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Senior Thursdays in Chelsea At the Chelsea Community Center, Thursdays belong to the seniors, and they have made them into something the rest of us have mostly lost The pier at the Oak Mountain Marina has been removed and is being replaced as part of winter renovations at Oak Mountain State Park. Photo by Kelli S. Hewett.
Beach, marina upgrades begin at Oak Mountain State Park By EMILY REED
room makes them children. They have been coming for four years. They moved here from Georgia, and what they found on Thursdays is the thing people leave a state hoping to find. “Rob had a significant medical event, and the result was a cognitive disability,” Debbie said. “This group has been an incredible blessing. They’re all kind and loving, and they don’t make judgments.” She stopped as her eyes shone with tears, and then continued: “These people here are like my family. They call us the babies because we’re younger.” She smiled through tears at that last line.
Upgrades to the Double Oak Lake and the beach area at Oak Mountain State Park are underway. The state park already has started lowering the water at Double Oak Lake — the park’s main lake — to allow for renovations at the marina boat launch, piers and beach area. The work being done is a joint project between Oak Mountain State Park and Shelby County. Trey Gauntt, the county’s chief facilities management officer, said the repairs have been a long time coming, and Oak Mountain is providing some of their maintenance guys to perform a lot of the work. Park officials thought repairs needed to happen during the off season when water levels could lower and not affect visitor involvement on the lake. “A lot of times it is hard to see what exactly is going on underneath the water, and we thought the fall was the best season to start lowering the lake and take a look at what we are dealing with,” Gauntt said. “We have done repairs at some of the other lakes at Oak Mountain in the past, but we needed to get some much-needed repairs done at the main lake, and this was the best time to do that.”
See COMMUNITY | page A18
See PARK | page A16
Senior Thursdays at the Chelsea Community Center provide a place for camaraderie and support. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Watch the tables where the games are going and you will see a kind of concentration that has gone out of American life. Nobody is looking at a phone. Forty-odd seniors are spread across a few tables, and every one of them is looking at somebody’s face — reading it the way you read a face when you have had 70 or 80 years of practice at it, watching for the tell, the half-second of hesitation before a card comes down. The room goes quiet in the way a room goes quiet only when everyone in it is paying attention. Then somebody says something, and one of the tables comes apart laughing. The lipstick is on. The hair has been done,
most of it on Wednesday, at a beauty parlor where the operator knows the names of the grandchildren. And from the kitchen comes a smell the modern world has largely forgotten: chicken and dressing, squash casserole, sausage balls still warm, a pound cake somebody’s mother taught them to make, tea cakes, banana pudding under a sheet of foil, a congealed salad in a dish that has been to a hundred funerals and a hundred receptions and will go to a hundred more. This is Senior Thursday at the Chelsea Community Center. And when Debbie and Rob Schmitt walk in, the room calls out to them: “Hello, babies.” The Schmitts are 63 and 64, which in this
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A4 • November 2026
280 Living
ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley When I think of November, two things come to mind: Thanksgiving and the Iron Bowl. For most of the country, Thanksgiving is the holiday, and everything else is just noise around it. Not here. The turkey still matters and the family time still matters, but that Saturday afternoon doesn’t take a back seat to anything. People build their whole weekend around both, and nobody thinks twice about it. It makes sense, really. Thanksgiving and the Iron Bowl both bring people together. Each year, family and friends rekindle the same old arguments.
Around here, we don’t really get two holidays that week. We get one, stretched across four days, with better food and worse arguments. Thanks for reading, and drop me an email with any story ideas at kparmley@ starnesmedia.com.
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November 2026 • A5
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A6 • November 2026
280 Living
CITY
Novelty fireworks now allowed in Hoover By JON ANDERSON Selling and shooting fireworks in the city of Hoover without a permit has been illegal for decades, but the Hoover City Council recently made some slight adjustments to a city ordinance to allow for the sale and use of “novelty” fireworks and sparklers. Novelty fireworks that now will be allowed include items such as party poppers, snappers, toy snakes, glow worms, wire sparklers and dipped sticks. The ordinance defines sparkling devices as handheld or ground-based items that are nonexplosive and nonaerial and contain 75 grams or less of chemical compound per tube, or 500 grams or less total for multiple tubes. The definition also covers other devices that emit showers of sparks and sometimes a whistling, spinning or crackling effect when burning. However, they do not include aerial devices, audible ground devices or anything that will detonate or explode. Fireworks that still are illegal to sell or use in Hoover without a permit include firecrackers, skyrockets or bottle rockets, reloadable shell devices or Roman candles, single-tube devices with reports, aerials, aerial devices, audible ground devices, and anything that will detonate or explode. Permits for fireworks other than these novelty items typically are issued only for professional, public displays such as the Fourth of July celebrations at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex, Hoover Country Club, and Greystone Golf and Country Club. Hoover Fire Chief Clay Bentley said the state insurance office and state fire marshal’s office in 2021 carved out an exception in state regulations to allow for the sale of novelty fireworks and sparklers.
Sparklers can now be legally sold and used in Hoover. Adobe stock photo by Stratford Productions.
The Hoover Fire Department has received requests about this as well over the years and, after discussions with Mayor Nick Derzis and the city attorney, decided to bring Hoover’s regulations more in line with state requirements. The novelty fireworks can only be sold during the Fourth of July holiday season (June 20-July 10) and New Year’s holiday season (Dec. 15-Jan. 2). The novelty items must be sold only with a permit from the city and in a permanent building with an automatic sprinkler system, and the building has to be inspected by the fire marshal’s office both before and after the material is placed out for sale, Bentley said. Sales from
temporary trailers will not be allowed in the city limits, he said. The novelty fireworks cannot take up more than 400 square feet of floor space and cannot be near a window where sunlight coming through glass could shine onto the fireworks and potentially cause them to ignite. They also cannot be sold within 50 feet of any other type of ignition source such as cigarettes, pipes or cigars. Also, after the holiday season is over, any leftover novelty fireworks cannot be stored in the building where they were sold, Bentley said. They must be picked up by the wholesaler or distributor, he said. Bentley said some other cities, including
Huntsville, have already made this exception for novelty fireworks. There’s not enough data yet to know whether it’s a good or bad idea, he said. “We’re in favor of this for now,” Bentley said. “The mayor told us that if we see a problem, we’ll rescind it.” There’s inherent danger in anything people do, whether owning a handgun or driving a car, Bentley said. “The end user is ultimately responsible for the use of these products — not only the discharge of these products, but also to clean up behind themselves and make sure that they discard these products appropriately so they don’t start a fire,” he said.
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280Living.com
November 2026 • A7
CITY
Hoover council OKs $206 million in government spending By JON ANDERSON The city of Hoover’s 2027 budget is short on frills and instead focused on maintaining essential services in a period of slower revenue growth, rising operating costs, and a backlog of infrastructure and equipment needs, Mayor Nick Derzis said. The City Council approved spending $178 million from the city’s general fund in fiscal 2027, which started Oct. 1, and a total of $206 million from all government funds. The $178 million general fund budget represents a 4% increase from the original 2026 general fund budget. The council also approved $10.4 million for capital projects and $17.7 million in spending from special revenue accounts that include gas tax money and Municipal Court programs. “This is a responsible budget grounded in reality,” Derzis said. “Our revenues are essentially flat, while many of our costs continue to increase. We have significant capital needs that have accrued over many years, and we cannot address all of them in one or two budget cycles. We will be disciplined about what we spend and relentless about finding ways to operate more efficiently.” Derzis said that, earlier this year, he directed his staff to find ways to cut costs by operating more efficiently, and those efforts will save the city $1.5 million annually. The administration also retired some long-term debt, reducing interest costs and dropping annual debt service by about $2.6 million. That provides the flexibility needed to balance the 2027 budget
request, Lopez said. The city first wants to conduct a study of staffing and compensation levels to see how Hoover compares with other municipalities and to make sure compensation is fair across city departments. The goal is to complete that study sometime in fiscal 2027, and the timing of any recommended changes would depend on when that study is completed, she said. “These are not luxury items,” Derzis said. “Fire engines have to be replaced, roofs repaired, roads resurfaced and drainage problems corrected. Deferring those needs does not make them disappear, and waiting usually makes them more expensive.”
2027 HOOVER CAPITAL PROJECTS
The Hoover City Council has budgeted $3.75 million for a partial roof replacement at the Hoover Public Safety Center in fiscal 2027. Photo by Jon Anderson.
while maintaining progress on key priorities, city officials said. Restructuring administration of the city’s health plan and discontinuing the employee health clinic, where costs were rising 50% or more, are expected to save about $1.2 million annually. “These were necessary decisions,” Derzis said. “These efficiencies let us keep funding essential services without simply adding expense. But we cannot cut our way to long-term prosperity while providing the police, fire, roads,
parks and other services our citizens expect.” Derzis said he was glad the city can provide a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for city employees in fiscal 2027 and not pass along increases in health care costs to employees. Department heads requested 31 new city employee positions for 2027, at a cost of $2.76 million, plus $635,000 worth of position upgrades and increased overtime, Chief Financial Officer Melinda Lopez said. However, Derzis did not include any new positions or personnel upgrades in his budget
► $3.75 million — Partial roof replacement for Hoover Public Safety Center ► $3 million — Street resurfacing ► $1.8 million — Stormwater drainage improvements ► $1.65 million — Replacement fire engine and medical transport unit ► $1.6 million — Replacement police vehicles ► $1 million — Additional funding for Valleydale Road widening ► $1 million — Police body-worn cameras and drone equipment ► $1 million — Fire Department breathing equipment ► $500,000 — Additional funding for new Hoover Lake House on Municipal Lane ► $500,000 — Improvements at city parks and sports facilities
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A8 • November 2026
280 Living
CITY
Chelsea city budget grows to $28.2 million By CAROLINE MILLER Continued economic growth and new businesses coming to town mean a larger budget for the city of Chelsea. Revenues for fiscal 2027, which started Oct. 1, are projected to be $23.3 million, up 7% from the $21.7 million that was projected for 2026. The primary increases are coming from taxes and revenues from licenses and permits. The City Council is projecting to spend $28.2 million in the fiscal year, which is 31% more than the 2026 budget of $21.6 million. Most of this increased spending is associated with ongoing capital projects funded with $8.2 million the city borrowed in 2026, City Finance Director Wayne Barber said. The city has about $4.2 million remaining from the 2026 bond proceeds that have been designated for projects at Chelsea High School, expansion improvements at City Hall, conversion of tennis courts into pickleball courts, and park improvements, Barber said. The city is relying on money in reserves to fund the rest of its spending, including money collected from gasoline taxes and money already in the general fund. The 2027 budget includes other significant capital projects, with the city securing $2.4 million in grants for pedestrian and streetscape improvements along Chesser Drive, from Chesser Plantation to Atchison Drive. The total anticipated cost is about $3 million, Barber said. The city also is planning improvements
to Stanley Road and the Shelby County 47 and U.S. 280 area, which would be funded from state gas tax revenues and state capital improvement funds, he said. Tax revenues are projected to rise by 7.05% from the 2026 budget, reflecting actual growth experienced in 2026 plus a 3% growth assumption for 2027, Barber said. With more stores expected to open in Chelsea in 2027, sales tax revenues are projected to grow by 3%, and revenue from the Simplified Sellers Use Tax (which comes from online sales) is projected to grow by 6% over 2026 collections, Barber said. Revenue from licenses and permits is expected to increase by 29%, primarily due to the city’s decision to administer the permitting process in-house rather than contracting with the county, he said. The 2027 budget includes $7.9 million for salaries, payroll taxes and retirement expenditures for city employees, compared with $6.8 million in the 2026 budget. The $1,152,940 increase in personnel costs can be attributed to several factors, including implementation of the city’s new pay scale for non-Fire Department employees, a 5% step increase for fire personnel, an estimated 3% increase in health insurance costs and an increase in the retirement contribution effective Oct. 1, Barber said. The budget also includes $64,500 for vehicles, with the city contracting with Enterprise Fleet Management for seven fleet vehicles that will be provided through 60-month equity
The city of Chelsea in 2027 plans a $3 million project to add pedestrian and streetscape improvements along Chesser Drive between Chesser Plantation Lane and Atchison Drive. Photo by Jon Anderson.
leases and include fixed maintenance programs. The City Council also authorized Mayor Cody Sumners to renew the city’s contract with the Shelby County Commission for law enforcement services through the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. The 12-month agreement, running through Sept. 30, 2027, with
automatic annual renewals through fiscal 2029, calls for the city to pay roughly $1.73 million for its first year, covering 12 contracted deputies and money for criminal investigations. Overtime would cost extra. The contract also opens the door for the city to hire its own school resource officers beginning in August 2028.
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280Living.com
November 2026 • A9
BUSINESS
Infused with flavor, fueled by ‘wows’ By KELLI S. HEWETT At Simply Infused, an olive oil & balsamic vinegar tasting room, the most common customer reaction isn’t polite curiosity — it’s astonishment. “I get a few OMGs, but mostly I get wows,” said owner Cheryl Harper, who opened the business in 2015. “They just are really blown away.” From her tasting room now off U.S. 280 in Brook Highland Plaza’s The Mercantile, Harper has built a business that treats olive oil as seriously as a fine wine. “What you have at the grocery store is typically very flat, and it may not even be all extra-virgin olive oil,” she said, adding that such oils are often blended with seed oils to keep down costs. Harper sources from small farms and family estates across both hemispheres to keep fresh oils rolling in from the latest harvests around the world, including Italy to Africa and Australia to Uruguay. Each harvest comes with a complete chemistry panel from the UC Davis Olive Center verifying its purity. Harper’s shelves hold about 30 extra-virgin olive oils, another 30 fused and infused oils and 50 barrel-aged balsamics — white and dark, aged 12, 18 and even 23 years. “The best-selling is Tuscan herb, and it would make gravel taste good,” Harper said. “It pairs with all 50 balsamics.” The love of olive oil came unexpectedly through a corporate trip when Harper was a computer scientist and single mom. “On one of those working vacations, I took my daughter Loreleigh [Harper Schubert] to Biltmore [Estate in North Carolina]. We stopped in an olive oil shop and probably spent two hours in it,” Harper said.
Cheryl Harper of Simply Infused Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Tasting Room left her job as a corporate computer scientist and opened her business on April Fool’s Day 2015. Photos by Kelli S. Hewett.
The idea for Simply Infused took hold on that drive home and never left. The pair opened the shop together two years later, when Loreleigh was just 14. “I’m not surprised Simply Infused has lasted as long as it has,” said Loreleigh Harper Schubert, who has now scaled back but is still involved in the business. “The community needed a place to get good, clean olive oil and balsamic vinegars to elevate their foods, and we answered that call.” Harper delights in showing customers just how far those flavors can go. She suggests the likes of hot honey with Tuscan herb on broccoli or green beans, and cinnamon pear or Gravenstein apple for fall salads and holiday menus. She has customers who flavor water with balsamic to get off soda,
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creating their own version of Dr Pepper. “She expanded our taste in olive oil and balsamic vinegar to new heights,” said Stan Bradley, a Mt Laurel resident who has been a customer since Simply Infused first opened. Beth Aldaher of Highland Lakes became a fan after visiting the tasting room and loves the free delivery service. “It’s the only extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic I use; they are simply the best,” Aldaher said. Harper estimates about a third of her customers take robust extra-virgin olive oil daily and return to report less stiffness and inflammation. For Harper, though, it all comes back to her core mission. “I want to inspire my customers to live a happy and healthy life,” she said.
Cheryl Harper has become renowned for her exotic and gourmet pairings of olive oils and balsamics and her talent for created unexpected combinations that can be enjoyed alone or as complements to foods and cocktails.
A10 • November 2026
280 Living
BUSINESS
Grip, rip and dip bagels at new PopUp Bagels By LAUREN H. DOWDLE The viral sensation PopUp Bagels is now serving its warm, whole bagels and schmears at the Summit. Overseen by Power Brand Hospitality, PopUp Bagels opened its first Alabama location at the Summit in July next to Taco Mama. Founded in Westport, Connecticut, the bagel shop has dozens of locations across the country, including ones in California, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Texas. It’s also backed by celebrity investors such as Paul Rudd, Michael Phelps, J.J. Watt and Michael Strahan. Alex Bishop, operator of PopUp Bagels in Alabama, said he flew to New York to try the bagels and was blown away by the quality, vibe and energy the shop offered. It’s more like a bakery than a traditional bagel shop, he said, and it bakes the bagels fresh throughout the day. Known for its signature “grip, rip and dip” style of eating, PopUp encourages guests to eat its bagels hot and whole. “They’re coming out of the oven every 5 to 10 minutes,” Bishop said. “We don’t do any slicing or toasting, just fresh-baked right out of the oven. They never sit longer than 15 minutes, so they’re guaranteed fresh.” Customers can choose from plain, everything, poppy seed, salt and sesame bagels, which come with their choice of schmear. The
PopUp Bagels opened at the Summit in July. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Knox.
bagels are made with the same base and then salted or seasoned for a variety of flavors, and the most popular options are the salt and everything bagels. Its staple schmears include plain and scallion cream cheese, along with salted butter and brown sugar cinnamon butter. It also offers special cream cheese and butter flavors that rotate each week, and it previews the specials online.
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Special schmears have included the Papa Johns special garlic sauce butter, Drew Barrymore berry butter and “Dancing with the Stars” mirrorball medley. “Every week, we’re changing out the schmears, so there’s always something new to try,” Bishop said. The shop also offers smoked salmon and drinks such as lemonade, cold brew and
coffee by the box. The bagels are sold by the bag in packs of three or more, and they come with reheat instructions if customers want to enjoy them another day. Beyond the food, another draw for the bakery is the inviting atmosphere. “We play music and encourage everyone to dance and have a great experience,” Bishop said. “We throw bagels, gives kids bagels on a knife like a lollipop and have fun with it. After customers come in, they’re awake and ready to start their days.” The bakery is testing out markets in the state for future store openings, but it doesn’t have any other locations planned yet, Bishop said. It also has a trailer that’s equipped to bake bagels, allowing it to bring hot favorites to festivals and other community events. Whether someone is looking for a fresh bagel or a fun eating environment, Bishop encourages them to check out the new shop. “We get people who come and haven’t experienced PopUp Bagels before. When they give us a try, they often say it’s the best bagel they’ve tried and don’t want to go anywhere else. We offer something for everybody,” Bishop said. “There’s nothing like us in Birmingham.” PopUp Bagels is at 329 Summit Blvd. and is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information or to order online, visit popupbagels.com.
280Living.com
November 2026 • A11
BUSINESS
Recently sold homes along US 280 corridor
► ADDRESS: 245 Woodbridge Trail ► BED/BATH: 4/3.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,143 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Cameron Woods ► LIST PRICE: $443,500 ► SALE PRICE: $454,000
► ADDRESS: 149 Blackstone Court ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,025 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chesser Plantation ► LIST PRICE: $365,000 ► SALE PRICE: $359,500
► ADDRESS: 638 Chelsea Station Drive ► BED/BATH: 4/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,422 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea Station ► LIST PRICE: $350,000 ► SALE PRICE: $350,000
► ADDRESS: 177 Chesser Loop Road ► BED/BATH: 4/2.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,292 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chesser Cottages ► LIST PRICE: $349,900 ► SALE PRICE: $339,000
► ADDRESS: 307 Hunter Hills Circle ► BED/BATH: 3/2.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,686 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Hunter Hills ► LIST PRICE: $325,000 ► SALE PRICE: $318,000
► ADDRESS: 258 Fairbank Way ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,486 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea Park ► LIST PRICE: $300,000 ► SALE PRICE: $260,000
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A12 • November 2026
280 Living
BUSINESS
Business Happenings
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NOW OPEN Onelife Fitness opened a new location in Lee Branch at 801 Doug Baker Blvd., Suite 105. The gym and fitness center offers amenities like a hot tub, group fitness classes, cycle studio, turf training areas, cardio and strength training, hydromassage and a kids’ club. Onelife Fitness is open Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 659-284-2360, onelifefitness.com
Reformation, a women’s clothing and accessories store, is now open at The Summit, 214 Summit Blvd., Unit 450. The store is known for offering sustainable clothing and accessories, including dresses, jeans, sweaters, tops, shoes, jewelry, purses, wedding attire and more. Reformation is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 251-235-5679, thereformation.com
focuses on providing ingredient transparency and eliminating artificial flavors, hidden fillers, unnecessary sugars, premade mixes, concentrates and overly processed ingredients. It has opened more than 220 locations across 26 states with several others in development. The juice bar is set to be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends. 800-385-1650, nekterjuicebar.com
Yummy Bowl Mongolian Stir-Fry and Sushi, known for its build-your-own bowls, is opening a second restaurant at 4606 U.S. 280 in the River Ridge Shopping Center this fall. It serves dishes including sushi, fried rice, soups, salads, deep-fried rolls, desserts and more. The original location is at 109 Wildwood Parkway in Homewood and is open Sunday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 205-637-3071, superyummybowl.com
The Summit, 214 Summit Blvd., sold for $508 million to Federal Realty Investment Trust, which was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Maryland. Federal Realty acquired the 100-acre, 870,000-square-foot property from the original developer. The Summit receives about 9 million visits annually and has more than 100 tenants, which include some of the top locations for brands like Trader Joe’s, Belk, AMC and Abercrombie & Fitch. Federal Realty’s region now includes seven properties across Chicago, Kansas City, Omaha and Birmingham. The Summit is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. 205-967-0111, thesummitbirmingham.com
NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Arlington Construction Services received building permits for a 275-unit luxury apartment complex at 4641 U.S. 280 behind the Courtyard by Marriott. Founded in 1955 in Birmingham, ACS has built more than 37,000 multifamily units across the Southeast. The development will target young professionals and feature upscale amenities. An opening date has not yet been set. 205-252-0460, arlingtonconstruction.net Capstone Building Corp., headquartered at 1200 Corporate Drive, Suite 350, in Hoover, began construction on Beaumont Mill, a $51 million multifamily development in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The development will include 208,626 square feet of rentable space with 275 apartment homes, and it is set to be completed in 2028. The community will include elevators, a gym and a central courtyard with a pool and gathering area. Capstone Building Corp. has also started construction on The Emerald, a $45.1 million multifamily apartment development in Centerton, Arkansas. The Emerald will encompass 312,414 square feet and feature 256 units across nine residential buildings, along with a dedicated clubhouse. The development is expected to be completed by the summer of 2028, and it will feature a resort-style pool, pickleball courts, fire pits, gathering areas and retail areas. 205-803-5226, capstonebuilding.com
The Collective Boutiques, a boutique mall, will open in the former Painted Tree Boutiques location at 4612 U.S. 280 in the River Ridge Shopping Center. Vendors can apply for free, and the team will reach out to talk with them about space sizes and timing and to answer questions. The Collective Boutiques operates the store and registers, assists shoppers and handles returns, and each shop pays a monthly rent and 10% commission. Vendors will begin moving in on Oct. 14 with a soft opening scheduled for Oct. 24. 888-508-3753, thecollectiveboutiques.com
Waldo’s Chicken and Beer opened a new location at 1012 Dunnavant Valley Road in Chelsea’s Valley Post development in September. Founded by Birmingham native Mark Waldo, the restaurant serves made-fromscratch dishes, sauces and chicken served either southern fried or rotisserie. The restaurant has locations in 10 states, including Alabama locations in Cahaba Heights, Dothan, Auburn, Vestavia Hills and Pelham. Waldo’s is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends. 205-610-9506, waldoschicken.com
COMING SOON Nekter Juice Bar, a California-based franchise, is set to open its first Alabama location at 4647 U.S. 280, Suite B, in the Riverhills Shopping Center in November. It will serve fresh juices, smoothies, acai bowls and seasonal specials. Created in 2010, Nekter
Sparrow Salon is opening a new location on U.S. 280 in Inverness this fall. This will be the second location for the salon, with the original one at 4414 Fourth Ave. S. in Birmingham. It offers a range of services including haircuts, styling, coloring and treatments, and it carries Davines products. The Birmingham location is open Monday by appointment only, Tuesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 7
AmFirst named longtime Birmingham construction and capital projects leader Alan Walker as vice president and head of construction and facilities management. Walker brings more than 15 years of experience in the public and private sectors, and he previously served as director of the city of Birmingham’s Department of Capital Projects. He will lead AmFirst’s capital improvement strategy, which includes construction, renovations and facilities management. One of 24 credit unions chosen nationwide, AmFirst was also selected to receive funding through the National Credit Union Foundation’s At-Risk Youth Financial Well-Being Grant. AmFirst will use the grant to support its partnership with Vox Academy and to expand Music, Movement and Money, which is an interactive financial well-being program. The program helps connect financial education with how young people learn, communicate and experience the world. It’s designed to help at-risk youth explore budgeting, saving, banking, credit and financial goals in ways that feel engaging and relevant. The grant period runs through Sept. 30, 2027. AmFirst has a location at 1 Inverness Center Parkway in Birmingham. It is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 205-995-0001, amfirst.org
280Living.com
November 2026 • A13
SCHOOLHOUSE
Hoover plans $20 million in school projects By JON ANDERSON The 2027 budget approved by the Hoover school board includes $20 million for capital projects in the coming year but no new schools yet. Money allocated for capital projects included: ► $2.75 million for roofing projects at multiple schools ► $2.5 million for heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements ► $2.2 million for new kitchen hoods at Hoover and Spain Park high schools ► $2.3 million for various athletic upgrades at Greystone Elementary, Berry and Simmons middle schools, and Spain Park High ► $1.28 million for Spain Park High School soccer field upgrades ► $1 million for renovations to the central office boardroom ► $1 million for bathroom renovations, flooring upgrades and disability accommodations at Berry Middle School ► $1 million for Hoover High School turf replacement and track resurfacing ► $900,000 for six new buses ► $700,000 for playground upgrades at Bluff Park, South Shades Crest and Trace Crossings elementary schools ► $600,000 for parking lot improvements at Rocky Ridge Elementary The school board’s eight-year capital plan also includes $60 million for building a new elementary school loosely slated for opening in the fall of 2033 and $3.9 million for a 10-classroom addition at Bluff Park Elementary School in the fall of 2028. There are many other smaller capital projects in the eight-year plan. The total plan includes $20 million for fiscal 2027, $11.3 million in
The Spain Park High School girls flag football team warms up on the field before a game on Oct. 1. The Hoover school board has budgeted $1.28 million for improvements to this field, which also is used for soccer. Photo by Jon Anderson.
2028, $3.3 million in 2029, $6.2 million in 2030, $4.4 million in 2031, $24.5 million in 2032, $24.5 million in 2033 and $24.5 million in 2034, for a grand total of $119 million in capital projects over the next eight years. If the school district were to complete all of those capital projects and receive projected capital fund revenues over those eight years, the school district would still have $96 million in its fund balance at the end of fiscal 2034, according to the eight-year plan approved in May. That would be enough to cover about five months of operating expenses. However, between the time the eight-year
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capital plan was approved in May and the 2027 budget was approved in September, the projected ending fund balance for Sept. 30, 2027, changed from $123 million to $146 million, so the figures are rough estimates. There are many factors to consider, such as whether the school district’s operating expenses for a given year exceed revenues for that year, requiring the district to pull money from its fund balance to cover any operating shortfalls. Costs continue to rise in a variety of areas, and revenues fluctuate from year to year.
SCHOOL SYSTEM DEBT The school board’s debt payments drop this year from $13.3 million to $10.1 million, including $6 million toward principal and $4.1 million in interest. The school district’s remaining principal debt at the end of the fiscal year is estimated to be $105.6 million, but principal and interest payments total $143.9 million through 2040. Superintendent Kevin Maddox, who came to Hoover three years ago, has said he is very impressed that the Hoover school board has been able to fund so many capital projects without taking on any new debt since 2007.
A14 • November 2026
280 Living
SCHOOLHOUSE
AP scores, national rankings spotlight Chelsea and Oak Mountain By APRIL COFFEY Students at two Shelby County high schools are bringing home impressive academic numbers this year, with both Chelsea High School and Oak Mountain High School earning recognition among Alabama’s top-performing schools. At Chelsea High School, students completed 664 Advanced Placement exams in 2026, with 43 students earning the highest possible score of 5. Four AP courses — European History, Chemistry, Precalculus, and 2D Art and Design — recorded pass rates of 90% or higher. The strong AP results come as Chelsea also earns a spot on the latest U.S. News & World Report list of Best High Schools. Chelsea ranked No. 24 among 391 high schools in Alabama, placing it in the top 6% statewide. Nationally, the school ranked No. 2,152 among 17,945 high schools, placing it in the top 12% nationally. The U.S. News rankings consider several measures of academic performance, including college readiness, the breadth of college-level curriculum, state assessment proficiency and performance, and graduation rates. For Chelsea students, the AP results provide another measure of the academic work taking place inside the school. The 43 scores of 5 represent students who demonstrated mastery in some of the most challenging courses available to high school students. Just down U.S. 280, Oak Mountain High School also earned a prominent position in the latest U.S. News rankings. Oak Mountain ranked No. 8 among Alabama high schools and No. 818 nationally. The national ranking places the school among the
Oak Mountain High School. Photo courtesy of Oak Mountain High School.
top-performing high schools in the country. Oak Mountain also had five students named National Merit semifinalists: Christian Armstrong, Joshua Chatham, Ruth Reed, Peter Samal and Brandon Shin. The National Merit recognition is based on performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, with semifinalists representing a highly select group of high school
CityofChelsea.com/132
Holiday Edition
COME SPEND CHRISTMAS IN
THE CITY OF CHELSEA GINGERBREAD VILLAGE
Join us for Chelsea’s 1st Annual Gingerbread Village, a festive new holiday tradition featuring fun decorated gingerbread displays by local businesses and community groups at City Hall!
GINGERBREAD VILLAGE INFO Community-decorated gingerbread displays
Open to local businesses & organizations Festive holiday displays at City Hall Registration opens mid-November
2ND ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM CHELSEA CITY HALL LAWN Join the City of Chelsea for our 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, an evening of festive lights, music, holiday traditions, and family fun as we kick off the Christmas season together!
ANNUAL CHELSEA CHRISTMAS PARADE
Join us Saturday, December 19, at 10 a.m. for Chelsea’s Annual Christmas Parade, featuring festive floats, marching bands, horses, holiday characters, and Christmas cheer for the whole family!
seniors nationwide. The two schools’ accomplishments reflect different measures of academic achievement. At Chelsea, hundreds of AP exams and strong course pass rates highlight participation and performance in college-level coursework. At Oak Mountain, the U.S. News ranking and five National Merit semifinalists add to the school’s record of academic recognition.
Both schools are part of Shelby County Schools, where students continue to compete for academic honors at the state and national levels. For the students behind the numbers, the recognition represents years of work in classrooms, laboratories, art studios and advanced courses. At both Chelsea and Oak Mountain, that work is showing up in results that extend well beyond the U.S. 280 corridor.
280Living.com
November 2026 • A15
SCHOOLHOUSE
Setting the tone By KYLE PARMLEY Friday nights under the lights carry the same pageantry across the U.S. 280 corridor, at Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park. At each stadium, drum majors set a precise, commanding tone before kickoff, and by halftime, the formations, horns and drumlines turn the field into its own show. Whether it’s the Lions, the Hornets, the Eagles or the Jaguars on the home sideline, the sound carries the same way, filling the stadium and setting the tone for the crowd. Photos by Alex Millender, David Leong and Richard Force.
A16 • November 2026
280 Living
PARK
CONTINUED from page A1 Some of the improvements being made include updates to the multiple concrete boat ramps, some of which have eroded over time. Once water levels lower to a desired amount, workers will be able to take a look at what needs to be done to the ramps, but the improvements should allow trailer hookups to back up to the ramps a bit easier than the current situation, Gauntt said. There are also repairs happening to the existing piers at the boat rental section of the lake, new sand being put down at the beach area and a more clear boundary marker at the swimming area of the “beach.” Gauntt said those visiting the beach area in the summer of 2027 likely won’t notice major visible changes to the beach area, but the boundary marker will not be a floating marker, which is the current situation. The new boundary marker will help aid in safety for swimmers. “A lot of this work is underwater, so visibly you may wonder what has been done, but the improvements will hopefully help when swimmers come next summer,” Gauntt said. “Draining the water will also allow us to see what all is going on below the surface and if there need to be additional improvements.” Larry Warren, the central district superintendent with Alabama State Parks, said workers are using a 14-inch siphon pipe to drain the water out of the lake. The lake level is being dropped about 12 feet. “We were definitely delayed a bit by the hurricane weather that came through and slowed down us draining the water,” Warren said. “But we are back on track and should be good to go with the fall weather we have and some of the drier months during this season.” Gauntt said while the water is lowering, much of the fish and wildlife in the lake won’t be affected with lower water levels. Double Oak Lake spans roughly 925 acres. “Basically the lake in size will be shrinking
Renovation-related materials cover the parking lot of the pier at Oak Mountain Marina. Improvements are expected to be finished by summer 2027. Photos by Kelli S. Hewett.
about 75%,” Gauntt said. “This will still allow enough water depth to keep all the fish alive. This time of year is also cooler, and you don’t have to worry as much with the cooler weather and the oxygen levels in the water as you do during the summer months.” The renovations will cost roughly $70,000, with the county paying roughly 50%. Warren said the partnership between Oak Mountain State Park and the county is something that is beneficial for the park as a whole. “We really can’t thank the county enough for the support they provide the park,” Warren said. “They are always willing to help partner with us to make much needed improvements and make this a place that people love coming to visit.” Double Oak Lake is the most used lake at the park.
“Some of these projects have not had upgrades since around the 1970s, so they are much needed,” Warren said. “We are really thankful to be able to utilize this time of year to work on them.” Lindsey Allison, the Shelby County commissioner for District 7, which covers most of Oak Mountain State Park, said the county wants to help the park stay up to date for visitors coming from all over. “The park is a great space, and people love coming to visit,” Allison said. “We want to keep it that way because when people want to come back, that is a good thing.” Allison said the county partnership with the park allows for work to be done on upgrades that come up throughout the year. “We work together to determine what needs
to happen, what is their timeline, and how we can help,” Allison said. “Then we work together to get these things done.” Allison said she visits the park regularly and loves seeing it thrive. “We have people from all around the state come to this area to learn how county and state work together,” Allison said. “We are very thankful.” Gauntt said the work around the lake should be fully completed for guests to enjoy the improvements by spring and summer 2027. Oak Mountain State Park first originated as a 940-acre park atop Double Oak Mountain and was established by the Alabama State Lands Act of 1927. Now, the park has grown to 11,861 acres, making it Alabama’s largest state park.
A sign at Double Oak Lake at Oak Mountain State Park warns swimmers to be careful.
Water levels at Double Oak Lake are noticeably lower for winter renovations.
Oak Mountain State Park and Shelby County have partnered to make the improvements.
280Living.com
November 2026 • A17
Lo c all y Owned and Operated
A18 • November 2026
280 Living
Senior Thursdays at the Chelsea Community Center provide a place for camaraderie and support. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
COMMUNITY
CONTINUED from page A1 The group is older than the building. Jane Ann Mueller, the center’s programs director, said it has been meeting for decades. “They were meeting before this building was built,” Mueller said. “They love to play games, offer each other sweets and trade recipes. They play Rook, dominoes, then they have lunch.” What happens after noon is something that can drag on the rest of the day if Mueller allows it. “They hang out until 3 or 4, then we have to run them out,” Mueller said. “They all know each other and keep up with each other. It’s a wonderful group of people.” She has watched what the day does for them, and she does not think it is a small thing. “They get dressed up and put makeup on, then socialize all day,” she said. “It’s good to do all these things at their age.” The Chelsea Community Center itself is a working municipal building — two gyms, an indoor walking track, a weight room, racquetball and meeting space, all of it available for a membership fee, much of it claimed most days by pickleball players. But Thursday is not about the facility. Thursday is about who shows up. Kane Robinson is 82 and has been coming since 2017.
“I live right here in the area,” Robinson said. “I love spending time here. We’re one big family. The people are nice and helpful and curious. This day is like how things used to be back in the day, when people knew each other and cared about one another.” That is the sentence, really. Everything else in the room is an illustration of it. Patricia Zimmerman came looking for exactly that. “We play games all day, which makes for a very fun day,” Zimmerman said. “We all check on each other and keep up with each other. We feel like family here. This was new for me and gave me a community. We have fun, and we all get along.” Carolyn Royal, who is 85, heard about Thursdays from her church group and has the story that proves what the group actually is. “I love it. We trade recipes,” Royal said. “When I was sick a couple of years ago, they checked on me and kept up with my recovery. They sent me cards and flowers.” That is not a social club. That is a congregation, whatever it calls itself. Which brings it back around to the babies. Rob Schmitt had a pulmonary embolism and heart trouble seven years ago, and it took something from his speech and his memory. He talks a little slower now, but he gets there. “They call us babies,” Rob said, pausing in the middle of it and then finding the rest. “They’re all friendly people. Come and have fun. I love it
Debbie and Rob Schmitt chat with another senior at the Chelsea Community Center.
here. It’s helping me with my recovery.” His wife has trouble finding the words for what these Thursdays have been, which is an unusual problem for someone who talks as easily as Debbie Schmitt does. “These people love us, and we love them,” she said. “It’s hard to say in words what it means to me — how they took us in, and how much they care about us and about my husband’s recovery.” There is a version of aging in America that happens alone, in a house, with the television on. Everybody knows that version. It is the one we are all afraid of.
And then there is the one at the Chelsea Community Center, which requires almost nothing: a room, a folding table, a deck of cards, somebody willing to make a casserole. By 3 p.m., the games are still going, and Mueller is starting to think about how to get everyone out the door. At the Rook table, they are still watching each other’s faces, still reading for the tell, still going quiet in that way a room goes quiet when everyone in it is paying attention. The lipstick has held up. The hair is holding up. In the kitchen, there is a pound cake with a few slices gone and a dish somebody will wash and bring back next week, full again. Then somebody says something, and the whole table comes apart laughing.
Debbie and Rob Schmitt have found refuge at Senior Thursdays at the Chelsea Community Center.
280Living.com
November 2026 • A19
A20 • November 2026
280 Living
FALL INTO
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SECTION
B
Sports B4 Events B8 Life B12
NOVEMBER 2026
‘This job saved my life’:
How King’s Home helped Carla Moore start over By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Carla Moore can tell you the date. July 16, 2022 — the day she arrived at King’s Home in Chelsea and started over. “That’s when I started,” Moore said. “I was in an abusive situation, and I went through a lot of trauma. It was really bad, but I am glad I ended up here. This kind place took me in.” She was supposed to go somewhere in Tennessee. Then an aunt found King’s Home instead. What Moore found on the Chelsea campus was two years of housing at no cost, a home when she needed one. “I felt loved on campus,” Moore said. “Everyone came from a tough situation, and we just loved one another. We also worked, which helped a lot.” The work was pottery. Prodigal Pottery is King’s Home’s studio and social enterprise, built on a three-word mission: employ, equip, empower. Women who are current or former residents make handmade pottery, earn a paycheck and learn job skills they can carry anywhere. Someone put Moore in front of the wheel and showed her how to make beautiful things. “I gained a huge sense of accomplishment and independence, two things that have changed my life,” Moore said. “You don’t realize what you’re capable of when things are tough.” Four years on, Moore, 58, works at King’s Home Collections, a gifts, pottery and furniture store in Chelsea.
“I love working here. I have the best customers, and some have become true friends,” she said. Then she paused. “This job saved my life.”
A TWO-YEAR RUNWAY
King’s Home traces its roots to 1973, when a home for homeless women opened under the name Bethany. The King’s Ranch for neglected youth followed in 1976 and Hannah Home in the 1980s, and in 1998 the organizations merged into what is now King’s Home. Today, King’s Home runs 16 homes across five campuses in three Alabama counties, serving roughly 215 residents a year — women, mothers, children and youth escaping abuse, neglect, abandonment and homelessness. The two-year program provides counseling,
therapy, financial coaching, job training, GED preparation, child care, transportation, a pantry and clothing. “Everything is provided,” said Trenda Gage, a development associate who has been with King’s Home for 11 years and came to it through a mentor at her church. “The two years matter because healing does not run on a short clock.”
‘WE WOULD LOVE TO NOT EXIST’
John Sweeney, associate vice president of development, put the organization’s ambition plainly. “We would love to not exist,” Sweeney said. “That would mean there is no violence against vulnerable people. But until then, we work on healing and support, all sustained by our
Carla Moore arranges a display at King’s Home Collections in Chelsea. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
incredibly generous supporters.” Moore has become part of that healing and support work without meaning to. “A woman came in last week whose daughter is in a violent relationship and may not get out,” Moore said. “I prayed with her and wanted her to heal. And that made me feel like there’s a purpose to sharing my story.” King’s Home is at 221 King’s Home Drive, Chelsea. Learn more at kingshome.com. Prodigal Pottery products are available at prodigalpottery.com.
B2 • November 2026
280 Living
280Living.com
November 2026 • B3
B4 • November 2026
SPORTS
Under the Lights By KYLE PARMLEY As the calendar turns to November, high school football’s regular season has come to an end. For some teams, it means the beginning of a playoff pursuit. For others, it signifies the end of a journey. The teams still alive heading into the playoffs will look to make their mark as the weather cools and the holidays loom. Stay tuned to 280living.com throughout the postseason for coverage of the playoffs. Photos by David Leong and Richard Force.
280 Living
280Living.com
November 2026 • B5
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B6 • November 2026
280 Living
SPORTS
Bethea takes reins of Chelsea girls basketball program By KYLE PARMLEY Bria Bethea has spent nearly a decade preparing to run a program of her own. That day has arrived, as Chelsea High School has named her the head coach of its girls basketball team. The Lady Hornets went 25-7 last winter under Denton Johnson, who left for Gardendale in April, and reached the state final four for the second straight year. The 2025 team finished as state runner-up under Jason Harlow, now the head coach at Homewood. Bethea inherits a program with expectations, and she has no interest in lowering them. “This is a great program I walked into. I can’t be any more blessed, to be honest with you, especially for a first-year spot. And I’m just trying to uphold that standard over at Chelsea,” Bethea said. The road to Chelsea started at Clay-Chalkville High School, where Bethea played basketball before graduating in 2014. She spent one season at Southeastern Illinois College, where she was named NJCAA Region 24 Freshman of the Year and led the Falcons with 19.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. From there, she transferred to Murray State and played three seasons, scoring 890 career points and shooting 38.4% from 3-point range. As a senior in 2017-18, she averaged 15.4 points and 6.1 rebounds and was named second-team All-Ohio Valley Conference. Her coaching career began back home. Bethea said her brother was playing football at ClayChalkville when Justin Haynie, then the girls basketball coach, asked whether she was interested in joining his staff. She spent two years under Haynie and four more under Kevin Conner, who took over the program in 2021.
Bethea left for Texas State in 2025 to serve as a graduate assistant for the women’s basketball program while pursuing a graduate degree. She had planned to stay two years, but the coaching staff turned over in the offseason. Bethea came home, sent out emails and heard back from Chelsea. “I always wanted to be a head coach. That was always my goal,” she said. Bethea said she still calls Conner for advice as she adjusts to the head job. She has a clear picture of what she wants her first team to look like. “I want us to, first off, be a defensive-minded team. I want us to be gritty on the defensive end, get steals. I want to play fast, get up and down the court and shoot 3s, but it’s also getting to that midrange,” Bethea said. “We have the athletes to do it, we have the shooters.” Scheme is only part of it. Bethea has been in locker rooms at the middle school, high school and college levels and was around Clay-Chalkville’s football program during its recent state championship runs. “You may have a talented team but it’s not just that, but they may not be close together and they just squander all their talent away,” she said. “Togetherness, once you have that, then everything on the court is going to work itself out.” Chelsea is in the midst of its most successful stretch as a girls basketball program. Bethea hopes to be the coach who finally pushes the Lady Hornets through the door and wins that elusive state championship. “They have come close these last several years,” she said. “I’m trying to help get them over that hump.”
Bria Bethea spent six years as an assistant coach at Clay-Chalkville High School. Photo courtesy of Bria Bethea.
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280Living.com
November 2026 • B7
SPORTS
Briarwood tops Oak Mountain under the lights in outdoor volleyball showcase By KYLE PARMLEY Briarwood Christian School volleyball coach Chris Camper and many others spent two hours in the Monday afternoon sun piecing a volleyball court back together. By the time the lights came on at Briarwood Christian School’s football field, the court was holding, and so was his team. Briarwood beat Oak Mountain 25-18, 25-20 on Monday, Sept. 28, in the headline match of the “Battle of 119,” an outdoor doubleheader played on a portable court laid across Briarwood’s turf. Westminster-Oak Mountain beat Indian Springs 25-21, 25-19 in the opener. Camper was pleased with how his team handled the environment, with plenty of fans and supporters surrounding the court on all four sides. “[The outdoor match is] something neat and exciting that’s never been done for us, and it can distract you from playing volleyball, to where you can’t focus and execute,” Camper said. The Lions leaned on their defense early to absorb a series of long rallies. Camper pointed to libero Lily Nelson as the reason the back row held up. “The biggest thing is that when parts of your game break down, others have to step up,” Camper said. “Our libero, Lily Nelson, who’s one of the top in the state, she had some struggles with her serves early, but she picked it up on defense. I’m really proud of how the girls reacted.” It was the second meeting between the schools in three days. The two played at the end of the Barry Walker Invitational, and Camper said both sides were worn down after four or five matches.
Briarwood and Oak Mountain played in the Battle of 119 outdoor volleyball match on Sept. 28 at Briarwood Christian School. Photo by Kyle Parmley.
The Oak Mountain team that showed up Monday, he said, was a completely different one, and coach Anna Claire Harris had her group playing well. Camper is in his third season at Briarwood, and he said the outdoor event fits the goal he arrived with: building a product the community wants to come watch. Briarwood’s administrators were on hand Monday as well. “They’ve hungered for a good volleyball program for a long time, and the girls are giving it
to them,” Camper said. “The girls have really risen up and given everyone something to be proud of.” The court gave the staff a scare before the first serve. Assembled Sunday night, it buckled in Monday’s heat, and Camper and a crew of volunteers spent the afternoon on repairs. “We were waiting for the other shoe to drop and the floor to crack up and break, and it did,” Camper said. “And we spent two hours in the sun putting it back together. It was anticipated,
but in the end, it was worth it. The court ended up working.” Camper said the late-September date was the only window he trusted for the weather, and the night delivered what he was hoping for. Briarwood carries two seniors who have been in the program for four years, through seasons that were not always this rewarding. “Regardless of how the finish goes, this is something they’ll remember for the rest of their life,” Camper said. “And that’s really what it’s about.”
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B8 • November 2026
280 Living
EVENTS
Save the Date
MT LAUREL NEEDLE ARTS GROUP
SCARECROWS IN THE PARK
► Where: Mt Laurel Library, Ann Price Activity Room, 111 Olmsted St. ► When: Nov. 9, 2–4 p.m. ► Cost: Free; no registration required. ► Details: Knitters, crocheters and other needle crafters are invited to bring a current project and spend the afternoon creating alongside fellow makers at Mt Laurel Library. Hosted by Jamie Skripnik, the monthly gathering offers a relaxed setting for adults to work on their crafts, share ideas and connect with others who enjoy needle arts. ► More Info: northshelby.librarycalendar.com
► Where: Pelham City Park, 2020 Pelham Park Blvd., Pelham ► When: Nov. 10–20 ► Cost: Free ► Details: Take a stroll through Pelham City Park during Scarecrows in the Park, a community tradition featuring creative scarecrow displays made by local residents and organizations. Families can visit throughout the display period to see the imaginative creations and enjoy a festive fall outing. ► More Info: pelhamalabama.gov/852/ Special-Events
A SOUTHERN CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
JUNIOR RANGER: LEAVE NO TRACE
► Where: Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena, 500 Amphitheater Road, Pelham ► When: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ► Cost: $8 for adults; $3 for children. Receive $1 off admission with a canned-food donation. ► Details: Get a head start on holiday shopping at A Southern Christmas Bazaar, presented by the Rotary Club of Alabaster-Pelham. Craftsmen, artisans and merchants from Alabama and across the Southeast will offer unique gifts, clothing, ornaments, decorations, food and more. Proceeds from the annual event support nonprofits in Shelby County. ► More Info: rotarysouthernchristmas. com
► Where: Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham ► When: Nov. 22, 1 p.m. ► Cost: Regular park admission applies; $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 4–11 and seniors 62 and older, and free for children 3 and younger and military members and veterans. ► Details: Young outdoor explorers can learn how to enjoy nature responsibly during Oak Mountain State Park’s Junior Ranger: Leave No Trace program. Participants will discover the seven principles of Leave No Trace and learn simple ways to protect trails, wildlife and natural areas while working toward their Junior Ranger badge. Online registration is available for the program. ► More Info: alapark.com/parks/oakmountain-state-park/park-events-andprograms
► For more events news, connect with 280 Living online by scanning the QR code. ► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnesmedia.com.
FRIENDS OF THE CHELSEA LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE ► Where: Chelsea Community Center ► When: Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ► Details: Browse for bargain books while supporting Chelsea Public Library during the Friends of the Chelsea Library’s monthly used book sale. Shoppers can choose from a variety of donated books and other materials, with most items priced at just 50 cents. Proceeds from the sale help the Friends support library programs, services and resources for the Chelsea community. ► More Info: cityofchelsea.com
FOLLOWING BARTRAM’S FOOTSTEPS: EXPLORING ALABAMA’S NATURAL HERITAGE ► Where: Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham ► When: Nov. 14, 2 p.m. ► Cost: Regular park admission applies; $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 4–11 and seniors 62 and older, and free for children 3 and younger and military members and veterans. ► Details: Follow the journey of famed 18th-century naturalist William Bartram through Alabama during this special presentation at Oak Mountain State Park. Guest speaker Brian Rushing will explore Bartram’s travels, observations and lasting influence on the understanding of Alabama’s natural heritage. The program complements a traveling Bartram exhibit on display at Oak Mountain State Park from late October through November. ► More Info: alapark.com/parks/oakmountain-state-park/park-events-andprograms
PAINTING IN THE PARK
COLOR THERAPY
► Where: Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham ► When: Nov. 28, 10 a.m. ► Cost: Regular park admission applies; $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 4–11 and seniors 62 and older, and free for children 3 and younger and military members and veterans. ► Details: Tap into your creative side during Painting in the Park at Oak Mountain State Park. Participants will gather at the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center for a nature-inspired painting experience designed to encourage creativity and a closer look at the beauty of the outdoors. Online registration is available for the program. ► More Info: alapark.com/parks/oakmountain-state-park/park-events-andprograms
► Where: North Shelby Library, 5521 Cahaba Valley Road ► When: Nov. 19, 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. ► Cost: Free; registration required. ► Details: Unwind with a relaxing evening of snacks and coloring during Color Therapy at North Shelby Library. Adults can drop in, choose from provided coloring materials and spend time creating in a low-key setting designed for conversation and stress relief. Materials are provided, and registration is required. ► More Info: northshelby.librarycalendar.com
CHELSEA PUBLIC LIBRARY ► Nov. 5, 12 and 19: Musical Munchkins. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Chelsea Community Center. Preschoolers can enjoy music, movement and instruments with Heartstrings Creative. ► Nov. 6, 13 and 20: BYOC — Bring Your Own Craft. 1–2 p.m. Conference Room. Bring a portable craft project and spend time creating with fellow crafters; crochet help is available. ► Nov. 14: LEGO Club. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chelsea Public Library. Kids can use the library’s bricks for LEGO free play or try occasional building challenges. For a complete list of November events, visit cityofchelsea.com/228/ Programs.
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B10 • November 2026
280 Living
EVENTS
Appalachian Festival returns to Oak Mountain State Park By EMILY REED The second annual Appalachian Festival will be held at Oak Mountain State Park on Nov. 7 beginning at 9 a.m. The festival is a time to celebrate the heritage and culture of the Appalachian Mountains, taking place at Oak Mountain State Park, at 200 Terrace Drive. The event is family-friendly and highlights traditional Appalachian crafts, folklore, music and food, offering an immersive cultural experience for all ages. Lauren Muncher, park naturalist with Oak Mountain State Park, said Oak Mountain is at the end of the amazing and ancient mountain range, so organizers want to bring life to the often-overlooked arts, talents, music and energy of the people and nature of those particular mountains. “Many of us who are working at the festival have deep connections and roots to the Appalachian region, culture and history,” Muncher said. “This is truly a celebration of the people, stories and the way of life of a whole region.” Muncher said the event is unique because organizers are particular about vendor selection, demonstrations, presentations and overall vibes of the entire festival. “We want it to be rich in the culture of Appalachia, highlighting the skills, art and traditions that kept the mountains and her people surviving,” Muncher said. “Many of us grew up in these mountains or visited family deep in the hills and hollers of Appalachia, and we want to preserve some of what makes this region so special.”
Attendees look at a quilt at the 2025 Appalachian Festival at Oak Mountain State Park. This year’s festival will feature demonstrations of quilting, blacksmithing, basketry, pottery, herbalism and storytelling. Visitors shop at a booth selling honey and beeswax candles at the 2025 Appalachian Festival at Oak Mountain State Park. The second annual festival is Nov. 7, with admission included in park entry. Photos courtesy of Oak Mountain State Park.
This year, the festival will have a traveling exhibit with details about William Bartram. Skilled artisans and crafters will demonstrate blacksmithing, basketry, pottery, herbalism, storytelling, quilting and more. Muncher said there will also be a fairy prayer and wish tree, where people can write wishes or prayers on a ribbon and tie it to the
branches, and the fairies take them from there. There will also be flatfooting lessons for adults and kids. Festival admission is included with park entry, which is $5 for adults and $2 for children and seniors. For more information about the festival, visit reserve.alapark.com.
Appalachian Festival ► Where: Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive ► When: Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. ► Admission: Included with park entry; $5 for adults, $2 for children and seniors ► Web: reserve.alapark.com
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B12 • November 2026
280 Living
LIFE
Gingerbread Village to light up Chelsea City Hall lawn By EMILY REED A gingerbread village is coming to the city of Chelsea this holiday season as a way to bring the community together. The village, which will be on display starting in mid-November, was organized by Brandy Pate, director of community engagement. “The idea grew from the success of our Scarecrow Trail,” Pate said. “We have more than 53 participants this year, in addition to our municipal buildings and departments, and it has been so much fun watching businesses, schools, organizations and families get creative and become part of the experience.” For the village, there will be large wooden gingerbread characters that local businesses, schools, churches, organizations and city departments can decorate. Pate said she is also planning to build several larger structures, including a full-size gingerbread house, and all of it will be set up on the lawn at City Hall.” “I want it to feel like families are walking into a little Christmas village,” Pate said. The village will also become the backdrop for two of the largest Christmas events, including the Christmas tree lighting ceremony from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4 on the City Hall lawn and the Dec. 19 parade. The Discover Shelby Stage will be set up right in the middle of the holiday festivities with performances from the Chelsea Middle School and Chelsea High School choirs. “We will also have some familiar and local favorites, including Santa, Buddy the Elf, Bama Grump and Chelsea Grinch,” Pate said. “Local
vendors and organizations will be providing free treats, games, hot cocoa and other activities throughout the evening.” The lawn at City Hall will also serve as the grandstand area for the Chelsea Christmas Parade on Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. The parade route will remain the same, even with the Target construction on Shelby County 47, but one big change will be that the grandstand will move to City Hall. Wayne Morris, a Chelsea emcee, will be at the event announcing floats as they pass by. “We are encouraging families to gather on the City Hall lawn in the Gingerbread Village or in the cul-de-sac across the street so they can hear the music and announcements and really feel like they are part of the celebration,” Pate said. Pate said the Gingerbread Village represents what the city has been trying to focus on this year. “We don’t have a traditional downtown or Main Street, and for a long time I think we looked at communities like Montevallo, Columbiana and some of our neighboring cities and wished we had that same kind of central gathering place for seasonal displays and community traditions,” Pate said. “Over the last year, we have really started looking at that differently. Instead of focusing on what Chelsea doesn’t have, we have been working with local organizations, schools, businesses and community partners to stretch our imagination and find ways to create those experiences within the spaces we do have.” Pate said projects like the Scarecrow Trail and Gingerbread Village also give the city another way to highlight Chelsea businesses and encourage residents to shop small and
Flyer courtesy of city of Chelsea.
support the people who are investing in the community. “When local businesses are strong, that benefits the whole community and helps us continue building the shared spaces, programs and experiences our residents enjoy,” Pate said. “Chelsea is a close-knit community of around 18,000 people, and our city slogan is ‘It’s All About Family,’” Pate said. “I think that especially rings true during the holiday season. “My hope is that when families visit the Gingerbread Village, they see more than just Christmas decorations. I hope they see pieces of their community represented there, take pictures, spend time together and feel proud of the place they call home. “And hopefully, we’re creating another Chelsea tradition they’ll look forward to year after year.”
Chelsea Christmas events ► Where: Chelsea City Hall, 11611 Chelsea Road ► Gingerbread Village: Opens mid-November on the City Hall lawn ► Christmas Tree Lighting: Friday, Dec. 4, 6-9 p.m. ► Chelsea Christmas Parade: Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to noon ► Call: 205-678-8455 ► Web: cityofchelsea.com
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280Living.com
November 2026 • B13
Business news to share? If you are in a brick-and-mortar business along the 280 corridor and you are... Now open Coming soon Relocating or renovating Announcing a new owner Celebrating an anniversary Hiring or promoting an employee Announcing other news or accomplishments Let us know! Share your news with us at starnesmedia.com/ business-happenings BROUGHT TO YOU BY
B14 • November 2026
280 Living
LIFE
Mt Laurel’s new-urbanist appeal Twenty-seven years after EBSCO broke ground on Double Oak Mountain, Mt Laurel is still growing. By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Drive over Double Oak Mountain and the road drops you into something that looks like it has been there a hundred years. It hasn’t. EBSCO Development Co. broke ground on Mt Laurel in January 1999, and every brick of it is younger than the people now raising children in it. That is the trick, and it was intentional. The 535-acre town sits on a 5,800-acre tract between Dunnavant Valley Road and Shelby County 43, laid out on new-urbanist principles: narrow streets, deep sidewalks, a town center you can walk to, houses close enough to the curb that you can hear a neighbor’s screen door. Parking was pushed to the street instead of into attached garages, on the theory that people who park out front talk to each other. Twenty-seven years in, the place has filled out the way its planners hoped. Mt Laurel Elementary School anchors the families. The town center holds shops and restaurants. The Dunnavant Valley Greenway and Dunnavant Valley Park — the latter built on the old Mt Laurel organic farm site — give people somewhere to go on foot, and Double Oak Park opened nearby in December 2022 with 750 acres and a trail system. Debrah Sluder, ministry assistant at Double Oak Community Church, talks about what is within walking distance the way someone recites a grocery list. “It’s quaint, walkable,” she said. “The amenities are awesome. You have the park, swimming pool, lake, pickleball, tennis. The grocery store, the hardware store, coffee. We have it all right here.” The design was meant to produce exactly that kind of answer — and, past the amenities, something harder to build on purpose. “This church is why I stayed in this area,” Sluder said. “It’s multigenerational, and Everyone knows your name.” Emily Kratz has been the librarian at the Mt Laurel Library since 2019, running the branch as part of the Shelby County
Mt Laurel provides its residents with a community feel. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
library system, with outreach to the Mother’s Day Out program and Hilltop Montessori School. “It’s a wonderful community, and the kids know our names,” she said. Clem Burch runs his home design business in Mt Laurel and lived there for 10 years. “I’ve had my home design business here, and I lived here and loved it,” he said. “It’s charming, quaint. I like the location. Good place for families and kids.” Growth continues. In 2020, the county approved a master plan amendment for roughly 174 single-family lots northeast of the elementary school. The question a planned town always faces is whether the design holds once real people move in and start making their own decisions about it. Mt Laurel is old enough now to answer. Two of the people who spend their working days there said some version of the same thing without being asked: everyone knows your name. That is not a feature a developer can draw on a plat. It is what happens when the sidewalks are deep enough and the years pile up.
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November 2026 • B15 SPONSORED CONTENT
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B16 • November 2026
280 Living