Bham Family - July 2020 by JBMC Media

JULY 2020

Farming’s

NEW

FACE

A PELHAM FAMILY’S STORY PAGE 20

CALERA’S DOWNTOWN COMEBACK

PAGE 22

A gift & clothing boutique specializing in home decor, seasonal giving, and jewelry.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

uring quarantine, it seemed that families were outdoors exercising together more and generally paying more attention to healthy habits. As we all found more time for cooking at home, perhaps some of us rediscovered or refocused on wholesome eating habits as well. (Not counting those “quarantine Oreos,” of course!) One thing I think we can all agree on is that eating locally grown organic foods is a step toward cleaner eating for our families. This month, I had the chance to catch up with one Pelham family whose pursuit of health and wellness led them to cultivate a family farm on a mountaintop near Oak Mountain. There, I learned about the finer points of milking goats and raising chickens—but also about how small steps toward wellness can be transformative. Read “Life on the Mountain,” (p.26) to be

4 Bham Family July 2020

inspired and find out how you can buy their goat soaps, cheese, and eggs. Other moving stories include how individuals have stepped up during this pandemic to encourage and help others. For instance, find out how one Homewood muralist turned his art into a fundraiser in “Signs of the Times” (p.8). And learn about two area high school students who used their computer science skills to manufacture innovative PPE for hospital workers (“Kids Who Shine” p. 30). The ingenuity and kindness of our city’s residents never cease to amaze me. Have an inspiring story to share? Let’s talk!

Jeana Durst Content Director and Mom

LOCATIONS BIRMINGHAM 500 Cahaba Park Circle, Suite 100 MADISON 8490 Highway 72 W, Suite 100 TRUSSVILLE 117 North Chalkville Road TUSCALOOSA 4700 Rice Mine Road NE VESTAVIA HILLS 520 Montgomery Highway Bham Family July 2020 5

MADISON and VESTAVIA locations now open!

ABOUT US

Bham Family is published monthly by JBMC Media, LLC, P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham AL 35260. 14,000 copies are printed and distributed at more than 530 locations throughout 650 Jefferson and Shelby Counties. DISTRIBUTION

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O U R A DV E RT I S I N G PA RT N E R S These folks are the ones to thank for our magazine’s success — spend your money with them, and tell them you saw them in Bham Family! 10

ACE Cheer Company BHM

Shelby County Arts Council

Alabama Ophthalmology Associates

Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 12

Aldridge Gardens

Sike’s Children’s Shoes / Jack n Jill

Single Barrel Barber Shop

CakEffect

Southlake Orthopaedics

Children’s of Alabama

The Whole Scoop Ice Cream Shop

Compact2020

Then Again Consignment

Free Friday Flicks

Urgent Care for Children

Hoover Met Complex

Vineyard Family Services

Jackie O’Neal School of Dance

Virginia Samford Theatre

Kasey Davis Dentistry

Vulcan Termite & Pest Control

McWane Science Center

WAY-FM

Painted Personalities

Wee-Peat Boutique / LuLu’s Loft

Pediatric Smiles

Wrapsody

Applause Dancewear

Birmingham BirminghamFamily FamilyMagazine Magazine

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2 RECYCLE RECYCLE ME! ME!

Upcoming events at Ald ridge Gardens

Int ro to Nordic Walking SATURDAY, JULY 11, 8:30-10AM When done correctly, Nordic walking can burn up to 40% more calories than regular walking, and it can involve up to 90% of your body’s muscles. Come learn from Dr. Leroy Hurt and incorporate Nordic walking into your exercise routine. This class is FREE but requires registration online.

Hyd rangeas Under the Stars RESCHEDULED!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Our premier event was rescheduled from its original date in June. Mark your calendars and follow Aldridge Gardens on Facebook for more details as this event draws closer. Join us for a spectacular evening of great food and entertainment, with live and silent auctions benefitting the Gardens.

(205) 682-8019 | aldridgegardens.com 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover 6 Bham Family July 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE FEATURE STORIES Calera’s Main Street Revival Find out how this historic downtown in Shelby County is making a comeback. p.22

Life on The Mountain How one Pelham family turned a personal mission into the Mar Farm, a family hobby farm that’s open for business. p.26

IN EVERY ISSUE Arts How one Homewood mural artist is making a difference. p.8 Food Review Comedienne Joy reviews her top outdoor dining spots. p.10 Education The Grove School in Leeds takes a unique approach to developing their student’s educational and spiritual paths. p.11 Just for Dads Ward Williams shares thoughts on estranged relationships and the value to reconciliation. p.12 Schoolhouse Updates from the Hoover School District. pp.14-15

Business Profile Mrs. Clean Green shares her philosophy behind “greening up” our homes. p.18 Faith Gardendale Mt. Vernon UMC partners with an important ministry to bring relief to families. p.20 Family Finance A financial professional shares best practices for weathering these challenging economic times. p.24 Kids Who Shine Two Altamont students take helping to protect our local medical workers to a new level. p.30

Medical Spotlight A Children’s Hospital physician offers parents and children advice for safer swimming this summer. p.16 Bham Family July 2020 7

Signs of the Times

Homewood muralist takes his message to the masses BY JEANA DURST Art has the power to bring people together. For those of us who hadn’t noticed our city’s murals before, the quarantine shut down certainly made them more prominent. All of a sudden as traffic and our hectic pace of life waned, we found ourselves outside, perhaps seeing our buildings and towns through new eyes in the sudden silence. In Homewood, one mural artist captured our collective attention in March with an encouraging message: “We are all in this together.” The blank white wall at Battle Republic on the corner of 18th Street and Central Avenue was, for a brief period of time, a canvas for our shared experience during the difficult pandemic time. Though it has since been painted over, the effect was lasting— we’ve seen an example of how murals can unify us and even bring hope. I recently caught up with Shawn Fitzwater while he was on break from painting a bus to discuss that mural as well as other projects he is spearheading in town. The “we are all in this together” mural was unsanctioned. What Fitzwater describes as a “rush job,” it was completed in about 10 hours in the cover of night. “I showed up with a straight edge, a level, and a pencil, and I laid it out in one night,” Fitzwater says. The idea came to him one day toward the beginning of quarantine while he was driving around and experiencing a slowdown of his business. “I just wanted to use my skills to spread a positive message,” he says, adding that after a lot of agonizing, he decided, “I’m just going to go do it.” It was the first time he had painted without asking permission. “I had passed that wall in Homewood so many times and thought about painting it for so long,” he explains. Plus, Fitzwater had already been talking to Battle Republic before the pandemic struck, but their talks were put on hold because of the coronavirus quarantine. Fitzwater says he knew if they got mad, he was fully prepared to paint over 8 Bham Family July 2020

it and that it could be done easily on an all-white wall. It turns out he didn’t have to worry about that. The Battle Republic owners and the building’s landlord appreciated the art—and so did, seemingly, everyone else. Perhaps the message of hope was especially powerful because it seemed to connect us during a time when connection with others was precisely what we were missing. “The very next day I started seeing posts on social media and saying thank you to whoever did this—I knew it would get attention, but it happened rapidly,” Fitzwater says. After a few days, he fessed up and went back to sign it. However, the mural was short-lived, lasting only a few weeks. The landlord had already decided to repaint the whole wall during the pandemic before the mural went up, and he proceeded with plans to repaint. But the message took on a life of its own, serving another purpose. Vulcan Apparel owners approached Shawn about making the mural into a T-shirt. “We sold over 250 shirts and raised over $3,000, which was used to buy food from local restaurants and feed the local medical care workers,” he says. Now Fitzwater plans to recreate this message on a downtown wall as part of a larger Birmingham muralist collective project he is spearheading. As of press time it was set for a wall outside of The Pizitz Food Hall on 2nd Avenue North and 19th Street. The wall will be apportioned among several artists who can showcase their unique style on different sections of the wall. The common thread in the separate murals will be the interpretation of hope during these times. Ultimately, it will combine many diverse styles and artists in one unified effort. In essence, reminding us once again that we are in “this” together. To learn more about Shawn Fitzwater and his art, visit Fitzsigns on Facebook or fitzsigns.com.

PEDIATRIC EYE CARE

Jennifer Davidson, MD, Colette Jackson, MD, and Allison McKelvey, OD

Our pediatric eye care team specializes in a wide range of medical and surgical procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of:

• • • • •

Children that need glasses or contact lenses Children with inherited or genetic conditions Children with cataracts, glaucoma or blocked tear ducts Children and adults with strabismus (crossed eye) or double vision Special needs children with eye conditions

4 Convenient Locations Alabama Ophthalmology Associates, 1000 19th Street South Children’s of Alabama, Lowder Building, Suite 412 Grandview Physician’s Plaza, Suite 100 Montgomery, 2752 Zelda Road For appointments, call (205) 903-0700 Visit us online at AOAPC.com Bham Family July 2020 9

FOOD REVIEW

RESTAURANTS OFFER GREAT PATIO DINING OPTIONS The coronavirus has definitely changed the way we do life—and also the way we dine out. Birmingham restaurants are opening up and taking steps to keep customers safe. Here are the top five Joy-approved patio Joy dining spots. King Nestled in Cahaba Heights, Fig Tree Birmingham offers farm-totable meat and three options on the patio and curbside. Owner/chef J.P. Holland and his team are wearing masks and serving drinks in plastic cups while delivering generous portions of scrumptious food. The team at Little Donkey Homewood is also donning masks and delivering good eats on the patio. They specialize in Mexican soul food, which translates to great tacos and flavorful fried chicken. Satterfield’s Restaurant also has a patio where many gather for a nice after-work experience. Their new daily happy hour menu is for dine-in customers only.

Fig Tree Birmingham offers farm-totable meat and three options.

It includes half-priced appetizers and select adult beverages from 4 to 6 p.m. Saw’s Soul Kitchen has a small patio area in front of the restaurant and now offers a walk-up window for all to-go orders. You likely know about the legendary wings, but try their chicken thighs. I refer to them as “chicken candy!” Drizzled in their famous sauce, they are both tender and sweet. When Five Birmingham closed, they opened their kitchen to serve free food to anyone at Linn Park from their American Lunch food truck. Now their patio is open for dinner and brunch—a great spot for after-work outings or date nights. To learn about Joy’s Eat, Drink, Ride Food Tour and get updates, go to DiningOutWithComedienneJoy.com. @aceofbirmingham @ACEofbirmingham @ACEofBHM

TEAM SELECTIONS

ACE offers competitive teams for males and females 3-18, at all levels of experience. REGISTER NOW!

SUMMER CLASS REGISTRATION Registration is OPEN!

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all levels, beginner to advanced.

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Tired of the same ol’ summer camp? Let ACE put some SPIRIT in those summer time blues! JUNE & JULY 5-day cheerleading camps 1-day PE camps 3-day tumble clinics

ACEbhmoffice@gmail.com | (205) 703-0902 | www.acetribe.com 301 Snow Drive | Birmingham, AL 35209 10 Bham Family July 2020

EDUCATION

Academic Matters

The Grove School helps students develop natural talents

Students at The Grove School learn in small groups through creative enrichment projects that complement their academic work..

BY JEANA DURST Set in a cozy home-like environment, The Grove School in Leeds was founded in 2019 by Steve and Mandy Fox with the help of many friends and family, such as Carol McLaughlin who also teaches at The Grove. The dream came from a passion and desire to help today’s youth find their purpose and passion that God ordained for them. They believe many students go to school and, when finished, are no closer to knowing how they can be used by God to make a difference in their community and world. The Grove School desires to help students to find their purpose and vision so that they will find joy in its fulfillment. They also seek to help students know God so that they can grow in their relationship with Him. The Grove School accommodates students in kindergarten through eighth grade, with future plans to expand to high school grade levels at a later date. Class sizes are small with 10 students per class. There are three highly qualified teachers, with two who are runners up for Alabama Teacher of the Year. These three teachers have about 90 years combined years of experience in all grade levels and subject areas. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY The Grove School seeks to educate students in a way that continues their academic progress. Many students who are ahead have to wait on their peers to catch up with them before they can actually begin to learn. The Grove teaches students at their individual academic level of readiness, no matter their grade level. For example, a fifth grader who excels at math and demonstrates mastery of all the standards of

fifth through sixth grade could be moved to an instructional level of seventh grade math. The goal is to have them continue learning, to love learning, and to be continually challenged. ACADEMIC APPLICATIONS The Grove encourages students to focus on their strengths and connect with professionals who work in their chosen area of study. “We try to find ways to learn more about their interests interests so that they can learn from professionals who are working in the field and then help them figure out how to use that gift or talent to make the world a better place,” says founder Mandy Fox. This year The Grove had a seventh grader with a passion for coding and engineering who met with a professional coder to learn Python coding. He also studied with a professional engineer of more than 40 years to learn which type of engineering he liked the most. In another class, a fifth-grader with a passion for magic learned from a professional magician and was taught how to design his own magic show. He then presented this show for the school, was videoed, and then sent that video to the professional for feedback. Another fifth-grader who has a passion for finance and the stock market was given $100,000 of pretend money and the opportunity to invest it in the stock market. He turned a profit of more than $7,000 in two weeks. Mentored by a stock broker who talked to him about the best strategies for investing in stocks, he gained a valuable lesson in investing. The flexibility of the curriculum allows for many experiences like these. For more information, visit learningatthegrove.com. Bham Family July 2020 11

JUST FOR DADS According to the dictionary, the adjective “estranged” means a loss of affection, a turning away from someone. The word “strange” within it seems to suggest an alienation of affection—that a loving Ward relationship has not only Williams soured but also turned distant and even somewhat hostile. My father recently passed away. Neither I nor my two siblings had seen him in 25 years. About eight years ago, I reached out to him to tell him that I was all right and that I forgave him. I showed him pictures of his grandchildren. We did not have contact since that day. My father was a well-known musician in the very small community where he had lived for the last thirty years or more. He had been living alone in a hotel room at the benevolence of the hotel owner. The police detective who was called to the hotel after his death searched his belongings and asked those who knew him about his next of kin. The only thing people seemed to know about him were stories that he shared during music sets. Those stories did not include anything about his family. We learned of his death from a Facebook post shared to a community page, days after his death. Facebook posts and stories filled in a lot of information about what he had been doing the past twenty-five years. There were multiple posts with questions about his next of kin. Nobody in the community seemed to have any idea about his history. One friend said that he had two children, but they were estranged from him. It is amazing how much I have I thought of the word “estranged” in the past couple of weeks. I have felt both defensive and contemplative. I was not the one to cause the estranged relationship. What was my responsibility to further reach out and seek a relationship with someone who did not seek to have one with me? The Bible says in Malachi 4:6, NASB: “He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.” As I am writing this, it feels that we are living out this Old Testament prophesy. Some of the social ills plaguing our society have what is called a “father factor” to them, meaning the absence of a father has been shown to be a contributor. The Malachi Bible verse says it is the 12 Bham Family July 2020

The only thing people seemed to know about him were stories that he shared during music sets. Those stories did not include anything about his family. We learned of his death from a Facebook post shared to a community page, days after his death. Facebook posts and stories filled in a lot of information about what he had been doing the past twentyfive years.

responsibility of both the father and the child to turn to one another to avoid a curse in the land. I pray you are able to safely reconcile relationships with a parent or child in your life that are estranged. There will be a day when it is too late. I pray that restoration of relationships happens today and that our land is healed. Ward Williams is the founder and executive director of Vineyard Family Services. Contact him at ward@vfsdads.com.

How Chamber membership works for me. “Shelby County is a great place to live and do business, and The Shelby County Chamber is one of the big reasons why this is true! Our business has experienced consistent growth as we have taken advantage of the numerous business networking opportunities that are available. We appreciate the partnership between the Chamber, the County and all of our municipalities spelled out in “ShelbyOne – Next Level Up!” – their five-year strategic plan. When you also recognize the Chamber’s efforts in business development and support, career readiness and all the ways in which it supports our County, I think you’ll better understand why I believe the future here is so bright!

Ken Sawyer, CEO, Sawyer Solutions (844) 448-7767 • sawyersolutionsllc.com

To learn how your business can benefit as a member, contact Chris Williams at (205) 6634542, ext. 103, or chris@shelbychamber.org.

Grab a blanket, your family and friends and head on out to Veterans Park in Hoover for a free, family-friendly film on Friday, July 21, August 7, 14 and 21 Park opens at 6:30 pm each week - Movies start at dusk. FREE! For complete movie line up visit us at www.facebook.com/freefridayflicks Free Friday Flicks will respect all social distancing measures in place by the CDC. Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park will be marked with seating areas for each family group to maintain social distancing. Masks will need to be worn when not at your spot. Please DO NOT come to the park if you or someone in your famly goup is not feeling well.

Bham Family July 2020 13

S C H O O L H O U S E NEWS FROM HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS

Gwin cafeteria manager retires Brenda Ross, who served the students of Gwin Elementary School for thirty years, retired after the 201920 school year. Mrs. Brenda, as she was known by generations of students and teachers alike, was a beloved member of the school and a smiling face for hungry children. She retired as the manager of Gwin’s cafeteria.

SPHS, HHS hold graduation ceremonies Spain Park and Hoover High Schools held modified outdoor graduation ceremonies on consecutive nights at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium on May 20 and 21. Hoover graduated 663 students, who earned more than $29 million in college scholarships. Spain Park graduated 392 students, who earned more than $19 million in college scholarships.

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S C H O O L H O U S E NEWS FROM HOOVER CITY SCHOOLS

SSCE to add additional pre-k classroom Following the implementation of the systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first pre-k classrooms for the 2019-20 school year, South Shades Crest Elementary will add a second pre-k classroom for the 2020-21 school year. Hoover City Schools received $600,000 in grants for the 19-20 school year to establish classrooms in five elementary schools, and sought additional grants for the 20-21 school year. Demand in the system for spots in the pre-k program has been very high, and the system hopes to add additional classrooms in the coming years.

BGIS teachers give students a parade With the abrupt end to classroom instruction due to COVID-19, the teachers and staff at Brockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gap Intermediate School put together a parade to show students some love to celebrate the end of the school year. Riding in vehicles decorated with banners, balloons, action heroes, and more, the caravan of vehicles made their way through neighborhoods while families gave the teachers a treat with homemade signs and banners of their own.

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Walk-Ins after 5pm

Walk-in services Thursday-Friday, 5-8pm; Saturday 8am-noon Hoover-MedPlex 4517 Southlake Parkway, Hoover AL 35244

(205) 985-4220 | SouthlakeOrthopaedics.com Bham Family July 2020 15

MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT MEDICAL SPOTLIGHT

ASK A PHYSICIAN Know the Facts about Swimming Q: What are the main childhood illnesses you treat in the summer related to swimming in pools? A: Two of the most common swimming-related illness we treat in the summer are swimmer’s ear and sunburn. Q: What are the main things that you suggest all parents do to keep their children safe while swimming in pools? A: Always watch your children when they are playing in water. With young children, an adult should be in the water as well within arm’s reach of the child. We also recommend developmentallyappropriate swim lessons and age-appropriate swimwear and flotation devices to ensure proper swim safety. Q: What can be done to prevent swimmer’s ear in children? A: Keep the ear canals dry when not swimming. Get all water out of the ear canals by tilting the head to the side and gently pulling on the earlobe in all directions to help the water drain.

Drew Wright, MD Drew Wright, MD, is a pediatrician at Greenvale Pediatrics in Hoover. The team of Greenvale Pediatrics also sees patients at its offices in Alabaster and Brook Highland.

If your child gets recurrent swimmer’s ear, you can try to rinse your child’s ear canals with rubbing alcohol after swimming. You can also try a mixture of half rubbing alcohol and half white vinegar to dry the ear canal. Do not use cotton swabs to dry the ear canal as they will only irritate the canal and cause earwax to build up.

Q: Are there any concerns related to COVID-19 and swimming that parents should be mindful of? A: According to the CDC, “There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds. Additionally, proper operation of these aquatic venues and disinfection of the water (with chlorine or bromine) should inactivate the virus.” We recommend that you follow the guidance of local authorities regarding protecting yourself and protecting others. Wearing a cloth face covering while not in the water can help decrease the spread of the virus. Individuals not from the same household should continue to maintain a six-foot social distance while swimming. Q: Are there other safety concerns related specifically to swimming in a lake or the ocean? A: The same recommendations for social distancing apply. Lakes and oceans can have contaminated water, so try not to swallow water while swimming. And, no matter where you are enjoying your summer, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or using the restroom. If you are showing any signs of illness yourself, including fever over 100.4 degrees, cough, or shortness of breath, you should contact your physician, self-isolate, and limit exposure to others.

16 Bham Family July 2020

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BUSINESS

How GREEN do you clean? We can all learn a little from Mrs. Clean Green’s fresh and healthy approach to home cleaning.

BY JEANA DURST If there’s one thing a global health crisis will do, it can make us more focused on the cleanliness of our homes—maybe even make us rethink our cleaning products. One local business owner was already ahead of this curve before the pandemic. In 2013, Irondale resident Rebecca Davis began formulating a business plan for Mrs. Clean Green, a family-run home cleaning business that uses entirely all-natural ingredients in their handmade cleaning products. The idea began, in large part, because of her sons (she is a mother of three). Alex, her youngest, began having severe allergies. “I had to figure out other things to use besides commercial washing powder and soaps,” Rebecca says. This naturally led her to pay closer attention to what kinds of cleaning products were in her cabinets. Because the cleaning industry is not regulated, the ingredients do not have to be proven safe, and many times the items listed in store-bought products are simply a mystery. Look at some of the labels: many products will list only one active ingredient and list the rest as other,” she says. In her products, Rebecca assures that you will not find anything you’ve never heard of. As a bonus, her all-natural ingredients leave behind a fresh clean aroma throughout the home. Rebecca had been perfecting her cleaning formulas for years. A blend of citrus peels, yeast, water and sugar, Elbow Grease is the name of her all-around cleaner that has to be fermented and filtered before use. “Mom and Dad always told me if I wanted to do a job right, use elbow grease,” she says with a laugh. In 2015, she took her formulas, including Soft Scrub and Wood Magic, for a test drive at Pepper Place Farmer’s Market. The result? They sold out every week, and she now ships across the country to an established customer list. Though she no longer accepts product orders, Rebecca continues to make these wholesome cleaners for the clients of Mrs. Clean Green and uses them exclusively for her clients. They appreciate not only the health benefits but also the level of detail with which she cleans. With her son Alex as a partner, they are known for doing whatever it takes. “I’ve cleaned out shower drains and re-glued crown molding,” Rebecca says. Always one to go the extra mile, Rebecca recalls her thoughts when she first discovered how well all-natural products were working in her own home. “I thought, if I can help one person, I should try to figure out how to apply that across the board,” she says. Sharing her passion for eliminating toxic chemical influences is the foundation of Mrs. Clean Green. To learn more, visit www.mrscleangreen.com. 18 Bham Family July 2020

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Theater and Art Camps

Missoula Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theater | Visual Arts | Music

Vineyard Family Services Feeding Kids in Need, Promoting Responsible Fatherhood, and Helping Families in Crisis Donations help us: Feed children in need and provide other essential items Deliver family emergency food boxes Aid fathers and mothers with parenting programs Support incarcerated families and children Provide at-risk teens important life skills

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Shelby County Arts Council

To enroll your child, call (205) 669-0044 or visit shelbycountyartscouncil.com Bham Family July 2020 19

SHARING HOPE

FAITH

ONE BUNDLE AT A TIME

Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church partners with Bundles of Hope to meet local need for diapers BY JEANA DURST In times of crisis, churches often are the ones who help those who are struggling the most in our communities. Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in Gardendale is one such example of this kind of faith in action. “Gardendale Mount Vernon UMC is honored to partner with Bundles Of Hope; we support this ministry financially plus we are a distributing partner of diapers to foster families in the north Jefferson area,” says Jim Jeffreys Director of Missions and Outreach. Kelly Norris, an involved church member and committee member for the popular King’s Consignment Sale, spoke with us about how their congregation is supporting the Bundles of Hope ministry. “It is such a critical time right now,” Norris says. At the beginning of the pandemic, there were several people in the community reaching out who aren’t regular participants of the local diaper banks, and they couldn’t even find diapers. Now, Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank is getting inundated with requests for aid from the community. They are providing diapers and wipes to 1,000 babies a month, and with the loss of jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic, the need has rapidly skyrocketed. Lindsay Gray, executive director of Bundles of Hope, explains, “Families are in need of diapers now more than ever. With families out of work, children not in childcare, parents are desperately searching for how they are going to provide essentials for their little ones.” Norris met Gray when Gardendale Mt. Vernon was just beginning to partner with this ministry. In September of 2019, their church participated in the city-wide 5th Annual Stuff the Bus Diaper Drive. Fast forward to today, and the need is even more dire. Gray explains that retail shelves are bare at 20 Bham Family July 2020

this point, so they are asking people to participate in a virtual diaper drive. As the preferred regional partner of the National Diaper Bank Network, Bundles of Hope is able to purchase in bulk directly from manufacturers. The cost is only $10 per month to sponsor a baby. “Shelby Haygood, our Bundles coordinator is working very hard staying in touch with families during this pandemic to make sure keeping their babies dry is not a worry,” Jeffreys says. To understand the impact of their work, consider that in a more normal economy, diaper need impacts one in three local families. Bundles of Hope partners with 40 local organizations and ministries to move diapers into the hands and “onto the bottoms” of those that need them most. Families they serve include, foster families, families with special needs children, lowincome families, single parents, and grandparents raising babies. Consider supporting Gardendale Mt. Vernon’s ministry and help provide a little hope—one bundle at a time. For more information on how you can help, email info@ bundlesdiaperbank.org or visit www.bundlesdiaperbank.org or www.gmvumc.org.

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Bham Family July 2020 21

Calera’s Main Street Revival There’s something happening in Shelby County that breathes new life into the historic downtown

BY JEANA DURST Did you know that the city of Calera is named after the Spanish word quarry because of the numerous lime quarries in the area? This historic city of about 3,000 was established in 1887. The central location (it’s almost in the center of the state) and railroad connections made it a natural hub when shipping limestone to Birmingham for steel production. This crossroads town is now at a crossroads of change, and it’s exciting to see the progress. At a time when many small businesses are closing because of the coronavirus quarantine, Calera recently held a triple-ribbon cutting for locally owned businesses in June at their Grand Reopening Celebration. It’s all part of their main street revitalization. We had the chance to speak with Calera Main Street Executive Director, Jackie Batson, to learn more about what’s happening in this Shelby County community. “We are one of 27 cities that are designated as a main street city in Alabama,” Batson explains. The Main Street Alabama program, which builds on the 1980s Alabama Historical Commission efforts, began in 2009. They seek to “stress public-private partnerships, broad community engagement, and strategies that create jobs, spark new investment, attract visitors, and spur growth.” The goal is to build on the authentic history and culture of towns and to bring sustainable change. Batson works for Main Street Calera, and the city of Calera is their number one

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Families enjoy Calera’s walkable downtown businesses.

sponsor and supporter. “We want to make Calera a destination,” Batson says. On June 4, that’s exactly what happened when families gathered on Main Street for festivities, including a progressive ribbon cutting, food vendors, raffles, and fun demonstrations. While maintaining a safe social distance, kids and adults alike enjoyed kickboxing demos from the newly reopened business The Garage Kickboxing as well as others from R.O.E. Hobby and Sun Esthetics & Spa. Samplings from Adventurer’s Coffee Company (open and going strong since October) and treats from the bakery

Creations Galore & Moore rounded out the day. City officials attended the celebration. “We are proud to see new life being breathed into Calera’s downtown,” Mayor Jon Graham said. “It’s exciting to see buildings being renovated, new businesses moving in, and our community beginning to enjoy hanging out on Main Street.” Batson describes why this is so important for the community of Calera. “Our focus is on the character of this town—we don’t want to lose this character,” she says. As progress moves forward, Calera Main Street will maintain homage to the city’s railroad roots. However, many things will be changing. For instance, they are working on addressing traffic issues. “We have two state roads (Highway 25 and Highway 31) that come together in downtown Calera, which is challenging from a traffic standpoint with lots of 18-wheelers on that route,” Batson says. The city is working with CSX and with the Alabama Department of Transportation to pursue a possible truck route, which could alleviate some of the problems with fast traffic near walkable spaces. In the meantime, Calera has taken their revitalization off the main roads and focused on the common green space and courtyard located directly behind the businesses on Main. “We have started with the

back of the shops, and have nicknamed the back area the Calera Courtyard—it’s pedestrian-friendly and you can enter all businesses from the back door,” she says. This downtown backyard will feature a pocket park and a playground. Plans are underway to attract restaurants and feature outdoor seating and lights and murals as well. This shared space will create even more reasons for families to bring their kids and enjoy downtown. “My favorite part about my job is creating community downtown,” Batson says. And it has certainly been a community effort so far. All of their downtown property owners are responsible for re-bricking and re-doing their facades, and Calera Main Street is recruiting sponsors while working with the city for support. Big plans are underway. For instance, residents who remember Baer’s Department Store can look forward to its coming renovation as an event space soon. As the old meets the new, Calera Main Street promises to honor the long history with an eye toward progress and the economic vitality that small businesses usher in. To learn more about the main street revival and the businesses on Calera’s Main Street, visit caleramainstreet.org.

Three generations of teaching dance for more than 70 years. (205) 822-6212 | jackieonealschoolofdance.com 3336 Rocky Ridge Plaza, Vestavia Hills Bham Family July 2020 23

FINANCE

DOLLARS & SENSE TAKE CONTROL OF FINANCES IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES Q: What is the message you’d like families to know about your general philosophy of sound financial management? A: I’d like for them to understand that their income, from working, is their most precious financial resource. Without it, they cannot pay bills, educate their children, afford a vacation, or save for retirement. Their cash flow determines how life unfolds. And at some point, either by a voluntary or involuntary event, their cash flow from working will stop. It is imperative to mitigate the financial consequences of an end to cash flow. Then focus on saving and investing. Q: What are the biggest financial lessons to be learned from the pandemic? A: Don’t panic; rather, act with equanimity. And that’s the key word—act, but not based out of fear. Take control of your financial picture, using a methodology grounded in math and science, with professional guidance. Prepare your finances for the next threat—there will be another threat to your cash flow; I just don’t know when it will occur. Develop an action plan with your financial professional and communicate that plan with your spouse and those closest to you. Q: Assuming that the pandemic caught some families unprepared to weather a loss of cash flow, what are some basic principles they should follow as they try to rebuild? A: Develop a hierarchy of cash flow in the event you have a stoppage of income. If all the money you have saved is in your retirement plan at work, but you need money to address short-term concerns like a mortgage payment or new tires, it may be more advantageous to have cash reserves to address those needs, instead of using money with potential tax consequences and fees. Developing and sustaining a level of financial balance is key. Meet with a financial professional if you aren’t sure where to start. Q: What are some of the most common financial mistakes you see families make during times of economic downturn such as this? A: I see some people focusing on variables that they cannot control, rather than those aspects they can control. Focus on developing a healthy saving habit and living below your means. Reaffirm your investment policy statement with your financial professional, rather than reacting to speculation. Take an 24 Bham Family July 2020

R. Bryant Moore, ChFC®, CLU® Ashford Advisors, Birmingham Office Whether he is helping his clients achieve the goals they have for their lives or giving back to his local community, Bryant Moore invests in the relationships he has to help people work toward achieving their best. Bryant focuses on the professionals in the dental and medical community as well as serving successful executives and entrepreneurs. His strength lies in simplifying the process for clients, educating them on important financial topics while skillfully managing the moving parts of each client’s financial picture. Once his clients are educated and organized, Bryant helps them implement strategies that can help them toward achieving their financial goals, recognizing that the decisions his clients make today may have a direct impact on their financial future. Bryant and his brother, Blake, both decided to follow in the footsteps of their father, William R. Moore, CLU®, who has more than 40 years of experience in the industry and provided an example for the type of person Bryant wants to be for his family. Born and raised in LaGrange, Georgia, Bryant and his wife Stacy currently reside in Vestavia Hills and are the proud parents of Harris and Julia. They are involved members of Briarwood Presbyterian Church where Bryant serves as a Deacon. Find out more about Bryant at www.ashfordadvisors.net/team/rbryant-moore-chfc-clu.

FINANCE active approach to your financial future, instead of passively ignoring necessary action. That could mean starting to save if you’ve never developed the habit. It could mean updating your estate planning documents or drafting a healthcare directive. It could mean verifying if your insurance benefits are sufficient or taking the steps necessary to update coverage. Q: What are some of the most important lessons families can teach their children about financial literacy? A: Discussing finances is a difficult subject if you don’t regularly practice the communication—whether that is with your

spouse or with your children. I believe financial literacy can be developed, to some degree, at all ages. It is important to actively involve your children in everyday financial tasks. Allow them to observe interactions and communicate what they see. Occasionally, my son takes my wife out for “mommy/son date night.” He has a wallet with some money I give him, and he is proud to pay the bill. At the end of the night, we discuss how much is left over and try to show him how to be disciplined with the remainder. Our daughter is two, and we play “grocery store” where we use money to buy items. She runs the cash register, but I rarely get any change back.

Avenue Securities, LLC (PAS). OSJ: 900 Ashwood Pkwy, Ste 400, Atlanta, GA 30338. (770)390-2600. Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. Park Avenue Securities is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Ashford Advisors is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. Ashford Advisors is not registered in any state or with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor. 2020-103015, exp. 06/22

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Bham Family July 2020 25

LIFE on the MOUNTAIN

Mar Farm was born from quest for clean eating and wellness BY JEANA DURST There are turning points in life—times that grab us, shake us up, and deposit us on the other side, forever changed and ready for a new beginning. It’s just such a life event that was behind the creation of the Mar Farm, a sustainable hobby farm located on a treelined peak near Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham. In 2017, Debbie Mar had no idea that her journey overcoming health trials would lead to a business, though she had always dreamt of raising her family on a farm. A mother of three, Director of Franchise Sales for Newk’s Corporate, Hoover City School Board member, and competitive equestrian, Debbie is never one to walk away from a challenge. Recently, I had the chance to visit Mar Farm and experience life on the mountain firsthand. There I met Karen the Great Pyrenees, three other farm pups, an extended family of goats (including Carl who greeted me on the porch), and about 30 chickens of countless varieties. THE SEEDS OF CHANGE In the summer of 2017, life changed for the Mar family when Debbie was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Normally an athletic person, Debbie had been struggling with joint pain at the time. “You never think you are going to go to the doctor one day and never be well again,” she says. Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that attacks your joints and fuses your spine. “I went through a year of trying medications and learning how much gut health relates to autoimmune issues—it has a lot to do with what you put into your body and the kind of lifestyle you lead,” Debbie says. By the fall of 2017, the family purchased the Mar Farm property, which turned out to open up a very important path. Knowing that clean eating could greatly impact her health and quality of life, Debbie decided to act proactively. “The medicines do what they do, but I could control what I ate,” she says. The first thing 26 Bham Family July 2020

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PIPPA GAISER

Hoover middle schooler Vance Gaiser helps make homemade goat soaps at Mar Farm.

she did was to eliminate cow-based products and reduce processed foods. “I started thinking about our food, where it comes from, and what we put on our bodies,” she says. So they began raising their own chickens for fresh organic eggs. With adjustments, such as eliminating milk, sugar, and gluten, Debbie began to notice considerable improvements with her pain, and she lost weight that she had gained from being on steroid medications. A FAMILY AFFAIR Naturally, Debbie wanted her family to experience the benefits of this healthy lifestyle as well. But she had other reasons for starting the farm. “I grew up working on a horse farm, and I knew that I wanted to have my kids grow up with farm animals,” she says. “I wanted them to have the responsibility of having to take care of animals—to know what work does for you.” The day I visited, her daughters, Pippa, 11,

Two of this year’s Mar Farm kids, Oliver and Lou Lou; Nitty Gritty bars are made of goat milk, Alabama honey, cinnamon, and gluten-free oats; Debbie Mar competing in the 1.0 jumpers earlier this year.

and Willow, 6, were feeding the chickens housed in a spacious shaded coupe in the front of the property. Her son Vance, 13, is responsible for rebedding the quarters with straw and is cultivating a small farm of worms—a delicacy for these pampered chicks, who have time to free range during the day. By night, Karen the Pyrenees keeps a vigil, protecting her fluffy friends. (And, yes, her name is intentional.) “What can be funnier than saying, ‘You had one job, Karen?’” Debbie jokes. The first thing that strikes me is the variety of brilliantly patterned birds strutting about, including silkies and others with names like Squishy and Princess Fluffy Butt. As you can imagine, the diversity yields eggs of all shapes, sizes, and colors, including a pastel blue-green so lovely only nature could produce it. But they didn’t stop at chickens; seeking a healthier alternative to dairy, Debbie was determined to make her own goat milk and cheeses. Enter Billie Jean, a Nigerian dwarf goat and a present from her husband Jody for their first Christmas at the farm. “When I first said I’m going to have goats and make goat cheese, Jody said, ‘really though’?” Debbie laughs. Fast forward to today: they have five goats, two bucks, and a host of mischievous kids, with plans underway for a goat barn behind the paddocks. “Nigerian dwarf goats are very good dairy producers that have a high fat content great for cheese and soaps,” Debbie explains. At Mar Farm, they make all their soaps by hand with only natural ingredients. Examples of goats’ milk soaps include “Nitty Gritty,” made with honey, glutenfree, oatmeal and cinnamon and “Mountain Sunset,” containing rosemary, orange, and lime. I appreciated the “Plain Jane,” made of only olive

oil, coconut oil and goat’s milk, perfect for those with sensitive skin. As we tour the property, the goat babies take the opportunity to say hello, and Oliver even uses the chance to climb onto my lap and nuzzle my hair. Adjacent to the station where Debbie milks her goats each morning after sunrise yoga, a large refrigerator houses rows of ice-cold goats’ milk in mason jars. “Once babies are born, you milk the goats as you ween the babies to ramp up the milk production,” Debbie explains. As the days on the farm passed, her health got better, and Debbie came off all the harsh medication except for one. “ People should learn about how much better you can make yourself feel even if you don’t have an autoimmune issue,” she says. Soon the Mars began sharing eggs and soaps with friends and community members. Today Mar Farms distributes their handmade goat soaps locally and to several states. By the end of the year, they will sell their goat cheeses as well. Many of their customers are longtime fans of Mar Farm’s social media posts, in which goats frolic and Karen gets into mischief on a daily basis. “It keeps getting bigger by accident and taking a life of its own,” Debbie says. But this story has one more twist. Farm life has been so good for Debbie’s health that she recently came out of retirement and decided to compete horses after a 10-year hiatus. This year she and her Irish chestnut mare Lara competed in rated divisions, and they have their sights set on jumper championships next year. “Nature and animals are my love language,” Debbie says with a smile. To learn more about Mar Farm or purchase their soaps and other products, follow them on Instagram @ themarfarm or visit www.marfarm.com. Bham Family July 2020 27

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Bham Family July 2020 29

KIDS WHO SHINE

MEGHAN GOYAL, 16 and NOAH WARREN, 15

“I wanted to do something to give back to our community.” Meghan Goyal Meghan Goyal, left, and Noah Warren, used 3D printing to create face shields.

BY JEANA DURST During the time when COVID-19 first began to rear its head in March, two Altamont School students embarked on a mission to help medical workers by using their 3D printing skills to create more highly protective PPE for doctors and nurses. Inspired by parents who work in the medical field, these students have made a big impact to our local, and even regional, healthcare workers— and also their own families. Throughout the summer, they continue to pursue their projects, even as demand for PPE has somewhat waned. Meghan Goyal, a rising junior, says she knew she would not be content sitting at home during quarantine. “I wanted to do something to help my community,” she says. She had read an article on 3D printing face shields. “From there I reached out to a group called Bham Support that was able to get me the files for the actual design of the masks,” she says. Armed with that file and Altamont’s 3D printer (they let her bring it home and donated the original filaments), Meghan got to work, using knowledge and support from her computer science teacher Ryan James. She used the 3D printer to print a headband and a chinstrap-like attachment and used a laser cutter to cut out the shield itself. Assembled together, these pieces can be used as face shields for medical workers who are up close with COVID-19 positive patients. “They wear the N95 underneath the face masks so it’s an extra layer of protection,” Meghan says. And the mask can be reused after being sterilized. The 3D printing process takes about four to five hours, she estimates. “By now we have probably printed 30 Bham Family July 2020

and distributed about 300, and they have gone to about nine hospitals, most in Birmingham and some in Atlanta, Tuscaloosa, and Huntsville,” Meghan says. That’s a lot of hours logged and medical workers protected. (She even had a surgeon email a thank you note.) Meanwhile her schoolmate was working on an equally ambitious—yet different—3D printing project. Noah Warren, a rising sophomore, had read an article from a Stanford University student advocating production of 3D printing attachments to N95 masks to be used with a store-bought snorkel (the kind you purchase at Target to use at the beach.) The idea behind this equipment is that the snorkel could be removed but the rubber attachment would hold the N95 in place. It is meant to be used in emergency situations when there simply is no time for a doctor or nurse to test a patient for COVID-19. “If you don’t know if someone has COVID-19, it can be put on in a heartbeat,” Noah says. As a bonus, it makes good use of the N95 masks as well. “You can make five snorkel masks attachments with the same amount of material it would take to make an N95 mask,” Noah says. It does limit communication and is uncomfortable, but it is highly effective in emergency situations. Already, Noah has delivered 15 of these to his mom and her team of medical workers at UAB Highlands Hospital. The entire cost of one of these adapted snorkels is about $90. Because there’s so much we don’t know about how COVID will manifest in the future, this seems like a great investment. One thing is for sure, no matter what the future holds, these dedicated innovators can always be proud of their contributions this year.

(Still) Serving Children Safely

ChildrensAL.org

It has always been our priority to ensure the safety and well-being of each child in our care â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and that remains our commitment as we continue our mission during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how we have redesigned our operations to keep our patients and their families as safe as possible: q All visitors are screened immediately for signs of illness and fever. q We follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting our facilities. q Our staff practices safe hand hygiene. q We are wearing masks for your safety. Thank you for wearing your face covering. q All visitors to campus are required to wear masks. q Waiting rooms have been reconfigured Bham Family July 2020 to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

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TEENS — Have questions? Concerned about things? Just need someone to listen? Talking helps. Whether you are having a great day or a tough day, give us a call. We are here to listen. PARENTS — Think your teen might be involved with substance abuse?Have questions? Concerned about your teen? Wondering how to handle your teen’s choices? Just need someone to listen to you? Talking helps.

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