280 Living
www.280living.com
neighborly news & entertainment
Volume 5 | Issue | July 201211 | |July 2012
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Referred for a reason.
Farming for the future
July Features
Off the beaten path- Page 10
July 4 fireworks
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People you should know
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Mrs. Alabama USA
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Heardmont Park history
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RueRue Originals
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Farmer’s markets
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Barbecue recipes
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Restaurant Showcase
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280 Business Happenings
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Business Spotlight
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School House
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Sports
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Library Happenings
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Rick Watson
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Paul Johnson
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Kari Kampakis
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Calendar of Events
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Live music schedule
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Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #656
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Farm Manager Keith Caton and Jim ‘N Nick’s CEO Nick Pihakis run the community farm in Mt Laurel. Photos by Madoline Markham.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM In a valley lies a farm. On its land lives a farmer. From its ground comes sustenance to feed the people who live around it. This is what you find on Highway 41 near Mt Laurel, but it’s not common outside most urban and suburban landscapes in Alabama, according to Nick Pihakis, the mastermind behind the restaurant empire of Jim ‘N Nick’s. This year Pihakis is funding the 25-acre Mt Laurel farm, which is owned by Ebsco, to use as a model for small farmers to sell goods to restaurants like his. Ultimately, he hopes this experimental three-acre
farm model (only about three acres on the Mt Laurel property are farmed) will help rebuild the agriculture structure in the South so that farmers are guaranteed a buyer for their goods. “It’s a good deal on both sides,” said Pihakis, a Mt Laurel resident. For Keith Caton, farm manager at Mt Laurel, a small model farm like this would be a homestead and also sell veggies. There would be a milking cow to make butter, plus chickens to raise for meat and a couple of pigs. Today, most people farm for the
lifestyle, not necessarily because it is sustainable, according to Pihakis. Farmers spend a lot of time driving around to restaurants and farmers markets to sell their goods. The question is this: What if you could have the lifestyle and make a good living? This combination is normal in an area like San Francisco, but when Pihakis drove around Alabama and Mississippi with a friend a few years ago, they couldn’t find these farmers.
See FARM | page 14
A rally for Ally By KATHRYN ACREE
Eleven-year-old Ally Nelson’s fight began with a limp noticed by her mother, Christina, in March. Ally said it didn’t bother her too bad, but by the time the family went out of town for spring break, the pain in her thigh was no longer
See ALLY | page 26
Chelsea Middle School student Ally Nelson with her mom, Christina. Eleven-year-old Ally is battling Osteosarcoma. Photo courtesy of Christina Nelson.
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280 Living
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Welcome Friends
280 Living neighborly news & entertainment
Editor’s Note
As a journalist, I try to let stories tell themselves, to share with our readers what people I meet have to say, without a personal agenda. I try to give balanced coverage to the areas along Highway 280, not too much Oak Mountain or too much Chelsea or too much Spain Park in an issue. But try as I might, even with fellow editors to keep me in check, I know at least one editorial bias slips through in 280 Living: I really, really like food. I wish there were other character traits that people noticed about me quickly, but most often they comment on my ability to relate any conversation back to cooking and blogging, a recent meal or food find. Ask me about what I love about where I live, and you might be sorry: I’ll go on for hours about Pastry Art’s baby bites, the Greek influence in Birmingham’s food culture, and of course, pulled pork with a side of cheese biscuits. That is why I was so fascinated with hearing Nick Pihakis’ vision for the farm in Mt Laurel that you’ll find that story on the cover. It’s why our intern Madison
and I ventured to our area’s three farmer’s markets and took photos to encourage you to do the same (page 15). Nothing screams beauty to me like capturing fellowship over local produce. It’s why I was so thrilled to get Lisa Johnsey on board with us to share her recipes each month (page 16). And it’s why I joyfully embrace the excuse that I have to try a new restaurant each month “for work” like Bistro Provare at the Jeff State campus on Valleydale Road (page 17)—peach pizza anyone? So if you like to eat half as much as I do, know this: you will continue to find a passion for food spilling into our pages. I, for one, can’t wait to try John Currence’s Big Bad Breakfast restaurant when it opens at the corner of highways 119 and 280 in a few months. Wishing you a month full of Chilton County peaches, red and juicy tomatoes, sweet and crisp corn, and other bounties of Alabama summertime!
Correction Julie Wahnish, the contact for Project Night Night, can be reached at 532-1782. Her number was printed incorrectly in the story on page 11 of our June issue.
Owen O’Meara, Nate Taylor, Isla Higgins, Alex Taylor and Elizabeth Oswald enjoy the Amazing Wonders Aviation Vacation Bible School at Meadow Brook Baptist Church. Photo courtesy of Stacey B. Higgins, Red Rabbit Studios, LLC.
Staff & Friends
Meet our interns Katey Courtney is a senior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham majoring in journalism and minoring in English. She is from Madison and is a graduate of Bob Jones High School. With her journalism degree, she would like to write stories on a more personal level and learn about people she may have not had a chance to meet otherwise. She is looking forward to graduating in August and enjoys reading, shopping and playing with her dog, Simon.
Contributing Writers
Paul Johnson | Patrick Thomas Rick Watson | Kari Kampakis Lisa Johnsey |Allie Klaubert
Contributing Photographers Cari Dean | Barry Clemons
Interns Katey Courtney| Madison Miller|Jordan Miller
Publisher
Editor at Large
Dan Starnes
Joe Samuel Starnes
Creative Director
Copy Editor
Keith McCoy
Lauren Denton
Community Editor
Warren Caldwell | Matthew Allen
Managing Editor
Published by
Madoline Markham
Please submit all articles, information and photos to: madoline@280living.com
For advertising contact: dan@280living.com
Legals:
Sales and Distribution
Kathryn Acree
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
Jordan Miller is a senior at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa majoring in public relations. She is from Birmingham and is a graduate of Spain Park High School. With her degree in public relations, she would like to work with companies on promoting their online image and prominence. She looks forward to working with Twitter, Facebook and websites for 280 Living.
please Support Our Sponsors 280 Medical Supply (26) Alabama Allergy & Asthma (21) Beaumont Pharmacy (11) Bellini’s (8) Betz Tree Service (29) Big Lots (28) Birmingham Bake and Cook (13) Birmingham USTA (18) Brookwood Medical Center (5) Chic Boutique (12) Chiropractic Today (20) Comfort Keepers (7) Cousins Insurance (10) Cutting Edge Salon (7) DanceSouth (22) Dazz Boutique (15) Double Oak Pharmacy (28) Encore Rehabilitation (27) English Ivy (7) Food Studio B (13) GeGe’s Salon (6) Greystone Antiques (2) Homewood Chamber (31) iJump 280 (12) Iron Tribe (32) Isbell Jewelers (17) Kobe (14) Learning By Design (23)
Lakeshore Foundation (25) Lulie’s on Cahaba (19) Medhelp (22) Middle Mediation (24) Monkey Toes (21) Mountain Brook Chamber (20) Oak Mountain Lodge (21) Outdoor Living Areas (5) Pak Mail (23) Pastry Art (15) Plain Jane (13) Plastic Surgery Specialists (24) Pure Barre (16) Renaissance Consignment (6) Richard Joseph Salon (1) Royal Automotive (3) Sew Sheri (16) Sharp Carpet (17) Sharp Remodeling Specialty (10) Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (19) Southeastern Jewelers (8) St. Vincent’s OneNineteen (25) The Outlet Shops of Grand River (2) Total Care 280 (9) Varsity Sports (24) Your Good Neighbor (10) Walton and Tower (23)
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The skies over Vulcan will be lit up again this year for Thunder on the Mountain 2012. Photo courtesy of Vulcan Park and Museum.
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Morgan Creek Vineyards Harpersville’s Morgan Creek Vineyards will host a concert and fireworks event from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on July 4. Special musical guest is Tekneek. They invite you to pack a picnic or purchase Full Moon BBQ at the event. The vineyards will be open for wine tastings and tours.
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Independence Day 1776 at The American Village Montevallo’s American Village comes alive on July 4. Gates open at 11 a.m. with special programming starting at noon. A fireworks display starts that evening at dusk over Washington Hall. Costumed historical interpreters featuring George Washington, Patrick Henry, Abigail Adams and more of our nation’s founders will tell the inspiring stories of 1776. There will be patriotic music, 18th century entertainment and just about everything that can make you
“proud to be an American.” Admission is $5 for adults and children five and older. Active duty military and veterans are admitted free, as are children four and younger.
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Thunder on the Mountain A longstanding tradition in Birmingham is to light up the skies above Vulcan Park and Museum on the Fourth of July. Beginning at 9 p.m., Thunder on the Mountain 2012 will be a 20-minute fireworks extravaganza simulcast on area radio stations including WZZK 104.7 FM. It is best to have a clear view of Vulcan, but remember Vulcan Park and Museum closes that day at 6 p.m. to prepare the
Watch the fireworks explode over Washington Hall when The American Village hosts Independence Day 1776. Photo courtesy of The American Village.
Dana Buchman • David Meister • Diesel • Dolce & Gabbana • Donald Pliner
The Big Kaboom The city of Chelsea is planning its sixth annual Big Kaboom event the evening of July 3 at Chelsea Park subdivision. Preshow entertainment begins at 8 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. If you can see the water tower, you will be able to see the fireworks. Entertainment Coordinator Wayne Morris told us some favorite local singers are planned. Mary Padgette, a rising junior at Chelsea High School, will be performing. Mary has been selected as a contestant on an upcoming season of NBC’s The Voice. Other performers planned include Haley Spates Mims, Edwina Chappell, Tammy Mularski, and an ensemble from Liberty Baptist Church. To get to the entertainment area, turn at the first left, which is the first round-about, after entering Chelsea Park. The stage will be set up at the playground area down the hill on the left. The fireworks are produced by the same company that coordinates Thunder on the Mountain. Local radio station WAPI 100.5 FM and 1070 AM will broadcast music for the fireworks show. Free soft drinks will be provided by Pepsi, and other local vendors will have food available to purchase.
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Greater Shelby Chamber names new president The Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce announced at its May 30 luncheon that Kirk Mancer has been selected as president. Mancer comes to the Chamber after serving in prior roles as president of the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and vice president of the former Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce. Mancer’s new role with the Chamber began July 1. The Chamber had been searching for a new president since the departure of Jennifer Whisenant in February to the Birmingham Auto Dealers Association.
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David Nolen, chair of the board of directors of the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, with Kirk Mancer, newly named president of the Chamber. Photo by Kathryn Acree.
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country, including at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. The benefit will feature a cocktail reception in Inverness Hall at Danberry. Interim and Alabama Piano Gallery are generously providing the grand piano. Tickets are $75 per person or $500 per table and must be purchased in advance. For more information, visit DanberryAtInverness.com/concert or call 443-9500.
encourage cooperation and interchange between artists, teachers, students, craftsmen, publishers and others engaged in artistic activities. The association will hold an art show at Chelsea City Hall on September 29 where all members are eligible to show and sell their artwork. For more information, contact barbaradollardesigns@yahoo.com or visit www.hoovershelbyart.com.
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Cooking class to benefit missions Chelsea Community Church is hosting a cooking class fundraiser on Thursday, July 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Julie Hubbard, a 30 Day Gourmet Consultant, will facilitate an instructiononly seminar that will teach busy cooks the art of preparing a month’s worth of meals in just one cooking day. Hubbard explains this method of cooking with emphasis on
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Art association to meet
Are you an artist? Or do you enjoy supporting the arts? The Hoover Shelby Art Association will hold its next meeting on Thursday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Shelby Library on Highway 119. Interested area artists and those who appreciate art are invited to attend and are welcome to join the association. The Hoover Shelby Art Association was founded to provide encouragement of individual and group development and enjoyment of all forms of art. They
July 2012
English Ivy
Piano Benefit Concert at Danbury Danberry at Inverness retirement community will host a benefit featuring pianist Dr. Drew Mays on July 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. All funds raised will go toward the UAB Department of Ophthalmology Research Fund. Dr. Mays, a Birmingham native and ophthalmologist, has served the Birmingham area for 21 years. He was also the winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Amateurs in 2007 and has played engagements across the
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Salon
cutting your grocery bill by as much as half. Free recipes and samples will be available. A class fee of $15, paid at the door, goes entirely towards the church’s upcoming mission trip to New York City. Chelsea Community Church is located at 4176 County Road 39. Call 678-9565 for more information.
Church to host Leadership Summit Christ Church United Methodist will serve as the official greater Birmingham satellite location for The Global Leadership Summit August 9-10. The Summit offers leadership development through speakers broadcasted from the Willow Creek Association campus near Chicago. Speakers include Bill Hybels,
Condoleeza Rice, Sheryl Wudunn, John Ortburg and other notable leaders. To learn more and to register, visit www.willowcreek.com/summit. Christ Church United Methodist is located at 5091 Caldwell Mill Road and can be reached at 991-5065 or christchurchtv.org.
Please contact Bobbi Boone for more information
Website prepares kids to read A new website has been launched to promote the skills needed to help children in the early reading process. The website, www.readysetreadal.org, was created by a local project team as part of this year’s class of Leadership Shelby County, an independent, non-profit and non-partisan organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Shelby County. The website assists preschool age children and their parents by providing them with the tools to master the fundamentals of learning how to read. The site makes learning fun with games and
Stylist positions are now available with our team
exercises that prepare preschoolers for the DIBELS test required of all kindergarten students in Shelby County Schools. In essence, readysetreadal.org helps children learn how to learn to read. Parents, teachers and school administrators are encouraged to visit www. readysetreadal.org in preparation for the new school year. The website was created by members of Leadership Shelby County as part of the program’s commitment to take the leadership experience confidently into the many opportunities of service in the community.
We now carry Redken, Kenra, Pureology, Moroccanoil and Wet Brushes, a must have for tangles.
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280 Living
Summer Fun Photo Contest
Capture the fun of summer with your camera, and send us your favorite shots of the backyard, lake,beach, mountain, neighborhood and wherever you and your family are. Our staff will choose the images that most colorfully capture a summer experience. Prizes will be awarded to contest winners. To enter, email your photos in a jpeg format to mailbox@280living.com. Please send high quality images and include a caption and photo credit. Only 4 entry photos are allowed per person.
280 Living neighborly news & entertainment
Deadline for entries is August 10, 2012. We will publish the winners in the September issue as well as post them on our Facebook page and our website.
By submitting a photo, you are giving 280 Living permission to publish it in the paper and online.
280 Living neighborly news & entertainment
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People you should know
Earl Niven
Mayor of the City of Chelsea By KATHRYN ACREE Ask any long-time resident (or shorttime resident for that matter) about the people who worked to make Chelsea the bustling small city it is today, and the name Earl Niven will quickly enter the conversation. Mayor since the city officially incorporated in March 1996, Earl Niven is a lifelong Chelsea resident with roots that run deep. 280 Living sat down with Niven recently to discuss all things Chelsea, past, present and future. Tell us about growing up in this area. Home for me was down County Road 335. I was one of eight children, and we did a little farming and had a little garden for our family. My father worked for U.S. Steel in Birmingham, and I was always involved in athletics growing up. I went to Chelsea Elementary and Junior High then Shelby County High School and on to college at Montevallo. I was the first senior high math teacher at Chelsea High School when it opened, then I went to work for Alabama Power for 28 years. In 1996 I was elected mayor, so I took an “early out” from Alabama Power in 1998 to work as mayor full-time. How did Chelsea get its name? This area was originally called Melrose until a train depot was built here in about 1906. There was already a depot named Melrose, and there are many stories about how the name was chosen. The railroad renamed the depot Chelsea, and we have been known as Chelsea since that time. How did the push to incorporate Chelsea in the 1990s begin? The growth in other municipalities such as Pelham and Hoover were headed in our direction. We realized we had a lot to be proud of here in Chelsea—our heritage and traditions—that was what we wanted to protect. Any municipality could come down Highway 280 and get all the tax revenue; what would that give the residents away from Highway 280? When you look at the first map of the city when we incorporated, I’ve described it as looking like a plate of chicken fingers. It had a little core in the center, but a leg would run out here and there to cut off other municipalities from annexing and getting to Highway 280. How has the city handled its rapid growth? In 1996 when we incorporated, the growth started, and we were just trying to keep our head above the water. Being a new city, you start out with a blank sheet of paper, so we had to learn as we went along. We were very blessed with having WinnDixie come in off 280 as one of our first big businesses to give us a tax base. We started off with 906 people in the city in 1996. In 2000, that had grown to over 2,900, and in 2010 our census showed 10,183; that’s a 245 percent population increase over the last ten years. Several things helped our growth: the growth coming out of Jefferson County and into Shelby County that originally stopped around the Greystone area began to cross over Double Oak Mountain into our area, and some of our big subdivisions here, Chesser Plantation and Chelsea Park, experienced big growth. Then there is the quality of life here just in what the Shelby County Schools offer. The city is very education-oriented, and we have a wide variety of churches in the area. If you like the hectic pace, stay on 280, but if you like it more rural, just go a half-mile off 280. All of that gives people a choice in how they want to live.
Chelsea mayor Earl Niven outside City Hall. Photo by Kathryn Acree.
What is the city looking toward in new growth? We need another sit-down restaurant and building material/hardware retailer, and I’m working to bring that here. We have quite a few fast food places and a new Wendy’s coming in a few months. One of the pluses in our planning is that we’re not trying to develop areas that are decreasing in commercial growth; we have a blank, open Highway 280 that we can build new construction on. We’ve had Publix, Walmart, Tractor Supply and Walgreens all come to the city in the last five years, even when the economy was going down. The new Chelsea Elementary is being built off County Road 337 and Kings Home Drive. It’s slated to open August 2013. It will be for grades K-5 and so will Mt Laurel and Chelsea Park. There will not be an Intermediate School, but that former space will expand the middle school. This coming year we hope to introduce the planning of a community center that will be used as a senior adult center as well as including a full-size gym with an overhead walking track. The center would have meeting rooms for use by the community. In the years ahead, we want to redirect County Roads 47 and 39 to eliminate the traffic that builds at that intersection. We’d love to build a new library that would be on the hillside behind city hall and move the history museum to where the library is now located in the old Crane Home. What are your thoughts on the plans for Highway 280? I’m in favor of the elevated highway plan for many reasons. One way I’ve looked at it is anything that helps our families get home faster in the evenings is a good thing. We have more than 1,300 children involved with youth sports in Chelsea, so that tells you we have many young families. If your commute takes you an hour or an hour and a half to just get home, it’s dark and too late to participate with your children in these activities. If the elevated highway comes in, people can make the decision on their own if they want to pay the toll fee or go 280 and shop or eat. What are your interests or hobbies? I’m a family person. June and I have been married 46 years and have two sons and six grandkids. We love to travel; we’ve been to all 50 states. I love photography, and we’re very involved in our church, Liberty Baptist. It’s family, church, city. That’s my life. When is the next city election? August 28 is Chelsea’s next city election. I’m up for re-election as mayor, and we’ll be voting on five council positions.
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Off the beaten path: Highway 280 By KATHRYN ACREE For many of us, summertime brings out the urge to hop in the car and see something new. Whether you are a longtime resident or have just moved to our area, here are a couple of venues we recommend a visit to this month. All of these spots are family-friendly and found a short drive from Double Oak Mountain. Balch’s U-Pick Blueberries Grab your sunscreen and load up the car with the whole clan because blueberry picking is easy and inviting to everyone from toddlers to grandparents. Bob and Joyce Balch have four acres of blueberries in Sterrett that are overflowing with the little blue gems this summer. All of the varieties available are known as “rabbiteyes” but vary in size and “juiciness,” with names like “climax” and “premiere.” The Balches have been growing blueberries since 1984, so when they share their pamphlet of recipes (many perfected by Joyce’s mother), you know they are going to be good. This season started early due to the warm winter, but berries will still be available into July. Don’t miss: If you see Joyce Balch, ask her to point out the “peach” variety of blueberry to you. Its taste will indeed remind you of a peach. To get to the Balch farm from Highway 280, turn onto County Road 43 toward Vandiver and continue 14 miles. Watch for the Balch sign on the left. The field is open WednesdaySaturday, 7 a.m. until dark. U-pick blueberries are $8 per gallon. Miller’s Cheese House A few miles off Highway 280 in Vincent, Miller’s Cheese House specializes in products from the Amish country. Miller’s offers jellies, jams, butters, syrups, ciders, preserves, relishes, and of course, a
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Joyce Balch demonstrates the best technique for picking blueberries at her u-pick farm. She recommends hooking the bucket on your arm and running your fingers along a cluster of berries as the ripest ones drop into the bucket. Photo by Kathryn Acree.
variety of cheeses. Miller’s most popular seller is their Colby cheese and their pounds of butter. The store was opened by Harold Miller, now retired but living nearby, who ran a dairy in the area and would travel north to buy cattle. He met and befriended members of the Amish community on his travels and brought back their products to sell. Miller turned the business over to Tim and Kim Miller after retirement, but the wood swings he builds are still for sale at the store. Don’t miss: Ask at the checkout counter about another popular product: canned possum. It comes in regular and organic varieties and is sold as “sun-dried” after having “cured for one day” by the local Roadkill Meat Company. Ok, it’s really potted meat, but your friends that are “not from around here” don’t have to know that when you serve it. Miller’s Cheese House is located at 425 Highway 467 in Vincent. From Highway 280 in Harpersville, turn onto Highway 231 North to County Road 83 and follow the signs. They are open Tuesdays - Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; on Thursdays they are open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Harpersville Drive-in The Harpersville Drive-in’s two screens show movies on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights beginning at dusk or approximately 8:15 p.m. Owner Brian Skinner takes pride in showing the “number one movies in the nation,” keeping them limited, as a general rule, to only PG and PG-13 films. “I follow a guideline of not showing anything with nudity,” said Skinner. “No one wants to see that as they drive by on Highway 280!” The atmosphere is family-friendly with many visitors making it a tailgate opportunity with lawn chairs and blankets. Sound for the films is broadcast through a radio station programmed for each screen. Skinner is planning another blockbuster summer of films including Ice Age: Continental Drift and The Dark Knight
Rises as big hits for July. Don’t miss: Unlike a movie theatre, the drive-in offers a surprisingly affordable selection of concessions at the snack bar. Popcorn and sodas are around $1 or $2; nachos and candy area also available at reasonable prices. Admission to the drive-in is $5 for adults and $2 for children. Kids in a car seat are no additional charge. For the most current movie listing, call the movie line at 672-8484. Kymulga Grist Mill Park Childersburg’s Kymulga Grist Mill stands as a testament to strength against the rushing waters of Talladega Creek and the Union Army during the Civil War. Built by a Confederate captain, other mills in the area were burned during the War but Kymulga was missed. Today, the Mill and surrounding park, including a historic covered bridge, are managed by the Childersburg Historic Preservation Commission. The Grist Mill Task Force is working to raise funds to pay for a way to divert Talladega Creek away from the Mill’s foundation, at least temporarily, to prevent further damage. From time to time, the Mill offers demonstrations of grinding corn into grits and cornmeal. The Mill still operates using the original grinding rocks brought to the site from France in the 1860s. A walk across the covered bridge leads to trails and shady campsites. A screened pavilion near Talladega Creek offers a great picnic spot. Don’t miss: The store located in the Mill sells bags of grits and cornmeal ground onsite that come with recipes like shrimp and grits and cornbread. The Preservation Commission will soon sell cornmeal and grits in newly designed bags that feature an image of Kymulga Mill. To visit Kymulga Grist Mill Park, from Highway 280 in Childersburg, follow DeSoto Caverns Parkway through town and follow signs to Grist Mill Road. For more information, visit www.kymulgagristmill.com.
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280 Living
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July 2012
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Chelsea’s own Mrs. USA contestant
turquoise dress for her to wear to the walk and she had her own tiara. She was decked to the nines. It was all about her being up there, not me,” Bentley said. Overall, Bentley is excited to continue her year as Mrs. Alabama USA. She will continue to represent her charities and attend events. In some ways, she says, she is still recovering from the shock of winning the crown. In July, she will represent Alabama in the national Mrs. United States of America pageant in Savannah. “The hardest thing is believing that you can do it,” Bentley said. After watching her mother, Bentley’s older daughter, Brooke, now wants to participate in pageants as well. “I want her to do them because it’s something that she wants to do. I want her to take away the positive and be aware of the negative. It’s about growing her as a leader.”
By MADISON MILLER Mrs. Alabama United States of America 2012 Ashley Bentley hasn’t been involved with pageants for her entire life. In fact, she only started a year ago. “I was pregnant with my second child, and I wanted to make sure that I lived my life to give the best example. I wanted to do more and be more for them,” Bentley said. Going into the pageant world for the first time, she wasn’t sure what to expect. “I was happy to find out it wasn’t about a pretty face. It was a good bonding experience with other mothers who wanted to be a good role model,” Bentley said. A native of Nashville and graduate of the University of Mississippi, Bentley moved to Birmingham after graduation to work at the Hershey Company. Twelve years later, she is the wife of Chris Bentley, owner of Bentley Flooring, and mother to two girls, Brooke, 5, and Brayden, 2. After participating in three pageants and being crowned runner-up twice, Bentley was appointed to this pageant and ultimately crowned Mrs. Alabama USA on March 4. Winning the title, Bentley said, was unbelievable. “I was really humbled being chosen from so many wonderful women,” Bentley said. Bentley represents several charities and organizations in the Birmingham area. While she worked at the Hershey Company, she began working with Children’s Hospital. “I had all these samples from the Hershey Company, more than I could just give away. Through a group at the Church of the Highlands, I donated the samples to Children’s,” Bentley said. She kept volunteering with Children’s Hospital and now leads a group of 92 volunteers. Bentley’s volunteer work as a cheerleading coach for inner city girls inspired her to start her own non-profit organization, S.M.I.L.E., Sports Ministry Inspiring Lives Everyday. S.M.I.L.E. provides food, water, clothing and encouragement to children in need. “It’s all based in love and encouragement, believing in them so that they believe in themselves,” Bentley said. Bentley also participates in Pug Rescue and Adoption, an organization dedicated to rescuing pug dogs and placing them in new homes. After the death of her own pug of 10 years, Bentley got involved as a way of coping.
Mrs. Alabama United States of America Ashley Bentley lives in Chelsea. Photos courtesy of Ashley Bentley.
“It was like losing a family member. I cried for three days, and then I decided to turn it into a positive thing by getting involved with the organization. Now I have four adopted pugs,” Bentley said. Along with her charities, Bentley has participated in state events since being crowned. Most recently, she spoke at Relay for Life. The walk benefited two children who are currently battling cancer. “The little girl, Maddie, told me her favorite color is turquoise. I got my sponsors at Joyce’s Formals to donate a
Ashley Bentley with husband, Chris Bentley, daughters, Brayden and Brooke, and three pug dogs.
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280 Living
Remembering Heardmont Farm By KATHRYN ACREE Today Heardmont, or as it’s officially named, The Park at Heardmont Farm, welcomes kids playing in its ball fields or along its creek beds and football, soccer and cross country teams from around the state. But longtime residents may remember the park was once Heardmont Farm. Like many park and recreation venues, you might think there is an ancient Mr. or Mrs. Heardmont somewhere in Alabama’s past, but this is not the case. Heardmont owes its name to Stephen Heard, the first governor of Georgia named in 1781. Heard’s fourth great-grandson, Howard Perdue, Jr., born in 1912, was a well-known Birmingham trial lawyer. Perdue purchased the Alabama farmland along Cahaba Valley Road in 1966 from Morgan Denson. Perdue’s mother, Annie McCalla Perdue, died not long after her son purchased the property. She’d lived on Heardmont Plantation in Elbert County, Ga., and he named the property Heardmont Farm in memory of her and the Heard family. Governor Heard, a Revolutionary War hero, is buried in a family cemetery on the family’s property in Elbert County, Ga. Nancy Perdue Boone of Vestavia Hills is Howard Perdue, Jr.’s only child. She fondly recalls the farm her father purchased as a get-away for the family. “He built a small house on the property, and we would pack a lunch and drive out there on weekends from our home in town,” said Boone. “It was a beautiful, peaceful property, and I remember my father working hard to clear the land.” In the 1970s, Perdue raised Polled Hereford cattle on the farm. “I remember the first calf being born on the farm,” Boone said. “My dad made sure he was there to help with the delivery, and he was so proud.”
hi p e rs t ! n O w e me n w e N a n ag & M
Howard Perdue, Jr. had this aerial photo taken of Heardmont Farm in the late 1960s or early 1970s.
The gates as they originally stood just off Cahaba Valley Road at the entrance to Heardmont Farm. Howard Perdue, Jr. built the gates and today they stand at the Park’s entrance near the playground. Photos courtesy of Nancy Perdue Boone.
Howard Perdue, Jr. constructed this small home on Heardmont Farm that was later converted into a sheriff’s substation. Also pictured are corrals on the farm where he raised Polled Hereford cattle.
Editor’s note: Many thanks to Bobby Joe Seales, president of the Shelby County Historical Society, and County Manager Alex Dudchock for their assistance with this article.
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Perdue often walked the property with his dogs. “He would take the dogs down to the creek to cool off,” Boone said. “He loved that land, loved to be there working with his hands.” Perdue’s handiwork remains at the park today: the iron gates at the park’s main entrance are original to the farm and, according to Boone, the house Perdue built was converted into a Shelby County Sheriff’s substation. “My father and a friend worked to create those big gates for the farm,” Boone said. “Originally they were just off the county road, but have been moved back.” Perdue died in 1993, but his legacy continues on in the land that he loved. “He truly felt at home there,” Boone said. “It was a place where he worked hard, but loved having his family there to enjoy it.” Shelby County and the Shelby County Board of Education purchased the 74-acre property from the City of Hoover in 1997 with the expectation of developing a sports and community center. Today the land has become just that, while still living its legacy as a place of retreat and communion with nature.
Shades of Summer
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280 Living
Vintage glitz and glam
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July 2012
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13
EXCITING JULY COOKING CLASSES
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Amy Armstrong with her designs at Greystone Antiques & Marketplace
By ALLIE KLAUBERT Amy Armstrong wasn’t looking for a business venture when she picked up a new hobby, but her creativity combined with an eye for a good find have turned into a thriving vintage jewelry line. “I never intended to be so committed to it, and for it to be such a big thing in my life,” Armstrong said, “But it is such a great creative outlet. I’m in all the way.” Her passion is evident as she sits at her kitchen table in Greystone surrounded by pieces that she designed in her basement studio. Armstrong’s RueRue Originals are a vintage-inspired jewelry line designed for the modern woman. The one-of-a-
Armstrong’s designs combine repurposed vintage jewelry with gemstones, crystals and pearls.
kind pieces feature vintage chains and unique vintage elements such as pill boxes, brooches and chandelier crystals. The idea for the line came when Armstrong and her close friends who refer to themselves as the “Ya Ya’s” began crafting together after a trip to a friend’s summer home in Michigan. On the way home, the group stopped by resale stores and estate sales and picked up pieces that piqued their creativity. “We didn’t have any idea what we wanted to do, but we knew we needed to do something,” said Armstrong, whose husband, Bill, is an avid painter. “I’ve always been kind of a creative person, but I never was focused on one thing.” But she found focus when she picked up a tool set and began reworking vintage jewelry. “It was so intriguing to me to be able to make something,” she said. At first, Armstrong just dabbled around and made pieces for herself or as gifts for friends. After rave reviews from friends and neighbors, she began to sell some of the creations. “I had no idea that anyone would ever pay for anything that I make,” Armstrong said. In addition to selling pieces at Greystone Antiques & Marketplace, Armstrong has since become a regular at craft shows, where her unique designs stand out from other crafters’, and she also sells at private events. One necklace featuring a 1960s solid perfume bottle was snatched up by a vintage fashion enthusiast. “It’s so rewarding to create
something that someone wants to have for themselves,” she said. The retired Southern Company employee works in her basement studio for around 4 to 5 hours a day to prepare for shows and keep a varied stock of unique pieces. “It’s a lot of work,” she said, “but it’s a lot of fun.” You can pick up a RueRue Original for yourself at Greystone Antiques & Marketplace on Highway 280, or find them on Facebook.
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280 Living
OMHS grad gets ready for her novel to hit shelves By KATHRYN ACREE
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Anna Davis graduated from Oak Mountain in May, and like many of her classmates, is looking toward college in the fall and working at her local part-time job for the summer. However, Anna also has one of the most sought after accomplishments for any author on the horizon–her first novel is about to be published. Anna’s book, The Gifted, is scheduled for a late summer or early fall release. It is a dystopian novel, based on an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives. The Gift is the first book in a trilogy of young adult fiction that centers on 16-yearold protagonist Rose Hawthorne, who is so beautiful, her looks can drive men mad. “Rose has always been a little bit different; she’s intelligent, intuitive, a fighter, and all of this has caused problems to the point she’s realized she will never be accepted as normal,” Anna said. Rose goes out on her own and meets a fellow teen, Parker, who explains her differences as her destiny to be a member of an order of teenagers, one for each sign of the zodiac, who each have a gift. Their gifts are needed to fight against an “infestation of the human race” that is threatening society. Rose is special because her gifts continually change, making it difficult for her to be identified by the enemy. “This novel came together because I took the start of several stories from a folder I keep called ‘uninspired pieces’ that is 100 pages here or ten pages there of stories that I use to make a new story from,” Anna said. “It consumed me. I finished it in about a month and a half.” Anna sent the novel to Christian publishing house Tate Publishing, based in Mustang, Okla. Although it is not a Christian novel, the company was interested and contacted Anna last fall. She signed a contract with them in December with a plan for edits and revisions to be completed for publication this summer or
Anna Davis’ first novel, The Gifted, will be published this year. Photo by Kathryn Acree.
early fall. “I never knew all the layers upon layers of editing that go into a novel,” she said. “A conceptual editor worked with me, along with a structural editor and a copy editor.” Even with all that editing, Anna has already finished the final book in her series. “When I was working on the third book, there were a lot of loose ends,“ Anna said. “There were so many twists and turns, and then I had the instant when I knew exactly what to do to put it all together. At that point, I was finally excited about all of it, excited for people to see it.” Anna’s understanding is the book will be carried by all major retailers. Tate Publishing will have book signings and appearances planned for her, hopefully around her fall and Christmas breaks. She will start at the Honors College at the University of Alabama this fall; she is looking at majoring in English after originally considering organic chemistry and pre-med. “When I say I’m heading to college, people have asked me, ‘Do you still need that?’ and I say, ‘Of course I need that,’” she said. “I have a scholarship, and I want to go and experience that. I’m so excited at the possibilities that lie ahead.” For more information on Anna, The Gifted or to follow her blog, go to www. AnnaKathrynDavis.com.
FARM
CONTINUED from page 1 “If we can do that in every state, if you can say, ‘This is what we need and this is what we will pay,’ I think we can put farmers back to work,” Pihakis said. With this model in Mt Laurel, Pihakis will determine the startup costs of a farm this size. “We have six restaurants in Atlanta, some in Denver, some in Charleston,” Pihakis said, “but farmers there don’t know that they can sell to us, a restaurant chain.” He hopes to bridge this gap between farmers and restaurant with this model. When we visited the Mt Laurel farm in mid-June, Caton showed us a harvest of 1,000 pounds of onions, which Pihakis said a restaurant can use up in a week. A field-worth of garlic was hanging up to dry. Near a field of blueberries were 600 tomato plants along with pimiento and serrano peppers. There were also cucumbers, squash, peppers, watermelon and potatoes. The ultimate goal is for the farm to be sustainable year-round, so Pihakis has made investments this year with this goal in mind. With a new greenhouse, Caton will be able to grow greens through the winter and plant tomatoes as early as February so they will be ready in April. “Restaurants love microgreens and arugula,” Caton said. In December and January, Caton harvested hickory and oak firewood off the farm’s mountain ridge that he sold to the Jim ‘N Nick’s on Highway 280 for smoking pork. In order to do so, Pihakis bought a wood splitter and brought in Rodney Scott, who chops down all the wood he uses to smoke whole hogs at Scott’s Bar-B-Q in Hemmingway, S.C. Even with this experiment, the farm is still the community teaching farm that
the Stephens family, who owns Ebsco, and Jones Valley Teaching Farm, located in downtown Birmingham, created four years ago. Two sections of the property closest to Highway 41 supply their farm stand as well as the Ebsco Cafeteria and Stones Throw Bar & Grill in Mt Laurel. On those sections they grow squash, tomatoes, peppers, sunflowers, and more that area residents can stop by and purchase from a refrigerated case on the honor system. The farm-fresh eggs from the 200 chickens that live on the back side of the farm are also popular at the farm stand. The farm stand is usually open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, May to November or until the growing season ends. On the education front, the farm uses Jones Valley’s “Seed to Plate” program to teach children about nutrition when they visit. Last year, students from Mt Laurel Elementary School participated, as well as groups from the YMCA and Montessori schools. “Kids get really excited about it and tell their parents,” Pihakis said, explaining how this creates awareness within families. The next step is what the farm is also trying to accomplish: availability and affordability. For instance, kids come to the farm and taste the difference between a farm egg and one from the grocery store. Currently farm eggs cost $5 a dozen. However, if they can have 500-600 chickens on a farm, they could bring the price down to a more reasonable $3 a dozen. Availability, affordability and awareness for families in Birmingham fit within Pihakis’ vision for a profitable small farm. It’s the farm of the past adapted to be the farm of the future.
280 Living
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July 2012
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Fresh from the farm Produce, crafts and more at area farmer’s markets
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Valleydale Farmers Market Faith Presbyterian Church 4601 Valleydale Road Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Open until the first weekend of September
www.valleydalefarmersmarket.com
Mt Laurel Farmer’s Market Town of Mt Laurel 5 Mt Laurel Avenue Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Open until October Summit Market Urban Cookhouse 214 Summit Boulevard, Suite 102 Thursdays, 3-7 p.m. Open until July 26 www.urbancookhouse.com
Clockwise from top left: Chilton County peaches at Valleydale; Witt Farms berries at The Summit; corn at Mt Laurel; Dirt Shirts, one of the craft and apparel vendors at The Summit; sangria jellies from Mt Laurel; farmers at the Summit. Photos by Madison Miller and Madoline Markham.
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Food
Barbecue fresh from your backyard By LISA C. JOHNSEY When we were first married, my father and my husband’s grandfather taught Wayne how to grill. They did a great job, and now our friends call him “the grill master” and always say we need to open a restaurant. I am not talking about hamburgers and hot dogs, although they are good too, but rather we have developed a love for smoking meats and honest grilling. Through the years, Wayne has adjusted our family recipes to suit our taste. The chicken and pork recipes here are some of our classic favorites. With both meals, we serve similar side items including baked beans, deviled eggs, twice-baked potatoes, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers; and do not forget the bread for sopping up the sauce! These dishes are some of our summer time favorites, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Wayne’s BBQ Chicken 1 or 2 whole chickens Garlic salt Pepper BBQ Sauce Clean the chicken. Split the chicken into two halves, removing the back bone. Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Preheat grill on low heat (the temperature should not get over 300 degrees). Place chicken halves directly on grill grates, cooking on indirect heat for approximately 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours. Turn chicken over every 5 to 10 minutes and baste liberally with Grandmother Noland’s BBQ Sauce (see recipe below) each time. You can be certain the chicken is done if, when turning, the leg and thigh separate from the breast. Note: We like to reserve some of the
Homemade barbecue plate: sandwich, baked beans, twice-baked potatoes, deviled eggs, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.
BBQ sauce to have at the table for dipping the chicken and bread into. Grandmother Noland’s BBQ Sauce for Chicken 2 cups apple cider vinegar 1 stick + 2 tablespoons unsalted margarine Yellow mustard 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons ketchup Tabasco to taste Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 30 minutes. Double recipe if you are cooking more than one chicken. Wayne’s BBQ Pork 1 Boston butt (bone in) Garlic powder Salt and pepper BBQ Sauce Prepare charcoal grill for indirect cooking; the peferred temperature will be between 300-350 degrees. Prepare the
Wayne’s BBQ Pork. Photos by Lisa Johnsey.
meat by using a knife to score the fat and sprinkling all sides of the meat with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Place meat with the fat side up on preheated grill, cooking indirectly for approximately 6 hours. After each hour, rotate the meat a quarter turn clockwise. After second hour, begin to add either soaked hickory chips or whole hickory chunks to your fire in order to infuse with a wonderful smoky flavor. Note: We don’t add sauce to the meat until after it has been removed from the grill, rested and carved. Either of the sauce recipes listed below are excellent choices, or you can always use your own. Grandmother Noland’s BBQ Sauce for Pork 1 cup ketchup 1 cup water ¼ cup apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon celery seed 1 tablespoon sugar 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt Tabasco to taste Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 30 minutes. Double recipe if you desire. My Mother’s BBQ Sauce This sauce is great on both pork and chicken. 2-3 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon dried onion 1 tablespoon dried garlic 8 ounces tomato sauce ¼ cup apple cider vinegar Salt and pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon mustard 2 tablespoons ketchup 3 tablespoons brown sugar ½ teaspoon celery seed Sauté onion and garlic in butter for a few minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.
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Food
Restaurant Showcase 4600 Valleydale Road 983-5241
Bistro Provare
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July 2012
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By MADOLINE MARKHAM
Mon. & Wed., 11:30 a.m.-1p.m.* Tue. & Thur., 6-8 p.m.* jeffstateonline.com/chi/ bistroprovare/
Provare: to try. It’s what you see advanced culinary students doing as they slide a pizza into a brick oven or top a Napoleon with fresh blackberries in the open bistro kitchen at Jeff State’s Shelby Campus. When you enter the dining room, which culinary Program Director Joseph Mitchell describes as a European/Tuscan environment, you don’t realize you are on a school campus. “Some days you will have 20 red hat ladies at a table, and art students at the bar,” Restaurant Chef Jason Bierley said. Bistro Provare’s fresh, from-scratch menu makes for a relaxing, white tablecloth dining experience. “This summer we’ll have lots of fresh produce: peaches, peas, green tomatoes, figs,” Bierley said. And indeed, you see this produce on their menu, which changes regularly to incorporate fresh ingredients. For lunch, we started with an order of thick slices of green tomatoes that were lightly fried and served with a vegetable relish, remoulade and arugula—all for only $4. You also get a basket of assorted fresh baked breads as a starter. For our entrees, we tried pizza with Chilton County peaches, mascarpone, smoked bacon, fresh mint and pickled red onion, along with their daily special of chicken served atop a salad of arugula, watermelon and goat cheese. And because you can’t have too many Chilton County peaches, we finished with a daily dessert special of caramelized
A pastry student prepares a Napoleon with lemon curd and fresh blackberries. Photo by Madoline Markham.
Jason Bierley oversees students serving Salmon Florentine en Croute at a Bistro Provare fixed menu dinner. Photo courtesy of Henry Liu Mitchell.
peaches and mascarpone ice cream, but that choice meant turning down the other options: a Napoleon with lemon curd and fresh blackberries, a flourless chocolate cake, the ice cream of the day, and vanilla crème brulee. An advanced pastry class prepares the desserts and is always changing the menu. “Customers are usually surprised at the value and quality,” Bierley said. “Most are shocked that this is here and find out about it through word of mouth.” Prices are extremely reasonable. Salads and appetizers are $3-4, personal-
sized pizzas $5, sandwiches and burgers $6-7 and lunch entrees $8-9. For the summer, the restaurant is open in the evenings for the first time on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and they hope to open again for evenings in future summer semesters. On the dinner menu, appetizers are $5-6, and entrees like Gulf seafood or sirloin, which both come with a salad, cap out at $16. About 50 percent of students have worked in restaurants before entering Bistro Provare, but the others learn how and why to do things right on the job. In
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typical restaurant jobs, you learn how but not always why. Having students as chefs brings a positive energy of a learning environment to the restaurant that you won’t find elsewhere. The restaurant opened four years ago when the Health Sciences building was completed. The dining room is limited to 40 seats, so the staff recommend calling to make reservations in advance. “Since then, we have worked out kinks and have seen more skilled students come through that can do more things,” Bierley said. “We are fine tuning what our clientele likes to eat, too.” Bisto Provare is located in the Health Sciences Building at the corner of Jaguar Drive and Valleydale Road. To enter the restaurant, there is a separate door to the left of the main entrance, but someone inside the school can point you in the right direction if you have trouble finding it. *Summer semester hours run through August 2. The fall semester hours of Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. will run August 29-December 9. To keep up with their hours and see their latest menu, visit the Bistro Provare Facebook page. To make a reservation, call the culinary school. To get the restaurant’s email updates on openings and closings, inquire at the restaurant.
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Businesses
280 Business Happenings Tellini’s Italiano to open
Kobe 280 reopens
Tellini’s Italiano is scheduled to open on July 15 on Highway 280. It will be located next to Bama Fever, Tiger Pride in the Shops of River Bridge, located just north of Chik-fil-A. The fast-casual restaurant serves scratch-made pizza, pasta, paninis, soups, salads and appetizers. This will be Tellini’s fourth location in Southeast; it is owned by Fresh Hospitality, the restaurant group over Jim ‘N Nick’s and Taziki’s. Tellini’s is located at 4618 Highway 280. Hours of operation will be Sunday-Thursday 10:30 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m.- 10 p.m. For more information, visit tellinis. com.
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar at 3501 Grandville Parkway off Highway 280 has reopened. Owner Bryant Sims completely remodeled after the restaurant caught fire in January 2011. The restaurant offers 20 traditional hibachi style grills; a full kitchen; and a sushi bar that serves sashimi, nigri and rolls. Complete with new executive chef, patrons can expect to see new items on the menu such as lemongrass salmon, macadamia nut encrusted chicken and beef tenderloin with roasted garlic coated in whole grain mustard demi gloss. They also have a new menu of homemade desserts. Kobe is open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., MondayThursday 4:30-10 p.m., Friday 4:30 p.m.- 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m./4:30 p.m.- 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.- 3 p.m./ 4:30 p.m.- 10 p.m. For more information, call 298-0200 or visit www.ekobe.com
280 MoveDaddy.com now open 280 MoveDaddy.com is now open in Greystone Park. Owned by Birmingham native Sean Palmer, 280 MoveDaddy.com caters to home, apartment and office moves. The business also specializes in labor-only moving, packing and unpacking services, climate and non-climate controlled storage facilities, move-in and move-out cleaning services, and packing materials. 280 MoveDaddy.com is located at 5511 Highway 280, Suite 117. For more information, call 208-0100 or visit www. movedaddy.com .
PT Orthodontics to open in Oak Mountain PT Orthodontics is set to open a new location in Oak Mountain in July. The new office will be the business’s sixth location and will provide the same services provided at its other locations, including Invisalign, ceramic braces and corrective jaw surgery. PT Orthodontics in Oak Mountain is located at 5660 Cahaba Valley Road. Their hours will be Monday-Thursday 7 a.m-5 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. for existing patient emergencies. For more information, call 979-9480 or visit www.ptortho.com
Changes for Mia’s at Monkey Toes Mia’s at Monkey Toes, formerly known as Monkey Toes, is transitioning from a children’s shoe and clothing store into a woman’s, teens and children’s shoe and clothing store. To appeal to potential women and teenage markets, owner Chris Haralson decided to add women’s and teens’ shoes and clothing. Mia’s at Monkey Toes is located at 2800 Greystone Blvd. Suite 3B near the Village at Lee Branch. To learn more about the business, visit www.ilovemonkeytoes.com or call 437-9387.
Ruff n Tuff now Arlie’s Outdoors Arlie’s Outdoors, formerly known as Ruff n Tuff, has opened at 10699 Old Highway 280. Owner Arlie Fortner owned an outdoor store in Inverness several years ago and has now decided to open a new location in Chelsea. Arlie’s Outdoors specializes in hunting, fishing and archery equipment. Hours are Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Thursday-Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call 678-4992.
July Events for the 280 Area 7/12- Grow & Go “The Seven Levels of Communication.” 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Presented by Russ Morgan, CFP. Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham. Investment: $10. RSVP required by noon, Monday, July 10. Open to the community. 7/19- Social 280. 4-6 p.m. Renaissance Consignment Boutique, Cadence Place Shopping Center, 6801 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham. No RSVP required. No cost. 7/25- Monthly Membership Luncheon. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Dr., Pelham. RSVP required by noon, Monday, July 23. Investment: Members $17, non-members $25. Find more event details www. shelbychamber.org. Register for events online or call the RSVP Line 663-8923, or the Chamber 6634542.
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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.
TENNIS SERVES UP NEW FUN FOR KIDS
A revolutionary change in the way kids 10 and under learn and play tennis, as well as compete, is happening across the country, and your kids should be a part of it! Smaller courts, lighter and lower bouncing balls and smaller and lighter racquets fit your child’s size. It all makes it easy and fun for them to hit, play and score from the start – while developing skills that will last a lifetime.
Learn. Play. Grow. To find out information about programs in your area or to SOUTHERN register for the free USTA 10 and Under membership, contact: Sarah Kleban, 10 and Under Tennis Coordinator (205) 578-8912 or Kleban@sta.usta.com Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/10-and-Under-TennisBirmingham/310946545659610
7246 10 and Under-Birm-7.5x10.indd 1
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Business Spotlight
iJump 280
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By MADISON MILLER
157 Resource Center Parkway, Suite 109
981-2696 www.ijump280.com
Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday- Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday, 12 – 6 p.m. Walking into iJump 280 makes even adults remember the excitement of childhood. With kids jumping around on every inflatable that they could possibly imagine, it’s a child’s paradise. Best of all, it’s weather resistant. The space is equipped with seven large inflatables, a rock climbing wall, two arcades, a go-cart track, five private party rooms and a café. The play center, located behind Logan’s Roadhouse and FedEx Office in Inverness off Highway 280, offers an alternative to the pool for families looking for kids’ activities to beat the heat. “When the temperature gets high, we have a temperature-controlled environment,” co-owner Tammy Khan said. “It’s important to keep (the kids) active.” Isaac David first opened iJump in 2009. When his previous business partners left, David thought about closing the business until Khan stepped up to help and keep the business going with him. This year, they reopened with the new name iJump 280. Both Khan and David wanted to create a family friendly environment where kids and parents could have fun and stay active without having to worry about the weather. Parents are even allowed to participate in some of the activities with their kids. “We wanted to accommodate parents and make sure that the kids are having a great time,” Khan said.
iJump has changed its name to iJump 280.
Khan and David also both know the importance of safety when kids are at play. Their staff is trained to keep the environment safe, as well as fun. “Our employees are our business,” Khan said. “They watch for safety hazards and make sure that the kids are having fun and being safe.” “Security is key,” David added. The owners also enjoy their location on 280 and the surrounding community. They often offer support for education, silent auctions and other events. “We definitely have deep community roots,” Khan said. The excitement on kids’ faces inside iJump 280 will tell you that it is the perfect place to jump and play. General admission to iJump is $8.50, the combo package $13.50, go-karts $5.50, and the rock wall $4.50. Admission for toddlers, ages 3 and under, is $2.50. They also offer party packages. Socks are required on all inflatables.
2908 CENTRAL AVENUE, SUITE 150 • HOMEWOOD, AL 35209 205.871.7332 • WWW.SKINWELLNESSAL.COM
Children from a YMCA day camp take turns on the inflatable tree house at iJump 280. Photos by Madison Miller.
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280 Living
Your Health Today By Dr. Irma Palmer
Happy summer! Warm weather (okay, hot weather here in Alabama!), time off from school, swimming, playing baseball and tennis, eating watermelon, family time… what’s not to love about summer? During the month of July, we’re celebrating kids of all ages at Chiropractic Today (including the “inner child” in you!) so I hope you’ll join us to learn how chiropractic care can vastly improve your kids’ overall health (as well as your own!) As parents, we hate to see our kids sick. But being sick from time to time while growing up is inevitable, right? What if I told you that your kids could be sick a lot less often, sleep better, and have improved behavior and attitude? They can…and it’s not another drug that’s going to do the trick…it’s chiropractic care! The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association conducted research on the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children. The results not only showed that chiropractic care is safe for children, but parents reported improved sleeping, improved behavior and attitude, and improved immune system function. I’ve had many parents who’ve come to my office seeking exactly that, after experiencing frustration with other doctors who simply want to put a “band-aid” on the problem and prescribe another drug to
their child. According to www.livestrong.com (the definitive destination for those who want to build their own healthy living success story, developed by the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Demand Media), parents are seeking alternative health care for kids in part because of an increase in chronic childhood disease. The site reports, “Chiropractic care is an effective and affordable program by licensed providers that addresses children’s health conditions associated with the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Gentle, noninvasive and drug free, chiropractic adjustments treat, resolve and prevent a wide range of health problems.” Children can suffer from many acute conditions…earaches, upper respiratory infections, neck pain, or injuries that result from trauma of some sort (accidents, sports mishaps, and even birth). When injuries are sustained, vertebral joints are misaligned and muscle tissue and nerves may also be affected (often leading to even more problems). Spinal adjustments free the joints, restore movement and alleviate nerve pressure. Chronic conditions can also be improved with chiropractic care. These include chronic earache, scoliosis, headaches, sleep disorders and neck pain. In addition to treating children in my practice suffering from these conditions,
Kids + Chiropractic Care = Healthier Kids!
I’ve also seen children experience significant improvement in their asthma, allergies and even ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) symptoms. People are often surprised to learn that chiropractic is safe and effective for everyone…even newborns! One of the most common frustrations of parents of newborns is dealing with infantile colic. If you’ve had an infant who suffered with colic, you know how much the parents suffer as well! A report published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that “Spinal manipulation is effective in relieving infantile colic”. I care for lots of infants in my office, and parents who choose chiropractic care for their infants often report decreased colicrelated issues and babies who sleep more soundly and are healthier overall. Another chronic condition many kids suffer with is asthma. I am astounded by the number of kids using bronchodilators and inhaled steroids (among other medications) to treat and control their asthma. According to Dr. Claudia Anrig, the foremost authority on pediatric chiropractics, childhood asthma causes more school absences than any other single pediatric disorder. And according to the Better Health & Medical Network, 4 million children under the age of 18 suffer with asthma. Chiropractic care is a safe, drug-free
approach that can improve respiration and improve quality of life in asthma patients. As a society, we’re conditioned to take our children for their annual physical, a once or twice yearly dental exam, and for regular eye checkups. Most parents wouldn’t dare skip these kinds of exams. But it’s the nervous system that’s responsible for sending, receiving, and processing information through the human body. Therefore, regular spinal checkups are a must! Chiropractics cares for the nervous system and keeps it in working order. Doesn’t a nervous system checkup just make logical sense? Surely all of this makes you wonder if chiropractic care could help your child. I am convinced it can! In fact, I’m completely convicted of chiropractic’s role in improving the overall health and wellness of your child! Bring them in for a free consultation and we’ll work with you to identify the various issues your child is dealing with and determine how chiropractic care can help. What do you have to lose? Give my office a call at 991-3511 and come in for your no-obligation consultation. Also, RSVP to attend one of our free monthly Wellness Workshops (this month on Tuesday, July 31st from 6:15-7 p.m.). In July we’ll be talking more about chiropractic care and children.
Introducing improved office hours to serve YOU better!
Chiropractic Today Total Natural Health
M/W/F 6:30am – 1:30pm and Tu 10:30am – 6pm 420 Inverness Corners (205) 991-3511 www.ChiropracticToday.com
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Community of Hope Health Clinic provides care to those in need By KATHRYN ACREE Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bill Dunham of Greystone began volunteering at Community of Hope Health Clinic when it opened in 2008, just about the same time as he began his retirement. “We work to minister to patients and meet their needs,” said the current board member. “It’s a true joy. Our attitude at the clinic is not that you are looking down on [patients]; we’re just pleased to be able to help. I’m privileged to be able to do it.” The Pelham clinic is a free clinic for uninsured residents of Shelby County. They operate as a medical mission, providing non-emergent medical care to adult patients whose household income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty level. The clinic recently expanded into 2,000 square feet leased from Shelby County in the Health Department building off County Services Drive. Originally, the clinic opened from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The expansion allowed the clinic to continue its Thursday night schedule in addition to being open on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “At the clinic, it’s really just anything and everything,” Dunham said. “There are a lot of medical illnesses, some orthopedics, a lot of spiritual and mental difficulties. It was a real opportunity, and I was filling a needed position.” Typical patients may have lost their health insurance and heard of the clinic through word of mouth. “After the clinic opened, the economy got worse and more and more people were coming to the clinic because they are not people who are usually without insurancethey may have lost their job, lost their insurance,” Dunham said. The clinic does not see pediatric patients because they can receive treatment at Children’s Hospital. They also don’t see patients over 65 as they have Medicare. “We don’t do surgeries, but we do have the resources to refer people for specialized care if needed,” Dunham said.
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Now A Women’s and Children’s Store
Splash into Summer
Beach Bags with Towels Shorts • Cover Ups• Sandals Flip Flops Hwy 280 - Greystone next to Driver’s Way Hours: 10-6 Monday-Saturday follow us on
- facebook.com/mymonkeytoes
437-9387
Administrative Assistant Kelly Charles Phillips and Dr. Bill Dunham at the Community of Hope Health Clinic.
Shelby Baptist Hospital provides lab work and x-rays free of charge. “We are careful how we use that resource, but we are thankful to be able to send our patients there. It would be hard to do what we do without them,” Dunham said. On a typical Thursday night, 10 different doctors are on the clinic’s rotation. Other volunteers work in the roles of nurses, interpreters, chaplains, receptionists and clerical personnel. When asked about volunteer needs at the clinic, Dunham said the thing needed most is physicians. “Growing the enthusiasm, the funding sources is important, but more doctors are always needed. I know it’s hard to work all day in your own office and then go on to see more patients, but the need is there,” he said. For additional information on the Community of Hope Health Clinic, contact Executive Director Chris Monceret at 6854154 or chris.monceret@adph.state.us.al.
A surprise “I do”
Grace Miller and Ed Prigmore married at Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. Photo courtesy of Marianne Sharbel.
Grace Miller and Ed Prigmore surprised fellow residents at Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen with their wedding during a chapel service on May 27. The staff at Somerby at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen was in on the surprise, but residents did not know they were coming to a wedding. The Prigmores met at dinner at Somerby last September and began dating over dinner and on long walks. Mr. Prigmore proposed to Grace in early May while on a special trip to Ireland with two of his daughters. He dropped down on one knee in the Church of the Holy Cross and
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put a ring on her finger. Mrs. Prigmore, the former Grace Sparks, grew up in Edgewood and worked for 40 years at Southern Company Services. She was widowed in 2005 and moved to Somerby at St Vincent’s One Nineteen in April of last year. Ed, a widower, moved to Somerby last year also. He worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in Oak Ridge, Tenn., before coming to Birmingham to work with Social Security Administration. “It’s great to have a companion again,” said Ed, who had been a widower for three years.
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School House
Spain Park students win law essay contest
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Spain Park’s Jasmine Bolden and Read Mills with teacher Libby Day.
The Alabama Bar Association sponsored an essay contest to commemorate Law Day in May. The theme of the contest was “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom.” Spain Park junior Read Mills was awarded first place, and junior Jasmine Bolden took third place. Both were honored
at a ceremony held at the Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building. Theirs were selected from hundreds of essays from around the state. Both students received a cash prize and Spain Park also received a donation from the Bar Association.
Chelsea Intermediate students participate in math contest Hours of Service
Monday - Friday 8am-8pm • Saturday 8am-6pm • Sunday 1pm - 6pm
MedHelp 280 Inverness area In front of Target Center 4600 Highway 280 East (205) 408.1231
MedHelp Lakeshore Homewood area, Just off I-65 @ Lakeshore Drive exit One West Lakeshore Drive (205) 930.2950
Students from Chelsea Intermediate School recently competed in the Noetic Learning Math Contest. The students were led by special area teachers Leigh McLemore and JoBeth Robbins. The Noetic Learning Math Contest is an elementary math problem solving contest held twice a year with over 12,000 students participating. Students participated at their home schools and then submitted their scores online through the organization’s website. Fourth grader Sam Borkent and fifth grader Gavin Jones were the winners of their teams. Both Sam and Gavin were also named to the national honor roll,
which is awarded to the top ten percent of participating students in the country. The following students received national honorable mention: Taylor Duzan, Wesley Lamberson, Patrick Shaw, Christian Ferguson, Julia Ferlisi, Elise Gasser, Rachel Moore, Alexandria Dennis, Connor Guess and Josie Thomas. “The purpose of participating in the contest is to stimulate our students’ interest in math and to inspire them to excel in math,” said McLemore. “The contest results show that our students can rise to the occasion and can meet the challenge. It also demonstrates our students’ great math skills and talents.”
dance south studio Library director shares favorites, www.dancesouth.com 316 Foothills Drive Chelsea, AL 35043 (205) 678-4414
Beginning our 23rd year of quality dance instruction in the Shelby County Community Ages 3 & up
encourages summer reading at LPMS Terri Leslie, teen director at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest, visited Liberty Park Middle School to talk to the seventh and eighth grade students about summer reading. While at the school, she gave book talks about some of her favorite teen books. She also gave each student a bookmark that lists the books she discussed. The students were encouraged to participate in the Library in the Forest summer activities. This year’s summer reading program theme is “Own the Night.” Activities will include a pillowcase art session, a time to play Wii video games, a Quirky Quotes Art session and a “Night of the Living Dead” Creature Ball and Costume Contest. Terri Leslie of the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest visited Liberty Park Middle to talk about summer reading programs at the library.
Ballet • Jazz • Tap • Pre-Pointe • Clogging Co-ed Hip Hop • Dance Team Prep Contemporary • Competition Dance Teams Classes offered at Dance South Studio in Chelsea and our other locations: Chelsea Park Elementary, Mt. Laurel Elementary, Inverness Elementary, Oak Mountain Elementary, CASA at Asbury United Methodist Church
Registration Open House -- Saturday, July 28th 10:00 - 2:00 Check out www.dancesouth.com for more information!
OMMS student selected for Student Climate Conservation Congress Jaried Buxton, an eighth grade student at Oak Mountain Middle School, was chosen from 130 students across the world to represent his school and the state of Alabama this summer at the 2012 Student Climate Conservation Congress (SC3). The conference was held in June at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.Va. The mission of SC3 is to empower environmental leaders with the skills, knowledge and tools necessary to address natural resource conservation challenges and better serve their schools and communities. Oak Mountain Middle’s Jaried Buxton attended the Student Climate Conservation Congress in June. Photo courtesy of Monique Buxton.
School House
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DeCamillis wins gold in national Need to rent your home ? art competition Let us make it easy for you!
205-538-0462 2409 Acton Rd., Ste. 137 waltonandtower.com Rent@waltontower.com
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Spain Park’s Annabelle DeCamillis’ winning oil painting, “Rococo Renovation.”
Spain Park High School junior Annabelle DeCamillis won a Scholastic Art and Writing National Gold Medal Award for her oil painting, “Rococo Renovation.” “Rococo Renovation” is a 30-by-40inch self portrait in oil. Annabelle is pictured in an Elizabethan pink gown, standing in Home Depot in the paint section, looking at paint chips. Within the viewer, the piece sets up surrealistic tension, a contrast of time periods and a contrast of female roles as well. It is painted in a realistic style with
heightened lighting and color. Approximately 10,000 pieces from all over the world were submitted to the national contest, with about 800 receiving awards. Of those, around 40 received gold status. Annabelle and her art teacher, Spain Park’s Cindy Childers, attended three days of activities in New York City. They went to Carnegie Hall for an awards ceremony and continued with workshops of alumni artists and a gala for the actual art exhibition.
Bruno Academy Lego Team
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Robotics team members Carson DeSocio, Davis Tyler-Dudley, Thomas Rooney, Ashton TylerDudley, Will Davis, Bela Patel, Soha Rasool, Deven Patel, Katie Maxfield, Elizabeth Bray, Hannah Bray, Coach Nathaniel Bray. Not pictured Coach Rakesh Patel. Photo courtesy of Dana Maxfield.
Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Lego Robotics Team, E.G.G.O. My LEGO, completed a successful year. In the Central Alabama Regional Qualifier the school hosted, the team of fourth through eighth graders placed second all-around. For the Food Factor challenge, they studied rice to improve its safe delivery and devised a trap to capture rice weevils. They also solved robotics table challenges with only a two and a half minutes and an unknown
challenge in five minutes. In the Alabama FIRST LEGO League Championship, they finished first in one of the teamwork categories. In the Alabama Robotics Competition at the University of Alabama, they placed fourth in Splatter Paint Scientists. For this competition, they team brought a robot and had to complete three missions during the competition.
Greystone completes aquatic studies center
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Visit our website for a virtual tour www.learningbydesignchildcare.com
SAVE ON EARLY FALL REGISTRATION Children ages 6 weeks- 6 years
Greystone Elementary students surround a pond recently constructed as part of their new aquatic studies center.
A new aquatic studies center featuring a fish pond was completed in May as a new addition to the Greystone Outdoor Classroom natural habitat area. The habitat area is part of the Greystone Elementary Outdoor Classroom. The pond was built in one day with the help of the third, fourth and fifth grade students at Greystone Elementary working alongside volunteers from the Inverness
T.J. Maxx Store, Hoover firefighters from Station #8 and Greystone parents. Doyle Keasel, a representative from the Auburn Extension Service and Alabama Wildlife Federation, provided the expertise in constructing the pond. The “plugging in” ceremony for the pond was held on May 10 with all Greystone students, teachers and administrators attending.
State of Alabama DHR Licensed Facility We strive for a clean facility. Shelby County Health Department Score of 100! Call for more information and to schedule a tour. 205-991-KIDS(5437) 5560 Cahaba Valley Rd. Located in Indian Springs across form the North Shelby Country Library
T L C Given Daily 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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Sports
157 Resource Center Parkway, Suite 102 Behind Logan’s Roadhouse on 280 Your source for teams sports
205-981-0291
Davis Shoemaker Chelsea High School, Senior Baseball, Football Chelsea’s Davis Shoemaker has been selected as our July athlete of the month. Davis was named to the Under Armour Southeast Regional Baseball Team in February and the 2012 Birmingham News All Shelby County team in June. How long have you been involved in baseball and football and what positions have you played? I’ve played baseball for 12 years and football for three. My baseball positions are shortstop and third base, and in football I’ve played quarterback and defensive back.
Photos by Cari Dean.
What is the best thing about being part of Chelsea’s teams? The coaches and players are really into pushing themselves into being the best that they can be in order to compete in sports. I’ve appreciated the friendships that I have on the teams as well.
Who has been your biggest inspiration? My parents, Mike and Rachel Shoemaker, and Nick Crawford at Elite Baseball. What other activities are you involved in at Chelsea? Athletes in Action, Beta Club, and I volunteer at community football and baseball camps. What are your future college/career aspirations? I would like to continue playing baseball at the next level. Do you have siblings involved with sports? My sister, Marleigh, is a Chelsea High School cheerleader. It will be fun having her on the sidelines cheering me on this year. What do you like to do in your spare time? I love to fish with my friends and just about any other outdoor activity.
A G R E E TO A G R E E
Where two sides meet to find one suitable solution. MIDDL EMEDIAT ION.COM | 205. 4 6 7.8552 or 205. 271. 3153
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Dahl signs with Rockies in MLB Draft By pATRICK THOMAS On Tuesday, June 12, recent Oak Mountain graduate David Dahl signed a seven-year contract with the Colorado Rockies in the first round of the Major League baseball draft. He accepted a $2.6 million signing bonus almost a week he was selected number 10 overall in the draft. The Rockies organization saw Dahl as a great fit for their team after he finished a workout in which he hit nine home runs and ran a blistering 6.4 seconds in the 60yard dash. An advisor who had worked with Dahl and his family since his sophomore year of high school worked out the terms of the negotiation throughout the draft process. “We were able to work out a deal we felt comfortable with, and the Rockies presented good terms,” said Kelli Dahl, David’s mother. After signing on the dotted line that Tuesday, Dahl flew out the next day to Grand Junction, Colo. to begin a Rookie League season with the Grand Junction Rockies. The Grand Junction Rockies are a member of the Pioneer League. The season consists of 76 games to be played over 81
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Brunch with the Doc So, You’re Thinking of Having a Baby Saturday, July 14 • 10:00-11:30 a.m. Join
David Dahl will play for the Colorado Rockies starting this summer. Photo courtesy of Kelli Dahl.
days. “David will probably practice for a couple days before he makes his first start,” Kelli said. “He will travel anywhere from Utah to Montana to anywhere else, so he will be quite busy.” Dahl was scheduled to make his official start in centerfield on either Thursday, June 21 or later that weekend when the Grand Junction Rockies had their first home game series.
Chelsea girls softball 5A state champs
Mary Adams, MD, with
OB/GYN Associates of Alabama at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen as she shares helpful information, preparation tips, and answers questions. If you’re thinking of expanding your family, don’t miss this seminar! Also, Rachel Sanchez, massage therapist at Spa One Nineteen will introduce the pregnancy massage and its benefits.
Please call 408-6550 to register for this free seminar.
7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35242 Follow us on
onenineteen.com
Chelsea High School’s girl’s softball team won the 5A state title in May. This is the team’s first state championship win. Photo courtesy of Monica Luster.
Black Hawks lacrosse champions
Lakeshore Foundation invites you to
Alabama’s Opening Ceremony Celebration for the 2012 Olympic Games in London The Hoover Black Hawks are this year’s state of Alabama U9 Lacrosse champions. Players are #1 Drake Wilson, #2 Noah Berke, #3 Zach Irvine, #5 Sam White, #6 Creed McCreary, #7 Tanner Graham, #8 Will Moulton, #10 Trip Morgan, #11 Jacob Traywick, # 15 Cooper Spence, # 16 Quinn Thornton, # 17 Keegin Smith, # 19 Connor Lozick, and # 24 Alex Egorshin. Coaches: Don Morgan, David Wilson, Scott Moulton and Mark White. Photo courtesy of Barb White.
Honorary Co-Chairs: Paralympic Rugby Gold Medalist Bryan Kirkland Olympic Alpine Skiing Gold Medalist Picabo Street
LPMS’s Schroeder selected for National Lacrosse Classic Michael Schroeder, a seventh grade student at Liberty Park Middle School, has been named as a 2012 Brine National All-Star and has been selected to represent the southeast in the 2012 Brine National All-Star Lacrosse Academy and National Lacrosse Classic to be held in Boyds, Md., June 30-July 3. The Brine National All-Star Lacrosse Academy brings the top 400 middle school lacrosse players in the country to one venue, where 16 regional teams will compete to become the 2012 National Champion. Michael is the son of Mary Catherine and Chuck Schroeder.
Help us toast London! Experience the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony on high-definition broadcast screens, enjoy British-themed dinner and drinks, and receive autographs from Alabama’s Olympians and Paralympians.
Friday, July 27, 2012 at 7 p.m. Lakeshore Foundation U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site 4000 Ridgeway Drive • Birmingham, AL 35209
Business Casual Attire To purchase tables or seats or for more information, contact Jennifer Chandler at jenniferc@lakeshore.org or 205.313.7436. LPMS seventh grader Michael Schroeder will play in the National Lacrosse Classic.
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280 Living
Birmingham ladies win Auburn tennis tournament, head to Mobile
Happy 4th of July from 280 Medical Supply! Please remember us for all your Medical Equipment & Supplies!
Aids to Daily Living & So Much More! Lift Chairs • Knee Walkers Hospital Beds • Orthotic Braces Compression Hose • Syringes Diabetic Testing Supplies • Shoes Wheelchairs • Scooters • Walkers Canes • Crutches • Patient Lifts Alternating Pressure Mattresses CPAP • Nebulizers • TENS • Ostomy Urostomy • Wound Care Incontinence • Supplements • Herbs Yoder’s Good Health Recipe
We are happy to bill most insurance plans & WC. Preferred Provider for BCBS & Blue Advantage Humana . Medicare . Medicaid . Viva
Baptist Health Center Chelsea
15582 Hwy 280 Chelsea
205-678-8755 Owner: Georgia Lay
www.BhamMed.com
Dear Medicare Patient, We’re very sorry to tell you that because of a current Medicare law, you could be forced to use a different home medical equipment supplier that was chosen by the U.S. government because of a low bid. This law will dramatically change the quality of products and services that you receive to treat your medical conditions in the privacy of your own home. They call it “competitive bidding.” It should be called the “down-with-quality-home-care-forthe-elderly bill.”
What does “competitive bidding” mean to you, our valued Medicare patient? 1. Your freedom to choose your provider, including the one who’s taken care of you for years, will disappear. This process will reduce the number of home health care providers, especially in rural areas, and limit your access to care. 2. Both quality and service will be seriously compromised. As you know, the services we provide to you are as important as the equipment you use. The few home health care providers left will face severe budget constraints, and the first thing that will be cut is service, including preventive equipment maintenance, patient/caregiver education, 24-hour on-call service and care by professional respiratory therapists. 3. Innovation in home medical equipment technology will be limited. Advances such as equipment that makes oxygen last longer for traveling consumers or lighter walkers with wheels and brakes that are safer and easier to use may not have occurred under this proposed program. These innovations enhance the quality of your lives. By cutting reimbursements, as this law does, future innovations will not occur. Manufacturers will be inclined to produce cheap equipment with none of the innovative features you’ve come to expect. 4. The end of small businesses, which are the bedrock of the American way of life. Those of you who owned businesses know how much of yourselves you invested in your operation. Those of you who patronize small businesses know that the level of service provided by a locally owned non-chain operation far exceeds that of the “big box” nationals that are rapidly overtaking the country’s landscape. Competitive bidding will create a monopoly, and your quality of care will be compromised as a result.
“Competitive bidding will create a monopoly” As your locally owned and independently operated care provider, we are telling you this with heavy hearts. We consider you, our patients, to be part of our extended family. What can you do to ensure that the quality care we’ve been providing can continue? Contact your representative AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, and ask that they support a repeal of “competitive bidding” for home medical equipment. Ask your representative to co-sponsor H.R. 3790, and ask your senators to support a Senate version of H.R. 3790. To reach your representative, dial the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be directed to your congressperson. Don’t wait. Your legislator must hear from you! If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact us. Sincerely, Your locally owned HME provider
280 Medical Supply 15582 Hwy 280 Chelsea • 205-678-8755 Owner: Georgia Lay • www.BhamMed.com
A group of local ladies who became friends through area tennis leagues recently played at their league’s state championship in Mobile in June, where they made it to the semi-finals. The team is pictured here at a tournament at Auburn’s Yarbrough Tennis Center. Rhonda Williams, Michelle Guffey, Lisa Clark, Suzy Vines, Gena Gorman, Donna Swalley, Amy Riley and Shondra Witt all met through tennis leagues at the Greystone YMCA, Inverness Country Club and Gardendale Tennis. Not pictured are captain Sally McClanahan, Melody Debardelaben, Regina Hontzas and Julianna Yongue Hill. Photo courtesy of Lisa Clark.
ALLY
CONTINUED from page 1 something to be ignored. The originial diagnosis based on her x-rays was tendonitis, and the Nelsons were advised to give her ibuprofen and to stretch out her leg for three weeks. After a week and a half, Ally’s limp grew worse. Her mom noticed she had lost muscle mass in her left thigh and now had swelling. They scheduled an MRI that was supposed to take 30 minutes. The procedure took two hours. That’s when doctors found a tumor that extended from her left thigh down to her knee. Ally was soon diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. She started chemotherapy within days after the diagnosis. The Nelsons’ life changed literally overnight. Her mom took a leave of absence from her job as a pediatric nurse to be with Ally throughout her treatment. Her dad, Charles Nelson, who goes by Trey, is able to work from home in Chelsea to help keep her little brother, 15-month-old Alijah, and rotate out being with Ally when he can. Ally lost her hair, and her mom also chose to shave hers and keep it short. But Ally’s medical condition is not the only thing that stands out about her. “Ally has a gentle, kind spirit about her that draws her teachers and friends to her,” said Val Harvey, whose daughter Emma is friends with Ally. “She is a very smart girl who is fighting the battle of her life.” Ally’s best friends and their families joined with Chelsea Middle counselors to promote a “Rally for Ally.” Her classmates at CMS held lemonade stands to raise awareness and funds for her care. Cotton candy was sold as a fundraiser for her at a school outdoor event called Organized Chaos, similar to field day. Ally’s supporters have become what her mom calls their “surrogate family,” as their immediate family lives in Ohio. “It’s amazing the outpouring of people that didn’t know us personally before but have jumped in to bring food or just call to pray with us or to be of support in any way they can,” Christina Nelson said. “I think it’s a testament to who Ally is in her character. Ally is such a sweet girl; she’s amazing and inspires us on a daily basis.” Ally’s treatment at Children’s Hospital involved a five-week course of chemo in ten weeks to shrink the tumor; from there, limb salvage surgery repaired her damaged thigh and removed the bone with
Ally Nelson’s friends are supporting her cancer fight with lemonade stands: Kyla Hawkins, Emma Harvey, Madison O’Connell, Alyssa Thompson, Audrey Rushing, Caroline Crawford. Photo courtesy of Val Harvey.
the tumor. A prosthetic bone was put in its place in June. Depending on tests after the surgery, her chemo treatment will continue until either October or January. “We have been so thankful that Ally has had no nausea with the treatments so far; they just make her very tired,” Nelson said. A straight-A student, Ally was able to finish up her sixth grade year in May by having work sent home to the family. Next year she will have a home-bound teacher. Her family is looking forward to Ally having the strength to once again enjoy the things she loves: singing, dancing, writing songs and sketching out fashion designs. The doctors at Children’s Hospital have told the Nelsons that Ally would know if the chemo treatments were working before anyone else would. “I think she’s responding well to her course of care,” Nelson said. “Ally’s able to move her leg better, and the swelling has gone down. Her numbers have been great, and that is all we’ve hoped for.” Editor’s note: You can follow Ally’s story at CaringBridge.org by searching AlexandraNelson and at www.facebook.com/ PrayersForAllyNelson. A fund to help support the costs of Ally’s medical care has been established at Cadence Bank under “Christina Nelson- tragedy fund for Ally Nelson;” the bank’s Chelsea branch is located at 104 Chelsea Pointe Drive and can be reached at 678-6801.
280 Living
www.280living.com
Library Happenings North Shelby Library
Special Programming Monday, July 2, 2 p.m.- Movie Matinee – The Muppets Tuesday, July 3, 2 – 3:30 p.m.- Craft – Rocketship Thursday, July 5, 3 p.m.- Diary of a Wimpy Kid vs. Dork Diaries- We will have fun games, cool crafts, and special prizes for the winning team! Grades 2-5. Monday, July 9, 2 p.m.- Movie Matinee – Judy Moody and the Not So Bummer Summer Tuesday, July 10, 2 – 3:30 p.m.- Craft – Raccoon Thursday, July 12, 10:30 a.m.- Rick Rakestraw’s Critter Show. Join us for a trip around the world with some amazing animals.
July 2012
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Monday, July 2, 5:30 p.m. Join us for an evening of anime and candy sushi. The audience will choose what we watch. Cosplay is welcome!
or nsyouth@shelbycounty-al.org for more information on teen programs.
Registration Required.
Battle of the Books Strategy Meetings Thursdays, July 5, 12, & 19, 5:30 p.m. Strategy sessions for each book will be held each Thursday.
Thursday, July 19, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.- McWane Center Starlab. Grades K-3. Registration required and begins July 1.
Craft Night: Decoupage Thursday, July 5, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Use old comics to create a functional piece of art.
Storytime Programming Toddler Tales Wednesday, July 18 – 10 a.m. Stories, songs, fingerplays, and more make up a lively 30-minute program.
Saturday, July 21, 6 p.m. Summer Reading End Party with Ron Anglin, Juggler and Magician
Gaming Fridays, July 6, 13, & 20, 2 - 5:45 p.m. Come to the teen department each Friday afternoon for open gaming on the Wii and with board and card games.
North Shelby, Chelsea and Mt Laurel Public Libraries July Happenings Note: the libraries will be closed on July 4th in observance of Independence Day
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Monday, July 23, 2 p.m.- Movie Matinee – Hugo
Movie Monday, July 9, 5:30 p.m. Join us for an evening of popcorn, soda, and cinema
Tuesday, July 24, 2 - 3:30 p.m.- Craft – Dream Catcher Wednesday, July 25, 10:30 a.m.- Summer Reading End Party with Mr. Mac
Worst Case Scenario Thursday, July 12, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Are you prepared to survive if the worst happens? Think Zombies, Hunger, Robots.
Story-Time Programming Mondays, July 2, 9, 16, and 23, 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 11:30 a.m. Toddler Tales
Super Hero Double Feature Monday, July 16, 4 p.m.
Tuesdays, July 3, 10, 17, and 24, 9:30 a.m. Baby Tales Story Time
Teen Book Club Tuesday, July 17, 5 p.m. The Teen Book Club will meet to discuss the Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Friday, July 13- All Ages Lego Competition. Original (not from a kit) creation to be judged by our all-star judges. Prizes will be awarded in age categories. Come by the Children’s Department to register.
Wednesdays, July 11, 18, and 25, 10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Mr. Mac (Storyteller Extraordinaire!)
Monday, July 16, 2 p.m.-Movie Matinee – Chipwrecked Tuesday, July 17, 2 – 3:30 p.m.- Craft – Dream Journal
For more information or to register for any programs or storytimes, call or email the Children’s Department at 205-439-5504 or northshelbyyouth@gmail.com or visit their website at www.northshelbylibrary.org/
Wednesday, July 18, 1 p.m.- B’Tween the Pages Bookclub- For kids 9-12.
Teen Happenings Anime Night
Thursdays, July 5, 12, and 19, 7 p.m. P. J. Story Time
Kingdom Comics Thursday, July 19, 6 p.m. Check out the latest in comics and graphic novels with updates from Comic-Con. Prizes and snacks! Battle of the Books Competition and End Party! Monday, July 23, 6 -7:30 p.m. Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512
Mt Laurel Public Library
Storytime with Ms Kristy Wednesday, July 18 – 11 a.m. Stories, music, and more for every member of the family. Craft Days Thursdays, July 5 & 19, 2 – 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Drop in to create fun items at the library. All ages with parent help. Registration Required. Raptors and Reptiles: Creatures of the Night Thursday, July 12, 2 p.m. Demonstration from the Coosa River Science School Starshine Faces End Party Tuesday, July 24, 2 p.m. Celebrate the end of a great summer reading with a facepainting storytime. All ages. Call or email the Mt Laurel Library at 9911660 or mtlaurellibrary@gmail.com for more information or to register.
Chelsea Public Library Dream Big Read! events for kindergarten – fifth grade Wednesdays July 11, 18, and 25 at 2 p.m. Council meeting room at Chelsea City Hall Own the Night events for sixth grade – 12th grade Thursdays July 12, 19, and 26 at 2 p.m. Council meeting room at Chelsea City Hall
Physical Therapy Youth & Adult Sports Injuries Arthritis Pain Management Orthopedic Rehab Workers’ Comp Back & Neck Pain Convenient Hours Most Insurances Accepted, including BCBS, Medicare & Tricare
We Love to See You Move! Official Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Provider for the Spain Park Jags!
5291 Valleydale Road, Suite 113
TM
205-408-4123
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280 Living
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This week I’ve spent time at the cemetery where my folks are buried. Decoration is next Sunday, and it takes a while to get the old cemetery in shape. It’s a peaceful place most of the time. My mom, dad and brothers are buried at the top of the hill, close to the service road that encircles the graveyard. I was there one evening this week, sitting on the tailgate of my truck, giving them updates about what’s happening in my life. I sat there for a while in silence, listening to the pines whispering to the wind, and the sound of birds getting ready to turn in for the evening. Off in the distance, I heard a freight train blowing to warn drivers to approach the crossings with care. The sound of trains moving eastward and westward makes this a perfect place for my dad and my brothers, who all had an undercurrent of restlessness coursing through their souls. In our younger days, whenever I went anywhere with my older brother, Neil, he always walked quickly like he had an appointment with destiny and was running late. When he graduated from high school, he moved up north for a time to put some distance between himself and the hills and the hollows of Alabama He later moved to California to see if he could find what he was looking for out there but ended up moving back here, where he married and raised a family. He seemed happy and he loved his kids, but he died young at 50 years old and I’m not sure if he ever found what he was looking for. My younger brother, Darren, seemed even more restless than Neil. He left home soon after high school and moved to Birmingham, Atlanta, and later to Houston, Texas. He also died too young at the age of
33.
My dad seemed more restless than either of my brothers. He spent very little time at home. On weekends, he’d be on the Warrior River, or he’d be driving on the back roads in his pickup visiting with his old friends. It was hard for him to sit still for any length of time. He always seemed to be searching, but he never said why. Even though this next part happened over 55 years ago, I remember it as if it were yesterday. It was late one evening after the sun had slipped below the horizon to the west. We’d finished supper, and he went out to the front porch to sip the last of his iced tea and smoke a coffin-nail, as he called them. As he sat, the chains of the old wooden swing creaked and groaned. I crawled up into his lap to watch the lightning bug show that had just gotten underway. Off in the distance we heard the sound of an old freight train blowing for a nearby crossing. It chugged down a notch to change gears, but to me it sounded like it was taking a breath. He said, “Joe Ab (don’t ask me why he called me that), I’m gonna ride that train one of these days.” I was too young then to realize how deep that seam of restlessness ran through his soul, but looking back, I get a sense of just how much he longed to be somewhere else at times. Neither Dad nor my brothers ever had an opportunity to travel that much in their lifetimes. My prayer, as I sat on the tailgate of my pickup, was that they are now wandering the universe like hobos. 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.
That’s Life
By Paul Johnson, Samaritan Counseling Center
Pulling the sheets off anger You kiss your wife good night, and she rolls over to the far side of the bed, bunches the pillow under her head, pulls the covers up, and doesn’t move. Is she asleep, or is she sending you a message? Your husband climbs into bed, and you softly scratch his back. He falls asleep instantly with a smile playing across his lips. Your lower arm has gone numb beneath you. You roll over to get comfortable and accidentally awaken him. “What’s wrong, honey?” he asks. Your “nothing” is so mumbled, he grills you for 20 minutes about why you are upset. I once heard about a physician who wrote that a couple’s sleeping habits and positioning can reveal a lot about them and their relationship. Of course, any of us might say that when our spouse takes all the covers in the middle of the night, it most certainly reveals a lot about the relationship. There is no right or wrong way to sleep. The way a couple sleeps may not be indicative of what is going on in the marriage, but then again, it may. A couple may sleep back-to-back or hug the edge of the bed when nothing is wrong at all. However, a back-to-back posture could indicate a lack of closeness or a power struggle. The reverse is true as well: a couple could sleep entwined all night because one is stressed or worried about the lack of intimacy in the relationship. But of all the sleeping positions, there is one that is always “not good”: back-to-back, arms-folded, deep-sighs, angry. Many married couples have singled out anger as
the one factor that seriously affects their sleeping positions. You have heard that it is not good to go to bed angry. Your parents have mentioned it a time or two; your preacher has preached it a time or two. And with good reason. Marriage experts agree that unresolved anger is a killer of relationships. It stands to reason that if a couple goes to bed angry, they will wake up angry and cause unnecessary barking at the dog, children and co-workers. And when anger is kept day after day, it can turn into contempt and erode the marriage relationship. Gary Smalley said anger is never buried dead; it is always buried alive. So when two people try to ignore or “stuff” their anger by pulling the covers over their heads and sleeping on it, they are setting themselves up for serious damage. While everyone knows they should not go to bed angry, most will admit they still do at times. What to do? Try this in order to avoid the unhealthy kind of smoldering under the sheets: 1. Make an agreement with your partner. It is difficult to prevent bedtime anger if only one of you is committed to resolving the conflict. However, the time to discuss or to make your agreement about not going to bed angry is when you are not angry and not about to go to bed. Talk about it now so that later, when you are angry and it is bedtime, the path has already been decided. If you are the only one who wants to agree not to go to bed
See Johnson | page 29
280 Living
www.280living.com
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Life Actually By Kari Kampakis
Can a messy house be progress? Almost every mom I know wishes her home stayed cleaner. And although our definition of “clean” may vary, we all understand the positive effect of having our surroundings in order. One, we know where to find things. Two, it helps us feel in control. Three, it brings a peace of mind. All these things influence our psyche and help us be better moms. When the house is a disaster, we live in a state of unease, easily overacting to additional emergencies. Handling spilled milk on the sofa—or mud on a kitchen floor —is not such a bug when other chores aren’t screaming for attention. But as we all know, the quest for a clean house often conflicts with raising kids. I’ve struggled with this for a long time because disorder jumps out at me. I internalize it, in fact, tensing at the sight of an unmade bed or explosion of toys. These things used to make me fly off the handle, and while I still do sometimes, I’ve learned to bite my tongue. Why? Because after my fourth child was born, I realized I had a choice. Either I could spend my life mad at the kids, constantly cleaning house and resentful they couldn’t live up to my standard, or I could learn to let a few things go. I could let my house look lived in. Let it be loved every once in a while. In a recent conversation with my friend Rebecca, this topic came up. Rebecca gets my struggle with a clean house because she’s the same way. We use each other as sounding boards and talk about how to walk the fine line of letting our kids enjoy our homes while preventing a pigsty. “You’ll be so proud of me,” she said, “because last week before church, my kids made a fort of blankets, pillows, everything. They had the best time playing in it. I kept wanting to take it down, but I let it stay up for seven days. Seven days!” Rebecca went on to share something her mom always says: “You have to let them be kids. You can have a perfect house when they’re gone.” Pretty wise, huh? What I’m advocating is not a life of squalor, or hoarding, or fraternity-style living, but keeping a home in moderation. Our kids’ rooms in particular should be their personal spaces, shrines to what they love, reflections of their personality. So
what if they want Pottery Barn Teen over custom bedding? Does it really matter if every knick-knack and stuffed animal color-coordinates? As much as their taste may irk me, I know deep down that my kids have the right to choose what makes them happy. As a former perfectionist, I’ve grown in my realization that a perfect house is not a sign of a happy family. Maybe Mom is content, but I’d bet my bottom dollar no one else is. Like many moms, I’ve been on my fair share of crazed-eyed cleaning sprees. One that stands out occurred a few years ago, when I threw out a bag of rocks my daughter Ella had carefully selected to paint. On a mission, I reasoned that rocks are easy to replace, and that she probably wouldn’t notice. Wrong. When Ella came to ask me a few weeks later where her rocks were, she asked if I threw them out. I admitted I did, and instantly her eyes filled with tears. In a tight, restrained, tactful voice that only sweet Ella could maintain, she said, “Sometimes I wish I had a mom who wasn’t so clean.” Ouch. I have to say, that day marked a turning point for me. While I still go on crazed-eyed cleaning sprees and strive to maintain order, I also try to remind myself that kids aren’t meant to live in museums. My home is their home, too, and things like handprints on the windows and 20 dolls on a bed are really worthy of celebration because they’re signs that I’m blessed with kids. One day my house will be in inertia— motionless from morning to night—but for now it’s in action, constantly changing to the rhythm of my family. For people like Rebecca and me, a messy house is a sign of progress because we’ve grown to see our homes not through a woman’s eyes, but through a mother’s eyes. May mothers everywhere learn to cut each other some slack, and remember that impressing other moms with our tidiness is often counterproductive with what our children need. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Birmingham mom of four with a background in PR, writing and photography. Visit her website at www. karikampakis.com, find her on Facebook and Twitter, or contact her at kari@karikampakis. com.
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CONTINUED from page 28 angry, then you must be the one to make sure your conflict is resolved as far as you are concerned. There is not much you can do if your partner does not want to communicate, but you can still be open and willing to seek your spouse’s forgiveness if you need to. 2. Don’t wait until bedtime to discuss sensitive matters. For many couples, the only time they have to process the day or things that have gone wrong is right before bed, but it is better to set an appointment for the next day and get up early than to risk a major disagreement before retiring. Also, bedtime is when you are the most fatigued and thus not a good time for deep or difficult discussions that demand a lot of energy. 3. Provide a safety valve. If you have agreed that you are not going to go to bed angry and you do have a major confrontation at bedtime, sometimes there needs to be a way to release some of the pressure. Say, “I’ll be right back,” and then excuse yourself to utilize the bathroom or check to make sure the iron is off or something. Take a breath and a moment to find some calm; then, when you come back to your spouse, ask if it is possible to pick up this important issue later after you have had a chance to sleep on it (and
not sleeping on the potential emotion). Sometimes when you are physically worn out from arguing and it feels like nothing is going to get resolved, staying up another three hours to reach resolution may not be the answer. Instead, agree to discuss it the next day (set a time), affirm your love for one another, and get some sleep. No matter what the sleeping position or the motivation behind it, your best bet for deciphering the positional code is good, attentive communication with your spouse. If you sense there may be a problem with your spouse, pay attention to your sleep habits and positioning and discuss them with your mate. It’s possible that you have never talked about how you sleep. Sleeping positions and patterns are not the problems themselves; but they may reveal an actual problem. If for no other reason, talking about your sleeping positions may uncover a deeper conversation about your marriage relationship and the dreams you have for it. Paul Johnson is the executive director as well as a professionally licensed marriage and family therapist at the Samaritan Counseling Center, which is located at 100 Missionary Ridge. You may reach him at 967-3660 or visit www.samaritancc.org.
Sometimes we forget who’s teaching whom.
Highlands United Methodist Church www.fivepointschurch.org
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July Calendar of Events
280 Events Thursdays – Urban Cookhouse Farmer’s Market. 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Summit Shopping Center. More information: www. urbancookhouse.com. 7/3 – Chapter One Nineteen. Monthly book club meeting will discuss The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon. 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. St.Vincent’s One Nineteen. Free. Registration: 408-6550. 7/3 – The Big Kaboom. The City of Chelsea will host sixth annual firework show. Pre-show entertainment at 8 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Chelsea Park subdivision. More information: www. cityofchelsea.com. 7/4 – Morgan Creek Vineyards fireworks show. Morgan Creek Vineyards will host fireworks show with entertainment and Full Moon Barbeque. The vineyards will be open for wine tasting and tours. 6:30 – 9 p.m. Morgan Creek Vineyards. More information: www.morgancreekwinery. com. 7/4 – Fourth of July Flag Making and Parade – Oak Mountain State Park, 10 a.m., Cost: general admission ($1 -$3). More information: 205-620-2520 or oakmountain.naturalist@dcnr.alabama. gov. 7/13 – Comprehensive Diabetes Education. Seminar will discuss diabetes. Physicians referral required. Preassessments given preceding class date. Registration: 939-7248. 7/14- Piano Concert featuring Dr. Drew Mays. Benefits UAB Department of Ophthalmology Research Fund. Danberry at Inverness retirement community at 235 Inverness Center Drive. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Tickets: $75 per person, $500 per table. More information: DanberryAtInverness. com/concert or call 443-9500. 7/16-20 (Ages 6-9), 7/23-27 (Ages 10-12) – Kid’s Cooking Camp. Kids will have the opportunity to create different types of foods and discover healthy cooking. 8
email your events to calendar@280living.com
a.m. - 12 p.m. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, 7191 Cahaba Valley Road. $175 per session. Half-day program: $17 per day. More information: 408-6550 or www. onenineteen.com. 7/16-7/18, 7/30-8/1, 8/6-8/8 – Annalyce’s Bake Shop Cake Camp. Annalyce’s Bake Shop. 5479 Highway 280, Suite 122. Three -day cake camp for ages 9-14. Campers will make, bake, frost, and decorate cake all from scratch. Cost: $100 per session. More information: 991-5006. 7/17 – Top Ten Free Food and Activity Apps. Participants will share their favorite healthy smart phone apps along with St. Vincent staff, Mandy Cox, general manager of fitness; and Donna Sibley, registered dietician. 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. Free. Registration not necessary. More information: http:// onenineteen.com/events.asp
Family Fun
of admission. More information: http:// www.mcwane.org/calendar_items/1153slippery_slimy_saturday. 7/14 – Brookwood Village Farmer’s Market. Every second Saturday this summer, they will have local farmers and Alabama vendors setup on the street for a market. There will be face painting, live music and family fun. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Brookwood Village. More information: http://www.shopbrookwoodvillage.com/ events.php.
Theatre 7/9-7/25 – Acting Workshops for Seniors. Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m at 571 Bluff Park Avenue in Bluff Park 35226. $150 for all six sessions. For more information or to register, contact The Seasoned Performers office at 978-5095 or email at mail@ seasonedperformers.org.
Saturdays – Urban Cookhouse Farmer’s Market. 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Soho parking lot Downtown Homewood. 2850 19th Street South. More information: www. urbancookhouse.com.
7/12 -15, 7/19 – 22, 7/26-29, - Legally Blonde the Musical. Presented by Red Mountain Theatre Company. 7:30. Virginia Samford Theatre. For more information and ticket purchase: www. virginiasamfordtheatre.org.
Saturdays – Pepper Place Saturday Market. 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. 2829 2nd Avenue South. More information: www. pepperplacemarket.com.
7/24 -7/28, 7/31 – Frog Prince. Birmingham Children’s Theatre Production. 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. More information and pricing: www.bct123.org.
7/4- Independence Day 1776 – The American Village will host an Independence Day set in 1776. $5. Free for veterans and kids under four. Gate opens at 11 a.m. Events start at 12 p.m. More information: 665-3535.
Music and Arts
7/4 – Thunder on the Mountain. 9 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum. More information: www.visitvulcan.com7/14 – Slippery, Slimy Saturday. Lots of ooey gooey fun as educators conduct slimy experiments and show you how to make your own creations. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. McWane Science Center. Included in cost
7/8 – Film Series: “Fresh.” “2 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens LynnHenley Lecture Hall in the Garden Center. Free. More information: www.bbgardens. org.
7/1 – Mamma Mia Sing-a-long. 2 p.m. The Alabama Theatre. $8. More information: http://events.alabamatheatre.com/ events/.
7/11 – Big Time Rush Tour with Cody Simpson and Rachel Crow. 7 p.m. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. Tickets: www.
280 Live Music Listings HOGANS Irish Pub & Grill
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.
City Vineyard Arbor Place, 5479 Highway 280, Suite 102 437-3360 • 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.
BILLY’S BAR & GRILL 4520 Overton Road, Suite 104
Liberty Park • 956-2323 Call for this month’s music listings.
Courtyard Oyster bar & grill 280 band and dj schedule
Mondays & Tuesdays- Dj Kop 7/1-Heath Shoemaker / Huck & Boss 7/4-Matt Barnes & David Koonce 7/5-Erica & Eric / Heath Shoemaker 7/6-MP4 / Matt Hill band 7/7-Voodoo Jones / Heath Shoemaker 7/8-Heath Shoemaker / Justin Turberville 7/11-Matt Barnes & David Koonce 7/12-Heath Shoemaker / Huck & Boss 7/13-Gentleman Zero / SK5 7/14-Redemption / The Haulers unplugged / Heath Shoemaker 7/15-Jager Muffin / Heath Shoemaker 7/18-Matt Barnes & David Koonce 7/19-Erica & Eric / Heath Shoemaker 7/20-Good Morning Lucy / Matt Hill band 7/21-Todd Simpson and the Mojo Child / Heath Shoemaker 7/22-Heath Shoemaker 7/25-Matt Barnes & David Koonce 7/26-Huck & Boss / Heath Shoemaker 7/27-Erica’s Playhouse / SK5 7/28-Shake the Kitty / Heath Shoemaker 7/29-The Haulers / Heath Shoemaker
The Fish Market Restaurant GREYSTONE, 5407 Highway 280 980-8600 Every Thursday night live music with Jeff Taylor. All Parrotheads are invited.
livenation.com. 7/11 – 7/25 – Picasso Kids. Art supplies included. Wednesdays 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Shelby County Arts Council Studio, Columbiana. $70. More information: http://shelbycountyartscouncil.com/ classes.php. 7/14 – Miranda Lambert: On Fire Tour. 7:30 p.m. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. Tickets: www.livenation.com. 7/15 – Dive! Part of Birmingham Botanical Garden’s documentary film series. 2 p.m. Linn-Henley Lecture Hall. Free. More information: www.bbgardens.org/ filmseries. 7/22 – Queen of the Sun: What are the bees telling us? Part of Birmingham Botanical Garden’s documentary film series. 2 p.m. Linn-Henley Lecture Hall. Free. More information: www.bbgardens. org/filmseries. 7/26 – Nicki Minaj: Pink Friday Tour. 7:30 p.m. Boutwell Auditorium. Tickets: www. magiccitytix.com. 7/29 – Farmageddon. Part of Birmingham Botanical Garden’s documentary film series. 2 p.m. Free. Linn-Henley Lecture Hall. More information: www.bbgardens. org/filmseries. 7/31 – The Tour 2012: Kiss and Motley Crue. 7 p.m. Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. Tickets: www.livenation.com.
Sports 7/11, 7/12, 7/13 – Birmingham Barons vs. Tennessee Smokies. 7:05 p.m. Regions Park. More information: http://www. milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t247 or 988-3200. 7/19, 7/20, 7/21, 7/22 – Birmingham Barons vs. Montgomery Biscuits. 7:05. Regions Park. More information: http://www. milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t247 or 988-3200. 7/29, 7/30, 7/31 – Birmingham Barons vs. Jackson Generals. 7:05. Regions Park. More information: http://www.milb. com/index.jsp?sid=t247 or 988-3200.
Classifieds Help Wanted
Counter person for retail business. Must enjoy contact with people. Point-of-sale experience preferred. 20-25 hours per week. Fax resume/job history to: 205.980.8346 We printed the wrong fax number last month, if you tried to send before, please resend.
Beaumont Gift Boutique
Is looking for two permanent part time employees with previous retail experience that are able to work flexible schedules including weekends. Please apply in person. Background check and references required. 264 Inverness Center Dr. Birmingham, AL 35242. No phone calls please.
280 Medical Supply is looking for part time help:
Candidate will be responsible for making deliveries and repairing DME. Please send resume to info@BhamMed.com , fax to 888-611-8229 or call 205-678-8755
Comfort Keepers
is currently hiring quality caregivers
205-981-1800
www.280living.com
280 Living
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July 2012
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School House