October 2026 | Volume 19 | Issue 12
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At the Greystone Y, a 12-week class helps cancer survivors get back on their feet
A new gymnasium is under construction at Chelsea High School. Photo by David Leong.
Capital projects underway at US 280 area schools By EMILY REED
By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Warm morning light comes through the windows and lands on Ginger Zingara’s hands. She holds a light dumbbell at shoulder height, elbow bent, muscles tight. Around her, the machines tick and clack, weight stacks settling, a sneaker squeaking on the floor. Her eyes are shining with determination, refusing to give way. She lifts. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Greystone YMCA, a small group works its way through a circuit that looks like any other class: resistance bands, light weights, a stretch
sequence, some time on the cardio equipment. The difference is who is in the room. Every person in it has had cancer, and the class is Livestrong at the YMCA, a free 12-week program for adult cancer survivors. “This program is about helping people in their recovery from cancer,” said Renae McCullough, group exercise director and Livestrong coordinator at the Greystone YMCA. “This program provides a safe place for cancer survivors, with accessible tools and healthy living goals.” Livestrong is free, and participants do not have to be YMCA members to join. Those
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Sponsors............... A4 City......................... A6
who are not members receive a complimentary membership for the duration of the 12 weeks, which gives them access to the branch’s pool, equipment and classes outside their scheduled sessions. Any adult 18 or older who is living with or beyond cancer treatment is eligible, and participants complete a health intake form and provide medical clearance from their doctor before starting. Nationally, Livestrong at the YMCA has served over 75,000 participants since 2007.
CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL
Construction is underway at Chelsea High School on a new auxiliary gym and concession area adjacent to the school’s existing gymnasium. This project, totaling $8.5 million, was a joint effort between the city of Chelsea and the Shelby County Board of Education.
See YMCA | page A16
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Sports.................... B6 Events................... B10
More than one night The athletic trainers at Briarwood do more than meets the eye.
See page B7
See SCHOOLS | page A18
Life........................ B14
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Livestrong Coordinator Renae McCullough helps Ginger Zingara with a machine at the Greystone YMCA. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
Several capital improvement projects are underway for schools in the U.S. 280 corridor, including updated soccer turf at Oak Mountain High School and a new auxiliary gym at Chelsea High School. These projects will expand opportunities at both schools by allowing youth recreational leagues to use the spaces, and they will promote a partnership between Shelby County Schools and local communities. “We love any opportunity we have as a school district to partner with our communities,” said Barbara Snyder, facilities coordinator for Shelby County Schools. “In these cases, it is a win-win for everyone.”
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280Living.com
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280 Living
ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley Did you know that this newspaper is just one of the six monthly publications we produce at Starnes Media each month? The Cahaba Sun covers Trussville, Village Living covers Mountain Brook and we also put together the Hoover Sun, Vestavia Voice, Homewood Star and 280 Living papers on a monthly basis. One of my favorite things about overseeing the production of each of these publications is the unique identity each community possesses. Different things are important to different towns and residents are far more interested in certain topics than others. But one thing that is not unique to any of these places is how much the people
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care about the place they live, the amount of interesting people all around them. Know of an event we need to highlight? How about that man or woman in town that has such a cool story? We’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at kparmley@ starnesmedia.com with any thoughts and ideas. Thanks for reading!
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Contributing Writers: Lauren H. Dowdle Caroline Miller Emily Reed Kristi Sellers Karim Shamsi-Basha
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October 2026 • A5
A6 • October 2026
280 Living
CITY
New initiative gives Chelsea residents inside look By CAROLINE MILLER The city of Chelsea has introduced a new program for residents interested in local government called the Chelsea Government Academy. Over the course of five months, a select group of residents will have the chance to get an inside look at the people, departments and services that keep the city of Chelsea running every day. Every other Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the group will meet to learn about a different facet of city government. They’ll get to have discussions with city leaders and staff, tours of city facilities, and demonstrations. Every class also will begin with a brief presentation highlighting one of the many organizations that helps strengthen the community, including nonprofits, county agencies and other community partners. The opening session with Chelsea Mayor Cody Sumners, the City Council and City Clerk Crystal Etheredge was scheduled for Sept. 24. The rest of the schedule is as follows: ● Oct. 15: Fire Department, Municipal Court, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Citizens Observer Patrol ● Oct. 29: Finance, accounting, human resources ● Nov. 12: Chelsea Public Library, community relations, city events and public information ● Dec. 10: Parks and recreation, community center, senior programming ● Jan. 14: Public works, maintenance and facilities
● Jan. 28: Planning and zoning, engineering, building services, code enforcement ● Feb. 11: Graduation ceremony Chelsea resident Brandon Jones said he heard about the opportunity to be part of the Chelsea Government Academy through the city’s Facebook page and decided to apply. Jones said his interest in government came from participating in other local programs. “I applied and got accepted into a program called Leadership Shelby County,” Jones said. “I thought when I got in it, it was just going to be a fun way to learn about Shelby County, and it ended up exposing us to a lot of things that deal with the government end. Since I live in Chelsea, I thought why not try to make a difference in the city that I live in.” Jones said participating in Leadership Shelby County helped him learn the importance of standing up and getting involved in a local community. “Going through Leadership Shelby County, I realized if good people don’t stand up and do something, then things can turn badly, and that really led me to decide to get involved,” he said. He assumes every city in the county runs a little differently, so he wants to get behind the scenes and really learn about Chelsea and how it runs, he said. As a tax professional, Jones said he has a particular interest in the city’s finances and accounting, but he’s really interested in learning about everything. Jones also said he hopes the academy will help residents be more informed.
Chelsea Mayor Cody Sumners will be a leader for the Chelsea Government Academy. Photo by Caroline Miller.
“A lot of people have a lot of opinions, but they don’t know the inner workings about how decisions are made,” he said. “They just want their opinion to be heard or they want people to make the decision that they want them to make, but there’s a lot more that goes into it. I’ve realized that
recently, and I want to learn how all of those decisions are made and I want the people of Chelsea to have a better understanding about that.” Learn more about the Chelsea Government Academy at cityofchelsea.com/665/ Chelsea-Government-Academy
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280Living.com
October 2026 • A7
CITY
From a volunteer crew on a two-lane road to a four-station district By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA When the Cahaba Valley Fire District began in 1978, U.S. 280 was a two-lane road, and the volunteer fire department was whoever showed up. No trucks worth the name, no paychecks, no station to speak of — just people who looked at a stretch of Shelby County filling up with houses and understood that if one of them burned, nobody was coming. “This area was expanding and filling with people, and those who saw the need for a fire department started this station,” Fire Chief Buddy Wilks said. “That’s how those volunteer fire stations begin, to serve a community in need.” Chief Grady Gulledge led the all-volunteer outfit in the early years. The first paid firefighters were hired in 1987, a paid chief followed in 1990, and in 1993, the district absorbed the Rex Lake Fire District. What began with volunteers now runs four stations and 61 employees, covering the U.S. 280 corridor from the Doug Baker area out to Mt Laurel, Rex Lake and the Narrows. Wilks came to Cahaba Valley in 2017 as a shift commander and became chief in 2021. He spent 26 years with the Birmingham Fire Department before that, starting in 1991 out of the East Lake station. The district calls itself “all-hazards.” Crews handle structure fires, storm damage, medical emergencies, ambulance transport, technical rescue and wide-area searches in Oak Mountain State Park. “It’s a huge area out here, and we have to be ready for anything,” Wilks said.
An old photo from the history of the Cahaba Valley Fire Department. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
Most of it is not fire. Of roughly 3,100 calls a year — about nine a day — 63% are medical: heart attacks, falls, car wrecks. Fires account for about 5%. The department’s paramedics run advanced life support, performing CPR and administering medications. The big exceptions stick with people. In 2023, someone burning brush on a windy day set off a wildfire that ran across Double Oak Mountain toward Vandiver and burned some 300 acres before helicopters helped bring it down. Alexander Hamilton, 29, has been with the district eight months after leaving a career in sales and going through the Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa. “There’s more action as a firefighter, and the job feels good,” he said. “I love serving the public and the community.” Chad Parker, 24, is three years in and works as an EMT. He grew up around here, and he is the first firefighter in his family.
Firefighters with the Cahaba Valley Fire Department work on their equipment.
A photo album shows the history of the Cahaba Valley Fire Department.
Chief Buddy Wilks, right, with firefighters at one of the stations..
“This is where I started,” Parker said. “You never know what you’re going to get. That’s part of it. And the brotherhood is something hard to describe. We hang out outside of work. We depend on each other. We have to.”
Nearly 50 years and four stations later, the trucks are better, the training is longer, and U.S. 280 has six lanes. But the arrangement has not changed. Somewhere out there tonight a phone will ring, and someone will show up.
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280 Living
CITY
Chelsea council to hold hearing on new property tax By CAROLINE MILLER The Chelsea City Council on Oct. 5 plans to hold a public hearing to get feedback on a proposed new 5-mill city property tax to help fund a Chelsea Police Department. Chelsea Mayor Cody Sumners on Sept. 9 recommended the city proceed with creating a police department and funding it with a property tax. The proposal is for the council to pass an ordinance adopting a property tax in May, with the tax going into effect on Oct. 1, 2027. A 5-mill property tax would not require a vote of residents. State law gives city councils authority to levy up to 5 mills of property tax with a simple vote of the council. One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value. Sumners said the average value of a home in Chelsea is a little more than $400,000, and a homeowner with property valued at $400,000 would pay $207 a year in city property tax. The city likely would gain about $1.5 million a year from a 5-mill property tax, he said. Forming a police department likely would cost $4 million to $4.5 million a year, Sumners said. With the city already paying Shelby County $1.7 million to $1.8 million a year to provide deputies to serve Chelsea, the additional $1.5 million from a property tax would give the city $3.2 million or $3.3 million to form the police department, he said. The rest of the money needed for the police department likely could be generated by the additional retail sales coming with new stores being added in Chelsea, he said. Sumners said public safety is the city’s top priority. “As we’re a growing city, the County Commission has their own priorities before looking out for the rest of the county, and as a city of almost 18,000 population now and growing larger every day, it’s time for us to be responsible for the public
The Chelsea City Council meets with Mayor Cody Sumners in a work session on Sept. 9 to discuss forming a Chelsea Police Department. Photo by Caroline Miller.
safety of our citizens and have that as our top priority,” the mayor said. His recommendation is to hire a police chief in 2027, implement a school resource officer program in 2028, and start hiring other officers and be up and running in 2029. When the City Council discussed the idea of forming a police department in July, other funding
options considered included a gas tax and reallocating some of the current 1% sales tax revenue that goes to education. “If you pass a gas tax, it has to be for roads and bridges. So it doesn’t really fix anything other than freeing up a little bit of money in the general fund, and if we did a 3-cent gas tax, which would be one of the highest gas taxes in the county for
a city, it would only bring in $350,000 a year,” the mayor said. Also, a majority of the council is not in favor of reallocating sales tax money now earmarked for education, he said. The property tax is the best option, and it’s a stable source of income for a police department, he said.
280Living.com
October 2026 • A9
CITY
County Commission OKs $170 million 2027 budget By JON ANDERSON The Shelby County Commission on Sept. 14 approved a $170.1 million budget for fiscal 2027, which starts Oct. 1. The budget is only slightly larger than the $169.7 million revised budget for 2026 and has fewer capital projects than the 2026 budget. The commission plans to spend only $4.3 million for capital projects in fiscal 2027, compared to $11.1 million in 2026. Budgeted capital project spending for 2027 includes the following: ► The final $1.8 million for a building for the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency and Information Technology Department (there was $6.7 million for that project in the 2026 budget) ► $1.3 million for vehicles and accessories for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office ► $675,000 to help the Forever Wild Land Trust purchase land for park expansion in Shelby County ► $135,000 for a new dishwasher and washing machine for the Shelby County Jail ► $135,000 for new jail beds, a laser crime scene scanner and night-vision binoculars ► $122,000 for a new pickup truck for the Facilities and General Services Department, two new lawn mowers and a cutter attachment ► $100,000 for two new vehicles for the Shelby County Coroner’s Office ► $50,000 to replace a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the Harrison Regional Library The commission approved a $93.7 million general fund budget for fiscal 2027, which is up 1.4% from the original 2026 budget. The general fund costs include $568,000 more for the business revenue office, $495,000 more for emergency communications,
The Shelby County Commission meets at the county courthouse in Columbiana. Photo by Jon Anderson.
$460,000 more for the Sheriff’s Office, $426,000 more for information technology communication services and maintenance, $366,000 more for the Columbiana license office, $346,000 more for mental health services, $301,000 more for legal expenses, $279,000 more for the judges and courthouse security, and $145,000 more for the personnel department. There also were cuts in the budget that brought the overall increase in general fund expenditures to $1.3 million. Those included $475,000 less for general government services, $284,000 less for development services, $192,000 less for juvenile court services, and $156,000 less in matching funds for health,
welfare and recreation grants. The commission budgeted $26.6 million for Highway Department spending in 2027, including $6.7 million for resurfacing roads. The commission plans to spend $5.8 million more on water operations and capital projects — from $17.6 million in 2026 to $23.4 million in 2027 — and plans to borrow $10.5 million to upgrade water filtration systems to meet stricter federal guidelines that take effect in 2029, County Manager Chad Scroggins said. The budget also includes a $2,000 pay increase for county employees to help cover increased living expenses instead of a fixed percentage cost-of-living adjustment.
REVENUES On the revenue side of the budget, tax revenues for Shelby County are projected to be relatively flat for 2027, Scroggins and Chief Financial Officer Brian Wheeler said. The 2027 budget projects overall revenues to be $169 million, compared to $170 million in the revised budget for 2026. General fund revenues are expected to be $98.6 million, compared to $97.2 million in the revised 2026 budget. County officials actually anticipated ending fiscal 2026 on Sept. 30 with $106 million in general fund revenues, but Wheeler said he likes to budget revenues conservatively so the county stays in a good financial position.
A10 • October 2026
280 Living
BUSINESS
Hair stylist opens luxury coworking salon in Cahaba Heights By LAUREN H. DOWDLE A father’s support and years of experience led Krystal Millender to open Aspen and Ash Collective, a coworking space for independent salon professionals like she wished she’d had when she first started out. Millender has been a stylist for 26 years, and she most recently worked in a salon suite across from Life Time in Vestavia. A wife and mother of two, Millender grew up fixing her hair and styling others in the community and went straight into cosmetology school after high school. She also earned a degree from Montevallo and had a job in social work, but Millender continued to find ways to work in the beauty industry before coming back to it full time in 2012. Three years later, she was faced with the decision to continue working as a stylist for someone else or set out on her own. After talking with her family, she decided to follow her father’s advice. “He told me, ‘Follow your dream, and bet on yourself. You have your entire life to work for someone else if this doesn’t work out. But I think it will,’” Millender recalled. “He believed in me so much that it gave me the extra push to not be scared to go out on my own.” She’s now been an independent stylist for the past decade and said she wants to help others do the same, which is why she opened Aspen and Ash. The salon has space for eight stylists, and there are currently four working full time and one part time. “It’s a really good opportunity for independent stylists who want luxury, to use their own products and be their own bosses,” she said. “I’m creating the space I wish I had when I first became an independent stylist.”
Aspen and Ash offers a coworking space for independent stylists.
Krystal Millender opened Aspen and Ash this summer in Vestavia. Photos courtesy of Aspen and Ash.
Customers and stylists can enjoy the panoramic views, amenities and relaxing environment at the luxury salon.
The stylists pay weekly rent and operate as their own bosses, but they also get the perks of being a part of the coworking space. That includes amenities like towel service, someone who greets customers, an online booking system, website and a station with coffee, beverages and snacks. She’s been looking for the right commercial building for the past five years, and she finally found it right behind The Summit. The
space previously was a conference room for ARC Realty, but Millender transformed it into a luxury salon with a warm, welcoming aesthetic. The salon has panoramic views of Cahaba Heights, and the location offers ample parking outside and a peaceful, relaxed vibe when people come in, Millender said. When thinking about a name for the business, Millender said she wanted something that was catchy and brandable, and she came
Tips for National Protect Your Hearing Month:
Here are
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up with Aspen and Ash. Aspen trees represent strength and resilience, and ash means to be made new as in rising from the ashes. That theme of rebuilding especially hit home for Millender after her father passed away last year. Though her father wasn’t there to see her business open, he was still a part of the big day. Millender held the official grand opening on his birthday, Aug. 14. Looking ahead, Millender said she hopes the business continues to expand and that it’s a place stylists can call home and grow their own businesses. Aspen and Ash Collective is located at 4274 Cahaba Heights Court, Suite 225, in Vestavia Hills. For more information, visit aspenandashcollective.com.
Did you know that once you damage your hearing, it often can't be reversed?
1
Give your ears a break from headphones and loud noises
2
Keep volume low on your devices
3
Avoid loud activities and places whenever possible
4
If you can't avoid loud noises, wear proper protection
5
Avoid putting anything in your ears, including cotton swabs
Dana Walchek, AuD
Casey Arnold, M.S.
Chelsea Woo, AuD
CeCe Johnston, HIS
280Living.com
October 2026 • A11
BUSINESS
Recently sold homes along US 280 corridor
► ADDRESS: 285 Normandy Lane ► BED/BATH: 4/4.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,498 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Courtyard Manor ► LIST PRICE: $694,000 ► SALE PRICE: $640,000
► ADDRESS: 4991 Hawthorne Place ► BED/BATH: 4/3 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,520 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea Park ► LIST PRICE: $395,000 ► SALE PRICE: $396,000
► ADDRESS: 104 Brynhurst Drive ► BED/BATH: 4/3 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,358 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: The Highlands ► LIST PRICE: $375,000 ► SALE PRICE: $375,000
► ADDRESS: 540 Hunter Hills Way ► BED/BATH: 3/2.5 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,751 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Hunter Hills ► LIST PRICE: $335,000 ► SALE PRICE: $329,000
► ADDRESS: 1049 Fairbank Lane ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,552 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea Park ► LIST PRICE: $270,000 ► SALE PRICE: $270,000
► ADDRESS: 1201 County Road 440 ► BED/BATH: 3/2 ► SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,425 sq. ft. ► NEIGHBORHOOD: Chelsea ► LIST PRICE: $250,000 ► SALE PRICE: $250,000
SOURCE: GREATER ALABAMA MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE
A12 • October 2026
280 Living
BUSINESS
Business Happenings
NOW OPEN Fifth Third Bank opened a new branch at 6602 Tattersall Lane in Hoover near Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux off U.S. 280. The 168-year-old company is based out of Cincinnati and entered the Alabama market in 2024, and they also have locations in Liberty Park and Vestavia Hills. The bank offers financial services for individuals, families, businesses and communities. The branch is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. 205-986-0189, 53.com Chilly Willy’s Shaved Ice opened in September at 5291 Valleydale Road, Suite 107, in Hoover. The shop offers more than 60 flavors for their shaved ice treats, along with their signature snowstorms and high-energy frozen fuel series. Flavors include blue raspberry, watermelon, strawberry, pineapple, tiger’s blood, pink lemonade, orange, sour apple and more. Customers can choose a classic flavor or build something wild to create their own frozen favorites. Chilly Willy’s also
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offers toppings like whipped cream, pop rocks, gummy bears, Nerds and more. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. 205-667-8528, chilly-willys.com
and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. 888-342-7243, garageclothing.com
Fashion design house Aritzia opened its first boutique in Alabama at the Summit on Aug. 27 near Shake Shack at 214 Summit Blvd. The store offers a variety of women’s clothing and accessories including activewear, shoes, dresses, jackets, jeans and more. Aritzia is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 205-547-8294, aritzia.com
Shake Shack is planning to open a Cahaba Pointe location at 5348 U.S. 280 in Hoover in the first quarter of 2027. The building is projected to be about 3,100 square feet and include a drive-through. The location is set to be part of a new mixed-use development including Chipotle, FirstBank, The Learning Experience and 124 Townhouses, according to Terra Equities. There is currently a Shake Shack at the Summit, which is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Construction is underway for another location in Alabaster. Shake Shack originally started as a hot dog cart in New York City’s Madison Square Park, and the eatery now offers fast-casual American fare including burgers, chicken sandwiches, shakes, custards, drinks, sides and flat-top dogs. shakeshack.com
Garage, which offers clothing and accessories for young women, held its grand opening on Sept. 5 at the Summit next to Tommy John. The clothing store has a variety of items including tees, jeans, fleece, loungewear, activewear, dresses and more. Founded in Canada in 1975, Garage is part of Groupe Dynamite, which has more than 300 stores across North America. Garage is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
COMING SOON
280Living.com
October 2026 • A13
BUSINESS 101, and the Inverness location is at 109 Inverness Plaza in Birmingham. Since 1955, RealtySouth has helped people across the state buy and sell their homes. They have more than 20 branch offices and more than 800 licensed agents. 205-325-4585 (Chelsea), 205-991-6565 (Inverness), realtysouth.com
NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS Birmingham Orthodontics is distributing more than 7,000 oral hygiene kits to schools and community organizations across Birmingham through a back-to-school initiative. The program is designed to improve children’s oral health and ensure they have access to basic hygiene supplies. Each kit includes a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss and a reusable carrying case that can also be used as a pencil pouch. School nurses will distribute the kits to students who need access to basic oral hygiene supplies. The initiative is part of a large investment in oral hygiene supplies supporting schools and families across multiple states. Schools, PTOs, school nurses and youth-serving community organizations can request kits. Birmingham Orthodontics has locations in Greystone, at 5406 U.S. 280, Suite E101, open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Chelsea, at 300 Jade Park and open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 205-308-9407 (Greystone), 205-678-2770 (Chelsea), bhamorthodontics.com
PERSONNEL MOVES Jason Welch joined RealtySouth Chelsea, and Rita Lindsey joined RealtySouth Inverness in August. The Chelsea location is at 331 Chelsea Corners Way, Suite
Ryan T. Cordry, D.O., has joined Southlake Orthopaedics Sports Medicine and Spine Center, a division of SOA. Cordry specializes in orthopedic surgery and joint reconstruction, and his expertise is in conditions of the hip, knee and shoulder. Southlake Orthopaedics offers testing, surgery and rehabilitation services like onsite MRIs and physical therapy. The practice has locations at 4517 Southlake Parkway in Hoover and 3686 Grandview Parkway, Suite 430, in Birmingham. 205-985-4111, southlakeorthopaedics.com Hair stylist Christa Eubanks is back at Studio 280 Salon in Chelsea at 16233 U.S. 280. She also offers home hair services for those who can’t get to a salon, as well as appointments on late afternoons and weekends. The salon offers barbering, spray tans, nails, pedicures, facials, lash extensions, waxing and head spa treatments. Studio 280 is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 205-644-4332, studio280salon.square.site
ANNIVERSARIES At 5363 U.S. 280 West, Suite 105-B in Hoover, Champion Cleaners is celebrating its 20th anniversary at its Greystone store. They offer dry cleaning services that include hand-pressing the clothes, on-site cleaning, executive shirt service with add-ins, complete repair, alteration services and other add-on services. Owners David and Sherry Whitehurst opened the first location on Rocky Ridge Road 24 years ago, and their son, Mark, became the general manager in 2017. Champion Cleaners in Greystone is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. They also have locations in Vestavia Hills, Crestline and Calera. 205-408-2797, championcleaners.com
CLOSINGS After nine years in the Mt Laurel and Dunnavant Valley community at 3 Mt Laurel Ave., La Paz Restaurant and Catering will not be reopening when their repairs are complete. The team said it’s time for La Paz to move on and start a new chapter. Their locations in Crestline and Ross Bridge will remain open and serve dishes like nachos, quesadillas, taco salads, tacos and cheese dip. 205-803-6262, eatatlapaz.com
A14 • October 2026
280 Living
SCHOOLHOUSE
Hoover’s fine arts specialist makes the case for the arts on their own terms By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Gwin Elementary music teacher Erica Russell spoke almost in a whisper, and the room bent toward her. Twenty children on the carpet, sneakers tucked under knees, every pair of eyes on her. Near the door, Brian Cocke watched, grateful, the way you are grateful for something you can no longer do yourself. That is the part of the job Cocke will not give up — standing in the back of somebody’s classroom. The rest of it has no ordinary Tuesday, which is part of why he took it. As Hoover City Schools’ fine arts specialist, a position most school systems do not have at all, Cocke supports music, visual art, theater, band and choir programs across 16 schools, working with more than 65 fine arts teachers. On a given day, he might chase down a grant, untangle a scheduling problem, sit in on an elementary art class, schedule professional development or meet with administrators about what a program needs. “A big part of the job is connecting pieces that otherwise might operate independently,” Cocke said. “I get to look at fine arts across the entire district and ask, ‘What can we do better together?’” The position was not created because something was broken, he said. Hoover’s programs had grown to include band, choir, theater, dance, visual art and a district performing arts center. Someone needed to look at fine arts strategically, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Cocke came to the work sideways. He played piano by ear as a child but never took lessons until he was 16. He entered college set on computer science, got bumped from a course and
Brian Cocke will always remember his teaching days. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
landed in Music Appreciation instead. After he performed a piece for a composer report, the professor asked whether he had considered applying for a music scholarship. He got the scholarship, changed his major and spent 23 years teaching elementary music and drama before moving to the district office. “Being in the classroom for 23 years influences almost every decision I make,” he said. “I know what it feels like when someone at the district level creates one more thing for a teacher to do. So I try to ask, ‘Is this actually going to help teachers and students?’” Teachers say the support is overdue. An arts teacher is often the only one of their kind in a building.
Brian Cocke enjoys a lighter moment at Gwin Elementary School.
“We need an advocate for students, for curriculum, for professional development,” Erica Russell said. “The arts are an outlet for students to understand other people and themselves, and to become better social beings.” Will Hornsby, a drama teacher new to education, said the professional development matters the most. “Making connections is difficult when you’re starting out,” Hornsby said. “Spending time with other arts educators, hearing another perspective on teaching drama, that’s how you develop and become a better teacher.” Cocke is blunt about the argument he refuses to make. Arts programs are usually defended on test scores and behavior. “We don’t teach math because it might make
students better musicians. We teach math because mathematics is important,” he said. “The arts deserve the same consideration.” To a parent who considers band and art class extras, he offers an invitation. “Come watch a band rehearsal where 100 students have to listen to one another and make hundreds of individual decisions work toward one result,” he said. “Those aren’t extra experiences. They’re educational experiences.” Back in the music room, the whisper had become sound — twenty voices, ragged at the edges, finding the shape of the same phrase. Cocke stayed by the door until the last note went out of the air. Just children leaning toward a soft voice, learning to make something together.
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280Living.com
October 2026 • A15
SCHOOLHOUSE
Local schools ranked among Alabama’s best high schools By KYLE PARMLEY Three Shelby County-area public high schools placed among Alabama’s top public schools in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for the 2026-27 school year, with Oak Mountain, Spain Park and Chelsea all earning national recognition. Oak Mountain High School ranked No. 818 nationally and No. 8 in Alabama, posting an overall score of 95.44 out of 100. The school’s AP participation rate stands at 59%, with 42% of students passing at least one AP exam. Oak Mountain also ranked No. 1 among Shelby County High Schools and No. 6 in the Birmingham metro area. Spain Park High School ranked No. 782 nationally and No. 7 in Alabama, with an overall score of 95.64. The school’s AP participation rate is 53%, with 46% of students passing at least one exam. Spain Park ranked No. 5 among Birmingham metro-area high schools. Chelsea High School ranked No. 2,152 nationally and No. 24 in Alabama, with an overall score of 88.01. The school’s AP participation rate is 53%, with 31% of students passing at least one exam. Chelsea ranked No. 2 among Shelby County High Schools and No. 9 in the Birmingham metro area. On state-required testing, Oak Mountain posted proficiency rates of 53% in mathematics, 52% in reading and 68% in science. Spain Park posted rates of 52% in mathematics, 53% in reading and 63% in science. Chelsea posted rates of 40% in mathematics, 44% in reading and 60% in science. All three schools topped the statewide averages of 20% in mathematics,
Spain Park High School ranked as the seventh best public high school in Alabama, according to U.S. News and World Report 2026 rankings. Photo by Jon Anderson.
20% in reading and 30% in science. College Readiness Index scores, which U.S. News uses to measure how well a school’s coursework and testing translate into college preparedness, came in at 46.2 for Oak Mountain, 48.1 for Spain Park and 36.8 for Chelsea. Among Alabama’s 293 ranked schools, Oak Mountain and Spain Park each placed in the top 10 in College Readiness Index, at No. 7 and No. 6, respectively, while Chelsea ranked No. 22. Enrollment varies across the three schools.
Oak Mountain serves grades 9-12 with 1,648 students and a 19:1 student-teacher ratio. Spain Park serves grades 9-12 with 1,472 students and a 15:1 ratio. Chelsea serves grades 9-12 with 1,235 students and a 17:1 ratio. The shares of economically disadvantaged students were 23% at Oak Mountain, 31% at Spain Park and 23% at Chelsea. Oak Mountain and Chelsea are part of Shelby County Schools, which has eight high schools serving 6,866 students. Spain Park is one of two
high schools in Hoover City Schools, which has two high schools serving 4,391 students. The rankings are calculated using data from the 2024-2025, 2023-2024 and 2022-2023 academic years and are part of U.S. News’ broader Best High Schools project, which this year evaluated more than 17,900 nationally ranked schools. The methodology weighs factors including state assessment performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation outcomes.
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A16 • October 2026
280 Living
YMCA
CONTINUED from page A1 It was developed with researchers at Yale University and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who found participants saw measurable gains in physical activity, fitness and quality of life, as well as a drop in cancer-related fatigue. The YMCA of the USA supports the program at branches across the country. Cancer treatment contributes to loss of conditioning and fatigue, and the American College of Sports Medicine recommends that cancer survivors engage in moderate aerobic exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes, plus resistance training twice a week. One more finding shapes the room itself: supervised programs consistently outperform unsupervised ones. Part of that is technique and safety. Part of it is that showing up somewhere at a set hour, where people expect you, is a different proposition than intending to exercise. Much of what looks like ordinary gym programming at Greystone is, in effect, a clinical prescription filled in a group exercise room. Classes at Greystone are deliberately small and cap at 12 participants, with an instructor and one to two assistants. McCullough said the size is the point. “Twelve is the max, and that’s individualized enough for personal connections,” McCullough said. “That way, everyone in the class receives the attention and care they deserve.” The mix of activity depends on the person. Participants might do yoga, stretching or Pilates. They might lift weights, work on cardio, or use resistance bands or the branch’s eGym equipment. Each participant completes a fitness and quality-of-life assessment at the start and end of the 12 weeks, and members of a class often advance into the Y’s regular group exercise offerings when they finish. The first Greystone group was 10 women, all of them breast cancer survivors. Ginger Zingara was one of the participants who came back for
Group Exercise Director Renae McCullough, right, and Rod Dedrich with the Livestrong class at the Greystone YMCA. Photos by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
a second round. “I liked it so much I did it again,” Zingara said. “You get to meet other survivors and form a bond, and all the exercises are customized to your abilities. It makes you feel so much better afterward.” That customization comes up repeatedly among participants. Sheila Pownall said the instructors pay attention. “They listen to you and adjust the program to fit exactly what you can do,” Pownall said. “I needed to start exercising, and this program gave me a place to be accountable. Also, you feel supported in a big way.” McCullough said the response has been strong enough that several participants, out of treatment and ready to keep going, have told her that two days a week was not enough. “Their bodies have been through a lot,” McCullough said. “They’re thankful for the program, and they see the difference it makes in their overall health day in and day out.”
This Livestrong group meets at the Greystone YMCA twice a week.
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280Living.com
October 2026 • A17
Rod Dedrich demonstrates a workout for the Livestrong class.
Members of the Livestrong class work out on various machines.
For the Y, none of it is incidental. “We want people to know this is a community initiative,” said Rod Dedrich, a Livestrong instructor at the Greystone Y. “We’re a mission-centered organization, and we want to help you feel better.” Livestrong has since expanded beyond Greystone to the Hoover, Mountain Brook, Shades Valley and Trussville branches, McCullough said, with the goal of eventually offering it at every branch in the association. It sits alongside the Y’s other evidence-based health programming, much of which also runs at Greystone. Defeat PD, a Parkinson’s-specific exercise class led by PWR! Moves
survivorship, post-rehabilitation exercise, and supportive cancer care, and are equipped to modify movements for fatigue, neuropathy, limited range of motion or lymphedema. For survivors along the 280 corridor, the practical appeal is proximity. Greystone is a short drive for much of the area, and the program removes the two barriers that most often keep people out of a gym after treatment: cost, and the worry of walking into a room where nobody understands what your body has just been through. Those interested in Livestrong at the Y can complete an interest form at ymcabham. org. Candidates are contacted with next steps,
certified instructors, meets at the branch Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:301:30 p.m. A Parkinson’s support group for patients and care partners meets at Greystone the second Tuesday of each month from 1-2:30 p.m. Both, like Livestrong, are offered at no cost. The through-line, McCullough said, is meeting people where they are rather than asking them to arrive already fit. That is also the most common misconception she runs into. Participants do not need a baseline level of fitness to start, and they are not expected to talk about their diagnosis unless they want to. Instructors are trained in cancer
including intake paperwork that can be completed at home and a specialized trainer conducts a brief in-person assessment before the session begins. More information on the national program is available at livestrong.org. By the end of the hour at the Greystone YMCA, the light has moved off the window and onto the far wall. Zingara sets the dumbbell back on the rack, and the weight stacks go quiet one at a time as the room empties. She came back for a second round for the exercise, yes, but the bigger reason is the bond she formed with the ten other people in the room. She will be here Thursday.
A18 • October 2026
280 Living
SCHOOLS
CONTINUED from page A1 The project was a longtime goal of former Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer and the Chelsea City Council. “This new gym has been a dream of mine since I took office in 2016,” Picklesimer said. “For many years, Chelsea High School was the only high school around that did not have a second gymnasium.” Picklesimer said advancing the capital improvement project was important because many students had to compete for time slots at the existing gym, which lacked enough space for everyone. “What we were having was athletes on the various teams showing up for practice at 5 a.m. because there wasn’t enough space for them to all practice during a school day,” Picklesimer said. “We as a council had an opportunity to come up where we could focus on a big project, and we worked with [Superintendent Lewis] Brooks and [Assistant Superintendent of Operations] David Calhoun, and we were able to get the second gym into the capital program.” Construction started in October 2025 and is slightly behind schedule with an expected completion date of April or May 2027. The Board of Education is covering the cost of the architectural and engineering fees, and the city of Chelsea is funding the remainder of the project. Picklesimer, who worked on the project for many years during his administration, said it is a big deal to him. “This would be something I would consider a generational landmark for my second administration,” Picklesimer said. “Thankfully the
A new gymnasium is under construction at Chelsea High School. Photos by David Leong.
coaches and athletic director were all so supportive, and [Principal Brandon] Turner was very helpful. It was just something that was sorely needed. It was expensive, but most generational decisions are.”
Picklesimer said he has grandchildren who will utilize the space and is thankful there will be options for indoor practices if something has to be moved indoors due to weather. “Every sport will touch that gym, and we will find it greatly utilized,” Picklesimer said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.”
OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL
Another project, which was slated for completion by the end of September, is the installation of synthetic turf at Oak Mountain High School’s soccer facilities. The turf will require less daily maintenance. The fields are used by students and multiple groups, including local recreational leagues. “We love the partners we have through youth and rec sports,” Oak Mountain High School Athletic Director Ryan Brewer said. “We want the fields used as much as they can be used, but this allows us to spend less time making sure the fields are ready before a game, which is a good thing for everyone.” Three fields will receive the new turf. The fields see heavy daily use for youth soccer, lacrosse and football in the Oak Mountain zone. The baseball and softball fields will also receive new turf. The cost to turf all three fields will be $2.8 million.
Soccer field under construction at Oak Mountain High School.
Snyder said the partnership between the high school and local recreational youth leagues is important because many of the kids who play in the youth leagues eventually come to play for the schools. As interest in youth sports grew, use of the fields increased, as did the maintenance needed to prepare them for high school games. “In the past, if it rained a bunch, you couldn’t really play on the fields, but the new turf will allow you to play whenever as long as it isn’t lightning,” Brewer said. “Just by having the turf it allows a lot more usage than a traditional grass field, and we are really excited about being able to have the opportunity to have the turf installed.” While the soccer fields are close to completion, construction on the softball and baseball fields had just started at the time of publication.
INVERNESS ELEMENTARY
A third capital improvement project planned this school year for the U.S. 280 corridor is $1.5 million in upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at Inverness Elementary, according to the five-year capital plan approved by the Shelby County Board of Education in August.
Softball field under construction at Oak Mountain High School.
280Living.com
October 2026 • A19
A20 • October 2026
280 Living
SECTION
B
Sports B6 Events B10 Life B14
OCTOBER 2026
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Home & Garden Fall Guide Discover local businesses that specialize in keeping your home and garden at their best
Bring beauty back to your doorway with Door Restore An attractive entry door can make a great first impression and boost your home’s curb appeal, but sunlight, rain, and frost can damage and leave signs of wear on wood and iron doors. Fortunately, Door Restore in Birmingham restores and maintains doors. “We only work on doors. They’re our specialty,” said owner Van Etheridge. A former art major who loves working with his hands, Van formerly painted murals and did wall finishes while also restoring iron and wooden doors. “When the economy crashed in 2008, I went to work selling pharmaceuticals while restoring iron doors on the weekends,” Van said. “When the pharmaceutical company was sold and laid off its sales team, I officially started Door Restore.” The company is a family affair. Three years ago, Van began working with his son Griffin, who earned his business degree from The University of Alabama. A year later, he hired Griffin’s twin brother, Skyler, who also earned his business degree at UA. “It’s fun watching them take what they learned and apply it to the real world, especially in all the facets of owning your own business,” Van said. Door Restore offers customers a money-saving maintenance program that keeps doors looking
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their best. “Wood doors weather quickly and need a new top coat every year or two, depending on exposure, sun and rain,” Etheridge said. “We provide maintenance once a year, including a topcoat to save customers money in the future. Iron doors have a special oil-rubbed bronze or other metal hues in them. We’re able to restore your door to the original finish.” Door Restore now also sells and installs custom iron and steel doors. The National Association of REALTORS’ 2025 Remodeling Impact Report estimated that a new iron or steel front door recovers 100% of its cost at resale. For details or a free quote, call 205-492-5866 or visit doorrestore. org.
B2 • October 2026
280 Living
HOME & GARDEN
Brandino Brass offers ‘high-quality’ products, ‘exceptional’ service, ‘unique’ variety, customer says
Kelly Kirby and Renee Genereux. Photo courtesy of Brandino Brass.
Brandino Brass in Homewood is known throughout the Southeast as a go-to destination for designers, contractors, architects and homeowners seeking top-quality decorative and architectural hardware. With a range of prices and quality unmatched by big-box stores, Brandino Brass offers cabinet hardware, door knobs, fireballs, custom brass shelving, bathroom accessories, interior and exterior lighting and more. The company carries many unique, high-end hardware makers and vendors, with some products available exclusively at Brandino Brass. Best of all, Brandino Brass has a passionate, well-trained staff who understand that hardware is “the jewelry of the home” and help clients find the best products for their homes. The customers who’ve enjoyed this great service include Kelly and Brian Kirby, who recently built a two-story, Tudor-style house in Edgewood. The house measures 3,500 square feet with five bedrooms, 4.5 baths and an office, and Brian – who builds houses for a living – handled the construction. Brian is pleased by his handiwork but gives his wife — a designer and licensed real estate agent — much of the credit for the project’s success. “I’m more impressed by what Kelly does with the finishes,” Brian says. “This was some of her finest work to date.” Picking Brandino Brass for all of the cabinet and door hardware in her new house was an easy choice for Kelly, who worked with Brandino co-owner Renee Genereux and the rest of the staff while serving on the
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design team at Homewood builder Ketcham & Co. “Renee and Brandino were the only choice,” Kelly says. “The service at Brandino is always exceptional, the products are highquality and the variety in selections give each home a unique sense of personality. “ Renee helped Kelly find the hinges for a “hidden door” in her dining room that her kids love, Kelly said. “Figuring that out was a process, and Renee helped us through every option available.” As a designer who works with her own clients, Kelly is very impressed by Brandino Brass. “Every staff member is willing to help, scheduling is seamless and communication with orders is always relayed in a timely manner in regards to arrivals and backorders,” she said. The Brandino Brass staff even labels all hardware items by location. “This keeps the job site organized and creates efficiency when confirming that all items are accounted for and ready for installation,” she says. “I will always appreciate Brandino’s commitment to quality service and variety of high-end products,” Kelly says. “Finishes truly make the difference in a home, and Brandino provides the best out there.”
280Living.com
October 2026 • B3
HOME & GARDEN Fall is the perfect time to start fresh with Southern Exterior Cleaning Solutions Fall is a great time to have Southern Exterior Cleaning Solutions, a local, family-owned company, soft wash or pressure wash your house, roof or business facilities. “The cooler weather offers ideal opportunities to entertain guests, and we’ll brighten up your home, your deck, your driveway, whatever you need, just in time for the holidays,” says owner Will Gregory. Pressure washing also protects exterior surfaces by removing months of summer dirt, mold and grime from your house and roof before the freezing winter weather. It enhances the safety and durability of concrete surfaces like driveways, sidewalks and patios. Southern Exterior provides free, in-person estimates, uses topquality, professional equipment and offers commercial services for storefronts, parking lots and industrial areas. “We add value, improve curb appeal, make outdoor spaces welcoming for guests and customers and instill pride for the home or business owner,” Will says. A mature, experienced entrepreneur, Will offers customers consistency, professionalism and attention to detail. “I’m a full-time business owner, not a side-hustle guy,” he says. “I do all the work myself, so customers never have to wonder who’s coming to their home.” And he never cuts corners. “When
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I’m doing your job, it isn’t finished until we agree it’s done,” Will says. “Serving the customer is all I do,” he says. “My goal is to have happy customers who call me again and tell their friends and neighbors about me.” Call 205-878-4395 or go to southernecs.com.
B4 • October 2026
280 Living
HOME & GARDEN
The 10-minute test: how well does your home really work? Here’s a question that may reveal more about your home than whether the countertops are clear. Could you find your passport in 10 minutes? Not eventually. Not after texting your spouse. Not after checking the place where you were absolutely certain you put it. Ten minutes. How about the warranty for your refrigerator? The platter you use every Thanksgiving? An extra phone charger? The tiny screwdriver required to change the battery in something important? The good scissors? Every home has good scissors. How quickly you can find these things tells us something important about organization. Because a truly organized home isn’t necessarily one that looks perfect. It’s one that works. We often associate organization with appearance: beautifully aligned shelves, pristine countertops and closets worthy of a photograph. Those things are lovely, but they aren’t the real test. The better measure is retrieval. Can you find what you need, when you need it, without turning the house upside down? If not, the problem may have less to do with tidiness and more to do with the systems behind it.
Sometimes an item has too many possible homes. Batteries might live in the kitchen junk drawer, the garage, the office or wherever someone happened to put the last package. Sometimes we store things where they fit rather than where they make sense. Your Thanksgiving platter may fit beautifully in an upstairs cabinet, but that location becomes considerably less charming when the turkey is resting and 12 people are arriving in 20 minutes. Then there are systems only one person understands. If every member of the household has to ask the same person, “Where do we keep the ...?” that person has inadvertently become the home’s search engine. And she is probably ready to resign. The best organizational systems are intuitive. Frequently used items live near where they are used. Categories make sense to everyone in the household. There is enough room to put things away without rearranging six other things first. Most importantly, the system reflects the way the family lives now. That last part matters because homes and lives rarely evolve at the same pace. Children grow. Hobbies change. Wardrobes expand. People begin working from home. Parents downsize and suddenly family
keepsakes arrive. The closet or cabinet that worked perfectly five years ago may no longer have anything to do with the life happening around it. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed at being organized. It simply means the system needs to catch up. Try the 10-minute test in your own home. Choose five things you don’t use every day but would reasonably expect to find when you need them. Then start the clock. If you find everything easily, congratulations. Your home is probably doing more work for you than you realize. If you spend eight minutes muttering, “I know it’s here somewhere,” pay attention to where the search breaks down. That frustration is useful information. The goal isn’t to create a home where nothing is ever left on the counter or a sweater never lands on a chair. People live here, after all. The goal is a home that reduces unnecessary effort. A home where belongings have logical places, routines feel easier and you spend less time searching for things you already own. Your home doesn’t need to pass the white-glove test. It needs to pass the 10-minute test.
Kim McBrayer-Phinney is the founder and owner of Space Cadets, Birmingham’s premier full-service closet design and professional organizing firm. Learn more at spacecadetsorg.com
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B6 • October 2026
280 Living
SPORTS
Regular season concludes in October By KYLE PARMLEY Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park high schools all turn to the second half of their region schedules in October. Briarwood is in the AA private classification’s Region 2, Chelsea is in Class 5A, Region 4, and Oak Mountain and Spain Park are both in Class 6A, Region 3.
OCT. 1-2
Briarwood travels to St. John Paul II on Thursday in the first meeting between the two programs. Chelsea hosts Helena, which holds a 7-5 edge in the series and has won the last five meetings, including a 21-9 win last season. Oak Mountain hosts Hewitt-Trussville, which holds an 11-3 edge in the series and has won 10 straight meetings, including a 36-21 win last season. Spain Park travels to Prattville, a series it leads 2-1, but the teams have not met since 2013.
OCT. 8-9
Chelsea travels to Homewood on Thursday, a series Homewood has swept 4-0 to this point. The teams have not met since 2021, when Homewood won 37-35. Spain Park hosts Tuscaloosa County on Thursday as well, a series it leads 9-3, including a 35-14 win in 2023, the last time the teams played. Briarwood hosts John Carroll on Friday, a series Briarwood leads 13-3 and has won 12 straight, including a 23-7 win last season. Oak Mountain travels to Prattville, a series Prattville leads 3-1, including a 27-6 win last season.
OCT. 16
Briarwood hosts Randolph in the first
John Campbell delivers a pass to Sam Canale on a trick play..
The Briarwood football team celebrates a big win with the band and the fight song after a 35-7 victory at Moody on Aug. 21. Photos by Alex Millender.
meeting between the two programs. Chelsea travels to Mountain Brook, a series Mountain Brook leads 2-0. The teams have not met since 2021, when Mountain Brook won 25-0. Oak Mountain travels to Tuscaloosa County, a series it leads 8-4, including a 43-7 win last season. Hoover hosts Spain Park, a series the Bucs lead 21-4, including a 21-10 win last season.
leads 10-6 and has won six straight, including a 30-0 win last season. Oak Mountain hosts Thompson, which holds a 14-9 edge in the series and has won 10 straight meetings. Spain Park travels to Hewitt-Trussville, a series the Huskies lead 6-3. The teams have not met since 2023, when Spain Park won 50-29.
OCT. 23
Chelsea travels to Bessemer City on Thursday in a non-region game. Spain Park closes the regular season at home against James Clemens, a series it leads 3-1.
Briarwood travels to American Christian in the first meeting between the two programs. Chelsea hosts Chilton County, a series it
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OCT. 29-30
On Friday, Oak Mountain closes the regular season at Homewood in a non-region game, a series Oak Mountain leads 4-2. The teams have not met since 2011. Briarwood has an open date before the playoffs begin.
LOOKING AHEAD
October’s schedules will shape all four teams’ playoff seeding as their respective region races play out. Briarwood is guaranteed a playoff berth, as all 16 teams in its classification will qualify for the postseason. Oak Mountain and Spain Park will fight for a playoff spot, as 6A has an amended format this season that will allow six of the eight teams in Region 3 to make the playoffs. Chelsea will look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2024.
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October 2026 • B7
SPORTS
More than tape and ice: The weeklong operation that keeps Briarwood’s football team ready for Friday nights By KYLE PARMLEY Briarwood Christian School’s football team plays for three hours on a Friday night, but for the school’s sports medicine staff, the work to get there starts nearly a week earlier. Kyle Southall, Briarwood’s director of sports science and performance, said his preparation begins on Sundays, when he brings his fouryear-old into the athletic training room for what he calls “drain the ice machine.” Early in the season, with the heat still heavy, that alone is no small task. “This time of year, it’s just so hot. We go through about 200 pounds of ice a day,” Southall said. From there, the week builds toward kickoff. Southall said practice intensity is structured like an inverted bell curve, heaviest on Monday, dropping to a medium Tuesday and a light Wednesday, then ticking back up to a medium Thursday before tapering off again ahead of game day. While the staff also handles nutrition planning and emergency action plans sent to visiting teams, Southall contacts EMS every Wednesday ahead of a home game to review protocols. The staff also touches base midweek with Birmingham meteorologist James Spann to get a read on Friday’s forecast, passing along anything the staff needs to prepare for. By kickoff, the sideline crew numbers between 10 and 12 people. Assistant athletic trainer Aimee Dick, a Briarwood graduate returning to her alma mater, is part of that group. So is team physician Dr. Wayne McGough. Erin Gilbert, an Auburn senior and former Briarwood soccer player, serves as a sports medicine intern, alongside current Briarwood junior Lainey Knowlton, also interning with the program. Rounding out the group are head strength and conditioning coach Brandon Davis, Briarwood Athletic Performance
Program Director Jacob Nilsson and strength coach Phoebe Greene, who monitors GPS data on the sideline throughout the game. Those trackers, worn by 40 to 50 players at a time, flag when a player hits a workload threshold the staff calls a “yellow zone,” prompting adjustments to keep players fresh for the moments that matter most. The same staff also supports Briarwood’s volleyball and cross-country programs, among others, in the fall. “We have 10 to 12 support staff that are rowing the boat to keep our best 11 on the field at any time,” Southall said. As the season progresses, Southall said the emphasis shifts from building players up to keeping them there, through nutrition, sleep, hydration and recovery tools such as compression boots and massage guns. He likens it to a bank account. “Every time you work out or every time you’re in a game, you’re pulling money out. Well, then you need to do something from a recovery standpoint, put money back in. Otherwise, you’re broke,” Southall said. Fridays are the longest days of the week for Southall, who is up around 4:30 a.m. and doesn’t get home until well after midnight once postgame treatment wraps up. Still, he said the payoff makes it worth it. Much of that work goes unnoticed by the public, from ordering game-day nutrition to the dozens of rehab sessions the staff runs each day. Only a few hours of that 60-hour work week are seen by the public. On Friday nights, the athletic trainers are always within arm’s reach, ready to tend to any need an athlete has. But as Southall jokes, there is also some wisdom to be instilled when he is asked which players to serve with hydration-infused Powerade bottles. “Go give it to a person who seems to be sweating a lot,” he said, with a laugh.
The full team tasked with keeping Briarwood Christian School football players healthy and performing at their peak on Friday nights, led by Briarwood’s director of sports science and performance, Kyle Southall, fourth from left. Photo courtesy of Kyle Southall.
B8 • October 2026
SPORTS
Early-season highlights By KYLE PARMLEY There’s nothing quite like high school football season in Alabama. Bands play, crowds roar and rivalries reignite as teams take the field for another year. The players, the coaches, the band, the cheerleaders and many others help showcase the pageantry and personality that define Friday nights across the area. Photos by Todd Lester, Richard Force and David Leong.
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October 2026 • B9
B10 • October 2026
280 Living
EVENTS
Mt Laurel to hold annual fall festival Oct. 24 By EMILY REED The Mt Laurel Fall Festival will be held Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Town of Mt Laurel. Event attendees are invited to “celebrate the magic of autumn” in the Town of Mt Laurel with a street festival for all ages. Guests can browse a marketplace filled with artisan vendors, sample dishes from local food trucks and restaurants, and peruse handcrafted goods and farmer pop-ups while listening to live music from Bryson Square. This event is free and open to the public. The event is a joint effort between the Town of Mt Laurel and the ARC Realty Mt Laurel sales team. The festival is set up on the streets of the Town of Mt Laurel located at 5 Mt Laurel Ave. Vendor registration is open, and organizers hope to find unique local farmers and artisans who help make the festival a success. “We are looking for vendors who sell local produce, plants, flowers, artwork, craft pieces, children’s items, jewelry and beautiful handcrafted merchandise,” according to information provided by the event organizers. Solicitors, franchised businesses, network marketers and politicians will not be approved, nor will items that are inappropriate for a family festival. Artists and artisans will receive priority when spaces are assigned. For more information about this year’s festival, visit mtlaurel.com.
A little girl on a spinning ride waves to the nearby riders at the Mt. Laurel Fall Festival on Oct. 12, 2024. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
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280Living.com
October 2026 • B11
EVENTS
Annual Chelsea Community Center Fall Craft Fair to be held Oct. 10 By EMILY REED The annual Chelsea Fall Craft Fair will be held Oct. 10 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Chelsea Community Center. The event showcases local vendors who create various items to sell at the fair. “I think what makes this event special for people is you get to come and shop such a wide variety of things made by people from Chelsea and surrounding areas,” event organizer Jane Ann Mueller said. “The first year we had it, we had such a great response that people kept asking for us to keep having it. It has just grown over the years and it is now something people really look forward to.” The indoor event will host roughly 75 vendors throughout the Chelsea Community Center. Admission is free, and participating vendors will offer items such as homemade
knives, artisan breads, knitted and crocheted items, quilts, honey, jewelry and more. Mueller said the Boy Scouts will be on site serving funnel cakes as a fundraiser for their troop. “Registration opened in September and we already had about 50 people sign up to be a vendor,” Mueller said. “I have slotted 75, and we usually have a waitlist of about 10 to 20 people.” Mueller said people who attend often enjoy the variety of crafts and foods offered at the event. She expects roughly 500 people will attend the craft fair. “We had the Farmer’s Market in the summer, and that offers a big variety of things but mostly food items,” Mueller said. “This is a bit different in that it offers a variety but less food and more homemade items.”
Crafters display their wares in the Chelsea Community Center at a previous fall craft fair. Photos courtesy of Jane Ann Mueller.
Mueller said the event does not make a profit for the city. Vendors pay $50 for a 10-by-10foot space, and the event’s sole purpose is to bring the community together and showcase local small businesses. “This is something where you come and maybe run into a friend you haven’t seen in a while, and you get to shop for things that you can’t find at most big-chain-type stores,”
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Mueller said. “This allows those with small businesses the opportunity to bring things they would like to sell, and it is just a lot of fun.” The Chelsea Community Center is at 11101 Shelby County 47 in Chelsea. The craft fair will end at 3 p.m. Mueller said there will also be food trucks on site for those interested in purchasing food.
B12 • October 2026
280 Living
EVENTS
Save the Date
CHELSEA SCARECROW TRAIL
APPALACHIAN HERITAGE SERIES: CRAFTS
► Where: Participating locations throughout Chelsea ► When: Oct. 1-31 ► Cost: Free to explore ► Details: Follow the trail around Chelsea during the city’s inaugural Scarecrow Trail, a monthlong fall decorating tradition featuring creative displays from local businesses, schools, churches, nonprofits, civic groups and city departments. Each participating organization will create and display its own family-friendly scarecrow, and residents and visitors can use the city’s official trail map to discover the displays throughout town. The event will also include judging in several categories and a People’s Choice vote. ► Contact: Brandy Pate, City of Chelsea, 205-678-8455 ext. 106 ► More Info: cityofchelsea.com/672/ Chelsea-Scarecrow-Trail
► Where: Oak Mountain State Park, Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, 200 Terrace Drive ► When: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 4, 2 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m. ► Cost: Park admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 4-11 and seniors 62 and older. Admission is free for children ages 3 and younger, military members and veterans. Program registration is available online. ► Details: Explore traditional Appalachian handcrafts at Oak Mountain State Park. Participants can learn the basics of quilting on Oct. 3, make a traditional corn husk doll on Oct. 4 and try their hand at pine needle basketry on Oct. 10. Each hands-on program begins at 2 p.m. at the Oak Mountain Interpretive Center. ► Contact: Oak Mountain State Park, 205-620-2520 ► More Info: alapark.com/parks/oakmountain-state-park/park-eventsand-programs
How My Chamber Investment Works for Me “I decided to invest in The Shelby County Chamber because of the networking and business services for small businesses. One of those opportunities – the Women’s Business Council – has been a fantastic resource for me as a new business owner. I’ve loved getting to meet other women in business and build friendships and connections! The meetings and business networking with other businesswomen have been vital in getting my company and services out to other businesses in our County. The Chamber is a great investment for any business!”
Elizabeth Grandy, Owner Elizabeth Grandy Photography 205-409-1590 | elizabethgrandyphotography.com For more information on how your business can benefit by investing in The Shelby County Chamber, email or call info@shelbychamber.org | 205-663-4542 1301 County Services Drive Pelham, AL 35124
205-663-4542
shelbychamber.org
► 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.
NORTH SHELBY FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOARD MEETING
FIRESIDE FOLKLORE: HOLLER HAUNTS & HIDDEN CREATURES OF APPALACHIA
► Where: North Shelby Library, Meeting Room, 5521 Cahaba Valley Road ► When: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m. ► Details: The Friends of North Shelby Library will hold its annual board meeting to elect or re-elect officers. The Friends organization supports the library and its programs, services and resources for the community. ► Contact: 205-439-5500 ► More Info: northshelbylibrary.org
► Where: Oak Mountain Interpretive Center, Oak Mountain State Park, 200 Terrace Drive ► When: Friday, Oct. 9, 6 p.m. ► Details: Venture into the eerie side of Appalachian folklore during this evening program at Oak Mountain State Park. Explore legendary creatures, mysterious tales and stories passed down through generations while learning more about the cultural roots behind some of the region’s most enduring legends. Registration is available online. ► Contact: Oak Mountain State Park, 205-620-2520 ► More Info: alapark.com/parks/oakmountain-state-park/park-eventsand-programs
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280Living.com
October 2026 • B13
EVENTS
NORTH SHELBY & MT LAUREL LIBRARIES
CHELSEA HOMETOWN HARVEST
POKÉMON TRADING CLUB
► Where: Melrose Park & Splash Pad ► When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ► Cost: Most activities are free; food, beverages and Pumpkin Patch Passes are available for purchase. ► Details: Celebrate fall at Chelsea’s new Hometown Harvest, a family-friendly festival filled with pumpkins, hayrides, games and hometown fun. Families can enjoy activities such as face painting, carnival-style games, a petting zoo and fall crafts while browsing a curated market of local farmers, bakers, food producers and other vendors. Food trucks and vendors will also be on site, and guests can purchase a Pumpkin Patch Pass to select a pumpkin to take home. ► Contact: Brandy Pate, City of Chelsea, 205-678-8455 ext. 106 ► More Info: cityofchelsea.com
► Where: Chelsea Public Library, 16623 U.S. 280 ► When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10-11 a.m. ► Details: Pokémon fans can bring their cards to Chelsea Public Library’s Pokémon Trading Club for a morning of trading, collecting and connecting with other fans. Kids can compare their collections, make new friends and share their enthusiasm for the popular trading card game in a relaxed library setting. ► Contact: Chelsea Public Library, 205-678-6190 ► More Info: cityofchelsea.com
MT LAUREL TRICK OR TREAT AT THE LIBRARY ► Where: Mt Laurel Library, 111 Olmsted St. ► When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ► Cost: Free ► Details: Celebrate Halloween with a stop at Mt Laurel Library for some daytime trick-or-treating. Children and families can visit the library throughout the day to pick up candy, with allergy-friendly non-candy options also available. The event is open to all ages, and no registration is required. ► Contact: Mt Laurel Library, 205-9911660 ► More Info: mtlaurellibrary.org
► Oct. 2 and 16: Mt Laurel Ukulele Storytime. 10-10:30 a.m. Mt Laurel Library, Ann Price Activity Room. Children ages 5 and younger can enjoy stories, songs and bubbles with a caregiver. ► Oct. 8 and 22: Color Therapy. 5:30 p.m. North Shelby Library. Adults can relax with snacks and coloring; registration required. ► Oct. 10: Mt Laurel Crafty Saturday. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mt Laurel Library, Freeman Community Room. Stop by to make a fun craft or take one home while supplies last. ► Oct. 12: Mt Laurel Needle Arts Group. 2-4 p.m. Mt Laurel Library, Ann Price Activity Room. Knitters, crocheters and other needle crafters can gather and work on projects together. ► Oct. 12: Novel Horizons Book Club. 5:45 p.m. North Shelby Library, Mueller Annex Classroom. Adults can connect over the month’s book selection; registration required. ► Oct. 14: Cozy Moms Book Club. 9:30 a.m. North Shelby Library. Moms can enjoy a morning of reading and conversation with others in the community; registration required. ► Oct. 20: Mt Laurel Mommy & Me Music Group. 10:30-11 a.m. Mt Laurel Library, Ann Price Activity Room. Children ages 5 and younger and their caregivers can enjoy instruments, movement and familiar songs.
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B14 • October 2026
280 Living
LIFE
Overture Tributary brings resort-style living to Birmingham’s 55-and-older set By KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Three years after opening its doors along U.S. 280, Overture Tributary has built something its residents describe less like a typical apartment complex and more like a permanent vacation. “It’s like a cruise boat that never leaves the dock,” is how the community’s lifestyle gets described around the property, according to staff, a nod to the resort-style pool, packed activity calendar and concierge services that define daily life there. Overture Tributary, at 3171 U.S. 280 in Birmingham, is a 55-and-older active adult community managed by Greystar under its “Live Here | Live Well” brand. Assistant Community Manager Ashley Davis is quick to draw a distinction between Overture and more traditional senior living options. “We are not assisted living,” Davis said. “This is active adult, 55 and better. It’s an apartment-home lifestyle built around community.” That community draws residents from all over, Davis said, many of whom arrive as strangers and leave as family. “Our residents come from everywhere,” she said. “It has a single-family, community feel. People really do become like family here.” The numbers back up the range of living options available. One-bedroom homes run from 567 to 1,075 square feet, while two-bedroom homes range from 999 to 1,248 square feet. For residents wanting more space, two-bedroom cottages stretch from 1,404 to 1,707 square feet. Every home includes a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a side-by-side refrigerator, granite countertops
Overture Tributary resident Kathy Trombley with her grandchildren.
Overture Tributary residents prepare for an evening of bingo. Photos by Karim ShamsiBasha.
with a prep island, a full-sized washer and dryer, wood-style plank flooring and a private balcony. Overture Tributary organizes its programming around what it calls seven dimensions of wellness: fitness, well-being, intellect, social connection, spirituality, eco-life and personal pursuits. That framework shows up throughout the property’s amenities, which include a saltwater swimming pool, outdoor kitchens and lounges, a fitness center, a yoga studio, a movie theater, a community garden, pet parks, a game room with a billiard table, pickleball courts and a game lawn. For residents like Kathy Trombley, who moved in a year and a half ago, it’s the mix
of activity and friendliness that stood out first. “I love the exercise classes, and everyone here is so friendly,” Trombley said. She counts the pool, a summer square party and bingo nights, complete with prizes, among her favorite ways the community has helped her make friends since arriving. The community’s clubs and interest groups extend well beyond the pool deck. Residents can join a bowling league, take up pickleball, volunteer through community service opportunities, or connect through groups like Friendship Force, a breast cancer support group, and a travel club that has organized trips as far-flung as Italy and Alaska.
Resident Allan Webster, married 46 years, downsized out of a farm with horses to move to Overture Tributary and said the friendliness of the place made the adjustment easy. Webster now leads line dancing classes for fellow residents and hosts dominoes and hand and foot card games twice a week. He has a daughter living in the area and brings 25 years of experience to the community’s social calendar. “We enjoy living here so much,” Webster said. “The people are what make it. Everybody is so friendly, and it didn’t take long at all to feel like we had a whole new family.” Fellow residents Jeanne Webster and Sharon Price round out a resident base that Davis said keeps the property’s calendar full nearly every week of the year. For more information on Overture Tributary, including floor plans and amenities, visit liveoverture.com.
Our passion is your food and your service! Celebrating 18 Years! Capellini Solare
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Great ideas often occur in the most comfortable of settings, and Bellini’s is no exception. With that in mind, in 2008, after discussing ideas over a bottle (or 2) of wine, the concept of Bellinis was formed. Come relax, enjoy your own glass of wine among friends, and see where your discussions take you.
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Bellinis is Birmingham’s only Italian Infused Steakhouse featuring the highest quality steaks hand-cut for perfection and grilled over our wood burning grill, house made pastas, seafood, and classic Italian dishes.
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280Living.com
October 2026 • B15
LIFE
Buzz over bite-sized macaron business in Mt Laurel By EMILY REED Mt Laurel resident Jojo Ehlers loves macarons and has recently taken her love of the French confection into a new business “InBetween Macs.” “I am originally from Singapore and moved to Alabama because this is where my husband is from,” Ehlers said. “I have always loved macarons, but started noticing that when I would go to a local bakery or a dessert shop there were never any macarons. You just don’t really see them a lot because it is a dessert that takes a lot of time to make. One day, I decided to just try out making some myself and that is where everything first originated.” InBetween Macs speciality is focusing on small, bite-sized macarons. “One day I made some for my husbands and I have also made some for friends and people were very encouraging with their feedback just telling me I should make more of them,” Ehlers said. “It was actually my father-in-law who encouraged me to start selling them so I first started with pre-orders out of my home, and then I shifted to doing pop ups at fall festivals and farmers markets.” The Mt Laurel Fall Festival was the first larger market Ehlers started selling her confections at and it was a clear success. “I was initially so nervous because when you put yourself out there for the first time you just never know how things are going to be received,” Ehlers said. “When I did the fall festival feedback from the customers was just so positive so it really encouraged me to keep going.” Ehlers said she views each macaron as a tiny blank canvas and is constantly working to come up with creative ideas for her desserts whether it be a fun new color, flavor or design. “I love to explore with colors and flavors,” Ehlers said. “I feel like macarons are so
versatile and elegant. You can really play with a lot of ideas.” Ehlers said feedback from customers is they usually like the smaller bite-sized options over the standard macaron size. Macrons are French confections often made from almond flour and meringue (whipped eggs and sugar) with food coloring to add to their bright colors. Typically, macarons are filled in the center with a jam or buttercream or ganache to add to the sweet filling. “I know for me, whenever I take a bite of a regular sized macaron it is always hard for me to eat the whole thing,” Ehlers said. “These are smaller and allow for you to try multiple flavors.” At each pop up, Ehlers usually has about 8 to 10 flavors available for customers to try. She is also available for custom orders through her website. Ehlers has also participated with several pop ups including one held at Sephora at The Summit. “It is really fun to see that this whole concept and idea came from me staying at home, and now here I am making macarons for all different types of occasions,” Ehlers said. “I love being able to provide something for customers to really enjoy.” Ehlers was a crowd favorite this summer at the Chelsea Farmers Market where she set up many weekends selling the macarons to customers. “I had a lot of fun interacting with people and trying out various ideas that I had,” Ehlers said. Ehlers said customer favorites often include the creme brulee flavor macaron. “I also often hear from younger children when they see a brightly colored one ‘mommy,’ ‘mommy,’ ‘I want the pink cookie,’” Ehlers said. “It was a lot of the craftsmanship and artistry that really drew me to start working with
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Customers gather at the InBetween Macs tent during one of Jojo Ehlers’ pop-up events.
Jojo Ehlers stands behind her display during a pop-up event at Bradley.
InBetween Macs’ bite-sized macarons are displayed for customers at a pop-up event. Photos courtesy of Jojo Ehlers.
macarons in the first place, and I can’t wait to see where things go from here.” To reach Ehlers or to order macarons from
InBetween Macs, visit her website at inbetweenmacs.com or her Facebook page InBetween Macs.
B16 • October 2026
280 Living