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cued by Norgay. The pair went on to become the first men on Mt. Everest. As much as we celebrate the “lone wolf” or the solitary hero, the truth is that everyone has a support system. Companies, governments, teams, churches, and into a crevasse. He faced certain death but was saved families are our support systems, and when they work by the quick thinking of his well, we all benefit. partner, the legendary Families are, of course, Tenzing Norgay. the most basic of support As most mountaineers systems. Parents and the do, they were tethered subsequent children form a together, and as Hillary was lasting bond. The marriage falling into the crevasse, vows cover all possibilites: Norgay flung himself over in good times and bad, in the edge in the other direcsickness and health. In tion to counterbalance some cultures, couples literHillary. The rope was ally tie a knot between the secured and Hillary was res- couple to symbolize that
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In a climb leading up to the first ascent of Mt. Everest, Edmund Hillary misjudged a jump and fell
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they are literally tied together. That bond symbolizes the same thing that Hillary and Norgay experienced - if you go off a cliff, I’ll fling myself off the other edge to save you. I won’t let you down. As we celebrate the ties that bind us all, let’s don’t forget that unique holiday of Valentine’s Day. That’s when you turn to the partner you’re tethered to and thank them for being part of your life. Many become engaged at this time of year - they are prepared as we say to “tie the knot.” Happy Valentine’s Day!
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WE’RE ALWAYS ONLINE AT WWW.ALABASTERNEWSLETTER.COM! CHECK IT OUT! The Alabaster Newsletter Published Monthly Editor & Publisher: Ted Vodde Contributors: John Brackin, Eric Starling, Sarah P. Jones Danny Doyle, Dawn South, David Frings We welcome your comments, suggestions & story ideas. Call 620-5505 and e-mail tedvodde@gmail.com Copyright© 2015 Mindstream Media, LLC
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February, 2015
ACS HONORS ITS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR At its regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, Jan. 12, the Alabaster City School Board honored this year’s teachers of the year for the Alabaster City Schools. Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers introduced the six honorees and praised the impact that Alabaster teachers are making in the lives of the city’s students. “When the bell rings and the kids walk in the classroom, it’s up to the teacher to make a difference, and I will tell you, we have teachers in Alabaster making a difference every day,” Vickers told the crowd. This year’s six honorees were Dr. Linda Hogue, a first grade teacher at Meadow View Elementary; Catherine Mohon, a physi-
YOUR SAYS
cal education teacher at Creek View Elementary; JoEllen Blackmon, a fifth grade teacher at Thompson Intermediate School; Daniel Farris, an English and math teacher at Thompson SixthGrade Center; Melanie Tingle, an English teacher at Thompson Middle School; and Beth House, an English teacher at Thompson High School. This year, Hogue was selected as the Elementary School Teacher of the Year, while House was chosen the Secondary School Teacher of the Year. They both move forward to represent the Alabaster City School system in the Alabama Teacher of the Year competition. Tingle was chosen as this year’s Jacksonville State University Teacher Hall of Fame selection.
House was unable to attend the meeting because, as Vickers said, she was “running a marathon.” During the meeting, the members of the School Board itself were also honored with a certificate presentation. “We have an outstanding school board,” said Vickers. “A school system is only as good as the quality of the board members that sit before the board meetings and make the decisions about the school system, and we have an outstanding group of board members.” During the presentation, various Alabaster principals acknowledged the contributions of the board members and gave them a variety of gifts, ranging
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from new Thompson rain jackets and gift cards to a collage and a song. “We know how much goes into making all this happen,” said Dr. Danny Steele, the principal of the Thompson Sixth-Grade Center. “We are very, very grateful.” Others recognized at the meeting included Alice Zanotti, a foreign exchange student from Italy who has been attending Thompson High School in Alabaster, and the Girl Scouts of Troop 287, who completed a variety of community service projects throughout the year. For more information on the Alabaster City Schools, visit them online at Alabasterschools.org.
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THS GIRL’S BASKETBALL IN TOP 10 The Thompson High School Girls Basketball team is in the midst of another remarkable season that has them currently ranked inside the Top 10 in Class 7A. The Lady Warriors boast an impressive 20-4 record overall and an undefeated 3-0 mark in the area. “So far, it’s been really good,” said Head Coach Josh Golden. “We’ve been in the Top 10 all year, so it’s been good. We’ve had some good wins and beaten some quality opponents.” On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the squad upset then-No. 2 ranked Hoover High School on the road in a 50 to 47 thriller. The game featured a red-hot start from the Lady Warriors as they jumped out to a 23 to 9 lead after just one quarter and then held on down the stretch after a furious comeback from the Lady Bucs. The squad also fared well in tournament play
this year, winning the Spartan Thanksgiving Classic at Mountain Brook and making the championship round of two other tournaments. In December, they advanced to the final of the Keith Davis Memorial Christmas tournament, where they lost to Class 3A power Lauderdale County, which is a team that recently won its 70th game in a row. En route to that game, the Lady Warriors knocked off Belmont (Miss.) High School 61 to 45. At the time, Belmont was ranked No. 3 in Mississippi for Class 3A. The Warriors also lost their first game of the year to Jeff Davis High School in Montgomery, though they bounced back with a win in their second meeting in December. “We lost our very first game of the year to Jeff Davis, who is No. 5 in the state in 7A. Then we beat
them by 14 at home when we played them again,” said Golden. “Everybody that’s beaten us has been a quality opponent.” According to Golden, the team draws its strength from its depth. “We have a lot of people that contribute in a lot of different ways,” said Golden. “We start different people on any given night.” The team’s leading scorer is Janese Richardson at 13 points per game, followed by Kelsea Bivins at 9 points per game. Bivins also leads the team in rebounds at 7.5 per game. Indiah Cohill leads the squad in assists and steals. Other members of the team include Lauren Black, Jordan Lenoir, Azariah Jackson, Myesa Pelton, Brittany Grice and Miyel Miller. The team plays rival Pelham High School at Pelham on Jan. 30 starting
at 6 p.m. The area tournament is scheduled to tip off on Feb. 4. For the latest on Thompson High School Girls Basketball, visit them on Twitter at Twitter.com/thsladywar-
BASKETBALL COACHES “SHOOTING 2 CHANGE” When Patrick Davis, the head coach of the Boys Basketball Team at Thompson High School, was contacted about participating in a new autism awareness campaign this season, he was more than happy to get onboard. “Coach Dru Powell, the basketball coach at Spanish Fort High School, he called me in the fall,” said Davis. “I’d never met Dru, but he called me and said that he had a two year old son that’d recently been diagnosed with autism and he wanted to do some kind of event.” Davis, whose own son, seven-year-old Cade, has autism, has been holding an autism fundraiser at Thompson High School for each of the past five years. Helping Powell to spread autism awareness in Alabama through his “Shooting 2 Change” event seemed like a natural fit. “He had a vision for the
event, and he wanted us to be a part of it and kind of have some input,” Davis said. “They really drove the thing. They have a group, a nonprofit called Project Outreach, that started at that school and spread to some different schools down there, but it’s made up of mostly high school kids and they did all the legwork.” For the event, basketball coaches all across the state were asked to wear a “Shooting 2 Change” Tshirt during one of their basketball games Jan. 5-10. The idea wasn’t to raise money but to simply create greater awareness of autism. According to Davis, there ended up being close to 300 T-shirts given out to coaches and more than 900 T-shirts in total. “It really took off,” said Davis. “It started as a small thing they just wanted to do in the county schools,
and then when he called me, he said, hey, I’m thinking about trying to make it statewide. So we really tried to get the word out. It really took off, especially here in the first year.” Davis said he wore his “Shooting 2 Change” Tshirt for the basketball game at Oak Mountain on Friday, Jan. 9. “We were excited to participate in it,” said Davis. “Coach (Chris) Love over there is a good friend of mine, and they wanted to be involved too. So we bought the shirts for our teams to wear during warm-ups. It was good all the way around.” This year, Davis spearheaded the sixth-annual autism fundraiser at Thompson High School as well. In the first five years of holding the event, the students and participants have managed to raise nearly $10,000, which has gone directly to helping Advertise in the Alabaster Newsletter! Call Ted Vodde at 6205505 or email tedvodde@gmail.com
parents fund therapy for children with autism. “Our fundraising is for Mitchell’s Place. It’s a therapy center here in Birmingham,” said Davis. “It’s specifically for tuition for therapy.” To raise money for Mitchell’s Place, Thompson High School held a “sweatpants” day at the school on Friday, Jan. 16, where students could wear sweatpants for a $3 donation. They also took up donations in the lunchroom throughout the week. Other Alabaster schools participated this year as well, including the Thompson Sixth-Grade Center. “It’s a fun event,” said Davis. “The director from Mitchell’s Place comes out for the event every year.” For the latest news on Thompson High School Basketball, visit them on Twitter at Twitter.com/THSbball. February, 2015
5
LOOKING AT PRISON REFORM IN ALABAMA
Senator Cam Ward As Alabamians, it is our responsibility to confront and address the problems that plague our state and limit our ability to grow and progress economically and otherwise. To do that, we must look at those problems squarely and be honest with ourselves about
where our current and past practices have left us. The state of overcrowding in our prisons and jails, and the operation of the criminal justice system that feeds them, has finally gripped the attention of people across our state. However, while public discourse is good, the ongoing discussions have magnified the flaws in our current system and revealed that the need for reform is dire. Raw data and unbiased research indisputably shows that the structure of our criminal justice system has, in fact, severely compromised our fight on crime at a fundamental level. We have learned, with expert assistance and analysis by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, that our system lets more than a third of all individuals finish their prison sentences and reenOpen Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
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ter society without any kind of supervision. These numbers included large numbers of shortterm inmates who are sentenced for drug or property crimes and more likely to reoffend. Those serving long-term sentences are serving longer and longer under the guise of a harsh punishment. However, the truth is that we are merely prolonging their inevitable return to society while failing altogether to take steps to decrease their threat to society upon rentry. In fact, statistics show that sentences without supervised release very often result in an increased risk of reoffending. Our correctional system is unsustainably crowded, and currently holds twice as many people as it is built to house. Between 2003 and 2013, the population in state-run prisons alone climbed 9
percent. When alternative placements like community corrections are taken into account, the population increase is even higher at 19 percent over that same time span. Corrections spending also increased 49 percent during this ten-year period, from $309 million to $460 million. The numbers in the last decade show how unaffordable that growth has become. That growing cost may seem overwhelming, but if we fail to tackle the challenge the cost will grow dramatically. Further, the price of 12,000 new prison beds — enough to bring our system into line with current demands on beds — would cost $840 million to construct, and would cost $186 million annually just to operate.
CLASSIC PLAY JAN. 30 South City Theatre presents “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams. Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Cliff Keen, Jr., is the powerful, highlycharged, moving story of a neurotic, dysfunctional Southern family with its rivalries, tensions, and avarice. It is also arguably one of Tennessee Williams best plays—and his personal favorite. In the play, Brick, an alcoholic ex-football player, drinks his days away and resists the affections of his wife, Maggie. His reunion with his father, Big Daddy, who is dying of cancer, jogs a host of memories and revelations for both father and son. Evening Time: Jan 30, 8:00pm to Jan 31, 8:00pm 2015 Feb 5, 8:00pm to Feb 7, 8:00pm 2015 Matinee Time: Feb 1, 2:00pm 2015 Tickets are $16 General Admission or $13 for stu-
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dents and seniors. Reservations are strongly encouraged. For more information or to make reservations, go to www.southcitytheatre.com or call the box office at (205) 621-2128. The new South City Theatre is located on County Road 26 approximately 3.5 miles past the Camp Branch Civic center. To get there, take Highway 31 south and simply turn left at County Road 26. The theatre will be on the right. www.southcitytheatre.com on Twitter (@SouthCityTheatr) February, 2015
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February, 2015
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NEAL DIAMOND TRIBUTE Award-winning Neil Diamond impersonator Keith Allyn will be performing a show at Thompson Middle School this month. The show will take place on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. in the Thompson Middle School cafeteria. Tickets for the show cost $10 in advance, and they can be purchased at the Alabaster Senior Center, as long as supplies last. The show could be a hard sellout, so interested fans should get their tickets early to avoid being left out. If there are still tickets available, they’ll be sold at the door on the day of the show for $15 each (cash only). There is no reserved seating at the show. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. To get a taste for what kind of show Allyn puts on, stop by his website (aneildiamondtribute.com)
and check out some of the videos posted. Allyn performs regularly as Neil Diamond at the Jim Stafford Theatre in Branson, Mo. He’s been chosen twice as the tribute artist of the year. In his show, he features such Neil Diamond classics as America, Cracklin’ Rosie, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, Song Sung Blue, Cherry Cherry, Love on the Rocks and of course, Sweet Caroline. He performed previously in Alabaster three years ago. For information on ticket availability, call the Alabaster Senior Center at 663-1307. Fans can also folWe offer you a FULL SERVICE SHOP: •Maintenance•Engine •Brakes •A/C •Tires Scan Diagnostic • FORD • CHEVY • DODGE • HINO
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Alabaster U11 Coaches Armando and Luis with Players: Christian, George, Diego, Aldo, Eugene, Giovani, Alex, Axel, Cameron, Davis, Joshua and Luis. The U11 Alabaster boys played in a tournament in December called the "Birmingham Showdown." They played in the finals against a U12 team from Fort Payne and after trailing 3-1 they came back to tie the game and win it in penalty shootout. This is the second tournament in a row the team has won first place.
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SHELBY CHAMBER APPROVES NEW BUSINESS PLAN The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce recently approved its 2015 business plan. The plan was approved at a Dec. 17 meeting of the group’s board of directors. “Our 2015 business plan incorporates the four key areas – Business Support & Development, Community & Workforce Development, Governmental Relations and Communications – which were identified in the organization’s five-year strategic plan known as ShelbyOne back in 2012,” Kirk Mancer, the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, stated in a press release. Some of the highlights of the plan include promoting Chamber members through various social media platforms, updating the Chamber’s website, cre-
ating a monthly newsletter and producing weekly email updates on various Chamber programs. In the Business Development area, the Chamber plans to hold quarterly tours of area companies, host its annual Small Business Celebration, create a second Entrepreneur Roundtable and continue to coordinate ribbon-cutting events for area businesses. In terms of Community & Workforce Development, the Chamber plans to continue its very successful Keeping It Real program, host a new Career Awareness Fair and hold the second-annual Student and Educator of the Year luncheon. In the Governmental Affairs area, the group plans to host a legislative preview event prior to the
state’s legislative session in March. According to 2015 Chair Lisa McMahon, this year represents the third year of the group’s five-year plan. She said the upcoming programs will build upon the progress made last year under 2014 Chair Bill Keller, whose leadership she called “outstanding.” “Since we launched these new initiatives in 2013, we’ve continued to expand the organization’s efforts in each of these four key areas,” McMahon stated in a press release. “A lot of that has to do with the outstanding volunteer collaboration with the Chamber’s professional staff on key programs like our Keeping It Real program for ninthgrade students throughout Shelby County, our Business Support Center which provides valuable assistance to small business
owners and potential entrepreneurs and our Public Policy Agenda. During the coming year we look forward to launching our Career Awareness Fair program for tenth-grade students throughout Shelby County and provide additional mentorship opportunities for Shelby County businesses.” Mancer expressed his support of the plan, saying it “ensures that our Chamber is working every day to nurture Shelby County businesses, address their business needs and continue to develop a business environment that is attractive and stable.” To view the Chamber’s 2015 business plan in full, go to www.shelbychamber.org.
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FLOWERZ N’MORE With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to check out Flowerz N’ More gift shop in Alabaster. Located conveniently off Fulton Springs Road in Scottsdale Plaza, Flowerz N’ More offers everything from candles and décor to wreaths and jewelry – and of course, flowers. “We want to be flowers because that’s what we love, but we want to have other things too,” said owner Melanie Shores. “We want to offer whatever ‘more’ that we can. We have jewelry. We’ve got Auburn-Alabama stuff. We try to keep Thompson stuff, baby stuff, wedding gifts, candles and obviously seasonal stuff.”
Flowerz N’More owner Melanie Shores will create the perfect Valentine’s Day Bouquet for you Shores, who also teaches statistics at UAB, opened Flowerz N’ More, one year ago last February. She said she worked in flower shops when she was younger and dreamed of one day having her own store. “I’ve always been artistic. I’ve loved to design and paint. Painting is really my passion. I love to paint. Always in the back of my mind I thought I’d like to have a little store,” she said. According to Shores, it’s been a rewarding first year. They’ve provided flowers for weddings, funerals, pageants, proms and all kinds of other important events. “It’s amazing how
blessed we’ve been,” she said. “Everyone has been so supportive. Other florists have been very supportive.” In addition to selling flowers and gifts, Flowerz N’ More also hosts painting classes for kids and can even host birthday parties. “If I can inspire one kid that wants to paint, if this can be their place to paint and that’s what they want to do, then to me, this has served its purpose,” said Shores. Flowerz N’ More is situated between Monograms N More and Bedazzle Me More. And according to Shores, there’s a great camaraderie amongst the business owners there. “Everybody in this strip mall, we all kind of just help each other,” said Shores. “It is kind of like a sisterhood. We help each other, and we’re there for each other.” In addition to running Flowerz N’ More, Shores also serves as program director for her program area at UAB, teaches two online classes and helps in the nursery at First Baptist
Church of Alabaster. According to Shores, she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I wouldn’t know what to do if my plate wasn’t full,” she said. Flowerz N’ More is open Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s also open on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They’re also online at www.flowerznmore.net.
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MISS HEART OF ALABASTER CROWNS WINNERS The third-annual Miss Heart of Alabaster Winter Wonderland Pageant recently took place at Thompson High School. The event, which benefits the American Heart Association, was held on Saturday, Jan. 10. This year’s event drew more than 40 participants, all eager to compete for the various division crowns. “It went well,” said pageant organizer Joy Letson. “We added a few more contestants. Normally we just do a formal walk, but this year, we had them all speak on stage, so I think they all enjoyed it. It was something different to get them more and more comfortable on stage.” The event included five different age divisions, including the 3 to 5 age
group (Tiny), 6 to 8 (Princess), 9 to 11 (PreTeen), 12 to 14 (Junior Teen) and 15 to 17 (Teen). “I had five different age groups,” said Letson. “The largest group was my Princess group. There were about 14 in their group.” In addition to the formal walk, this year’s contestants also introduced themselves on stage, giving their age, name and hometown. “Adding one part made it a little longer, but we wanted the girls to have a little more time on stage,” said Letson. This year’s winners included Rhylee Faith Parker (Miss Heart of Alabaster Tiny Queen), Libby McDaniel (Miss Heart of Alabaster Princess Queen), Parker Wilson
(Miss Heart of Alabaster Pre-Teen Queen), Angel Maddox (Miss Heart of Alabaster Junior-Teen Queen) and McKenzie Cramer (Miss Heart of Alabaster Teen Queen). There was also a drawing for a paid entry fee to the 2015 National American Miss Alabama pageant. The winner of that prize was Lauren McCombs. “It was good, because she’s a normal competitor for them. We were really excited for her to win it,” said Letson. In its third year, the Miss Heart of Alabaster Pageant has continued to grow, and this year was one of the best yet. “Everything went great. Flowerz N’ More did all the flowers for us,” said
Letson. “We had some visiting queens from a couple of the different pageant circuits helping, so that was kind of neat. A lot of the young girls really liked seeing the queens with the crown and the sash and all.” The emcee for the event was Alabaster resident Savannah Buttram, who won Miss Alabama Teen last year and competed at the national pageant in Anaheim, Calif. For more information, visit the Miss Heart of Alabaster Pageant on Facebook at Facebook.com/MissHeartO fAlabasterPageant.
CHEER CHAMPIONS
The Varsity cheerleaders at Kingwood Christian School attended the FCC National Christian Cheerleading Championships Jan. 1-3 which were held in Orlando, FL. This is FCC's 26th year for the competition and Kingwood's second year to attend this event. The team received their invitation to attend back in the summer while at camp by placing 2nd in the Varsity division. The team competed in two different divisions while at Nationals, Novice Varsity Co-ed and Intermediate Varsity Co-ed. They brought home a 3rd place trophy for Intermediate as well as a 1st place trophy for Novice. Along with the 1st place trophy, they got a banner as well as National Champion jackets. The team is coached by Mrs. Melanie Flynn. Pictured top to bottom: Paris Sanders, Sydney Bayer, Lauren Durrett, Gage Sumrall, Kaitlyn Elliott, Alex Shaddix, Hannah Joiner, Coach Melanie Flynn, Molly Sullivan, and Tabi Dailey." 12
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February, 2015
ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES in Shelby County. Two years ago, Shelby Baptist opened a 20 bed geriatric psychiatric unit to address the inpatient psychiatric needs of those 65 years and older. Last month, I had the opportunity to participate in the grand opening event of the new 20 bed Shelby Baptist Adult Psychiatric Unit, which will address inpatient psychiatric needs for adults age 18-64. With the addition of these Representative April Weaver two inpatient units in the community, local residents In the political world, will have greater access to addressing mental health issues has been among hot mental health services without having to travel out of topics for many years. county to access them. Mental disorders are comThe services of these mon in the United States— units combined with the with about one in four efforts of other agencies and adults having a diagnosfunctions such as mental able mental disorder. health court with surely As many states and bring an overall greater supcounties struggle to keep port of mental health servicmental health services es to our area. The collaboavailable, Shelby County rative efforts of many peocontinues to have many ple continue to make Shelby reasons to be proud. Over the past several years, there County a shining star. In a time where many counties has been a collaborative have little access to mental effort among local leaders health services such as these, from the judicial, law access for residents of enforcement, government Shelby County and surand healthcare communities to strengthen the men- rounding areas continues to tal health services available grow.
PRISON REFORM (CON’T FROM PAGE 6) Opting to buy our state out of overcrowding, however, would only be a band-aid solution to a much deeper issue, and failure to address the root of the problem will only increase future costs. All of these factors combine to make restructuring essential in our system, to place equal emphasis on reentry and supervision that we place on prison. There are many upsides to tackling this situation now. When Alabama balances the need for sentences to include stays of confinement as well as mandatory supervision, we can manage the demand for beds and better plan the use of our own resources. Additionally, we can fill in gaps in the supervised treatment network and begin to reverse the declining parole release rate.
These facts present a blunt reality and, now that it has caught our attention, I cannot overstate the urgency of achieving comprehensive reform for Alabama’s criminal justice system. We must move forward with the ultimate objective to develop concrete, effective change that will preserve public safety and support law enforcement operations in our state. This important effort demands two things: collaboration and thoughtful attention. There is no place for political rhetoric in these discussions and in this work. It is imperative that we remain committed to finding a resolution that will balance efficient use of our current resources with change that will necessarily allow for effective operations, all the while preserving the safety of Alabama citizens now and in the future.
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February, 2015
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ARCA NOW ONLINE Members of the Alabaster Radio Control Association (ARCA) are used to launching their model airplanes into the air, but recently they launched something else, a brand new website. The local RC organization is now online, thanks to a new informational site that will serve as the group’s online flight tower. The new website, which launched in October, can be found online at www.alabasterrc.org. It includes a variety of features for both current club members and non-members alike. The site’s photo gallery includes a series of pictures depicting the club’s early days at Limestone Park, when the pavilion was under construction. There are also some great action shots of RC aircraft in flight. For those who may have an interest in joining the club, there’s a down-
loadable membership application, along with the contact information for the group’s current roster of officers. The website encourages potential members to visit the group’s flying facility at Limestone Park in Alabaster, where they can meet and interact with current members of the club. Limestone Park is located south of Saginaw Pipe off Highway 31, and the flying field can be found in the back. According to the website, the group’s No. 1 objective is to “promote and encourage interest in model aviation.” Getting the new site up and running is no doubt a great step toward doing just that. To learn more, go to www.alabasterrc.org. ###
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February, 2015
Alabaster
ALBERT L. SCOTT LIBRARY
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES Every Wednesday
1st Thursday 1:00 pm
10:15 am Outreach Stories at area daycares 3:30 pm Tunes & Tales for all ages in the meeting room
Friends of Library Bookmenders Every Friday 10:30 am Toddler Tales (2s, 3s) 10:30 in the meeting room. Children must be with an adult.
LIBRARY ADULT ACTIVITIES Free AARP Tax Help for Seniors - February through mid-April. Available by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the meeting room. Call or come by the Albert L. Scott Library to sign up. 664-6822. Adult Computer Classes - Call or come by to sign up. 664-6822. Wednesday, February 4, 10 am – Computer Basics Wednesday, February 11 10 am – Basic Internet & Email Wednesday, February 18,10 am – Microsoft Word 2007 Part I Masterpiece Book Club – February 13. 2 pm. Join us as we explore Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Redheaded orphan Anne Shirley longs for a real home, somewhere she can truly belong. When she first arrives at the Green Gables house on Prince Edward Island, it's everything she ever imagined. But to stay, she'll first have to convince Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert to adopt her. And that means controlling her temper (even when Gilbert Blythe calls her "Carrots"), staying out of trouble (and away from hair dye), and not getting too carried away with her daydreams (though she would make the perfect Lady of Shallot floating down the river). Anne might not always get it quite right, but she does keep things interesting... Program takes place in the meeting room. ABC & Ds of Medicare – February 9. 1 pm. Karen Haiflich of the Medicare Information Source will help you navigate through the process of Medicare. Learn about filing, benefits, and any other questions you might have. Program takes place in the meeting room. Library Book Group - February 19, 2015. 7 pm – Join us in our discussion of “The Orchardist” by Amanda Coplin. In her stunningly original and haunting debut novel, Amanda Coplin evokes a powerful sense of place, mixing tenderness and violence as she spins an engrossing tale of a solitary orchardist who provides shelter to two runaway teenage girls in the untamed American West, and the dramatic consequences of his actions. Program takes place in the meeting room. Cake & Culture – February 22. 2 pm. Join us as seasoned traveler James Lowery presents his travelogue on the La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum in Los Angeles, California: The World's Only Ongoing Urban Ice Age Excavations. Refreshments will be served. Program takes place in the meeting room. Jim Phillips Presents The True Story of Pirates - February 23. 6 pm. Join us as Jim Phillips gives a captivating historical talk on the true history of pirates. He will talk about famous pirates, ships, and buried treasure, as well as Alabama's connection with piracy and much more! Please be aware, no children will be allowed due to the sensitive nature of the topic. Job Search Workshops – Will resume in May.
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES February 10 Brains and Beauty: How George Washington Carver and Madame C.J. Walker Used their Scientific Brains to Improve the Beauty and Health Industry 5:30pm-7:15pm This Black History Month program features science educators Winfield and Elinor Burks who believe in the hands-on approach. They have co-produced more than 50 programs in the metro area. During our program they will spotlight black scientists and entrepreneurs Carver and Walker and guide youngsters as they make their own beauty product. Children in grades 3 and above can sign up. Meets in the meeting room. February 12 Pete the Cat Book Club St. Valentine’s Day Edition 4:00 pm Boys and girls 5 years old and older can join in the fun of cool cats, reading, and making Valentine cards during our meeting. Please sign up. Meets in the meeting room. Children age 6 and younger must be with an adult. February 17 Lego League 6:00pm-6:45pm Youngsters of all ages can play with Legos of all sizes. Kids 6 years old and younger must be with an adult. Meets in the meeting room. February 27 American Girls Club 4:00pm This month we’ll enter Addy’s world by taking part in an American Girls reader’s theatre. To mark February as Black History Month, we’ll read the play “Friendship and Freedom: A Play about Addy.” No memorizing will be necessary. The play is about Addy, age 9, who has escaped from slavery. The action takes place in Philadelphia in 1864. There are six female roles and girls who aren’t actors can be in the audience – and so can their dolls! Family members can be in the audience, too but all children in the audience under age 7 must be with an adult. Girls 7 years old and older can sign up for the fun! In the meeting room.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY Be a Friend! The Friends is a group of dedicated booklovers that wants everyone to know the benefits the library offers, and how members can increase its effectiveness. We have occasional fundraisers such as semi-annual book sales, and promotions in cooperation with local merchants to raise funds for special books and activities for all ages such as the Summer Reading Program and the Cake and Culture Program. We also maintain several areas at the library where books can be purchased at bargain prices. These are books that have been donated, so here’s also an option for those books you no longer want in your private library. For as little as $10 a year you can be a Friend and support the library. There are several levels of membership, and always opportunities for a few hours of volunteering. Application forms are available at the Library or at www.cityofalabaster.com
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PRESS START HOSTS FUNDRAISER Alabaster’s local videogaming headquarters, Press Start, recently held a big video-game tournament to help raise funds for the Arc of Shelby County. The facility hosted a Smash Brothers tournament on Dec. 14 that drew over 70 people, including nearly 50 participants. “The event went really great,” said Press Start owner Dennis Torrealba. The Arc of Shelby County is a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. It provides early intervention services for children and employment assistance for adults. “They’re a little different in that they try to give people an opportunity to work who have had to overcome certain things,” said Torrealba. “It’s just such a
great cause. I thought it would make a positive impact, if nothing else just letting people know that the Arc exists and the work that they do.” Smash Brothers is a popular fighting-style game that features a variety of characters trying to throw one another off open stages. “That’s a game that’s been around for quite awhile. The game gets an update every six or seven years, and just recently the new version came out and that’s the one we had the tournament on,” said Torrealba. Prizes were awarded at the end of the event for the tournament’s top performers. “We had three winners. The first-place winner took home a Wii U, and the second and third-place winKitchen & Bath Remodeling Home Repairs Carpentry
ners took home Press Start gift cards,” said Torrealba. Press Start, which is located in downtown Alabaster, is a video gaming center that features a spacious and modern gaming area in the back, along with a shopping area in the front. Since opening last year, it’s grown to become a popular hub for area gamers. For New Year’s Eve, the business hosted an allnight “Lock In” to provide a safe and fun atmosphere for local video-game enthusiasts. “We had great attendance. They were there till 8 a.m. just playing games and socializing the whole time, so we brought in the New Year in a positive way,” said Torrealba. APH Radio, Alabaster’s own local radio station,
was also a partner in the fundraiser for the Arc of Shelby County. APH Radio is a nonprofit radio station that aims to support local causes and local organizations. Last year, the Arc of Shelby County was honored with the Jim Green Agency of the Year Award by the Alabama Association for Persons Supporting Employment First. For more information about the Arc of Shelby County, visit them online at www.thearcofshelby.org.
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February, 2015
SOUTH CITY THEATRE FINDS NEW LOCATION IN PELHAM This February, South City Theatre is moving to a new location in Pelham. The new theatre space is located at 2969 Pelham Parkway, Suites J & K. “We’re excited about that,” said South City Theatre Artistic Director Sue Ellen Gerrells. “We’re going to be going into the Alpine Square shopping center. That’s in Pelham right on Pelham Parkway.” The new location should provide better parking for guests, as well as room for the theatre’s future growth. Most importantly it offers increased seating in the auditorium. The current facility only seats 37 people, while the new theatre will seat 60. “We just can’t grow unless we can get a bigger facility that we can bring more people into,” said Gerrells.
The theatre’s current location off County Road 26, while charming and undeniably unique, was limiting in its remoteness. According to Gerrells, the theatre’s children’s program suffered there as a result of the location. “Having it more centrally located will definitely improve our children’s program and give us a chance to grow there,” she said. South City Theatre, which was founded by Alan and Francie Gardner, has been a constant on the cultural landscape of Shelby County for the past 15 years. It was previously located in Alabaster in a warehouse facility on Cloverdale Drive. “We’ve been around for 15 years,” said Gerrells. “We like to call ourselves the best ‘little’ theatre in Alabama.”
The first play that was performed in the theatre’s County Road 26 location was “Agnes of God,” an award-winning production that took home top honors at the Alabama Conference of Theatre. According to Gerrells, the last production to be staged there will be “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams. That play is scheduled to run Jan. 30-31, Feb. 1 (matinee) and Feb. 5-7. In other theatre news, South City Theatre will take its production of “Night Mother” to Chattanooga, Tenn., in March to compete in the Southeastern Theatre Conference. That play is being produced in partnership with the Wetumpka Depot Players. “We’ve teamed up with a good group,” said
Gerrells. The first performance to be staged in the new facility will be “The Real Queen of Hearts Ain’t Even Pretty” by Birmingham playwright Brad Bailey. That is scheduled for April. There may also be a staging of “Night Mother” if the facility is ready before the production heads to Tennessee for competition. For more information, visit Southcitytheatre.com. Or follow South City Theatre on Twitter (@SouthCityTheatr).
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February, 2015
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Alabaster
Parks & Rec Dept., 100 Depot St. 6646840 www.alabasterparks.org
SOCCER OBSERVATIONS Soccer Observations at Municipal Park on the 3 Acre Field located between THS & TMS: Feb. 5 – 6:00 pm – U6 (ages 4/5) Feb. 6 – 6:00 pm – U8 (ages 6/7) Feb. 9 – 6:00 pm – U9 Girls (age 8) Feb. 9 – 7:00 pm – U9 Boys (age 8) Feb. 10 – 6:00 pm – U10 Girls (age 9) Feb. 10 – 7:00 pm – U10 Boys (age 9) Children will need to wear their Soccer cleats. Feb. 17 at 6 pm: Coaches Clinic at Municipal Park on the 3 Acre Field. March 2: Practices begin.
ARBOR DAY TREE GIVEAWAY 140 free trees and seedlings will be given away on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Veterans Park in the Maintenance Shop. Registration will begin at 8 AM. Tree distribution will begin at 9 AM.
BASEBALL & SOFTBALL Jan. 31: Baseball Observations at the Thompson High School Baseball Field located off of Thompson Road: 8:30 am – Machine Pitch (ages 7/8) 10:30 am – T-Ball (age 5); Coach Pitch (age 6); Metro (ages 13/14) 12:30 pm – Minor (ages 9/10); Major (ages 11/12) Children will need to bring cleats and glove. Feb. 1: Softball Observations at Warrior Park located off of Thompson Road: 1:00 pm – 6U (ages 5/6) on Field A 1:30 pm – 8U (ages 7/8) on Field B 2:00 pm – 10U (ages 9/10) on Field A 2:30 pm – 12U (ages 11/12) on Field B Feb. 5 – 8: Uniform fittings for Baseball and Softball at Buck Creek Field House. Time to be announced depending on team assignments. Feb. 16: Fields open for practice.
ADULT SOFTBALL SIGNUP PAVILIONS FOR RENT NEW: On-Line Pavilion Rentals – now available. Please go to: www.alabasterparks.org Outdoor Rental Facilities: Several of our City Parks offer pavilions for events such as picnics, family reunions and birthday parties. The best way to make sure your event happens at the location of your choice is to contact Parks & Recreation before our books are filled with reservations. Pavilions are available for use by permit only. There is a $40 rental fee (no checks accepted) and an additional refundable $40 deposit (cash or check only) which must be paid before your reservation is complete. Note: Inflatables, charcoal grills, and piñatas are not allowed in any of the City parks. Please see our web site for a complete list of rules. All open picnic tables (those not under a covering) are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis.
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The Episcopal Church of The Holy Spirit
RECTOR, MARY BEA SULLIVAN
As a service to our com munity we are hosting Cahaba Valley Health Clinic Free Screenings on Feb. 1, 1pm. Screenings conducted in English and Spanish. Space limited and reservation required please call 6213418.
Lenten Offerings February 17th 6:30 PM Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper February 18th 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service with imposition of Ashes February 25th 6:30 PM Soup Supper 7:00 pm Dolores Hydock “The Faces of Jesus” The familiar and surprising story of the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus brings us to the Special Guest Speaker noted storyteller discovery of the face of Dolores Hydock Jesus in an unexpected place.
Sunday Worship 8:30 and 10:30 am Christian Education 9:30 am Join us for meaningful worship, engaging education and a welcoming community.
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February, 2015
19
EDUCATION GRANT
Lauren Gregory, Keller Williams Agent Tim Mitchell, softball player Alexis Gregory, and Blake Gregory with the $150 Grant check for the Thompson High Softball Team. Alexis Gregory of the Thompson High School Softball team is the latest recipient of grant funds from Tim Mitchell of Keller Williams Realty. Tim provides grants and sponsorships up to $300 per real estate transaction toward the school, classroom, athletic team, or other school organization of his clients' choice. His exclusive Grant Program was created to show appreciation to all our local teachers and schools for all they do for our children and families. Tim has provided thousands of dollars over the past couple of years to area classrooms and teams. These grants are available to all Tim's clients with any affiliation with a local school, public or private. Please call (205) 305-8756, or e-mail timmitchell@kw.com, for more information on how you can receive a Tim Mitchell school grant. Congratulations Alexis Gregory & THS Softball!
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February, 2015
REP. APRIL WEAVER TO SERVE ON NAT’L HEATH COMMITTEE Rep. April Weaver Helping to Carry Out States’ Agenda in Washington: Appointed to Serve on National Conference of State Legislatures’ National Health and Human Services Committee Representative April Weaver has been appointed to serve as a national Vice Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Health and Human Services Committee. The Committee is one of 10 national committees that deal with both state and state-federal issues. The jurisdictions of the standing committees are similar to those of committees in state legislatures. “NCSL has benefitted
from Representative Weaver’s expertise over the past four years,” said NCSL’s executive director Bill Pound. “Her participation will continue to ensure that the states’ agenda is carried out in Washington.” NCSL standing committees are composed of legislators and legislative staff who are appointed by the leadership of their respective legislatures. The committees explore issues that states have to deal with, and develop policy on state-federal issues to guide NCSL's advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. Committees do not recommend policy to the legislatures on issues that are internal to the states. “I am very pleased to have been appointed as a
National Vice Chair of NCSL’s Health and Human Services Committee. I look forward to working with other legislators from across the nation to address healthcare issues and develop policies related to those issues,” said Representative Weaver. NCSL is nationally recognized as a formidable lobbying force representing states’ interests before Congress, the White House, and federal agencies.The NCSL Executive Committee meets four times a year to oversee the development and implementation of NCSL policies. The National Conference of State Legislatures is the biparti-
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February, 2015
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FEBRUARY SENIOR CENTER ACTIVITIES Senior Center Information Drumming Program- join us on Tuesday, February 3, at 10am. No experience necessary; but, the benefits are endless. The benefits of drumming: improve your mood, increase circulation, and improve focus, low impact exercise and creativity. No charge for this program.
learn to use the Elements of Dance to tell our stories and explore the concept of the relationship between dance and the well-being of mind, body, and spirit. No prior dance experience is necessary. We’ll build our dance vocabulary as we go! This is an ongoing class every Thursday from 1-2pm. $2/class.
Beginner Zumba Gold (will only be offered Jan and Feb) – New to Zumba Gold? This is the perfect place to get started. Low intensity, low-impact dance/fitness class with an opportunity to break-down and learn basic Latin and World rhythms. Same party flavor and fun. Wednesdays from 2:15pm3pm. Cost is $2/class.
AARP- Smart Driver ClassFriday, February 6 - 9am3:30pm at the Senior Center. This is a 6 hour classroom refresher that can help the effects of aging on your driving, and how you can adjust your Driving. Cost is $15.00/AARP member and $20.00/AARP nonmember. Bring your own lunch. Make checks payable to AARP. Sign up at the Senior Center.
Arthritis Exercise ProgramThis class helps improve pain and stiffness, maintain range of motion, balance, coordination, and also increases endurance and improves overall health. Every Wednesday at 10am. Space is limited. $2/class. Head to Toe Fitness ClassMondays from 1-2pm. Build muscular strength, increase your cardiovascular endurance, and improve your balance, flexibility and range of motion as you have fun and move to the music! Do all of this seated or standing……it’s your choice! This class will incorporate the use of hand weights, resistance tubing, balls, etc. into an enjoyable exercise class that will help you manage the activities of everyday living with ease. So join us as we strengthen our body, mind and spirit, and support each other in the pursuit to make everyday a healthier day! $2/class.
Intermediate Zumba Gold – Relatively high intensity, lowimpact fitness class featuring Latin and World rhythms and the same party favor as regular Zumba. A great cardio workout that is fun! Wednesdays from 1-2pm. Cost is $2/class.
Lunch at Lloyds on Hwy 280Thursday, February 19. Space is limited. $1 to reserve your spot. Bring $10-$12 for lunch. Flea Market in Prattville and Lunch Outing- Friday, February 27. Join us as we travel to Prattville, and enjoy shopping and eating lunch. Cost is $1 to reserve your spot. Bring $10-$12 for lunch. Upcoming Book Club- join us for our next class on Monday, February 23 at 10am. We will meet every 4th Monday to discuss the book and introduce a new book. Sign up at the senior center. NEW Tai Chi for Health (6 week joint program with M4A) The Tai Chi for Health is a fun low-impact recreation exercise program designed to improve your functional ability, self-confidence, self-care, mobility, muscle strength and coordination. Each session will include warm-up and cool down exercises, 6 basic core movements, and 6 advanced movements; breathing and realization techniques. Classes will be held every Tuesday from 12:30-1:30pm beginning Jan 6-Feb 10. No charge for this class. Ageless Adventures in Movement- using movement as a language. In Ageless Adventures in Movement we use movement as a language to explore, or express, an idea. Let’s explore some issues of aging as we learn the basics of creative movement. We’ll
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NEW Strengthen, Stretch and Restore (30 min mat based exercise class) Mondays from 2:15-2:45pm. All participants will begin class seated on a mat on the floor. A variety of exercises will be performed on the mat with no need to get up and down during class. We will remain on the mat until the end of class. This class is designed to strengthen the body by incorporating lengthening exercises that use body weight as well as fitness tools. Focus will be on stabilizing the body's core which is where all movement and balance begins. We will also increase flexibility and range of motion while gently stretching all of the major muscle groups. We will also focus on correct breathing techniques, body awareness and relaxation, feeling refreshed and restored by the end of class. $1/class. Line dancing- join us on Thursdays for the 9:30am intermediate class or the 10:30am beginner class. No experience necessary. Cost $2/class.
You won’t want to miss all the activities at the Senior Center: Timeless Treasures (singing): Mondays at 10:00 am Head to Toe Fitness: Mondays from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm Strengthen, Stretch and Restore: Mondays from 2:15 pm until 2:45 pm Mat Stretch Class: Mondays from 2:15 pm until 2:45 pm Rook: Wednesdays at 9:00 am Arthritis Exercise: Wednesdays
at 10:00 am Zumba Gold (exercise): Wednesdays at 1:00 pm Beginner/Inter Line dancing: Thursdays at 9:30 am Beginner Line Dancing: Thursdays at 10:30 am Bridge: Thursdays from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm Ageless Adventures in Movement: Thursdays from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm Tempo exercise: Fridays at 10 am If you would like more information concerning Senior programs, please contact the Alabaster Senior Center at 205-663-1307 or awalters@cityofalabaster.com The Senior Center is located at 1097 7th Street SW in Alabaster next to City Hall. We are seeking a dedicated and talented volunteer who would like to play the piano every Monday morning for our Timeless Treasures singing group. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Alicia at 205663-1307.
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February, 2015
SWIMMING WITH MERMAIDS BY DAVID FRINGS Manatees appear to be fat and loaded with blubber that will protect them from Ecotourism and nature the cold, encounters are growing in but in realipopularity on a daily basis. ty they are If you have a love for aninot, and mals and want some excitecold water ment on your next vacatemperation, I recommend a trip to tures can be Crystal River, Florida for a lethal. swim with the West Indian This is what manatee. Manatees, also makes the called sea cows, are aquatic crystal clear mammals that live in the freshwater West Indian Manatee in Jurassic Spring, Crystal River, Florida Photo by Holley Frings coastal regions along our springs was my third trip to the area There are many things to Atlantic and Gulf coasts. around King’s Bay so see and do in the area in and the first for two of our They were once a subject of important from October addition to manatee guests. I have always used folklore and tantalized the through March. The encounters. Bird watching an area company called imagination of early springs stay at a constant is awesome with sightings River Ventures for the mariners who mistook 70 degrees, much warmer of nesting osprey and bald swim. They do a quality 3 them for mermaids. than the open hour tour for $45.00 per per- eagles common. If you like waters, forming a son which includes an fishing, canoeing, or kayaking, there are ample opporexpert guide, boat, wetsuit, safe haven until tunities as well. In the and instructions. River spring and sumsummer, you can book Venture guides always get mer. trips to collect scallops in into the water with you, Several of us the shallow waters offshore which is important for you from Alabaster which are also home to and the manatee. The manand Shelby many sea horses. There are atee is listed as a federal County traveled also numerous golf courses endangered species and proto Crystal River in the area for those in the tected by law. The Crystal for a manatee party that may want to River is the only location encounter in experience nature in a difwhere you are allowed to December. This ferent way. If a manatee interact with the manatee. YOUR NEW KEY TO THE CITY!! ADVERTISE IN Guides will instruct on what encounter sounds right for THE ORIGINAL ALABASTER NEWSLETTER you, I recommend that you is allowed and what is not NO OTHER PRIVATE MEDIUM REACHES •EVERY contact River Ventures at permitted. Basically, the HOUSEHOLD, •EVERY BUSINESS, •EVERY MONTH manatee must approach you www.riverventures.com to IN ALABASTER, THE LARGEST CITY IN SHELBY book a trip. and cannot be pursued or COUNTY. PLUS YOUR AD IS ALSO harassed. They will often PUBLISHED ON THE WEB. REACH OVER David Frings is an come up to you for a “belly 16,000 HOMES & BUSINESSES EACH MONTH Adjunct Professor of rub” as shown in the photoWITH YOUR ADVERTISING MESSAGE. WE’LL Environmental CREATE YOUR AD AT NO ADDITIONAL COST graph above from our most Management and PLUS NO CONTRACTS TO SIGN & ALL COLOR Director of the Oak recent trip. IS ALWAYS FREE PLUS FREE INTERNET EXPOSURE! The ONLY Mountain Interpretive Crystal River is located NEWSLETTER published by citizens of Alabaster for citizens of Center about an hour north of Alabaster. WWW.ALABASTERNEWSLETTER.COM Samford University Tampa, Florida which is Call Ted Vodde at 620-5505 or email located at tedvodde@gmail.com forinformation & rates. seven hours from Alabaster. Oak Mtn State Park Advertise in the Alabaster Newsletter! Call Ted Vodde at 6205505 or email tedvodde@gmail.com
February, 2015
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THE ORIGINAL
Alabaster
MINDSTREAM MEDIA, LLC P.O. BOX 2519 ALABASTER, AL 35007
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALABASTER, AL PERMIT NO. 36
NEWSLETTER
RESIDENT OR BOXHOLDER OR POSTAL PATRON
TREE GIVEAWAY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 VETERAN’S PARK REGISTRATION 8 AM DISTRIBUTION 9 AM
Calendar of Events Feb. 3, Water Board 7pm Chamber Public Safety Committee 6pm Conference Feb. 4, Municipal Court 9 am & 2 pm Chamber Feb. 9, City Council Meeting 7 pm Chamber Board of Education 5:30 pm Chamber Feb.10, Housing & Abatement Board 5:00 pm Conference Feb.11, Municipal Court 9 am & 2 pm Chamber Feb.12, Finance Committee 5:30 pm Conference Feb.17, Driving School, 7pm Feb.19, Public Works Committee 5 pm Chamber Economic Development Committee 5:30 pm Conf. Feb.23, City Council Meeting 7 pm Chamber Board of Adjustments 6:30 pm Conference Feb.24, Planning & Zoning 7 pm Conference Feb.25, Municipal Court 9 am & 2 pm Chamber Sewer Committee 6 pm Chamber
Marty Handlon, Mayor handlon@cityofalabaster.com 664-6800 Sophie Martin, Ward 1 martin@cityofalabaster.com 358-8742 Bob Hicks, Ward 2 hicks@cityofalabaster.com 663-1801 Stacy Rakestraw, Ward 3 rakestraw@cityofalabaster.com 621-0168 Rick Walters, Ward 4 walters@cityofalabaster.com 281-7394 Russell Bedsole, Ward 5 bedsole@cityofalabaster.com 663-6212
Scott Brakefield, Ward 6 brakefield@cityofalabaster.com 685-0302 Tommy Ryals, Ward 7 ryals@cityofalabaster.com 664-1301 George Henry, City Manager and City Clerk ghenry@cityofalabaster.com Meetings are held in the new City Hall next to the 664-6800 Senior Center. Chamber refers to the large meeting chamber and conference refers to the conference room in the new facility. Questions about a meeting? Call 6646800.
REMEMBER THAT RECYCLABLES ARE PICKED UP CITYWIDE EVERY WEDNESDAY.
SHELBY COUNTY CAMERA CLUB MEETING TUESDAY FEB. 24, 7PM EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 858 KENT DAIRY ROAD IN ALABASTER
The City of Alabaster’s Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting its annual Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, Feb. 28. As usual, the event will feature a free tree giveaway for residents. The tree giveaway will be held at the Veterans Park maintenance building, with registration set to begin at 8 a.m. “We got 140 five-gallon trees we’re going to be giving away,” said Parks and Recreation Director Tim Hamm. The annual event is organized each year to help residents beautify their yards. This year, the department will be giving away a variety of beautiful trees, including crape myrtles, magnolias and maples. “We’re also giving away a sapling with each five-
gallon tree,” said Hamm. Registration for the trees begins at 8 a.m. Numbers will be passed out to people in the order in which they arrive. The trees will be handed out beginning at 9 a.m. A local Boy Scout troop is also expected to help with the event, carrying trees for people to their cars. Hamm said there will be 200 saplings provided this year, so there will be some saplings available after the five-gallon trees are gone. He also said they’ll be there until 12:00 noon or until all the trees are handed out. Veterans Park is located at 7305 Highway 119. For more information, contact the Alabaster Parks and Recreation Department at 664-6840.
CITY DEPARTMENT PHONE NUMBERS •Non-emergency Police matters 663-7401 •Animal Control 664-6761 •Personnel Dept 664-6838 •Code Enforcement 664-5907•Revenue/Business License Dept 664-6844 •Alabaster Water Board 663-6155 •Garbage/recycling bins 664-6800 •Alabaster Parks & Recreation 664-6840
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24 Advertise in the Alabaster Newsletter! Call Ted Vodde at 6205505 or email tedvodde@gmail.com
February, 2015