Pelham City News

Pelham City News Serving Pelham and Surrounding Communities

Late Spring 2016

Pelham Recreation Center

Pelham Park Middle School SHARON SAMUEL, ALAN WADE JOIN BOARD OF EDUCATION

PHS BOYS SOCCER HEADS TO THE PLAYOFFS #5 IN THE STATE

JIMMY BUFFETT IS FIRST BIG ACT OF CONCERT SERIES 2016

Sharon will take over her mother’s term; Alan takes Brian Long’s slot

Boys Soccer team has had a great season, wins first annual “Battle of the Paws”

Pelham hosts Parrot and Fins party at the Ice Arena before the concert

WWW.PELHAMCITYNEWS.COM / WWW.PELHAMONLINE.COM

FROM THE MAYOR’S DESK

In the last edition I was crowing (or was I bragging?) about growth and development in Pelham. The limited information I shared left some of you wanting more; let me share some specific details regarding a bevy of projects that are City of Pelham projects or projects that directly affect our city.

• Saddle Run Flood Mitigation Project: The five homes that were acquired to make room for new flood control infrastructure have been demolished within the last few weeks. The next step is to remove the foundations.

• Bearden Road Sidewalk Project: The first bid for construction has been awarded. The first phase of this project is to relocate utilities to make room for the sidewalk. Construction

should begin within a few weeks.

• CSX (Railroad) Project: Although this one has been cooking for a while, this may be a new one for some of you. If you look at an aerial view of Pelham, near the juncture of County Road 52 West & Lee Street, you will see how close the two CSX main-lines come to one another; they are close, but not connected. Not yet, at least.

We are currently involved in a negotiation and planning process that when concluded will permit CSX to connect these two rail lines. Where this project once started may well take from 1824 months, the inconvenience should be worth the wait; especially for those – like me – who live west of the railroad tracks.

Once completed, this connection (according to CSX) will create routing strategies that currently do not exist and should minimize the need for opposing

trains to stop when passing. This should reduce the amount of time the crossings are blocked.

• Pelham Recreation Center Project: The necessary funds have been committed to the engineering of a new recreation center to be built in Pelham City Park adjacent to the new middle school. Our intent is to time the completion of this facility to the opening of the middle school.

• Oak Mountain State Park (OMSP) Entrance Enhancement Project: This is one of those projects that is not a city project (state/county) but will directly impact our city, nonetheless. This project will widen, straighten and level the road leading to OMSP from Amphitheater Road to the Park Entrance. It includes bicycle/ pedestrian lanes and replaces the current four-way stop with a traffic circle. The engineering for this project is being worked as we speak and construction for the project should begin in the spring of 2017.

• Pelham Ridge Elementary School Project: This project is ongoing although (approximately) 10 weeks behind schedule.

The Pelham City School leader-

Mayor Waters, Superintendent Coefield, City Council members, Board of Education members, construction managers and others involved in the process of the Pelham Park Middle School project gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony on April 26.

2 PelhamOnline.com / Late Spring 2016

ship will announce as soon as practical the plans to occupy this new K-5 Elementary School.

• Pelham Park Middle School Project: The ground-breaking for this facility was held on April the 26th. Completion of this school is to be announced at a later date.

• Pelham Greenways Trail Project: Grant funding for the first phase of this project has been secured and the engineering process has begun. When completed, over a period of years and phases, this trail system will connect the sidewalk on Bearden Road with Oak Mountain State Park.

• Highlands Water Tank Project: The first bid has been awarded for construction of a water/water tank system to provide water infrastructure for the Highlands (residential) Development off of Shelby County Road 36.

• Headquarters Fire Station Project: A bid opening has been held to accept bids to refurbish the exterior of the Headquarters Fire Station located behind Pelham City Hall. This bid will also repair water leaks and mitigate mold.

These are the projects that are hot to the touch. I know of at least five more flying just below the radar and there are yet a few more that have been shelved until they become viable. If we had any more projects underway at once, we would have to declare our entire city a Hard Hat Area.

What a problem to have.

Have a great summer. I’ll see you around town.

Gary W. Waters

FROM COUNCILMAN MCMILLAN They say that time flies when you’re having fun, and that has certainly been the case during my three and a half years on the Pelham City Council. At this point, I find myself reflecting on the accomplishments of our city, the progress that we have made on a variety of issues, and the work that is left to be completed.

Here are some of the highlights: Summer Classics is in the location of the former Moore Handley Building, but that is where the similarities end. The renovations to the building are an incredible improvement. The outside of this facility and its landscaping are a major improvement for a highly visible part of our city and the inside is just beautiful. It has been exciting to watch Summer Classics become a valuable part of our city.

What started with a feasibility study and a desire for the best schools we could have has developed into a thriving city school system. With both Pelham Ridge Elementary School and Pelham Park Middle School under construction, as well as longneeded upgrades to Pelham High School, our school facilities are undergoing a transformation that will provide our children the type of learning environments that will help them compete with students throughout our area. In addition to the new schools, Pelham High School has added new academies

Rick Hayes - Place 1 rickhayes@pelhamonline.com

and other new programs that offer many new opportunities for our students. The Pelham Board of Education also has moved into a new Central Office on the second floor of the Pelham Water Works Building. In addition to all of this, I am also excited about the upcoming launch of the Pelham City Schools Foundation.

As part of last year’s expansion of the Pelham Senior Center, we almost doubled the size of the main room to allow for our growing senior population and improved the facility in a variety of ways. The seniors are now enjoying their new space that includes a new, safer floor for dances, exercise sessions and events.

The Pelham Library Guild has sponsored three Taste of Pelham events. Each year the event has become more successful. This event lets citizens enjoy a great sampling of fine foods from area restaurants.

This is a wonderful fundraiser for the Pelham Library Guild and an amazing night with delicious food and an opportunity for enjoying time with family and friends.

I am very excited about the Greenway and Trails Initiative.

The Bearden Road Sidewalk Project will provide a gateway to the trail system for many residents starting at Pelham High School and proceeding past Pelham Park to Highway 31. Phase 1 of the Trails Initiative will connect to

this sidewalk and meander alongside the creek through the park and past the new Pelham Park Middle School and Recreation Center that is currently being designed. When completed, the trails and new sidewalks will connect Pelham High School to Oak Mountain State Park with over seven miles of trails and sidewalks.

To date, the State of Alabama and the Birmingham Regional Planning Commission has awarded Pelham almost $2.4 million to fund roughly 80% of this project.

In addition to the large scale repaving projects completed over the last three years and the expansion of the County Road 52 onramp, we have also received a grant to evaluate new roads and approval for the addition of a fourth lane on County Road 52 between I-65 and Hwy 31. We are working closely with the State of Alabama, Shelby County and our neighboring cities on several other projects to help address the traffic issues that have come with this whole region’s rapid growth.

My personal memories will be the new friends that I have made over the past few years, the annual Pelham Christmas tree lightings at the Pelham Civic Complex, Opening Days at the Ball Park,

Ron Scott - Place 2 ronscott@pelhamonline.com

Maurice Mercer - Place 4 mauricemercer@pelhamonline.com

Easter Egg Hunts on the football field, Graduation Ceremonies for our High School Seniors, and working on the budget with highly dedicated department heads. It has been a great feeling to be able to approve important additions like two new firetrucks and police vehicles while obtaining and maintaining our AAA bond rating, the highest rating available, which only three other cities in Alabama have achieved.

The last four years has been quite a journey. One of my favorite memories would have to be Youth Government Day. The Mayor, City Council, City department heads, and Pelham City Schools leaders get to spend the day with the fifth graders of Pelham City Schools. This has been a longstanding tradition in Pelham. Getting an education from the fifth grade perspective is unlike any other. Every year, I’m amazed at the insight and intellect of our students.

Thank you for allowing me to serve Pelham!

Beth

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FROM SUPERINTENDENT COEFIELD

Hello Pelham!

This time of year brings a rush of energy and excitement to our schools. The momentum of nine months filled with learning and experiences, studies and successes propels our students and teachers toward the finish line of the school year. We’re especially proud of our seniors in the Class of 2016 who have accomplished much and will celebrate graduation on May 26.

As we close our second year as Pelham City Schools, we’re excited about our progress and the many ways our teachers have implemented creative and

enriching educational opportunities for our students. One example is our Academy Advisory Boards, which provide collaboration among community partners along with high school teachers and students who have interest and expertise in each of our academy curriculums. These groups have worked together throughout the school year to identify academic pathways and facilitate relevant learning experiences that enhance our students’ education and prepare them for college and careers.

Over the last several months, we’ve been busy working towards district accreditation through the Southern Associa-

tion of Colleges and Schools, a division of AdvancED. The process will continue over the summer with a final evaluation in the fall of 2016. One important component of accreditation is a parent survey tool used by AdvancED to help analyze our system practices. If you completed a survey in the fall, please take the time to provide your feedback again. If you have not participated yet, please provide your input at this time. If you have students in more than one school, you should complete a survey for each student. Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous.

You can find a link to the survey on the home page at PelhamCitySchools.org. We value your participation and thank you in advance for providing your feedback.

In other news, we’re experiencing a delay in our construction timeframes on Pelham Ridge Elementary. During the grading and foundation phases of the construction project, unsuitable soil was encountered that required a redesign of the foundations of the building. The project also experienced excessive rainfall during the time that the grading and foundation work was being done. The combined effect of these two issues has extended the overall duration of the construction at the school, which is now slated for completion in September 2016.

If you have a child zoned for Pelham Ridge Elementary, they will start the school year at Valley Elementary School and remain in that building until Fall Break.

On October 17, students zoned for Pelham Ridge Elementary will transition to the new building and attend school there for the remainder of the school year. If your child is zoned for Pelham Oaks Elementary, they will begin the school year in that building as planned. Click the Facilities Updates & Zoning tab on PelhamCitySchools. org for current information and updates. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work diligently to make the transitions as smooth as possible for our students, teachers and parents.

My best,

Scott

Pelham Ridge Elementary School

Scott Coefield, Ed.D Superintendent Pelham City Schools

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Pelham’s first recreation center, greenway/trails plans underway The City of Pelham is currently working on the design for its first recreation and community center. On March 7th, the city council approved an agreement for the completion of architectural drawings by Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, Inc., which is also designing Pelham Park Middle School to be built on adjoining property.

This will help with the effort to include similar design elements in all of the new facilities that are related to the Pelham City Park expansion.

Pelham will also apply for grants to help with the construction and equipping of the recreation and community center. Assuming the designs work out as anticipated and the funding is approved, construction could start this summer with an objective of opening in the summer of 2017, before Pelham Park Middle School opens for students that August.

Initial plans call for a roughly 35,000 square foot facility that includes an indoor walking/ jogging track, a gym with room for two full-size basketball/ volleyball courts, a fitness area, multiple meeting and exercise rooms, a concessions area, day use locker rooms and the Parks and Recreation Department offices. This facility is part of

a strategic plan for the area to be developed into a real city center for Pelham that could host a wide variety of community and sports events.

In addition to the recreation and community center and the new middle school, the first phase of the greenway and trails project will be built in the park running along Bishop Creek. It will run from one end of the current City Park behind the current baseball/ softball fields, near the recreation/ community center and planned outdoor basketball and sand volleyball courts running all of the way to the north end of the greatly expanded City Park.

Plans are also being developed to build a modernized library and complimentary retail and commercial facilities on the part of the property that fronts Highway 31. The previously announced “Carly’s Clubhouse” is also planned on the site of a current playground near the planned Recreation and Community Center.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for our city and the broader community,” said Rick

Hayes, Pelham City Council President. “We definitely need an area like this to bring our community together for recreation, family events, community activities and sports competitions. We are very appreciative of all the groups that are coming together to make this vision and strategic plan a reality.”

The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham helped to secure $2.4 million in funding for the trails project and Pelham’s

two facilities via the trails over the next few years.

The recreation and community center could become the centerpiece for this area that should eventually be connected by multi-use trails and sidewalks running from Pelham High School all the way to Oak Mountain State Park. Neighboring communities have expressed an interest in connecting with the new Pelham project to create a fantastic regional network of trails.

has budgeted funds to start construction this year. Pelham already partners with the local YMCA for some programs and hopes to expand this partnership related to all of the new facilities.

It is anticipated that the recreation and community center will complement the YMCA nicely. The plan is to connect the

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Summer Classics helping revitalize Hwy 31 corridor For years, the prominently placed Moore-Handley building on Pelham Parkway was a serious eyesore for the city as it suffered from neglect. The Pelham City Council approved the purchase of the 30-acre property in 2013, with financial aid from the Shelby County Commission and Industrial Development Authority, to sell to the Pelham-based business Summer Classics.

“This opportunity is fantastic for us and what we need from that retail corridor,” said City Council President Rick Hayes during a council meeting at the time, and his enthusiasm was catching. It’s a good thing, too: The council and mayor were absolutely instrumental in making this possible. Summer Classics had a hard time finding financial backing from a bank, so the city loaned the company $3.275 million for the purchase, which they will pay back in mortgage payments.

But first, a lot of work had to be done. William Bew White, III, President and CEO of Summer Classics, graduated from Auburn in 1970 with a degree in textile engineering. When he started Summer Classics in 1978, it was no more than a plastic umbrella base manufacturer. He introduced the world to the first freestanding outdoor umbrella before adding the design and manufacturing of outdoor chairs and furniture to the Summer Classics repertoire.

Fast forward nearly 40 years, and Mr. White has cultivated a booming business with a presence in all 50 states and Canada that is focused on creating beautiful outdoor living spaces. In fact, Mr. White received the Allan J. McDonald International Entrepreneur Award for 2013 for his work.

That year, Bew reached out to his friend Roy Dollar for help on a project—furnishing the manufacturing and distribution center and flagship retail store for Summer Classics in the old Moore-

Handley building. Supervising everything from the moving of manufacturing equipment to the layout and furnishing of each department’s offices to the complete renovation of the parking lot, Senior Project Manager Roy and his Project Manager Caleb Davis had a lot on their plates.

Roy explained the Pelham PD got the last use out of the warehouse—running mock hostage situation drills inside. “When we first walked through, someone had stripped the copper wires throughout, leaving it without power,” he said. “Fake blood stained the walls and shell casings littered the floor. It was creepy.” In fact, it took a year of demolition and another year of construction to get the former warehouse to the fully furnished state you see today.

The beautifully redesigned interior of the building includes not only Summer Classics’ flagship showroom and shipping docks out back, but also the new corporate headquarters, which includes offices for each division of the company, multiple conference rooms, a beautiful break area for employees, a new design studio, a unique “white room” for product photography and even a large fabric and upholstering department.

“It took over 900 man hours to move all of the equipment from our former locations in Montevallo up to Pelham,” Roy said. “There was a lot of moving products from place to place before, and now it’s all under one roof. The building converted very well to fit the amount of people we had.”

There are plans to test a café featuring Bellini’s catering for employees, and pieces are assembled for a museum room featuring Summer Classics designs through the ages. And of course, the entire building is furnished in Summer Classics furniture, including pieces from Gabby, their first

A line of beautiful cherry and oak trees lead up to Summer Classics’ corporate office.

foray into an indoor furniture was a line of cherry and oak trees line. Bew’s son William launched planted at the Yeager Parkway this fledgling side of the business, entrance. which plans to utilize reclaimed “If you remember the propwood in many of its designs, back erty before, this has been a very in 2010. dramatic transformation,” Roy They also to used as much local said. “I’m thrilled, real proud of and exotic reclaimed wood and what we have done.” bricks as possible, as well as allowing remnants of Moore-Handley A set of furniture on display in the beautiful showroom. to be present in the overall aesthetics of the building. Tracks in the floor from moving equipment in the original warehouse stayed, and you can see them in the back and even in the showroom floor. The L and M from the old Project Manager Caleb Davis and sign out front Senior Project Manager Roy Dollar. are being used to denote the bathrooms in the showroom.

One of the parking lot entrances had to be moved south to line up with Yeager Parkway. Roy said the final touch in refinishing the parking lot

Smoke Free Pelham movement gains steam Fifty-eight year old Pelham resident Gerald Castello said his life was turned upside down on July 5th of last year when he was diagnosed with cancer.

"I’m a former smoker," Gerald explained. "I had a two-pack a day habit for over 30 years but I quit smoking over five years ago.

I walk 2-3 miles a day and have no health issues."

A snorkeling trip early last summer gave him an infection in his lungs that caused him to develop a cough. Testing for the cough revealed a tumor in his right lung.

"I have undergone a battery of tests, scans, biopsies and procedures resulting in a definitive diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer with metastasis to the lymph nodes and liver (stage 3),” he said.

After Gerald and his wife Tina attended an American Cancer Society Relay-for-Life fundraising event in August, they stopped for

dinner in a Pelham restaurant.

"When the hostess seated us, we realized that although we were technically placed in the non-smoking section of the restaurant, we were adjacent to the bar area where smoking is allowed," he said.

"This irony was not lost on me – I have lung cancer, I had just come from a fundraising event for cancer research and I was breathing cigarette smoke while I ate my dinner."

A trail of thought about his own personal choices lead to a few revelations. "I chose to smoke. That is nobody’s fault but my own," Gerald reasoned.

"However, I had no right to subject others to my secondhand smoke. I thought about all of the restaurant, convenience store and bar employees who are subjected to secondhand smoke every day."

"I thought about the fact that the City of Birmingham chose to ban smoking in all public

spaces last year. Then I thought, why can’t the City of Pelham do the same thing?"

So Gerald and Tina set out on a mission to form a Smoke Free Pelham.

Their organization has been working diligently to inform the people of Pelham about the health risks and harm that come from cigarettes in the hope that they can change hearts and minds.

So far, the Pelham Applebee's, Margarita Grill, Cozumel Grill and Texas Roadhouse have already gone smoke-free or pledged a day to do so. Tina said the owners of these restaurants made the decision partially from a desire to have a healthier workplace for themselves, their customers and their employees.

By January 2015, there were 27 communities in Alabama that were 100 percent smoke-free, and nine of those communities

Pelham’s Latt Vines designs games, apps When Pelham native Latt Vines tells people what he does, a common reaction is to believe he is making a fortune. "It’s the Zuckerberg effect," Latt said. Many believe that anyone independently making apps and games must be rich, but since Latt began this journey, he has struggled to gain visibility. "If you were talking to somebody in a band you wouldn't immediately divert the conversation to the Rolling Stones, but this happens to me a lot with things like Angry Birds and Facebook."

Latt views his creations as art. An art that is at the mercy of app store algorithms.

Without the marketing funds of a large company, it is extremely difficult for an app to stand out and be discovered in any online app store. "There is no ‘search local apps’ category," Latt said. It is his hope that he will find support locally for his work.

12 PelhamOnline.com / Late Spring 2016

He has made nine creations for mobile devices under the name Tartle Games.

Each is a combination of hand-drawn graphics, animation, and computer code.

His first game is called Deep Sea Fish Kebab. It is a retro style game featuring a scuba diver sword fighting with fish. His latest creation is a game called Cube Zoid which is a game with a novel concept involving controlling cubes on both the left and right sides of a screen simultaneously.

It is challenging to say the least.

His most successful app is called the Tartle RPG Tool, a utility for generating content for many common tabletop games.

His current project is a fusion between a video game and a board game called Broccoli in Space. "There’s a lot of work left to do, but I am eventually going to go to Kickstarter with this project." Good Luck!

also include restrictions on electronic cigarettes.

“What Smoke Free Pelham wants to accomplish is for the city of Pelham to pass a comprehensive smokefree ordinance,” Tina said.

“Comprehensive means no smoking in any public places or spaces. That includes regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaping because they are all dangerous.”

A couple Pelham bars are afraid of losing up to 80 percent of their business if they go smoke-free, Tina explained.

“What the bar owner doesn’t realize is he is going to open his business up to the 83 percent of the population who don't smoke,” she said. “The majority of the population don’t want to frequent an environment where they are going to breathe in second-hand smoke.”

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Top Salvadoran restaurant in the metro area right here in Pelham If you’re an adventurous eater with a love for authentic Mexican and Latin dishes, one of Pelham’s best kept secrets for the past 12 years might be right under your own nose.

El Salvadoran natives, Marta and Abel Portilla, opened La Libertad (Spanish for Freedom) Salvadoran restaurant next door to Sarah’s Flowers and across Pelham Parkway from Pelham First Baptist when they realized the Birmingham area did not have any good Salvadoran restaurants. The couple makes their home in Pelham, and so our town became the beneficiary of that decision.

This writer has been eating at La Libertad for most of those twelve years, and I have become a fan of their famous Papusas, a corn tortilla about the thickness of a pancake, stuffed with your choice of goodies: choose from cheese, beans, pork, chicken or beef. Top it off with Carne Casamiento (think the best strips of carne asada), cilantro, grilled

onions and salsa and you have their famous creation, Papusas Tacos.

A personal favorite is the Carne Casamiento. Made from the actual skirt cut of beef, Marta Marinates it for a full 24 hours before grilling it to perfection. Served with half a perfectly ripe avocado, a Salvadoran medley of refried beans and rice, and the most delicious fried plantains you’ve ever put into your mouth, and my taste buds are watering thinking about it!

Everything Marta serves is made fresh daily, from the homemade soups (seafood lovers try the 7 Mare soup with crab legs, shrimp and tilapia served in a tomatoey bouillabaisse type broth) to her corn tortillas to her fresh fruit drinks.

The next time you’re in the mood for something delicious, make your way to La Libertad, and try something new. I’ll bet you’ll be like the many Pelham city employees who have become regulars!

14 PelhamOnline.com / Late Spring 2016

3

2 Pictured above left is owner Marta Portilla, who along with husband Abel, own La Libertad. Pictured above are a few of the delicious dishes available each day fresh from Marta’s oven: 1)Carne Casamiento, 2)Papusas Tacos and 3)Vegetable Beef Soup with a glass of Marta’s freshly squeezed fruit juice blend. Stop by today and try some of the delicious Salvadoran food at La Libertad!

1

PHS Boys’ Soccer heads to the playoffs as the No. 5 team in the state Last year, despite losing several upperclassmen in the Pelham-Helena split, the Pelham Boys Soccer Team made it into the first final four in program history. The Panthers finished ranked No. 3 in 6A and became ranked No. 1 for the first time in school history. Head Coach Patrick McDonald was even named the 2015 Ray Woodward Birmingham Metro Coach of the Year.

Prior to 2007, the program had only taken teams to the playoffs twice. Coach McDonald took over the PHS program that year, after organizing the first soccer team in Riverchase Middle School history. Since then, the PHS team has made it to the playoffs almost every single year.

Last years’ success was achieved on the backs of twelve seniors, and this year, only three seniors remain. “Last year was just a special team. Those guys really knew how to play well together,” Coach McDonald

explained. “We are very juniorheavy, but we have a great potential to make the final four again this year—it’s a different make up of a team, we’re playing a lot tighter now.”

The 6A class is very competitive, with teams like Briarwood, Chelsea, Cullman and others. “You always want to play your best at the end of the year, against the teams in your class, and we have been playing well heading into the playoffs,” Coach McDonald said. “The kids have done a really good job, I’m proud of their effort as a young team after so many graduated out. Some of the players with playoff experience have really stepped up.”

As this goes to press, the PHS Panthers Soccer team is No. 1 in the area with a record of 3-0, and an overall strong record of 12-8-2. They are No. 5 in the state, and faced off against Homewood in the first round of the playoffs April 29. The second round of playoffs began May 3.

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“I am excited to see what the playoffs hold for PHS,” PCS Athletic Director Kim Kiel said.

“Coach McDonald does a great job preparing our young men both on and off the field. GO PANTHERS!” Congratulations on your fantastic season, guys—we are rooting for you in the playoffs!

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Allan Wade, Sharon Samuel appointed to Pelham Board of Education

The Pelham Board of Education has two new members, Allan Wade and Sharon Samuel, who were chosen from a group of seven applicants and appointed at the April 18 Pelham City Council meeting.

Although Dr. Barbara Regan had 14 months left in her term on the board, she announced her resignation in March. Sharon, who is Barbara’s daughter and the reason the doctor came to

Pelham in the first place, will fill her Place 4 position for the remainder of the term. She is the lab manager at a radiology research lab at UAB. “I bring the perspective of a single parent—I am very involved in my son’s education—and a bit of a scientific/technical background,” Sharon said.

“The diversity I that add from both of those is beneficial to the board.”

“I talk to a lot of parents, people who are not always going to go over and talk to the teacher,” she continued.

“So I lend an ear and a level of understanding that maybe needs to be met.”

City Council President Rick Hayes said he was very impressed with Sharon. “She has a jump start in understanding what went on with the school board,” he said. “She speaks very well to the

issues and is a good representative of the community.”

“She has a lot of ideas moving forward as far as education is concerned,” Councilman Maurice Mercer added. “I think she’ll be an asset to the team.”

The council members also thanked Dr. Regan for her service on the inaugural board, for everything she has done for Pelham City Schools.

“Everything I did was from the heart,” Regan responded. “If you need me, I am available. Maybe not with all the time that I did give, but you have my phone number, email; you know where I live. I will help however I can, as much as I can. Thank you for having the trust to allow me to help get it started.”

Allan Wade served in the Pelham Police Department for 33 years, 24 as the Pelham Police Chief. He retired in 2007 so he and his wife could move

to Atlanta to be closer to his grandkids. They followed their daughter back to Pelham recently.

“We are extremely happy to be able to come back home to Pelham,” Allan said. “I love the city, and I talked to several of the city council members about anything I could do to help out, and they suggested I throw my name in the hat.”

Allan’s wife and daughter are both educators, so he has peripheral knowledge of how a school is run, and he knows security is a big part of that.

“I want to do whatever I can for my city and for the kids,” he said. “I’m flattered the city council felt like they could trust me enough in helping with the education of the kids to give me this opportunity.”

He will take over Place 3 on the board in June when Brian Long’s term has concluded, and will serve a five-year term.

VIS PE coach Nick Tucker named head Pelham wrestling coach

On this, the tail end of his first school year working in Pelham, VIS gym teacher Nicholas Tucker has moved from Head Wrestling Coach at Riverchase and assistant at Pelham High to being head coach for the school system— and working on plans to form a youth wrestling program for kids across the city with Pelham Parks and Recreation Director Billy Crandall next season.

“I am thrilled to have Coach Tucker join the Panther Family in his role of Head Wrestling Coach,” said PCS Athletic Director Kim Kiel. She promoted him to head Pelham wrestling

coach just last month. “Nick is very passionate about wrestling and has a proven record of success in building programs.

His hard work and dedication will prepare our student athletes for the wrestling mat, but also for life.”

“My wife worked for Dr. Yohn at her previous school, and he and the Good Lord just opened the door for us to move to Pelham,” Nick said. Amy Tucker is also a Pelham teacher at PHS. They have two children, a kindergartner named Hadlee and Cale, a 5th grader. “Having Cale in PE at VIS and getting to play with him while I’m at work is very nice,” Nick said. “I have enjoyed every minute of being in Pelham.”

At his last teaching position, Coach Tucker taught Government and Economics to high school seniors for nine years—and was ready for a

change. “I went from teaching a required class every kid has to take to a class that every kid loves,” he said. “It’s great, and Tammy Causey has been great in teaching me.”

But wrestling means even more to him—it’s what makes him happy. “I’ve been learning from Coach Pollard, and used this year to get to know the systems used in the programs already,” Coach Tucker said. He talked with the kids who will be senior wrestlers next year to see what aspects of the program they liked or want to amend, to get them involved in ownership of the program.

“I use wrestling to build kids, to help the growth of their personal selves—that’s our focus every day,” he explained. “Our goal is to build a very successful wrestling program and grow it, but wrestling success is secondary to building kids.”

“I will not be satisfied unless

we’re giving it our all, not only on the mat, but in the halls of Pelham schools and when we do chores at home,” the coach continued. “It’s an allencompassing thing, building the whole person. It is a priority.”

To start, new signs in the PHS Wrestling rooms feature his three Ps. Pray: if you have belief in something bigger than yourself, like a family, a school or a team, you will take more pride in it.

Prepare: for matches, for school, at home. Perform: performing well will follow if you have the others.

Coach Tucker wants to have the same influence and impact on his students that his high school wrestling coach had on him. And it seems he is doing just that—his students keep in touch. “I have kids who are getting married and having kids and they let me know. It’s more than I wished for, and it is my greatest joy.”

PelhamCityNews.com / Late Spring 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 17

TEACHERS—Those who make a strong impact on their students are remembered, but those who have a weak impact are easily forgotten

By outgoing Pelham Board of Ed member

Dr. Barbara Regan We know that teachers teach and students learn. Who were your teachers? Can you recall and write the names of all your teachers from kindergarten to grade twelve? Next to each name can you write one thing you recall about that teacher that has remained with you until now? Some teachers impacted us in a positive way, while others impacted us negatively. Why do you think that happens? They are all teachers and we expect only the best from them. I just think some teachers are in the wrong profession and when they realize that fact, they don’t want to search for something else. Then I thought – we are all human, nobody is perfect, and everybody carries a bit of baggage... we just don’t know when it will fall out of our bag.

As you review your list of teachers, your best teacher may not necessarily be your favorite teacher. Also, when you listen to your friends talk about their best teacher you may hear some descriptive attributes like she was strict, or hard, pushed us, inspired me, always had time for me, was kind, made learning fun, showed compassion, was creative, was enthusiastic, he had faith in my potential, encouraged me, taught me to make no excuses for failing, encouraged class preparedness and participation, he had good teaching skills plus set his goal to improve our skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Jacob: Mr. Ng taught 9th grade math. He did not show that he had favorite students in our class. He taught me to

take pride in my work; not just turn in my assignments without caring how it looked. Be sure it is also clean and neat. Do your best even if nobody reads or examines it. Don’t be lazy and irresponsible.

Janet: Mr. Banks was our 8th grade history teacher. He knew the subject well, but he told the boys they would have to work hard to pass. He told the girls they were popular and they looked nice in short skirts. Girls with short skirts got higher grades than girls with longer skirts. He gave lots of quizzes and tests: maps, vocabulary, and other content. My skirt was longer and I worked hard for a C. I was uncomfortable in his class.

Samson: When I was in elementary school, I did not like science. I did not fail, but did not put much effort there either.

It was my 9th grade science teacher, Mrs. Hare, who showed me just how exciting science could be. She made it come alive with experiments, examples, specimen, movies, etc. She would lecture in a way that made everybody want to stay with her when the bell rang. She pulled every student into action. Some teachers don’t care if students learn, pass, or fail. Mrs. Hare cared about the success of each of her students. She was super motivational.

Roberta: I did not like my 1st grade teacher. She told me I talked too much, then put tape over my mouth and put me in a corner. I thought talking in school was bad. I was a high school junior when Mrs. Harrison realized my gift for

18 PelhamOnline.com / Late Spring 2016

New Pelham Board of Education appointee Sharon Samuel poses with her mother, outgoing Pelham Board of Education member Dr. Barbara Regan, following the Pelham City Council meeting April 18.

speaking. She coached me and I won the District Oratorical Contest and later the State Oratorical Contest. Now I’m an English teacher at our middle school, and I encourage daily class discussions. What a joy to see my students actively engaged in learning.

Each of these students named the teacher that had a positive impact on their education. Notice Samson did not name any of his elementary teachers of science, and Roberta did not name her 1st grade teacher. These unnamed teachers did not have a positive impact on Samson or on Roberta. The difference had much to do with how certain teachers impacted their early lives with words or actions in the classroom. Just as students have different learning styles, teachers have different teaching styles. The onus, however, is on the teacher to get the student motivated so he can learn. Teachers use various approaches with each student; they explain the value of the subject, they show a variety of ways to

study as they constantly make it attractive, and students are told why the subject is important (what utility it serves, how it can be used by the student). The teacher tries to remove the labor of study and shows the enjoyment of application in their daily lives and success.

Parents and teachers know that motivation is the key to academic success. If a student is seen struggling, a great teacher always removes that fear of failure, presents a new challenge and sees the student through to “passing.” Once the student champions that hurdle, he gains new desires to learn. He is more willing to work hard / he is not struggling. Literacy evolves; there is no more lack of meaning. That great teacher recognized the student’s problem, used it as a target, immediately corrected it, and now the student successfully progresses to the next rung.

Teachers always make a difference. We always remember those who have made a positive impact on our education. It lasts for a lifetime.

MISS PHS 2016 WINNERS Representatives from each class were a sight to see in sparkling gowns and fashionable casual wear at the Miss PHS Pageant April 9. They also answered on stage questions and participated in pre-event interviews with the judges. Jenna Bennett was crowned Miss PHS. Tatum Ball was named the first alternate as well as Miss Congeniality and Most Photogenic. Chyanna Rausch was named second alternate. Third alternate was a tie between Tori Peeler and Ryleigh Chambers. Cristina Crandall was awarded fourth alternate honors. The top scoring contestants in each grade were named the Elite Winners. Jasmyne Hill was the ninth grade Elite Winner, Chambers represented the 10th grade, and Peeler was named an Elite Winner for the 11th grade.

Miss PHS: Jenna Bennet

20 PelhamOnline.com / Late Spring 2016

Flip Side Watersports holds first annual Cable Freeze

Some extreme excitement came to Oak Mountain State Park Saturday, March 19 with Flip Side Watersports’ first annual Cable Freeze. This tournament not only kicked off Flip Side’s waterboarding season, also but raised money to benefit the charity K9s for Warriors. This organization rescues dogs and gives them a new leash on life by pairing them with veterans who have PTSD, brain injuries or assault trauma. The donation goal was set at $1,000.

“We’re really blessed with what we have, so we wanted to make sure we’re doing our part for charity,” Jeremy said.

“My wife and I, all we have are rescue dogs, and my father-in-law

is highly decorated special forces,” he explained. “So with so many veterans in our family, and our love for pets, it just made sense. They are definitely for a good cause, and they stand out, as well. It’s the perfect time to raise awareness for them, because everyone that rode today is definitely a dog owner.”

The event not only met, but exceeded their goal, because donations and entrance fees for the event totaled $1,066.

“We had twice the turnout that I was expecting for the event, and we raised more than our donation goal, so I’m happy,” Jeremy said.

“Next year we’re going to up that goal.”

Twenty-four participants of all ages took part in the heated

wakeboarding competition in the frigid waters of Oak Mountain Lake, and even a chilly wind couldn’t keep the crowd of nearly fifty away from enjoying the displays of fun and skill.

Four sixteen-minute heats allowed the boarders to show off their skills—bunny hops, 360s, flips and spins on and off the various obstacles on the course.

The favorite obstacles included the rails, iceberg, corrugated pipe and ramp. Not only were they judged on the tricks they made, but the ones they flopped, too: “Best Crash” was awarded to Scott Nelson along with the other prizes.

Eight semifinalists took part in another two heats, where the competition really took off. From

there, two finalists were chosen for a final face-off. Each run gave the judges a chance to see what each boarder had to offer, and seven of the athletes, seen up top, made the top spots.

In the Women’s Open, Jaycee Dill came in first and Courtney Washington came in second. In the Boys Open, Tanner Dill came in first and Kane Ward came in second. In the Men’s Open, Adrian Upton came in first, Wes Morrissette came in second, and Tyler Royal came in third place.

Congratulations, everyone! Are you interested in learning how to do the stunts like these pros? Flip Side is now open for the summer!

Head over to Oak Mountain State Park to check it out.

Pelham Boys Soccer defeats Helena in first annual Battle of the Paws Pelham Boys Soccer Coach Patrick McDonald had been discussing an annual Helena/ Pelham rivalry game with Helena Boys Soccer Coach Zachary Morgan since last year. The coaches wanted a unique name for the contest to help it stand out against other rivalry games and fundraisers.

Coach Morgan said when he was trying to come up with

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5-minute overtime periods, the Panthers and Huskies squared off in a penalty kick shootout that Pelham won 3-1.

“It’s a friendly rivalry—we wanted a way to showcase our kids’ talent and help raise some money,” Coach McDonald said.

He has connections with the Shelby County Humane Society, so the rival programs decided to make the event a fundraiser to

benefit the local communities.

SCHS and Two By Two Animal Rescue both had donation tables set up during the event.

The Pelham and Helena soccer teams also worked together to design a cup for the “Battle of the Paws,” seen below. Like the baseball trophy that passes back and forth between Pelham and Alabaster each spring, this will travel between the cities.

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a name for the rivalry game, ‘dogs vs. cats’ just came to him.

Discussion between him and Coach McDonald lead them to the name “Battle of the Paws.”

The first annual game was held Tuesday, April 6 at the HHS soccer fields.

Helena lead first, but Pelham tied the game up 2-2 with just a few minutes left. Overtime rules were invoked. After two

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P E L H A M ’ S C O M M U N I T Y O F FA I T H ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

Oak Mountain Independent Church 1475 Highway 35, 663-1927 Pastor George Golden Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

RiverPoint Church

375 Bearden Road, 621-0112 Pastor Bobby Lewis • riverpointchurch.org Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 AM

BAPTIST

Crosscreek Baptist Church

600 Crosscreek Trail, 663-4886 crosscreekbaptist.org Sunday Worship 10:00 AM

CrossWay Christian Fellowship

Meets at Shelby Co. YMCA, 966-3327 Pastor Fred Muse • crosswaycf.org Sunday Worship 10:00 AM

First Baptist Church-Pelham

2867 Pelham Parkway, 663-7492 Dr. Daven Watkins • fbcpelham.org Sunday Worship 8:00, 9:15, 10:45 AM

Indian Springs First Baptist Church 3375 Cahaba Valley Road, 988-3662 Pastor Charlie Dale • isfbc.org Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 AM

Living Hope Baptist Church

419 Philippians Boulevard, 664-0491 Pastor Clay Parrish • livingwithhopechurch.org Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

Oak Mountain Baptist Church

1805 Highway 35, 663-3045 Interim Pastor Brother James Blair • ombcpelham.org Sunday Worship 10:30 AM

Oakland Baptist Church

244 Cahaba Valley Pkwy, 988-0031 Pastor Jonny White Prayer, Preaching & Praise 10:30 AM

Sun View Baptist Church

Meets at Valley Intermediate, 685-9447 Dr. Mark A. Boyd • sunviewbaptist.com Sunday Morning Service 11:00 AM

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Church of Christ at Oak Mountain

2054 Oak Mtn State Park Rd, 663-6566 Bob Hutto, Evangelist • oakmtnchurch.org Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM

Pelham Church of Christ

3405 Pelham Parkway, 663-7735 Dick Sztanyo • pelhamchurchofchrist.com Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

CHURCH OF GOD

Pelham Church of God

2100 Highway 52 East, 664-0120 Pastor Mitch Underwood Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 AM

Pelham Church of God of Prophecy 3362 Pelham Parkway, 620-9598 Pastor Krameon Martin Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

EPISCOPAL

Saint Francis of Assisi

3545 Cahaba Valley Road, 988-4371 Father Martin J. Bagay, Interim Rectori saintfrancisindiansprings.org Sunday Holy Eucharist 8:30, 10:45 AM

METHODIST (UNITED)

Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM

Lakeview Pelham’s First United Methodist

Oak Mountain Community Church

5154 Highway 11, 663-3309 Pastor Michael Miller • lakeviewonline.net www.theflockthatrocks.com Sunday School 10AM • Sunday Morning Contemporary Worship 9 AM, 11 AM

MORMON

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 2720 Cahaba Valley Rd, 733-9038 • lds.org

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Church of the Highlands-Riverchase

9013 Highway 261, 980-5577 Pastor Chris Hodges • churchofthehighlands.com Sunday Morning Worship 8:00, 9:30, 11:15AM

The Connection

135 Corporate Way, 620-0720 Pastor Greg Davis - theconnection.cc Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30 AM

Hope World Outreach Ministry

192 Chandalar Place Drive, 655-1332

Pastor Earl V. Gardner

Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 AM

Kingdom Christian Center

2760 Pelham Parkway, 637-3473 Pastor Jerry McClain • kingdomchristiancenter.net 3039 Wilson Street, 205-663-3548 Sunday Worship Service 11 AM

Life Christian Fellowship

Meets at Shepherd’s Promise, 620-1725 Pastor Bob Kuehner • lifechristian.us Sunday Celebration 10:00 AM

Life Church

1449 Court Place, 663-1937 Pastor Rick Bishop • wherelifeisgood.com

Attend the Church of Your Choice This Sunday!

Annual Pelham Easter Egg Hunt The Annual Pelham Easter Egg Hunt was held Saturday, March 26 at Pelham City Park’s youth football field. Over 8,000 eggs were hidden this year, and the Easter Bunny was there, taking pictures with everyone. Thank you to everyone who came out and made the event a success!

889 Oak Mtn State Park Rd, 663-7176 Pastor Gene Brown • oakmountaincc.com Sunday Worship/Kid’s Church 10:30 AM

The Rock Church

3540 Pelham Parkway, 383-7545 Pastor Steven Van Gieson • rockofbirmingham.org Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM

Truth International Church 3157 Pelham Parkway,

Bishop Robert Ivy Sr. Sunday Worship Service 10:30 AM

PENTACOSTAL New Testament Christian Church 2976-D Pelham Parkway, 401-1629 Pastor E.J. Rodriguez newtestamentchristianchurches.org Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM

PRESBYTERIAN Korean Presbyterian Church

7814 Helena Road, 982-1990 Pastor Rev. Steven Son Sunday English Worship 11:00 AM

Our community of faith offers many services and programs year-round.

Please, take a visit to each church’s website for additional information about their upcoming events and programs.

PLAY GOLF IN PELHAM AT

Open to the Public 7 Days a Week Memberships Available SPECIAL DAILY FEE RATES Pelham Resident, Military, Senior and Ladies (Rates Available Monday – Friday) Weekday and Weekend Afternoon Rates (Available After 12pm)

Ballantrae Fireside Grill Serves Breakfast and Lunch!!

Contact the Golf Shop at 205-620-4653 or log on to www.ballantraegolf.com to book your tee time!

Civic Complex and Ice Arena

Birthday Parties

PARTY PRICE OF $150 INCLUDES:

ADDITIONAL PARTY OPTIONS:

• Party for ten children • Skate rental • Private party room • Two 2-liter soft drinks • Paper products • A $50 non-refundable deposit is required for all parties. We provide setup and cleanup.

• Additional skaters $12 • Birthday cake 1/4 sheet: $30, 1/2 sheet $45 • 16” pizza $12 each • Extra soft drinks are $2.50 per 2-liter • Popcorn bucket $5 • $25 for 30 minutes of basic ice skating instruction.

PARTY PROCEDURES:

• No outside food, ice cream or drinks allowed with the exception of a birthday cake or cupcakes • No confetti, sparkles, etc will be allowed in any party room—a $50 clean-up fee will be charged • You may bring decorations (banners, balloons, etc) Deposit must be made when making party reservation. Check in at the front office. You are allowed in your room 15 minutes before the party is scheduled to start. You are allowed to stay in your room for 10 minutes after the session ends to gather possessions. Up to five extra place settings will be given to each party without charge. Children sign in at Skate Rental for their skates. No Skate School passes, Buy One Get One Free coupons or promotions can be used for parties. At the end of your party, pay your balance at the Front Office and fill out an Evaluation Sheet. Skate at your own risk!

Birmingham Blades synchronized skaters had a phenomenal season The Birmingham Blades Synchronized Skating Team is one of only 3 synchronized skating teams in the state of Alabama, and they practice at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena. The team was formerly known as Southern Magic, and has been around for several years.

This year, their coach Michelle Badgley thought it was time for a new name and look for the team. The skaters voted and “The Birmingham Blades” were born.

The Birmingham Blades skaters range in age from 10-17. This group of young ladies has been practicing since early September. Their first performance of the year was in the Pelham Skate School’s Annual Christmas Show.

The Birmingham Blades Synchro team attended 3 competitions this year, all of which were out of state. This is the first year the team has

competed in 2 different divisions with two completely different routines.

The first competition they attended was the 2016 ISI Winter Classic in Orlando, held February 12-14. The team won 2nd place in their Senior Youth Advanced Formation Division and 3rd place in their Senior Youth Skating Team Division.

Next, the team competed in Knoxville, TN on April 2 at the Robert Unger ISI Team Invitational Competition and placed 1st in their Senior Youth Advanced Formation Division and 2nd in their Senior Youth Skating Team Divison.

Their last competition of the season was the 2016 ISI Synchronized Championships April 8-10 in St. Peter’s, MO, with over 60 teams from all over the

24 PelhamOnline.com / Late Spring 2016

USA participating in various divisions. In the Senior Youth Skating Team Division, the Birmingham Blades placed 5th in the initial round, qualifying them for the Select Final Round the next day in which they ended up placing 4th. In the Senior Youth Advanced Formation Division, the Birmingham Blades placed 3rd in the initial round, qualifying them for the Premier Final Round the next day in which they placed 3rd overall.

It was a very exciting and rewarding year for this team!

Congratulations, girls!

Three M Karts & Mowers recognized as Top Ten eXmark Dealer Three M Karts and Mowers were recently recognized for the 2nd year straight by eXmark and Blalock Machinery and Equipment Co. as one of the Top Ten eXmark Mower dealerships in its multistate Southeast Region. eXmark President and CEO Judy Altmeier was joined by regional sales manager Anthony Rowell, Blalock Machinery’s General Sales Manager Mike Jones and Alabama sales representative Tyler Slocum in congratulating Mike and Michael Harris and their award-winning staff on the outstanding job they do in professionally representing the eXmark brand of mowers.

Since completing their new showroom and expanding the product lines they carry over the past couple of years, Pelham’s Three M Karts and Mowers has become known all over central Alabama as THE place to go for your mower and other small engine and outdoor power equip-

ment needs.

The company not only sells the equipment and mowers, they also have the area’s premiere service department with skilled, experienced and dependable service technicians to keep you up and running.

In addition to selling eXmark and Honda mowers, Three M is an authorized Kawasaki dealer and service center. They carry a full line of Echo/Shindawa string trimmers, chain saws, pole saws, edgers, blowers and much more.

Three M recently became the newest Stihl Dealer in Central Alabama.

Are you a Yeti fan? Three M carries a full line of Yeti products from drink holders and mugs to coolers and other Yeti brand merchandise.

Whatever your outdoor power equipment needs may be, call on the experts at Three M Karts and Mowers today at 734 Industrial Park Drive. Or call them at (205) 621-9161.

Top picture, l-r: Three M’s Mike Harris, Blalock Machinery’s Mike Jones, Three M’s Ryan Acton, Blalock Machinery’s Tyler Slocum, eXmark’s Anthony Rowell, eXmark President and CEO Judy Altmeir, and Three M’s Michael Harris.

Left and above: Just a small sampling of the mowers, power equipment and accessories in Three M’s showroom.

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Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-6:00 PM PelhamCityNews.com / Late Spring 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 25

MONDAY-THURSDAY 9:00AM-8:00PM, FRIDAY 9:00AM-5:00PM, SATURDAY 10:00AM-5:00PM & CLOSED SUNDAY

620-6418 www.pelhamlibrary.com

SPECIAL ADULT EVENTS

Spring Floral Arranging Program Monday May 9 6PM On Monday, May 9th from 6-7 PM, The Pelham Library will be hosting a Spring Floral Arranging Program. Please join longtime Birmingham florists Ricky Whitley and Suzy ReynoldsSmith as they demonstrate the techniques and tools used to create fantastic flower arrangements. All arrangements made for the demonstration will be given away by drawing at the end of the program. The program is free, but seating is limited and will fill quickly. Please call the library at 205-620-6418 for more information and to reserve a seat.

Understanding Medicare Seminar Friday May 20 10:30-11:30am

Does Medicare confuse you?

Get answers at this seminar provided by a Medicare advisor from Physicians Mutual. The presentation simplifies complex issues such as the Medicare parts, enrolling and more. Hundreds age into Medicare each month in this area. It is a complex and confusing process for most individuals. Attend this program and get the facts. The seminar is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the library at 620-6418.

Creative Coloring for Adults Pelham Public Library Saturday May 14 2-4pm

Color yourself calm at the Pelham Public Library! Coloring is a relaxing, stress-relieving, and FUN activity. Join your fellow color enthusiasts and color away your troubles on Saturday, March 19th. Coloring sheets and colors will be provided by the Library.

Already working on a coloring book? Have a favorite color pencil brand? Feel free to bring your own

supplies. Bring finished sheets to show. Make new friends and bring your own friends to enjoy 2 hours of calm colorings. All participants will be entered for a chance to win a wonderful door prize. Open to adults, 18 years of age and older. Questions? Call 205 620-6418.

Got Game? Tabletop Game Day at The Pelham Public Library Saturday June 25 & July 16 10:30am-4:30pm

be offered promoting the items received through the grant from the Alabama Public Library Service. In May, Pelham Library patrons checking out a health related item will receive a special gift and the opportunity to enter a drawing for one of two Fitbit Flex watches. Contest will run through August 1st. Participants must be 18 or older to win. Please call the library for information at 620-6418.

Free Computer Classes

In an effort to assist those that cannot take advantage of the weekday classes at the library, Pelham Public Library offers night and weekend computer classes. Classes are free and will remain small to ensure that students receive the most from their participation. Patrons are encouraged to register soon. Those interested may register in person or over the phone at 620-6418.

Come join fellow gamers ages 13 to 99 at the library to play popular tabletop games of all types and enter for a chance to win a door prize. This is a wonderful chance make new friends and play some most popular tabletop games available.

Feel free to bring your games and your friends for a day of fun! Please call the library for information at 620-6418.

One on One Device Assistance

Pelham Public Library invites everyone 18 and older to participate in the 10th annual Adult Summer Reading Program starting June 1st and running through July 31st. When an adult checks out three or more books or audio books at one time per visit (included are adult fiction, nonfiction books, magazines and books on CD; excluded are juvenile and young adult material, games, music, or movies.) an entry form may be entered in the drawing. There is no limit to the number of entries one may enter.

Exciting prizes will be awarded to the lucky winners in early August.

Please call the library at 620-6418 for more information.

SPECIAL YOUNG ADULT EVENTS

Pelham Adult Summer Reading Program begins June 1st!!!

Exercise Your Mind! begins May 2nd

Thanks to an LSTA grant awarded to The Pelham Public Library, a special contest will

Pelham Public Library now offers individual technology instruction. A patron will be able to pair up with an instructor for one hour of assistance. Patrons can request assistance with tablets, iPads and E-readers. The instructors will help in the setup and usage of any of the library’s downloadable media. Classes are available Thursdays. Please contact the library to set up an appointment time at 620-6418.

Get in the Game READ! June 2-July 21 Get in the Game READ! This year’s sports related theme is for teens 6th grade to 12th grade.

Registration is set to begin May 26th and will continue to July 20th. This year for EVERY FOUR YOUNG ADULT items checked out from the Pelham Public Library gets you a prize from the gym bag and enters you to win the Grand Prize a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4.

That’s right, MULTIPLE entries to win! See you there!

Teen Tech, June 2nd 3:30pm-4:30pm

Do you like taking household appliances apart? Ever get permission before you take them apart?? Join us while we take

house hold appliances apart with supervision and learn what makes the world around us work.

Video Game Night, June 13th, 20th & July 18th 6:30pm – 7:30pm Come join us for an hour of Minecraft Multiplayer on Pelham Public Libraries very own Minecraft Server. Wii Sports will keep us “in the Game” while we rotate Minecrafters.

Teen Tech, July 8 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Latt Vines, app developer and owner of the video game company Tartle Games will teach us the logic of computer programing. A fun event that will use physical Minecraft blocks to help us visualize what happens behind our gadgets.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS/EVENTS Together Time Weds. at 9:15 & 10:30AM May 4: The Letter V May 11: The Letter W May 18: The Letters X, Y, Z May 25: No Story Time June 1: No Story Time

PJ Storytime Thurs. Evenings at 6:30PM May 5: The Letter V May 12: The Letter W May 19: The Letters X, Y, Z May 26: No Story Time June 2: No Story Time

Summer Reading!!

Registration: May 31 Kick-Off: June 7 1-3pm at Civic Center and Ice Arena Join us for free ice-skating to kick-off the “On Your Mark, Get Set…Read!” Summer Reading Program.

June 7th @ 10:30am Mark Seymour of BE-AT Your Best Drum Show June 21 @ 10:30am Read Olympics staring the hilarious Lew-e June 28 @ 10:30am Ready, Set, Reptiles live animal show July 5th @ 10:30am Family BINGO For more details on these or any library events, please visit or call the Pelham Public Library at 620-6465!

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PelhamCityNews.com / Late Spring 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 27

PHS, RMS cross country teams having a phenomenal season

The Pelham High Varsity Girls came out on top at the Shelby County Cross Country Championships, held in Ned Bearden Stadium at PHS April 18. They won their meet with 217 points, 66 points higher than Thompson, the number 2 team.

Erin Hines won the 200-meter dash, the 100-meter hurdles and the long jump, and placed second in the javelin throw to finish with a meet-best 38 points. Mary Grace Strozier won the 1,600-meter run and the 800-meter run while her younger sister Katie Strozier won the 400-meter dash and placed second in the 800-meter run as well. Allison Jordan won the

300-meter hurdles, Emily Shaw set a meet record in the high jump, Alex Ladewig set a meet record in both the pole vault and the triple jump while Emorie Long also set a meet record in the javelin throw.

The Pelham Boys had victories too: Donovan Ross won the 200-meter dash and Dorian Austin won the 400-meter dash.

This win came right on the heels of the Riverchase Middle Track and Field Team winning the Southern Conference Championship once again!

Anna Wilkes won the 300 meter hurdles, 2nd in the long jump, and 3rd in the 100 meter hurdles. Erin Long won the high

jump and 2nd in the 100 meter hurdles. Chloe Hammett came in 4th in the 400 meter dash.

Jasmine Holmes placed 2nd in both the discus and the shot put.

Elizabeth Minas placed 3rd in the shot put. Gi Gi Germek placed 2nd in the triple jump and 7th in the long jump.

Walker Lyles won the 300 meter hurdles and 4th in the triple jump. Dominic Fanella won both the 800 meter run and the 1600 meter run. Kristopher Carter won the 200 meter dash and 3rd in the 400 meter dash.

Wesley Kitchens placed 4th in the 110 meter hurdles. Matthew Plummer finished 4th in the 400

meter dash. Joseph Hunt won the shot put and 3rd in the discus.

Xavien Harris placed 4th in the long jump.

Both RMS Girls and RMS Boys relay teams won the 4x400 meter relay and 2nd in the 4x100 meter relay in their meets.

“I am very proud of our RMS Track teams and PHS Cross Country Teams!” PCS Athletic Director Kim Kiel said. “The boys and girls teams have worked extremely hard and that hard work has paid off. Many thanks for Coaches Collins, Causey, Argo and Springfield for your hard work and dedication to our student athletes. Go Panthers.”

calendar of EVENTS REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS

Pelham Seniors IN ACTION

WEEKDAYS Various Activities (55 & over), Pelham Senior Center WEDNESDAYS Storytime*, Pelham Public Library, 9:15AM & 10:30AM THURSDAYS PJ Storytime*, Pelham Public Library, 6:30PM

may 9 12 14 16

17 21

26 30

Pelham Senior Center • 620-6064 Open Monday-Friday 10:00AM-3:00PM

- Storm Water Regulations Board, City Hall, 7:00pm - Planning Commission Meeting, City Hall, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm - Youth Football/Cheerleading Registration, Parks & Rec. Ofc., 9:00am-12:00pm - Making Miracles Luncheon, speaker Coach Dabo Swinney, PCC&IA, Children’s Hospital benefit hosted by Miss Shelby County Haley Barber, to reserve an 8-person table for $500 call Johnye at 663-4196 - City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm - Pelham High Alumni/Faculty Football Game, Ned Bearden Stadium, 6:00pm - Youth Football/Cheerleading Registration, Parks & Rec. Ofc., 9:00am-12:00pm - Youth Football/Cheerleading Volunteer Coaches Form Deadline at 12:00pm - Respite Care (special needs 0-21), free, must reserve AaronsStaffRespite.org - Pelham City Schools end of school year, students dismiss at 1:00pm - Pelham High School Class of 2016 Graduation - MEMORIAL DAY: Municipal Offices/Library/Senior Center Closed Trash Taxi will run as usual

june

2 - American Legion Post 555, Pelham Senior Center, 7:00pm, for more info contact Commander Barry Blount at 205-531-4131 3 - Youth Football/Cheerleading must register by 5:00pm 6 - City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 9 - Planning Commission Meeting, City Hall, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 11 - ACT Prep Camp, University of Montevallo, for more info or to register visit montevallo.edu/academics/experience-learning/partnershipsoutreach 13 - Storm Water Regulations Board, City Hall, 7:00pm 18 - Respite Care (special needs 0-21), free, must reserve AaronsStaffRespite.org 20 - City Council Meeting, Council Chambers, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 25 - PHS Class of 1996 Reunion, for info contact Anna Jones at Anna.Pelton@ hibbett.com or join the Facebook group “Pelham High School Class of 1996 Reunion Headquarters” 30 - National Theatre on Ice Competition, PCC&IA June 30-July 3

july

4 - INDEPENDENCE DAY: Municipal Offices/Library/Senior Center Closed No trash pickup, Trash Taxi will run one day behind through Saturday 7 - American Legion Post 555, Pelham Senior Center, 7:00pm, for more info contact Commander Barry Blount at 205-531-4131 14 - Planning Commission Meeting, City Hall, 7:00pm, Work Session 6:00pm 16 - Pelham Palooza, PCC&IA, begins at 9:00am, Just Show Up Show at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

The Pelham Senior Center is open to Shelby County residents, 55 and over, for fellowship, music, bingo, trips, fun, exercise, games and much more. Visit www.pelhamlibrary.com to view the senior center’s full event calendar. For more information, contact Director Regina Jimenez by E-mail at pelhamseniorcenter1@yahoo.com or call 620-6064.

MONDAYS Craft Arts-10:30-2:00; Bridge-10:00; Mah Jongg-12:30-3:00; Exercise-12:15-1:00 May 16 Drum Set 1:30-2:30 June 20 Drum Set 1:30-2:30 May 30 Closed for Memorial Day July 4 Closed for Independence Day TUESDAYS Art 10:30-12:30 $5/month; Advanced Line Dancing 1:00-2:00; Beginning Line Dancing 2:00-3:00; Rummikub 1:00-3:00 May 3rd, June 7th- Purple Pioneers Red Hats May 10th -Trippin’ Tuesdays May 17th-Trippin’ Tuesdays- Trip to Petals from the Past, Lunch at Farm House Café May 24th-Line Dancers at Texas Road House June 14th-Trippin’ Tuesdays June 21st-Trippin’ Tuesdays WEDNESDAYS Reveille Men’s Coffee Club 10:00; Bridge 10:00-1:00; Wii Bowling 11:00; Exercise 12:15-1:00; Rummikub 1:00-3:00 May 18th- Outside the Lines 1:00-2:00 May 18th- Pelham Promenaders Advanced Square Dancing 1-3 June 8th- Trip to the Birmingham Barons June 15th- Outside the Lines 1:00-2:00 June 15th- Pelham Promenaders Advanced Square Dancing 1-3 THURSDAYS Pelham New Pioneers 10:30-1:00 May 5th- Bingo 1:00-2:00, James & James Band May 12th- Bingo 1:00-2:00 May 19th- Mystery Lunch Bus, Bingo 1:00-2:00 May 26th- Alabama Passport, Bingo 1:00-2:00 June 2nd- Senior Picnic, Bingo 1:00-2:00 June 9th- Bingo 1:00-2:00 June 16th- Mystery Lunch Bus, Bingo 1:00-2:00 June 23rd- Alabama Passport, Bingo 1:00-2:00 June 30th- Bingo 1:00-2:00 July 7th- Bingo 1:00-2:00, Shelby Strummers FRIDAYS Tai Chi 10:30-11:30; Exercise 12:15-1:00; Games 1:00-3:00 Dances- 7-9PM $5/person every third Friday of the month May 20- Luau Dance with music by Sundance Band June 17- Salsa Dance with music by Wolfgang Please call the Senior Center at 620-6064 for more information.

PelhamCityNews.com / Late Spring 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 29

Pelham Mountain Biking Teams in second year Alabama just picked up Mountain Biking as a high school sport in the 2014-2015 school year, and Alabama had the 2nd biggest startup league in the nation last year when it started. Pelham kids and parents jumped on the sport immediately, convincing the school system to form a team.

“I was impressed with the support of the Pelham school system,” said PHS English Teacher and Coach Ryan Dye. “Not every school system around here is willing to be associated with this nontraditional sport.”

There are nine Pelham High School riders and three Riverchase Middle School riders competing for Pelham in Mountain Biking.

They recently had a good showing at Rumble on the Ridge at Oak Mountain State Park, held the morning of April 17.

Coach Dye is joined by Michael Higganbotham, the father of two of the students, as the assistant coach. Spencer Wilson, who rode with the team as a senior last year, is now in college at UAB but makes time to come back and help as an assistant coach for the team, too.

“I started riding bikes with my kids a couple years ago, to get outside and do something different. To disconnect,” Coach Higganbotham said. His sons are Will, a PHS senior and the team captain, and Cole, a 6th grader at RMS. “Coach Dye runs a real family organization, he invites the whole family and even the dogs to join. So last year, I was just a dad helping the team out, but this year, I decided to go through the training to become a coach. I enjoy hanging out with the kids and trying to be a good role model.”

Other parents also help out the team whenever they can. “Every single parent helps out, riding with us or helping with the tent,” Coach Dye said. “And we can’t give enough thanks to the Pelham YMCA for their support. Every time it rains, they let us train

there on the spin bikes.” The team rides 3-4 days a week together as practice, but that can get up to five days a week during race season.

"It's a friendly sport. You want your kids to win, of course, but everybody cheers for all the kids," said Robert Plummer, another father. "If someone rides up behind you and says, 'I'm passing,' you let them through. You don't knock other riders down. This is all part of the training the students get from their coaches."

“This sport is like Cross Country on two wheels, and we have several kids who are also on the Cross Country team,” Coach Dye said. “The seasons run opposite each other— we start riding in January, and the last race is usually near the end of May.” The coaches would love to grow the team, and Robert said the need for girls is a real issue. "Without girl riders, we can never win a team trophy—even if they don't place, just racing gives the team points we need," he explained. “The sport can be intimidating, but once you get girls out there, they love it just like the guys do.”

This year, the team has traveled from Huntsville to Tuscaloosa to Auburn to Tannehill and back to Oak Mountain for tournaments, in better weather than last year’s rainy season.

"It's all about poise and grace, and not hitting trees," Coach Higganbotham said, laughing, because his son Cole hit two trees during the Rumble on the Ridge. (He was fine—even finished the race after a brief rest.)

In fact, Rumble on the Ridge has proven to be the most troublesome race this season.

“We had a couple crashes, a couple negative interactions originating with riders from other teams... I’m looking to see how the students react,” Coach Dye said. “Hopefully their character will be strong and they will react well to tough situations.”

Grebel Goes Gershwin

2016 BALLANTRAE JUNIOR GOLF ACADEMY SESSION 1

Saturday, May 21, 2016 3:00PM at Pelham High School

Tuesday June 7th – Friday June 10th

SESSION 2

Tickets On Sale at tututix.com/GrebelDance for $12, or $15 at the door!

Tuesday June 14th – Friday June 17th

SESSION 3

Tuesday June 21st – Friday June 24th

www.grebeldance.com (205) 987-7234

Summer Camps and Intensives:

Junior Dance Camp: Ages 7-11. June 6-17, July 11 - 22 Senior Dance Intensive: Ages 12 and up. June 6 - August 5

Princesses and Princes Camps

Ages 3 1/2-6. June 20 - July 25 - August 5

Beginning Ballet Ages 9 -16

Ages 7 to 9 Ages 10 to 12 Ages 13 to 15

Each session is from 8:00am to 10:30am. The cost is $80.00 per junior. All sessions are open to boys and girls. Your child will benefit from a positive, safe, fun & friendly learning environment taught by PGA Golf Professional Jerry Applegate.

All aspects of the game will be covered, including full swing, short game and course etiquette. While working on their game, the junior golfers will see noticeable improvement, make new friends, and have a blast!

The great game of golf will not only help them build character and respect, but will also give them a hobby that will last a lifetime!

Adult Ballet Ages 17 & up

Taking Fall Registration NOW! Classes begin August 15.

Alabama Youth Ballet Company auditions for ages 8-22: May 7, 11am Nutcracker Auditions: September 10 For more details, call 987-7234 or visit www.grebeldance.com.

SAME DAY SERVICE… In by 10, out by 3!

To register, a week before the session, call the Ballantrae Golf Shop at 205-620-4653 or email Head Professional Jerry Applegate at japplegate@pelhamonline.com.

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PelhamCityNews.com / Late Spring 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 31

Pelham Racquet Club hosts 13th annual Women’s $25000 Challenger

The Pelham Racquet Center hosted the 13th annual Legacy Credit Union $25,000 Women’s Challenger the week of April 10-17. Unlike during last year’s tournament, the weather held up all week, bringing bigger crowds and allowing both the singles

and doubles divisions to be completed as planned.

The #1 seeded doubles team of Asia Muhammad and Taylor Townsend beat the #3 seeded duo of Sophie Chang and Caitlin Whoriskey in the doubles finals on Saturday, making this Asia and Taylor’s third Singles Division winner USTA Pro Circuit Grace Min Doubles Title win this year alone.

The #6 seeded Grace Min, from Atlanta, defeated Bernada Pera in the singles final on Sunday, April 17.

“All my matches were tough, I think I was challenged in all of them. They all could have gone either way, but I just kind of hung in there, tried my best, and it worked out in my favor,”

Doubles Division winner Taylor Townsend

Grace said of her performance.

“I was fifteen the last time I played in this tournament, so I feel like I just got better.”

“And I feel so at home playing in the south,” the Atlanta native added. Like Grace, Taylor Townsend of the winning doubles team is also originally from Atlanta. She has been playing professionally for three years now, and her partner, Asia, has been for six years.

“I think this was a good week, and we accomplished what we were trying to do, playing wise—we were very aggressive— so we just need to take that to the next tournament,” Asia said.

“We had some pretty weird weather—it’s been cool, kind of rainy, overcast—but other than that, it’s a beautiful facility, it’s a beautiful club, its very nice here,” Taylor said. “But the tournament went well, and I can’t complain.”

Grace, who has been playing tennis professionally for four years, pointed out something interesting: “I think it’s really cool to see four American finalists in a competition like this,” she said. Indeed, all six

players who made it to the finals, the two doubles teams and the two single players, call the USA home. This has never occurred before in the thirteen years that this tournament has existed.

From the highly anticipated tennis workshops run by the pros for students in Pelham City Schools, to the 100 kids who showed up for Kids’ Night on Friday night, to the success of the tournament itself, this year’s challenger is one for the books.

A huge thanks goes out the title sponsor, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union. Thanks also to our other sponsors: Shelby County, City of Pelham, PRC, USTA Southern, Athleta (Summit), AL Crown, Coke, Altec, Rick & Bubba, Wilson, Resort Quest, Dr. Matthew D. Litz DDS LLC, Zoe’s (Patton Creek), Dr. Roderick White, Dr. Michael Patterson, Drayer—Tracy Causey, Fit24 and Comfort Suites (Pelham) for their generous support.

And thanks to everyone who came out to the Pelham Racquet Club to watch the matches or support your local ball kids!

Doubles Division winner Asia Muhammed

Upcoming Events: May 12-15 June 2-5 June 9-12

USTA State 55 & Over Championships USTA State 40 & Over Championships 9th Annual Rick and Bubba Super Summer Slam

Youth Tennis: Daytime Summer Camp Weeks will be held in June and July for children ages 6-10 and 11-15.

For dates and times, costs, and other information on tennis camps, please email Rusty Wilkes, a USPTA Certified Elite Pro: rustytennis23@yahoo.com

HOURS:

New to the Team: Please welcome USPTA Certified Tennis Pro Michael Smith to the Pelham Racquet Club and the Pelham Tennis Center! To sign up for adult or junior lessons with Coach Smith, please call 205-492-1482.

Monday - Thursday: 8am-9pm Friday: 8am-5pm Saturday: 8am-6pm Sunday: 12pm-6pm

(205) 621-3380 100 Racquet Club Pkwy

Residential Beautification Award—100 Wild Timber Parkway Congratulations to Robin and Eddie Willingham, proud owners of the lawn recognized with this issue's Residential Beautification Award.

Located in the Wild Timber community off CR11, the couple purchased the home last October and give credit to the previous owners for giving them a beautiful landscaping

foundation upon which to build.

"We have discovered a wide variety of perennials that have sprung up this spring and our youngest daughter, Morgan, 18 and a senior at Pelham High School, and I added in some annuals in the beds to add a bit of color," said Robin.

Husband Eddie takes care of the heavy lifting, the mowing and edging, added Robin.

The couple's oldest daughter, Meagan, is 20 and a sophomore at the University of Alabama.

Robin is a research nurse at UAB and Eddie works as Network Administrator for Coca Cola Bottling United, covering the Southeast.

The beautiful lawn features a mix of Bermuda, Zoysia and Saint Augustine grass, and several gorgeous and full red Japanese maples catch the eye from the road.

Colorful rock-lined bed selections include yellow

pansies and red dianthus as well as a scattering of white alyssum.

Behind the flowers, azaleas, boxwoods, gardenias, hydrangeas and roses hug the house, and beside the entrance is a trellis with English ivy creeping up

the sides.

Together, it all combines to give lots of curb appeal.

Congratulations on being recognized as the Pelham Beautification Board's award winner for May!

PelhamCityNews.com / Late Spring 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 33

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RMS launches school store

VIS showcases Leader in Me clubs

Students in teacher Frank Price’s business and entrepreneurship class at Riverchase Middle are putting their knowledge to work in a new school store called “Pawsome.”

From researching items to sell, determining price points and creating the store name, to promoting the store, keeping inventory and ordering supplies, the students have enthusiastically grasped this hands-on learning opportunity.

The store sells items in high demand for middle school students such as mechanical

On March 11, Valley Intermediate was filled with the sights and sounds of a special event showcasing the The Leader in Me Clubs and the talents of many students. Before the show,

pencils, folders and notebooks.

Some fun items like stress balls and animal themed pencil sharpeners have been hot sellers too. In addition, the students have created an exclusive design for a T-shirt they will begin selling soon. The store is open in the cafeteria Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 am to 12 pm.

These business students are passionate about Pawsome, and by all indicators, the rest of the school is too. On a recent visit, students crowded the store and sales were through the roof!

Pelham law enforcement officers raise money for Special Olympics Seen below, left to right, are Pelham Law Enforcement Officers Mark Bishop, Shelby O'Connor, Debbie Sumrall and Stephen Darrankamp. These courageous men and women were raising funds outside the Pelham Walmart for the annual Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

families enjoyed a tasty dinner, student artwork, shopping and themed fundraising baskets.

Performances included drama, dance, music, and a fun-filled teacher finale!

Made in America— A Night to Showcase the Fine Arts Set to the theme “Made in America”, students and parents from all Pelham City Schools came together for a celebration of the arts featuring band, choir and theatre performances, art work, culinary samples, and more.

PelhamCityNews.com / Late Spring 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 35

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL Always Remember That We are the Home of the FREE Because of the Brave!

Staff SGT Jeremy Barton US Army; 1st Armored Division; Iraq; Son of Fred & Mary Barton, brother of Christopher.

CPT A.J. Blount US Army; Montgomery, AL; Husband of Christina, son of Barry & Terrie Blount, son-in-law of Jesse & Lori Hernandez.

Staff Sargent Eric Bowen US Airforce; Coco Beach, FL Son of Ed and Sonyia Bowen 1st SGT Flynn D. Broady, Jr. US Army; Iraq; Son of Ret. SGT Flynn & Marjorie Broady.

2nd LT John H. Calhan II US Army National Guard; Ft. Benning, GA; Husband of Katie Burks Calhan.

PFC Nicholas A Coleman US Marine Corps; Twenty-Nine Palms, CA; Son of Danny & Donna Coleman.

LTC Andrew Davis US Army; Sinai Husband of Trini Davis.

SPC Christopher G. Evanko US Army, Ft. Bliss, TX; 2007 PHS graduate; Son of Tracey & John Evanko, Jr. PFC George Jordan Golden United States Marine Corps; Camp Lejeune, NC; PHS Class of 2014. Son of George and Amy Golden.

SGT Robert Lee Hallman II Hawaii; 2009 PHS graduate; Son of Don Hallman & Lee Ann Hallman.

Ssgt. Alexander D. Hand US Air Force; Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS; Son of Doyle & Sally Hand.

PO3 Bradley Jacob Hardin US Navy; USS Ronald Reagan, San Diego, CA; Son of Rachel & Michael Jordan.

John Hensley US Army; Afghanistan; Nephew of Jim Phillips HN Ross Jewell US Navy; Naval Base Coronado; San Diego, CA; 2014 PHS graduate; Son of Wendy Merkl, Stepson of David Merkl.

MC1 Andrew “AJ” Johnson US Navy, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), Dam Neck Annex, NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA; 2002 PHS grad, Son of Trudy Johnson.

CM1 (SDW) Jack D. Johnson US Navy; Deployed in Iraq; Husband of Stacy, father of Joshua & Janci.

MP Sal Juarez US Army; Iraq; Son of Dr. Jesus & Blanca Juarez, husband of Kimberly, dad of Ethan & Gavin.

NCO Corporal John Justin Kirchler US Marine Corps; Iraq; Son of Kim Kirchler.

PFC Tiara Stovall US Army; Fort Hood, TX; Daughter of Stephen & Toni Thomas.

1st LT Randal C. Knight US Army; Afghanistan; Husband of Rebecca Binford Knight.

Tre’ Christian Stovall US Army; Fort Riley, KS; Son of Stephen & Toni Thomas.

SGT Jeffrey Malone US Army National Guard; 167th Infantry; Afghanistan; 2007 PHS grad; Husband of Monica, father of Hunter.

PFC Kimberly Sweat US Army; Fort Lewis, WA.; Daughter of Mike Sweat, granddaughter of Shirley Grimes.

SGT Tyler Payne US Marine Corps; 2004 PHS graduate; Son of Dana Payne Martin & David Payne, husband of Madison.

SRA Justin Taylor Integrated Avionic Journeyman Combat Rescue Unit, USAF 455th AEW; Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; PHS graduate; Son of Kris Mapes.

Cameron Rich Army Rangers; Afghanistan; Son of Scott Rich, brother of Brittany, grandson of Ken & Linda.

LCDR Robert Sawyer US Navy; Military Professor, Naval War College; Newport, RI; Son of Ken & Liz Sawyer.

PFC Benjamin A Travis United States Marine Corps; Camp Lejeune, NC; 2014 PHS Graduate; Son of Charles and Miriam Travis.

SPC Justin Aaron Womack US Army, Fort Bragg, NC; Afghanistan; Son of Betsy & Anthony & Phillip Womack

SRA Christopher C. Smith US Air Force; Okinawa, Japan; Son of Cliff & Jeanie Smith.

Major Shaun T. Southall Pilot for the 117th ARW Alabama Air Guard, Doha, Qatar.

Son of Buck and Kathy Southall.

If your loved one is from Pelham and serves on active duty, please e-mail us their name, rank, address and where they are stationed to: pelhamcitynews@aol.com. When they come back home, please update us via e-mail or call (205) 746-1188, so we can remove them from our active duty prayer list. Visit us online any time at: www.PelhamCityNews.com.

SRSC - P-11063

Parrot and Fin Party The city kicked off the upcoming 2016 Concert Series with a Parrot & Fin party at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena April 19, the night of the Jimmy Buffett concert. There were plenty of partying “parrotheads� seen throughout the night. Thanks to all who came out and made the event special!

Over 10 Years Experience

Lauri Williams, DMD, PC Charles Bordenca, DMD 219 North First St. Alabaster, AL 35007 Phone 205.664.2130 After Hours 205.941.0631

www.AlabasterSmiles.com No representation is made that the quality of dental services provided is greater than those provided by other dentists.

WE OFFER AFFORDABLE PRICES AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE GUARANTEE Our Services Include: Tree Removal Pruning Stump Grinding Dangerous Tree Removal Bobcat Services Lot Clearing Tree Trimming Storm Recovery Large Tree Removal Crane Services Stump Blowover Removal Gutter Cleaning

1-800-TREE-SERVICE • 205-223-2333 www.birminghamtreeguy.com

2000 Southlake Park, Suite 100 205-968-1160

SERVICES OFFERED:

• Comprehensive eye exams • Contact lens fittings • Glaucoma treatments • Top brands of glasses and sunglasses, including: Coach, Polo/Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban, Marchon, Vera Bradley, Silhouette, Izod, and many others.

ACCEPTED INSURANCE:

Medicaid, Medicare, BlueCrossBlueShield, Viva, VSP, VCP, United Healthcare, New Southland, and others 38 PelhamOnline.com / Late Spring 2016

Our staffare is ready Our professional professional staff ready to to help help you! you!

Care • Hands On Care Hands-On • Patient-Centered Atmosphere • Post-Surgical Rehab for Extremities Patient-Centered Atmosphereand Spine • Back/Neck Pain • Headaches Post-Surgical Rehab for Extremities and Spine • Geriatric Sports Medicine • Work Injuries Back/Neck Pain, Headaches, Balance/Gait

WE ACCEPT ALL INSURANCES Work Injuries, Sports-Related injuries Ask Your Doctor to refer you close to home or work!

We accept all insurances and we offer flexible payment options.

(205) 664-8404

205-664-8404 Extended Hours: 7:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.

Extended Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

3569 Pelham Parkway (across from Staples) 3569 Pelham Parkway (Across from Staples) On the Web at www.therapysouth.com

www.therapysouth.com

Commercial Beautification award–Shaeffer Eye Center Congratulations to Schaeffer Eye Center's Pelham Parkway location for being recognized as this month's winner of the Pelham Beautification Board's Commercial Award.

The professional but fun look, with beautiful trees lining the parking lot and well-manicured bushes under the windows and leading up to the building’s front

door, exemplifies what the Pelham Beautification Board looks for: a neat, trimmed and manicured landscape.

Pelham is fortunate to have aesthetically pleasing businesses like this one lining Pelham Parkway.

SAVE THE DATE The City of Pelham and The Cahaba Valley Elks #1738 Invite the Public To A

24 Hour

Flag Day Celebration

Service

Sunday, June 12, 2016 2:00 - 4:00 PM Pelham Civic Center Free Admission

Let us Blast away your plumbing, drain, or water heater troubles! One call does it all at T and T Plumbing of Birmingham Alabama! If you are looking for the right plumber there is no need to look any further than T and T in Maylene, Al.

Pelham beats Helena in second SAVE THE12-9 DATE annual rivalry faculty softball game For information call: Sharon Gaydon 205-907-4061 or Liz Bishop 205-365-2268

Serving Birmingham, Alabaster, Hoover, Pelham Alabama.

Residential Plumbing and Emergency Services, Commercial and New Construction Water and Sewer. Bath and Kitchen Remodels as well as gas or electric water heater replacement or addition.

PelhamCityNews.com / Late Spring 2016 / TO ADVERTISE, CALL 746-1188 39

3162 Pelham Parkway Pelham, AL 35124 www.PelhamOnline.com / www.PelhamCityNews.com

PLEASE DO BUSINESS WITH OUR ADVERTISERS!

Presort Std. U.S. Postage Paid Permit 15 Pelham, AL

POSTAL PATRON

For advertising information, call 746-1188 or Visit Us Online at www.PelhamCityNews.com Opinions expressed in the Pelham City News are often those of contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or the city, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein.

THE ROLAND LAW FIRM

• Divorces • Accidents

“We Can Help You With Your Legal Matters. Call Us Today For An Appointment.” www.TheRolandLawFirm.com 267 Village Pkwy, In the Commerce Center at Dearing Downs on Hwy 95

Elizabeth A. Roland, P.C. Attorney at Law

620-1278

No representation is made that the quality of services to be performed is greater than the quality of services performed by other lawyers.

IN LOVING Open 7 days!

MEMORY OF

“TIPPIE TOES” Beloved Pet of Kay Sertell

Gonzalez Law Firm

CONVENIENT HOURS!

We’re a Full Service Veterinary Office offering boarding, vaccinations, exams and every aspect of animal health care. www.NorthShelbyCountyAnimalHospital.com

Brent Chandler, DVM • Brooke Jordan, DVM Shae Hicks, DVM MON , WED & FRI 7-7 • TUE & THU 7-6 • S AT 7-4 • SUN 4-6

2689 Pelham Parkway • 620-3636

• Wills • DUIs

“ I will return your call and keep you informed on the status of your case.”

35 year Pelham resident

Marco Gonzalez

621-4100

www.GonzalezLawllc.com There is no representation made that the quality of legal services to be performed are greater than the legal services of any other lawyer.

Call your local Real Estate Expert!

www.AnitaLatham.com

205-218-7885

We’re online, too—WWW.PELHAMCITYNEWS.COM—Come for a visit!

Harvey and Jimmy, PLEASE NOTE NEW PAGE COUNT (40 pages).

Please print 12,500 copies of the Pelham City News on hi-gloss paper, 40 pages, 70# text.

Print 11,975 WITH POSTAL PATRON and MY POSTAL INDICIA ON THEM. DELIVER THESE TO ME. PRINT 525 WITHOUT POSTAL PATRON AND WITH NO INDICIA ON THEM. DELIVER THESE TO ACCESS MAILING. As always, any over runs are greatly appreciated!!!

Please be sure everything prints in tight register, especially the cover.

(Glossiest paper you can find, please.)

Thank You!!!

Dave cell 205-746-1188

NOTE: PLEASE NO BUNDLE STRAPS— STRINGS ONLY!!!