280 Living April 2023

April 2023 | Volume 16 | Issue 6

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SWING INTO SPRING

Several local players were named as part of this year’s All-South Metro Basketball Team.

See page B6

Home & Garden

Find tips and tricks from area businesses to jump-start any project in our Spring Home & Garden guide.

See page B12

INSIDE Sponsors .......... A4 City .................... A6 Business ..........A10 Chamber .........A15 Community .....A16

Schoolhouse ..A20 Events..............A24 Sports................ B4 Opinion.............. B8 Calendar...........B10

A guide to outdoor activities and destinations in Shelby County

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

S

pring is in full swing, and it's the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the weather.

There are many spots to visit in Shelby County, so 280 Living has created an outdoor guide that includes lots of options. From biking and

hiking to wine trails or picnic spots, there’s something for everyone.

Kendall Williams, manager of tourism and events for Shelby County, said she is proud of all the variety of outdoor recreation in the county.

“It can spark the interest of anyone at multiple hiking and biking trails, we have over 140 miles of biking trails and are about to grow

some more,” Williams said. “Whether people are looking for an easy, nice day at the park with their family for a picnic or throwing the frisbee, or a challenge to push themselves at some of our more challenging trails, there are plenty of options in Shelby County.”

See OUTDOORS | page A30

Michael Doble and his wife Elsie swing with their 2-year-old daughter Emma at Dunnavant Park on March 6. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Cahaba Valley Fire District approves 2 of 4 measures

facebook.com/280living

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Cahaba Valley Fire District Chief Buddy Wilks speaks to the audience during a public meeting on March 7 at Double Oak Community Church in Mt Laurel. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

Over 14,000 registered voters who live in the Cahaba Valley Fire District had an opportunity to vote on March 21 for changes designed to help stabilize the organization's finances.

This voting ballot consisted of four items. Two passed, while two did not. The top priority was a change to the service charge

schedule, in order to offer competitive firefighter pay and provide appropriate staffing levels to meet the community needs and restore previous ambulance services.

Voters approved a $125 increase to residential properties and a 23.5% increase to all other properties, including apartments and

See FIRE | page A28

A2 • April 2023

280 Living

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April 2023 • A3

A4 • April 2023

280 Living

About Us Editor’s Note By Leah Ingram Eagle Although we didn’t have much of a winter, spring has arrived and with it comes an excitement for the great outdoors.

I thought this month would be a good time to give an overview of the variety of outdoor activities available in Shelby County, especially on the north end.

I sat down with Kendall Williams, who is the director of events and tourism for the county, and we discussed many of the options that people love.

The county is finalizing its updated comprehensive plan, and one of the main categories that residents mentioned most was parks and recreation.

Make sure to check out the cover story and find some ideas

that you or your family will love.

Double Oak Park is on my list, and my hope is to make it to the overlook — if I can hang for the entire trail.

We also take a closer look at the new Valleydale Fitness Courts in a story from Hoover Sun editor Jon

Anderson.

The events section has plenty of upcoming activities, and sports editor Kyle Parmley has a look at the all-metro basketball teams and signing day for student-athletes who will play at the next level.

I love to get story tips from readers, so if you know of someone or something that would make a great story, please email me at leagle@starnesmedia.com.

I hope you take some time to relax and enjoy reading this issue of 280 Living!

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Oak Mountain’s Grace Payne (4) passes the ball guarded by Vestavia Hills’ Addison Mizerany (6) in a match at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex on March 9. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Publisher: Dan Starnes Community Editors: Leah Ingram Eagle Jon Anderson Neal Embry Sports Editor: Kyle Parmley Design Editor: Melanie Viering Photo Editor: Erin Nelson Page Designer: Ted Perry Production Assistant: Simeon Delante Contributing Writers: Sean Dietrich Sarah Gilliland Candice N. Hale James Phillips Alana Smith Graphic Designer: Emily VanderMey Client Success Specialist: Warren Caldwell Business Development Exec: Don Harris Business Development Rep: Madison Gaines Director of Operations: Viktoriya Dolomanova Operations Specialist: Sarah Villar

For advertising contact: dan@starnesmedia.com Contact Information: 280 Living P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnesmedia.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: leagle@starnesmedia.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

Published by: Starnes Publishing LLC 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.

Please Support Our Community Partners Ace Hardware Dunnavant Square (A21) Advanced Turf Care (B16) Alabama Vision Center (B8) Bedzzz Express (B1, B20) Bellini’s Ristorante (A23) BHMDEX (B15) Birmingham Orthodontics (A1) Birmingham Zoo (B10) Bromberg’s (A24, A31) Budget Blinds (B13) Capstone Village (B19) Cardinal Roofing (A27) Children’s of Alabama (B8) Chiropractic Today (B2) Clark Holmes Smith Oral Facial Surgery of Alabama (A28) Compact 2020 (A25) Cremation Center of Birmingham (B9) Divine Residential & Commerical Roofing (A15) Door Restore (B17) Double Oak Mountain Animal Clinic (A10) Edward Jones - Laci Graul (A29) French Drains Pro (A20) Gardner Landscaping (B12) Graceful Aging and Wellness (A18) Hearing Solutions (A19) Hilliard Irrigation (A18) Hughston Clinic (A6) Image Hive (A16) IOP Services LLC (A26) Leaf Filter (B19) Luckie’s Pinestraw (A1) Magic City Art Connection (B11) Monark Grove at Greystone (A9) Mr. Handyman of Birmingham (A15) Oak Highland Design & Decorating Den (B17) One Man & A Toolbox (B16) Overture Tributary Vestavia Greystar (A29) Pak Mail (A15) Parrot Structural Services LLC (B1) Piggly Wiggly (B7) Renew Dermatology (A3) River Bank & Trust (A2) Rockett’s Bug Juice Gardens (B6) ROME Study, UAB Division of Preventative Medicine (B6) Royal Automotive (B5) Secret Garden - Dreamscape Landscape Development (A7) Shelby County Chamber of Commerce (B7) Shelby County Schools (A23) Sikes Children’s Shoes (A21) Southeastern Jewelers and Engraving (A28) Southern Blood Services (A20) Southern Home Structural Repair Specialists (A19) Space Cadets (B14) Summit Pediatrics (A25) The Crossings at Riverchase (A22) TherapySouth Corporate (A32) TrustMark Bank (B3) USFL - Bruno Event Team (A11) Valley Bank (A13) Van Gogh Window Fashions (B18) Vapor Ministries/Thrift Store (B2) Virginia Samford Theatre (B10) Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (A24) We’ll Do It (A5) Wild Birds Unlimited of Birmingham (B18) Wind Creek Hospitality (A17) Window World of Central Alabama (B9)

Find Us Pick up the latest issue of 280 Living at the following locations: ► Alabama Outdoors ► Cahaba Ridge ► Chiropractic Today ► Chelsea High School ► Chelsea Library ► Cowboy’s ► Danberry ► Edgar’s Bakery ► Edward’s Chevrolet ► Ground Up Coffee & Smoothies/ Snider’s Pharmacy ► Lloyd’s Restaurant ► Mt Laurel Library

► North Shelby Library ► Oak Mountain High School ► Spain Park High School ► St. Vincent’s 119 ► Somerby at St. Vincent’s ► Winn-Dixie Chelsea ► Winn-Dixie Inverness Want to join this list or get 280 Living mailed to your home?

Contact Dan Starnes at dan@ starnesmedia.com.

280Living.com

April 2023 • A5

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A6 • April 2023

280 Living

City

Project updates, funds awarded during council meeting

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Over $48,000 of Nick Grant education funds were awarded to the four Chelsea schools during the March 7 Chelsea City Council meeting.

Forest Oaks Elementary received $18,712.94.

Items requested include a ViewSonic Interactive Panel, two MacBook Air computers, three MacBook Pros, two HP Probooks, Drumfit equipment and subscription and SONOR Smart Series instruments.

Chelsea Park Elementary received $9,776.17.

Items requested include two ViewSonic Interactive Panels, miscellaneous art supplies, LEGO and Doodler Pen Learning Packs.

Chelsea Middle received $12,586.25. Items requested included a Gopher GaGa Ball Pit with guard; dissection kits, trays and biohazard trash can; miscellaneous pantry supplies and class equipment; 3-D Printers; a Cricut cutting machine; and a VEX EXP (robotics equipment) class bundle.

Chelsea High received $7,758.30. Items requested included two rolling white boards, miscellaneous art supplies and T1 graphing calculators.

Mayor Tony Picklesimer gave an update on some of the ongoing projects in the city. He noted that the gym addition at Chelsea Community Center is well underway and is still on pace for an October completion. Also, phase two at the County Road 11 athletic fields is about 90% complete. Picklesimer said it will be finished by sometime in April.

“I promise you it will be worth the wait,” he said. “It's a beautiful facility. Thank you to the council for allowing it to be done so nicely.

It's something we will all be proud of for a long time.”

The council discusses items on the agenda during the March 7 Chelsea City Council meeting.

Screenshot

by Leah Ingram Eagle.

Also during the meeting, the council approved: ► Declaring nonfunctional weather sirens as surplus, which will be donated to Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency. ► Authorizing the mayor to sign and participate in an opioid settlement. Picklesimer said this is being negotiated at the state level with the major drug companies, and this resolution gives him the authority to negotiate how much of that part of the settlement the city would get. ► Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with ALDOT for resurfacing and access management on U.S. 280. ► Approval to pay the city’s bills.

Council member Tiffany Bittner asked the

mayor for an update on the proposed multipurpose facility, which is part of the master plan at Chelsea High School. Picklesimer said another meeting was recently held with Superintendent Lewis Brooks, Superintendent of Operations David Calhoun, architect Rick Lathan and two council members.

To try to save money, councilman Scott Weygand presented the idea of combining two of the buildings rather than having separate buildings at the north and south ends of the stadium. The combined building would expand the visitors locker room and include restrooms and a concession stand.

Also, instead of starting with a competition gym, it was discussed to do the projects in

Important Dates ► April 1: Spring Craft Fair at Chelsea Community Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ► April 4 and 18: Council meetings, 6 p.m. ► April 15: Fire at the Foothills, Chelsea Community Center

reverse order.

“Everything on the master plan is still alive and well,” Picklesimer said.

280Living.com

April 2023 • A7

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A8 • April 2023

280 Living

Commission approves county redistricting plan

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE The Shelby County Commission unanimously approved the county redistricting plan during their meeting on Feb. 27.

County Manager Chad Scroggins said that the nine commission districts were altered and new boundaries were established to reflect population changes, based on the average population of approximately 24,000 per district. The 2020 census showed a population of 223,024, an increase of 14% from the 2010 census of 195,085.

“As the census from 2020 showed the growth of different areas of our county, we tried to divide it up evenly,” Scroggins said. “The redistricting had gone through public notice and two public hearings. We take in the census tracts of all of the roadways, the population and try to come up with the most balanced plan possible.”

The commission also authorized Shelby County to join the state and other local governments as participants in current and future opioid settlements. County attorney Butch Ellis said it probably wasn’t necessary but was being done in abundance of caution as the state has several settlements pending and being negotiated.

During the county manager’s report, Scroggins said he recently found out that the commission is being awarded a $350,000 grant from ADECA that will be used to construct additional trails at Double Oak Park.

The planning commission was set to vote on the comprehensive plan on April 6. Visit 280living.com for coverage of that meeting.

Also approved during the meeting: ► A paving project to add a turn lane and upgrade the traffic signal at Shelby County 17 and 44, awarded to Massey Asphalt Paving LLC for $169,570.59. This is a 50/50 project with the city of Alabaster, and the bid amount is for

County Manager Chad Scroggins shows a map of the new district lines within Shelby County. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

everything except the traffic signals. ► A bid for automotive light truck tire services and wheel alignment services to Howard Tire. ► Bids for stone delivery and stone pickup. ► A software bid for upgraded technology. ► Adoption of a new pay plan for part-time employees to move to Step 1 of the pay grade,

effective Oct. 1, 2023. ► Reappointment of Charity Settles and Kenneth Mobley to the Department of Human Resources board for additional six-year terms. ► Appointment of Tyrus Kidd to the Harrison Regional Library Board. ► Authorization to submit an application for an Alabama Recycling Fund Grant from

the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. ► Authorized an agreement with the state of Alabama and ALDOT for maintenance of passive warning devices at the railroad crossing on Shelby County 51 near U.S. 280 next to 51 country store. A federal grant has been awarded for the lights, signage and striping.

County applies for grant to pay for trail expansion at Double Oak Park

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE A recreational trails program grant application was approved by the Shelby County Commission on March 13 that, if awarded, would fund a 12-mile trail expansion at Double Oak Park.

County Manager Chad Scroggins said the grant process, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), is competitive but Christie Hester, director of planning services, does a great job with these applications.

The total for the grant is $571,429 and would require the county to pay 38.75% of the project, for a total of $221,429 that would come from the county’s fiscal 2024 lodging tax revenue, and the grant would cover the remaining $350,000.

Scroggins said the trails will recruit people from outside the county and state to come visit the park.

The commission also approved: ► A bid for the Shelby County 17/Shelby County 44 traffic signal project to Stone and Sons Electrical Contractors for $154,535. The project will be split between the county and the city of Alabaster. ► A bid for road patching stone to Vulcan Materials ► Bids for concrete pipe pickup and delivery to the lowest responsive bidder ► A bid for a pre-engineered metal building package for the Juvenile Detention canopy project to Inland Buildings for $41,200 ► A bid to Brenntag Mid-South for fluorosilicic acid ► A water meter bid to Core & Main ► An on- and off-premise alcohol beverage license to Waxahatchee Marina A proclamation declaring March 2023 National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the county was approved. Jennifer Ellison from the Arc of Shelby spoke to the commission and thanked them for their ongoing support.

Chad Scroggins discussed several projects during the county manager’s report. He said the county is assembling some of its partners,

Jennifer Ellison from the Arc of Shelby spoke to the Shelby County Commission on March 13 and thanked them for their ongoing support after declaring March 2023 National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the county. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

including the cities of Alabaster, Calera and Pelham, to discuss the Interstate 65 expansion project. The board of 58 INC. has committed the first $2 million toward the project.

“David Willingham and his team have worked hard to have discussions with Director John Cooper and ALDOT,” Scroggins said. “We are looking for a resolution of commitment to that project at our next meeting.”

Other items discussed: ► The Planning Commission approved the comprehensive plan and the commission will vote on approval during their first April meeting. ► A contract has been signed for work at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office training facility.

The project will be paid for by carryover funds within the SCSO budget. ► Christopher Welch was recently hired to

fill the role of assistant county manager. ► An agreement with ALDOT for the railroad crossing improvement at Shelby County 52 in Pelham was approved. County Engineer David Willingham said that bids are open on the fiscal 2023 county resurfacing project.

There are 35 projects and every district is represented, he said. The total for all projects will be around $6 million.

280Living.com

April 2023 • A9

Proposed Inverness retail development stirs opposition

By JON ANDERSON A real estate developer’s proposal to put a big-box retail development on 20 acres off Valleydale Road in the Inverness area has drawn much opposition from nearby residents.

The property, now wooded, is just south of Inverness Plaza and across Valleydale from the Inverness Corners and Inverness Highlands shopping centers, near the Beaumont, Danberry and Inverness Highlands residential communities.

The property is owned by Zontanos Properties, and the development company seeking approval from the city of Hoover is Alumni Properties & Investments, based in Clanton.

The plan is to build a 103,000-square-foot big-box retail store with a liquor store, tire center and 16 gas pumping stations, plus at least eight other retail buildings, according to drawings submitted to the city of Hoover. The preliminary plan proposes a total of 189,000 square feet.

The developer did not specify the name of the big-box retailer or other potential retailers in paperwork submitted to the city.

The property already is zoned as a “planned commercial” district, but putting either a liquor store or gasoline station requires approval from the Hoover City Council.

Additionally, the developer was seeking a variance from the Hoover Board of Zoning Adjustment that would allow him to put a liquor store less than 1,000 feet from the nearest residential property.

According to revised drawings submitted to the city in mid-March, the proposed liquor store would be 732 feet from the nearest house in Beaumont, 792 feet from the nearest house in Inverness Highlands and 967 feet from the nearest house in Danberry.

The zoning variance was slated to be heard by the Board of Zoning Adjustment on March 27 (after this paper went to press), and the request for permission to put a liquor store and gasoline station on the property is slated to be heard by the Hoover Planning and Zoning

This 189,000squarefoot retail development is proposed for a 20-acre site at the corner of Valleydale Road and Inverness Center Drive in Hoover.

Site plan

by Williams Blackstock Architects.

Commision on April 10.

The city has received at least two dozen emails from residents who oppose the development and at least a couple of emails supporting it.

“This is a terrible, terrible location with an elementary school pretty much across the street,” Inverness resident Brandy Rhodes wrote in an email to the city. “It will provide 18 wheelers delivering all day, close to Inverness Elementary and on 280. Those of us living in Inverness will see more cars and higher speeds on Inverness parkways. The speeds are ridiculous on Inverness Parkway already. I ask (no beg) you to please consider moving this away from our school and neighborhoods. This type and size of development does not belong on Valleydale.”

Marian and Bill Dinan, residents of the area

for more than 50 years, said in an email that a large percentage of residents in the area are concerned.

“First, it will ruin the serenity of the residential homes and surrounding homes,” the Dinans wrote. “Secondly, there is plenty of business land these stores could build on 280 and other areas that would not be so adversely affected. Why choose an area that will be so greatly disturbed by such businesses? …

Surely there should be respect for all those residents who have put their life savings into their homes there in such a serene setting only to have it all ruined by a big, oversized business development.”

Cyndy Kiel, who lives in a community across U.S. 280, said in an email she favors the development.

“There are already two large shopping

centers and two strip centers present,” Kiel wrote. “The traffic patterns are already there with several large apartment complexes. As for the schools, the children are not permitted to access the school from Valleydale by walking.

They must be dropped off! … I do not feel there will be that much of a change to the area.

The traffic is already here!”

A traffic study conducted by Skipper Consulting for the developer anticipates the new development will add 999 vehicle trips in the midday peak hour and 892 vehicle trips in the afternoon peak hour.

The study recommends a new traffic signal at the Inverness Corners entrance near Milo’s, new turn lanes to get into the development, extension of existing turn lanes and a modification to allow two lanes to turn right off eastbound U.S. 280 onto Valleydale Road.

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A10 • April 2023

280 Living

PET URGENT CARE NOW AVAILABLE ON HWY 280 EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Business

Business Happenings Business news to share? If you have news to share with the community about a brick-and-mortar business along the 280 Corridor, let us know at 280living.com/about-us

NOW OPEN HaMi Boutique, which offers hand-picked fashion choices, recently opened their new Vestavia Hills location on Endeavor Drive. The original location is in Mt Laurel.

205-538-5484, www.shophamiboutique.com

Anita’s Wigs recently relocated from the Patton Creek Shopping Center to a new location in Inverness. Anita’s customizes the wig shopping experience. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

205-733-2044, anitaswigs.com

NEW OWNERSHIP

ANNIVERSARIES

COMING SOON

What is pet urgent care?

Your pet can receive the treatment they need when they need it no need to wait until Monday or seek Emergency Care services for non-critical symptoms. Often, Urgent Care services are less costly than Emergency Care, offering a more affordable and convenient weekend alternative for you and your pet.

Get expert care from veterinarians you can trust.

The staff at Double Oak Mountain work hard to create a comfortable and compassionate environment for you and your furry friends. Their Urgent Care option provides prompt access to top-quality outpatient veterinary care at a convenient location right on Highway 280. Drs. Vargas, Douglas, and Miller bring years of experience and care to the Birmingham area along with the rest of their team of dedicated professionals.

In addition to Urgent Care, Double Oak Mountain Animal Hospital also provides wellness exams, Emergency Care, ultrasounds, dental cleanings, and spay/neuter services. They have served the community for well over two decades, always striving to serve, love, and care for pets and their owners.

Urgent Care Open Saturday & Sunday 12pm-10pm

N

IM

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IT A

A

General Practice Hours Monday-Friday: 7am-6pm | Saturday: 7am-12pm

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5490 US-280 East, Birmingham, 35242 (205) 991-5446

PERSONNEL MOVES America’s First Federal Credit Union, which has an office in Hoover at #2 Inverness Center Parkway, has promoted Nancy Rice to senior vice president and chief risk Rice officer and Terry Sanderson to vice president and experience officer. Rice, a 29-year veteran of the credit union, joined the accounting department in 1994. She moved to the internal Sanderson audit department in 1997 as a staff auditor and was promoted to manager of the quality assurance/risk management department in 2004. Five years later, Rice was promoted to assistant vice president for risk management, and in 2015 she was appointed vice president for risk management and began serving as the Bank Secrecy Act officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for directing the administration of credit resolutions and enterprise risk management, including vendor management, compliance, fraud, security and quality assurance. Sanderson joined the credit union in 1979 at the start of her career. Since that time, she has held numerous positions, including file clerk, new accounts representative, collection clerk, loan writer, loan officer, indirect loan officer, supervisor of member services and branch manager. Sanderson moved to the branch services department in 2018, where she served as a regional director managing five of the credit union’s Birmingham branches. In her new role, she will be responsible for focusing on member and employee needs and developing plans and strategies to ensure exceptional and consistent experience is delivered to both credit union members and employees.

205-995-0001, amfirst.org

Element Wellness is now open in Tattersall Park. Treatments include IV vitamin infusions, cryotherapy, red light therapy, infrared sauna, yoga, weight loss nutrition counseling and more.

205-326-7333, elementwellness.me

Being a pet parent can be stressful, especially when your pet gets sick or injured on the weekend. Thankfully, the team at Double Oak Mountain Animal Hospital is here to help with new Urgent Care options every Saturday and Sunday from noon all the way until 10 PM.

Brashier, will own the second location, according to Salon 43 One’s Facebook page.

205-968-1620, salon43one.com

American Family Care recently broke ground on a new location in Chelsea just off U.S. 280 at County Road 47. afcurgentcare.com AIM Academy seeks to provide high quality early care and preschool education to premier, growing communities in Alabama and beyond.

205-882-3350, youraimacademy.com/ locations/chelsea The drive through coffee chain Scooter’s Coffee will be opening in Chelsea near Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings. The menu features hot and iced drinks, blended drinks, smoothies, teas and breakfast foods. Another location is under construction on U.S. 280 in Inverness at the former Pizza Hut location. scooterscoffee.com A new Shoe Station location is set to open in Brook Highland Shopping Plaza.

The only other location in the metro area is in Vestavia Hills City Center. shoestation.com Jeremiah’s Italian Ice will open soon at 16383 U.S. 280 in Chelsea. The restaurant will offer sweet treats including more than 40 flavors of Italian Ice, along with gelati and soft serve ice cream. jeremiahsice.com

RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS

After 24 years of continuous ownership, Oh Hair has been sold to Courtney Tran who has worked in the salon for many years. Ginger Brazier, the founder and former owner, will continue to work at the salon serving her clients. Oh Hair has five talented stylists with many years of experience: Ginger Brazier, Michelle Morrison, Kelli Wesson Frost, Beverly Frank and Erin Trudo.

205-678-9644, ohhair.com

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Salon 43 One, located at 6801 Cahaba Valley Road in the Cadence Place shopping center, plans to open a second location in the Knox Square development along Stadium Trace Parkway, across from Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Kendall Brashier, who has been with Salon 43 One about four years, and her husband, Chase

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

The restaurant chain has three locations in the 280 Living coverage area: 3439 Colonnade Parkway, 601 Doug Baker Blvd. and 4520 Overton Road.

205-968-6622, 205-980-6063 and 205-956-1300, tazikis.com

CLOSINGS Bay Leaf Modern Indian Cuisine & Bar has permanently closed their location in Greystone on U.S. 280. Their other location at 1024 20th St. S, Unit 101, Birmingham is still open. bayleafbham.com The Tuesday Morning location in Brook Highland Shopping Center is closing permanently.

205-408-1809, tuesdaymorning.com/ stores/al/birmingham.html

280Living.com

April 2023 • A11

New florist springs up in Chelsea

By CANDICE N. HALE Chelsea is now home to a budding new floral shop: Florist in Chelsea. Local resident Tiffany Miller is hoping to provide beauty, relaxation and comfort to the community with her assortment of flowers and products.

Miller, 41, has been interested in flowers for about 10 years now, but she grew up gardening and canning vegetables on her family acreage.

For the last three years, Miller was employed by another florist to deliver flowers. At the same time that her employer retired, a building became available and Chelsea needed a florist. Miller believes it was divine intervention.

Florist in Chelsea officially opened on Feb. 1. Opening a new spot in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day is exciting for a florist, but Miller pulled it off with ease.

“It was better than expected,” she said. “[Everyone was] very welcoming. People called back with compliments, and I enjoyed all the positive feedback.”

In the shop, Miller features 11 local artisans and their products alongside her flowers and packages in an effort to support other small businesses. She often chooses these artisans by customer requests, the overall look of products, price point and quality.

Some of the top artisans and products that Miller sells are Southern Angel Designs by Angela Whaley Gillespie, Ashley Palladino Art and Lit Fire Pots by Brian and Sarah Evans.

Gillespie customizes and designs handmade jewelry pieces, Ashley Palladino is an abstract mixed media artist specializing in gold leaf and the Evanses create unique stone fire pots that produce warmth and light.

Miller also sells other items, including candles, glass products and honey.

Florist in Chelsea ► Address: 11728 Chelsea Road, Chelsea ► Phone: 205-767-3742 ► Facebook: facebook.com/ thefloristinchelsea1

The most requested flower package is the “Keepsake Vase—Designer Choice.” One of the artisans designs the clear glass vases, which are arranged with a mix of fresh-cut flowers (usually roses, carnations, lilies and stocks).

When asked about her favorite flower, Miller said that is like asking her to pick her favorite child.

“It varies from season to season, but tulips right now,” Miller said. “Tulips are ready to pop, and they work well with hydrangeas right now. Sunflowers are great during the summer, but [my favorite] really depends on the time of the year.”

While her storefront has only recently opened, Miller said there are plans to expand the location in the future.

“We are already bursting at the seams,” Miller said.

Currently, The Florist in Chelsea is a family-run business ,with Miller at the helm and her husband Brian and their three boys, Zane (17), Hunter (15), and Noah (13), helping out to make the shop run smoothly.

The family is from Chelsea and are active members of the community. Miller’s sons attend Chelsea Middle and High School.

“Chelsea can expect quality products, great service and delivery within 15 miles,” Miller said. “We support other local small businesses, as well.”

Tiffany Miller, owner of the Florist in Chelsea, creates a flower arrangement at her shop located on Chelsea Road. Photo by Erin Nelson.

A12 • April 2023

280 Living

Another cup, please O.Henry’s celebrates 30 years of business

By NEAL EMBRY For 30 years, the smell of coffee from O.Henry’s Coffee and Company has wafted through the morning air along 18th Street South, marking the arrival of each new day and calling the shop’s regulars in for their morning brew.

Regulars greet each other and share a “good morning” with the staff before gulping down their first cup of coffee.

“It’s like a second home for them,” said barista Corrie Parks.

This year, O.Henry’s celebrates its 30th anniversary. The shop has grown from its original home on 18th Street to multiple locations across the greater Birmingham area, including a location in Dunnavant Valley.

Owner Blake Stevens has certainly spent enough time at the shop to call it his second home, too. Stevens worked at the shop while he was a student at Samford University from 1996 to 2001. He opened a shop at the Regions-Harbert Plaza, which closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. While he took a position with Starbucks, one he held for roughly 15 years, Stevens came back home in 2019.

Decades after he first worked at O.Henry’s, Stevens is now watching people he grew up with bring their kids into the shop.

Stevens bought the business from Randy Adamy, who bought it from founder Dr. Henry Bright.

For two or three years before he opened O.Henry’s in 1993, Bright traveled to learn as much about coffee as he could. At that time, there was no Starbucks in the area, and no one around town had ever heard of espresso coffee, he said.

Bright’s friends and acquaintances thought he had lost his mind when he pursued opening a coffee shop after retiring from his work as a dentist.

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” Bright said.

Bright found Gary Teplitsky, who was “doing something unique” in Key West: roasting his own coffee in his Florida coffee shop. Teplitsky, who is still in business today, invited Bright to spend a week with him and learn from him.

He introduced Bright to roasters in New York, where Bright headed next to learn from the Dallis brothers.

Bright eventually moved his roaster to West Homewood, where the shop’s roasting operation is still handled today.

Five years after he started the business, Bright sold it to Adamy, who had come to Birmingham from Michigan with Bruno’s grocery business.

Bright stayed on to help Adamy, and the two became not only partners, but fast friends.

“It was a good fit,” Bright said.

Bright said he has enjoyed seeing O.Henry’s growth.

“It’s amazing how fast the 30 years have passed,” he said.

In his roughly 20 years of ownership, Adamy added locations, more variety in the shop’s coffee beans and delivered O’Henry’s coffees to other up-and-coming shops for them to sell, he said. Business, he said, was good.

“I was not a great salesman,” Adamy said. “I just had to answer the phone.”

Despite the shop’s popularity, the goal was never to make it a corporate giant, Adamy said.

“We never wanted to see how big we could get it,” Adamy said. “We just wanted to be proud of it.”

When Starbucks came on the scene and opened a location at what is now the SoHo Standard location, Adamy admits O.Henry’s leaders were “nervous.” But Homewood residents chose not to patronize the Starbucks, keeping their dollars at O.Henry’s.

“They prize independent, local people,” Adamy said. “That’s what makes Homewood, Homewood.”

Bright’s vision was to “have a place where folks could gather around a great cup of coffee,” Stevens said.

Above: Zoe Carroll takes a coffee order for a guest at O.Henry’s Coffee in Mt Laurel.

Left: Lauren Bressette pours a vanilla latte for a guest. Photos by Erin Nelson.

“

We see our place in the community as this timeless brand.

O.Henry’s is not a person. It represents something bigger than yourself.

“That’s still our vision,” he said.

In the four years since Stevens took over, the shop has faced a global pandemic, supply chain problems and the opening of new locations. But even during tough times, the shop hasn’t had big cuts and has provided a sense of normalcy for its customers during abnormal times, Stevens said.

“We’ve got some war wounds, but we’re a stronger team for it,” he said.

Teams across O.Henry’s locations work hard to maintain its high roasting standards, Stevens said. Those teams are made up of people who, like Stevens, won’t work at the shop forever, but will benefit from the lessons they learn, he said.

“We know this isn’t your forever job,” Stevens said. “How can we work together to help you learn some soft skills?”

And while they might not all come back one day like he did, Stevens said the store does have some managers who have been with O.Henry’s for a long time.

In the past several years, the company has opened up new locations in Vestavia Hills, Hoover and in Dunnavant Valley.

“Each store has its own uniqueness,” Stevens said.

Dunnavant Valley’s shop continues to grow, with stores like Ace Hardware nearby drawing more customers, along with a drugstore. The Patchwork Farms location in Vestavia Hills benefits from the apartment complexes nearby, along with Highlands College students. The Hoover shop has picked up some steam and is seeing more activity, Stevens said. Each new location means adding more team members, which he enjoys seeing.

“I love watching teams develop and people grow,” he said.

While the original location’s aesthetic has not changed, O.Henry’s has added more food and drinks to its menu over the years and has also added a mobile app for customers to place their orders ahead of time, Stevens said. The

”

BLAKE STEVENS

company also provides consulting and equipment to other shops.

O.Henry’s is no longer the only option in town. Several other coffee shops have moved in, with more on the way. But it doesn’t faze Stevens.

“I’ve never viewed folks coming in as competition,” he said. “We want people to gather around a great cup of coffee.”

Coffee is all about relationships, Stevens said. Each cup of coffee that comes from a farm, wherever it may be, represents a family. Stevens said O.Henry’s as a company has always been about family, with Beverly Bright, Mary Adamy and Anna Stevens all playing a role in helping run the store along with their husbands.

O.Henry’s has also played host to many a first date and has even witnessed marriage proposals, Stevens said.

“Everybody has their O.Henry’s story,” he said.

That includes Parks. Her parents had one of their first dates at the shop, something they enjoy bringing up whenever her job comes up in conversation.

“It’s wonderful,” Parks said of her family’s history with O.Henry’s. “I have a strong sense of nostalgia.”

Despite all of the changes in Homewood since O.Henry’s first opened its doors, the shop has stood the test of time, Stevens said.

“We see our place in the community as this timeless brand,” he said. “O.Henry’s is not a person. It represents something bigger than yourself.”

280Living.com

April 2023 • A13

Saving for unexpected expenditures Life is full of unexpected expenditures, from emergency medical bills to car or appliance repairs, and expenses like those can drain your bank account if you’re not prepared.

And while you might not be able to plan for when these kinds of things may happen, you can definitely work to have savings in place to cover their cost.

No matter how much money one of my clients makes, I always recommend having a “nest egg” of at least six months of expenses ready to use in case of emergencies. To help you get there, here are three savings tips.

CREATE A BUDGET THAT INCLUDES SAVING. Sit down with your banker and take a look at your income and expenses, then make a savings plan that works best for your goals. It might be hard to determine what you can save and where you should save it, but that’s what your banker is there for. A good place to start is with the 50/30/20 principle - 50% of your income goes towards necessities, 30% towards discretionary items and 20% towards savings.

PAY YOURSELF LIKE YOU PAY YOUR BILLS. This is where I find that many clients struggle.

They make a budget and write down their savings goals, but when that paycheck hits, a nice dinner looks better than putting money into savings, and that 20% never makes it into a savings account. I always recommend setting up automatic transfers to your savings. Just like you pay your electric bill every month, it’s important to pay yourself and start building that nest egg.

INCREMENTALLY INCREASE THE AMOUNT YOU SAVE. At first, 20% might seem way too high for your current situation, so it’s okay to start small. Work with your banker to determine what you can realistically commit to. Maybe the first month it’s 5% and once you’ve become used to your new savings habits, you can increase it to 7%, then 10%. Eventually you’ll be saving 20% of your income and not even notice it. Start small, acclimate yourself, then save more.

I understand that it might be hard for everyone to put away six months of expenses. Even if you start saving today, it might take some time to get there. So here’s a bonus tip to help you prepare for unexpected expenses in the meantime: Have a low-interest credit card just for emergencies. Find a card with no annual fee and a zero or low interest rate for 12 to 24 months. As long as you can pay off your balance in a timely manner, you’ll be able to pay for any surprises without dipping into your savings.

Finally, don’t feel bad when the time comes and you have to spend some of your nest egg. After all, the goal is to be able to use it when you need it. The good news is that you’ll then have a plan in place to keep saving and you’ll be prepared for the next unexpected expenditure.

Theresa Ball is First Vice President at Valley Bank in Birmingham and has been in banking for 37 years.

This article is made available for informational and educational purposes only.

Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed herein are solely that of writer and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of Valley National Bank. ©2023 Valley National Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. Equal Housing Lender. All Rights Reserved.

A14 • April 2023

280 Living

New restaurant planned for Tattersall Park

By JON ANDERSON Big Whiskey’s Restaurant & Bar in March announced plans to open a second location in Hoover.

The first one opened in Stadium Trace Village in July 2020, and the second one will be across town in Tattersall Park near the Publix and Greystone, the company said. The plan is to build a 6,000-square-foot stand-alone restaurant with patio space that is semi-open to a bar, a private dining space and a large dining room separate from the bar.

The goal is to open by the last quarter of this year, said Christopher Duclos, the general manager of the location in Stadium Trace Village.

The Hoover community well embraced the first location of Big Whiskey’s, even though it opened amid social distancing restrictions and had to operate at half capacity for several months, the company said.

“We saw the way our community immediately embraced the brand, the food and the Big Whiskey’s experience and couldn’t wait to get going on a second location,” the company said in a news release. “We’re thrilled to bring another great dining experience to our guests.”

Austin Herschend, president of franchising for Big Whiskey’s, said in a news release that corporate leadership was really impressed by the ownership group in Alabama that pushed through the uncertainty of the past two years to make that first location a success.

The owners are brothers Amaan and Zunaid Porbandarwala.

“The Birmingham area loves Big Whiskey’s. That’s been proven by the continued record-breaking sales, and we are eager to really plant our flag in the Birmingham area,”

Big Whiskey’s Restaurant and Bar in the Stadium Trace Village development in Hoover. Photo by Jon Anderson.

Herschend said.

Big Whiskey’s signature items include chicken ranch alfredo, a honey stung burger, boom boom shrimp tacos, a brunch melt, buffalo chicken wontons, a blackberry bourbon sidecar and beer cheese pretzels. In addition

to the main menu, Big Whiskey’s features a weekday lunch menu, a weekend brunch menu and an extensive drink menu with more than 120 whiskeys, including rare and allocated bottles.

The new restaurant will employ about 80

staff members, the company said.

Big Whiskey’s was founded in downtown Springfield, Missouri, in 2006 and now operates in Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas and Oklahoma. For more information, visit bigwhiskeys.com.

Chiropractic Today celebrates 30 years

By JAMES PHILLIPS Dr. Irma Palmer would not have chosen her career path as a chiropractor had it not been for a health condition she suffered during her teenage years. That situation pointed her to chiropractics, and she is celebrating 30 years at her practice later this year.

Playing competitive softball growing up, Palmer suffered with lower back pain and severe menstrual issues.

“I was told this was just part of being a woman, but this was severe pain and it was affecting everything,” she said.

Palmer, growing up in Miami, suffered a severe softball collision that led her parents to take her to her first chiropractor, who just happened to be the father of one of her friends. It was that experience that inspired her to become a chiropractor and help change the lives of others.

“I had hit rock bottom for a teenager between the pain and an embarrassing situation that happened with the menstrual issues,” she said. “The doctor had been working on my back pain, but that had changed something with the menstrual issue. I finally told him about that issue, and he treated me, and I never had those issues again.”

Palmer said her Cuban family was not keen on chiropractors, leaning only on medical doctors, so she wasn’t sure how they would feel about her plan to become a chiropractor. But her father always told her the most important thing was for her to be healthy and happy. He told her, “You’ve got to fall in love everyday with what you do and who you go home to, to have heaven on earth and have a great life.”

Moving to Alabama in early 1993, Palmer started her practice, Chiropractic Today, located at 420 Inverness Corners, in November of that year. The practice is also bilingual.

“Health and wellness is much more than my profession as a chiropractor — it’s my chosen lifestyle. Striving to inspire my patients to face adversities associated with health is my passion,” she said. “I believe it’s

Dr. Irma Palmer. Photo courtesy of Heart Smile Photography.

that passion and the relationships I’ve made in my practice and in my community that has allowed us to be here for 30 years.”

Palmer is celebrating the 30 years on April 15 with a big party at the practice which will actually serve as a fundraiser for the Shelby Humane. A $5 donation provides a lunch ticket and entry into a raffle. Palmer said other businesses in the area will also be having specials that day with a sidewalk sale.

Palmer said she loves what she does and cannot believe it’s been 30 years.

“Living a healthy life and educating my community on the BIG 5 wellness lifestyle concepts; faith, neurological connection, eating food from the earth, exercise, and intentional thinking is important to me,” she said. “I believe everyone striving to improve in these five areas will restore their health and vitality, personal confidence and move toward an optimum quality of life. My goal is to ultimately make a difference within our community and beyond utilizing these principles.”

“

Health and wellness is much more than my profession as a chiropractor — it’s my chosen lifestyle.

DR. IRMA PALMER

280Living.com

April 2023 • A15

Chamber

Legislative delegates share updates at chamber luncheon

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Seven of the 11-member Shelby County legislative delegation were in attendance during the Shelby Chamber luncheon on Feb. 22, while four others (Sen. Dan Roberts, Sen. Jabo Waggoner, Sen. April Weaver and Rep. Jim Carns) were in Montgomery attending general fund budget hearings.

The 11-person delegation is a mixture of longterm and newly elected members. Three of the delegation were elected this past November, two were elected in special elections held in 2020 and 2021 and the remaining five have served at least two previous terms. The 2023 regular session began on March 7.

Sen. April Weaver (14th District) shared a previously recorded video in which she spoke about a piece of legislation that is near to her heart.

She has prefiled a Senate bill that she says will ensure that good time is used as an incentive for the state’s prison population, instead of just being given to them. The bill, the Deputy Brad Johnson Act, is named after a Bibb County deputy who was murdered in June 2022. The person who shot Johnson was out on good-time status when the incident happened.

The bill would do several things, including rolling back the way that good time is calculated and given in Alabama. It will list behaviors that, if done in prison, will rule out good time as an option, and it will require a report from the Department of Corrections to the legislature, the attorney general and the governor each year related to good-time status.

“I believe this is something that has to be addressed in the name of public safety,” Weaver said. “I am totally in favor of this because it is time that we as a state step up and that we keep bad people where they belong, and that is not in the general population.”

From left, Rep. Russell Bedsole, Rep. Corley Ellis, Rep. Kenneth Paschal, Rep. Susan DuBose, Rep. Leigh Hulsey and Sen. Lance Bell took turns answering questions during a moderated session held by the Shelby Chamber on Feb. 22. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

Rep. Russell Bedsole (House District 49) is a career law enforcement officer and commander of the Shelby County Jail. He will also sponsor the same bill in the house.

“I was on the scene when Deputy Johnson was killed,” Bedsole said. “What happened to Deputy Johnson should have never happened to him. That individual should have never been out on the street.”

He said he believes the state correction system needs to follow a process of educating and rehabilitating these offenders.

“We cannot expect to give them an ankle monitoring device and a bus ticket and expect our recidivism rates to drop,” he said.” I believe in this piece of legislation, that we need to do things to ensure that these inmates are not turned back out of the system too rapidly, in a way that they're not prepared for society.”

Bedsole shared that of the 24 total bills that have been prefiled in the House, 13 deal with criminal justice issues, seven are governmental

issues and one each for an environmental issue, repealing the abortion statute and education and labor issues.

Before Corley Ellis (District 41), was elected to the House in 2016, he served for ten years on the Shelby County Commission. He said in this session, he is settling in his new role as chair of the insurance committee.

He mentioned the $2.8 billion surplus from the 2022 budget and that decisions will be made to give refunds or to save it in a rainy day fund.

Rep. Kenneth Paschal (District 73) is a 21-year Army veteran and serves as vice chair of the military and veterans affairs committee. He said he is sponsoring a clean-up bill that will update the state’s outdated military code. Another item he is working on is the Common Sense Bill, which states that parents have a fundamental right to direct their kids’ upbringing, education and care, and his intent is to codify that in Alabama law.

Rep. Susan Dubose (District 45) was recently elected in November 2022. She said she asked

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to be on the health committee, and her goals are to protect life and to be a female voice to keep the Alabama Human Life Protection Act in place. She intends to bring up the Drug Free Baby Bill, which would prevent pregnant women from being prescribed medical marijuana. Other things she would like to see done are raising the age of majority from 14 to 18, the state chief health officer being accountable to the people, children having the option for educational freedom and a women’s bill of rights.

Rep. Leigh Hulsey (District 15) served on the Helena City Council for 14 years before being elected in November 2022. She is serving on the transportation committee, which she said is a huge issue in Jefferson and Shelby counties.

“We need someone that will fight for Shelby County, that will fight for the counties in the state to get what they need in terms of transportation.

I think the biggest thing for each of us is that we do not want to spend all our time in a car, getting to and from work, anywhere else that we're going, … and anything that I can do to help speed that up is what I'm there for,” Hulsey said.

Sen. Lance Bell (District 11), who was elected in 2022, spoke about teacher assaults by special needs students and wants to work to protect teachers, along with the issue of workforce development.

Rep. Arnold Mooney (District 43) was elected in November 2014 and serves as the chair of the Shelby County House delegation. A resident of Shelby County for 38 years, Mooney said Shelby County is the county to be in for the state of Alabama.

“The lifestyle engine of this county runs at a great, rapid speed that gives people great opportunities in health care, education, business, everything under the sun. We lead the state in every way,” Mooney said. “I'm thankful to be here.”

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A16 • April 2023

280 Living

Community Have a community announcement? Email Leah Ingram Eagle at leagle@starnesmedia.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

Fitness court opens at Veterans Park

By JON ANDERSON The city of Hoover, Shelby County and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama have opened a new fitness court at Veterans Park in Hoover.

The court is a 40-by-40-foot pad with fullbody workout stations designed for core exercises, squats, pushups, lunges, pullups, agility movements and bends.

People can put their smartphones up to QR codes and receive instructions on how to use the various workout stations.

The fitness court is part of a national effort by a San Francisco-based social enterprise and consulting firm called The Fitness Campaign and is designed to improve people’s health and fitness by giving them opportunities to do free full-body workouts in outdoor areas instead of having to be a member of a gym or indoor fitness center.

The workout stations are designed for use by anyone, no matter their age or physical fitness level.

The Fitness Campaign, which began in 1979, hopes to have 10,000 fitness courts across the United States.

Erin Colbaugh, Hoover’s parks and recreation director, said Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama brought the idea of putting one in Hoover to the city and asked for the city’s involvement.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama provided a $50,000 grant to help pay for the fitness court. The total cost was $167,350. Hoover and Shelby County each provided $58,675 in cash or in-kind services to make the court a reality, Colbaugh said.

Hoover chose Veterans Park as the location because so many people already visit Veterans

The city of Hoover and Shelby County opened a new fitness court at Veterans Park off Valleydale Road. The fitness court is a 40-by-40foot pad with full-body workout stations designed for core exercises, squats, pushups, lunges, pullups, agility movements and bends.

Photo by Jon Anderson.

Park daily to walk or run on the trails or do other outdoor activities. Colbaugh said this will give them easy access to add full-body workouts to their routines.

Conversations with the city began in March of 2022 and the project was completed in less than a year.

Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato thanked Shelby County and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama for being great partners with the

city of Hoover.

Shelby County Commissioner Lindsey Allison said the fitness court is an incredible addition to the park for people who like to exercise.

Sophie Martin, Blue Cross’ director of corporate communication and community relations, said her company wanted to provide an innovative and fun platform for people to get outside and get healthy.

Tim King, manager of The Caring Foundation

and corporate giving for Blue Cross, said this is the ninth outdoor fitness court Blue Cross has helped build in Alabama.

“We hope this new innovative platform will impact the people in a positive way by encouraging them to lead a healthy lifestyle,” King said. “Having access to free outdoor recreational opportunities, we believe, will be the catalyst for communities to be healthier and happier.”

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280Living.com

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A18 • April 2023

280 Living

Author pens memoir to inspire hope, healing

By CANDICE N. HALE Grace Reacher did not set out in her early life to become a writer, but her husband’s death in November 2020 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease created an open wound of grief and abandonment.

Reacher allowed herself a year to heal and get her thoughts together and then, she said, she received a spiritual message from God telling her to hone in on her writing journey with direction and purpose.

Writing became a natural outlet for Reacher to share her experiences and to help others in the process.

In October 2021, Reacher completed her first book project in only one month, titled “Abandoned but Not Alone.” After going through the editing process, the book was published in January 2023.

Reacher her favorite book of all time is “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks, which inspired her writing style.

“I love how he goes back and forth from past to present,” Reacher said. “Those types of stories are entertaining and keep me on my toes to follow well when he is changing tense.”

“Abandoned but Not Alone” is a memoir about a young girl who loses her innocence when she experiences the pain of abandonment by a loved one.

“God created me to be an encourager,” she said. “He motivated me to inspire and encourage others. I have life experiences that others can benefit from what I’ve been through.”

The Bible is the book that most inspires her, Reacher said, because it is abundant with important and fulfilling stories.

“However, I feel like people won’t read the stories in the Bible, so they can read my stories, but there are parallels, for example, to Genesis,” Reacher said. “All the stories in the Bible are telling us how to deal with life today.”

While Reacher’s book is definitely spiritual, she believes the content is universal. She is not

ashamed of her faith and wants to reach everyone who is experiencing abandonment, depression, grief, anxiety, fear or suicidal ideations.

“This book is for everybody. It will give you truth, answers and hope,” she said.

She is able to compose these words with such clarity because Gracie’s story in “Abandoned but Not Alone” is indeed her own story. The names have been changed to protect the privacy of others.

“I’ve written a story to focus on healing — people think they are stuck in abandonment and think they have to deal with it,” Reacher said.

“They do not have to be defined by their abandonment. This story shows you that you don’t have to live in that pit.”

The current project is a part of the “Wally and Gracie Inspiration” trilogy. Reacher has already written the second book, which is at the publisher and being edited, and she is currently writing the third book. This trilogy is published

by Christian Faith Publishing.

In addition to the trilogy, Reacher has also written a Bible study journal set for the first five books of the Bible, which was published last November. She also has plans to create an inspirational encouragement book series in the near future.

As a new author, Reacher is in the early stages of promoting and scheduling speaking engagements to female groups at women’s shelters, churches and chambers that are interested in the topics of abandonment and mental health.

“The overall experience has been therapeutic to write about and to help others going through similar things,” Reacher said.

She believes that “Abandoned But Not Alone” is capable of changing a reader’s life and does not take that charge lightly.

“The whole intent of my book is to fill readers with indescribable peace, hope and joy to overcome their issues and to find freedom from control and rejection,” Reacher said.

For information on Reacher and her book, visit theestheruprising.com.

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Grace Reacher holds a copy of her book “Abandoned but Not Alone” at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on March 8. Photo by Erin Nelson.

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280Living.com

April 2023 • A19

FOUNDATION PROBLEMS? WE HAVE THE SOLUTION. Left: Mary Beasley. Photo courtesy of marybeasleyauthor.com. Right: Neal Whitt.

Photo courtesy of Neal Whitt’s Facebook page.

2 Mt Laurel residents publish books MARY BEASLEY

Mt Laurel resident Mary Beasley recently published her first book, “Brown Eyed Girl.”

The newly released book is her personal memoir. “‘Brown Eyed Girl’ is a story of broken dreams, family secrets and the journey to find true identity and purpose,” she said.

Beasley notes that she has always wanted to write a book, but it was not until 2021 that she felt she “had a story to tell.” She said she shares her testimony to “give others courage to seek the truth, speak up and discover their own purpose.”

She narrates the audio version, which was recorded in David Nelson’s studio (Gintown Studios) in Mt Laurel. Beasley is a former English teacher turned entrepreneur. In addition to writing, she offers her sales and design talents with her interior decorating business.

NEAL WHITT

Mt Laurel resident Neal Whitt’s new book, “Setting the Stage: The Early Days of Auburn Football,” is now available in the bookshop at bookbaby.com and at Alabama Goods in Homewood.

“Auburn football is big business. On a given Saturday in the fall, well over 100,000 people descend on the loveliest village on the plains not only to cheer on their beloved Tigers, but to enjoy the comradery of family and friends. This book is a historical novel based upon true events about those fearless men who were instrumental in building one of the most exceptional programs in the country,” Whitt said. “It will make an excellent gift not only for Auburn fans, but all football fans interested in the development of the sport from its inception.”

In addition to writing, Whitt and his wife, Melinda, enjoy creating clay sculptures, and Melinda is an accomplished enamel on copper artist. Whitt previously published “Memories of a Salty Pirate and His Beautiful Maiden,” a series of stories about some of the humorous events that have occurred in the couple’s 46-year marriage.

Whitt’s legal background and minor in history from Auburn have contributed to his interest in research.

– Originally published in Mt Laurel Connection.

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A20 • April 2023

280 Living

Schoolhouse Have a schoolhouse announcement? Email Leah Ingram Eagle at leagle@starnesmedia.com to be considered for inclusion in an upcoming issue.

A natural, humble leader Burts wins Finley Award for outstanding character

By JON ANDERSON Some people get appointed or elected to leadership positions, but others just lead because it’s part of who they are.

Rayshod Burts, an 18-year-old senior at Spain Park High School, is one of those leaders, according to a coach who nominated him for Spain Park’s Finley Award for outstanding character.

Burts, who was chosen from among 28 Spain Park seniors nominated to receive the prestigious award this year and was presented with it in a March 23 banquet at the Finley Center, was a natural leader for the school’s football team, one of his coaches wrote in a nomination letter.

“He was not designated the leader.

He was not told to be the leader; he accepted the role innately by encouraging and showing others what right looks like,” the coach wrote.

Burts also exemplifies many other traits of Bob Finley, the late Berry High School coach for whom the character award is named, the coach wrote.

“Rayshod was never one to complain, even when times became arduous in our season. He never boasted or bragged about his accomplishments

or capability,” the coach wrote.

“Rayshod had what we in the coaching profession call a ‘lunch-pail mentality;’ he came to work every single day with a smile on his face, a great work ethic and a humble attitude.”

It takes a special person to be an offensive lineman in football because the main job is to protect others, the coach wrote. “It takes a selfless person to accomplish this task. Rayshod Burts was the selfless servant leader that every team needs and wants.”

Another coach, who worked with Burts both at Berry Middle School and Spain Park, said in a letter that Burts’s humility stood out.

“Rayshod was not too big to think he did not make mistakes,” the coach wrote. “When he does make a mistake, he owns up to it and also welcomes the critique so he can improve as a player and a person.”

Burts is the kind of player who really gets after opponents on the field but will help them up after the play is done, always showing respect to everyone, the coach said.

Burts is a two-sport athlete. He also wrestled for Spain Park and in February won the 285-pound 7A state title.

Matt Thompson, who coached Burts in both football and wrestling, said he had the chance to watch Burts

grow as a player and person over the past six or so years and has seen him develop into one of the best at each sport.

“He just gets in there and goes to work and has all the intangibles — whatever it takes to be a good competitor,” Thompson said. “He’s going to work harder than anybody else, and he doesn’t ever complain.”

Burts also takes other people under his wing and encourages them, Thompson said.

“In wrestling, if another teammate loses, he’s going to be one of the ones who goes over there and picks ‘em up,” Thompson said.

A teacher at the Riverchase Career Connection Center, where Burts is involved in the Fire Science Academy, said in a letter that Burts is self-motivated and keeps up with his grades while being an accomplished athlete.

“He acts with generosity and compassion, and he is well respected by his peers and teachers,” the teacher wrote. “Rayshod comes by my classroom and speaks to me every day with a smile and a wave.”

Burts said it’s a blessing to receive the Finley Award and thanked everyone who has stood by him over the years, from God to his teachers,

Rayshod Burts, a senior at Spain Park High School and recipient of the 2023 Finley Award, stands beside a fire engine at the Hoover Fire Academy at Riverchase Career Connection Center on March 15.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

coaches, mother and other family members. He’s glad so many people have supported him and believed in him, he said.

“It feels awesome,” Burts said.

“They believed in me, so I just kept working.”

He wants to become the best man he can be for his children and any other young people for whom he can be a mentor, he said. A few months back, one of his coaches asked him to

have a talk with a young boy in the community who was having some struggles, so he did and has been checking in with the boy periodically, he said.

“It feels good to know you can help somebody,” Burts said.

Other winners of the Finley Award this year were K.J. Law, a senior at Hoover High, and Green Valley Elementary kindergarten teacher Jenny Smith.

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April 2023 • A21

2023-24 school calendar approved

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE The Shelby County Board of Education approved the calendar for the 2023-24 school year during their Feb. 21 meeting.

The first day of school will be Aug. 10, 2023, and the last day May 23, 2024. Schools will be closed the week of Thanksgiving and from Dec. 15 through Jan. 2 for Christmas break. Spring break is March 25-29 and graduations will be held May 22-24. The calendar includes the usual holidays and several teacher workdays.

The board also approved a land sale at Inverness Elementary School. They were approached

by Alabama Power after they were notified of a road widening project on Valleydale Road that will take place over the next several years.

“Next door to Inverness Elementary is an Alabama Power substation,” said Assistant Superintendent of Operations David Calhoun.

“Currently the substation access [is] by turning directly off Valleydale, but when the road gets widened, that ability will go away. The power company asked us to purchase approximately 5,000 square feet, a little more than a tenth of an acre.”

Alabama Power will pay $27,000 for the land that will allow them to have access to the substation once the widening project is complete.

In the superintendent's report, Lewis Brooks congratulated Scholar’s Bowl participants from Vincent Middle/High School and Helena High School, the basketball teams in the district who made it to the state playoffs, wrestlers who made it to the state championship, Calera High School for winning events at the state indoor track meet and the cheerleading teams who recently competed in Orlando.

“Whether it’s athletics or academics, we’ve had teams done really well this semester,” Brooks said.

He also noted that February was school counselor appreciation month and Feb. 15 was school resource officer appreciation day.

During the meeting, the board approved the

The Shelby County Board of Education approved the 2023-24 school calendar during their February meeting. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

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A22 • April 2023

280 Living

CPES gym agreement reached, bus and CNP audits receive high marks

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE An agreement between the Shelby County Board of Education and the city of Chelsea was approved at the March 16 BOE meeting, detailing the payment arrangements for the gymnasium that will be built at Chelsea Park Elementary.

The larger project at the school includes classroom additions, which will be funded by the county, along with a gymnasium, which will be funded by the city of Chelsea at a cost of around $4.2 million. The agreement outlines the payment schedule for the city, which will pay the board six payments of $714,861 spread out over three years, with the last payment to be completed on Dec. 1, 2025.

Superintendent Lewis Brooks mentioned during his report that the district recently completed its annual bus inspection and of the 359 buses, only 0.6% (two buses) were found to have major deficiencies.

“This is great news and I want to offer congratulations to Rick Vines and his [transportation] team and all our bus drivers who serve our kids every day,” Brooks said. “This is a great report for our school district and it just speaks to a variety of things that our transportation department is doing to make sure our kids get kids to school in your home safely.”

The Child Nutrition Program (CNP) also recently had its annual inspection from the state department and scored well from that audit.

“Considering that we operate over 30 local school breakfast and lunch programs serving students every day, this is an outstanding support report,” Brooks said. “So special recognition goes to Nathan Hayes, the coordinator of nutrition, along with his staff and our local CNP staff for the great job that they do serving our kids every day.”

Brooks also noted the Parent Voice Advisory Meetings that were recently held, where parents from all the communities came together to share their thoughts on what’s happening at the schools.

“It was a really, really good meeting with lots

David Calhoun, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Shelby County Schools, explains projects to the Shelby County Board of Education for approval.

Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

of great information,” Brooks said. “We want to make sure our parents' voices are heard in regards to things going on in our system. The most important thing that came from it was that it was recognized that our parents really appreciate all the work our teachers do.”

The board approved the following items: ► Adoption of supplemental instructional resources ► An out-of -own field trip for Oak Mountain High School’s robotics team camp ► An amendment for the fiscal 2023 budget ► A bid for serving lines for CTEC and

Shelby Elementary to Bresco for $102,463 ► A bid for CNP equipment for several different schools ► A bid for paint services to PCI of Chelsea for $25,521 ► A dish machine for Helena Elementary School to Mobile Fixture for $169,805. ► Renewal of principal contracts, personnel actions and bus subs and aides ► Renewal of a bid for leasing on portable classrooms to Metro Trailer Leasing. “We are very proud of the fact that when we complete this current capital building program that we have

going, we will reduce the number of our portable classrooms by over 70%,” said David Calhoun, assistant superintendent of operations. ► Renewal of a bid for electric lighting and supplies to Mayer Electric Supply Company ► Renewal of a bid for electronic fixture maintenance services to Superior Services ► Renewal of a bid for tree cutting services to Turfworx, LLC ► Renewal of a bid for fire extinguishers and service to Safeguard Corporation for $30,725.85 ► A bid for re-roofing at various schools to Standard Roofing

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April 2023 • A23

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The 2023 Denim and Dining fundraiser will be at Aldridge Gardens on April 28.

Photo by Jon Anderson

Shelby County Schools

2023 Denim & Dining set for April 28 at Aldridge

By JON ANDERSON The Hoover City Schools Foundation’s 2023 Denim & Dining fundraiser is scheduled for April 28 at Aldridge Gardens from 6 to 10 p.m.

It’s the foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year and is used to help fund special projects and grants for teachers in Hoover schools, said Shelley Shaw, the foundation’s executive director.

“We look forward to connecting with our many friends in the community at Denim and Dining each year,” Shaw said. “It’s a fun evening that allows us to really showcase how the foundation supports our students and teachers while raising money for future projects.”

Denim & Dining is a casual event that includes a catered barbecue dinner by Jim N’ Nick’s Bar-B-Q, live music, dessert prepared by culinary students at the Riverchase Career Connection Center, a silent auction and reception in the Aldridge House, and dinner and live auction outside under the pavilion.

The live auction usually includes trips to vacation resorts and sports memorabilia.

The biggest money generator last year was a Caribbean vacation package with

a seven-night stay at the Hammock Cove villa resort in Antigua, which auctioned for $1,200. Meanwhile, a framed photo of former Alabama Heisman winners Devontae Smith and Bryce Young, signed by both players and coach Nick Saban, auctioned for $400.

The silent auction typically includes packages at some of the higher-rated hotels in Hoover, jewelry and artwork.

Last year, the silent auction raised $7,000, while the foundation also took in $15,000 from sponsors, $7,580 from direct donations and $5,225 from the live auction, Shaw said. After bills for the event were paid, the net amount raised was $30,000, she said.

Sponsors this year include Sovereign CPA Group, Culver’s, Hyatt Regency Birmingham — The Wynfrey Hotel, Vivian Mora State Farm, Susette Clark-Walker/ RealtySouth and the law firm of Weinberg, Wheeler, Huggins, Gunn & Dial, but additional sponsors are still being added.

Early bird admission tickets are $85 through March 31, and prices jump to $100 on April 1. VIP tables for eight people cost $1,000 and include extras such as swag bags and priority seating. Tickets can be purchased at hoovercsf.org/events.

Parents searching for a way to keep students supervised and engaged in meaningful activities this summer don’t have to look any further than to their local school district.

The Shelby County School District will offer summer day camps at four locations across the county — Calera Elementary, Chelsea Park Elementary, Helena Intermediate and Oak Mountain Intermediate.

Summer camp is open to incoming kindergarten (must be age 5 by the registration deadline) through outgoing fifth-grade students. Students can participate in as many weeks as they like.

Day camp activities include themed games, arts and crafts, educational on-site field trips and off-site field trips such as bowling, skating, movies, and indoor play centers.

“Summer Camp not only provides a valuable service to working families who need affordable childcare options for their children, but it also provides the students with opportunities to improve their social and academic skills,” said Cindy Warner, Supervisor of Public Relations and Community Education. “One of the greatest benefits of summer camp is that they get to develop friendships and build upon their leadership skills. It also exposes them to a variety of activities that allow students to determine their interests.”

Dates for summer camps are June 5-July 8 (closed July 4). Camp hours are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Registration for full-time students is $175 per week or $145 per week for students on free and reduced lunches. There is a non-refundable $50 registration fee.

Registration is open from April 4 to May 5, and can be done online at ezchildtrack.com/ scscomed/parent. For more information, call

WHERE: Calera Elementary, Chelsea Park Elementary, Helena Intermediate and Oak Mountain Intermediate WHEN: June 5-July 8 (closed July 4) AGES: incoming kindergarten through outgoing fifth grade CALL: 205-682-5967 WEB: shelbyed.k12.al.us/ communityed.html

205-682-5967 or go to shelbyed.k12.al.us/ communityed.html.

The school district also offers week-long specialty enrichment camps throughout the summer that focus on activities such as art, choir, cheerleading, crafts, culinary, drama, foreign languages, gymnastics and a variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related courses.

The age ranges, dates and registration fees for these camps vary. Information about the enrichment camps will be posted on the district’s web page under the Community Education tab closer to summer.

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A24 • April 2023

280 Living

Events

April 5Ks Several options for runners, walkers

By JON ANDERSON

BIRMINGHAM-HOOVER DIABETES WALK

Southeastern Diabetes Education Services holds multiple walks across Alabama and the Florida panhandle each year, and its walk for the Birmingham-Hoover area is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, at Veterans Park in Hoover.

The walk will include 1-mile and 3.1-mile options, and raise money to help send children with diabetes to day camps and summer camps that are designed specifically for them.

This year’s Birmingham-Hoover event begins at 10 a.m., but activities will continue until noon, said Rhonda McDavid, executive director for Southeastern Diabetes Education Services.

In addition to the walks, other activities will include a Zumba warmup, inflatable slide and bounce house, face painting, cornhole, photo booth and dance party with a disc jockey, McDavid said. The nonprofit also will have light snacks for attendees, such as apples, chips and granola bars, she said.

Participation in the walks is free, but donations are encouraged, and walkers also are encouraged to get people to sponsor them in the walk to raise money for the nonprofit. All walkers are asked to register at campsealeharris.org/diabeteswalk.

JUDY M. MERRITT MEMORIAL 5K

Jefferson State Community College is hosting its Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K and Community EGGstravaganza on Saturday, April 8, at Veterans Park in Hoover.

The 5K is conducted in memory of Merritt, who served as Jeff State’s president for 35 years and was the first woman appointed as a college president in Alabama. All proceeds from the run go to provide scholarships for Jeff State students with financial needs.

The race is set to begin at 9 a.m. Afterward, medals will be given to the top three male and top three female runners overall as well as the fastest runners in various age groups.

Also after the race, Jeff State will have its Community Eggstravaganza — an Easter egg hunt with more than 14,000 plastic eggs full of candy, cash and prizes, including more than 2,500 tickets for free Chick-fil-A sandwiches, Papa Murphy’s pizza, Urban Cookhouse wraps, Shake Shack burgers and custards, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Baba Java coffee and more treats that will be on site. There will be a photo booth, inflatables, face painting and free popcorn, cotton candy and drinks.

The cost to participate in the 5K is $20 ($15 for college students and children 18 and younger who use the STUDENT code at checkout). For people who would rather sleep in but still want to donate, a $15 option is available that includes a T-shirt if selected

by March 27.

Race packets will be available on race day from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Veterans Park pavilion. All runners should be checked in by 8:30 a.m.

To register, go to jeffersonstate.edu/5k. For more information, contact Libby Holmes at lholmes@jeffersonstate.edu or 205-983-5230.

People participate in the 2021 Birmingham-Hoover Diabetes Walk put on by Southeastern Diabetes Education Services at Veterans Park in Hoover. Photo courtesy of John Latimer.

TRANQUILITY TRAIL RUN

The Tranquility Trail Run, the first race of the 2023 Southeastern Trail Series, is scheduled for 8 a.m. on April 8 at Oak Mountain State Park. It includes a 3-mile race, which is one loop around Tranquility Lake, and a 6-mile race, which includes a second run around the same loop.

The race starts at the Redbud Pavilion at the end of Terrace Drive and is designed for both beginners or veteran racers. It includes a 450foot elevation gain per lap.

The cost to run the 3-mile race is $35 through March 31 and $40 starting April 1, while the 6-mile race costs $40 through March 31 and $45 starting April 1. Registration closes April 5, and race packets can be picked up Friday, April 7, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Mountain High Outfitters Oak Mountain store or on race day at the Redbud Pavilion from 6:45 to 7:50 a.m. There also is a $5 fee per person to enter Oak Mountain State Park, and credit cards are not accepted to enter the park.

For more information or to register, go to southeasterntrailruns.com/tranquilitylake-trail-race.

RUN FOR KIDS CHALLENGE

The Run for Kids Challenge, which is a fundraiser for Camp Smile-A-Mile, is Saturday, April 29, at 7 a.m. at Oak Mountain State Park.

It includes a 10K (6.2-mile race) or a 12-hour challenge, which is literally a 12-hour run.

Both races start at the Cedar Pavilion at the south end of Double Oak Lake.

The cost to register for the 10K is $40, while the 12-hour challenge costs $100. Runners also are encouraged to raise additional donations for Camp Smile-A-Mile. Registration closes Wednesday, April 26.

Awards will be given for the top three overall male and female runners for both the 10K and 12-hour run, as well as top three male and female finishers in the masters division (ages 45-54) and grand masters division (ages 55+). Every finisher of the 12-hour challenge will receive an award.

Camp Smile-A-Mile strives to provide hope and healing of spirit and love for families dealing with childhood cancer journeys.

For more information or to register for the races, go to ultrasignup.com and search for Run for Kids Challenge.

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April 2023 • A25

Shoppers browse the merchandise during Chelsea’s fall craft fair in October 2022. Photo courtesy of Wayne Morris.

Celebrating spring with crafts

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE After the success of the Chelsea’s fall craft fair, there’s another one coming soon.

A spring craft fair is set for Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chelsea Community Center.

Jane Ann Mueller is the program director at the community center and has planned both events.

“The first one I did, I was flying by the seat of my pants,” Mueller said. “At the one in October, I had 45 vendors and it was hugely successful. Many vendors asked if I would be hosting another one in spring.”

Mueller said around 450 people attended the fall event, and she used not only the gym but every room in the community center for vendors. She prefers to keep it inside due to any potential weather issues.

The hours have also been extended to 3 p.m. since many ball games take place on Saturdays, and Mueller wanted to make sure everyone who wanted to come had the opportunity.

There is a vendor fee of $20, which includes a 10x10 space with a six-foot table and two chairs. Vendors can also bring two of their own tables or rent an additional one for $15. If more space is needed, multiple booths can be rented.

Vendors can arrive at 7 a.m. the morning of the event to set up.

“It’s pretty much local vendors, but some of them have told friends who have also registered for the event, which is first come, first serve,” Mueller said.

Vendors who have already registered for the spring festival make items including quilt blanket ladders, candles, honey, crafts, Easter items, tea towel stenciling, monogramming and more.

There will also be food trucks outside including Chick-Fil-A, a barbecue vendor and a coffee truck.

“We want the events to be successful so [the vendors] will come back and participate again,” Mueller said.

There is no admission cost and the event is open to the community. Vendors can register at chelsea.recdesk.com/community.

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Hargis Camp attendees enjoy time in the swimming pool during the 2022 camp season.

Photo courtesy of Camp Hargis.

Hargis to host summer camps

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE For the second year, Hargis Christian Camp has four weeks of camps scheduled for this summer.

This year’s camp theme is The Great Outdoors. Children who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade can attend any or all of the four sessions. Camp weeks will be June 5-9, 12-16 and 19-23 and July 10-14 and camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Each camp will be capped at 150 participants.

“Last year was amazing,” said Aaron Knight, director of the camp. “We averaged about 80 kids per week for those four weeks, and around 80 kids made a decision for Christ.”

Knight said the summer camps have two

objectives: to lead kids to Christ and have tons of fun. Activities include swimming, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, basketball, gaga ball, slip and slide, water trampoline, playgrounds and more.

“We have tried to put together a great camp at an affordable rate compared to other places,” he said.

The cost per week is $200. Payments can be made online with PayPal or by check. To assist families who have multiple children attending, there is a multi-child discount of $20 off per child. There is also a multi-week discount for all campers.

The camp is located on Hargis Drive in Chelsea. Registration is available at hargischristiancamp.com.

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A26 • April 2023

280 Living

Two of the winning tables from the 2021 Tablescapes Luncheon. Photos courtesy of Carolyn Ramey.

King’s Home tablescapes fundraiser returns this month

By CANDICE N. HALE The King’s Home Tablescapes Luncheon returns on April 20 at Inverness Country Club.

The luncheon is an event that was first held in 2014 by the Women’s Auxiliary Group, to serve as a fundraiser that raised money for the women and children at King’s Home. The Christian-centered campus located in Chelsea meets the needs of women, children and youth who are at risk and often escaping domestic violence and other extreme circumstances.

President Lew Burdette said King’s Home offers counseling and proper healing after trauma.

“I’m so grateful to give women another chance at life so they can start over,” Burdette said.

Carolyn Ramey has been a part of the King’s Home Women’s Auxiliary Group since 2016, and she moved into the event planner role earlier this year to help facilitate and organize Tablescapes 2023.

This year’s luncheon will feature up to 21 decorated tables. Ramey said preparation for the event begins in January and takes about 15 people from both the Women’s Auxiliary Group and members from committees to make it all come together successfully.

The goal this year is to raise $60,000.

Sponsorships begin at $500 and go up to $10,000, and a silent auction will also be held at the event.

“We hope to surpass the $60,000 goal this year and do more,” Ramey said.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. The silent auction will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m. Ribbons will be presented to the top three tablescapes raising the highest donations at the end of the event.

The event is open to the public. Auxiliary members and their guests, as well as the 12 board members and their guests, usually attend the luncheon. Many women from the

King’s Home residences come to give their individual testimonies to the crowd.

“I love the testimonies and how residents talk about how God has changed their lives,” Burdette said. “There can be beauty from the ashes. God can redeem all of that.”

Tablescapes is one of the top-producing fundraisers for King’s Home, and Ramey said it shows up close what hope can actually do for people.

“It is important to me that we are giving back and making a difference and [the women and children] are moving forward and being successful,” she said. “Our main goal is to help them once they come into the program.”

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280Living.com

April 2023 • A27

Members of the Chelsea Fire and Rescue Department hand out fire hats and other items to children. Photo by Todd Eagle.

The Mt Laurel Spring Festival. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.

Bringing back the BBQ Mt Laurel Spring Festival celebrates 23rd year

By SARAH GILLILAND

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Chelsea’s annual Fire at the Foothills BBQ Cook-Off is back for its 12th year.

This year’s event is set for Saturday, April 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Chelsea Community Center, and is a fundraiser for Chelsea Kiwanis and Chelsea Fire and Rescue.

Donations will benefit The Kiwanis Club of Chelsea, which supports Kings Home, the Chelsea Library, and local schools. The desert cook-off will benefit the Chelsea Fire Department’s Hero’s Fire Safety Program, which teaches the importance of fire safety to children.

There will be live entertainment, a kids play area and a variety of barbecue and chili to sample.

Fire at the Foothills is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Cash prizes

will be given for the top three finishers for ribs, chicken and pork butt categories, along with people’s choice, reserve grand champion, grand champion and dessert winner.

Judging will take place inside the community center, but the building is closed for all other purposes except the restrooms.

Scott Weygand, who has been involved with the event since its inception, said that most of the teams that compete return year after year.

“The way we do our event is more fun for the teams because it’s geared to the public,” Weygand said.

A dessert cook-off will also be held. Participants are encouraged to bring cakes and pies, and kids can bake cookies to enter into the contest, which will be judged by members of the Chelsea Fire and Rescue Department.

For more information, visit cityofchelsea. com/220/Fire-at-the-Foothills

The annual Mt Laurel Spring Festival will be held Saturday, April 8, 2023. The event will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will celebrate the best of spring through dining, shopping, and entertainment.

Over the years, the festival has continually grown to be a premier family event. ARC Realty, the exclusive real estate company within Mt Laurel, has teamed up with EBSCO and the Town of Mt Laurel to sponsor the event for the last 5 years.

“It's our commitment to give back to the community and support the community through wonderful events that help to bring folks together,” said Tiffany Bittner with ARC Realty.

Visitors will enjoy shopping at the many artisan and farmer pop-up booths. Bittner said visitors can expect local businesses offering women’s and children’s clothing, jewelry,

candles, art, woodworking and more. “[There will be] more than 200 vendors selling all sorts of wonderful products,” she said.

“We stress local, handmade items that make for one-of-a-kind creations.”

At nearby Olmsted Park, there will be a dedicated area for children. Various kid-friendly rides will be available, as well as the opportunity to enjoy face painting.

One of the largest draws for the festival is the abundance of food trucks that will be in attendance. Bittner says that a few of the confirmed food trucks include Nawlins Po Boys, Eugene’s Hot Chicken, Urban Pops, Southern Waffles & Coffee, Croix and Street Vegan.

Bryson Square Stage will host live entertainment. At press time, the lineup of entertainment was not available.

For more information on the Mt Laurel Spring Festival, visit mtlaurel.com/blog/ mt-laurel-spring-festival-2023.

205-900-ROOF

A28 • April 2023

280 Living

FIRE

Cahaba Valley Fire Department 2022 Review

CONTINUED from page A1 commercial. The vote was 818-403. The billing cycle for fire dues will now change to June 1-Sept. 30.

The second ballot item was for a proposed rate increase for fiscal years 2025 through 2028 of an additional 4% above the standard allowed (5%) increase to support and maintain long term sustainability of the fire district. It did not pass, with a vote of 609-735.

“That would [have] helped us develop sustainability and to keep up with inflation and stay ahead of inflation just enough so we're not falling behind immediately as soon as the next year rolls around,” CVFD Capt. Russ Bradley said.

The third item was to support a capital project fee, which was rejected with a vote of 637-698.

Wilks said that would have helped with major needs down the road, and the cost would have been divided between all properties and would have been a maximum of $100 per fiscal year.

The final ballot item was to support ambulance transport billing and establish the appropriate charge for services provided to allow the district to bill for costs not covered by insurance. It passed with a vote of 868-475.

Currently, if someone who is transported by ambulance has insurance, CVFD will bill their insurance company, and the individual is responsible for any costs not covered. For those transported that do not have insurance, the department takes on the cost. Wilks said that revenue from this would be used to support upgrades and maintenance of the department’s cardiac monitors. The district carries 10, and they cost $50,000 each, with an annual maintenance contract of $25,000.

“To our knowledge, only one in the state currently has that practice,” Wilks said. “The wording change to the current fee structure would allow us to pursue those funds from the individual.”

Bradley said since the last vote in 2021, the issues the department was facing have not gone away, specifically the wage gap for their firefighters compared to pay at other departments. Fire districts were not eligible to receive funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, but

► Total calls: 3,803 (an increase of 452) ► Emergency medical calls: 2,433 (73% of total calls) ► Ambulance transports: 1,135 ► Motor vehicle accidents: 237 ► Structure fires: 33

The Cahaba Valley Fire Department station at Mt Laurel. Photo courtesy of Cahaba Valley Fire Department.

municipal departments were.

In early 2022, the way those funds could be spent went from capital expenditures to also include firefighter pay. That led to a bidding war across departments, and Bradley said Cahaba Valley employees could go to another nearby department and immediately begin making more money.

“We saw a lot of firefighter pay in the area start increasing dramatically, and we were already on the lower end of the spectrum,” Bradley said. “As a result of that, we saw a significant turnover, especially in our firefighter and paramedic levels — over 30% turnover in 10 months.”

In the weeks leading up to the vote, CVFD held public meetings to inform members about the challenges the district was facing and explain the reasons for the request for fee structure change.

During the meetings, Wilks gave a presentation explaining the district’s needs and how each item in the vote would help meet them, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The coverage area for the CVFD is around 25,000 residents and begins at the McDonald’s

by Cahaba Park Circle and apartment complexes along the corridor, Brook Highland, Eagle Point, Griffin Park, Highland Lakes, part of Forest Parks, Dunnavant Valley, The Narrows, Shoal Creek and Mt Laurel.

The district has three fire stations and a total staff of 48 employees. They currently staff 12 firefighters daily, but Bradley said the ideal number is 16. With less staff comes an increase in response times, pulling employees from multiple stations and decreased efficiency, Bradley said.

When more help is needed, CVFD calls on other departments through automatic aid agreements including North Shelby, Chelsea, Birmingham, Hoover, Irondale and Vestavia.

ADJUSTMENTS MADE FOR BUDGET DEFICITS

This vote came 19 months after an August 2021 vote to increase fire dues, which did not pass. Since then, adjustments have been made

to keep the department running.

The district began fiscal 2023 with a $100,000 deficit in the budget. Here are some things the district has already done to try to save money: ► Cut 12 firefighter positions ► Closed the ambulance at the U.S. 280 station ► Dropped fire engine staffing from three to two firefighters ► Delayed needed improvements to the U.S. 280 fire station, which is over 40 years old and has already undergone multiple renovations ► Sold a 2017 ladder truck and used those funds to purchase a 2004 ladder truck and now have zero debt and zero payments.

WHAT’S AHEAD

There are eight new developments in the district, including six in the Dunnavant Valley community that will bring 1,500 new residents, 486 new homes and 188 apartment units.

“This will bring an increased request for services, along with an increase in commercial property to meet demands of the community,” Wilks said. “The current revenue generated will not meet budget needs.”

Since the district does not have the revenue streams similar to municipalities and is not eligible for ARPA federal grants that municipalities and counties can receive, Wilks said he is looking at other areas for funding, including requests to the county, the governor's office and other types of federal grants.

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280Living.com

April 2023 • A29

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It’s a community whose idea of creating a satisfactory experience does not end with the home finishes and technological conveniences (though those are essential, as well), but continues to include individual wellness in a wide sense of the concept.

Through detailed planning and professional oversight, led by a full-time Lifestyle Coordinator, residents can depend on routine exercise classes and activities to maintain or

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Organized gatherings might also include chess and billiards contests to keep the strategic wheels spinning.

Overture Tributary exists to help residents develop strong community ties with one another. The idea is that your family lives nearby for regular visits, while your neighbors are right next door and ready to join you on the next fitness outing, game night, language course, spa day, or evening trip to a local restaurant. Choose how to spend each day, organize new activities of your own, have the family over for a meal, and treat every day as a chance to reach every wellness goal on your terms.

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A30 • April 2023

280 Living

OUTDOORS

CONTINUED from page A1

MOUNTAIN BIKING

► Oak Mountain State Park: There are about 30 miles of mountain biking trails at Oak Mountain State Park, mostly single track and some double track trails with about 1,600 feet of combined climbing on the main loop.

According to the nonprofit trail group Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP) website, the trails are known across the country and around the world as a must-ride.

The trails at Oak Mountain State Park offer options for any skill level, from kids to experts.

The trails were built and are maintained by local volunteers with BUMP. Tails and Lightning (which had been closed for renovations and recently reopened) are the two newest trails at OMSP. While most of the trails are of intermediate skill level, more advanced riders will be challenged by “Blood Rock” and other sections of the BUMP trail. For beginners, there is the relatively “easy” Lake trail, which provides a scenic ride or walk around Double Oak Lake.

The 29th annual Bump N' Grind race returns to OMSP the weekend of June 9-11. For more information or to register, visit bump.org.

Oak Mountain State Park is located at 200 Terrace Dr., Pelham. Park hours are 7 a.m. to sundown and the park fee is $5 for adults and $2 for children and seniors. ► Cahaba River Park: The North Sector of the park has around 30 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking and trail running, featuring 21 miles of professionally designed and constructed single track trails.

Located at 2793 River Road in Helena. ► Double Oak Park: Shelby County’s newest park opened in November 2022. It sits on approximately 750 acres off County Road 41 and is owned and maintained by the county.

Two of the popular trails there are Truckin’ (2 miles) and Laurel Loop (2.15 miles).

Double Oak Park is located at 3870 Bear Creek Road, Sterrett.

Above: Andrew Cortez and Ravi Chhabra play a game of pickleball with Dave Traylor and Travis Self at Heardmont Park on March 6. Photos by Erin Nelson.

Right: Foo Foo, a 5-year-old springer spaniel, runs through a creek at Heardmont Park.

Upcoming Spring/ Summer Events

HIKING

“We have over 140 miles of trails throughout the county at all different levels: beginner, moderate and advanced,” Williams said. “An easy option is Peaceful Easy Feeling at Cahaba River Park, a moderate option is Peavine Falls at Oak Mountain State Park and a difficult hike is Double Oak Park to Watchtower, but it’s worth it once you get to see the view.”

Here are more options in North Shelby County: ► Double Oak Park: The county’s newest park features six new trails for mountain bikers, hikers, families and nature lovers. To see a gorgeous view, Williams recommends hiking from the County Road 41 side 1.8 miles to Watchtower. If hiking from the County Road 43 side, it’s just over four miles. ► Dunnavant Valley Park: Located off Shelby County 41 at 1185 Dunnavant Valley Road. ► Oak Mountain State Park: Some of the popular hikes at this park include: ► The Treetop Nature Trail: A short 0.3mile trail leading from the beach parking lot up to the Wildlife Center. ► The Lake Trail: A multi-use hike and bike trail around Double Oak Lake located on Terrace Drive. The trail is 2.3 miles long and offers scenic views of Double Oak Lake. ► Peavine Falls Trail: Beginning near the Park Office/Beach area on Terrace Drive, it is the shortest trail at 1.9 miles long, but it is also the steepest. ► Maggie’s Glen: Sitting along a stream bank, Maggie’s Glen is a popular spot to hike to for quiet relaxation with many species of plants and trees.

FISHING

Shelby County offers an abundant array of fishing opportunities, with more than 30 square miles of water for beginners to professionals.

Several nearby spots include: ► Veterans Park on Valleydale Road offers lakeside fishing only, no boats ► Oak Mountain State Park features two 85-acre lakes and one 60-acre lake stocked with largemouth bass, bream, catfish and crappie. All three lakes are open year-round.

Gasoline motors are not allowed, but electric trolling motors are welcome. ► Beeswax Creek Park at Lay Lake is a popular tournament destination that has a

public boat launch and three fishing piers.

WINERIES

For a more relaxing day, you can visit one of several wineries located in Shelby County: ► Cat-n-Bird: Opened in 2016, the Chelsea winery has continued to grow and expand over the years. A new outdoor pavilion was recently completed and events are held most Saturdays with food trucks and live music.

Cat-n-Bird is located at 11661 Old Highway 280. The winery is open Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. Reservations required for all other times. For more information, go to cat-n-bird. com. ► Corbin Farms Winery: The winery has been around since 2005 but has been owned and managed by the Corbin family since 2017.

Their focus is on producing ​​ vinifera wines.

Corbin Farms Winery is located at 800 Shelby County 87 in Calera (I-65 exit 234).

The winery is open Thursday and Friday from noon to 3 p.m.; Saturday noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 3 p.m. For more information, go to corbinfarmswinery.com. ► Morgan Creek Vineyard: Set on five acres of lush farmland just off U.S. 280 in Harpersville, Corbin Farms Winery is one of the Southeast’s oldest wineries.

Morgan Creek Vineyard is located at 181 Morgan Creek Lane in Harpersville. The winery is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, go to morgancreekwinery.com. ► Novi Vineyards: This Shelby County winery was opened by a Chelsea couple in the fall of 2021. Twenty-five minutes down U.S. 280 from Chelsea, Novi Vineyards offers a tasting room and is available for hosting private events.

Novi Vineyards is located at 6361 Risers Mill Road in Alpine. Hours are Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.. For more information, go to novivineyards.com. ► Ozan Winery: The Calera winery offers a tasting room, distillery and a cafe and hosts a variety of events on weekdays and weekends, including train excursions.

Ozan Winery is located at 173 Shelby County 301 in Calera. (I-65 exit 228). Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays noon to 6 p.m.. For more information, go to ozanwine.com.

PICNIC SPOTS/PLAYGROUNDS

► Melrose Park/Chelsea Splash Pad: The

► April 1: East Alabama High School Bass Tournament, Beeswax Landing at Lay Lake ► April 1: 5th Annual Spring Fling, Medders Family Farm, Montevallo ► April 7-9: Birmingham Kennel Club Dog Show, Exhibition Center, Columbiana ► April 8: Alabama Bass Federation Tournament, Beeswax Landing at Lay Lake ► April 8: Judy M. Merritt Memorial 5K & Eggstravaganza, Veterans Park, Hoover ► April 14-16: National 40s Doubles Tennis, Pelham Racquet Club, Pelham ► April 15: MammothMarch, Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham ► April 15: Alabama Bass Nation Tournament, Beeswax Landing at Lay Lake ► April 15: Old Town Live, Helena Amphitheater, Helena ► April 15: Cahaba River Society BioBlitz and River Ramble, Cahaba River Park, Helena ► April 15: Montevallo Arts Fest, Orr Park, Montevallo ► May 10-14: Regions Tradition, Greystone Golf and Country Club, Hoover ► May 11-14: Bassmaster Elite, Lay Lake, Columbiana ► May 19-21: XTERRA Oak Mountain, Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham

splash pad, located at 11101 Chelsea Road in Chelsea, is set to open for the season on April 30 and the nearby playground is open daily. ► Dunnavant Valley Park: The park, located at 4800 Valleydale Road in Meadowbrook, features a covered pavilion with picnic tables and a playground with plenty of trees. ► Veterans Park in Valleydale: Veterans Park offers a large playground and several pavilions offer places to play and picnic located at 4800 Valleydale Road.

To find more outdoor activities and spots in Shelby County, visit discoveryshelby.com.

280Living.com

April 2023 • A31

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SECTION

B All-South Metro Basketball Sports B4

Opinion B8

Calendar B10

APRIL 2023

Spring Home & Garden B12

bedzzzexpress.com

Lanzi, Heiberger, Whitaker make 1st team

By KYLE PARMLEY The 2022-23 high school basketball season was one that will not soon be forgotten, with the Hoover High School boys and girls basketball teams sweeping the Class 7A state championships on the same day in early March. Several other teams from the Starnes Media coverage area advanced to the state and regional tournaments in highly successful campaigns.

Because of Hoover’s dominance, it is difficult to name anyone but Scott Ware and Krystle Johnson as the boys and girls Coaches of the Year. After sharing the honor with teammate Aniya Hubbard last season, Hoover’s Reniya Kelly claims the Player of the Year title to herself this time around. Vestavia Hills’ Win Miller is the boys Player of the Year after capping off a record-setting career with the Rebels.

Here is this year’s All-South Metro Team.

BOYS AWARDS

► Player of the Year: Win Miller, Vestavia Hills ► Coach of the Year: Scott Ware, Hoover

GIRLS AWARDS

► Player of the Year: Reniya Kelly, Hoover ► Coach of the Year: Krystle Johnson, Hoover

BOYS 1ST TEAM

► Win Miller, Vestavia Hills: Averaged 22 points per game and led the Rebels to a 26-5

record. He finished his career with 2,011 career points and is the program’s all-time leading scorer. ► Caleb White, Pinson Valley: Led the Indians with 21 points per game, shooting 40% from 3-point range. The Indians’ only loss of the season came in the regional final, as they finished 29-1 on the year. ► Paul Lanzi, Chelsea: Capped off an outstanding career by averaging 18.8 points per game for the Hornets. He finished his career with 1,370 points and 185 made 3-pointers. ► Ty Davis, Mountain Brook: Led the Spartans as a do-it-all point guard, averaging 18.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6 assists per game, as his team advanced to the Class 6A state final. ► Matt Heiberger, Oak Mountain: Willed the Eagles to victory many times, including going over 30 points several times down the stretch.

The Alabama baseball signee averaged 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

BOYS 2ND TEAM

► Terry Coner Jr., Pinson Valley: The senior guard went for 17 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Indians. ► Kalib Thomas, John Carroll: Led the Cavs to a No. 2 ranking in Class 5A, averaging 16.9 points per game. ► Zach Gray, Spain Park: One of the most consistent players in the area, going for 16 points a game for a Jags team that reached the final four.

See ALL-SOUTH METRO | page B6

Chelsea’s Paul Lanzi (5) shoots a layup in a game against Pelham at Chelsea High School’s Michael Sims Memorial Gymnasium on Dec. 15. Photo by Erin Nelson.

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B2 • April 2023

280 Living

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April 2023 • B3

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B4 • April 2023

280 Living

Sports

Next level: National Signing Day

By KYLE PARMLEY The four high schools in the 280 Living coverage area are sending several student-athletes to compete at the collegiate level. Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park high schools recognized many of these athletes in spring ceremonies. Here is a list of the athletes recognized in the spring:

BRIARWOOD

► Charlie Ray: Covenant College, soccer ► Matthis Leib: Clemson University, soccer ► Miles Gilbert: Belhaven University, basketball ► Harrison Clemmer: Auburn, football ► Andrew McAdams: Berry College, baseball ► Casen Heaps: Wallace State Community College, baseball ► Brady Waugh: Shelton State Community College baseball ► Aidan Punch: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, football ► Taylor Smith: LaGrange College, basketball

Aidan Punch

Andrew McAdams

Brady Waugh

Cason Heaps

Charlie Ray

Harrison Clemmer

Matthias Leib

Miles Gilbert

Taylor Smith

Adam Alemond

Ben Walker

Emmanuel Waller

Gabby Plaia

Jack Ronilo

Juliet Williams

Norah Simich

► Tyndal Ann Griffith: University of South Alabama, track and field/cross-country

► Jack Ronilo: Duke University, football ► Emmanuel Waller: UAB, football

University, baseball ► Evan Smallwood: Jacksonville State University, baseball ► Jacob Tobias: Lipscomb University, baseball ► JT Brownlee: UNC Greensboro, track and field ► Katie Flannery: University of Oregon, softball ► Kenneth Bishop: Lee University, track and field ► Aidan Blizzard: Lincoln Memorial University, lacrosse ► Alex Smith: Howard College, football

► Camden Nall: University of Montevallo, lacrosse ► Zane McPeters: Troy University, track and field ► Maddis Davis: Lee University, soccer ► Evan Bishop: Jacksonville State University, football ► Kaitlyn Bellanca: Wofford College, lacrosse ► Garrett Bishop: Troy University, track and field ► Parker Burton: University of Montevallo, lacrosse

CHELSEA

► Cody Fortenberry: Birmingham-Southern College, football ► Leighton Garrard: Birmingham-Southern College, football ► Kaden Heatherly: University of Montevallo, baseball ► Jackson Morgan: Gadsden State Community College, baseball ► Chris McNeill: Gadsden State Community College, baseball ► Walker Thomas: Gadsden State Community College, baseball ► Steven Shelton: Marion Military Institute, baseball ► Brandon Ridderhoff: Wartburg College, baseball ► Madison Moore: University of Mobile, volleyball ► Emma Pohlmann: University of North Florida, volleyball ► Sophia Brown: East Georgia State College, basketball ► Hannah Garrett: University of West Georgia, soccer ► Abbie Johns: Sewanee: The University of the South, soccer ► Danielle Burge: Birmingham-Southern College, soccer ► Lucy Allen: University of Mobile, soccer ► Isaac Tindall: University of West Alabama, soccer ► Catherine Burnett: Birmingham-Southern College, tennis ► Kalob Johnstone: Bellarmine University, wrestling ► Collin Burroughs: University of Montevallo, wrestling ► Sean Brewer: Enterprise State Community College, golf ► Hardy Erwin: Central Alabama Community College, softball ► Morgan Brewer: Central Alabama Community College, softball ► Kathryn Bryars: Samford University, softball ► Abby Hibbs: Anderson University, softball ► Julie Amacher: Coastal Alabama Community College, softball ► Maia Harris: Marion Military Institute, softball ► Cailyn Kelly: Birmingham-Southern College, swimming ► Cady McPhail: Auburn University, track and field/cross-country

OAK MOUNTAIN

► Ben Walker: University of Montevallo, mountain biking ► Norah Simich: Xavier University, swimming ► Gabby Plaia: Oglethorpe University, soccer ► Juliet Williams: Birmingham-Southern College, soccer ► Adam Alemond: Culver-Stockton College, soccer

SPAIN PARK

► Zach Gray: Lee University, basketball ► Emily Breazeale: University of West Florida, volleyball ► Brooklyn Allison: UAB, volleyball ► Carson Muir: University of Wyoming, swimming ► Cole Edwards: Auburn

280Living.com

April 2023 • B5

Jacob and Taylor Lindsey with their new 2023 GMC Yukon.

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At the Corner of I-65 and Highway 31 | 3010 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills

B6 • April 2023

280 Living

Right: Oak Mountain’s Reagan Whitaker (10) shoots a layup guarded

by Vestavia Hills’ Ally Perry (23) at Oak Mountain High School on Dec. 9.

Far right: Oak Mountain’s Matt Heiberger (23) takes the ball to the goal in the Class 7A Northeast Regional semifinal against Huntsville at Jacksonville State University’s Pete Mathews Coliseum on Feb. 15. Photos by Erin Nelson.

ALL-SOUTH METRO CONTINUED from page B1

► DeWayne Brown, Hoover: A force in the paint, despite being a sophomore. He averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per contest. ► Sam Wright, Spain Park: The leading scorer and rebounder for the Jags, averaging 16.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

BOYS 3RD TEAM

► Jackson Weaver, Vestavia Hills: Stepped up as a primary option for the Rebels this season, going for 15 points a night in his junior season. ► Salim London, Hoover: The sophomore went for 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game for the state champs. ► Avery Futch, Chelsea: The junior forward went for 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds, while also shooting 35% from 3-point range for the Hornets. ► Julius Clark, Mountain Brook: A consistent player for several years, compiling 12.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in his senior season.

► Tre Thomas, Oak Mountain: The senior averaged 10.1 and 6.2 rebounds, but piled up an impressive 130 blocks on the year as well.

BOYS HONORABLE MENTION

► Ray Rolley, Hewitt-Trussville; Devon McKinnon, Clay-Chalkville; Canon Armstead, Homewood; KJ Beck, John Carroll; Braylon Bernard, John Carroll; Aden Malpass, John Carroll; Jarett Fairley, Hoover; KJ Kirk, Clay-Chalkville; John Colvin, Mountain Brook; Chase James, Spain Park; Drew Mears, Briarwood; William Lloyd, Briarwood; Elijah Herron, Hoover

GIRLS 1ST TEAM

► Reniya Kelly, Hoover: The Player of the Year averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5 assists per game for the state champs. ► Sarah Gordon, Vestavia Hills: The sophomore has established herself as one of the state’s top players, going for 17 points per game for the 28-5 Lady Rebels. ► Jordan Hunter, Hewitt-Trussville: Eclipsed 15 points and 4 assists per game for the

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Lady Huskies as a junior. ► Raegan Whitaker, Oak Mountain: Led the area in scoring with 18 points per game, while pulling down nearly 10 rebounds a night as well. ► Layla Etchison, Hoover: Stepped up in her senior season to provide 12.1 points per game.

GIRLS 2ND TEAM

► Anna Towry, Vestavia Hills: Joined the 1,000-point club during her senior season after averaging 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds. ► Kamoriah Gaines, Clay-Chalkville: Helped lead the Lady Cougars to the regional final, going for 13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per contest. ► Haley Trotter, Chelsea: Nearly averaged a double-double, going for 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds a game for the Lady Hornets. ► Audre Benson, Hewitt-Trussville: Averaged 12.1 points per game and produced a program-record 98 steals. ► Taylor Smith, Briarwood: Went for 10.8 points and school record 64 blocks.

GIRLS 3RD TEAM

► Sophia Brown, Chelsea: Capped off her career by playing in the regional tournament for a fifth time in her career, averaging 11.7 points for the season. ► Emma Stearns, Mountain Brook: Averaged 10.7 points for the Lady Spartans. ► Kayla Warren, Homewood: Led a balanced Lady Patriots team with nearly 10 points per game. ► Alanah Pooler, Hoover: Stabilized the Lady Bucs on both ends of the floor, averaging 7.7 points for the season. ► Mira McCool, Homewood: Piled up 39 blocks for the Lady Patriots.

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTION

► Sarah Passink, Mountain Brook; Emma Kerley, Briarwood; Mary Beth Dicen, Briarwood; Jill Gaylard, Vestavia Hills; Annie McBride, Homewood; Sadie Schwallie, Chelsea; Olivia Pryor, Chelsea; Kameron Sanders, ClayChalkville; Kristen McMillan, Hoover; Madison Moore, Chelsea; April Hooks, Hewitt-Trussville

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280Living.com

April 2023 • B7

Spain Park’s Brad Cummings competes in the Class 7A state wrestling tournament in Huntsville.

Photo courtesy of Dawn Harrison.

How My Chamber Investment Works for Me

Area teams finish wrestling season at state

By KYLE PARMLEY The Chelsea, Spain Park and Oak Mountain high school wrestling teams competed at the state tournament Feb. 16-18 in Huntsville.

Spain Park finished fifth as a team, Chelsea placed ninth and Oak Mountain finished 14th in Class 7A. For Spain Park, William Conlon won the 182-pound division with three pins. Conlon defeated MGM’s Jarrek Boeck, Bob Jones’s Ronin Amsler and Hoover’s Jack Lamey Jr. Rayshod Burts was also victorious, notching a pin and two decisions to win at 285 pounds. He defeated Prattville’s Garrett Mitchell, Vestavia Hills’ Mitch Taylor and Hewitt-Trussville’s Zack Chatman.

Bradley Williams went 3-1 at 138 pounds, placing second with two pins and a tech fall.

Jackson Mitchell was second at 170 pounds with a pin and a decision. Kyle Oliveira was second at 195 pounds with three decisions.

Brad Cummings won a match at 152 pounds with a major decision.

For Chelsea, Kalob Johnstone was the top wrestler, as he finished second in the 220-pound division. He won by decision over Thompson’s

Avery Clark in the first round, then defeated Foley’s Alexander Baca in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, Johnstone took down Lance Peterson of Smiths Station by decision. Vestavia Hills’ Andrew Sykes defeated Johnstone in the final.

Ian Osbourn placed fourth at 195 pounds and Landon Keith was fifth at 138 pounds. Osbourn beat Prattville’s Will Daniels in the first round, then beat Daphne’s Colton Rainer in the quarterfinals. Hewitt-Trussville’s Hunter Jones won by tech fall over Osbourn in the semifinals.

Osbourn got another win in the consolation semifinals, winning by decision over Vestavia’s Riggs Manown. Ben Crouse of Bob Jones defeated Osbourn in the third-place match.

Tyler Rayford (145) and Caiden Conolley (132) also competed at state.

For Oak Mountain, Camden Tipton won the 113-pound division, defeating Vestavia Hills’ Stone Phillips in the final. Trey Denny (106) was also in action for the Eagles.

Tipton won by fall over Dothan’s Cooper Hall in the quarterfinals, then won by major decision against Thompson’s Caleb Gray-Lowe. Tipton then defeated Vestavia’s Stone Phillips by decision in the final.

At Inverness Eye Care we are committed to providing the highest quality of care for our patients, and our investment in The Shelby County Chamber helps us do just that by connecting us with our community. As a member of the Shelby Chamber’s Health Services Work Group, we have been able to speak on Eye Health in the Workplace during the 8th annual Healthcare Professional of the year and connect with business owners concerned about the health and wellness of their employees. The Shelby County Chamber is a staple in our community, and they strive to do what’s best for the businesses and residents in our county!

Dr. Timothy J. Ansley, O.D. President- Alabama Eye Partners LLC Inverness Eye Care invernesseyecare.com • 205-991-0020

For more information on how your business can benefit by investing in The Shelby County Chamber, contact us at info@shelbychamber.org – 205-663-4542 1301 County Services Drive Pelham, AL 35124

205-663-4542

shelbychamber.org

B8 • April 2023

280 Living

Opinion Sean of the South By Sean Dietrich

‘He is risen’ A few years ago I attended my first Catholic mass in a busy church outside Birmingham.

It was Easter Sunday. I sat in the nosebleed section.

People greeted me with the words, “He’s risen.”

And because I was not raised under a rock, I answered with: “He’s risen indeed.”

I was not raised Catholic. I was born into a fundamentalist family with a mother who sometimes prayed in tongues over our meatloaf.

But after my father died, I learned that he had been raised Catholic. He went to Catholic school, he played Catholic baseball.

He didn’t talk about it. I never knew that version of him.

All I knew was a man who did not dance at wedding receptions for fear the pastor would catch him.

There in the Catholic cathedral, the priest announced, “He is risen.”

“He’s risen indeed,” said the congregation.

I was an outsider in the room. The priest recited the Liturgy of the Eucharist, people formed a single-file line to drink out of a chalice.

Easter Sundays in my family were nothing like this. My father was an usher at our little church. He’d stand by the front door and hand out bulletins that advertised upcoming Baptist church events.

For example: ► Thursday fundraiser, dinner on the grounds. Bring a covered dish. ► Young men’s Bible study, 6 p.m. Bring a covered dish.

► Women’s Sunday school But this Catholic business was different. Mass was forclass is holding an upcoming prayer vigil against beer. Bring eign to me. It was exotic, and a congealed salad. beautiful. ► Men’s group is recruiting All my life, my father refused for its annual mission trip to to step foot in a Catholic church.

Biloxi.

And he wouldn’t even talk On Easter, my father always about it.

But then, there was that one gave folded bulletins to those approaching. He would say, “He time. is Risen.”

On the way home from a And any Baptist worth his Boy Scout meeting, he pulled salt would answer with, “He’s into a Catholic church. I knew Dietrich risen indeed.” my father was having a rough Most who attended our time at work. I’d overheard church on Easter were only visitors. They came him talking with my mother through the hottwice per year. My father called them “nose- air vents. bleed Baptists.”

“The boss is killing me,” my father once said.

I never heard anyone else use that term. I “I can’t sleep, can’t eat…” asked my father what this meant.

At night, sometimes I found my father vom“Well,” he said. “Some fans only come to iting in the bathroom from stress. I would ask games once a year and sit in the nosebleed sec- what was wrong, and he would tell me to go tion. And other fans never miss a ballgame, even back to bed. when the pitcher stinks.”

That afternoon, Daddy wheeled into a Catho“Which ones are we?” I asked. lic church and turned off the truck. There was a “You’ve heard our new preacher, you tell man cutting the church lawn with a push mower; me.” he wore a white collar.

Our preacher delivered fiery sermons. He My father told me to wait in the vehicle. would remove his jacket and preach to heartDaddy was in that chapel for almost two less sinners, drunks and those who danced at hours. When he came back his face was wet wedding receptions. and his eyes were pink. I never asked why. And The church services of my youth were he never told me. lengthy. Someone in the congregation would Anyway, Easter mass was lovely. I’ll never either faint from low blood sugar or be suddenly forget it. The priest told the people that “Easter overcome with the spirit of narcolepsy. is when dead things come back to life, when we

remember how the finger of God can touch dead wood and make it green again.”

I had to write that down, I liked it so much.

After the service, I stayed in the chapel until all the people had left. The priest sat in a pew behind me. He introduced himself.

“Father,” I said, “I’m not Catholic, but I really enjoyed mass.”

“Yeah?” he said. “Thanks for celebrating the Resurrection with us.”

“Can I ask you a question, Father?”

“Shoot.”

“Have you ever lost anyone?”

“Yes. I lost my mom, my dad and my brother.”

“Do you think about them a lot?”

He ducked his head. He let out a sigh. “Every second. Actually, I was thinking about Mom this morning. You know, when I was growing up, she would always laugh about the big Easter crowds and call them ‘nosebleed Catholics.’

Isn’t that funny?”

It sure is.

On my way out of church, the priest and I took a slow walk down the aisle. I admired the statuary and the beautiful stained glass windows.

The priest hugged me, then said, “He is risen.”

And well, you know the rest.

Happy Easter.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist and novelist known for his commentary on life in the American South. He has authored nine books and is the creator of the “Sean of the South” blog and podcast.

In the little moments and major milestones of childhood, we are here for our patients and their families – helping, healing, teaching and discovering.

April 30, 2023

ChildrensAL •org

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2/1/23 1:11 PM

280Living.com

April 2023 • B9

Holy Moly Motherhood By Alana Smith

Infusing Kindness Tears stream down my It’s 12:03 a.m., and I am face as I stare at a few going to find the family.

The job of discussing the erratic heartbeats on the tracing of my anesthesia case and outcome is that monitor. “Well, that’s it,” of the surgeon, but I just I say aloud. had to see them. I had to When someone dies in make sure they knew that I did literally everything in real life, in an operating room or in an intensive my power to save her. It’s care unit, the heart tracing risky for me to talk to them rarely goes flat, like you at all, because death brings see in the movies. There’s forth all types of reactions usually no dramatic beep, in people, and oftentimes Smith beep … and then nothing. they need someone to Most times, the heart tracblame. But I go anyway. I ing on the patient’s monitor continues, yet am drenched in sweat from hours of willthe heart can do no more. Like the heart ing this patient to live. A mother, wife, is willing itself to go on, yet the body is daughter, sister. unable to respond to those signals.

There are no comforting words for a This is what I’m staring at. This is not family in this state of crisis. The family how it is supposed to be tonight. will not remember my name, or what I As an anesthesia provider, I’m the say to them, but they will remember comlast person you usually see when you go passion, gentleness and kindness. Since to sleep for surgery. I’m one of the last the pandemic, hugging isn’t done much providers your family sees as well, and in hospitals, yet, when I see the crowd I always smile at them and say with con- of family that is gathered as I walk up, fidence, “We will take great care of your I cannot help but hug them. The most loved one,” as I’m pushing the patient important thing I can convey to them, to away to surgery. ease their heartbreak even a tiny bit is, All I have to leave with them is encour- “She was not alone.”

I’m wiping my eyes and trying to comagement and kindness. The family can do nothing other than hope and pray that I and pose myself. I do not know this family at the rest of the operating room team bring all, yet the burden I feel is immense. I ask their family back to them. That is usually if they understand what happened, which the case. But not tonight. of course, they do not. I try to explain, “I’m so sorry. You did good,” I whisper cautiously, and with the kindest and as I walk from her bedside. I turn down most gentle of words, the last hour that the lights, make sure the room is perfect has transpired. “Oh,” they say. Followed and walk to the bathroom. I dry my face. by, “Thank you so much, truly.” They

are shocked and at a loss, yet I can tell they are so thankful for this conversation.

Thankful for any light that can be shed.

Any kindness.

These conversations have occurred countless times in hospitals across the world, especially these last few years.

Doctors and nurses have hugged, comforted, explained and gone the extra mile for families. It would be easier for them to dry their eyes, wash their hands and try to rest before another emergency came in the doors. But they don’t. They infuse kindness and compassion into the family on the wrong side of the news.

I hope and pray that the next time you see someone in scrubs, that you’ll hold the elevator for them. That you’ll buy the nurse in line behind you a coffee. That instead of worrying about how long the doctor’s office wait is, you'll think of all the kindness behind those doors. All the little things that are taking up time, but are helping another. I hope that you’ll offer grace and I hope that the same is gifted to you in return. Because in the end, on that last day, all you have are your words, your actions, and the wave of kindness that continues on — extended from you to another.

Alana is a nurse anesthetist, writer and boy mom (ages 7 and 2), who lives in north Shelby County with her husband, kids and Boxer, Sam. When she’s not writing or chasing little humans, she can usually be found in the aisles of Target. She shares her writings at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she takes on all things motherhood and marriage.

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B10 • April 2023

280 Living

Calendar North Shelby Library

Tuesdays: Tech Tuesdays. 3-4 p.m.

Noon. Registration required.

siblings welcome.

April 11: Superhero Science with Jan the Science Lady. 10:30 a.m. All ages. Registration required.

April 29: Teen Volunteer Day. Registration required.

April 14: Make a Bunny Plushie. 4 p.m.

Registration required.

April 29: Teen Movie Night: “The Maze Runner.” 6 p.m. Pizza will be served.

April 15: Crafty Saturday. While supplies last.

STORYTIME

April 19: Homeschool Hangout: Nature Journaling. 1 p.m. Registration required. Grades K-12.

Wednesdays: Storytime Friends. 10:30 a.m. Ideal for 3-5 with caregivers nearby. Registration required.

April 19: K-5th Homeschool Art Craft Kit to Go: Cord Ladder Bracelet. 1 p.m.

Registration required.

Abril 1: La Hora del Cuento. 10:30 a.m.

Ven con tu familia a escuchar cuentos, cantar y divertirnos en español! Este evento es para niños de todas las edades. Niños menores de 12 años deben estar acompañados de sus padres. Todas las edades.

Se require registro.

TWEENS (AGES 8-12)

April 18: Toddler Tuesday: Explore Our Senses. 10:30 a.m. Ages 18-36 mos. Registration required.

April 25: Baby Tales. 10:30 a.m. Birth-18 months. Registration required.

FAMILY/ALL AGES All month: Creek Critters Kit. Registration required.

April 6: Family Fun Nights: String Tricks.

6-7:30 p.m.

April 13: Make-A-Bunny Plushy Pal Program. 4:30 p.m.

April 20: Pizza & Pokémon. 6-7:30 p.m.

Registration required.

April 1: Spanish Language Club for Ages 8-17. 2 p.m.

April 6: Tween 3D Print Class. 4:30 p.m.

Learn how to use Tinkercad and design a 3D creation that the library will print for you on its 3D printer.

Registration required.

April 10: Cottagecraft: A Creative Minecraft Challenge. 4 p.m. Registration required.

April 15: Tween Scavenger Hunt. 6 p.m.

Registration required.

April 17: Tween Leadership Council Meeting. 4:30 p.m.

April 21: Tween Book Club. 4:30 p.m. Registration required.

TEEN PROGRAMMING Mondays: Teen Dungeons & Dragons.

6 p.m. A month-long campaign begins at the first meeting of the month.

April 27: “Encanto” Movie Night. 5:30-7:30 p.m.

April 7: Teen Manga Book Club. 4:30 p.m.

CHILDREN

April 14: Teen Girls’ Book Club. 4:30 p.m.

Registration required.

All month: In-House Scavenger Hunt – Spring Flowers. Stop by the Children's Department to participate in a flower-themed scavenger hunt for a chance to win a sunflower seed kit.

April 10: Cottagecraft: A Creative Minecraft Challenge. 4 p.m. Registration required.

April 19: Homeschool Hangout - Nature Journaling. 1 p.m. Grades K-12.

April 21: Teen Cyanotype Art Workshop.

TWEENS (AGES 8-12) ADULT April 10: AHA Speakers Bureau Presents: “The Journal of Sarah Haynsworth Gayle.” 10:30 a.m. Presented by Dr. Ruth Truss.

April 11: True Crime Digital Book Club. 6 p.m. Zoom.

April 14 and 28: Language Club. 5 p.m.

Available in person or via Zoom. Registration required.

April 18: Acrylic Painting Program: Rose.

9 a.m. No experience necessary. All supplies provided.

Registration required. Cost $10.

April 20: NSL Book Club: “The Ten Thousand Doors of January” by Alix Harrow. 10:30 a.m. Registration is required for Zoom participants.

Mt Laurel Library ALL AGES

April 21: Earth Day Circuit Art. 4 p.m. For ages 8-12. Registration required.

ADULT April 6: Mt Laurel Book Club. 1-7 p.m. Meet at the library to discuss “The Bridge of San Luis Rey”

by Thornton Wilder.

April 10: Mt Laurel Knitting Group. 2-4 p.m.

Chelsea Library CHILDREN AND TEENS Tuesday: Dungeons & Dragons Club. 4-6 p.m.

Wednesdays and Thursdays: Tot Time.

10:30 a.m.

Fridays: Teen Theater Club. 2 p.m.

April 8: Mt Laurel Spring Festival. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

April 10: Teen Book Club. 5 p.m. Dinner provided.

April 18 and 20: Wellness Screenings.

7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday; 1-4:15 p.m. Monday. By appointment. Cost $20 for members and non-members. For registration, call 205-408-6550.

April 11: Music and Books Club. 5:30 p.m.

April 25: Breakfast with the Doc – Advances in Cataract Surgery. Free. For registration, call 205-408-6550 by April 23.

April 22: KZT Hands on STEAM day. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CHILDREN April 7 and 21: Ukulele Storytime. 10 a.m. Ideal for 19 to 36 months and a caregiver,

April 14: Homeschool Hangout. 1 p.m.

April 15: LEGO Day. 10 a.m to 2 p.m.

ADULTS Fridays: Bring your own craft. 11 a.m. Bring a craft to work on or learn how to crochet.

April 13: Book Club. 10 a.m.

Friday, May 5, 2023 6:00 -10pm Hosted by your Birmingham Zoo’s Jr. Board of Directors An Animal Extravaganza Benefiting the future Cougar Crossing Habitat

Presented by

Tickets on Sale Now!

birminghamzoo.com/tails2023 Live DJ Samplings by B'ham's fav Restaurants Amazing Silent Auction!

280Living.com

April 2023 • B11

APRIL 28-30, 2023

FIND ART

SLOSS FURNACES

40th

#FINDARTBIRMINGHAM

175 Artists • Corks & Chefs: A Taste of Birmingham Live Performances • Imagination Festival for Kids • Collectors Classroom for Adults • Special Exhibitions Cafe • Lounges www.magiccityart.com Image: Dirk Staschke, “Confectional Facade”, 2011 ★ 2023 Sponsors ★ PLATINUM Kinetic Communications BRONZE Alabama Power • Alabama State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama • Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau • Joe Piper, Inc. • Publix Super Markets Charities STEEL Coca Cola United • EventWorks Rentals• Sloss Furnaces Foundation, Inc. ★ Media Sponsors ★ Babypalooza • Bham Now • Birmingham Business Journal • Birmingham Mountain Radio 107.3fm • B-Metro • EXCURSIONSgo • High Level Marketing • Homewood Life Magazine • Over the Mountain Journal • Starnes Media • The Birmingham Times • The Birmingham Lede • WBHM Public Radio 90.3fm

April 29 & 30, 2023 Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark One tasting session each day / 12-3pm Restaurants & Chefs Wine, Craft Beer, Spirits & Cocktails Seated Tasting Seminars @ the 40th Magic City Art Connection TICKETS ON SALE IN APRIL. www.corksandchefs.com

TASTE. SIP. REPEAt. 26th YEAR

B12 • April 2023

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280 Living

2023 Spring

Home & Garden Guide Special Advertising Section

Creating beautiful outdoor spaces, landscapes for spring Gardner Landscaping • 205-401-3347 • gardnerlandscapingllc.com Spring is a wonderful time of the year when homeowners can get back outside, savor the warm weather and enjoy their yards with family and friends.

It’s also a good time for homeowners to dramatically improve their landscaping or create exciting new outdoor spaces.

They can turn to the experts at Gardner Landscaping in Hoover, who’ve provided timely, top-quality service to residential and commercial customers since 2006.

“Our specialty is making a beautiful landscape with trees, shrubs and flowers,” owner Grant Gardner said. “However, we’re also very good at developing outdoor play and entertainment areas.”

Gardner and his team stay abreast of the latest outdoor design trends, and combine cultivated greenery and pops of vivid color to create the perfect outdoor environments.

They can also satisfy any client’s taste with either traditional or unusual plant materials.

Gardner Landscaping boasts a full staff of licensed, insured and talented

personnel, unlike some landscape businesses.

“We have the personnel and resources to get to your project in a timely manner,” Gardner said, adding that they strive to provide clients with a quote on their projects within 24 hours.

Gardner Landscaping employees are also highly motivated to satisfy their customers.

“We strive to satisfy individual preferences, while advising our customers based upon several factors, such as the intended purpose of the space,” Gardner said.

Gardner Landscaping works with all types and sizes of budgets and landscapes in Birmingham, Auburn, Dadeville, Alexander City or Lake Martin.

For details, call 205-401-3347 or go to gardnerlandscapingllc.com.

Spring is in bloom, and it’s the perfect time to plant a garden, do some cleaning or start a home renovation. Find tips and tricks from area businesses to jumpstart any project in our guide.

Providing High Quality Service and Customer Satisfaction

Best Price for Large and Small Trees, Shrubs, and Privacy Screens At Gardner Landscaping our goal is to exceed your expectations in creating and maintaining beautiful landscapes, hardscapes and lawns. We also work to minimize drainage and erosion issues.

Your Large and Small Tree, Shrub and Drainage Experts CALL: 205-401-3347 EMAIL: GardnerLandscaping@gmail.com www.GardnerLandscapingLLC.com

280Living.com

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

April 2023 • B13

Find your new spring window coverings Budget Blinds • 205-824-3300 • budgetblinds.com/birmingham Need some new window coverings this spring? Steve Thackerson is ready to help you have beautiful window blinds, shutters, solar shades and draperies that you can control from anywhere. They’re easy to use and easy to afford, he said.

“Motorization is a big thing now. There are ways you can tie motorized window coverings into your home’s automation system,” said Thackerson, owner of Budget Blinds of Birmingham.

With a touch of your phone — even when you’re not home — you can raise or lower your window coverings, or you can tell Alexa to do it for you. Your Budget Blinds can also open or close at a preselected time of day or night.

“We can usually tie our product into any system you might have,” Thackerson said. “We take pride in providing style and service for every budget.”

At Budget Blinds — your local window covering expert — they take the time to understand you and your unique needs to deliver the best custom window covering solution designed for the way you live.

They do any kind of custom window covering. As far as blinds go, they offer wood and faux wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite and vertical blinds or vertical blind alternatives. They also offer shades of all kinds: roller, Roman, cellular, bamboo, woven wood, pleated, sheer, graphic and solar.

And they can get your interior plantation shutter needs taken care of with wood or composite.

“Shutters and woven wood shades are our top two sellers,”

Thackerson said.

You can see a gallery of recent projects on their website to get a feel for what they can do for your home or office, or visit their

showroom in Vestavia at 2130 Columbiana Road.

“We install them, so anything that’s purchased from us, we’ll custom measure your windows

and professionally install them,” Thackerson said. “We don’t subcontract that out. We control everything from setting up the appointment to the final installation.”

They also have better warranties than their competitors, he said. “Our manufacturers may also sell to our competitors, but they don’t give them the same warranties they give us. That sets us apart.

We get the same products but better pricing and better warranties because we are the largest retailer of custom window coverings in the world.”

That comes with their national presence and the long relationships he and his wife have built in their more than 30 years in the business. He also has two salesmen with decades of experience.

“They are veteran employees who have been with me a long time,” Thackerson said.

The highly trained design consultants at Budget Blinds put their heart and soul into creating the perfect answer to your window fashion needs. They even bring their entire showroom to you with their free in-home design consultation.

They also really enjoy serving their many wonderful customers in all of Birmingham and surrounding areas.

To learn more, call them or go to their website today.

BUDGET BLINDS OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF ENERGY-SAVING WINDOW TREATMENTS

Schedule your FREE in-home consultation today!

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205-824-3300 | BudgetBlinds.com 2130 Columbiana Road, Vestavia AL 35216

B14 • April 2023

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280 Living

Offering homeowners a one-stop solution to storage and organizing Space Cadets • 205-326-7025 • spacecadetsorg.com There’s nothing worse than trying to live and work in a cluttered environment.

Fortunately, Space Cadets in Brook Highland — a retail and design center for home storage solutions — has every product or service a person would need to get organized, and there’s something for every budget.

There are $5 solutions and $50,000 solutions — and everything in between.

Spring is a great time to look into storage and clutter solutions, said Kim McBrayer, owner of Space Cadets.

“It’s always a good time to get organized, but especially now as we are spring cleaning and preparing our homes to handle the upcoming months full of ballpark days, end of the school year and vacations,” McBrayer said. “Organization makes it easier to handle the crazy schedules of summer.”

Space Cadets offers built-in cabinets for those who want an elegant touch, and fixed ventilated shelves for people seeking to get organized on a budget. Customers can also browse at the retail center for a variety of organization products for closets, kitchens and garages.

Retail shoppers at Space

Cadets this spring will see some exciting new products.

McBrayer and Marissa Wilkins, Space Cadets General Manager, recently attended the Inspired Home Show in Chicago, where vendors from around the world gathered to show off their latest inventions and solutions, and they found new items for the store.

“Organization is one of the fastest-growing home

essentials, and storage is no longer hidden away in closets, but instead contributes to the aesthetic and functionality of a home,” McBrayer said.

Custom closets are among the top sellers at Space Cadets, which installs well-designed, customized closets for every budget.

The process at Space Cadets starts with a consultation, called a Space Walk, where clients

discuss their needs, budget and expectations.

Next is the design phase. If a product system is required, one of the Space Cadets designers prepares a plan and estimate for the client’s review.

In the production phase, the client's new closet system is installed with the well-trained team at Space Cadets taking care of everything.

“We remove the existing

system, repair and paint the walls, install the custom closet or garage systems and then the organizers reload the spaces,” McBrayer said.

Space Cadets organizes a space with great care and attention to detail, and strives to leave it better than they found it.

“We believe in making every square inch of a space count and be put to good use,” McBrayer said.

She urges customers to call Space Cadets in the early stages of home remodels or construction to get in the pipeline for ordering and preparation.

In addition to the retail shop in Brook Highland, people can take a walk through the showroom and design center to find inspiration.

“Whether it is our customdesigned closet and garage systems, or the organizing accessories you can pick up in the retail shop, we believe there is a solution to every clutter challenge life can present,” McBrayer said.

Space Cadets also has professional organizers who can tidy up your entire home or help homeowners declutter prior to a move.

Before

After

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$

Organizing Hours*

when you call to schedule during the month of April. (*3 hour minimum required) Call 205.326.7025 today to register.

Brook Highland Plaza 5287 Hwy 280 South Suite 261 Birmingham, AL 35242 spacecadetsorg.com • 205.326.7025

280Living.com

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

April 2023 • B15

BHMDEX can help you enjoy your life outdoors BHMDEX LLC • 205-516-3105 • bhmdex.com BHMDEX LLC, located in Chelsea, offers complete outdoor project design services to create the best possible outdoor space.

Owner Blake Bassham shares BHMDEX’s goal is to help clients “enjoy life outdoors.”

“Our slogan is ‘Enjoy Your Life Outdoors,’” Bassham said. “We look to give people that nice outdoor space to enjoy. With more and more people choosing ‘staycations,’ you need to enjoy the space you have.”

Bassham studied Industrial Design at Auburn University and later fell in love with creating outdoor structures.

“I have always had an interest in architecture,” Bassham said. “After leaving Auburn, I went into the exhibit design industry and managed my own design/build firm where we built retail stores, museums and other interior-type projects. I later got into construction and enjoyed all aspects of that, but later fell in love with creating outdoor structures.”

BHMDEX, LLC offers complete design services for their clients’ outdoor projects.

“We will consult with our clients and then come up with the best possible solution for their problem or their dream project,” Bassham said. “We develop 3-D computer renderings so that our clients can see what the project will look like once built.

“If you are looking to build a new deck, pergola, fence, playhouse, patio or other outdoor structure at your home, we can help,” Bassham said. “Most of our clients have an old deck that needs to be replaced or has requested the addition of

a new structure to an otherwise unused portion of their property. We can come in and create a plan that will maximize their enjoyment of their backyard.”

BHMDEX LLC uses the best possible materials for your dream project.

“We are always striving to better ourselves and the projects that we create,” Bassham said. “We are known for over-engineering the construction of our projects, especially our decks.”

“Far too often we see decks that are separating from a house or simply have not been constructed properly. We take pride in building our structures to last.

We also want you to be able to enjoy your deck with as many people on them as you would like and not fear that the deck will not support it.”

BHMDEX LLC counts it a privilege that clients welcome them into their homes.

“Every one of our clients are treated as if they have a million-dollar project,” Bassham said. “Whether it is a small set of stairs that needs a repair or a 1,500-square-foot deck, we are grateful that they have chosen us.”

Not only does BHMDEX LLC share the value of their services, but keeping their clients educated throughout the process is also important.

“We always want our clients to be educated on what they are looking for in a project,” Bassham said. “This includes the types of materials available, the pros/cons of the materials, and ways to repair/maintain what they currently have. We are also always trying to educate ourselves on the best building techniques, and new trends that will give our clients the best possible project.”

Blake Bassham

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

B16 • April 2023

280 Living

One Man & A Toolbox Using skill, personal touch to create beautiful lawns celebrates 25 years of great service to homeowners Advanced Turf Care • 205-305-7949 • advancedturfcarellc.com The typical homeowner spends lots of time and money to create a luscious green lawn that will increase their home’s value and curb appeal.

Advanced Turf Care, a full-service lawn care company in Birmingham, makes sure that homeowners maximize their investment and get the beautiful yards they deserve.

The skilled professionals at Advanced Turf Care also offer homeowners a friendly, personal touch.

“We want to give individualized attention to our customers that the big companies cannot,” owner Grant Gardner said.

The employees at Advanced Turf Care are “some of the best in the business,” he said.

They have lots of knowledge and experience, as well as attention to detail and a passion for customer service.

“We want the customer to have an enjoyable experience when dealing with us,” Gardner said.

Homeowners don’t have to settle for second best in their lawn care.

“Don’t keep using a lawn service that provides you a cheap price and a lawn

One Man & A Toolbox • 205-823-2111 • oneman-toolbox.com

you’re not proud of,” Gardner said.

For example, Advanced Turf Care uses high-quality, slow-release fertilizer that feeds your lawn and keeps it healthy all season.

Other providers “use cheap fertilizer that will give your lawn an initial green, but not provide the nourishment your lawn needs,” Gardner said.

In addition, Advanced Turf Care is there for you over the long haul and really understand weed control.

“Give us time to make your lawn truly healthy,” Gardner said. “The best control of weeds is achieved months before they appear.”

Advanced Turf Care also takes care of your shrubs and trees, which need fertilization and pest protection just like your lawn.

For details, call 205-305-7949 or go to advancedturfcarellc.com.

If your home needs routine maintenance or minor repairs, you may think you can do it yourself and save money.

However, even if you believe you have the right skills and tools to do a job, it will likely take you a lot longer than it should, because you don’t do home repairs every day.

Most home projects, even small handyman jobs, are better left to the experienced professionals at One Man & A Toolbox, now celebrating its 25th anniversary.

One Man & A Toolbox can handle any small project, including minor carpentry, plumbing and electrical fixes. They can also do painting, caulking, shelving and more.

“Any odd jobs around your home, we’ll get them done right the first time,” said owner Jay Moss.

Moss and company can also do many other special tasks, like putting up decorations or assembling a swing set.

“No matter how crazy you think the task is, call us and we’ll try to figure it out,” Moss said.

One Man & A Toolbox can also tackle larger home improvement projects.

Moss warns homeowners against calling unlicensed, uninsured repairmen from Angi or Craigslist. Many will ask for money to buy materials before starting and won’t return or won’t be available for warranty issues that arise after the job.

One Man & A Toolbox has skilled, reliable employees who are licensed, insured and bonded.

And the company is here to stay.

The 25th anniversary “shows the good reputation we have to be able to stay in business,” Moss said.

Call 205-823-2111 or go to oneman-toolbox.com.

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Residential Commercial Special Projects 205-823-2111 • OneMan-Toolbox.com

280Living.com

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

April 2023 • B17

Door Restore can keep your door looking its best Door Restore • 205-492-5866 • door-restore.business.site

Make your beautiful, custom interior design vision a reality Oak Highland Design – Decorating Den Interiors 659-207-0735 • oakhighland.decoratingden.com Are you ready to make updates to your home but you don’t know quite where to begin? You’ve looked through endless magazines, and browsed countless websites looking for that perfect look or style. However, once you find “the look,” where do you begin to bring your vision to life? How do you bring about a space that truly reflects your personality?

Angelia Spraberry of Oak Highland Design – Decorating Den Interiors is a local designer who understands that the process of bringing about the perfect look for your interiors can be an intimidating process. Having renovated her own homes, Angelia knows first-hand how overwhelming the process of remodeling or updating can be.

“Most of the clients I work with want

a beautifully custom designed look, but they truly don’t know how to make their vision a reality,” Angelia said. “My role as a designer is to guide my client through the process of putting together a customized look by blending their tastes with emerging trends that are tailored to the client’s budget.”

Bringing joy to her clients is Angelia’s favorite part of her business.

“When all the furnishings have been selected and delivered, and the installation is complete, and I see the smiles on my client’s face — it brings me great joy seeing them so happy,” Angelia said. “It’s hard to describe that feeling. I love to see us accomplish together what their vision was for their space, and to fulfill that need for them. That is really what I love to do.”

An entry door is a great feature and can make a first impression when it comes to your home’s curb appeal.

However, years of exposure to sunlight, rain and frost can cause significant damage and leave signs of wear on wood doors and iron doors.

Door Restore has been restoring doors since 2004, offering maintenance and restoration to clients in the Birmingham area.

“We only work on doors; it’s our specialty,” owner Van Etheridge said. “We never take your door away to refinish it, keeping your home secure.”

Etheridge likes working with his hands. Majoring in art, Etheridge took his talents painting murals and specialized in wall finishes while restoring iron and wooden doors.

“When the economy crashed in 2008, I went to work selling pharmaceuticals,” Etheridge said. “I was still restoring iron doors part-time on the weekends for a prominent builder. When the pharmaceutical company sold and laid off the sales team, I started back working with my hands and started Door Restore.”

Door Restore offers a maintenance program that will keep your door looking its best for years while saving you money.

“Wood doors weather quickly and

need top coating every one to two years, depending on exposure to sun and rain,” Etheridge said. “This is why when you use Door Restore, we choose a maintenance program for our clients that provides maintenance once a year including a top coat to save the homeowner money in the future.

“Iron doors have a special oil rubbed bronze finish or other metal hues in them,” Etheridge said. “We are able to restore your door to the original finish.”

Don’t replace your door...

Restore it.

Door Restore can expertly restore your door on-site without removing it, keeping your home secure.

FREE ESTIMATES • 205-492-5866 door-restore.business.site

B18 • April 2023

Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280 Living

Providing a unique resource for backyard bird feeding Wild Birds Unlimited • 205-823-6500 • wbu.com/birmingham

At Van Gogh Window Fashions every window is a work of art Van Gogh Window Fashions • 205-502-4658 • vangoghwindows.com The right window treatments can dramatically transform your home, making it more stylish and comfortable and even increasing its value.

If you need window treatments — and want Birmingham’s best selection and best customer service — go to Van Gogh Window Fashions in Hoover.

Van Gogh carries a wide variety of blinds, draperies, custom shades and custom shutters, and the friendly, welltrained Van Gogh staff will do everything they can to help you find the right products and features for your home.

This personal service is especially important because window treatments have become more technologically sophisticated.

“There’s so many details in the products now,” said owner Cary Miller, with 35 years of industry experience.

His staff makes sure customers get the right applications and know how to

properly use and enjoy the products.

“Some of the best customer service we do is on the front end,” Miller said.

“We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t after installing thousands of window coverings,” he said.

When a customer makes a purchase, the staff takes meticulous measurements and installs the products carefully.

Van Gogh customers can shop at home and see swatches, designs and louver sizes.

But the staff urges customers to visit the showroom to truly understand the products.

“Seeing them function in the showroom makes a huge difference,” Miller said.

Miller said the window treatment’s function and design elements must work together.

“I love it when everything comes together and the customer loves it and it’s everything they expected it to be,” he said.

Bird feeding is one of America’s most popular hobbies and can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities, said Tracy Hill, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Hoover.

“It’s a peaceful, beautiful way to start and end the day or to spend the entire day,” Hill said.

For bird lovers in Birmingham, Wild Birds Unlimited is essential.

“It’s the only true hobby store in the Birmingham area dedicated to backyard bird feeding,” Hill said.

The well-trained staff members at Wild Birds Unlimited help customers find the best products for their yards.

They also like meeting the customers.

“We enjoy hearing about their successes and learning what works in their yard,” Hill said.

The spring is “particularly exciting” because birds are entering nesting season and building their nests in trees, shrubs and nesting boxes, Hill said.

“It’s a wonderful thing to observe the entire process from egg laying to a baby bird leaving the nest,” she said.

Wild Birds Unlimited stocks a variety of nesting boxes, she said.

Spring is also “a great time to spiff up your yard with a new bird bath or

beautiful decorative yard décor,” Hill said.

For example, the store carries “top-ofthe-line” Corinthian Bells wind chimes, she said.

The store is also carrying a new feed, Bluebird Bugberry Blend, that attracts bluebirds. The blend works with a variety of feeders and is perfect year round.

At Wild Birds Unlimited, “sharing the joy of bird feeding is our daily goal,” Hill said. “We’re uniquely equipped to do that better than any other store that might carry bird-feeding products.”

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Spring Home & Garden • Special Advertising Section

280Living.com

April 2023 • B19

Leaf Filter protects gutters, prevents home damage, gives customers peace of mind Capstone Village: Active living with a campus connection Capstone Village • 800-799-5099 • capstonevillage.ua.edu Tuscaloosa’s Capstone Village is a luxury retirement community for active retirees.

Capstone Village offers worry-free living while encouraging lifelong learning and healthy activities.

Located on the historic campus of The University of Alabama — the vitality of collegiate life is brought right to your doorstep.

“We take full advantage of our location at UA. Residents are provided with many opportunities to pursue fun, vibrant, active lifestyles.” said Jana Smith, Director of Sales and Marketing for Capstone Village.

The residents at Capstone Village enjoy university amenities — athletic and cultural events, access to campus libraries, auditing of classes and access to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Many Capstone Village residents are volunteer instructors and OLLI members.

Capstone Village emphasizes health and wellness for residents by offering onsite fitness classes, including yoga, dance and strength training. Residents also receive memberships to the well-equipped student recreation center located directly across the street. “The special relationship between the University and Capstone Village is something our residents cherish. Most of them worked on campus, attended school here or are huge Alabama fans,” Smith said.

Residents enjoy having UA students from various departments and sports teams volunteer at Capstone Village.

Students present musical concerts, host health clinics, facilitate special events, socialize with the residents and even work on research projects.

For more information or to request a tour, call 855-406-8242 or go to capstonevillage.ua.edu.

THE MUSIC PLAYS ON As a Capstone Village resident, Robert lives within love he shares with his son, John.

SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY Call 855-406-8242 or visit capstonevillage.ua.edu.

601 Peter Bryce Boulevard | Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Leaf Filter • 800-290-6106 • leaffilter.com Clogged gutters are more than just a minor annoyance for homeowners. When water isn't properly diverted from your home, it can cause major problems, including rotting fascia and soffit, roof damage, basement flooding and foundation issues.

However, Leaf Filter has the solution with its patented guttercovering system that includes a top-quality stainless steel mesh that keeps your gutters free of leaves, pine needles and other debris, including shingle grit.

“Leaf Filter is the best gutter protection available,” said Trever White of Leaf Filter Alabama. “We’ve spent countless hours on R&D and have created a system that allows water to flow freely into the gutters while shedding all debris.”

Leaf Filter has received enthusiastic customer feedback.

“They’re thrilled to know they can put their ladder away and spend their time doing more relaxing — and safer — things than cleaning out their gutters.”

White said.

Leaf Filter is a cost-effective solution for customers, especially given the expensive problems it can help prevent,

and gives them peace of mind, White said.

And the expert Leaf Filter installers do more than put in gutter guards.

“We completely clean out existing gutters and downspouts — or install new gutters and downspouts — seal them with 50-year Tri-polymer silicone, realign them to make sure the water is flowing down and away from the home, install hidden brackets for reinforcement so the gutters stay in place, install the Leaf Filter Gutter Protection, give a lifetime transferable warranty, and a lifetime money-back, no-clog guarantee.”

Leaf Filter gives free estimates and provides a one-year price. They also offer 0% financing with no money due up front.

“We are offering 15% off the system also,” White said.

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Credit purchases subject to credit approval. Other transactions may affect the monthly payment. *** 0% APR for 60 months financing available with purchases of $1999 or over and does not include sales tax. ** The special terms APR of 8.99% will apply to the qualifying purchase, and 48 monthly payments equal to 2.5090% of the original special terms balance are required. *** The Nationwide Marketing Group credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 3/1/2023 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921.

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