280 Living February 2013

280 Living

280Living.com

neighborly news & entertainment

Conquering

Cancer

February 2013 February | Volume 62013 | Issue 6

We buy gold and select diamonds

5299 Valleydale Road Suite 111 • Birmingham, AL 35242 (two blocks from 280) www.southeasternjewelers.net • 980-9030

Controlled burn

The Annual Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run returns to St. Vincent’s One Nineteen next month.

Community page 8

ALDOT to respond The Alabama Department of Transportation will hold a public involvement meeting from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28 at The Church at Brook Hills’ Student Building to present updates to it’s November 2012 intersection improvement proposal.

Sponsor page 31

INSIDE Sponsors ...... 4 280 News ..... 6 Business ....... 10 Food .............. 12 Faith .............. 17

Community .... 18 School House . 21 Sports ............. 26 Opinion ........... 27 Calendar ......... 28

Firefighters train in home near Mt Laurel community - See page 6

A father’s plea Following the tragic death of his son, Kenneth Lucas is calling attention to the issue of teen drug use

By JEFF THOMPSON Kenneth Lucas will say the cost of teenage drug abuse is incalculable.

He would know.

On Oct. 28, 2012, Noon had came and gone, and Lucas’ son, Allec O’Brien, hadn’t woken up. He was a straight-A student at Valleydale Christian Academy and maintained a parttime job. He was an all-star lacrosse player, an Eagle Scout and a black belt. He was also,

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit #656

facebook.com/280Living

60

See PLEA | page 16

Kenneth Lucas, right, with his son Allec O’Brien on a mission trip to Honduras.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Lucas.

Reported Substance Abuse by Seniors in Shelby County Schools

Percent Report use of

Kenneth said, a frequent user of illegal drugs.

The prior morning, Allec was scheduled to take the ACT. He had already scored a 26 and was aiming for a 28. He told Lucas that after the test he was going camping for the night and wouldn’t be back by their house in the Oak Mountain area.

Instead, he began the day by taking a stimulant, Adderall, and followed it with a

alcohol

23

35

18

10

Report using weekly

Report use of

Report using weekly

Report use of

Percent

Percent

marijuana

Percent

Percent

heroin

Statistics from the 2009-2010 Shelby County Schools Pride Learning Survey

4

Percent

Report using daily

2

February 2013

280 Living

RELIABLE TRUTH Richard E. Simmons III

N What do science, history, and logic have to say about the reliability of the Bible?

This book presents in a profound way how the Bible reflects the true nature of reality.

Reliable Truth is about seeing the world as it is while debunking the myths, legends, and false beliefs of the Bible.

“Richard Simmons has hit a homerun with this book.” ~ Kevin Elko, Author and Sports Consultant “Reliable Truth answers the questions that both Christians and tough minded skeptics are asking. I highly recommend this book!” ~ Chris Hodges, Senior Pastor, Church of the Highlands “Great research and scholarship... written in plain language we can all follow.

Once I started, I found it hard to put down.” ~ Drayton Nabers, Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice and CEO of Protective Life “Richard Simmons has done an outstanding job…I highly recommend this book.” ~ Frank Barker, Pastor Emeritus, Briarwood Presbyterian Church “A much needed book in our day of relativism.” ~ Tim Kallam, Senior Pastor, Mountain Brook Community Church “This may be Richard Simmons’ best book yet, because Reliable Truth is what the world needs now.” ~ Frank Limehouse, Dean, Church of the Advent “Simmons provides convincing and convicting evidence for the reliability of the Bible...a great book to give to college students, and every pastor and Bible study leader needs to read it as well.” ~ Gary Fenton, Senior Pastor Dawson Baptist Church “Richard Simmons provides the kind of no nonsense scholarship that supports the Bible and Biblical Truth.” ~ Rich Webster, Rector St. Luke's Episcopal Church “...this book takes on the most pressing questions of contemporary society and gives answers to them.” ~ Doug Dortch, Senior Pastor, Mountain Brook Baptist Church “Richard Simmons makes a compelling case for why the Bible is what it claims to be: The Truth.” ~ Larry Taunton, Executive Director Fixed Point Foundation

Richard E. Simmons III

For More Information view www.reliabletruthbook.com or call 205-789-3471

February 2013 3

280Living.com

It’s that time again.... our

biggest sale of the year!

50% OFF 60% OFF 70% OFF 80% OFF Monday - Wednesday Feb. 4 - Feb. 6 10am - 6pm Thursday Feb. 7 10am - 8pm

Friday Feb. 8 10am - 6pm

Saturday Feb. 9 10am - 6pm

*Discount taken off original consigned price

Mint Green

Yellow

Pink

Dark Blue

Tan

Teal

Purple

Orange

Grey

Limited Time Markdowns on Prom, Pageant, Mother of the Bride, and Bridal Gowns, Plus Special Sale Prices on Couture Items!

Bring in this slip for VIP early 9 am admission on

Friday Feb 8 & Saturday Feb 9

6801 Cahaba Valley Road (Hwy 119) 1/4 South of Hwy 280

205-980-4471 RenaissanceConsignment.com

Ectetera • Ed Hardy • Ferragamo • Free People J Crew • Joe’s Jeans • Juicy • Kate Spade • Laundry • Lily Pulitzer • Louis Vuitton • Marc Jacobs •

Matt & Nat • Michael Kors • Michael Stars • Moth • Nanette Lepore • Nicolle Miller • Paige • Prada • Rock & Republic • Saks • Snow • St. John • Sweet Pea • Tano • Theory • Three Dots • Tory Burch • True Religion

Style Reborn for Home and Fashion

Johnson • Burberry • Carlisle • Chip & Pepper • Christian Louboutin • Citizens of Humanity • Coach • Cole Haan • Cynthia Steefe • Dana Buchman • David Meister • Diesel • Dolce & Gabbana • Donald Pliner •

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

4

February 2013

280 Living

About Us Please Support our Sponsors

Photo of the month Caleb Edwards plays in the snow with his brother Bradley on Jan. 17. Photo courtesy of Connie Edwards.

Editor’s Note By Madoline Markham

Lost in the valley of the night group, the guy living two A kid from Oak Mountain had died from streets over, the athlete from my third period drug overdose, I heard in October last year. The news class — drugs they were smoking, pills they were took me back to eighth popping, places they were grade science, first period.

My usually boisterous going late at night.

It was easier for us, and classmates were eerily somber. We had just found our parents, to move from out a close friend of many whispers to talking about what we saw on TV last had died. That time it was a car accident. In the years to night or were planning Madoline for the weekend than come, it would be suicide to truly face an issue as or a drug overdose.

With each tragedy among the Oak fragile as this.

And so that is why I am grateful that Mountain community, we would mourn, commemorate good memories of him or Kenneth Lucas has so honestly shared her on a yearbook page, and eventually, his story, and his heart, with us in this for those distant enough like me, move month’s cover. His tragedy has not been on to tests, Friday night games and the swept under the rug. It is our hope that latest crush. But different whispers of his words will not just be something our tragedy in the school hallways never community reads, but something each would go away. The girl from youth parent, teacher and student sets aside

280 Living neighborly news & entertainment

Publisher : Creative Director : Editor : Managing Editor : Advertising Manager: Sales and Distribution : Contributing Writers :

Interns : Published by :

Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Jeff Thompson Madoline Markham Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Rick Watson Kari Kampakis Rebecca Walden Paul Johnson Lisa Johnsey Allie Saxon Nathan Kelly Megan Smith 280 Living LLC

fear of the uncomfortable to discuss and confront.

Revisiting the story of Les Miserables in the new film in theatres has me thinking about the tight grip of darkness in our world and on the streets around us, but also of how bright light is when it comes into that darkness.

As our community faces tough things together, let’s remember Victor Hugo’s hopeful words that come at his story’s end: “Do you hear the people sing, lost in the valley of the night? It is the music of a people who are climbing to the light. For the wretched of the earth, there is a flame that never dies. Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.”

Contact Information: 280 Living #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 dan@280living.com Please submit all articles, information and photos to: jeff@280living.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 For advertising contact: dan@280living.com Legals: 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 280 community of area school, 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 and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted.

Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

Please recycle this paper

ALDOT (31) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (28) Alabama Ballet (14) Azia Medical Spa (15) Bellini’s (Doug Hovanec) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (28) Cahaba Beach Dog Park (12) Camp Winnataska (24) Charles Dunn (11) Chic Boutique (29) Children’s of Alabama (27) Chiropractic Today (14) Comfort Keepers (17) Cousins Insurance Agency (11) Cutting Edge Salon (19) Danberry at Inverness (22) Encore Rehabilitation (30) English Ivy (23) Fancy Fur (15) Food Studio B (6) GeGe’s Salon (20) Greystone Antiques & Marketplace (17) Hair 280 (13) Homewood Chamber of Commerce (18) Isbell Jewelers (18) Kobe Japanese Steakhouse (8) Learning by Design (21) Lulie’s on Cahaba (20) M&F Bank (9) Massage Envy (31) Monkey Toes (23) North Shelby Library (26) Pak Mail (11) Pastry Art (20) Plain Jane Children & Gift Shop (16) Planet Fitness (16) Plastic Surgery Specialists (23) RealtySouth Marketing (19) Red Mountain Theatre Company (19) Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace (3) Richard Joseph Salon and Spa (1) Royal Automotive (5) Salon M2 (14) Sew Sheri Designs (29) Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association (26) Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (6) Southeastern Jewelers and Engravers (1, 8) St Vincent’s One Nineteen (12) St. Vincent’s Health Systems (32) The Center For Executive Leadership (2) The Ditsy Daisy (10) The Goddard School (13) The Urban Barn (13) Total Care 280 (7) Tutoring Club Inverness (21) Varsity Sports (26) Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (24) Village Dermatology (25) Zig Zag (26) Zounds (15)

280Living.com

February 2013

5

6

February 2013

280 Living

280 News

A house ablaze with Christmas trees?

Firefighters train in home near Mt Laurel community

By JEFF THOMPSON To any bystander, the site of the house burning near the Mt Laurel community on Dec. 29 must have been confusing. As the roof flamed over, the dozen or so firefighters standing around the structure aimed their hoses at the sky and the ground around it. Then, they posed for a picture.

The house that was reduced to rubble that frigid afternoon was recently donated to the Cahaba Valley Fire Department to use for live burn training. According to Grant Wilkinson, commander and public information officer with the Department, the training is a rare and vital part of preparing for actual firefighting.

After the house is turned over to the department, firefighters spend months building in safety controls like covering holes and removing glass, asbestos and other combustible material. The result is a mostly empty shell that they strategically stock with Christmas trees – since the National Fire Protection Association recommends against the use of any accelerants during live burn training, Wilkinson said.

After that, firefighters team up and tackle controlled fires lit in various rooms throughout the house. They’re suppressed and re-lit until the structure is too weak to handle any more.

Then, the firefighters light it and let it go.

At the end of the day, the structure is reduced to rubble that fits into one – maybe two – dumpsters, Wilkinson said. And the firefighters responsible for protecting the public are better prepared for the real thing.

Participating firefighters included (front row): firefighter (FF) Levi Mills, Lt. Cmdr.

Jonathan Curtis, FF Jackson Moon (back row) FF Matt McFarland, Cmdr. Grant Wilkinson, Lt. Stephen Brecht, FF Dylan Welsh, FF David Smetek. Photos by Jeff Thompson and courtesy of Barrie Woods.

February 2013 7

280Living.com

Get a first-hand look at life as an officer in new Citizen’s Sheriff’s Academy Shelby County residents will soon have the opportunity to learn the details of daily operations at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) when the department launches its Citizens Sheriff’s Academy on March 7.

The Academy is designed to introduce to and educate citizens on the law enforcement practices and procedures of the Sheriff’s Office, such as those involving criminal investigations, the drug task force and the tactical response unit.

“It is a program we’ve been trying to develop for several years,” Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry said. “Its primary benefit to citizens will be to educate them on ways to be helpful within the law enforcement community.

“We want to acquaint them on what our job actually entails.”

This initial session of the Academy will meet every Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. for 12 weeks, concluding May 23. One Saturday session will be held from 8 a.m.-noon on May 18 at the Sheriff’s Office firearms range, where students will receive basic firearms safety training.

The program also includes a tour of the county jail and the opportunity to participate on patrol with a deputy sheriff.

Students will also experience live scenarios as the SCSO Tactical Response Unit demonstrates situations they have been trained to handle, from the planning stage to the execution of a mission.

The Academy provides more than 18 hours of instruction that answer how and why deputies and other Sheriff’s Office personnel respond to situations as they do. Sworn deputies, staff personnel and guest speakers will teach and facilitate sessions.

Applicants must be 18 or older, and because of the activities presented and the nature of the academy, all applicants are subject to a criminal background check and driver history check as a condition for acceptance. Regular and on-time attendance is expected, and students with more than three absences may be removed from the program.

Applications and course information may be found at www.myshelbyso.com/. Completed applications and a waver of liability forms should be mailed via U.S. mail to: Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Sheriff’s Academy 380 McDow Road, P.O. Box 1095 Columbiana, AL 35051 For more, contact Sgt. Russell Bedsole at RBedsole@shelbyso.com or Dr. Richard Dormuth at DDormuth@shelbyso.com.

Joo Young Yang a finalist in Fashion Week competition

By ALLIE SAXON Joo Young Yang’s childhood origami hobby has inspired her newsprint design in a fashion design competition.

In keeping with a flying theme, origami bird and paper fans cover the dress made by the Briarwood Christian School student.

The top 40 designs from the Rising Design Star Competition, including Joo Young’s, will be displayed the Birmingham Museum of Art until Feb. 10.

It took Joo the entire Christmas break to create her design, but she is happy with the finished product.

“I like to draw and paint, but the idea that somebody could wear my art is a great feeling,” Joo said.

More than 80 middle school and high school students from across the state submitted their garment designs using nontraditional items assembled with glue, tape and staples in the place of stitches.

“The designs we have received this year have blown us away with their fashion sense and creativity,” said Jeanna Lee Fleming, co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week. “These students, ranging from 11-18 years old, are already well on the way to becoming the next hot designers in New York City, and this competition can be the catalyst that propels their dreams forward.”

From the 40 finalists, 30 will be selected and receive an opportunity to showcase their design on the runway at Birmingham Fashion Week Feb. 23-March 2 while competing for $1,000 in scholarships.

Showcasing designers and top models, the event, held at Pepper Place in downtown Birmingham, has expanded from four days to seven days of runway shows and parties.

The same high fashion found on the runways of New York will grace the city of Birmingham, from the makeup, hairstyles and outfits to the most recent trends. The schedule includes designer runway shows, fashions from Gus Mayer and Saks, and model and design competitions highlighting the latest fashions of

Briarwood High School Student Joo Young Yang

the season.

Designers Annie Griffin, Southern Proper,

By Smith, Prophetik, Heidi Elnora, Leona Collection and What Goes Around Comes Around, as well as international designers will contribute clothing. Not only will there be local and national celebrities in attendance, but will also be judging the designs and model competitions.

The Birmingham Fashion show benefits many organizations, including Alabama Forever, which aids communities in need, and Camp Smile-A-Mile, which provides a year-round program for children with cancer in Alabama.

General admission and VIP seating are available, with an After Party following each show. Tickets range from $15-$85. For more information, visit bhamfashionweek.com.

8

February 2013

280 Living

Ladun’s Conquer Cancer Run returns to One Nineteen

By REBECCA WALDEN On Saturday, March 9, hundreds will converge upon St. Vincent’s One Nineteen for the ninth annual Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run. The event includes a 5K, a one-mile family fun walk/run, free health screenings, free food and free beverages. Area businesses will also set up a market to display their wares and have agreed to donate 10 percent of their sales to the Run. Funds generated from the Conquer Cancer Run benefit the Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge, part of the American Cancer Society’s Birmingham chapter. For Ladun, Hope Lodge is a natural beneficiary, given its “in the trenches” role of providing access to quality health care.

“Hope Lodge is a free place to stay for people who need treatment in Birmingham and cannot afford the gas back and forth,” Ladun said. “The service provided by Hope Lodge is so important; without it, a lot of people would just give up.”

Restoring hope is one of Ladun’s top priorities for the Run. Over the years, she’s enlisted the help of local physicians – even star athletes – to accomplish just that.

“We’ll again welcome former Alabama running back Siran Stacy, who lost his family in a car crash, all except his one little girl,” Ladun said. “He feels led to encourage cancer patients.

He comes each year and gives us these words of encouragement that, with God’s help, we can get through everything.”

Ladun pointed out that restoring hope means much more than providing uplifting words.

“We also offer free skin cancer checks, and I wanted to do this in honor of my dear friend Vickie Imbusch,” Ladun said, describing a longtime friend who discovered a melanoma

on her back only after it was too late.

“If I could wipe away the tears and the sickness, I would,” she said. “We are all in this together.”

A few years ago, Ladun realized that her message had become much more than a rallying cry when a man stopped her while she was completing a routine run in Veterans’ Park.

“This man I’d never seen before came up to me and said, ‘I just want to thank you – you saved my life,’” she said. “He told me that the year prior, he’d attended the Conquer Cancer Run and had a free skin cancer check. He was out of town on business when St. Vincent’s called to tell him he had a melanoma and needed surgery right away. He did so, and they told him it had saved his life. To know we’ve saved just one life like that? It makes it all worthwhile.”

Ladun encourages everyone, regardless of fitness level, to come out and support the event.

“It’s designed to be a fun, family atmosphere, a time away from daily stresses where we can come together, pat each other on the back and realize that we can get through any type of life crisis,” she said. “There is just no better way to give yourself a lift than to help somebody else.”

And, in the words of Ladun, “Even if you don’t want to run, walk or crawl there, you can come and be a cheerleader!”

On the cusp of spring, this year’s Conquer Cancer Run is well timed for those wishing to enter the season with a refreshed, renewed and encouraged spirit.

For more information or to sign up, visit conquercancerrun.org.

Conquer Cancer Run

March 9, St. Vincent’s One Ninteen, 8 a.m.

Brenda Ladun

Photo courtesy of Arden Photography

something Sweet for your Valentine

5299 Valleydale Road Suite 111 Birmingham, AL 35242 (two blocks from 280) www.southeasternjewelers.net • 980-9030

February 2013 9

280Living.com

People you should know John Freeman ‘Mayor’ of Mt Laurel

By JEFF THOMPSON Mt Laurel’s “man about town” is more than just a recognizable face – he’s the man who helped develop it. John O. Freeman Sr. is a vice president and general manager with Ebsco, Inc., the company that created Mt Laurel. Freeman was initially the construction manager of the Mt Laurel project and later stepped into the general manager’s role.

He’s now known through town as the closest thing the community has to an elected leader, simply because he’s always there to lend a helping hand and knows how to get things done.

Why do you think you’re sometimes called the “Mayor” of Mt Laurel?

Probably because I have the eyes and ears to know the ins and outs of Mt Laurel better than most. I try to always make the best decisions for our town and to benefit everyone.

Walk us through your day in town.

First, I make a drive-by in my Tahoe through the town area and all the residential streets looking to see if there is maintenance to be done or anything unusual to be tended to. I check construction sites to make inspections and recommendations.

Next, I make it to my office to check emails and return phone calls. I meet with my office staff to solve any problems, check information on different projects. Then, I review invoices of construction, homeowners, merchants and commercial properties for payment. I meet with our sales team, prospects and project construction manager. Usually when I complete this it is 1:30 – 2 p.m. Hopefully I can grab a bite at one of our restaurants.

I then meet with the maintenance crew to see what has been accomplished today and what is yet to be done. I then review construction sites with our project manager and view the Town, streets, alleys, parks and schools. Sometimes there are EBSCO Corporate meetings, accounting, civic leadership meetings or realtor sales meetings.

What do you think makes Mt Laurel a great place to live?

We are a Traditional Neighborhood Development where we live, work and play together. Mt Laurel is a small town in a big city far removed. We have many amenities to enjoy here without having to leave home to get it.

What is something most people might not know about Mt Laurel?

How close-knit the Mt Laurel neighbors are.

There is always a need, and everyone here is always willing to lend a hand. We really are a big family here, and we have about 13 families who are actually related. That says a lot about a town if you have family living nearby.

How did you help develop the community into what it is today?

When I came to Mt Laurel in 2002, there were 12 homeowners, and today we have 224 homeowners. We have built roads, brick sidewalks, the Town Center and Commercial Properties, which sets us apart from the average residential development.

Also, I helped developed recreational facilities, planning and seeing through the

John Freeman

building process on the schools and churches built in our community. All of this was made possible with the help of a great group of employees and EBSCO Industries, Inc. What are some ideas you had while developing Mt Laurel that people now enjoy?

The beach area at the lake, train at the park and lake management to produce large bass.

People say when it comes to Mt Laurel, you can make anything happen. Why is that?

A strong Company EBSCO Industries Inc. as owner and the backing of J.T. Stephens, Chairman and Dixon Brooke, President and CEO. Where there is a will there is a way. It is a joy to find a way, and I have a team that I depend on to help make it happen.

Tell us about your family: Do they feel the same way?

I live in Mt Laurel with my wife, Marie, and my dog, Missy. I have a very large family – six children, 14 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren with two more on the way. My family loves to come to Mt Laurel to enjoy it with us.

What do you think the future holds for Dunnavant Valley? What would you like to see take place in the community?

I think The Town of Mt Laurel’s future is great, and I think it will continue to grow and be one of the favorite places to live in North Shelby County.

Have you been involved with the Dunnavant Valley community workshops? What would you like to see happen with them?

Yes, I have been involved with the community workshops and hope that they will be able to follow through on some of the great suggestions that have been given at the meetings. I would also love to see us be able to get an intermediate school and even a high school some day in this area.

When you aren’t helping around town, what do you do with your free time?

I love Alabama football and enjoy watching the games, but most of all I enjoy spending time with my family and playing with my grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

10 February 2013

St Vincent’s stay-healthy events Feb. 1: National Wear Red Day Have blood pressure and BMI taken and receive heart healthy tips and a red dress pin. A registered nurse will be on-hand. We encourage you to wear red in honor of all women fighting heart disease. 8:00-11:30 a.m. Free. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, 7191 Cahaba Valley Road. Call 408-6600.

Feb. 7: Heart Healthy Chef Cooking Class Executive Chef Chris Harrigan from Mt. Laurel’s Stone’s Throw brings several recipes, including an assortment of seasonal fresh farm vegetables prepared with bold herbs and healthy oils. Childcare is available with prior arrangement. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $25/person. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, 7191 Cahaba Valley Road. Call 4086600.

Feb. 16: Heart Day Participants will receive the following: an EKG, a Lipid Profile, a Blood Pressure Screening, a Basic Metabolic Profile, and a T-shirt. 6-11 a.m. $40. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, 7191 Cahaba Valley Road. To register, call 939-7878 or visit stvheartday. com.

Feb. 27: Medicare Educational Meetings Blue Cross and Blue Shield will conduct a meeting to inform customers of upcoming changes in Medicare benefits. 10 a.m.noon. Free. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, 7191 Cahaba Valley Road. Call 1-888-2226165 to register.

Business Happenings

South Shelby Chamber names new director New temporary location for Lulie’s on Cahaba

SBA economic injury disaster loans available in Shelby County

Although the official last day of business Lulie’s on Cahaba in Mountain Brook was Jan. 28, owner Lauren Stewart isn’t gone yet. Lulie’s has moved to Brook Highland Plaza to finish its liquidation sales. Stewart said there are clothes from all seasons remaining and everything in the store will be marked 50 percent off or more.

Stewart said she is closing to move out of state to marry on March 23.

For more, visit luliesoncahaba. com or call 871-9696.

Loans up to $2 million for economic injury or disaster were made available to Alabama small businesses by the U.S. Small Business Administration following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration for a drought that began Nov. 15.

Businesses that qualify for the loans are small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, businesses engaged in aquaculture and many non-profit organizations located in 26 Alabama counties including Shelby, according to SBA news releases.

For more, visit sba.gov.

Chelsea Wrecker Service relocates On Jan. 2, Chelsea Wrecker Service moved to 9360 Old Highway 280. Chelsea Wrecker Service is a locally owned and operated towing and recovery business. Owner Robert King Jr. has been in the wrecker business over 10 years.

Chelsea Wrecker Service provides a fast response time to accidents and stranded motorists.

Services available are lockouts, fuel deliveries, tire change and repairs, winch outs, jump starts, and breakdowns.

Services are offered all day every day, even after office hours.

For more, call 438-5186 or visit chelseawrecker.com.

Birmingham Orthodontics relocates Birmingham Orthodontics has opened a new office on Cahaba Valley Road in Cadence Place shopping center near Renaissance Consignment and Edgar’s Bakery.

Leeann Ross from Birmingham Orthodontics’ human resources department said the new location helps with their customers’ commute.

“We wanted to cover all areas of Birmingham,” Ross said. “We wanted to make the drive easier for some of our customers so a new location in Greystone was needed.”

Birmingham Orthodontics, 6801 Cahaba Valley Road, offers

wishing you a very

Valentine's

the

ditsy daisyboutique Chelsea, AL

280 Living

205-678-6166

dental care from experienced orthodontists to children, teens and adults. It deals charges no down payment for braces and offers inhouse, interest free financing.

For more, call 983-8383, or visit bhamorthodontics.com.

Stone to direct South Shelby Chamber April Stone has been named the new executive director of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce. Stone assumed responsibilities with the South Shelby Chamber on Feb. 1, according to the chamber’s president.

Stone was chosen out of a pool of 15 other applicants for the position. The executive director position was vacated late last year by Stacy Walkup, who resigned after accepting another position.

Stone was director of community and workforce development at the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce before coming to South Shelby.

New NP added to staff of Total Care 280 Dr. Amy Bentley-Illescas has added a nurse practitioner, Bryan Combs, CNP, to her practice, Total Care 280, located at 2800 Greystone Commercial Blvd., Suite 2B. Combs will see patients Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m4 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 547-2323.

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce February Events Feb. 12 Membership Reception Chamber. 8:30-10 a.m.

Membership Reception Chamber, 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham.

No cost. RSVP required by noon, Monday, Feb. 7.

Feb. 20 Board of Directors Meeting Greater Shelby Chamber. 8:15 a.m.- 9:15 a.m., 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham.

Feb. 20 State of the County Membership Luncheon11 a.m.-1 p.m. Keynote speaker is Lindsey Allison, Chairman of Shelby County Commission. Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Rd., Pelham RSVP required by noon, Monday, Feb. 18. Please note the luncheon is one week earlier this month.

Members $17, futuremembers $25. Reserved Corporate Table of Eight $175 - Call the Chamber 663-4542 to request.

February 2013 11

280Living.com Read all the past Business Spotlights at 280Living.com

Business Spotlight

Greystone Antiques & Marketplace

5475 Highway 280 995-4773 Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

By JEFF THOMPSON There’s a particular charm present at Greystone Antiques & Marketplace. It’s bright and inspired, and it isn’t until you meet Peggy Agee, a 30-year veteran of the design business, that you understand why.

Agee, manager, buyer and designer for 280’s hottest melding of new and old, has a vivid, driven personality that she applies to all parts of the business. She has since 2010, when she took the drab furniture store turned flea mall and reformed it into a collection of friendly faces and quality goods found in only one place over the mountain.

“I wanted to create a place that allowed people living on 280 to have another option, so they didn’t have to drive to Homewood or Birmingham to find the perfect accent,” Agee said. “It’s not just furniture store or a boutique; it’s a market with more than 50 vendors and so many different options.”

In its sprawling location on U.S. 280, Greystone Antiques & Marketplace boasts more than 20,000 square feet of design-inspired space – approximately half a football field of rotating galleries decorated by some of the keenest eyes in the area.

Within each vignette are quality design options – from arrays of lamps to collections of the fine mirrors, from farm tables to bar stools, from refurbished and reclaimed to bright, shiny and new.

“There truly is something for

Peggy Agee everyone,” Agee said. “We have furnishings that could complete whole home and designers who can help you do it.”

Greystone Antiques carries local products like Stack Candles and Sweet Melissa’s Sauces to complement the selection of décor and furnishings. The store is also

active in the community, hosting the Hannah Home Auxiliary of Shelby County and participating in annually in Toys for Tots donations programs.

In addition, Agee offers the space to the community as a place to hold meetings, annual parties, girls-nightsout and fashion shows.

Agee’s staff at Greystone Antiques

is composed of members of the community who enjoy their work.

In-house, they offer both design and upholstery services. Agee also said community support for the store has grown exponentially over the last two years.

“This community and our customers have allowed us to have

DHL

FedEx

such a fabulous year,” Agee said.

“They’ve pushed to help us be so successful, and they deserve our thanks for that.”

So, thanks to Agee’s vision, Greystone Antiques is there – and will be – to provide an afternoon getaway where, perhaps, the perfect accent has been hiding.

UPS

USPS

at Lee Branch

980.8879

www.pakmailleebranch.com

Need to send a little LOVE for Valentine’s The LOVE EXPERTS at Pakmail can help!

Bring in this as for 20% OFF packing & shipping of one package UPS, FX or DHL for the month of February 2013

DHL

FedEx

UPS

USPS

12

February 2013

280 Living

Food

Winter comfort food RECIPE

By LISA JOHNSEY While we are all trying to lose those extra pounds this time of year, we still yearn for comforting and heartwarming foods, and warm soups and stews seem to hit the spot in the cold and dreary weather.

Pasta, which is always one of my go-to comfort foods, is particularly appealing when paired with sausage and three cheeses. We love to cozy up to a warm crackling fire with any of these. Another satisfying meal, nothing could be better meatloaf paired with mashed potatoes or homemade macaroni and cheese and peas.

In this post holiday season while people are more likely to be sick or lonely, I encourage everyone to reach out to family, friends, neighbors, and elderly who may not be feeling up to par. Take them a warm, cozy meal, either one suggested here or one of your favorites.

Keep warm with these offerings from our table to yours.

Lemon Chicken and Orzo Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 1-2 carrots, diced 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, diced 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, diced 6-8 cups chicken stock ¼ cup lemon juice 2-3 eggs beaten 1 cup orzo pasta 2-3 bone-in chicken breasts, roasted and diced

cooking until pasta is tender.

In a separate pot, heat about 1 cup of chicken stock over medium heat. In a bowl, beat the eggs and slowly add the lemon juice. Add this mixture to the hot chicken stock and stir, cooking for about 5 minutes.

Add this mixture to the soup and stir until thickened. Do not let soup come to a boil or the eggs will curdle. Add the diced cooked chicken to soup. Warm through and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve with your favorite salad and hot crusty bread.

In a large pot, sauté the onion, celery and carrots until tender. Add the thyme and parsley and continue to cook.

Add about 5 cups of chicken stock and the orzo. Continue

RECIPE

Note: I roast my chicken breasts in an oven roaster seasoned with salt and pepper and drizzled with olive oil.

Place in a 375-degree oven for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, and then dice or shred the chicken.

My Mother’s Famous Meatloaf

1 pound of ground chuck 1 pound of ground pork 1 onion diced 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 eggs 3 slices bread, grated 3 crackers, crushed 1-2 tablespoons oatmeal 1/4 cup milk 3 tablespoons ketchup Bacon, as much as desired

Mix all ingredients together. Mixture should be soft but not runny. Form into a loaf and place in a loaf pan. Top with bacon and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour.

Sauce: 8 oz. can tomato sauce 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/3 cup ketchup Salt and pepper, to taste Add all ingredients to a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Stir and let come to a boil.

Put some sauce on meatloaf before baking. Use the rest of the sauce for topping after it is done.

Breakfast with the Doc Are You Heart Healthy?

Tuesday, February 19 7:45-8:30 a.m.

Heart disease is the number one killer among men and women. Its symptoms can be difficult to detect.

Join Byron Jones, MD, with Alabama Cardiovascular Group at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen as he shares risk factors and prevention techniques of heart disease.

GRAND OPENING SATURDAY, MARCH 9!

Cahaba Beach Dog Park is a unique, full-service canine

Bring your questions and enjoy a heart-healthy breakfast.

facility located in the Inverness area. We proudly offer an unequaled standard of pet care and a fully fenced,

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

private, off-leash dog park located on 6.5 acres.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: • Canine Boarding • Doggy Daycare • Professional Grooming

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

Follow us on

• Private Off-Leash Dog Park • Canine Training and Behavior Consultation

Please visit our website for more information www.cahababeachdogpark.com

MAKE YOUR SPRING BREAK

RESERVATIONS TODAY! Contact us at dogs@cbdogpark.com OR (205) 397-DOGS

February 2013 13

280Living.com Read all the past Restaurant Showcases at 280Living.com

By JEFF THOMPSON When Denney Barrow and his sons Josh and Jordan were looking for a career change from the real estate development industry, owning a restaurant seemed more like an escape than a return to the grind.

So, in 2008 their only question was, which franchise?

“Our father found Mooyah online,” Jordan Barrow said. “At first we thought the name was silly, but then we went to eat there and we were sold.”

A moment after passing through the doors of Mooyah, there are things you can’t help but notice. Things like the Barrow family soaked up on its first visit – the smell of breaking bread, the fresh vegetables in hanging baskets over the make line, the six-inch tall burgers – it’s all very appealing.

So, after training in Knoxville, the Barrows opened the first Mooyah in Alabama in the Colonnade at the end of November 2012.

The business’ focus is on burgers, fries and milkshakes, each made-toorder with fresh, authentic ingredients.

The entire experience is tailored to the individual through a customizable menu. Pick your burger, choose your bread, name your toppings and select your side. Neither the vegetables nor the beef are ever frozen, the fries are hand-cut, the bread is baked fresh daily, the hot dogs are Hebrew National and the milkshakes are made

Restaurant Showcase

Mooyah

3439 Colonnade Parkway #1000 977-3718 Mooyah.com 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Mooyah owners Josh and Jordan Barrow. Photos by Jeff Thompson. with real Mayfield Ice Cream.

Mooyah’s beef burgers are offered in quarter- and three-quarter-pound patties, but it also has a turkey burger and a veggie burger. The Barrows said they even offer glutenand carbohydrate-free options for customers on restricting or weightloss diets.

“The food speaks for itself,” Jordan Barrow said. “When we execute our product to our standards, nobody can beat us. There’s no doubt.”

For the Barrows, their restaurant is much more than a place to eat.

They said they hired employees with character and charisma to build a fun atmosphere, selected the perfect site

for the model and bent over backward to make each customer feel like a guest in their home.

“Don’t get me wrong, our food is special,” Josh Barrow said. “But what sets us apart and what attracted us to this brand is what you experience when you’re in what we call ‘the four walls.’ And that is, as soon as you walk in the door someone comes up to you and looks you in the eye with a big smile. They ask, ‘Is this your first time at Mooyah?’ And if so, they explain the menu and really make you feel like a guest.”

With the “four walls” philosophy being so big for the Barrows, they said they wanted to make sure they

went above and beyond with their flagship store. That meant they had to wait eight months for the ideal location to open up.

Josh Barrow said the family knew they wanted to be in the Colonnade, and they knew Schaffer Eye Center had plans to relocate. A restaurant on the corner in a building with 22-foot ceilings and walls of windows seemed like just the place to build Mooyah’s family-friendly atmosphere.

The Barrows installed five TVs in the space and fill the rest of the room with pop music. There’s a wall covered by a chalkboard where children are encouraged to get creative, and when warmer weather

comes around, the Barrows expect fierce competition for Mooyah’s outside seating.

So, if you’re into watching the game while enjoying a beefbased masterpiece, perhaps one on white bread that’s piled high with avocado, A-1 and pepper jack, Mooyah can make that happen. But if you’d rather soak up the sun on a lunch date with a 200-calorie turkey burger on iceberg lettuce, it can do that as well.

“There are other burger places out there, but we felt like they catered to men in general,” Josh said.

“Here, there’s always something for everyone.”

SUMMER LEARNING This is the summer program for young wanderers!

If your child wants to explore the big, wide world, and you want to provide a fun learning experience…

Call Us Today!

MAY 27TH - AUGUST 16TH • 6 WEEKS - 9 YEARS

NOW ENROLLING! HOOVER • 205-981-8080 GoddardSchool.com The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems, Inc. Programs and ages may vary. Goddard Systems, Inc. program is AdvancED accredited. © Goddard Systems Inc. 2012

14

February 2013

280 Living

Your Health Today

By Dr. Irma Palmer

With all of the changes happening in our country, I’m sure you, like me, are looking to make every dollar stretch further. And with continued changes likely in the healthcare sector, it’s even more important to take control of your health so your money isn’t going toward unnecessary costly medical expenses.

I’ve got a way for you to ultimately save money and improve the quality of your life at the same time. Interested? I thought so.

Consider this question: What’s most important to you? I ask my patients that on a daily basis, and more often than not, the answer is some variation on quality relationships…having quality time with loved ones and creating memories. But have you stopped to think about how your lifestyle affects your ability to have quality relationships?

I think we can all agree that relationships are an investment. Just as money grows when it’s invested, so do relationships. They require effort, time, and commitment. All too often, however, we can’t put the necessary effort into our relationships because we aren’t feeling well. Health issues drag us down, leaving us less time and energy to invest in those most important to us.

Stress is a major contributor to poor health, and is directly affected by the lifestyle choices we make. When we don’t eat right, don’t take care of our bodies, and lead a sedentary lifestyle, stress takes a greater toll on us and leaves us unable to invest in our relationships as we’d like.

WebMD states, “Stress that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress -- a negative stress reaction.

Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.”

So how do we reduce stress and attain the quality of life necessary to invest in our relationships? It’s simple, really… adopt a wellness lifestyle with a specific game plan. In my office, we call it the Health Recovery System. We map out a specific action plan together, and we walk alongside you as you work to change poor habits and reach your goals. Let me explain how it works.

We start with a purification cleanse.

Just as you can’t remodel your home without cleaning out the old “junk” first, we believe it’s key to cleanse your body of its toxins to help your body maintain

Pay now, or pay BIG later

a healthy weight. Doing a purification cleanse can result in improved weight management results, increased energy, better digestion and sleep, and more. And it’s not a diet…it’s a program that helps you live a healthier life by purifying, nourishing, and maintaining a healthy body and weight.

But that’s just the first step. You also need to determine where you are lacking nutritionally and plan a custom path of proper nutrition and supplementation.

My office utilizes hair analysis to determine what nutrients your body is lacking, so that you aren’t taking supplements your body doesn’t need! We also have recommendations for healthy eating so you give your body the best possible chance to reduce stress and attain the quality of life you desire.

In addition to proper nutrition, it’s absolutely key that your body functions at its absolute best. It’s not just a matter of being pain free…it’s feeling great so you can spend the day at the sports field sitting on bleachers watching your kids’ game or spend the day hiking with the family.

As a chiropractor, my main objective is to help your body function at its highest possible level. This means providing care for a clear nervous system and good spine

movement, and advising you regarding exercise that will help keep your body functioning as it is designed to do!

Another important component is proper rest and posture, and as part of our Health Recovery System, we will advise you in all aspects of this (sleep, desk posture, sleep positions, etc.) to maximize their benefits.

The result of this comprehensive program is moving you toward wellness where you’ll arrive at a quality of life filled with quality choices.

Will it require an investment now?

Of course! But by paying now (in time, effort, and following the Health Recovery System), you avoid paying BIG later…in increased medical costs and loss of quality time in the relationships you treasure most. Following a wellness lifestyle will pay huge dividends in the future.

Please don’t wait – take control of your health TODAY. Call my office at 205991-3511 to learn more about our Health Recovery System and to sign up for our next Purification Cleanse Workshop on Tuesday, 2/26 at 6:15p. And don’t forget about our hair analysis testing to help you determine what your body needs and why.

I invite you to read more about all of this on our website at www.chiropractictoday. com.

280Living.com

The

February 2013 15

$100

Valentine’s date

By ALLIE SAXON For those who are not sure what to do on the 14th, we did the work for you. Here are some of our favorite date night combos, with no need to leave Highway 280.

Romantic Date - $88

Kick off the night at an intimate Italian cuisine at Bellini’s or Amore.

At Bellini’s, try the 8-ounce filet ($29) and the Penne Chicken Alla Vodka ($16), or their Valentine’s Special, to be announced soon. At Amore, we recommend the Calamari Marinara ($8.95) followed by the Veal Saltimbocca ($18.95) and Shrimp Amore ($19.95). Afterward, visit City Vineyard to toast to another great year with a bottle of your choice like Saint Supery Red Wine ($25) (prices vary $10-$400).

For dessert, have a surprise box of chocolates at home waiting for your sweetie ($15). Call 981-5380 or visit ourbellinis.supportlocalflavor.com to make a dinner reservation at Bellini’s or 437-1005 to make a reservation at Amore.

Idyllic Date - $97

Set the tone for your evening by giving your Valentine a dozen

red roses from The Fresh Market ($16.99). Next, head to Stone’s Throw Grill in Mt Laurel. Order off the restaurant’s special Valentine’s Menu, or on the regular menu try a combination: Shrimp and Grits plate ($25) and the Wood Grilled Beef Terres Major Steak ($22). After dinner, go see the latest Nicholas Sparks movie, Safe Haven, at Carmike Cinemas (formerly The Rave) at Lee Branch, which comes out on Valentine’s Day ($17.50).

Finish the night at home with a dozen Pastry Art in Inverness’ baby bites ($14.50) in your sweetheart’s favorite flavors, or if she’s more into cupcakes, select an assortment from Annalyce’s Bake Shop in Greystone ($15 for five regular cupcakes or 10 mini cupcakes). Both bakeries are open until 6 p.m., so you can pick them up on your way home. Call 9950512 to make a reservation at Stone’s Throw.

Soothing Date- $100

Instead of staying cooped up in work all day, take the afternoon off for a “His and Her” soothing date. Aura Salon provides a 60-minute massage and 60-minute facial package for $100. The salon also is having specials on Valentine’s including the “My Funny Valentine” package

that provides a 60-min. massage and a 60-min. facial that comes with complimentary champagne and chocolate. This pampering set is the perfect way for both of you to relax. Call 980-2504 to book an appointment.

Share Date-$69

It’s not about him or her — it’s about us, so practice sharing on your date. Head to Area 41 Pizza in Mt. Laurel to share a Baked Feta appetizer ($7.95). Choose between pizza favorites like Hula Hoedown (BBQ chicken, applewood-smoked bacon, pineapple), the Murph Dog (roasted chicken, pesto, oven roasted tomatoes), or the Area 41 Special (Italian sausage, sliced tomatoes, roasted garlic, goat cheese) ($20.50 for 16-inch pizza). Pair it with a bottle of Franciscan Napa Merlot ($20).

End the night with a few drinks at Starz Karaoke Lounge ($20). Share in a duet together like “I Got You Babe,” “You’re the One that I Want” or “I’ve had the Time of My Life.”

Area 41 does not take reservations, so arrive early.

Take Home Art Date-$91

Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, making a piece of artwork is fun with your partner and drinks. We

Beds • Bowls • Picture Frames • Treats • Jewelry Collars • Harnesses • and More!

Don’t forget your pet this Valentine’s

Fancy Fur

15% OFF any one full retail price item if you mention this ad

5291 Valleydale Rd • 408-1693 • www.fancyfurpets.com

recommend picking up a bottle of local Morgan Creek wine from Cowboys Gas Station on the way. Try the Vulcan Red Wine ($11.99) or the Alabama Semi-Sweet Table Wine ($11.99). Stop by for a quick yet better than your average fast-casual dinner at Tellini’s Italian Restaurant. Try the Chicken Marsala ($13.49) and the fish of the day ($15.49). After dinner, head to Sips n Strokes ($50 for two) for their 7 p.m. class, and you’ll have two new paintings by the night’s end. Call 408-2836 to make a reservation at Sips n Strokes.

Dude Date- $46

Let your man have his way with

burgers and an action flick. Start the night with a Louisiana Shrimp Burger ($10) and the Butcher’s Cut Burger ($8) at Flip Burger at The Summit.

After dinner, head to The Summit 16 to see the new A Good Day to Die Hard with Bruce Willis ($17.50). If you have time, visit Starbucks and enjoy a tall Caffè Misto and a tall Clover Brewed Coffee in Barnes and Noble ($10) to recap the night’s festivities. It’s open until 10 p.m. Flip Burger does not take reservations, so arrive early.

16

February 2013

280 Living the pain I’ve been through.”

PLEA

CONTINUED from page 1 depressant, Xanax. He then went to Southside, where he allegedly drank alcohol and smoked marijuana. It was early the next morning, Lucas said, when Allec was offered heroine.

When they woke around 2 p.m., Lucas said Allec’s friends tried and failed to get a response from him before deciding to move his body. Allegedly, he was put in a car and taken to the hospital, where doctors attempted to revive him for 45 minutes.

They couldn’t.

Kenneth said doctors told him that Allec, at 17 years old, likely died in his sleep around 6 a.m.

The State Department of Forensic Sciences has yet to confirm it with a toxicology report, but Lucas said he believes Allec died of a drug overdose and he wants people to know.

“What I want to do with this experience is help bring attention to the drug problem, not just heroin abuse,” Lucas said. “I want to save somebody from

On the rise

“In our teenage and early 20s age brackets, we’re seeing significant marijuana use, and underage alcohol is also a considerable problem,” Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry said. “We also see prescription and pain medication abuse, and in the last several years, heroine abuse has become more prevalent.”

Statistics from the Shelby County Board of Education’s 2009-2010 Pride Survey, an annual, anonymous questionnaire used by school districts to inquire about teen drug and alcohol use, report 36 percent of high school seniors in the district confirmed monthly alcohol use, and 22 percent reported monthly use of illicit drugs. In 2008, 7 percent of seniors reported monthly use of heroin – a four percent jump from the year before.

Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry said heroin roared back on the scene in 2010 because it was a less expensive option for those addicted to opiatebased pain medications, namely Oxycontin and

Lortab. In 2008, 10 percent of seniors reported monthly use of those drugs according to the Pride Survey.

Heroin poses a significant and specific threat to users, Curry said. Where prescription pill users know precisely the strength of the dose they are taking, there is no way to measure the purity of heroin sold on the street.

According to data from 2012 collected by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Task Force, heroin cases in Shelby County were up 150 percent over previous year – from 18 to 45 percent. Curry said the amount of heroin seized in 2012 jumped by 10 times.

Data from Shelby County Coroner Diana New reports that midway through 2012, the county had suffered nine deaths confirmed as the result of heroin use, and seven more were believed to be forthcoming. Twentyfive more cases were awaiting the return of toxicology reports.

Allec is one of those cases.

Staying out in front

270 Doug Baker Blvd, Lee Branch • 991-1995 www.plainjanegifts.com • Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm, Sat 10am - 5pm

Lucas’ ex-wife, Allec’s mother, died from cancer in 2010, leaving Lucas as a single parent responsible for raising both Allec and his sister. To pay the bills, he works long hours as a school bus mechanic in Bessemer.

He was often gone before sunrise and home well after dark.

But Lucas said almost all of his spare time was spent with his children, and it wasn’t difficult to notice the signs of Allec’s drug abuse.

“Everybody loved him,” Lucas said.

“He was so outgoing and caring. But when he was on drugs, he was ugly, mean, selfcentered and greedy. It was like daylight and dark.”

He confronted and drug tested Allec, then a student at Oak Mountain High School, on multiple occasions, but Allec passed them all. So, through his church, Lucas booked the two of them on a mission trip to Honduras.

Lucas said he hoped the experience would “open Allec’s eyes.”

Before they left though, Lucas found evidence Allec was not only abusing drugs, but also selling them – specifically marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms, he said.

While on the trip, Lucas gave the Sheriff’s Office permission to search his house, and on their return, Allec was taken into custody.

But neither that experience nor the trip changed anything.

“It sticks out in my mind that people judge me because my son died of a drug overdose,” Lucas said. “I reached out every way I could to get him on the right path. I felt helpless.”

A good steward

Lucas said his mission now is to bring attention to teen drug use and help other parents of at-risk children. Lucas said teens turn to drugs for thousands of reasons, including pain, anger, sadness, loneliness, and peer and parental pressure. He advocates spending more time talking with children, learning their worries and finding ways to solve their problems together.

“Tell your kids what a huge hole they would leave in everyone’s lives if they were gone, and realize how big a hole you leave in your kid’s life when you are absent or too busy. Spend more time with your kids.”

Lucas also encouraged parents to get to know and interact with their children’s core groups of friends, offering to help whenever necessary. And, above all, pray.

“I reached out to him and it didn’t help, but I can’t say that won’t work with every kid,” he said.

Allec’s toxicology report is slated be returned to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office before April. Allec’s ACT score should be in by the time this story prints.

For resources on drug prevention programs, visit shelbyed.k12.al.us/ student_serv/drugprevention.htm To read the most recent Pride Survey for Shelby County Schools, visit shelbyed.k12. al.us/student_serv/pridesurvey.htm

No Gymtimidation!

10

$

per moNth

Offer Ends Thursday, February 28th, 2013.

1839 Montgomery Highway • Hoover, AL 35244 • (205) 444-2282 168 Inverness Plaza • Birmingham, AL 35242 • (205) 408-0020

www.planetfitness.com Home Club only. Billed monthly to a checking account. Subject to $29 annual membership fee. With a $29 One Time Start Up Fee. Includes T-shirt. Must be at least 19 years old, or 14 with parent/guardian. Incentives offered for enrolling in other memberships. Participating locations only. Planet Fitness facilities are independently owned and operated. ©Planet Fitness “The Biggest Loser” is a registered trademark and ©copyright of Reveille, LLC and NBC Studios, LLC. All rights reserved.

Proud Sponsor Of

280Living.com

Faith

Love wins

Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

When my niece Lucy was a toddler, restless, as if I have unfinished business. she pitched one of those I’m-not-going And while it may not consume me, it to-bed tantrums where no one could does bother me, because every so often calm her down. a trigger will bring the discord to surface.

The next day when I talked to my But when I choose love with real, sister Dana, she recounted the event unselfish love, I feel harmony. I enjoy and told me that as frustrating as the freedom of a burden unloaded.

Lucy’s tantrum was, she knew it was When I love, I put the ball in someone a result of exhaustion. So instead of else’s court. Whether they reciprocate yelling at her or trying to reason, she is their choice. pulled her kicking-and-screaming At some point in time, you probably Kampakis daughter into her chest. She locked received love when you least deserved her arms around her, hugged her tightly and it. Can you recall how disarming that was? refused to let go. After a minute of this, Lucy Did it not interrupt your tantrum, if even for a quit fighting. And as her walls tumbled down, moment, as you wondered why someone would she began crying in her mother’s arms. do that? Love wins because it tears down walls.

Being a new mom at the time, I liked this It makes us drop our guns and hope that maybe, strategy and decided to try it. To my surprise, it just maybe, someone cares. To one person in helped tame many tantrums. Initially, I thought this world, our life matters. the point was to calm my child down, but over Today we see so many angry people, people time I realized that it also calmed me. Besides hurt by life’s cruelties and wearing an armor curbing my temper, it forced me to stop and no one wants to touch. But beneath the shell, think. It helped me respond to bad behavior, there’s a battle raging. These people are at war not react. with themselves, and whether they admit it or And while some tantrums continued in my not, they need love. Only love can soften their arms, I felt a peace inside just doing the right heart and eventually change their life. thing. I knew, with every bone in my body, that Mother Teresa said, “Spread love everywhere I wouldn’t regret embracing my child the way you go. Let no one ever come to you without I’d inevitably regret lashing out at her. Because leaving happier.” Love wins because it speaks for every fight I won, something inside me died. to the broken. It helps us forget about ourselves, The victory was a hollow triumph, for all I’d and look beyond tantrums and wailing to see really done was put up another wall. the pain and exhaustion at the root of it all.

It’s easy to love someone who’s pleasant, Love wins because it opens doors and puts but loving a person in their most unlovable everyone on the same team. state — when they’re mean, harsh or downright Is there a difficult person in your life who insulting — takes special discipline. For me, it’s could use a love lock? Are you willing to set the hardest aspect of love to embrace. It goes aside your pride and love them with kind words against my instinct, because when someone or a timely hug? Maybe it’ll make a difference. attacks me, I jump in defense mode.

Maybe it won’t. The point isn’t whether your With my children, I have a vested interest effort pays off, it’s that you tried. Nothing done in modeling this mature love, one that gives out of love is a waste. Somehow, our good work without expectation. This is, after all, how I comes back to us, while also bringing out the want them to love others. But what about the person we were designed to be. people I’m not tied to? Why should I be kind to Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Birmingham anyone I don’t want or need in my life? mom of four with a background in PR, writing and I don’t have many answers, but I have learned photography. Visit her website at karikampakis. this: When I deliberately choose not to love com, find her on Facebook and Twitter, or contact someone, it creates discord. It makes my heart her at kari@karikampakis.com.

Giggles and Grace returns to Asbury Asbury United Methodist Church will be hold its annual consignment sale, Giggles and Grace, on Feb. 8-9. The event will consign children’s clothes, youth clothes, toys, books, shoes and baby furniture.

Items will be received on Feb. 6-7. Sale hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Feb. 8 and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on

Feb. 9.

The proceeds will be used to pay consigners, but additional proceeds will benefit the church’s children program and mission groups in area. The sale is conducted by a staff of volunteers.

For more information, visit asburygigglesandgrace.com.

$30 OFF

your first visit with us!

No Contract, No Obligation, Just Genuine Care.

“Keeping You in the Independence & Comfort of Your Own Home” 13521 Old Hwy 280, Suite 153 Birmingham, AL. 35242

981-1800

www.comfortkeepers.com

Email: centralalabama@comfortkeepers.com

February 2013 17

18

February 2013

280 Living

Community Donation to help pets find forever homes in Northeast

Members of The Animal League of Birmingham.

The Animal League of Birmingham (ALB) recently donated $6,000 to The Shelby County Humane Society to fund the Shelter Partners Program. This program transports homeless dogs to the Northeast where spay and neuter laws have prevented an unwanted pet population.

2013 could be a year of new beginnings for many homeless animals when the ALB gets involved. The organization’s mission is to raise money through fundraising events to help shelters and small rescue groups who are

in need of financial help.

The dynamic and hardworking group has hosted many entertaining events such as Mardi-Paws, Dog Days of Summer Fashion Show, Hottest Hounds Preview Party and The Paws for the Cause 5K/one-mile Fun Run Pet Walk. The ALB accepts donations on their website or at both Hollywood Feed locations.

For information on membership or if you are a nonprofit animal rescue organization in need of financial assistance, contact us at theanimalleagueofbirmingham.com.

12th Annual

Homewood Chamber of Commerce

Taste the best food & beverages Homewood has to offer!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Rosewood Hall at SOHO 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. w w w . h o m e w o o d c h a m b e r. c o m Title Sponsor

Supporting Sponsors :

Contestants spread holiday cheer at Children’s Hospital

Miss Alabama contestants stir up smiles at Children’s Hospital in December.

Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen and Miss Alabama contestants, featuring several young women from the 280 area, came together over the 2012-2013 holiday break to perform services in their community.

On Dec. 21, contestants provided Christmas entertainment and made and delivered Christmas cards for patients at Children’s Hospital, and on Dec. 22, they wrapped gifts at Macy’s to Benefit Grace’s House.

Teens will be competing for title of Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen 2013 on March 3-4 at Sylacuaga High School. Miss Alabama

contestants will be competing on June 5-8 at Samford University for title of Miss Alabama 2013.

Teen Contestants from the Oak Mountain School system/Shelby area that pictured: Kyra Callens, Miss Wiregrass Area’s Outstanding Teen 2013; Brooklyn Holt, Miss Leeds Area’s Outstanding Teen 2013; Callie Walker, Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen 2012; Myrah Taylor, Miss Point Mallard’s Outstanding Teen 2013; and Mi’a Callens, Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen 2011, now Miss Patriot 2013.

February 2013 19

280Living.com

Upcoming tennis tournament to benefit oncology research The first Love-Love Magic City Finish the Fight Tennis Challenge is scheduled for March 4-8. Ladies’ doubles teams will compete at venues around Birmingham including Brook Highland Racquet Club, Greystone YMCA and Altadena Valley Country Club. The weeklong event will conclude with the “Love-Love Tennis Ball” on March 8 at the Birmingham Country Club, with dinner and dancing to honor and celebrate the champions.

The event will benefit Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation, which supports scientific research to make treatment easier for patients with all types of GI cancers. The foundation funds research in Birmingham, led by Martin J. Heslin, M.D., professor of surgery and director of the Integrated Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Program at UAB. Registration will close Feb. 25. The tournament is open to players of all levels, and teams can register on the tournament love-lovemagiccitychallenge. com.

Matches will also take place at Hoover Country Club, Pine Tree Country Club, Vestavia Country Club, Highland Racquet Club and Trussville Racquet Club.

Cain Mashego, Tennis Director at the Greystone YMCA, one of the host clubs for the tournament, with Kelli Baker, tournament volunteer.

Salon

20% OFF all jelery Salon $20 OFF Color Cut & style $5 OFF Shampoo cut & style Expires 2-28-13

5291 Valleydale Road #137, Next to Fancy Fur

205-991-7771 Closed Mondays

20 February 2013

280 Living

OMHS student named 2012 Debutante of the Year Imani Paige Anderson, daughter of George and Tampia Anderson and a senior at Oak Mountain High School, was presented Thursday, Dec. 27 by the Imperial Club, Inc. at the Cahaba Grande Conference Center at their annual ball.

Anderson was selected to be the “2012 Debutante of the Year,” which is based on her compilation of accomplishments (academic, religious involvement, political involvement, artistic achievement, extracurricular and community involvement) that were included in her scrapbook. This award represents the highest honor of achievement for the participants involved in the pageant.

e 1/2 pric ys a d n o color M & e color 1/2 pric ys Saturda 6 from 2-

From Our Loving Family to yours...

Happy VD! 5426 Hwy 280 East • 980-7444 www.gegessalon.com

Imani Paige Anderson

Chocolate event to support Oak Mountain’s wildlife center The annual Wild About Chocolate event is returning this month to support the Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain State Park.

This event will take place Feb. 9 from 6-8 p.m. at Rosewood Hall in Homewood. It features savory appetizers, chocolate

desserts and complimentary wine and beer provided by many of Birmingham’s finest restaurants, bakeries, caterers and beverage distributors.

There will be an artist in residence, a silent auction and a live auction with Ken Jackson.

Individual tickets are $75 in

advance, $100 at the door. Table sponsorship is available for $1000 and includes 8 tickets, a table placard and a listing in the event program.

For more, contact Carol Argo, executive director, at cargo@ awrc.org or 663-7930, ext. 5, or visit awrc.org.

280Living.com

February 2013 21

School House OMMS Characters with Character During a school-wide assembly on Jan. 9, Oak Mountain Middle School recognized 18 of its students as Characters with Character.

Students were selected by their teachers to receive this honor because they exemplified character traits like overcoming obstacles, forgiveness, friendliness, showing respect and making good choices.

Guest speaker for the assembly was Roddy Cooper, director of Oak Mountain Missions, a nonprofit organization based in Pelham that serves families in need throughout Shelby County.

Cooper encouraged students not only to get involved with his organization but also contribute their time and talents as volunteers in areas of personal interest.

Students recognized were: Eighth grade: Sydney Gossett, Luke Rakers, Erin Shaw, Spencer Hughes, Barbara Carpenter and Trey Philpott.

Seventh grade: Emma Coon, Ben Wilke, Linda Lin, Wyatt Mercer, Julia Burdett and Ryan Cruce.

Sixth grade: Emily Rush, Gregory Morris, Hayley Atkins, Seth Van Geffen, Candela Bajo and Blake Sandidge.

A novel in 30 days?

Sixth grade students at Liberty Park Middle School had an opportunity to participate in the National Novel Writing Month Young Writers program.

Offered every November, this is the world’s largest youth writing event. Interested students set a word count goal that would help them draft a novel in 30 days.

This enrichment activity helped students learn how to create characters, design plots, define conflicts between protagonists and antagonists and write dialogue.

Led by sixth grade teacher Linda Rummell, students received assignments, shared ideas and asked questions through the use of Edmodo.

Edmodo is a secure social learning network that allows teachers to collaborate and connect with students who have join the classroom group.

By participating in this activity, students also had access to pep-talks, posted on Edmodo, from well-known young adult authors. Some of these authors included Scott Westerfield, author of the Uglies; Marissa Meyer, author of Cinder; Kate Dicamillo, author of Tale of Despereaux and Because of Winn Dixie; Lois Lowry, author of Number the Stars and The Giver, as well as many others.

Smart Kid.

childcare

Smart Parent.

Where best friends meet and learn together.

Call today to set up your tour and experience the love and care your child can be receiving at L.B.D.

NURSERY • 6 WEEKS - 12 MONTHS 12 MONTHS - 18 MONTHS State of Alabama DHR Registered facility

At Learning by Design Childcare you’ll find:

Nurturing care for your children ages 6 weeks- 6 years Developmentally-appropriate curriculum Teachers are devoted to the L.B.D. children A bright and fun learning environment We strive for a clean facility

205-991-KIDS(5437) 5560 Cahaba Valley Rd.

Located in Indian Springs next to Oak Mountain Elementary School

www.learningbydesignchildcare.com

FREE Registration

with first month’s paid tuition.

$50 Value

It may not be the first name you think of for tutoring, but Tutoring Club guarantees to raise your child’s academic level in just 32 hours.

Smart Call.

Inverness 981-7155 Cahaba Heights 968-5151

22 February 2013

280 Living

SPHS Theatre to represent state at Southeastern Conference Students in the Spain Park High School Theatre program and their instructor Eric St. John have much to celebrate as they prepare for the 64th Annual Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in Louisville, Ky., in March.

SPHS Theatre won numerous awards for individual events and its one-act play, “The Servant of Two Masters,” at the 73rd Annual Trumbauer State Theatre Festival in December.

Fourteen plays and almost 1,300 individual events from 71 Alabama high schools competed at this year’s Festival, St. John said.

St. John also serves as State Chair of the Trumbauer Theatre Festival, which is put on by

the Alabama Conference of Theatre.

“The Servant of Two Masters” captured awards for one All-Star Cast member, Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor. The play finished in first place and will be one of two schools to represent the state of Alabama at SETC. Winning the oneact marks the fifth time in seven years that Spain Park High School has won the state championship.

Among the eight individual awards earned by the program, SPHS captured: first place in Solo Male Comedic Varsity (comedic monologues); second place in Solo Musical Female Comedic (Varsity); and second place in Varsity Makeup Design.

Students in the Spain Park High School Theatre Program perform “The Servant of Two Masters” at the 73rd Annual Trumbauer State Theatre Festival in December. Photo courtesy of HCS.

Mt Laurel Show Choir shows out at fundraiser The Mt Laurel Elementary School Show Choir performed at Barnes and Noble on Dec. 7 in support of a fundraiser for the

school. A portion of the money from sales that evening was used to purchase NOOK tablets to be used for learning initiatives.

SPHS sets new graduation date Spain Park High School has a new graduation schedule. Graduation will now be May 22 at 5 p.m. in Samford University’s Pete Hanna Center. For ticket information, call 439-1400.

Mt Laurel Showchoir

280Living.com

February 2013 23

Sixth grader wins Greystone Elementary student wins visit from Pete the Cat author middle school bee

By MEGAN SMITH Cole Richardson, a second grader at Greystone Elementary, was one of two grand-prize winners in the Scholastic Pete the Cat: Draw My Shoes national contest. The selection earned him and the rest of the second grade class an exciting visit from a special guest.

On Jan. 14, Eric Litwin, author of the Pete the Cat series, stopped by Greystone Elementary to meet Cole and his friends. There, Litwin, a professional performer for 10 years before entering the bookwriting industry, led students through several songs that required their active participation.

Litwin began his visit to the school with a performance of his newest book, Pete the Cat Saves Christmas. He had one of the teachers show the book to the class as he recited it, playing his guitar and incorporating a song into the telling of the story.

“I think of the first line and I know I have the whole story,” Litwin told the class during “Pick My Brain,” the question-and-answer segment of his visit.

Litwin said he develops stories with help from live audiences and creates engaging melodies to accompany each.

Following “Pick My Brain,” Litwin led the class in a call-and-response interactive poem. He then used his voice and guitar to create sound effects as the class helped him sing a “scary” story called “The Face.”

“I used to be a teacher,” Litwin said. “I’m very interested in early literacy and want kids to be excited about the first book they read.”

Litwin rounded out his visit by telling the original Pete the Cat story, I Love My White Shoes, and had Cole join him to act out the dance movements that accompany song he played throughout.

“The message is to stay positive,” Litwin said.

“No matter what you step in, keep walking along and signing your song.”

The class helped him finish his message to them by singing, “Because it’s all good.”

By correctly spelling the word “manuscript,” Oak Mountain Middle School sixth grader Michael Coby recently defeated 50 other students to win the school’s Spelling Bee. Jany Lee, also a sixth grader, was runner-up. Coby will now advance to the Shelby County Spelling Bee.

Liberty Park’s Howard named Teacher of the Year Keri Howard, Liberty Park Middle School’s, sixth grade inclusion teacher and lead special education teacher, was recently named one of Vestavia Rotary Club’s Teachers of the Year.

Howard has spent the past 10 years teaching in Vestavia Hills City Schools. She graduated from the University of Montevallo with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication science and disorders and a Master of Arts degree in school counseling from the University of West Alabama.

Howard is known for her organization, patience and working with students who have different abilities. Her hobbies are reading, knitting and cooking.

Keri Howard

an ni ve rs ar

y

95 th

24 February 2013

280 Living

Humane society honors Mt Laurel Elementary Mt Laurel Elementary School was honored at the Greater Birmingham Humane Society’s (GBHS) Annual Awards Luncheon, held at The Club on Dec. 7. MLES Principal Angela Walker and Guidance Counselor Tracey Evans accepted the John Herbert Phillips Award on behalf of the entire school. This award is given to those who promote and teach others how to show compassion to animals.

Last year, a third grade student at MLES brought the idea of bringing items to school to donate to the shelter to the principal and the student council.

She called it “Precious Paws.” The idea was a huge hit, and the children of MLES immediately created posters and flyers to promote the donation drive.

Students brought in items from the shelter’s wish list such as pet food, towels, blankets and paper towels.

Precious Paws has become annual fundraiser for MLES. MLES PTO President Athena David, Principal Angela Walker Guidance Counselor Tracey Evans and GBHS Auxiliary Member Paula Price at the GBHS Annual Awards.

LPMS Majorettes top competition winnataska.org info@winnataska.org

CHRISTIAN CAMPING AT ITS BEST SINCE 1918

2013 registration now OPEN!

The Liberty Park Middle School majorettes competed against five other majorette squads and placed first at the November 2, 2012 Twirltacular. Twirlers from all over the Southeast competed at the twirling and dancing 2012 event, which began in 1990. This competition is open to recreation groups, marching groups, high school squads and universities.

Liberty Park Middle School majorettes

SPRING 2013 RECREATIONAL SOCCER LOCATIONS CENTRAL TO MTN BROOK, HOMEWOOD VESTAVIA, AND 280!

SOCCER REG REGISTRATION! R G T T NOW OPEN! STARTS: FEB & MARCH 2013!

BOYS & GIRLS AGES: 3-18!

LOCATIONS: CENTRAL (HWY 31) LIBERTY PARK SOCCER COMPLEX SICARD HOLLOW ATHLETIC COMPLEX

www.ve stavi asocce r.co m

February 2013 25

280Living.com

Taking the field:

Inverness students assist area animals

Students at Inverness Elementary with items they collected for The Animal League of Birmingham.

Inverness Elementary School first graders opened their hearts in December by donating items to The Animal League of Birmingham’s Pet Pantry.

The Animal League of Birmingham distributed collected items such as pet food, blankets, toys and countless treats to local rescues. For more, visit TheAnimalLeagueofBirmingham.com.

students compete in national NFL contest

Two Hoover students recently placed near the top of the national rankings in the 2013 NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick Competition.

During halftime of the NFC Playoff between the Atlanta Falcons and the Seattle Seahawks, more than 40 children who had won in both local and regional competitions competed against others in their age groups.

After their total punt, pass and kick distances were combined, Greystone Elementary School student Nick Dunlap was awarded third place in his age group, and Brocks Gap Intermediate student Will Reichard was awarded first place.

Will, a sixth grader, set a new PPK National Record with 339.9 yards. Nick had his best score from any of the competitions, but his total of 243.5 feet missed second place by little more than two feet.

Nick’s journey to Atlanta began at the Local Competition held at Greystone Elementary in September, where he competed against 70 other boys in his 8-9 year old age group.

After he won, he moved on to the Sectional Competition in Chattanooga in November where he competed against winners from other states. Nick cruised to another victory at the Sectional, beating his opponents by 30 total feet – a huge margin in a competition when, as he would come to learn, the difference between first and fourth could be decided in inches.

Nick won again at the Team Championships in Nashville on Dec. 2, where he competed against three other Sectional Competition winners from Tennessee.

“I’m really not surprised that Nick made it this far. He is a great athlete and excels at any sport that he tries.

“What has impressed me most about the

Greystone Elementary School student Nick Dunlap went from winning his school’s NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition all the way to winning third place in his age group and appearing during an NFL game.

whole competition process is how Nick has been so consistent at every level of competition and how he has handled the pressure at all the events. I am extremely proud of not only his success, but also how hard he has worked to get to this point,” stated Rand Payton, PE teacher at Greystone Elementary and Local Host of Nick’s first competition at Greystone Elementary.

– Submitted by Greystone Elementary

Make a

resolution to

TRANSFORM your body with

CoolSculpting

®

60 DAYS AFTER

ONE COOLSCULPTING® TREATMENT Procedure by Bruce Van Natta, MD

Call 877-9773 today for a complimentary consultation

26 February 2013

280 Living

157 Resource Center Parkway, Suite 102 Behind Logan’s Roadhouse on 280 Your source for teams sports

205-981-0291

Mackenzie Garmany

Oak Mountain High School, Senior, Varsity Basketball Give us your overall thoughts on this year’s season.

This season has been bittersweet knowing with each game it gets closer and closer to the end of my senior season. It makes me want to make it further in the playoffs knowing I will not get another chance.

What are your college/career aspirations?

I plan on playing college basketball, but I am not sure where at this moment. I want to major in athletic training and possibly continue my education after college to become a physical therapist.

How long have you been involved in basketball?

I have been playing basketball all my life but began playing organized basketball in first grade.

What is your role on the team?

My role on the team is to provide leadership on and off the court. I am one of our outside threats from beyond the arc.

What is the best thing about being part of the Oak Mountain team?

Oak Mountain is a great school with a lot of school spirit. I’ve built great relationships with my teammates and opponents from other schools.

Tell us about your family. Any other siblings involved with sports?

I have three siblings – two older sisters, Erin and Jordan, and a younger brother named Slate. He plays both football and basketball.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to watch movies and spend time with my family.

What other school activities are you involved in?

I am currently not involved in any other school activities, but I am in the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta.

280Living.com

Opinion My South By Rick Watson

Aging doc

It’s tough getting older. When suggested expanding her bathroom, I look in the mirror, I see the face and perhaps installing a garden tub of an 18-year-old kid blasting down with a Jacuzzi. the highway in a 1965 Impala SS, We were driving down the road with windows rolled down, my hair somewhere between home and blowing wildly in the wind, and the Birmingham when I made this music so loud people in the next suggestion. I’d just taken a sip of county could sing along. tea when Jilda said, “At our age, it Of course, if I looked closely might be better to install wheelchair enough, I’d realize my beard is now ramps, and a shower with a door Watson gray as wood ash, and my hair went wide enough for a walker.” south with the geese years ago.

I spewed tea all over the dashboard and But even so, I don’t feel that old. I had some laughed so hard I almost choked. support on this view this recently when I signed Her humor is often subtle, and it sneaks up on books at the local library. Several people came up me at inopportune moments. to me and said, “You’re younger than I thought I gained my composure and took a napkin you were.” from the glove box to wipe off the speedometer While saying “thank you, I’m flattered,” my and steering wheel. mind wrestled with what they said, trying to What she said was hilarious, but it was also decode the message. right on the mark. We have friends our age who Either I write like I’m really old, or the picture have houses so high off the ground you’d need I use with my column does not do me justice. I a forklift to get them inside once their knees go. can fix the picture, but trying to get more hip in Aging is not for wimps, and there are no my writing style might be more of a challenge. manuals. We’ve taken good care of ourselves.

If I’d been clever, I would have asked why they We eat right for the most part, we exercise daily, thought I was older, and the path forward would we wear our seat belts and we do everything in have been simpler. moderation. Good Lord willing, we could live Fast forward to this weekend: Jilda and I have another 30 years. been saving to build an addition onto our house.

And while I’d like to think that we’ll still be We want a small sunroom on one end with a frolicking together in a Jacuzzi at 90, truth is, it basement/storm shelter underneath. would be much better to be able to take a shower These days when a bad cloud comes up, we even if I did have to lean on a walker. round our critters up and head to my bathroom Aging, it’s something to think about. with pillows around our heads. So, a storm shelter Rick will be attending the Annual Birmingham would be a welcome addition.

Library Local Author event at the downtown While discussing what else we’d like, I location on Feb. 2, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

That’s Life By By Paul Johnson

A dilemma

Jane sat at a corner table of a coffee shop usually has homework. It doesn’t take long, with her friend Maggie. It was a but Darryl never, and I do not typical Tuesday morning, the two of exaggerate here, never checks them enjoying a cup of high-dollar the folder for Cole’s homework. java as a prelude to a morning of I got home late last night, too errands before the youngest kids tired to think about anything. had to be picked up from childcare.

This morning, as I’m cleaning Jane noticed that her friend of four up the kitchen from last night, years seemed more than usually and right before Cole is about distracted this morning. to leave for school, he says he “What’s up?” she asked. didn’t do his homework. So it’s “Darryl.” Darryl was Maggie’s a mad scramble to get it done.

Johnson husband of nine years.

I drop what I’m doing; Darryl “He okay? He’s not sick is he?” leaves because he has a meeting and can’t be “No, he’s fine,” replied Maggie. “Actually, late, I help Cole finish, interrupt the other two it’s something he didn’t do.” boys’ breakfast to take Cole to school, mad That caught Jane off-guard. “Whoa. There’s dash home to get them finished with breakfast, something Darryl didn’t do? He’s like super dressed and out the door. Kitchen is left a mess, dad, super husband and super businessman all I don’t get to shower. I meet you here. Then wrapped into one. He’s the most sensitive man shopping, which if it doesn’t get done means I know.” it’s another week and we have nothing to eat Maggie struggled to find the right words. for the next few days. And this happens all the “My husband is a wonderful man — no denying time. I know details are not Darryl’s strength, it. It’s just that,sometimes he’s so sensitive that they’re mine; but good grief, do the details of he’s not aware.” daily life all have to fall on me? Is it too much Jane tilted her head to the side and gave to ask for a little attention to the details to do Maggie the I-don’t-get-it eyebrow arch. the practical matters together?”

Maggie grinned. “Don’t give me that look.

Maggie sighed again. She took a sip of her Darryl is really sensitive to the needs of the coffee, then turned to stare out the window. Jane kids and to me personally, but sometimes, a lot sighed too, and then reached her hand across of times, he misses what needs to be done day- the table to take Maggie’s in hers. Maggie in, day-out practically.” looked down at their hands, then lifted her head “And you’re complaining? Most wives to see Jane smiling at her. Now it was Maggie’s would kill for an ounce of Darryl’s sensitivity.” turn to give the I-don’t-get-it eyebrow arch.

“I know. I feel so guilty for even thinking Jane squeezed Maggie’s hand, looked her this.” Maggie sighed again. “This may not in the eye, and said, “No, it’s not too much to make sense, but what I feel like I’m missing is ask.” a partner. Okay, before you go all eyebrow on Maggie smiled. “Then let me ask this: how?” me again, yes, I know, Darryl is sensitive and a Great question. This year we will attempt dream. But it is on me to keep everything, or so to answer that question: How can any couple it feels, from falling through the cracks.” turn their roles of parenting and marriage into “Practically?” a partnership, a partnership of practicalities as “Practically.” well as matters of the heart? Stay tuned, and “For instance? if you get antsy, give me a call. We can get to “For instance, yesterday was Darryl’s day work immediately. with the boys. He picks up the younger two Paul Johnson is a professionally licensed from childcare, they play, waiting for Cole marriage and family therapist. You may reach to get home, and then they play more. Cole him at 807-6645 or paul@samaritancc.org.

February 2013 27

28 February 2013

280 Living

Calendar 280 Area Events Feb. 3: Shelby County 195th Birthday Celebration. 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Shelby County Museum and Archives.

Call 669-3912.

Feb. 4: Event at Circle of Champions ToastMasters. The meeting will help people develop or perfect their public speaking skills.

Members are allowed to work at their own pace, and the environment is supportive and encouraging. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Call 663-4542.

Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28: Coffee Chat at McAlister’s Deli Pelham. You are invited to Coffee Chat, a morning networking group on Thursday’s at 8 a.m. at the Pelham McAlister’s Deli, Location at 152 Bowling Lane in Pelham. McAlister’s provide the coffee and donuts, everyone else just provides their time and conversation.

8-9 a.m. 152 Bowling Lane in Pelham.

Call 663-4542.

Feb. 8-9: Giggles and Grace.

Consignment sale for children’s clothes, youth clothes, toys, books, shoes, and baby furniture. They will be clothing items, etc. Feb. 6-7. Feb. 8 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 9 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit http://asburygigglesandgrace.com.

Feb. 9: Registration at Stevan Grebel Center for Dance. 12 a.m.11:59 p.m. 102 Commerce Parkway.

Call 987-7234 or visit grebeldance. com.

Feb. 9: Wild About Chocolate.

Benefitting the Alabama Wildlife Center. 6-8 p.m. Rosewood Hall in SoHo Square. Call Carol Argo at 6637930, ext. 5.

Feb. 14: American Red Cross Blood Services and Shelby Humane Society Partnership. 12 a.m.- 11:59 p.m. Call DeNita Young at 577-3477 or visit redcrossblood.org.

charges are additional). Call 745-3000.

Feb. 16, 21, 23, 28: Cowboy Day Exhibit. Art representing the daily lives of cowboys and the Wild West will be on Exhibit. Hand-made quilts by local artists and Remington Bronze Statues will be featured. Downtown Columbiana. Call 669-0044.

Feb. 8: Phoenix Ball. Think of a premier social fundraising event.

Now think of red carpets, Hollywood backdrops & paparazzi, vintage cars, delicious food, cocktail dresses, an ice luge, and a horned owl. 8 p.m.midnight. Old Car Heaven. $50 per person. Call 949-5989.

Feb. 14-17: Birmingham Home and Garden Show. Show will feature The Living Fountain, gardens

by Father Nature, Nature’s Edge, Southern Botantical, The Nelson Team, Art Marketplace, hero day, and Kitchen Stage. Adults $7 online, $10 at door. Children 6-12 $3. Visit HomeShowBirmingham.com.

Feb. 8-10: O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. Featuring a wide variety of custom cars, custom trucks and custom motorcycles as well as restored and antique vehicles, our exhibitors, our vendors and tens of thousands of spectators make these annual shows informative, exciting, and fun. BJCC Arena. Child (ages 5 & under) free. Child (ages 6-11) $5.

Adult $18. Call 458-8400.

Feb. 15: An Evening with Jim Brickman. Brickman will wow audience members with his hits including “Valentine,” “If You Believe,” “Love of My Life” and more, plus songs of hope for 2013 from his latest release, Believe. 8 p.m.

Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.

Call 975-2787 or visit alysstephens. uab.edu.

Feb. 22: Girl Scout Power Up! Program Registration Deadline.

Power Up! helps “bystanders” recognize the strength in their numbers and use it to intervene when they see something wrong. Mar. 9. 1-4:30 p.m.

To register, visit girlscoutsnca.org/ program-registration.

Special Events Feb. 2: Beaker Bash 2013- Who Done It? 5-8 p.m. The McWane Science Center’s annual familyfriendly fundraising event. Tickets may be purchased by calling 7148414.

Feb. 2: 2nd Annual GHBS Jazz Cat Ball. Old Car Heaven. 7 p.m. Cajun Cuisine, Silent Auction, Milo’s Tea Gaming Casino and more! Call 9421211.

Feb. 3: WWE Presents RAW PreGame Pandemonium! The Superstars of Raw return to Birmingham for the first time in 2013! Will the feud between John Cena and Dolph Ziggler end in Birmingham? 1 p.m. BJCC Arena. Ticket Prices: $95, $50, $35, $25 and $15. (Facility fees and service

Feb. 4: BAO Bingo. Bingo game to raise AIDS awareness. Doors open at 6 p.m. Call 322-4197.

Feb. 9: Chinese New Year Festival.

The festival features Chinese games, Chinese food, Chinese dance, Chinese Music, Acrobat, Kung Fu and more. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Boutwell Municipal Auditorium. Free admission but donations accepted. Visit bhmchinesefestival.org.

Feb. 12: The Price is Right - Live Stage Show. To mark its 40th year on TV, a touring version of the studio show was created and includes even more audience interaction. BJCC Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. Call 745-3000.

Feb. 13: 2013 Hearts of Hope Luncheon. The Hearts of Hope Luncheon benefits our programs for addicted and homeless women seeking Christian recovery, shelter, education

and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Cahaba Grand Conference Center. 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. $75 per person. Call 425-7737 ext. 26.

Feb. 15-17: Mercedes-Benz Marathon Weekend. Full marathon, Half marathon, Marathon relay, and Superhero 5k. Online registration fees.

Call 870-7771.

Feb. 15-17: Kami-Con. Kami-Con is an anime convention that was founded at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and hosted by the student organization, The Bama SoS Brigade! BJCC Arena. To register, visit kamicon.net/registration/.

Feb. 16: aTeam Ministries 2013 Heart 2 HeART Event. The event gathers children with pediatric cancer and pairs them with a professional artist. This is done to celebrate the children by aiding them in expressing themselves through art. 6-9 p.m. $125

admission. Call 401-8232.

Feb. 16: 2013 Takes Two to Tango. Enjoy dancing lessons from choreographers from Fred Astaire Dance Studios and a treat from Cafe Dupont. Children’s Dance Foundation. $60 per couple. Call 870-0773.

Event benefits the Children’s Dance Foundation.

Feb. 21-24: 28th Alabama Clay Conference. Boutwell Municipal Auditorium. Adults $160, students $100. Visit alclayconference.org.

Feb. 22: A Night Under The Big Top. In support of Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center, the gala event features an extensive silent and live auction, casino fun and games, food and drink, and music from The Undergrounders. 8 p.m.-midnight. The Club of Birmingham. $60 per ticket pre-event. Call 795-3294.

Feb. 22-24: Birmingham RV Super Show. Featuring several football fields of rv’s including luxury motor coaches, pull behinds, fifth wheels, campers, vendors, motor homes, and toy haulers. BJCC Arena. Adults $7, children under 12 free with accompanying adult. Call (256) 5093574.

Feb. 22-24: Severe Weather Sales Tax Holiday. Alabama will hold its annual sales tax holiday giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain severe-weather preparedness supplies free of state stales or use tax.

12:01 a.m. Feb. 22-midnight Feb. 24.

Visit revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/ WPSalesTaxHol.cfm.

Feb. 22-24: It’s A Hoot! 2013 Columbiana Winter Retreat. All-

February 2013 29

Calendar p.m. Western in Mountain Brook Village, Piggly Wiggly in Crestline Village, Whole Foods in Cahaba Village and Piggly Wiggly in Riverrun. Visit mtnbrook.org.

Feb. 22-24: Alabama Ballet Presents The Sleeping Beauty. A grand classic, a stunning score, a simple kiss. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter or call 7264591.

March 4-8: Love-Love Magic City Finish the Fight Tennis Challenge. Benefits Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. Registration ends Feb. 25.

Birmingham Country Club. Visit lovelovemagiccitychallenge.com.

Feb. 23: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network PurpleStride 2013. There will be 5k timed run and one-mile awareness walk. Homewood Central Park. Call (877) 272-6226 or contact Kathryn Brekle at kbrekle@pancanvolunteer.org.

Feb. 23-Mar. 2: Birmingham Fashion Week. Bringing Birmingham together through fashion. Call 769-6515 for further information or visit bhmafashionweek. com.

Save the Date March 2: Fire at the Foothills BBQ and Chili Cook-Off. Benefitting the March of Dimes and Hero’s Fire Safety Program.

Live music, bbq and chili tastings, and kids play area provided. Tractor Supply.

Noon-4 p.m. Call Scott Weygand at 6784711.

March 2: Knights of Columbus 5K and Fun Run. Benefitting children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Preregistration Feb. 2 $15. Registration on Race Day $20. Crestline Elementary School. 8 a.m. Call Amanda Marcrum at 705-1809 or email at amarcrum@ arcofjeff.com.

March 2: Arbor Day Tree Giveaway.

The Mountain Brook Tree Commission will be giving away seedlings - mostly to elementary school students. 9 a.m.-12

Mar. 9: Girl Scout Power Up! Program.

Power Up! helps “bystanders” recognize the strength in their numbers and use it to intervene when they see something wrong. 1-4:30 p.m. Kanawahana Program Center. $14 per girl. Email djoseph@ girlscoutsnca.org for more information.

Mar. 10: KPC Open House. This event is designed for girls who are considering attending summer camp programs and their families. 2-4 p.m. Kanawahana Program Center. Email tknowles@ girlscoutsnca.org for more information.

Food Feb. 7: Secrets of Tex Mex Cooking.* Feb. 12: Authentic Spanish Tapas.* Feb. 19: Sensational Citrus.* Feb. 21: Deliciously Simple Asian Noodles.* Feb. 26: Cooking Fundamentals of Poultry.* Feb. 28: Knife Skills I.* *All classes will take place at Birmingham Bake and Cook Company. All classes will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. and will be $50 per person for each class. For more information, call Susan Green at 9803661.

Library Happenings Mt Laurel Public Library Toddler Tales Feb. 6 & 20, 10 a.m.

Registration begins two weeks prior to each story time. Ages 36 months and younger.

Registration required. Register online using the Calendar on mtlaurellibrary.org.

Storytime with Ms. Kristy Feb. 6 & 20, 11 a.m.

All ages. No registration required.

Crafty Saturday Feb. 16, 11 a.m. -1 p.m.

All ages with parent help.

Registration is not required but supplies are limited.

Contact the Mt Laurel Library at 991-1660 or mtlaurellibrary@ gmail.com for more information or to register.

North Shelby Library Special Programming The library will collect Valentine Cards for kids in Children’s Hospital. Stop by the children’s department to make a card, or bring by a store bought card.

No candy please. Cards must be dropped off by Sunday, Feb. 10.

Feb. 2 Take Your Child to the Library Day

Feb. 11, 6 p.m.

NSL Knitters Beginner Class Join us for a beginning knitting class for kids 8-13. There is no fee. At the first meeting students will be provided knitting needles and a skein of yarn.

Feb. 16, 2 p.m.

Family Movie Day: Cinderella Snacks served. No registration required.

Feb. 20, 1 p.m.

Homeschool Hangout: PAX Academic Exchange Ages 8-12. Registration Required.

Feb. 25, 6 p.m.

NSL Yarn Arts Hangout There is NO fee. All ages are welcome. No registration is required.

Story-Time Programming Mondays, 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Toddler Tales Registration will begin one week prior to each story time. Ages 1936 months. Registration required.

Joy Joy

Wednesdays, 10:45 a.m.

Mr. Mac (Storyteller Extraordinaire!)

All ages. No registration.

Thursdays, 7 p.m.

P. J. Story Time All ages. No registration required. * For more or to register, call or email the Children’s Department at 439-5504 or northshelbyyouth@gmail.com or visit northshelbylibrary.org.

Teen Happenings Fridays, 3:30-5:45 p.m.

Gaming Open gaming on the Wii and board and card games.

Anime Night Feb. 14, 6 p.m.

Treats served, costumes welcome.

Young Adult Writing Group Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m.

Snacks served.

Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or nsyouth@ shelbycounty-al.org for more information.

Muse Dresses

Desigual

New Spring Fashions Arriving Daily!

Me Too

15% OFF

Antelope

with this ad Expires 2-28-13

Village at Lee Branch (Greystone Publix Shopping Center)

205.

980.2272

Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm

Language

Any One Item

Judith March

Vince Camuto

Kut

Restricted

2832 Culver Rd • 879.8278 • Mon. - Sat

Feb. 8, 4 p.m.

Valentine’s Gift Bag Craft All Ages. Registration Required.

Analili

Hundreds of patterns to choose from.

You pick the pattern, we will take care of the rest.

10-11:30 a.m.

Lego Club All Ages welcome. No registration required.

Tuesdays, 9:30-10 a.m.

Baby Tales Story Time Ages: Birth to 18 months.

Registration Required.

Registration will begin one week prior to program date.

Moon and Lola

Spring designs are here!

and much more...

Jade

YOUR LOCAL FABRIC RETAILER

Surprises for children visiting the library.

Sacha London

inclusive retreat at the Alabama 4-H Center nestled on 246 acres of lush woodlands along the banks of Lay Lake.

Alabama 4H Center. Call (251) 599-7033.

Uncle Frank

280Living.com

30 February 2013

280 Living

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

Courtyard Oyster Bar & Grill 280

Mondays – Dj Johnny D Tuesdays – Dj Kop Feb. 1 – Brooklyn’s Cry / SK5 Feb. 2 – Secondhand Jones / Monkey Business Feb. 3 – Dwayne Feb. 6 – Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce Feb. 7 – Erica Feb. 8 – F-5 / Matt Hill band Feb. 9 – Dixieland Disciples / Aaron Blades Feb. 10 – Zach Doss / Secondhand Jones Feb. 13 – Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce

Feb. 14 – Acoustic Feb. 15 – Smear / SK5 Feb. 16 – Body Shot / Monkey Business Feb. 17 – Huck & Boss / Dwayne Feb. 20 – Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce Feb. 21 – Erica Feb. 22 – Preston Summerville band / Matt Hill band Feb. 23 – Pharmhand / Erika Feb. 24 – Jager Muffin / Secondhand Jones Feb. 27 – Matt Hill & Sean Bunn / Matt Barnes & David Koonce Feb. 28 – Acoustic

Grey Bar

5426 Highway 280 • 874-6361 Feb. 1- 90 Proof Feb. 2 - Outshine Feb. 6 - Acoustic Cafe Feb. 7 - Jared White Feb. 8 - Atomic Radio Feb. 9 - II Da Maxx Feb. 13 - Acoustic Cafe Feb. 14 - Jared White

Feb. 15 - Brother Star Foot Feb. 16 - Matt Hill Band Feb. 20 - Acoustic Cafe Feb. 21- Jared White Feb. 22 - Jason and Alan Feb. 23 - About Time Feb. 27- Acoustic Cafe Feb. 28- Jared White

The Fish Market Restaurant

4520 Overton Road, Suite 104

GREYSTONE, 5407 Highway 280 980-8600

Call for this month’s music listings.

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

Liberty Park • 956-2323

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

Ashley Mac’s

is now hiring for full-time and part-time shifts at our Inverness and Cahaba Heights locations.

Several positions available.

Compensation is based on experience. Trial period applies to all positions. To fill out an application, stop by our Cahaba Heights Café today, or you can download it at www.ashleymacs.com and e-mail it to cnilsen@ashleymacs.com

Comfort Keepers

is currently hiring quality caregivers.

205-981-1800

HELP WANTED

FULL OR PART TIME SALES ASSOCIATE. HOURS AVAIL: 12-6: SUN-SAT Apply Rogers Trading Company, Hwy. 280, resource center parkway: send resume or application to jenrtc@aol. com No phone inquiries accepted

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.

PIANO LESSONS

Piano teacher with 20+ years of experience accepting beginner students of all ages.

Hoover, North Shelby County, 280 Area.

For more information contact BETTE HANEY - (205) 980-1721

Been Baby Bitten?

We Love to See You Move!

TM

If you’ve never been “baby bitten”, then drop by Pastry Art Bake Shoppe today to experience the melt-in-your-mouth goodness of one of our original Baby Bites. Once “bitten”, we know you’ll be back to try all 20 flavors.

NEW LOCATION! 940 Inverness Corners

205.995.5855 1927 29th Ave S | Homewood

205.877.3852

C R E AT I V E B A K E D G O O D S

February 2013 31

280Living.com

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING PROJECT NUMBER: NH-0038(531)

Intersection Improvements on SR-38 (US-280) at SR-119 and Additional Lanes on SR-119 from Corporate Drive to Brook Highland Parkway Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Church at Brook Hills – Student Center 3145 Brook Highland Parkway Birmingham, Alabama 35242 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Display maps prepared for this project will be available for inspection.

Information packets, which include a comment form, will be provided to you at the sign-in table. Representatives from ALDOT and the Design Consultants will be present to assist in explaining the display maps, discussing the scope of the project and responding to your questions and concerns about the project. Your written comments regarding this project may be submitted during this meeting, or by Friday, March 15, 2013 to the address listed below:

Meeting Location End Project

Mr. Brian C. Davis, Division Engineer Alabama Department of Transportation – Third Division P.O. Box 2745 Birmingham, Alabama 35202-2745 Attn: Mrs. Sandra F. P. Bonner For additional information or for individuals requiring special assistance contact the ALDOT - Division Office, (205) 581-5725. Request for special assistance should be received at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting.

Begin Project

Updated information on the proposed US-280 Intersection Improvements will be available at this meeting: PROJECT NUMBER: NH-0038( ) US Highway 280 Intersection Improvements/Access Management From Hollywood Boulevard to Doug Baker Boulevard

February 2013

280 Living