attire and soon become regular shoppers due to the selection and variety in all aspects of fashion,” said manager Jane Ann Mueller. Shoppers at Renaissance enjoy its expanded space, extended hours, pleasant and professional sales associates and keeping up with the store on social media. New items arrive daily. Passionate about promoting and growing business in the Birmingham area, owner Kathy McMahon ensures her store is always receiving new merchandise and that they are always improving their consignment process.

6801 Cahaba Valley Road (Hwy 119) 1/4 mile South of Hwy 280 980-4471 • www.RenaissanceConsignment.com

www.280living.com

Paid Advertorial

Darlene Self “When I discovered Tea Party Castle in Michigan, I immediately wanted to bring this unique party experience to Mt Laurel,” said Tea Party Castle’s Darlene Self. “Every girl loves to be treated like a princess, and that is our specialty!” Tea Party Castle uses creativity and femininity to create the ultimate party celebration. A singing princess acts as hostess helping guests age four and up transform for their celebration with an updo and lovely dress which they will show off on stage in a fashion show. Little princesses also enjoy a tea party on fine china and dancing! You won’t find another place that makes your special event more memorable than Tea Party Castle. Call to reserve your celebration time.

Women of 280 | January 2012

Georgia Lay

here’s no doubt when you visit 280 Medical Supply owner Georgia Lay will go the extra mile to meet your needs. “Providing Individual Care for Your Individual Needs,” Georgia has a strong commitment to community and family, offering 23 years of experience in the healthcare business. Georgia stocks an extensive line of orthotic bracing in addition to aids to daily living such as wheelchairs, knee walkers, liftchairs, hospital beds & so much more to assist with your daily mobility challenges. You will find aids for the unique needs of the Diabetic: testing supplies, insulin pumps, shoes and supplements as well as Nebulizers, CPAP, Woundcare, Ostomy and Incontinent supplies. Georgia has a strong reimbursement background and works closely with your physician to get the required paperwork to bill your insurance. As a local-small business owner, Georgia takes pride in providing the personal service and caring that you won’t get from a company where you are just a number.

23 Olmsted Street, The Town of Mt Laurel • 529.0081 www.teapartycastle/alabama.com

15582 Hwy 280, Chelsea, Baptist Health Center • 205-678-8755

Myra Fabian

Deanna Adams

yra Fabian has loved getting to know her The UPS Store customers and being a part of their lives since she opened the Inverness Plaza location in 2003. “I must have been a general store owner in a past life,” she said. “I’ve watched their children grow from car seats to middle school.” Today, her customers are getting to watch her business grow as the store is upgraded and expanded into the vacant space next door. With all new fixtures, carpet and paint and an additional 2,000 square feet, Myra stands ready to take on new opportunities – freight through the new double doors and space to put a print production machine in the future. “Come see what all we can do for your small business – from business cards to direct mail marketing, we do so much more than shipping.”

Inverness Plaza (behind Compass Bank) • 991.9999 The Village at Lee Branch (near Academy Sports) • 408.9399

www.BhamMed.com

ongtime Birmingham resident and lover of fitness Deanna Adams is excited to share the Pure Barre technique with other women in the 280 area. She had always been active as a competitive tennis player, runner, and exercise class participant, but she was drawn to how Pure Barre allowed her to achieve instant results within a high energy and camaraderie studio atmosphere. Each 55-minute class teaches isometric movements at the ballet barre to motivating music—all to lift your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms and burns fat in record-breaking time. Deanna now co-owns the Highway 280 location of Pure Barre, where she manages operations, teaches classes and empowers change in many women’s lives. Deanna desires to help others reach their lifestyle goals through physical activity and believes that Pure Barre offers the best program for achieving optimal results both physically and mentally.

5426 Highway 280 East, Suite 6 • 991-5224 • www.purebarre.com

| January 2012

Women of 280

Paid Advertorial

Tammy Rogers

nverness resident Tammy Rogers, armed with 33 years experience in retail pharmacy, opened Beaumont Pharmacy last year. Tammy graduated from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in 1988 and is licensed to practice pharmacy in six southeastern states. Tammy was the first woman in the state to be appointed to the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, where she served for five years (2005-2009) including roles as treasurer, vice-president and president. Beaumont Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy offering a wide selection of products, including specialty compounding. Drive thru service, prescription delivery and after-hours service for regular customers are also available. The pharmacy accepts all major insurances including Express Scripts. The soda fountain serves Blue Bell ice cream and Coca Cola products. Store Director Shirley Lea specializes in making custom gift baskets and is always available to help with gift selections and gift wrap is complimentary.

BEAUMONT PHARMACY

& Gift Boutique

264 Inverness Center Drive • 991-7171 • BeaumontPharmacy.com

Mary Jo Gagliano

ood has always been central to Mary Jo Gagliano’s Italian family. After 40 years of perfecting her family’s Sicilian recipes, she is now teaching them to others in cooking classes in Chelsea. Her small, intimate La Tovolo classes are hands-on. Class topics vary by season and include artichokes, lasagna, ragu, meatballs, risotto, fried rice balls, eggplant, soups, Italian desserts and limoncello. Mary Jo provides her favorite ingredients, recipes, kitchen equipment, and expertise for each two-hour class. Participants are sure to learn not just recipes but a plethora of cooking tips and tricks from Mary Jo. The classes are good for dates for couples or girls’ nights and make good gifts as well. The LaTovolo website features Italian imported ceramics from Tuscany as well as olive oils and vinegars for sale. Mary Jo invites everyone to join her as she shares her family’s passion for cooking and enjoying Sicilian food.

La Tavolo

Learn to cook Italian - Sicilian comfort food Hands on cooking classes

444 Oak Tree Drive • 531-2796 • www.latavolo.com

Jennifer Hendrix, Dayna Gilmer, Abby Leib, and Nancy Norris

ennifer Hendrix, Dayna Gilmer, Abby Leib, and Nancy Norris have welcomed a new member to their interior design team: baby Mitchell. Together they provide design solutions as unique as the personalities of each of their customers. Using their combined expertise, these four faces of Rosegate Design create a living or working space that best represents the individual. Their on-site design center allows them to easily create custom-window treatments, bedding, pillows, and upholstery to fit any style of home or office. The store is filled with approximately 1,000 fabrics and samples, for them to find practically any style or color for the right price. The store also showcases home accessories, custom floral arrangements, fine furnishings, and seasonal items. Each design created by Jennifer, Dayna, Abby and Nancy is sure to make your friends say, “Wow, this is so fitting for your home.”

Kelly Watkins

ee-Peat Boutique offers all the goods you need to raise a child at an affordable price. The family-owed store specializes in gently used children’s and maternity clothes as well as furniture, car seats, high chairs, pack and plays, and more. They also offer full monogramming services and carry new items such as baby gifts, bottle cap necklaces and Silly Bandz. Owner Kelly Watkins opened the store in 2009 as a way for people to both make money by consigning and save money by buying gently used clothing and other children’s gear. “Customers like our brands and that they don’t have to worry about their kids running around,” Kelly said, noting that her own 5 year old is often at Wee-Peat. “We are a very kid friendly store.” Stop by their store next to Dale’s on Highway 280 to see their selection for newborns through kids size 14.

Rosegate Design, Inc. fabrics, florals & fine furnishings

6801 Cahaba Valley Rd, Suite 102 (Cadence Place Shopping Center) 980-5014 • www.therosegate.com

5479 HWY 280, suite 124 (next to Dale’s) • 874.6655

www.280living.com

280 Living

Your Health Today By Dr. Irma Palmer

Are you busy making New Year’s resolutions? If so, I say a belated “bah humbug” to you! You don’t need a resolution, you need a plan. Perhaps you’ve heard the following…“Setting goals is S.M.A.R.T.,” which details what makes a goal actionable rather than just a wish. Goals must be Speciﬁc, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound. At Chiropractic Today, we have a plan to get your 2012 off to a great start…a S.M.A.R.T start! At Chiropractic Today, we talk a lot about The Big 5…ﬁve keys to living a happy, healthy life. For those unfamiliar with The Big 5, they are: Faith, Eating, Moving, Thinking and Neurological Connection. We focus on all these aspects of living life to its fullest, and now more than ever we are prepared to help you achieve S.M.A.R.T goals related to The Big 5. First, we will be hosting a special event on Tuesday, Jan. 24t at Samford University – The Total Body Revolution. We invite you to join us to hear Dr. Josh Axe, a popular radio show host and coveted national speaker committed to setting people free from their health problems so they can live their lives to their fullest potential. He will share personal stories and equip you with an all-natural approach to living using diet,

nutrition, detoxification, peace building and spinal correction. He’s the physician of many professional athletes and the author of The Real Food Diet Cookbook. Dr. Axe is on a mission to change health around the world, and we’re excited he’s coming to Birmingham to continue his new health revolution. Call Chiropractic Today at 205991-3511 to reserve your spot…seating is limited! (You can learn more about Dr. Axe at www.draxe.com.) Along with The Total Body Revolution/Dr. Josh Axe event, we are happy to officially introduce our Wellness Coordinator, Whitney Nall. She’s been part of the Chiropractic Today team since August and has made great strides in expanding our services beyond chiropractic care to include nutrition and fitness recommendations. Interested in making healthier eating choices but unsure where to find those items? Whitney will help you find those hard-tofind healthy alternatives (such as coconut oil and brown rice flour). And you may be surprised to learn they really aren’t that hard to find! As part of our ongoing commitment to excellent customer service, consultations with Whitney about eating and exercise are included with your chiropractic care. Additionally, we’ve spent the last

| January 2012

Happy New Year… Happy New YOU!

several months researching the best product line for vitamins and nutritional supplements and are proud to announce that we are now carrying products from Garden of Life, a company committed to helping people attain extraordinary health, which is 100% consistent with the commitment we’ve made at Chiropractic Today. Their products are raw, meaning they are truly whole food so the natural components are maintained. Simply put, they are the best, safest supplements available today, and we’re excited to be offering these products in our ofﬁce. Hosting the Dr. Axe event, hiring a Wellness Coordinator, and introducing Garden of Life supplements are just a few of the things we’re doing to help you set S.M.A.R.T. goals for 2012. We’ve also developed a “Big 5 Workbook” to help you assess your current wellness health and will work with you to develop an action plan that will enable you to reach your goals. It’s our gift to every patient. While we are excited to be offering added value to your experience at Chiropractic Today, the core is still providing outstanding, effective, and experienced chiropractic care for our patients. Keeping your spine in line is the key to reducing or eliminating many

health problems. As a chiropractor, I am specifically trained to detect, locate and correct what are called “subluxations,” or slight dislocations or misalignments of the bones in the spine. Spinal checkups and routine chiropractic care should be thought of as “spinal hygiene” much like you get your teeth cleaned and checked twice a year by a dentist and maintain your dental health with regular brushing and flossing between visits. Since the nervous system controls all bodily functions, isn’t it just common sense to keep it tuned up? If you aren’t already under chiropractic care, consider making one of your S.M.A.R.T. goals for 2012 getting a spinal check up and see what a difference chiropractic care can make in your life. As a wellness-oriented chiropractor, I will work with you to turn on the natural healing ability of your body by getting to the root of your health issues and removing anything that might interfere with normal function. Doesn’t that sound better than typical medical care, which seeks to treat symptoms through medication or surgery? Give my office a call and let us help you start the new year with a goal of becoming a new you…a happier, healthier you. Call us today at 205-991-3511 and let us help.

Happy New Year 2012!!! Come join us to celebrate!

Didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas?

The entire store is

20% OFF!! *Some exclusions apply **All holiday returns/exchanges through the month of January

66 Church Street, 35213

Crestline Village in Mountain Brook MOUNTAIN BROOK SPORTING GOODS

870-3257

| January 2012

Restaurant Spotlight

Restaurant Showcase

The Red Shamrock Pub |

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

42 Manning Place Mt Laurel 408-1515

www.theredshamrockpub.com The dim-lit interior of Mt Laurel’s newest eatery is rustic. There are no backs on the dark wood bar stools or chairs so that everyone can easily mingle. “We wanted a pub as rare as the red shamrock,” the pub’s owners said. A perfect place to watch sports, The Red Shamrock boasts a giant 200-inch HD projection screen upstairs and 120-inch HD projection screen downstairs as well as six 47-inch TVs throughout their space. Friends Traci and Scott Griffin and Chris and Genell Ferrell opened The Red Shamrock as a close-to-home gathering place for their neighbors. “Everyone in the neighborhoods around here says they don’t want to drive back in Highway 280 traffic after they get home at the end of the day,” Genell Ferrell said. The Griffins, who live in Highland Lakes, and Ferrells, who live at the Chelsea/Sterrett line, became friends when their sons were on the same youth football team. While talking one day, they realized their area needed a place to hang out. One thing came to mind for both Chris and Scott: a pub, an Irish pub. “Everything just fell into place,” Scott Griffin said. They found the former antique store space in Mt Laurel in October, researched European pubs, watched episodes of CHEERS for inspiration and renovated the space before opening The Red Shamrock in mid-December. On the 17th of every month, the pub will host a St. Patrick’s Day Red Shamrock Party. The live music stage will host Irish

Traci Griffin, Scott Griffin and Gennell Ferrell opened The Red Shamrock Pub in Mt Laurel in December. The pub sells red shamrock T-shirts to raise money and awareness of Duchenne Muscular Distrophy for the nonprofit Hope for Gabe. Photo by Madoline Markham.

and cover bands as well as karaoke. The second floor space features a fireplace, dart board, bumper pool, theatrestyle reclining chairs and the 200-inch big screen. The area serves as overflow space from downstairs or can be rented out by groups for meetings, supper clubs, Bunco or other occasions. The pub also serves as a way to spread awareness for Hope for Gabe (www. hopeforgabe.org), a nonprofit the Griffins started after their son Gabe was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disease in boys that results in progressively severe muscle wasting. Donated dollar bills hang on the ceiling of the pub with a message for Gabe until they are taken down regularly to fund research to fight the disease for which there is no effective treatment today.

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Log on to Online Banking at renasantbank.com

Crestline Village 205.868.2800

The shamrock glasses along with other Red Shamrock glasses and “H4G” T-shirts are available for sale. Even before the pub opened, area residents would stop by for a welcome and to make the space theirs. One couple brought them a Shepherd’s pie for the owners. An Irish couple gave them a shillelagh, a wooden stick that brings good luck, to hang over their door. Irish flags on the walls came from other area residents who had brought them back from Ireland and wanted them to be hung in the pub. The owners are inviting any others in the area to bring framed in black and white family photos to hang on the walls of their community pub. “Everyone wants this to be their place,” Chris Ferrell said.

Breakfast with the Doc

Downtown Park Place 205.716.3475

The Red Shamrock’s menu is a mix of Irish fare and bar food: fish and chips, reuben sandwich, cheeseburger on Irish blessing pretzel bread, wings, Guiness stew, Blarney stones (fried balls of mashed potatoes) and Scotch eggs (hard boiled eggs baked wrapped in sausage). There is also a kids’ menu that includes Lucky Charms and grilled cheese. The bar features top-shelf Irish whiskeys and 12 beers on tap including Irish beers and a Crispin hard cider. They also always keep bottled beer on ice. Their signature shamrock shots hold a chaser on bottom and liquor on top, which stay separated by a narrow neck in between the two. Customers can purchase the specially made plastic shot glasses for a couple dollars more than the cost of the shot.

Greystone 205.980.2287

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as of 11/3/2011. 1.26% APY is paid on daily balances up to $25,000 each qualification cycle rewards requirements are fulfilled**. If account balances exceed $25,000 and the reward requirements are fulfilled, then the APY will range from 1.26% to 0.51% (Based on a balance of $100,000.00). Rates may increase or decrease without notice. Account will earn 0.10% APY if reward requirements are not fulfilled per qualification cycle**. Fees may reduce earnings. We reserve the right to substitute an item of similar value. Bank rules and regulations apply. Minimum opening deposit is only $50. **Qualification cycle: This term means a period beginning one day prior to the current statement through one day prior to the close of the current statement.

Women’s Heart Health Tuesday, January 31 8:00-9:00 a.m.

Join us for breakfast as Byron Jones, MD, with Alabama Cardiovascular Group addresses important issues related to women’s heart health. Heart disease is the number one killer among women and its symptoms can be difficult to detect. Bring your questions about heart disease in men and women. Also, hear the inspiring story of Sherron Simmons, a recent heart transplant patient.

Please call 408-6550 to register for this free seminar.

7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35242 onenineteen.com

www.280living.com

Business Spotlight

Iron Tribe Fitness

| January 2012

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

5029 Highway 280, Suite 102 873-2135 www.irontribe280.com

Everyday is a competition at Iron Tribe Fitness. There are no treadmills or exercise bikes—just free weights, rowing machines, pull-up bars, and most importantly, a coach and team to drive the workouts. “You put forth more effort in five minutes of our workouts than most people do in 45-minute workouts,” owner Forrest Walden said. The center of each class is a high intensity Workout of the Day (WOD): running, rowing, Olympic lifting, power lifting, or some combination of those things. No two WODs are ever the same. The regimen appeals to those who love competition. Everyone’s score from the workout is written on a marker board and is listed online. A male and a female winner are awarded each day. “We talk about performance, not aesthetics,” Walden said. “When you focus on performance, aesthetics come.” Those who come to Iron Tribe, especially the women, gain confidence, according to Walden. A lot of people make career changes because they start facing their fears. Others stop smoking. Everyone has newfound energy. Although the workouts are intense, Iron Tribe does not cater to just young, inshape athletes. They have more clients over age 45 than under age 45 and welcome businesspeople and the stay-at-home moms and their families. Clients from age 6 to 72 complete exercises scaled to their levels. “It’s rare that someone doesn’t get a

Iron Tribe client Kenan Ashurst, client Brett MacDonald, coach Jessica Parks, client Alexa Hymowitz train at their Inverness Heights location. Photo courtesy of Jason Wallis.

family member involved,” Walden said. “We have quite a few families where both spouses and their kids are involved.” Iron Tribe also encourages a Paleo Diet Lifestyle to go with the exercise: meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. With a background as a personal trainer and in the fitness business, Walden discovered the Crossfit strength and conditioning program four years ago and started doing it out of his garage with friends. Building on his experience with Fitness Together franchises, he moved

from his garage to build an innovative business model for the Crossfit experience. He started a Homewood gym in 2010 and then a 280 location in February 2011. His client base has grown rapidly, and Iron Tribe has plans to open a Cahaba Heights and downtown location in the next few months. The 3400-square foot gym in Inverness Heights Market by T.J. Maxx was built as a model for the business in what a training gym should look like. “It’s like a playground for adults,” Walden said. “I have never had anyone not say, ‘I feel like a kid again.’”

Those new to Iron Tribe start with a 12-session, month-long Iron Tribe 101 class that teaches fundamental Crossfit workouts and the terminology used in the classes. “From there you can walk right into an Iron Tribe class,” Walden said. “I feel like everyone loses 20 pounds in that first month” Iron Tribe costs $230-310 a month depending on frequency; four, eight, and 12-month packages are available. To get involved with Iron Tribe, call or go online to schedule an initial consultation.

January Specials

$1 OFF any movie rental

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CODE: RACEWAY280

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5349 Hwy 280 (In front of Walmart) www.racewaystores.com

| January 2012

Library Happenings

Library Happenings North Shelby and Mt Laurel Public Libraries Note: The North Shelby Library will be closed Jan. 1 and will re-open on Jan. 2. They will also be closed Jan. 16 and will re-open on Jan. 17.

North Shelby Library Special Programming

Jan. 2 – Jan. 21, Mock Newbery and Caldecott Awards Make your voice heard during the month of January! Stop by the children’s department to vote on the Caldecott and Newbery Awards. If your pick is awarded the medal, you will get a special surprise! Entries must be in by January 21st! Saturday, Jan. 7, 10– 11:30 a.m., Lego Club, The library will provide the Legos and snacks, the kids will provide the imagination and creativity. Families are welcome to drop in anytime between 10:00 and 11:00 to build spectacular creations. Creations will then go on display in the Children’s Department. Snacks served. All ages welcome. Registration required. Friday, Jan. 13, 4 p.m., Craft – Snowman Bookmark, Let this happy snowman help you mark your place in a great book this winter. All ages welcome. Registration required. Wednesday, Jan. 18, 1 p.m., Homeschool Hangout: Greek Mythology, Join us for a lively discussion of Greek Mythology and fun activities. Ages 8-12. Registration required. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m., Family Movie Day – The Lion King, Tricked into thinking he killed his father, a guilt ridden lion cub flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future King. Snacks served.

online. Visit our website at www. northshelbylibrary.org/children.html to view our calendar and make reservations.

Teen Happenings

No registration required.

Story-Time Programming

Mondays, Jan. 2, 9, and 23 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Toddler Tales Stories, songs, fingerplays and crafts make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Registration will begin one week prior to each storytime. Ages 19-36 months. Registration required. Tuesdays, Jan. 3, 10, 17, and 24, 9:30 – 10 a.m. Baby Tales Story Time A story time designed especially for babies and their caregivers. Stories and music provide interaction for the babies and time for caregivers to talk and share with each other. Ages: Birth to 18 months. Registration required. Registration will begin one week prior to program date. Wednesdays, Jan. 4, 11, 18, and 25, 10:45 a.m. Mr. Mac (Storyteller Extraordinaire!) Stories, puppets, and lots of music for every member of the family. All Ages. No Registration. Thursdays, Jan. 5, 12, 19, and 26, 7 p.m. P. J. Story Time Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies, and hear some wonderful bedtime tales. All Ages. No Registration Required. For more information or to register for any of our programs or storytimes, call or email the Children’s Department at 205-439-5504 or northshelbyyouth@ gmail.com or visit our website at www. northshelbylibrary.org/children.html You can now register for library programs

Gaming Fridays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27 – 3:30-6 p.m. Can you Just Dance better than the librarians? Are you the month’s top scorer in Super Mario Bros? Can you hold your own in the Brawl? Join us each Friday afternoon for open gaming and minitournaments on the Wii. Also, the library will begin offering XBOX and Wii games for check out in January. Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or nsyouth@ shelbycounty-al.com for more information. Teen Advisory Council Monday, Jan. 9, 6 p.m. Interested in helping the Teen Department be even better than it is now? The Teen Advisory Council is the place for you! The TAC meets the second Monday of each month to work on projects for the library. Snacks served and community service hours earned. Call 205-439-5512 or email Kate or Daniel at nsyouth@shelbycountyal.org for more information or to sign up. Anime Night Thursday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m. Join us in the teen department for an evening of anime. The audience will pick what we watch. Exotic treats will be served and cosplay welcome! Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or nsyouth@ shelbycounty-al.com for more information. Teen Book Club Monday, Jan. 23, 6 p.m. The Teen Book Club will meet to discuss Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt. “As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends, an abusive father, and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him until he finds an ally in Lil Spicer--a fiery young lady. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates

of John James Audubon’s birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage.” A selection for the Shelby County Schools Battle of the Books 2011-2012. Snacks Served. Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or nsyouth@shelbycounty-al.com for more information. Craft Thursday, Jan. 26, 6 p.m. Learn how to make paper beads. Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or nsyouth@shelbycounty-al.com to register.

Mt Laurel Public Library Toddler Tales Wednesdays, Jan. 4 and 19 – 10 a.m.: Stories, songs, fingerplays and more make up a lively 30 minute program designed especially for short attention spans and their caregiver. Registration begins two weeks prior to each storytime. Ages 36 months and younger. Registration required. Call or email the Mt Laurel Library at 991-1660 or mtlaurellibrary@ gmail.com for more information or to register.

Storytime with Ms Kristy Wednesdays, Jan. 4 and 18 – 11 a.m.: Stories, music and more for every member of the family. All ages. No registration required. Crafty Saturday Saturday, Jan. 14- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Join us to make a snowman craft. All ages with parent help. Registration not required but limited to the first 20 participants. Call or email the Mt Laurel Library at 991-1660 or mtlaurellibrary@ gmail.com for more information. Squirrel Appreciation Day Wednesday, Jan. 21- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Drop by to celebrate our mascot, Oaklee, with snacks and a craft. Call or email the Mt Laurel Library at 991-1660 or mtlaurellibrary@gmail.com for more information.

January Sales Find great deals at these retailers Up to 25% Off

through mid-January Marguerite’s Conceits 2406 Canterbury Road Mountain Brook 879-2730

Up to 70% Off

Selected Merchandise Mitchell’s Paper Etc. 300 Doug Baker Blvd, Ste.100 408-0216

50% Off Christmas Decorations and 20% Off Fabric Rosegate Design 6801 Cahaba Valley Rd, Suite 102 980-5014

Up to 40% Off Winter Items Begins January 7 The Lingerie Shoppe 2403 Montevallo Road Mountain Brook 871-8994

Christmas Clearance 50-70% Off Fancy Fur 5291 Valleydale Road, Ste. 139 408-1693

Red Balloon Sale Discounts up to 40%

January 28th Homewood Antiques & Marketplace 930 Oxmoor Road 414-9945

Semi-Annual Tent Sale Up to 75% Off January 4-7 Lulie’s on Cahaba 2724 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook 871-9696

Winter Clearance Sale Up to 50 % Off Mid-January Mobley & Sons 112 Euclid Avenue Mountain Brook 870-7929

20% Off Entire Store

Mountain Brook Sporting Goods 66 Church Street 870-3257

20% Off Almost Entire Stock Jan 13th-21st The Cook Store 2841 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook 879-5277

50% Off All Fall/Winter Clothes & Accessories Town & Country 74 Church Street, Mountain Brook 871-7909

Sales last for all of January unless otherwise noted. Contact individuals stores for exclusions and other sale details.

280 Business Happenings

www.280living.com

| January 2012

280 Business Happenings Annalyce’s Bake Shop

New outpatient center

Annalyce’s Bake Shop is now selling cupcakes and mini cupcakes made from scratch daily. They are located in Arbor Place shopping center near Dale’s and Pizza Express on Highway 280. The shop also sells special order cakes for birthdays and other occasions. A few of the flavors have Cajun flair, as owner Lori Voison is originally from Louisiana. The shop will also host cupcake birthday parties. Voison, who lives off Highway 119, named the shop after her daughters, Anna Catherine and Alyce, who attend Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School. Annalyce’s Bake Shop is located at 5479 Highway 280, Suite 122 and can be reached at 991-5006. Their hours are Monday –Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, visit www.annalycesbakeshop.com or their Facebook page.

Brookwood Medical Center is partnering with Cardiovascular Associates, P.C. for a new outpatient center near the Colonnade. “This partnership is a landmark development in cardiovascular care in our state,” said CVA President Dr. Jerry Chandler. “With the strength and reputation of Brookwood Medical Center, Cardiovascular Associates of the Southeast will continue to grow a regional and national reputation for providing our patients with the most compassionate and highest quality care possible.” The partnership will bring 28 physician specialists and approximately 195 employees to the partnership, providing care for more than 46,000 patients annually across central Alabama. For more information, call 877-1000 or visit www.bwmc.com.

UPS Store to expand The UPS Store in Inverness Plaza is expanding its space by 2,000 square feet. The new space will combine their existing storefront with the one next door. They are adding new fixtures, carpet and paint as well as the new double doors for freight to fit through and space to put a print production machine in the future. The UPS store is located at 130 Inverness Plaza and can be reached at 991-9999. For more information, visi www. theupsstore.com.

Studio Zen

Studio Fitness Zen is opening on Valleydale Road this month. They will offer classes in piloxing (a blend of boxing and Pilates), beyond barre, pilates and yoga. The studio is offering complimentary classes the week of Jan.16-20. Studio Zen is located at 5291 Valleydale Road. For more information, visit www.studiozenfitness.com.

Which Wich Sandwiches open at The Summit Which Wich Superior Sandwiches is opening in the Summit between the Pottery Barn and Urban Outfitters. They specialize in custom-made sandwiches to suit their customers’ taste buds. Their hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 9729991.

Right at Home offers service to 280 area New homecare provider Right at Home now offers its services to the 280 area. The business provides in-home care and assistance including transportation, housekeeping and meal preparation. For more information, call 460-1062 or visit rahbhm.com.

January Events for the 280 Area 1/12- Grow & Go. 1 p.m. Greater Shelby Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham. Lunch and materials included. Investment: $20 for members and nonmembers. RSVP required by Tuesday, Jan. 20 at noon. 1/25- Membership Luncheon and Annual Meeting. 11 a.m.1 p.m. Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Dr., Pelham. Investment: Members $17, nonmembers $25. RSVP required by Monday, Jan. 23 at noon. 1/31- AT&T Digital Direct Marketing Seminar. 8 a.m.12 p.m. The Wynfrey Hotel, 1000 Riverchase Galleria. No cost. Breakfast and materials included.RSVP required by Friday, Jan. 27 at noon.

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

For information about Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce events, go online to: www.shelbychamber.org or call 663-4542.

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| January 2012

| 280 Living

That’s Life

By Paul Johnson, Samaritan Counseling Center

Getting there

871-9696

Your Community, Your 280 Living

At some point in a child’s development, a wire gets tripped and he or she begins to utter, “Are we there yet?” “How much farther?” “When is soon?” I love these phrases. Especially the incessant repetition. On and on and on and on and… And I realize that we cannot get there soon enough. Getting to a destination is such an important part of life. Whether going to grandma’s, the grocery store or the golf course, we want to get there, wherever there is. And do whatever it is we intend to do whenever we get there (though sometimes we arrive and wonder what exactly that “what” was). Getting there is not just limited to place-destinations, but also can be getting through seasons in life—graduation, promotion, Christmas (yes, it is once again eleven months away). What gets really hard is when you are not sure where the destination is, only that you are not there yet, and you are not sure where it is, how to get there, or what it will look like when you arrive. It is more of a vague feeling—a very vague feeling. I sit with many a person in my office who has no idea of where he or she is going in life, only feeling that he or she is not there. I also sit with many a person who knows where he or she wants to go in life but are crippled in any movement in that direction for fear of making the wrong move, doing the wrong thing, heading out at the wrong time. Life is maddening to both those persons. Either you are pushed and pushed to hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, or your insides are screaming, wait, wait, wait, wait. It is really rather quite tragic. You have heard it said, “Whatever happened to just enjoying the ride?”—to enjoying the view as you go. I’ll expose my faith perspective a bit here—a part of me believes that the holiness

of God is more than just His rightness and righteousness. I think it has a lot to do with His personal presence—that wherever God is, He is fully there. Not distracted, not mentally somewhere else (though we won’t go into the whole omniscient/ omnipresent thing right now), just here. I mean, it is pretty powerful when you know you have someone’s full attention; it’s like they are consuming you. Well, how much powerful is it when you have the Creator of the Universe’s whole attention? Wherever He is, He is fully there. And it feels like an all-consuming fire, which is often how His holiness and presence are described in the Bible. He is not worried or concerned about where He is going, when He’ll get there, or what it will be like when He arrives. He just is… which kind of puts the “I am that I am” statement in a new light. We can do that, too. Just being where we are, one step at a time. It can be far less crippling, and we can actually own far more patience (without even trying to be patient—patience becomes the fruit, the overflow, the fringe benefit of being focused on being right where you are— amazing). Getting to a destination is not about looking back and seeing all the right or wrong decisions that were made along the way. Getting to the destination is about looking at the identity achieved through the choices that were made and perhaps the sights that were seen along the way. I am who I am. And here’s how I got here. By the grace of God. Paul Johnson is the executive director as well as a professionally licensed marriage and family therapist and an associate licensed counselor at the Samaritan Counseling Center. You may reach him at -967-3660 or visit www. samaritancc.org.

New Neighbors League gives to Salvation Army

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

In your mailbox each month. Always online. www.280living.com

To inquire about advertising, contact Dan Starnes, publisher, 370-0732 or dan@280living.com.

New Neighbors League Club of Birmingham President Nancy Ladshaw of Mt Laurel and First Vice President Pat Marvin of Meadowbrook present a check for $100 from the club to William Hill of the Salvation Army. The League is a group of women, mostly from Shelby County, who assist recently relocated ladies in adapting to the Birmingham area. They offer social and charitable activities for their approximately 70 members. For more information, contact Mary Carbonara at newneighborsal@gmail.com. Photo courtesy the New Neighbors League Club of Birmingham.

280 Living

www.280living.com

My South

| January 2012

Diana’s Salon

By RICK WATSON

Losing time At my age, I can ill afford to lose any time, but I lost a day this week. No, it wasn’t an anomaly in the space/time continuum, and I certainly was not traveling faster than the speed of light. It was a stomach virus, and for a whole day, it caused me to form an unnatural connection to my commode. I remember nothing else. When I wasn’t “in there,” I was on the couch. My guts sounded as if I had an angry orangutan inside of me trying to gnaw its way out. At one point Jilda asked if I was okay, as she put more distance between us on the couch. All I could manage to say in response was, “The jury is still out.” I’m betting they set atomic clocks by these little babies because exactly 24 hours later, I started feeling human again. But for all intent and purposes, I’d lost a day of my life. The only thing that comes close to this feeling was one time in college at Jeff State. One of my rocket scientist buddies brought a fifth of Evan Williams Sour Mash whiskey to school in the dashbox of his car. We headed out to Turkey Creek after class to have a snort. I’d never drank before, but I wanted to be hip and fit in with the guys. So I swigged liquor like it was lemonade. I remember laughing like a hyena as my tongue got thicker. I felt a little smarter, taller and better looking at first, but that was before the whiskey decided to come back out the way it went in. I don’t remember who took me home, but I remembered telling my mama that I had a virus. Uncle Pete had brought us some coal that afternoon and stepped in to check me out. He knew instantly that I was as drunk as Cooter Brown, but he didn’t rat me out. He told my mom that he’d had those viruses before and that he thought I’d live. The next morning the smell of frying

bacon turned my stomach, and my brain felt like an 18-inch seam of Black Creek coal being drilled and blasted by miners. I was young and had plenty of days to spare, but even then I hated losing a day of my life. I made a mental note to myself: Evan Williams is no friend of mine. One positive thing that came out of my “lost day” this week was that I was in “the moment.” I didn’t think about tomorrow, nor did I think about yesterday. All I could think about was how I was feeling right then. Now some folks are fast and loose with their time-wishes. Some wish for Fridays or wish for summer. Some can’t wait until they retire. I realize that for most, these are simply daydreams, and they don’t really want to fast forward their lives. But I believe every day is special. There is a poem that Bear Bryant often read entitled “What Have I Traded?” This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or I can use it for good. What I do today is very important because I’m exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes this day will be gone, forever, Leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss, good, not evil, Success, not failure, in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it.

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The only thing I got from that lost day as a whiny couch slug is the idea for this column. But it reminded me that a day is a gift and should never be taken for granted.

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You can learn more about Rick Watson at www.homefolkmedia.com. He is available for speaking engagements and other events. Contact him at rick@homefolkmedia.com.

11th Annual

Homewood Chamber of Commerce

Young Life high school ministry celebrates 70th anniversary Taste the best food, wine & beverages Homewood has to offer! Thursday, February 23, 2012 Rosewood Hall at SoHo 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. A group of Shelby County high schoolers stop atop SharpTop Mountain in Jasper, Ga. as a part of Young Life’s SharpTop Cove camps last summer.

Young Life, a worldwide youth outreach organization, is celebrating 70 years of impacting kids’ lives. The local area Young Life here in Shelby County invites the community to join in the celebration by getting involved with the local ministry. Locally they have 15 volunteer leaders doing ministry in the Oak Mountain and Briarwood Schools. Their desire is to expand into many more Shelby County schools over the years to come.

Through weekly meetings called “club,” small groups, summer camps, weekend excursions, and one-on-one time with kids, Young Life leaders build unconditional relationships with teenagers and model God’s love. If you’re interested in helping kids in the Shelby County area through Young Life or giving financially, contact James Alexander at 980-5912 or younglifeshelby@ gmail.com.

Tickets are available at the Homewood Chamber of Commerce $30 in advance • $35 at the door www.homewoodchamber.com

| January 2012

280 Living

Life Actually

Van Deventer earns Eagle Scout Award

By Kari Kampakis

Bloom where you are planted What’s your resolution for 2012? Perhaps your plan is to turn a new leaf, to take advantage of the blank slate a new year represents. Eating better... working out...praising more and criticizing less...these are just a few lifestyle changes we often implement to become healthier, happier, better functioning adults. And while I believe in New Year’s resolutions—and applaud anyone who manages to keep them—I think it’s important to remember that being a happier, healthier, better functioning adult also means making the most of current circumstances. Some things we can’t change—at least not now. Life throws curve balls, interrupts plans, gives our dreams on a silver platter to the last person we think deserves them. Nothing we do can budge our situation. We are stuck. Stuck in a job we hate. Stuck at home with small kids. Stuck with an illness or disability. Stuck in a bad relationship. Stuck in a body we don’t like. There’s an old Irish proverb to “Bloom where you are planted,” and ever since Labor Day night—when a storm caused a massive oak tree to fall on my family’s new home, which we’d been in only 10 days— these words have resonated with me. The tree caused extensive damage, forcing us to move back out. We had to find a rental, live with my brother and my mother-inlaw until the rental was ready, and begin

major reconstruction on the backside of our home. Ironically enough, we’d spent all summer renovating the front of the house. For six months we lived in a rental, dreaming of the day we’d be settled and finished with projects. Never again did I want to repeat that scenario. In the 10 days I enjoyed my home, I felt a huge relief because our house situation has hung over my head for years. At last my family of six had the room we needed. We could host parties we’d long put off. We could check “Find new digs” off our to-do list and move on with life. And then the tree fell. Life uproots us when we least expect it. We’d barely dug our roots in new soil when it happened to us. At first, I wondered what lesson I should take. Over time, however, I’ve realized it’s not one lesson I should take, but many. I’ve learned what a blessing it is to have our own home—regardless of size. I’ve learned that God equips us to handle any circumstances. And—here’s the newsflash— I’ve learned my kids can be happy anywhere. Nothing stops them from making memories, and it’s adults— not children—who believe families need a perfect environment to thrive. To my surprise, we’ve been happy in this rental. We’re a minute away from our neighborhood yet in a private location that’s allowed us to bond as a family and has enabled my writing. And while our current situation is

a pain, good things have happened, too. Two weeks after the tree fell, I heard from a New York agent I met at a conference last summer. She’d read my entire manuscript and loved it, but she thought parts needed work. She offered fantastic feedback—a gift in itself—and offered to reread it if I made edits. While there’s no guarantee she’ll represent me, I know my novel will be better because of her. I also see this as one step forward in my dreams to be published. So no matter where you are in 2012, try to shine. Don’t wilt in place and make excuses with half-hearted attempts. Maximize on the good in your life. Be the teller at the bank whose line everyone is drawn to because you smile, the FedEx courier who holds doors open and says, “Hello,” the mom who gives motherhood a good name. Dig your roots deep, stand tall and proud, and produce a bloom so exquisite people stop in their tracks and think, “Wow.” After all, someone always takes notice of a beautiful flower. There are too many weeds in this world not to. So keep your resolutions, but add a plan to bloom where you are planted. Start a garden if you wish, and let the fruits of your labor be evident for all to enjoy. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Birmingham mom of four with a background in PR, writing and photography. Read her blog at www. karikampakis.com or find her on Facebook and Twitter. Email her at kari@karikampakis.com.

Eagle Scout Drew Van Deventer

Spain Park junior William Andrew “Drew” Van Deventer has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project, Drew along with friends, relatives and fellow scouts spent more than 120 hours building a fence around the “people paddock” at Special Equestrians in North Shelby County, a program that provides high quality therapeutic horseback riding and equine assisted activities/therapies to persons with physical, mental, developmental and emotional disabilities. Drew has been a member of Boy Scout Troop 538 at Asbury Methodist Church and Troop 216 in Lionville, Pa. Drew has earned more than 21 merit badges. In addition, last summer Drew led a crew of eight boys and three adults on a more than 80-mile trek at Philmont, a Boy Scout ranch in New Mexico. He is looking forward to continuing in scouting by becoming a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster when he turns 18. Drew is the son of Danny and Lou Ann Van Deventer.

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January Calendar of Events

280 Events

email your events to calendar@280living.com

1/7 - Electronic Recycling Day. Chelsea City Hall. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Any item that plugs in, except TVs, will be accepted. More information: jchampion@ cityofchelsea.com. 1/12- Goal Setting Seminar. 7 p.m. Iron Tribe Fitness. More information: www. irontribe280.com.

1/21 - Miss Oak Mountain High School

Pageant. Oak Mountain High School. 6 p.m. Reserved seating. Admission: $8. More information: SBlakemore@shelbyed. k12.al.us.

1/24 - LifeSouth Blood Drive. Parking

lot of St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 12p.m. - 6p.m. Come give the gift of life by donating blood. More information: 4086600 or onenineteen.com.

1/28 - Girl Power. St. Vincent’s One

Nineteen. 9 a.m.-11a.m. A class designed to help girls ages 8-12 understand and accept the natural changes that occur with early adolescence. Admission: $5. Registration required. More information: 939-7878.

Special Events 1/6-1/7 - Monster Jam 2012. BJCC. Jan. 6.

at 7:30p.m. Jan. 7. at 2 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Admission: ranges from $50, $30 and $22. More information: http: www.bjcc.org.

1/7 - Red Nose Run. Soho, Homewood. 10

Mile start time: 7 a.m. 5k run, 7:15 a.m. 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk 8:30 a.m. Registration required. Admission: 10 mile run, $25$55,; 5k run/walk, $25-$40; 1 mile run/ walk, $20. More information or to register: rednoserun-bham.com.

1/15 - Martin Luther King Day. Civil

Rights Institute. BCRI Galleries open to the public at 9 a.m. Admission: none. More information: www.bcri.org.

1/15 - Southern Bride Show. BJCC.

Brides are able to meet face to face with wedding professionals and find everything you need to create your wedding. Admission: $10 cash only. More information: www.fairsandfestivals.net.

1/19- 1/21 - 41st Annual Alabama

Boat Show. BJCC. Jan 19, 4p.m. - 9 p.m.; Jan. 20 21, 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Jan. 22 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The show highlights the latest in boats, motors, fishing gear, guides, outfitters and related outdoor gear. Admission: Adults, $10; children, free. More information: www. birminghamboatshow.com.

1/21 - Village 2 Village Run. Mountain

Brook Village. 1 Mile Fun-Run is designed as a walker and family friendly event; prizes will be given in all categories. 8 a.m. for the 10K; 9:30 a.m. for the Fun Run. Registration required. More information: www.welcometomountainbrook.com or active.com to register.

1/26 - Legacy League Scholarship

Luncheon. This event will feature Todd Burpo, author of Heaven is for Real. Vestavia Country Club. 11:30

a.m. with doors opening at 11 a.m. Reservations required. Admission: $50. More information: www.samford.edu/ legacyleague or 726-2247.

of Indian cuisine, and India’s vast and complex regional culinary diversity. Registration required. Admission: $40. *

Music & Arts

Green and Melanie Thorn. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. They will demonstrate one pizza dough recipe that is so versatile, it can be used to make not only Oven-Baked Pizza, but pizza on the grill, hand-held Calzones , authentic Sicilian Stromboli, and superversatile Focaccia. Registration required. Admission: $40. *

1/6- 1/7 - Garrick Ohlsson Plays

Brahms. Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Alys Stephens Center. Concert. 8 p.m. Admission: $23-$79. More information: www.alabamasymphony.org or 975-2787.

1/12 - Bela Fleck with Alabama

Symphony Orchestra. Alys Stephens Center. 8 p.m. Admission: $32-$52. More information: www.alabamasymphony.org or 975-2787.

1/21 - Art metal clay workshop with

Nancy Burleson. Shelby County Arts Council at Shelby County Arts Council Gallery. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn to make .999 pure silver jewelry and manipulate metal clay into a unique piece of jewelry you can wear home from class. Admission: $165. More information: shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

1/11-2/1 - Learn to draw with Narrows

resident DeAnne Thorn. Beginning Level. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Shelby County Arts Council at Shelby County Arts Council Gallery. In this class you will learn the basic fundamentals of drawing using line, shape and shading. Registration required. Admission: $60 for contributors; $54, members; $25 registration fee. More information: 669-0044 or visit www. shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

Food 1/10 - Global Wok Cooking with Rose Nguyen of Rose’s Dinner Bowl. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. These dishes will teach you about the process, techniques and equipment of wok cooking, including how to turn everyday classics into vegetarian dishes. Registration required. Admission: $40. More information: www.rosesdinnerbowl. com. *

1/26 - Demystify Pizza with Susan

1/31 - Knife Skills I with Susan Green. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This “nuts and bolts” class will sharpen your knowledge of knives and their uses. Limited to 10. Registration required. Admission: $35. * *All events are at Birmingham Bake & Cook Co. More information: 980-3661 or info@bakeandcookco.com.

Save the Date 2/11 - Oak Mountain Scholastic Chess

Tournament. Oak Mountain Intermediate School. All public, private and home schools are welcomed. More Information: (334) 868-0271, CaesarChess@yahoo.com, or www.CaesarChess.com/Blog

2/9-2/11 - Birmingham Fashion Week.

Pepper Place, downtown Birmingham. Admission: $20, students; $35 for general public; VIP Thursday, $55; VIP Friday, $65; VIP Saturday, $75. More information: www.bhamfashionweek.com .

2/25- 24th Annual Guild Gala, held

by the Service Guild of Birmingham. Benefits The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. The Country Club of Birmingham. The Wizard of Oz theme will be “There’s No Place Like The Bell Center.” Tickets and more information: Tommie Ford at tommiesford50@gmail. com.

| January 2012

January 2012

HEARDMONT PARK SENIOR CENTER CALENDAR

SPECIAL EVENTS

1/5- New Beacon Blood Pressure and Sugar Testing, 11:15 a.m. 1/16- Center Closed 1/19- Harrison Regional Library, 11 a.m. *The center will be closed Jan. 2 and 13. NOTE: Please reserve meals in advance. Outings are limited to 12 people, so sign up early.

Center Manager: Theresa Green Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Phone: 991-5742 Fax: 991-5657 Email: heardmontpark@hotmail.com MONDAYS

9:30 -10:30 a.m. – Tai Chi 9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.- Mah Jongg 10:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.- Canasta

TUESDAYS

10-11 a.m.- Aerobic Workouts 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.- Bingo & Board Games 11 a.m. 12 p.m.- Bible Study 12 p.m. - Lunch

WEDNESDAYS

9 a.m.- 12 p.m.- Bridge Club 11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.- Rummikub 12 p.m.- Lunch 1-2p.m. Ballroom Dancing with Kurt

THURSDAYS

10-11 a.m.- Aerobic Workouts 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.- Bingo & Board Games 12 p.m.- Lunch

FRIDAYS

9-10 a.m.- Zumba Gold 10-11 a.m.- Intermediate Line Dancing 11 a.m.-12 p.m.- Beginning Line Dancing

1/17 - Biscuits and Scones with Rebecca Touliatos. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Rebecca will instruct us with both foundational and classic biscuits and scones. Registration required. Admission: $35. *

1/19 - One Pie at a Time with Susan Green and Melanie Thorn. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. They will share with you everything that they have learned, including various crusts, mixing and rolling techniques, time and temperature guidelines. Registration required. Admission: $40. * 1/21 - 3rd Annual Pie Day Amateur Pie Contest and Fundraiser. Birmingham Bake and Cook Company. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. * 1/24 - The Art of Indian Curry Making

with Mukta Joshi. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This class will start with a basic overview of Indian foods, an introduction to India’s spices and herbs, the health benefits

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Fine Stationery, Gifts & Accessories, Inviting Company, Crane, Sanlori, Thymes, Paddy Wax, The Dish & more.

$10 OFF a purchase of $30 or more. Expires 1/31/12

The Village at Lee Branch 300 Doug Baker Blvd. Suite 100 – By Academy 205-408-0216 www.mitchellspaperetc.com

Your locally owned Mobility Equipment & Medical Supply Source Conveniently Located in Chelsea on Hwy 280 Next to Snider’s Pharmacy

Come visit us soon! We wish you a Healthy and Prosperous New Year! 15582 Hwy 280 Chelsea, AL

205-678-8755 Owner: Georgia Lay

We are happy to bill & accept assignment on most insurance plans & workers comp. Preferred Provider for BCBS & Blue Advantage Humana . Medicare . Medicaid . Viva

| January 2012

280 Living

280 Live Music Listings

HOGANS Irish City Vineyard The Fish Market Arbor Place Pub & Grill Restaurant 5479 Highway 280, Suite 102 507 Cahaba Park Circle 995-0533

Every Wednesday / Thursday 8 p.m. Live Music by Razz Ma Tazz Every Friday / Saturday 9 p.m. - Until Live Music by Razz Ma Tazz

CAFE FIRENZE 110 Inverness Plaza 980-1315

Call for this month’s music listings.

Pablo’s

Restaurant and Cantina 3439 Colonnade Parkway 969-1411

Live music Wednesday and Thursday, 6 – 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 – 10:30 p.m.

Village Tavern The Summit, Lower Level 970-1640

Every Wednesday and Thursday, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Artist Jeff Tyler performs. Fridays, 9 -11:30 p.m., Various live music.

437-3360 cityvineyard.net

Every Friday Night live music, 7-10 p.m. on the patio. Inside, they have a wine tasting, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

GREYSTONE 5407 Highway 280 980-8600

Every Thursday night live music with Jeff Taylor. All Parrotheads are invited.

Courtyard Oyster

bar & grill 280 band and dj schedule 1/1-Heath Shoemaker 1/3-Guest Dj 1/4-Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce 1/5-Almost Kings acoustic / Heath Shoemaker 1/6-Top Dead Center / Matt Hill band 1/7-Neon Samuri / Heath Shoemaker 1/8-Heath Shoemaker 1/10 Tuesday-Guest Dj 1/11-Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce 1/12-Almost Kings acoustic / Heath Shoemaker 1/13-After the Crash / SK5 1/14-4th & 1 / Heath Shoemaker 1/15-Heath Shoemaker

1/17-Guest Dj 1/18 Wednesday-Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt & David Koonce 1/19-Huck & Boss / Heath Shoemaker 1/20-Gentleman Zero / Matt Hill band 1/21-Who Shot Lizzy? / Heath Shoemaker 1/22-Heath Shoemaker 1/24-Guest Dj 1/25-Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce 1/26-Huck & Boss / Heath Shoemaker 1/27-Erica’s Playhouse / SK5 1/28-Todd Simpson and the Mojo Child / Heath Shoemaker 1/29-Heath Shoemaker Mondays- DJ Kop

Classifieds

Community Contributors Wanted 280 Living is looking for people in the area to contribute news and write stories. Email madoline@280living.com

Part-time position available:

Could become fulltime. Not your typical retail position. Customer service - top priority. Familiar with word, excel and publisher only helps. Please fax resume or work history to 205.980.8879.

HELP WANTED

Opportunity for full time and part time associate. Full time: lady’s fashion sportswear & shoe buyer. Eye for fashion essential, retail back ground helpful. Part time: 25-30 hours a week, sales associate. Apply Rogers Trading Company, Hwy. 280, resource center parkway: send resume or application to lrrtc@aol.com No phone inquiries accepted

1.21.12

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