If you’re looking for the Great Pumpkin, you won’t have to drive far down U.S. 280 to wait for him. But, unlike lonely Linus, there will be plenty of people waiting at Old Baker Farm with you.
The pumpkin patch at Old Baker Farm, just south of Chelsea off of 280, officially opened its doors to the public on Sept. 28 for its fall season.
“We want people to come and visit the farm and have a living history and authentic farming experience,” said farm owner Jerry Baker.
“We know everyone will have a good time, and we love that everyone enjoys coming out. That is the reason we plant our pumpkins, because people love visiting the farm, and we love people coming to visit.”
By LOYD McINTOSH
After years of planning and development, the Foothills Business Park in Chelsea has started adding tenants, filling out a project with a long history of city investment.
Mayor Tony Picklesimer. Picklesimer said the idea for the business park came about after the city received an offer to purchase the land for $500,000. To date, the city has invested approximately $1.8 million toward building roads and developing infrastructure in the park. At the time the city purchased the land, he said, Chelsea was experiencing growth in its housing market. Foothills Business Park has potential for significant economic impact
Foothills Business Park, a development over 13 acres off Old Highway 280 sandwiched between Foothills Parkway to the west and Chesser Park Drive to the east, is a planned development aimed at attracting new businesses and creating a new dynamic for the city, said Chelsea
Above: Jerry Baker with goats on his farm in September 2024. Baker is the fourth generation of his family to work Old Baker Farm, which has been operating since 1899. Photo by Savannah Schmidt. Left: During the pumpkin harvest season, late September through late October, guests at Old Baker Farm can pick the gourd of their choice off the vine to take home. Staff photo.
Foothills Business Park, a development that is selling space to different companies to create a new commercial area alongside U.S. 280, is located on Foothills Place, between Foothills Parkway and Chesser Drive in Chelsea. Photo courtesy of Shelby County.
Your step-by-step guide to emergency savings
Life is full of surprises. Whether it’s a sudden car repair, an unexpected medical bill or an unforeseen job loss, financial emergencies can strike when you least expect them. That’s why having a well-funded emergency savings account isn’t just a good idea – it’s essential.
Building an emergency fund may seem daunting at first, but the security and peace of mind it provides are worth every penny. It’s one of the first steps I take with my clients when building a financial plan because having that safety net can make all the difference during hard times.
No matter what you’re saving for, the approach is the same. Here are five easy steps to help you build a resilient savings plan, plus a bonus tip to keep your savings on track.
Step 1: Define your savings goal
To prepare for emergencies you must first identify what you’re saving for. Having a clear goal will set you up for success. For an emergency fund, I recommend saving enough to cover three to six months of expenses. Aim for three months if you’re starting from scratch, but if you already have savings, boost it to six so you have an extra buffer.
Step 2: Calculate your needs
Next, calculate how much you need by assessing your monthly expenses. Consider essential costs such as housing, groceries, car payments and insurance, but don’t forget about discretionary spending on activities like dining out and your kid’s sports. Reviewing past bank statements can help you break down expenses and formulate a realistic savings target. You’ll want to ensure you’ve saved enough to maintain your lifestyle even during unexpected events.
Step
3: Create a budget
With your expenses in hand, it’s time to create a budget that accommodates both your current lifestyle and savings goals. Outline where you can reduce non-essential spending to divert more funds into your emergency savings. A well-thought-out budget serves as the roadmap to achieving your savings goal. Consider small changes, like shopping smarter or cutting back on daily coffee purchases. Every little bit adds up.
Step
4: Choose the right savings account
Selecting the right type of savings account is vital. While you may not need access to the funds right away when saving for college, emergency funds need to be available on a moment’s notice. Consider liquid savings options like basic savings or money market accounts, which allow easy access without penalties. Avoid locking your emergency funds in Certificates of Deposit (CDs) or other accounts that impose withdrawal fees.
Step 5: Automate your savings
Setup automatic deposits to ensure consistency; this way, you don’t even see the money in your operating account. Determine a realistic monthly savings goal based on your budget and automate its transfer to your emergency fund. This “out of sight, out of mind” approach helps you accumulate savings without the temptation to spend.
Bonus tip: Consistency is key
Maintaining your savings strategy is important at every stage of life, even after using your funds for an emergency. I recently had a conversation with a long-time client who was unexpectedly laid off. Her emergency fund helped extend her severance and gave her the breathing room needed to secure another job. Now that she’s back to work, she’s back to building her emergency fund.
Don’t let the idea of saving intimidate you. Even small monthly contributions can grow significantly with discipline and the “magic” of compound interest. Remember, every little bit helps and gradually, you’ll surpass your savings goals.
Stephen Madrid is Birmingham Market Manager at Valley Bank and has been in banking for over seven
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ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By Taylor Bright
It’s hard to tell in the South if fall is coming or summer is toying with us. Are the leaves changing color because fall’s coming or because we haven’t had rain in a month? Is that cooler weather harkening autumn or is it the storm in the Gulf? Are those pumpkin spice commercials meant for me or for people in New Hampshire? But, there are other signs fall is near: high school bands are striking up, the Old Baker Farm is opening and Mt Laurel is inviting people up for their annual fall celebration.
In our October issue, we have all of the signs of fall along U.S. 280. Emily Reed has written the definitive story on the Old Baker Farm, we have a photo
essay of the Showcase of Bands at Oak Mountain and we have all of the details on the Mt Laurel Fall Festival. So, congratulations, you’ve finally made it to fall.
Published by: Starnes
P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 thehomewoodstar.com
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Please submit all articles, information and photos to: tbright@starnesmedia.com Emery Akin David Bedsole Loyd McIntosh Emily Reed Charles Vaughan
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Legals: 280 Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without
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the Homewood 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
School officials file to dismiss suit brought by parents of Chelsea teen
By TAYLOR BRIGHT
The defendants in a case brought by the parents of a former Chelsea High School student, who allege bullying contributed to his suicide, have filed motions to dismiss the case.
The Shelby County Board of Education — and the school system employees who are being sued by Gloria and Jeremy McQueen — asked a judge to dismiss the case.
The McQueens lost their son, Jackson, in 2022 from suicide. In a filing made in April, they alleged Jackson McQueen’s death was a direct result of bullying their child suffered while he was a student in the Shelby County school system.
“Throughout his six years in the Shelby County school system, Jackson was relentlessly bullied, teased and abused by other students,” the complaint says. “These incidents occurred at school, during extracurricular activities, during after school hours, on the school bus and in his neighborhood.”
The filing against the school and school board said the reason for the bullying arose from Jackson McQueen’s “autism spectrum disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, impulse control disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”
The McQueens contend the school and board did nothing to address the bullying their son received.
“In the end, nothing was done by defendants to address the bullying and abuse of Jackson, and nothing was done to prevent further bullying and abuse, even after the plaintiff’s countless efforts to elicit help from defendants,” they say in the complaint.
or administrators at the school.”
Averitt has filed a motion to dismiss the case against the board as an entity and on behalf of the members who serve on the board. In the filing, Averitt said the defendants “were devastated when J.M. [Jackson McQueen] passed away.”
In their suit, the McQueens named the Shelby County Board of Education, the board members and employees of the school system, including Superintendent Lewis Brooks. They also named several employees of Chelsea High School, including principal Brandon Turner and two vice principals, Jessica Pickett and Brenton McCaleb, as well as a bus driver, counselor and a teacher.
Mark Boardman, who is representing the employees of the school district and seeking to dismiss the case, said the plaintiffs had failed to enumerate which employee was responsible for what allegation.
The attorney for the board, Anne Knox Averitt, said the board members were “unaware of any reports of bullying of J.M. [Jackson McQueen] made by plaintiffs to Chelsea High School, or of any observations of bullying of J.M. made by teachers
The McQueens said that employees at the school and at the school board did not “take appropriate action to prevent harm from occurring to him” and “further denied Jackson with the ability to do remote learning, which he desperately requested in the days prior to him taking his life.”
“At a minimum, they should tell each individual what they did wrong,” Boardman said. “The law requires that.”
The suit was originally being heard by Federal Magistrate Judge Nicholas Danella. He has since recused himself, and the case is now being heard by Federal District Court Judge David Proctor.
Members of the Shelby County Schools board and Superintendent Lewis Brooks meet in September. The board and other employees of the school system have filed a motion to dismiss a suit filed against them from parents of a Chelsea High School student who allege bullying played a role in his death. Photo by Taylor Bright.
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Elevate your skincare routine with luxurious treatments now available at Spa Cahaba in Cahaba Heights. Whether you’re looking to refresh your complexion with a Hydrafacial, brighten your skin with Diamond Glow, or enjoy smooth, radiant skin with our expert waxing and dermaplaning services, we’ve got you covered.
Oak Mountain rolls toward mountain biking destination point
By DAVID BEDSOLE
Oak Mountain State Park is preparing the groundwork to be a nationally recognized mountain bike destination with new trails and BMX amenities.
A $1 million grant from Innovate Alabama will bring Oak Mountain closer to an International Mountain Biking Association Silver Ride Center designation, which is expected to bring more visitors and revenue to the park. There are 16 IMBA Silver Ride centers in the country, and only one in the South.
“The IMBA Ride Center designation brings numerous benefits, including increased economic development through tourism and the creation of long-lasting sustainable trails,” said Alabama State Parks statewide trails coordinator Will Collins. “It also promotes natural resource conservation and supports our local communities in becoming model trail destinations with high quality of living.”
To help reach the Silver Ride designation, the money will be used in part to create a skills area and pump track near the existing BMX area in the park. A pump track consists of a series of bumps and curves to help riders develop the key skill of “pumping,” or generating momentum through an up-and-down motion rather than pedaling.
The funds will also pay for five mountain bike trails of various skill levels and two single-track cross-country trails.
According to Collins, a Silver Ride Center designation at Oak Mountain will stimulate local economies by establishing Alabama as a “premiere destination for mountain biking” and catering to all skill levels. The project will also feed into the state’s agenda, entrusted in part to Innovate Alabama, of attracting and retaining highly skilled talent to the state.
“Our core target audience that we’re
interested in are tech workers, STEM students, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors,” said Innovate Alabama Executive Director of Outdoor Programs T.C. McLemore.
The Shelby County Commission will handle the logistics of expanding and improving the trail system.
Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers volunteers played a key role in planning and development of the project. People, groups or companies who want to get involved in this or other similar projects can contribute through the Alabama State Parks Dirt Pass Trail Crew Program.
C.PED
Mountain bikers race the 27th annual Bump-n-Grind race at Oak Mountain State Park in 2021. Oak Mountain has received $1 million to improve trails in hopes of being recognized as a top mountain biking destination. Staff photo.
CROSS INTO THE BLUE
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SCHOOLHOUSE
Faith leads former MLB all-star to Briarwood
By TAYLOR BRIGHT
David Nilsson has stories a sports fan could listen to for days. He scrolls through his phone, looking for a picture. He’s sure it’s in there because he was just organizing his pictures on his computer the night before.
He turns his phone around to show the picture: a mob of Major League Baseball all-stars surrounding Ted Williams, the Boston Red Sox legend, on the field in Fenway Park in 1999. There is Ken Griffey Jr., Tony Gwynn, Mike Piazza.
“And there’s me on the outside,” Nilsson said. “So that’s kind of one of those photos that you don’t look at for 20 years and then you go through your files, you look at stuff and you’re like, that’s me. Oh man, what am I doing there, you know?”
However modest, Nilsson earned his spot on the field that night. He was selected as an MLB all-star and played eight seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Nilsson is a born and bred Australian, one of only 38 Australians to ever play in the major leagues.
After his playing career was done, he went back home to Australia, where he was raising a family. He remained heavily involved in the sport, scouting and coaching the Australian national baseball team.
And then Gus Martin, the superintendent of Briarwood Christian School and a fellow Australian, began messaging him. The school was looking to fill a position that would oversee the development of all the sports teams at the school as head of athletics.
Another detail to know about Nilsson is that he’s a steadfast Christian — a conversion that
happened when the Brewers were playing in Seattle in 1995.
“God, you know, changes your heart,” Nilsson said. “God pursues you and that’s the best way to explain it.”
So, Martin asked Nilsson if he would ever consider taking a position at a high school 9,000 miles away, in a part of the United States that Nilsson had never visited. After discussing it with his family, Nilsson said yes.
“I was very clear that God was pursuing me and my life had lined up really well, and I was definitely feeling led to come here,” Nilsson said.
But, that didn’t make moving a whole family across continents less of a huge undertaking.
“There’s no downplaying the enormity involved,” he said. “You sell everything. You have nothing. I’ve nothing at home in Australia and we turn up with suitcases, so you’re
hopping off the plane and you’re starting from scratch.”
Nilsson has settled in now, just two months after arriving. He lives just down Alabama 119 from the school and has been embraced by the Briarwood community.
“I couldn’t have asked for more,” Nilsson said. “People have been warm, welcoming, just gracious to myself and my family. So, it’s been great so far.”
David Nilsson, Briarwood Christian School’s new Head of Athletics, stands in Briarwood’s stadium.
Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
Back at the old stomping grounds
By SAVANNAH SCHMIDT
For seven of the teachers and staff at Spain Park High School, caring for their high schoolers takes on a different meaning because they are also former Jaguars.
Three Spain Park teachers and Assistant Principal Jennifer Lowe were actually part of the school’s first graduating class in 2004.
After teaching Spanish at local schools for years, Lowe decided to return to Spain Park.
“This is the first place someone told me to consider being a teacher,” she said.
Danelle Cash, a French teacher, remembers the dances and tailgates when Spain Park started out with just freshmen and sophomore classes. From her time as a student, a substitute teacher and a full-time teacher, she has enjoyed seeing how students have increasingly diversified their friend groups.
Physical science teacher Eric Steinert and history teacher Bill Whitehead recalled their relief upon
the opening of a new school within an easier commute range. Still, being a part of the first graduating class offered surreal experiences. “At homecoming dances when we were first there, there was no
one coming home,” Whitehead said.
Three other Spain Park teachers have also had their careers come full circle, back to their own high school days.
Morgan Lambert, a 2017 alumni who now teaches macroeconomics and U.S. government, said she came back because she “loved growing up in this town as a child.”
Hannah Rae Joseph, a 2009 graduate
and Spanish teacher, feels like she “never actually left.” Lee Chumbley, a 2015 graduate and science teacher, is now helping his former track and cross-country coach train a new generation of athletes.
From left: Morgan Lambert, Hannah Rae Joseph, Bill Whitehead, Jennifer Lowe, Lee Chumbley, Eric Steinert, and Danelle Cash. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
In the Classroom
National Merit semifinalists
recognized from US 280 area high schools
By STAFF
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced their semifinalists last month, including 28 from schools local to U.S. 280. The students recognized as semifinalists will continue to compete for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $26 million. Those winners will be announced in the spring.
More than 1.3 million high school juniors from approximately 21,000 schools across the country entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the qualifying test.
The pool of semifinalists, representing less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, comprises the highest-scoring students from each state. The number of semifinalists from each state is determined in proportion to the state’s percentage of the nation’s total graduating seniors.
The following local students have earned their place on the semifinalist list:
► Mark Houston, Briarwood Christian
► Ian Robertson, Briarwood Christian
► Madelyn Bailey, Oak Mountain
► Benjamin Dahle, Oak Mountain
► Tyler Glenn, Oak Mountain
► Eun Song Lee, Oak Mountain
► Ali Najim, Oak Mountain
Spain Park National Merit Scholarships semifinalists, National Recognition for Hispanic Scholars and National Recognition for African-American Scholars gather for a ceremony in the school’s library. From left: Tracy Li, Emily Njau, Trevor Gakunga, Noah Smith, David Johnson, Carmen Britt, Rebecca Stafford, Sofia Contreras, Michael Allen, Julia Daigle and Xuyang Chen. Photo by Taylor Bright.
► Logan Price, Oak Mountain
► Abigail Smith, Oak Mountain
► Michael Allen, Spain Park
► Carmen Britt, Spain Park
► Xuyang Chen, Spain Park
► Julia Daigle, Spain Park
► David Johnson, Spain Park
► Tracy Li, Spain Park
► Noah Smith, Spain Park
► Rebecca Stafford, Spain Park
► Nathan J. Albert, Indian Springs
► Avery T. Biga, Indian Springs
► Evelyn F. Frohsin, Indian Springs
► Aviva Goldberg, Indian Springs
► Ibrahim Hamo, Indian Springs
► Jihyun Kim, Indian Springs
► Erik R. Ledvina, Indian Springs
► Maximilian U. Lizee, Indian Springs
► Radyn Moradkhani, Indian Springs
► Syla A. Steinman, Indian Springs
► Samuel A. White, Indian Springs
Spain Park Principal Amanda Esslinger
By TAYLOR BRIGHT
Amanda Esslinger has been the principal at Spain Park High School since the summer of 2022.
Q: What inspired you to work in education?
A: When I think about what inspired me to become an educator, I honestly don’t have an answer. And that sounds probably crazy, but I have never wanted to be anything other than a teacher. And once I became a teacher, I was so fortunate to work under an administrative team that believed in me and gave me responsibilities that were more on a school-level that really led me to see that I would like to go into administration. And, really, the rest is history.
Q: What is something great about your school?
A: Gosh, to name something that is great about Spain Park is probably one of the hardest things because there are so many things that are great. But I would have to say the greatest thing is the people. And by the people I mean our amazing students, our teachers, our custodians, our CNP staff and our support staff and, of course, the administrative team that helps me every single day. Really the best part about Spain Park is the people because they are what makes Spain Park special.
Q: Tell us something about you that people might not know.
A: Growing up, my parents owned a bowling alley, and I bowled every Saturday until I was in high school because the league was on Saturday mornings. But when I was in high school, I joined the track team, and the meets were on Saturday mornings, so I couldn’t bowl anymore. But it actually was probably the decision that changed my life the most, because through track I met my husband.
Amanda Esslinger, Principal at Spain Park High School. Photo by Savannah Schmidt
Christmas Open House
Explore a world of wonder for your little ones. From charming décor to delightful toys, we have everything to spark their imagination.
Business Buzz
BUSINESS HAPPENINGS
NOW OPEN
BAM’s Coin Laundry is now open at 190 Chelsea Corners Way, Unit 109. This location marks the eighth location state-wide, and it offers self-service coin laundry as well as a full-service wash, dry and fold option. The facility offers large-capacity washers and dryers, detergent dispensers, bill-changing machines and free Wi-Fi. BAM’s Coin Laundry is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 256-749-4332, bamscoinlaundry.net
Planson Outdoors is a high-end retailer of outdoor furniture and accessories now open at 1401 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 107. Products include outdoor furniture, umbrellas, grills, fire pits, custom outdoor kitchen islands and cabinets, outdoor appliances, outdoor heaters, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, fire and water features, garage cabinetry and seasonal, high-end holiday decor. They offer a price match guarantee to ensure customers are getting the best deal. 833-PLANSON (752-6766), plansonoutdoors.com
Marshalls has recently opened on U.S. 280, in the River Ridge shopping center near Super Target. Marshalls offers customers a variety of merchandise including home goods, clothing, shoes, accessories and more. The items are typically from well-known brands and sold at discounted prices. Shoppers can visit the store daily from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 205-995-7154, marshalls.com
COMING SOON
American Eagle Outfitters is coming soon to The Summit. The store will be near Chuy’s restaurant, between Lizard Thicket and Aerie, also owned by American Eagle Outfitters. American Eagle carries casual, stylish clothing for everyday life, including men's and women’s denim, active wear, swimwear and more. No opening date for the store has been set, but more details will be shared when they become available. ae.com/us/en
Beth Hontzas Photography, 3 Office Park Circle, Suite 116, is hosting Making Spirits Bright, a fall portrait fundraiser to benefit Unless U, on Saturday, Nov. 2. Unless U creates an inclusive environment that reflects Christ's love, ensuring that every person is cherished,
celebrated and empowered as image-bearers of God, thus transforming society's view of adults with developmental disabilities. To book a portrait session, call or email beth@bethhontzas.com.
205-253-5870, bethhontzas.com
NEW OWNERSHIP
4th and Inches, 48 Chesser Crane Road in Chelsea, is under new ownership. Local residents Richard Powers and Brandon Fennell are the store’s new owners, and are prepared to offer customers the same loaded teas and protein shakes they know and love. Powers and Fennell plan to redecorate and bring a “local feel” to the business.
205-677-2060, facebook.com/4thandinchesnutrition
PERSONNEL MOVES
DSLD Land Management, 1200 Dunnavant Valley Road, is proud to welcome Jim Hogan to their staff of professionals. Jim is a graduate of Auburn University and has been a registered landscape architect for 25 years. His extensive work experience ranges from small residential firms to large, multi-disciplined firms. He lives in Birmingham with his wife, Amy, and has two sons and a daughter.
205-437-1012, dsldland.com
ANNIVERSARIES
The Secret Garden Garden Shop and Learning Center has been open for seven years on Shelby County 11 in Chelsea. The nursery offers a large variety of seasonal plants, flowers, shrubs, pots, planters and experts to assist customers in buying and planting the right plants for their needs. The shop is open for business Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 205-678-2411, secretgardenalabama.com
Ming’s Cuisine, 514 Cahaba Park Circle, has enjoyed 36 years in business. The family-owned and operated restaurant has served Chinese food in the Birmingham area since 1988. Ming’s offers traditional Chinese dishes daily, including Mongolian beef, kung pao chicken, mein, fried rice and more. The restaurant offers both lunch and dinner, with lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
205-991-3803, mingsmenu.com
Warby Parker has been open for one year at The Summit. The store offers eye exams, vision tests, designer glasses and more. The Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program gives a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair bought. Customers can stop by Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. 205-813-5895, thesummitbirmingham.com/store/warby-parker
Primo’s Pizza and Pasta is celebrating one year of business at 16064 U.S. 280 in Chelsea. The restaurant offers classic Italian dishes, crafted from the freshest, locally grown ingredients. Customers can enjoy handmade pizzas, pasta dishes, calzones, salads and desserts. Primo’s is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. and Sunday until 8 p.m. 205-677-2034, primopizzapastatogo.com
Haven Space Salon, 5291 Valleydale Road #125, is celebrating four years in business. The salon offers cuts, color, chemical treatments, event styling and more. The stylists focus on hospitality in keeping with the “more than hair” motto, and are proud to gift a portion of services to The Lovelady Center. Customers are seen on
Do you have news to share about a business along the U.S. 280 corridor or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings
280 Living is spotlighting local businesses in print and online. Submit your business for consideration here: go.starnesmedia.com/business-spotlight
Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. 205-582-2600, havenspacesalon.com
Iron City Dance Factory has been open at 7350 Cahaba Valley Road, Suite 103, for one year. Business owner and Artistic Director Tiffeny Robertson has been dancing for 34 years and teaching for 21 years, along with a full staff of instructors. Iron City Dance offers classes for all ages, beginning with recreational dance and progressing through the leveled dance programs. The studio also offers a competitive dance program as an option for advanced dancers. The studio is open Monday through Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. 205-444-0158, ironcitydance.com
Chipotle Mexican Grill is nearing the location’s oneyear anniversary, across from Walmart on U.S. 280. The fast food restaurant chain offers fresh burritos, quesadillas, tacos and bowls, made to order from fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients. Diners can stop by daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. 659-272-0321, chipotle.com
Master Scarsella's World Class Tae Kwon Do is celebrating 20 years in Birmingham. The school is headquartered at 268 Inverness Center Drive, just off U.S. 280. Currently, there is a second school located at 3417 Old Columbiana Road in Hoover. That location will be moving to Riverchase Promenade later this year. 205-981-9636, alabamatkd.com
Renew Dermatology is celebrating its one year anniversary at 2827 Greystone Commercial Blvd. Dr. Curl, Dr. Bares and the Renew staff offer both medical and cosmetic dermatology, physician-grade skincare, aesthetician services and more. Renew Dermatology has one other location in Homewood. Patients can be seen in Greystone Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 205-580-1500, renewdermatology.net
CLOSINGS
Lit Cards and More has closed the store at 5413 U.S. 280, Suite 101. The store owners said that they were closing the store due to “circumstances out of their control” but would continue to evolve and offer their inventory on Whatnot, an online marketplace. The business carries graded sports cards, card boxes and clothing. litcardsandmore.com
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SPOTLIGHT GET TO KNOW
Samata Shah, owner of Kopri Signs & Graphics
By STAFF
Samata Shah, owner of Kopri Signs & Graphics, LLC, recently sat down with 280 Living to talk about her journey from having $20 in her pocket to being a successful business owner.
Q: What is your background and when did you come to America?
A: I am a graphic designer. I was born and raised in India and migrated to the USA in 1987 with my husband, Shailesh Shah, who is an engineering manager. We both came to America with only $20 each. I got a job in the printing industry while my husband finished his master's. We relocated to Alabama in 1993. We have two daughters; both went through the Oak Mountain school system. I have been living on 280 for over 30 years, and I have had my business on 280, in the Greystone area in Shelby County for 27 years.
Q: When did you start your business and what were some of the challenges early on?
A: My inability to speak fluent English and cultural differences were two of my biggest challenges. The first few years were difficult, but I trained myself to speak proper English by watching the news and listening to the radio.
Q: What differentiates you from your competitors?
A: There are three reasons we are different than other promotional companies: we do most of the production in-house, we offer on-time delivery at a great price and all six of our team members are graphic designers. Our focus on “No quantity is too small or too large” landed us so many small and large customers.
Q: What do you do to relax?
A: I love gardening. No matter how tired I am, my garden refreshes me. I spend either Saturday or Sunday in my garden. I have four beds that are 8’ x 20’ that I plant with many different vegetables.
Paradise Grills, located in the Adena Lane shopping center along U.S. 280, supplies patio furniture and outdoor kitchen equipment. The chain has showrooms across the United States, but the Birmingham location, opened in 2022, is the first in Alabama.
Paradise offers installation of a variety of outdoor kitchen fixtures such as professional grills and cocktail stations, islands and bars. The outlet also stocks warming and cooling systems, outdoor storage, patio furniture and fireplaces and firepits, both of which come with LED lighting and gas-burning rocks.
According to Paradise, all of its products
are pre-fabricated, meaning customers are not required to obtain building permits to install them. The delivery timeframe for a purchase is five to 10 business days, and Paradise provides assembly services on the same day a product is delivered.
Paradise also offers a Paradise for Life members program that gives customers 15% discounts on all products, priority pre-order on new releases and full product trade-in value for life.
The Paradise Grills showroom is at 5413 U.S. 280, Suite 104, and is open on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Purchases can be made in person or online at paradisegrillsdirect.com.
Sameta Shah poses at Kopri Signs & Graphics. Photo courtesy of Sameta Shah.
Paradise Grills is in the Cahaba Market shopping center at 5413 U.S. 280. Photo by Tim Stephens.
Sips and Bites
SPOTLIGHT
Buffalo Wild Wings brings the heat for football season
By STAFF
Buffalo Wild Wings’ location off of U.S. 280 on Riverview Parkway has been open for over 20 years, making it the second-oldest Buffalo Wild Wings in Birmingham.
“We pride ourselves on the service, and we pride ourselves on being the best place to watch sports and the best place to get wings,” said Chris Brown, the general manager of the Riverview Parkway location.
Brown said the sports bar, while known for its buffalo wings, has been offering a wide selection of hamburgers, which have been popular.
They also have a couple of new items on the menu, Brown said.
“We got a BLT that sets us apart from all the rest of the BLTs,” he said. “Our BLT got a
Parmesan crust on the bread that we actually toast on the flat top, and a bunch of different burgers that we've got that have come out, and then obviously our wings are what we're famous for.”
The restaurant has two new sauces coming back on the menu, Brown said.
“Our hot barbecue that we've had on the menu for years came off [the menu] and it's now back for football season,” Brown said. “We've also got our buffalo bacon sauce that's like a smoky and barbecue buffalo sauce that's got a lot of flavor to it.”
Buffalo Wild Wing on Riverview Parkway is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursdays; and 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
Care management
‘is a calling, not a job’
LIFECARE SOLUTIONS
LifeCare Solutions, based in Mountain Brook, is the leading comprehensive care management service in the Birmingham area and helps families care for people of all ages who need help navigating serious health and lifestyle challenges.
Many older people have health concerns, both mental and physical, and even young people may have to cope with or recover from serious injuries, chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Regardless of age, they all need someone they can trust to help them find their way through a bewildering maze of healthcare providers and other services.
LifeCare Solutions is there with a holistic, client-centered approach.
“Our mission is to support, educate and provide on-going expertise and resources to our clients and their families through compassion, guidance and understanding,” says Christy Baynes, the firm’s Founder and CEO. “We are committed to helping our clients achieve their best quality of life while living with a chronic illness.”
“Working with families, our expertise provides the answers at a time of uncertainty,” says Taylor Crane, the vice-president of operations for LifeCare Solutions. “We guide our families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers.”
The caring, well-trained staff at LifeCare Solutions can assess the client’s current needs and help the client and the client’s family plan for the future.
They can also help educate caregivers; help clients and families plan for crisis care; and connect families with other resources and providers, including help with legal and financial matters.
“We help navigate them through their care journey, and that covers basically everything they can’t do for themselves,” Crane says. “We recommend outside resources, like caregiving, home health, physicians, facilities and so many more local resources.”
Baynes started the company in 2012 when her professional and personal experience showed her the need for true continuity of care focused on the whole person, because care doesn’t stop when a patient walks out of the hospital.
“Care is our calling, not our job,” Baynes says. “Our own families and loved ones have endured many of the same hardships and challenges that our clients face.
► WHERE: 6 Office Park Circle, Suite 216
► CALL: 205-848-8400
► WEBSITE: lcscaresolutions.com
“We choose team members with the right educational background, years of expertise in the industry, personal experience and — most importantly — the heart and passion to serve our clients and their families,” she says.
Baynes’ husband, Allen Baynes, serves as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, and Bragan Petrey — a certified registered nurse practitioner — serves as Assessment Specialist.
The company has grown steadily and now has 18 staff members with 250 years of combined experience.
“Our staff has backgrounds in areas such as nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, gerontology, speech pathology and social work,” Crane says. “Our expertise includes in-home care, home health, adult day care, support groups, assisted living and memory care assisted living, skilled nursing, and palliative and hospice care.”
LifeCare Solutions has also expanded its service area, recently opening an office in Opelika. The company now serves Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, the Auburn/Opelika area and their surrounding communities.
LifeCare Solutions is also a proud woman-owned business, and
nearly 90% of the staff members are women.
“All of the wonderful women on our staff have servant’s hearts and use their expertise as well as compassion to guide our clients and their families towards a solution,” Crane says. “To our team, it’s personal!”
Women certainly bring some strong, positive attributes to the company.
“Women not only bring great wisdom and experience to the business world, but they also bring such understanding and compassion while doing so,” Crane says.
The work the staff does at LifeCare Solutions is very gratifying.
“The majority of the time, our clients or their families come to us lost, overwhelmed or in crisis mode because the healthcare industry is so complicated, lacks unified communication, or there are just too many choices,” Crane says. ‘On top of all of that, caring for a loved one is emotional. We
get to meet our clients at whatever stage they are at in their care and relieve them of their stress and burden so they can be family. To do what we do, you have to have a bleeding heart, but being able to see the relief that our service brings to our clients and their families is reward enough.”
People also need and want personal, hands-on care, so each client at LifeCare Solutions has just one care manager.
“We want to build that relationship of trust between the care manager and the client and client’s family,” Crane says.
LifeCare Solutions has tremendous expertise in caring for patients with dementia.
“Dementia care and support have always been at the forefront of our company’s focus,” Crane says. “Most of our care managers have worked decades with persons living with dementia.”
Baynes began her geriatric career in 1998 at UAB working as a research assistant in the REACH (Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregivers Health) Program.
In fact, the firm is the first PAC® (Positive Approach to Care) Designated Organization in the state.
“Our organization incorporates PAC®’s training and techniques in our staff training, family education and community outreach,” Crane says.
The BRIDGE team at LCS work with our clients needing help with errands and personal assistant tasks. They also work with individuals living from dementia by providing personalized activities that “bring a client joy,” she says.
For example, one woman with dementia loved to collect antiques.
“So we take her estate sale shopping,” Crane says.
“However, most of the time our clients just need someone to talk to and to be there to spend time with them,” she says.
LifeCare Solutions has also seen the age range of its clients expand over time.
“While geriatrics is still our specialty, we have been helping younger and younger individuals who need the same help as older adults, whether it involves a chronic illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse or mental health,” Baynes says.
For more information, call 205-848-8400 or go online to lcscaresolutions.com.
Standing, from left: Bragan Petry, Taylor Crane and Nicole Crawford. Sitting: Allen Baynes and Christy Baynes.
By the numbers: 2023 vs. 2024
HIT THE FIELD AT YOUR BEST
Keeping You Healthy All Season Long
At OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports, we are committed to providing you with excellence in patient-centered care. If an injury is keeping you on the sidelines, our doctors are here to help get you back on the field safely and stronger.
Walk-In Clinic Available
BIRMINGHAM
Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
HOOVER
Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, call (205) 953-4338 or scan the QR code below.
Childrens
A better way to navigate Medicare
If you are starting to think about retirement or are approaching age 65, you have probably begun trying to learn more about Medicare. We know it can be confusing to sift through ALL the Medicare plan options and decide which one to choose. All the advertisers offer to give you advice, but they’re just trying to sell you a product.
Medicare Advisors of Alabama is different.
We are independent insurance brokers, which means we are not tied to any one insurance company. Our goal is to get to know YOU and learn about your specific healthcare needs. We are Medicare experts, and we would love to help you cut through the clutter and find the plan that works best for you!
Mt Laurel readies for Fall Festival
By EMILY REED
The Town of Mt Laurel is gearing up for its annual Fall Festival, which will be held Oct. 12 beginning at 10 a.m.
This year’s festival will celebrate the best of autumn, and guests can enjoy local craft and food vendors throughout the Town of Mt Laurel.
“It is always a really good time because it is usually when the weather is a bit cooler outside and it is a great event to bring the whole family to,” said Tiffany Bittner with ARC Realty, the main sponsors of the event.
Over the years the festival has continued to grow with artisan and farmer pop-up booths, live music by local musicians on the Bryson Square Stage and food offered from Mt Laurel restaurants as well as food trucks from Birmingham.
“We always try to get the fall festival in so people can come before Halloween,” Bittner said. “We have pumpkins and about 220 vendors selling their things. People always really enjoy coming out for it.”
The festival ends at 3 p.m.
The Friends of the Mt Laurel Library will host their book sale in conjunction with the Festival.
“The festival is usually packed with wonderful vendors including local farmers and unique artisans,” said Emily Katz with the Mt Laurel Library. “There is always something new and the book sale is a hit every year. We have books for all ages and interests.”
This year, there will be a free craft for kids inside the library and the book sale is $10 to fill a tote bag of books, Katz said.
Ann Price, president of the Friends of the Library, said the book sale is a long-time
2024 Mt Laurel Fall Festival
• WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• DETAILS: Features food trucks, local vendors and live music
• WEB: mtlaurel.com
tradition at both the spring and fall festivals.
“In fact, the early book sales were held even before the Mt Laurel Library was built in order to raise funds for the construction of a library in Mt Laurel to serve the Dunnavant Valley area,” Price said. “Once the library was built in 2014, the book sales continued as a way to provide support for the library’s summer reading programs and other projects.”
The Friends of Mt Laurel Library organization was originally formed to build the local branch of the North Shelby Library. Through a grassroots effort, the Friends raised the entire amount to construct the building for the library on land donated by EBSCO Development, with no county or state funds used.
After completion of the building, the organization expanded their focus to helping support summer reading projects and various other programs. The Friends of Mt Laurel Library are now involved in helping support the various activities of the library.
The book sale will happen rain or shine. For more information about the festival, visit mtlaurel.com.
Fitting Birmingham's Children in Quality Clothing and Shoes for over 69 years
Mt Laurel’s Fall Festival will feature local music. Staff photo.
Helical Piers
2024 Shelby County Band Showcase
Chelsea, Oak Mountain put on their best shows
Photos by SAVANNAH SCHMIDT
The Chelsea High School and Oak Mountain High School marching bands strutted their stuff at the 2024 Shelby County Band Showcase.
Chelsea’s show was entitled "Heavy is the Crown.” The medley included songs like “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “The Edge of Glory,” “Vienna” and “Viva la Vida.” The Marching Hornet Pride is composed of over 160 members between the instrumentalists and auxiliary. While the majority of their performances happen during football game halftime shows, they also travel throughout the U.S. to perform in competitions with university bands.
Oak Mountain’s show was entitled, “Imagine: Music of Dreams and Fantasy,” with selections from “Once upon a Dream,” “The Sorcerer's Apprentice,” Disney’s “Fantasmic!,” “How to Train Your Dragon” and Stravinsky’s “The Firebird.” At just over 300 members, the Spirit of Cahaba Band is the largest it has been since the school's founding. The group also brought along a special prop: a black cauldron fully equipped with its own fog machine, which was sent across the country by a Hollywood prop master.
STORAGE FACILITY NOW OPEN
New residents pushed the city’s population to just over 14,000, as of 2020. Picklesimer said he decided the property would be best used for business purposes rather than another housing development.
“At that time, three or four years ago, housing was just exploding,” Picklesimer said. “We had plenty of housing coming, and I really didn’t see or feel the need to try to promote new housing because it was going on in spite of me, basically.”
He said the idea for the business park was to encourage new companies to locate in Chelsea in an area that was ready-made for businesses, so the businesses could get started as quickly as possible. It was also designed to support the city’s existing businesses and give residents an opportunity to work in the community in which they live.
“My vision for that business park was to create a place where businesses could come and build their buildings and their companies, and give them the opportunity for more people to stay in town for lunch and some more people to live and work in the same community and, if they didn’t live here, to come to Chelsea and work,” Picklesimer said.
He said the city is not actively targeting specific industries, but he would like to see a mix of technology, medical and some general office buildings relocate to the business park. However, he does not expect the park to be a draw for retail businesses and won’t be a direct source of sales tax revenue for the city. Despite this, he believes the park will have
a significant downstream positive impact on the local economy.
“I think it’s going most of the commercial, so it really won’t be a big tax sales tax generator for us, but when people are up there working, they’re going to spend money at our restaurants and our gas stations and, hopefully, they’ll like it being in Chelsea, and perhaps even move here, once they’ve started working here,” Picklesimer said. “I just felt like we needed a development here in Chelsea that would be welcoming for businesses.”
Foothills Business Park is separated into five sites, ranging from 0.91 acres to 3.79 acres, but can be subdivided as needed. Picklesimer said they have sold one of the lots
to a development from Pelham with plans to build an office building with an attached warehouse at the rear, as well as an existing building on Chesser Park Drive. Picklesimer said he believes it may take up to five years for the business park to be at full capacity.
The city of Chelsea is working with 58 INC, Shelby County’s economic development corporation, on the Foothills Business Park project. Bradley Paramore, 58 INC’s economic development specialist, said the business park is part of a growing trend as companies look for more business-friendly locales, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns.
“People who are looking nationally
to locate businesses, whether they be manufacturers, office space, any of those kinds of things, are looking for sites that are more and more ready to go,” Paramore said. “They’re not just driving down the road, pointing out a bunch of trees and saying, ‘Let’s go there.’”
“They really want a lot more questions answered before they make that decision and a lot of the risk mitigated,” he added. “They want to make sure that all of the utilities are at the site, [that] it’s graded. So when they make a decision and start their due diligence process, they’re not going to come across any surprises.”
My vision for that business park was to create a place where businesses could
and build their buildings and their companies, and give them the opportunity for more people to stay in town for lunch and some more people to live and work in the same community and, if they didn’t live here, to come to Chelsea and work.
TONY PICKLESIMER
Paramore said the park’s visibility from U.S. 280, in addition to its site readiness, make it an ideal location for any business looking to quickly get established in Chelsea.
“Location is everything. That’s not just a saying, it really is,” Paramore said. “It has all of the boxes checked and all the questions answered, and it’s ready to go for whatever business wants to go there.”
Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer oversees the development of Foothills Business Park, a development that is selling space to different companies to create a new commercial area alongside U.S. 280. Photo courtesy of Shelby County.
NEUROPATHY SEMINAR & FREE SCREENING
CONTINUED from page A1
Baker said this year he made the decision to plant three different pumpkin patches, to ensure there would be plenty of pumpkins for the fall season.
“I have lived and learned a lot over the years,” Baker said. “I have learned that I can plant more, and then I usually won’t run out of pumpkins and have to go purchase pumpkins for people to be able to get when they visit the farm. We have found that people really like picking a pumpkin growing on the vine, so I decided to plant three patches this year as opposed to two, and we will see how that goes.”
The pumpkin season will run through Oct. 31, and visitors to the farm can enjoy traditional fall activities throughout the season, such as a corn maze.
Baker currently manages the farm with his wife, Pam, and their family, marking the fourth generation of family members to run the farm. Old Baker Farm has raised cotton, soy beans, corn, pumpkins, sunflowers, Christmas trees, watermelons and a large garden over the years.
“I started planting pumpkins about 27 years ago when I had some daughters that needed to go to college,” Baker said. “I needed a way to make money for them to go, and I was involved in cotton, but not making enough with cotton, so I started planting pumpkins to see how that would go.”
The farm has been worked by the Baker family for more than 100 years and was one of only 12 farms featured in the USDA 2000 calendar “Millennium Celebration of Century Farms.”
Leah Harry, Pam and Jerry Baker’s daughter, plans to continue to run the farm with her husband, Ryan Harry, when her parents pass the farm down.
“This transition will happen in the near future; however, for now we are continuing to assist them as needed,” Leah Harry said. “Each year we do our best to add something aesthetically pleasing for our customers. Last year, we added the windmill and garden. This year, we have added a covered bridge close to the pumpkin patch. It is a beautiful area for pictures. Improvements are being made each year to keep up with the continued growth year over year in the area.”
Jerry Baker said the pumpkins seem to have grown well this season despite weather patterns that were either too dry or too wet at times.
“I think we are going to be OK this season, but we have had some hard weather this year,” he said. “We first had a lot of dry and then we had a lot of wet weather, which made it all a bit difficult when you are out plowing and cultivating and trying to clean up the fields. But, we should be in good shape.”
Baker said he grows about 20 different varieties of pumpkins each season.
He first begins planting the pumpkins in June, which are the varieties he refers to as the “giants.”
“The giants are really hard to grow, so I start out first with them, and just add to them a little bit more as time goes on,” Baker said. “I plant some the first of July, and then I will plant some more in August. The size of the
pumpkin really depends on the length of time it takes to grow.”
Baker said he will have pumpkins available in all shapes, colors and sizes, so customers can find their favorites.
“Pumpkins are really a northern crop,” Baker said. “They don’t really love this southern weather, but our light units are longer than what it is up north so it cuts down the time to grow them. It is a little less time down here to grow a pumpkin than it takes up north.”
Leah Harry said since the farm is a true row-crop farm, they always face challenges with the weather.
“Too much rain or too little rain can create unpredictable crops, which can produce little yield when needed,” she said. “So far, the pumpkins have not been impacted, but the corn field has suffered. We adjust accordingly and do our best to educate customers. Typically, most people understand.”
Outside of the family members who live on Old Baker Farm and work each day, there are two additional employees who work at the farm consistently and seasonal workers employed during the busy seasons.
“We are really blessed with a large family and a big community in the Harpersville, Vincent and surrounding areas that are so willing to help during the busy season,”
Harry said. “It truly takes an army to keep us up and running.”
Each October, the Bakers invite the public to join them for the Cotton Pickin’ Celebration, where everyone gets to see what life is like on a real working farm, according to information on the farm’s website.
The farm also welcomes school groups for field trips throughout the fall season.
The first event at the farm will be the kickoff weekend of Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 29, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. A complete list of the fall lineup and calendar of events can be found on the farm’s website, oldbakerfarm.com. OLD BAKER FARM
“I think we are unique in that we have always tried to grow under the same concept,” Harry said. “Educating others on how important the farming community truly is, while encouraging people in their faith.
► Cost: $13 per person, free for children ages 1 and younger
► Details: Concessions and live music every Saturday and Sunday
► Call: 205-672-7209
► Email: oldbakerfarm1899 @gmail.com
► Website: oldbakerfarm.com
From growing pumpkins, sunflowers, cotton, Christmas trees and corn, what we do is a labor of love. Sharing this and the love of Christ with others keeps us going.”
Harry said as the farm continues to grow, she hopes they never forgets where they started from.
“We are a generational farm that hopes to leave a legacy to future generations, while sharing the beauty of this gift that God has given us,” Harry said. “We hope God’s spirit radiates here and others see that, and they want to be a part of it.”
Old Baker Farm is located at 184 Furrow Lane in Harpersville and open weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
Cost of admission is $13 per person, and children ages 1 and younger enter for free. For farm details, call 205-672-7209 or
Resort-Style Retirement Living
Danberry at Inverness offers the finest retirement living in the Birmingham area. One step inside our community, and you’ll see what we mean for yourself. Each day, residents enjoy an all-inclusive, worry-free lifestyle, complete with:
» Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care
» Newly renovated spaces
» First-class services and amenities
» Life-enriching programs, events and wellness classes
» Modern floor plans
» Exceptional dining
To learn more and schedule a personal tour, call 205-443-9500 or visit www.DanberryatInverness.com.
Harvest Season Events Calendar
► Season Kickoff: Sept. 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sept. 29, 1-5 p.m.
► Harvest Dance: Oct. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 6, 1-5 p.m. Enjoy square dancers and dulcimer players.
► Cowboy Day: Oct. 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 13, 1-5 p.m. Visit the Old West ways with a stroll through Tombstone, catch live-action shootouts, enjoy the bluegrass band and Big Canoe Creek.
► Columbus Day: Oct. 14. Special Monday hours, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
► American History Weekend: Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 20, 1-5 p.m. Come learn from American War demonstrations reenactments, enjoy living history events around the farm and visit with the Southeastern American Indian Camp.
► Festival Weekend: Oct. 26-27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop vendors, enjoy all the farm has to offer, enjoy live music and visit an 1800s-inspired carnival.
email oldbakerfarm1899@gmail.com.
Homesteaded over 200 years ago, the Old Baker Farm remains today as a traditional family farm, growing crops including cotton, corn, pumpkins and Christmas trees as well as livestock such as cattle, pigs, chickens, mules and horses. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
A cut above: Butcher shop carves out local niche
By EMERY AKIN
Today, being able to step foot in a local grocer, know where your food is coming from and be known by name is a rare thing. However, Jim Moeller, owner of the New York Butcher Shoppe, specializes in that neighborly feel.
“I think a lot of people come in and, when they see it, go, ‘This is great,’ because they don't have that rural community or neighborhood butchers that they used to grow up with back in the day,” Moeller said.
The New York Butcher Shoppe’s Greystone location, on Cahaba Valley Road, is a “one-stop dinner shop,” Moeller said. It offers a selection of fresh meats from family-owned farms across the country, as well as ready-to-bake meals prepared by an in-house chef.
Moeller said the store offers “the best available that the consumer can purchase,” whether that be certified Angus beef, other meats, fine wines, dry rubs, pre-made meals, sides, desserts or dinner rolls.
“We try to bring things in that you may not be able to find at a regular grocery store,” Moeller said.
The shop also offers freshly cut deli meat, which is used in-shop to make sandwiches that are available for pick-up. Moeller said they are always piled high with meat.
“Our goal is to make you have to take a nap afterwards,” he said. For Moeller, business has always
been about people first. After being in the waterworks industry for roughly 25 years, he made a career change. Moeller opened his first butcher shop in Cahaba Heights in 2010,
which he saw as an opportunity to expand his “entrepreneurial spirit.”
“I wanted to be home more, I was always out on the road,” Moeller said. “I lived in Birmingham but I didn’t know anybody.”
Opening a second location was even a customer-centered decision.
When Moeller realized that some of his customers didn’t want to brave the busy 280 corridor, he opened a second location in Greystone in 2019.
“We had a lot of good customers and a lot of good friends out this way, so we thought, well, let's just open up here and make it easier and convenient for them,” Moeller said.
Today, it feels like Moeller knows everybody. His Cahaba Heights location remains the longest-running franchisee in the company and has helped him make up for lost time connecting with people.
“We get to know everybody really well,” he said. “We know when people are having babies and grandbabies. We know when people are graduating. I've got several customers of mine that their kids were in middle school on their baseball team and now they’ve graduated college, and it’s like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe it.’”
For more information about the shop, go online to local.nybutcher. com/birmingham-greystone.
Jim Moeller, owner of the New York Butcher Shoppe on Cahaba Valley Road, offers a “one-stop dinner shop.”
Photo by Emery Akin.
Your health today
written by Dr. Palmer
In the U.S., nearly 1 in 7 Americans experience weekly bloating, particularly women. Bloating is characterized by a feeling of fullness, tightness or swelling in the abdomen. Often, bloating occurs due to the buildup of gas in the digestive tract, and may also produce abdominal pain, discomfort and visible distention of the stomach. While many individuals feel bloating is common, it’s not “normal”. In short, bloating is a sign of an unhealthy gut microbiome.
The microbiome (your gut environment), which consists of trillions of microorganisms living in your digestive tract, plays a crucial role in digestion, immune function and overall health. An imbalance in these microorganisms, known as dysbiosis, can contribute to various health and digestive issues, including bloating. Our age, health status, diet and environment all influence the numbers of microorganisms in your gut. “Dramatic increases in chronic diseases, including Type 1 diabetes, asthma, obesity, gastroesophageal reflux disease and inflammatory bowel disease, have been linked to the loss of proper bacteria in our guts, caused by the overuse of antibiotics, dietary choices, and a variety of other lifestyle choices”, according to Dr Martin Blaser, MD at Cleveland Clinic.
If you’re suffering from frequent bloating, and your digestive system isn’t functioning
properly, here are three things you can do to help keep it on the right track.
1. Eat gut-friendly food. Your dietary intake matters. The gut microbiome prefers foods we can’t digest. This includes foods with fiber, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds and nuts; foods we already know we should eat for their nutritional properties. However, while fiber and starches are often recommended for gut health, they can worsen symptoms by feeding bad bacteria to your gut, if the gut health is poor. Excess fiber consumption with SLOW motility, feeds bacteria along the digestive tract, which is often associated with bloating.
Therefore, according to microbiome researcher Gail Cresci, foods to remove from your gut, or eat in much lower amounts, include foods high in fiber initially, high in sugar, ultra-processed foods, and foods prepared with seed oils. “These are all associated with the consumption of a Western diet, which is also associated with a disrupted microbiome,” she said. Note, a healthy gut microbiome depends on the consumption of fermented foods because eating them help replace the good microbes. Incidentally, those consuming fermented foods have increased microbiomes as well as decreases in markers of inflammation.
Bloating Game Plan
2. Find the right probiotics or supplements to incorporate into your diet. Incorporating prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics into your daily diet can also significantly enhance your gut health and overall well-being. Prebiotics, the non-digestible fibers, serve as nourishment for beneficial bacteria. Probiotics, the live microorganisms, directly contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. Postbiotics, the bioactive compounds produced during fermentation, offer additional health benefits. The relationship between prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics is symbiotic, meaning they work together to support and maintain optimal gut health. Prebiotics fuel the growth of probiotics, which in turn produce postbiotics that offer additional health benefits. Cresci stated, “If you have a bad diet, and you want to keep eating a bad diet but want to improve your microbiome, any pre, probiotic or postbiotics, isn’t going to erase your bad choices”. Bottom line, “you have to do the other part too”. Sprout’s, Wholefoods, or our office can provide great resources for the pre, pro and post biotic.
3. Move your body every day and prioritize sleep. “Get better sleep” and “exercise more” sounds like I’ve mentioned this before. However, improving your sleep hygiene and squeezing in more physical activity are tried and true ways to improve your health, including your gut health. Exercise
will help your gut in different ways, specifically by improving your circulation, helping your metabolism and aiding your digestive muscles, according to information from the Cleveland Clinic. Getting good sleep is another general piece of wellness advice tied directly to the health of our guts. Lacking sleep triggers an increase in stress and cortisol, which have negative mental and physical impacts. “There’s a lot going on with the gut-brain interaction, so that signals back to the microbiome, and vice versa,” Cresci said. It’s a fundamental fact that when we’re exhausted, we don’t have the energy to do many of the things that keep us healthy, like exercising or finding a nutritious meal, both of which impact our gut health. “When you’re sleepy, tired, and exhausted, one tends to go for the quick meal, and not do the things we know are good for our gut microbiomes,” Cresci said. “So, it kind of perpetuates itself.”
At the end of the day, consuming more whole natural foods is linked to higher gut microbiome and one’s overall health. Strive to plan and seek out locations to eat that have gut friendly foods if your kitchen is not an option. Have hope, bloating is resolvable with a proper game plan. Our wellness chiropractic office is here to help you regain your health, naturally. Resources: Mercola. com, CNET.com, Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
205-618-8001 • cottagesupplycompany.com/chelsea
Chelsea has a convenient, customer-friendly, locally owned store where designers, builders, contractors and homeowners can buy everything they need to transform a home.
Cottage Supply Company at 20 Chelsea Corners near U.S. 280 features tile, countertops, flooring, carpet, wallpaper, window treatments and hardware, as well as Minwax stain and sundries and a full selection of premium-quality Benjamin Moore paints.
A one-stop shop for interior spaces, Cottage Supply Company allows customers to save time by making all of their selections under one roof rather than driving from store to store with samples and paint chips.
The store’s customer service and quality is second to none and better than any big-box store.
In addition, the experienced decorators, designers and project managers at Cottage Supply Company can help customers to thoroughly plan
their projects.
“You can sit down with Jill or Carley or any of our other in-house design consultants and plan all the different elements of a full remodel and then order and schedule those elements,” said Jonathan Lenning, the store’s general manager for sales. “You can also walk in and talk to Bill Wilkes about your painting project and walk out with a gallon of high-quality paint in-hand.”
Cottage Supply Company offers customers seamless solutions for their renovation projects. These solutions include design flow — making sure that, for example, the cabinets you pick complement your floor and enhance your countertop.
The professionals at Cottage Supply Company also strive to communicate clearly with customers and to earn their trust.
For more information, go to cottagesupplycompany.com/chelsea or call 205-618-8001.
There’s lots of landscapers in the Birmingham area, but few measure up to Gardner Landscaping in Hoover.
The company’s experts, all of them licensed and insured, have provided top-quality residential and commercial service since 2006.
“We have the people and resources to get your project done in a timely manner,” owner Grant Gardner said.
Grant is proud of a major project Gardner Landscaping completed recently at Oris and Oak, a new wedding and events venue at 613 Sanders Road in Bluff Park.
A nine-acre property, Oris and Oak has a bridesmaid’s house, a pavilion for wedding ceremonies and a barn for receptions and other events.
The facility’s owner wanted a traditional Southern design, and Gardner Landscaping planted favorites like holly, live oaks, magnolia and hydrangeas.
“The traditional Southern plants create a gorgeous farm-style look and feel, but the property is unique because it’s inside the Hoover city limits,” Grant said.
Fall is the perfect season to have Gardner Landscaping beautify your property.
“It’s the best time of year to plant new trees and shrubs,” Grant said.
Gardner Landscaping will create a customized plan for your yard based on your preferences, as well as sun exposure, soil type and landscape slope.
In addition, Gardner Landscaping is
“very good at building outdoor play and entertainment areas,” Grant says.
The team stays abreast of the latest designs, can satisfy any client’s taste in
Landscaping
When a family goes in search of a newly built home, they naturally want to find a high-quality, well-made house in a desirable area at an affordable price.
That’s why so many homebuyers turn to Smith Douglas Homes.
Founded in 2008 by a team of homebuilding professionals with 50 years of experience, Smith Douglas Homes takes pride in delivering the very best craftsmanship.
The company’s new-home experts also run a disciplined operation and strive to reduce costs and avoid waste. They pass these savings along to the homebuyer — while still offering the choices and contemporary features that buyers want.
Smith Douglas Homes has built communities in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Texas, including about 10 developments in the Birmingham area and an additional 5 developments in the Huntsville area.
One of the company’s communities is Harper’s Creek, located in Harpersville with the model home at 1004 Mallard Drive.
Harpers Creek is located less than a mile from U.S. 280 and is conveniently located near Chelsea, Sylacauga and Childersburg.
The development features the company’s newest home designs, including one-story ranch homes and two-story homes, some with first-floor owner's suites.
Harpers Creek is 11 miles from Chelsea Park, but it can be worth it to a buyer to drive just a little farther to save a lot of money on their new home.
New homes in Chelsea Park area start at
experts at Smith Douglas Homes
about $345,000, but you’ll find homesites with comparable square footage at Harpers Creek with prices starting in the low $200,000s. This means that you can save about $70,000 on your home through buying at Harpers Creek which is an unprecendented deal for new construction.
In addition to saving money, buyers at Harpers Creek get all of the benefits of a new construction home. For example, they enjoy an energy-efficient new home with a brand-new HVAC system, and receive a one-year warranty. They also avoid the potential hassles of
buying resale, such as being forced to make repairs or fix the roof almost immediately.
In addition, the homes at Harpers Creek feature plenty of storage, well-designed kitchens and convenient mud rooms, and some offer flex rooms or lofts.
Buyers can also customize their homes at Harpers Creek with a tremendous range of desirable upgrades, such as durable plank flooring and stainless steel appliances. They can choose their bathroom and kitchen countertops, including granite. They can also make structural changes. For example, buyers can replace the
bathtub with an extra large standing shower or choose their desired mix of carpet vs. vinyl plank flooring. Harpers Creek is also a picturesque location, featuring the best of small-town life. Get to know your neighbors while enjoying the down-home spirit of the community. Imagine living in your dream open-concept new construction home in an idyllic, rural community, surrounded by breathtaking and natural landscapes. For more about Harper’s Creek, go to smithdouglas.com/communities/ birmingham-al/harpersville/harpers-creek
Budget Blinds: A business built on family values
In the fast-paced world of home improvement, few businesses manage to thrive for decades while staying true to their roots. Steve and Michelle Thackerson, owners of Budget Blinds in Vestavia Hills, have been faithfully serving their customers for over 30 years.
Steve’s story in the industry began long before Budget Blinds came into the picture. “I started working for a paint store here in Vestavia right after high school in the ’80s,” Steve recalls. “One day I got to work, and our blind installer had quit. They gave me his tools and sent me out on my own.” The rest is history.
Soon after Steve and Michelle got married, Steve decided to go into business for himself and became one of the first-ever Budget Blinds franchisees. After about a year, his office manager left due to health issues, prompting Michelle to help run the business. Steve and Michelle discovered that their skill sets complement each other well, and their business began to take off. Today, their store consistently ranks among the top franchises out of 1,000-plus Budget Blinds locations nationwide.
At the heart of the Thackersons’ business philosophy is an unwavering commitment to customer service. “We wouldn’t sell anything to you that we wouldn’t put into our own homes,” Steve explains. Their family-oriented approach extends beyond their household to their employees, many of whom have been with them for well over a decade. “The least amount of time somebody’s been with me is 12 years,” Steve says, reflecting on the sense of family that permeates the business.
Budget Blinds is also a leader in innovation. Over the years, there have been changes in the window coverings industry, from the materials used to the growing role of technology. The government’s ban on cords for safety standards is one example of the evolving landscape. “Motorization is becoming more popular
due to the permanent ban on cords,” Steve shares, highlighting how they’ve embraced these innovations. These types of products are especially popular in homes with tall windows where cordless window treatments are impractical.
Shutters remain one of the Thackersons’ top-selling products, along with woven woods. These timeless, stylish choices resonate with customers who seek both function and aesthetics in their window coverings.
What truly sets Budget Blinds apart is the seamless experience Steve and Michelle carefully cultivate for their customers. “We take care of all the scheduling — from our salespeople coming out to measure to having the blinds installed by our team,” Steve explains. This hands-on approach ensures that every customer feels looked after from start to finish, an experience that large chain stores simply can’t replicate.
This personalized service, combined with superior products, helps the Thackersons stand out in the industry. “Our prices are competitive, and we offer a one-time replacement on all products for five years,” Steve says. “That’s just an unheard-of warranty in any industry.” Steve says they often get phone calls from customers whose dog has chewed a blind or whose kids have broken one by throwing a ball. He and his team promptly replace the damaged products, reinforcing their commitment to customer care.
For Steve and Michelle Thackerson, Budget Blinds isn’t just a business — it’s a reflection of who they are. A family that works together, cares deeply about their community, and strives to provide the best service possible. It’s no wonder their customers keep coming back, decade after decade.
To learn more, visit the showroom at 2130 Columbiana Road anytime Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., call 205-824-3300 or go online to budgetblinds.com/birmingham.
Discover unique, high-end hardware and lighting with the knowledgeable team at Brandino Brass
Brandino Brass • 205-978-8900 • brandinobrass.com
For a huge selection of top-quality decorative and architectural hardware, as well as interior and exterior lighting, look no farther than Brandino Brass in Homewood.
The go-to place for homeowners, architects and designers who are renovating or building a home, Brandino Brass also designs such items as custom brass shelving, gate hardware, mailboxes and fireballs.
The friendly, knowledgeable team at Brandino Brass helps guide customers through their options to find the perfect items for their space
Among the latest customers to take advantage of the service and selection at Brandino Brass are Vestavia Hills residents Jimmy and Sara Glenn.
The Glenns turned to Brandino Brass when they built a unique new home that blends two architectural styles — neoclassical and modern farmhouse.
It was a new build, so the Glenns needed locks, door knobs, door stops and cabinet hardware, as well as fireballs and mesh cabinet grills.
“Brandino Brass was recommended by everyone on our team,” the
“We’ve worked with Brandino for years, so when we need hardware it’s our go-to shop,” designer Marianne Strong said. “Their level of expertise and knowledge is second to none, and the range of products they offer is extensive.”
The couple also collaborated with architects Richard and Lynielle Long and builder
At Brandino Brass, the Glenns worked with Megan Brasher.
“Megan was great,” the couple said. “We had trouble deciding what to do with the living room cabinets, and she guided us to mesh grills, which are amazing.”
“I appreciate the knowledge and insight Megan brings to every project,” Strong said. “She
“We supplied an Americanmade, unlacquered brass rim lock to complete and complement a custom front door designed by Long & Long,” Brasher said. “Another unique detail was the cabinet mesh in the living room. A brand in the U.K. [Armac Martin] allows you to pick your style, size and finish to customize each order.”
“Brandino Brass has hardware you can’t get at a big-box store, like our front door hardware and mailbox,” the Glenns said. “They have a great selection of everything.”
“Working with the designer, we helped make each space unique with its own finish and style with the hardware,” Brasher said. “The door hardware is coordinated with the exterior design of the house — while each room’s interior has a personality of its own, and the hardware was selected accordingly.”
has a great eye when making selections and follows that up with excellent attention to detail regarding all parts of the ordering process, including size and placement.”
The company is a dealer for unique, high-end hardware vendors, with many products available only at Brandino Brass, a real plus for customers.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with everything from Brandino Brass,” the Glenns said.
“I think it’s rare to find a onestop shop these days, but we have that in Brandino,” Strong said. “To be able to walk in and make selections for an entire home knowing they will have pieces that work because of their well-curated selection of styles and finishes is such a gift.”
Nikolaus Mimikakis.
From left: Richard Long, Jimmy Glenn, Sara Glenn, Megan Brasher, Marianne Strong, Lynielle Long and Nikolaus Mimikasis.
There’s nothing worse than trying to live or work in clutter.
That’s why Kim McBrayer founded Space Cadets in 2001 — to help customers get organized and create elegant, cost-effective storage solutions for their homes.
McBrayer, the company’s owner and CEO, says that she was “a recovering messy person” at the time, one who had finally discovered the life-changing value of organization.
“I refined the organizing processes with everyday application in my own life,” she says.
McBrayer also had the realization that “organization is not about just alphabetizing and sorting things,” she says.
“It’s really about accomplishing a better satisfaction with your life.”
McBrayer created Space Cadets to share her new skills set and insights
Being organized “facilitates the process for you to enjoy yourself and have a better quality of life,” she says.
“Whatever your role in life — mother, father, employer, employee — you can do it better if you’re organized.”
Space Cadets has a team of professional organizers who
can organize or declutter your house. The company also specializes in custom closet design and installation, with solutions ranging from built-in closets to adjustable systems.
Customers can browse the Space Cadets retail and design center in Brook Highland Plaza for a wide variety of organization products for closets, kitchens
and garages. There’s a solution for every budget, from $5 to $50,000.
McBrayer and Marissa Wilkins, Space Cadets general manager, stay abreast of the newest, coolest products, in part by attending events like the Inspired Home Show in Chicago and the Closets Conference & Expo in Palm Beach, Florida.
“We have a lot of new, exciting things from such vendors as IDesign, Spectrum and YouCopia, and we have OXO as a totally new vendor for the store,” McBrayer says.
Space Cadets works with builders of new construction and remodels to offer custom closets. “This is something that homeowners are requesting as
a standard in the home these days,” McBrayer says.
Space Cadets urges customers to call them in the early stages of home remodels or construction to get in the pipeline for ordering and prepping closets and shelving.
The company is also growing its footprint across Alabama.
Space Cadets opened its first satellite retail store in Alexander City at The Square on Main Street in May, and they are now offering custom closet design in the Auburn and Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area as of September with other areas in the works, McBrayer says.
The fall is a great time for cleaning and organizing your stuff, she says. “As our focus turns to the holidays, we want to be ready to welcome and entertain guests."
“It’s a great time to take advantage of the cooler weather and clean out a garage, and we’re inside more and can clean out some closets and just get the house ready,” she says.
McBrayer is on a mission to help decrease clutter and stress in peoples’ lives so they can find more peace, order and enjoyment.
“Everything we touch touches the rest of our lives,” she says.
Capstone Village: Active living with a campus connection
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.
Door Restore maintains and restores doors with artistic skill
205-492-5866 • door-restore.business.site
An attractive entry door can make a great first impression and boost 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 and iron doors.
Door Restore has maintained and restored doors in Birmingham since 2004.
“We only work on doors. They’re our specialty,” owner Van Etheridge said.
Etheridge likes working with his hands. An art major, 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 while restoring iron doors on the weekends,” Etheridge said. “When the pharmaceutical company was sold and laid off its sales team, I started back working with my hands and started Door Restore.”
The company is now a family affair. In May, Etheridge began working with his son Griffin, who recently earned his business degree from The University of Alabama.
Etheridge hopes Griffin will help him grow Door Restore.
“I’m happy he’s learning from the ground up to understand fully how the business runs,” Etheridge said.
Door Restore offers a money-saving maintenance program that keeps doors looking their best for years.
“Wood doors weather quickly and need
a new top coat every one to two years, depending on exposure, sun and rain,” Etheridge said. “We provide customers maintenance once a year, including a topcoat to save them money in the future.
“Iron doors have a special oil-rubbed bronze or other metal hues in them,” Etheridge said “We’re able to restore your door to the original finish.”
For details, call 205-492-5866 or go to door-restore.business.site.
Local teams prep for final stretch
By KYLE PARMLEY
The high school football season hits the home stretch in October, as teams will wrap up the region slate and fight for playoff positioning.
Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park will be looking to finish things strong through a tough month of the season. Spain Park and Chelsea are in Class 6A, Region 3. Oak Mountain is in 7A, Region 3, while Briarwood competes in 5A, Region 5. Spain Park has a key slate of region games in October. The Jags begin the month on Oct. 4 with a trip to Pelham. The teams played every year from 2002 through 2013, before picking the series back up in 2022. The Jags have won the last two meetings, including a 39-0 win last fall.
The Jags head back home the following week to play Chelsea in a Thursday game. Spain Park has won all four games in series history, most recently a 38-21 win last fall. The teams were region foes in 2012 and 2013 before meeting up again the last two years.
Spain Park hosts Calera on Oct. 18 in another pivotal region game. The Jags have beaten Calera each of the last two years, with a 55-0 result last year.
The Jags wrap up the region slate on Oct. 25 with a trip to Chilton County. It will be the first meeting between the two programs.
Chelsea, in the same region as Spain Park, starts the month with a home game against Chilton County on Oct. 4. The Hornets have won the last four meetings, the most recent coming in 2017. Chilton County is rebuilding under first-year coach Eddie Wall.
Prattville DB Christopher Clary tackles Oak Mountain RB Marty Myricks (1) after a catch, during a game between Prattville and Oak Mountain on Sept. 6, at Heardmont Park in Birmingham.
The Hornets head to Spain Park the following week, then host Helena on Oct. 18. Helena has won the last three meetings, to tie the alltime series 5-5. Chelsea wraps up region play with a trip to Benjamin Russell. Chelsea has lost five straight to the Wildcats, and the game could be a big one in terms of playoff positioning.
Oak Mountain plays the toughest stretch of region games during the first three Fridays of the month. The Eagles travel to Hoover on Oct. 4. Oak Mountain has come close a few times over the years, but the Eagles have yet to defeat Hoover in 22 previous tries.
The Eagles host Vestavia Hills the following week. Last fall, Vestavia ran away with a 50-0 victory. The Rebels have won 15 of 20 in the series, but the Eagles won back-to-back meetings in 2020 and 2021.
Oak Mountain continues the region slate at Hewitt-Trussville on Oct. 18. The Huskies have beaten the Eagles eight straight times and hold a 9-3 edge in the series. The Eagles conclude the region slate at home against Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa on Oct. 25. Those two teams last met in 2017.
Briarwood has three region games in October around an open date. The Lions head to Corner on Oct. 4 for a region game. The programs last met in 2021, and the Lions hold an 8-1 edge in the series.
The Lions host John Carroll the following week. They were last region foes in 2019, and the Lions have won 10 straight meetings between the teams.
After an open week, the Lions conclude the region slate at Hayden, a team they will meet for the first time.
Photo by Todd Lester.
Wilson setting the Lions up for success
By KYLE PARMLEY
There could not be a better tone-setter for the Briarwood Christian School volleyball program than Mia Wilson.
She’s the perfect person to bridge the gap and help prepare the Lions’ program for the next step in terms of stature.
Wilson has had a positive experience during her time at Briarwood. She’s been part of successful teams under the previous two coaches, making it to the super regional tournament.
Earlier this year, Briarwood hired Chris Camper out of retirement with the intention of returning the Lions to the glory days of the 1990s, when they won seven state championships over a nine-year period.
The Lions may not get to that point this year, but Wilson is one of the first key building blocks to pushing them in that direction.
She’s the lone senior on this year’s squad, a reliable, steady setter who commands respect from all of her teammates.
“There’s so much respect amongst the team for her and her buy-in to what we’re doing and to the future,” Camper said.
Wilson is having a blast playing for Camper this fall.
“We’ve made tremendous progress since the summer and even last season, and it’s just been fun to grow and build our team under Coach Camper,” she said.
Wilson knows there is a learning curve for the team and for the program as a whole. The Lions have so many young players growing into new roles this fall, plus a wealth of young players at the junior varsity level that will soon be knocking on the door of the varsity team.
She said her hope for this year’s team is to continue improving and to make another postseason run.
“Something we’re trying to focus on is growing the culture and name of Briarwood, being relentless in everything we do and trying to glorify God while doing all of that,” Wilson said.
Her coach believes the team has the ability to do that, but there is still plenty of untapped potential yet to be realized.
“We can hang with anybody,” Camper said. “If we’re in system, we can give as good as we get. If we can get to the point where we play as well [for] the last five points as the first five, then I think you could see us do something pretty special.”
Wilson is headed to Auburn University following her high school career, intent on studying exercise science and occupational therapy.
“She has the potential to play at the next level if that was something that she wanted to do, but she’s an exceptional human being,” Camper said.
Wilson eagerly awaits the day she returns to Briarwood as an alum and gets to watch a volleyball match featuring the Lions as one of the top teams in the state regardless of classification.
“I know they’re going to do so well these next few years. I’m going to come back and I’m so excited to watch them play,” she said.
She would love to be part of that in future years. But one thing will be unmistakable: that her impact on the program will be felt in years to come.
Camper said, “The only regret that she and I both have is that … even she says, ‘I wish I had another year.’”
Briarwood's Mia Wilson (4) sets during a match between Briarwood and Vestavia Hills on Sept. 3 at Vestavia Hills High School Photo by Kyle Parmley.
COMMUNITY
Life along the 280 corridor
BACK WHEN GET TO KNOW
By STAFF
Chris Neugent is the band director at Briarwood Christian School. He is entering his 24th year as a band director.
Q: What made you want to be a band director?
A: I was really fortunate to have an outstanding high school band director, Mr. Jim Duren. And he had a tremendous impact on my life, and it prompted me to think about what I would like to do professionally as an adult, and I wanted to be Mr. Duren for some other folks.
Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: So, when you decide to spend your life as a music educator, you better love two things: you better love music and you better love people. And, I enjoy working with the students and fostering their love for music, whether they plan to be a professional musician or just be a music lover and consumer for the rest of their life. I really love the interaction with the people through music.
Q: What are your hopes for the band this year?
A: We've got a great group of young people here at Briarwood Christian School. I'm really excited about the work they've already done
this summer and looking forward to a great fall field show, football, marching band season, and looking forward to a trip we have planned later on in March. We'll be traveling to New York City to participate in the New York St. Patrick's Day parade.
By STAFF
David DiPiazza is a U.S. history teacher and coach of the boys soccer team at Oak Mountain High School. Last season, he led the Eagles to an undefeated season on their way to a state championship and was named Coach of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches. A native of Birmingham, DiPiazza previously coached at John Carroll High School and Birmingham-Southern College. DiPiazza chose to share a picture of himself and his wife, Jessica, as part of our “Back When” series.
Q: What’s the story behind this photo?
A: This is a photo of my then-fiancée, Jessica, and I in New York City in 2014. Boy, I was probably 30 pounds heavier. I just met my fiancée, before kids. So, life was a lot more simple. We did a lot of traveling back then.
Q: If you could go back in time to that day, what would you tell your younger self?
A: If I could go back in time, I would tell myself that life is about to get a lot more interesting. Maybe, not to have two kids 17 months
apart. To space them out better would be a lot easier.
Q: What might people be surprised to learn about your younger self?
A: I didn't like to exercise as much back then.
Jessica and David DiPiazza. Photo courtesy of David DiPiazza.
On the Mainstage
SPOTLIGHT
By STAFF
By STAFF
Q: How long have you been involved with band?
A: I've been in band for six years, and I'm going on my seventh.
Q: What instruments do you play?
A: My main instrument is trombone, but I also play alto saxophone, euphonium, piano and I sing.
Q: Why did you want to be drum major?
A: I wanted to be drum major because I love teaching and have a passion for music, and that's really the best of both worlds. Being able to be in a position where I'm able to share my love of music to others and encourage others to be the best versions of themselves they can be is truly a dream come true, and I can't wait to get started.
Q: What’s your favorite part of being in band?
A: My favorite part about being in band is not only the lifelong friends that I've made, but the fact that we get to make music together, whether it be on the field, in the stands, in the classroom. It's something that not many people say they get to do, and I will never take it for granted.
Q: What are you excited for this year?
A: I think the thing that I'm most excited about this year is not only being able to stand in front of the band and conduct, but being able to conduct and channel emotion and passion to the players. I want to be able to say that we were a band that not only made sound, but made music. And I am beyond excited to be able to lead the Spirit of Cahaba and can't wait to see what this year has in store for us.
LEADING THE WAY
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Chelsea Youth Dance, a vibrant and inclusive dance group under the City of Chelsea’s recreation department, is “dedicated to nurturing young dance talent in the Chelsea community,” said Coach Tamika Logan-Reynolds, who is a 20-year dance veteran and coach.
“We're passionate about providing opportunities for youth to explore their love for dance, build confidence and develop their skills in a supportive environment,” Logan-Reynolds said.
The team made its debut during the winter 2022-2023 basketball season. The dance group is open to girls in grades 2-4 and practices at the Chelsea Recreation Center.
Young dancers participate in a variety of dance genres, learning instruction, technique and dance retention, among other things. Participation is open to any child that is a resident of Chelsea or surrounding communities, including Harpersville, Vincent and Mt Laurel.
Logan-Reynolds said the group was created to fill a void in dance for the city’s youth.
“The City of Chelsea has never had a youth dance team,” she said. “Chelsea Youth Dance was created to provide options for young girls in the area and create a positive environment, in
which each dancer can actively participate and thrive.”
Logan-Reynolds said the group is able to provide more opportunities for dancers at a young age.
“We have fun, we learn, we laugh, we enjoy life,” she said. “ We are small but mighty.”
Parents interested in signing up their child for Chelsea Youth Dance can email the group at chelseayouthdance@gmail.com. Registration can be found at chelsea.recdesk.com.
From left: Dr. Campbell, Dr. Tate, Jett, Dr. Allison, Dr. LeBlanc, Dr. Wood, Dr. Dodgen
The Chelsea Youth Dance team poses for a picture at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. The team is looking for more participants to join the group. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Dance Team.
We all know it takes a big heart to put others first. But it takes truly remarkable character to do that for over 2,000 children in need across 50 years; that’s exactly what John Croyle did when he founded Big Oak Ranch in 1974. When John and his wife, Teresa, turned to us for their new ride, it was our privilege to help them find the truck that would help them carry on their essential work of caring for abused, neglected, and abandoned children. For every new beginning there’s Royal!
50 years, Royal Automotive has been proud to support the Big Oak Ranch. Give today and help change lives. Since 1974, there has been one thing we know to be true—every gift matters, every gift gives hope, and every gift changes lives. You can give online at BigOak.Org/donate
John and Teresa Croyle with their new 2024 GMC Sierra 1500.
