The Pelham Pathway June 2024

PATHWAY

THE PELHAM

Issue 11 June 2024

Pelham's News Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE

PAGE 02 PAGE 15

Zoning Ordinances Explained Diggin into Development

PAGE 10

Aussie Angler

PAGE 14

Play in Pelham

07

Pelham Champions Change

08

Bee City USA

19

Panther Pride

25

Community Snapshots

31

Activity Guide

A path apart.

WWW.PELHAMALABAMA.GOV • JUNE 2024 • @CITYOFPELHAM

CITY DIRECTORY ELECTED LEADERS DEPARTMENTS Administration

Library

205.620.6400

205.620.6418

Building Department

Parks & Recreation

205.620.6495

205.620.6426

Pelham Water Works

Senior Center

205.620.6420

205.620.6064

Municipal Court

Ballantrae Golf Club

205.620.6407

205.620.4653

Police Department

Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena

205.620.6550

205.620.6448

Maurice Mercer, City Council President

Fire Department

Pelham Racquet Club

mm@pelhamalabama.gov

205.620.6500

205.621.3380

Mayor Gary W. Waters mayor@pelhamalabama.gov

PELHAM CITY SCHOOLS Central Office

David Coram, City Council Place 1 davidcoram@pelhamalabama.gov

205.624.3700

Pelham Ridge Elementary School 205.624.3704

Pelham Oaks Elementary School 205.624.3703

Pelham Park Middle School 205.624.3702

Pelham High School

Chad Leverett, City Council Place 2

205.624.3701

cleverett@pelhamalabama.gov

Rick Wash, City Council Place 3 rickwash@pelhamalabama.gov

Michael Harris, City Council Place 5 mharris@pelhamalabama.gov

Pelham City Hall, 3162 Pelham Parkway

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WHAT MAKES US PRETTY? Zoning ordinances explained: Why they are needed and how you can help the City continue to make our community as vibrant as our spirit.

BY: GRETCHEN DIFANTE

I tried to write a catchy title that would make you want to read this article. While it is an article about beauty, it's about the beauty of a city.

While Pelham has many beautiful places, like the many cities that grew up along the 31 corridor, portions of its main highways can best identify with one of Cinderella's step-sisters rather than the princess herself.

During Pelham's rapid growth, the city focused on revenue to sustain that growth, and there were very few regulations to guide development. What we have now, particularly along Highway 31, demonstrates a lack of that guidance.

Creating a beautiful city requires regulations to which everyone must be held accountable. Those regulations are called ordinances and are found in a few categories, including zoning, building, and subdivision regulations.

While most of us are familiar with building and subdivision regulations, zoning is less understood.

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What is the Purpose of Zoning Regulations?

The primary purpose of zoning regulations is to ensure that land use is consistent with the community's long-term goals and objectives. Zoning regulations are designed to achieve specific objectives, such as a consistent look and 'feel" in a community, protecting the environment, and preserving the character of a community. Zoning regulations can also help to promote economic development by encouraging the construction of new buildings and businesses in specific areas. In 2020, Pelham's Comprehensive Plan, Plan Pelham, was adopted by the City Council and defined the City's overall vision for growth and development. Many citizens participated in the plan's development, and community members provided a lot of feedback about what was important to them.

What are the Different Types of Zoning Regulations?

Several different types of zoning regulations are O R E development.

L L E M AThe G A Z Icommon N E commonly B used in C city most types include residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zoning. Residential zoning regulates the construction and use of homes and apartments.

Commercial zoning regulates land use for businesses, while industrial zoning regulates land use for manufacturing and other industrial activities. Mixed-use zoning is designed to encourage the development of areas that combine residential, commercial, and industrial uses.

What are the Challenges of Zoning Regulations?

We all know beauty doesn't come easy. While zoning regulations provide several benefits, they can also present challenges. One of OF the RIMBERIO primary challenges of zoning CEO regulations is that they can be difficult to enforce, COMPANY especially in areas with a high level of development.

Additionally, zoning regulations can limit the flexibility of property owners to use their land in ways they see fit. This can be particularly challenging in areas with limited land availability, where property owners may have limited options for developing their land. Lastly, zoning regulations increase the cost of development, which must be passed down to someone - usually the business owner or homeowner.

What is the Best Option for Zoning Regulations?

The best option for zoning regulations will depend on a community's specific needs and objectives, and Plan Pelham outlines that for us. However, a flexible and adaptable zoning framework that allows for changes in land use over time is the most effective approach. Since 2019, we've made changes to our ordinances on three occasions. Next month, we will kick off a project to look carefully at the entire zoning code, remove outdated and irrelevant portions, and organize and bring additions that make it easier to read and interpret.

Recent Changes Made Since 2019, Pelham has changed subdivision regulations to include greater setbacks between the street and the residential structure, allowing more room for driveways and on-site parking. Sidewalks are also mandatory and promote walkable neighborhoods. We've also changed the sign ordinance, which is a bear to enforce. However, we've made great strides in cleaning up dozens of signs, particularly along Highway 31. Council recently approved some language regarding CBD and vape shops and limiting the total sales dollars that can come from sales of related items.

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Prior to this change, space was based on a percentage of total square feet, and some business owners got very creative and added shelving to put all paraphernalia along the wall, thus circumventing the code. Since human behaviors adapt and change, we must review and change our ordinances to ensure we deliver what the community wants.

Overlay Districts The City also adopted overlay districts in and around its main thoroughfares. The overlay district requires businesses within the district to make enhancements above what is required in our ordinances. For example, a new business opening on Highway 31 has to have greater setbacks from the road, enhanced lighting and landscaping requirements and is limited on the types of building materials it can use over a given percentage of its facade and any outside structures, including fencing. The overlay district regulations kick in when a new structure is built, an existing business is sold and purchased by a new owner, and a certain amount of renovation is done to an existing structure. Some of Pelham's business owners have adopted overlay district regulations without being required to do so because they want to be a part of the enhanced visual look of the city.

Help From You We need you to help us keep Pelham beautiful. I'd like to personally thank those residents and business owners who have had a conversation with one of our code officials or received a violation letter and worked to correct the problem. It can be embarrassing to receive such a letter. I know as I've had it happen to me. Several years ago, before, I was in city management, but while I was an elected school board member, my husband grilled too close to the house and melted some of our siding. We were having a graduation party in our backyard the following week, and everyone would see the melted siding.

So, my husband, being the creative genius he is, removed some siding from the side of the house and put it in the back. Frankly, a few weeks went by, and we had forgotten all about it until we received a letter from our friendly city building official telling us we were in violation of the city code and that if we didn't fix our siding in 30 days, we would be issued a fine. We were appalled and embarrassed, but we didn't once consider blaming the city or trying to figure out which of our neighbors told on us.

We simply fixed the siding.

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As a city, we realize that everyone makes mistakes, and we want to work with our residents and businesses to resolve issues. If they can't be resolved, we refer those individuals to the judicial branch of our government and stay out of that process.

City officials cannot possibly see everything, and that's where you come in. More of you are utilizing the Pelham 311 app to report violations to us, and we are grateful.

Keeping a city safe and beautiful is a group effort because the more eyes we have on things, the better job we can do together.

I recently heard from an individual who moved from Pelham to another state ten years ago. He drove through Pelham and wanted us to know how much better things looked in our city. He said it was obvious that we were working hard to clean things up, and it showed.

Using the city ordinances to clean up our city is the best way to make it pretty. While things undoubtedly look better today than they did a decade ago, it took years to become the way it is, and it will take persistence and focus over time to become Cinderella quality.

DIGGING INTO DEVELOPMENT BY: AINSLEY ALLISON

New to Campus

Jack's Restaurant at Oak Mountain Trail

Valhalla Board Game Café is coming soon to Campus 124 in Pelham. The fun new spot will offer a wide selection of tabletop games, coffee, food, and drinks in a Norse-inspired atmosphere.

At its regular meeting on April 1, 2024, the Pelham City Council unanimously approved a purchase and sale agreement between the City and Jack's Family Restaurant.

Jack's Family Restaurants executives, including Todd Bartmess, Chief Executive Officer, Steve Lisner, Vice President of Operations, and Jim Avery, Vice President of Development & Construction, attended the March 18th City Council Work Session to address council members' concerns about the requested five-year restrictive covenant prohibiting certain named restaurants from locating in the same development and specific brands the Council wanted to exclude from the covenant. Ultimately, the City of Pelham and Jack's mutually agreed to reduce the restrictive covenant period from five years to four and remove Waffle House from the list of prohibited restaurants in the Oak Mountain Trail development.

As soon as the agreement was approved, the restaurant chain expedited the process to start construction. While Jack's is in its due diligence period, the company has already submitted plans to the City to obtain permits.

Closing on the property is expected in June, with construction beginning this summer.

Nick Hammett and Adam Valentine, owners of Valhalla, have hosted board game events at various restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in the Birmingham area since 2020. With the new brick-and-mortar space, the duo hopes to create a fun atmosphere where people can gather for friendly competition. An extensive library of games will be available to customers for rent while they are in the Café and for purchase if they like the game and want to take it home.

Construction on the new space is happening now. The opening is projected for this summer.

Park 124 The long-anticipated grand opening of Park 124 is set for June 8th. The City of Pelham is planning a grand celebration with food and giveaways from some of the Campus 124 businesses, including Beer Hog, Half Shell Oyster House, LocAL Realty, Vulcan, The Guy's Place, and Valhalla Board Game Cafe. All are invited. Live music is lined up, and bounce houses will keep children entertained. A ribbon cutting is planned for 4:00 p.m. before the party starts, and the event will wind down around 9:00 p.m.

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Library Development Two restaurants are a few steps closer to starting construction on new locations near the Pelham Public Library. As mentioned in the March issue of this publication, HCI Pelham Central, LLC has inked deals with Edgar's Bakery, Waldos Chicken and Beer, and Ellianos Coffee, which will serve as anchor tenants of the development. Representatives from Waldos and Edgar‘s restaurants attended the Pelham City Council Work Session on May 6th. Representatives from Waldos told the council a bit about their establishment and expressed excitement about partnering with the City to help make this mixed-use development a gathering place for the community. Edgar's plans to move and expand its retail operations to the library site while transforming the existing location on Southgate Drive into a dedicated commissary kitchen and manufacturing hub. Owner Terry Smith shared with the Council about Edgar‘s increase in product shipments. Smith recalled a recent shipment to Hawaii and noted that the items made it there just fine and were still frozen!

Other Business News Pelham Arts & Entertainment District The Pelham Entertainment District is up and running, with signage to define the boundaries. Margarita Grill was the first establishment to apply for an Entertainment District permit, with the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena second.

The Entertainment District includes Highway 119/State Park Road restaurants and bars such as Oak Mountain Brewing Company, Margarita Grill, Hooters, Applebee's, and Creekside BBQ. Current Campus No. 124 establishments Beer Hog and Half Shell Oyster House are included. On Amphitheater Road, Taco Mac at The Canopy and the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena are in the district.

The Entertainment District boundaries include three hotels: the Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. This means you can pick up food and a drink at a participating Entertainment District establishment and take it to your hotel room.

The Entertainment District provides an excellent marketing opportunity for participating establishments and provides mobility and connectivity between local businesses.

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Hit Different Barbeque & Grill opened in April at 3569 Pelham Parkway. Its journey from a beloved food truck to a permanent establishment is a testament to its widespread appeal. The owners tell us their food is full of love, and you'll want to nap after dining with them.

El Comal is one step closer to opening in the former Nino's building after the City Council approved its liquor license. Management is hiring staff and refining operations before setting a grand opening date. This is their fourth location in the Birmingham metro area.

Business owners are working to open a new Mexican restaurant in the Pelham Towne Center on Huntley Parkway. Construction was delayed due to the shopping center's sale to a new owner. The owners are now working through the inspection process with the City.

Permits have been issued for Just Gyros, a restaurant planned for the former Burger King location on Highway 119. We have yet to hear when the owner plans to open.

Twelve thousand square feet of ground-floor space at The Canopy is now open for potential tenants.

Southpace Properties, the company marketing the development, hopes to attract restaurants, coffee shops, and retail stores to join Taco Mac, Cahaba Cycles, and Mountain High Outfitters in the complex.

Progress is being made on St. Vincent's freestanding ER, which is planned for the corner of Highway 52 East and McCain Drive. Civil engineering and stormwater management plans are being finalized before construction can begin.

PELHAM CHAMPIONS CHANGE BY: AINSLEY ALLISON With the help of its Commercial Development Authority (CDA), the City of Pelham achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday, April 30th, when Governor Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 168 into law. Sponsored by State Senator April Weaver and State Representative Kenneth Paschal, SB 168 makes pivotal changes that will make it easier for CDAs statewide to spur economic development in their communities. Pelham's CDA, with its proactive approach, led the charge.

The bill amended Section 11-54-171 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which governs CDAs, revising the definition of "Project." Previously, the definition excluded single commercial enterprises, hampering the ability of CDAs to fully utilize their powers for revitalization and economic growth.

Now, with the passage of SB 168, the definition of "Project" has been expanded to include single commercial enterprises engaged in various businesses, trades, professions, and activities such as retail, restaurants, professional offices, and other ventures beneficial for job creation, workforce development, financial investment, and overall community prosperity.

"It unlocks new opportunities to breathe life into vacant and dilapidated properties, fostering vibrant commercial spaces and stimulating economic vitality."

Under the previous definition, CDAs faced limitations in redeveloping single-use buildings and sites. While a CDA could acquire a vacant property like a former restaurant, the law restricted the same CDA from selling it to another single-owned business or for single-tenant use. This constraint stifled the CDA's effectiveness in addressing vacant and underutilized properties, hindering Pelham's economic potential.

"With the amended definition, Pelham's CDA is now poised to pursue a broader range of projects that align with our community's needs and aspirations," said Tim German, Vice-Chairman of Pelham's CDA. "We are not just ready but eager to leverage this newfound flexibility to drive our economic development agenda forward and create a more prosperous future for Pelham."

SB 168 reflects a collaborative effort between local leaders and state legislators to empower economic development initiatives and foster a climate conducive to growth and prosperity. The City of Pelham thanks Governor Ivey, Senator Weaver, and Representative Paschal for championing this crucial legislation.

"This amendment is a game-changer for Pelham and cities across Alabama," said Michael Simon, Pelham's Economic Development Director.

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BEE CITY USA Pelham becomes the second city in Alabama with the designation The Pelham Garden Club had a vision for Pelham. They wanted the city to become more friendly to pollinators, which play a vital role in our food chain and human survival. The late Dr. Teresa Nichols Riddle was the driving force behind that vision, and her death in March came just weeks before the city received the good news that Pelham is now a Bee City USA® affiliate, one of only two cities in the state of Alabama with the designation.

When Dr. Nichols became ill in November 2023, Garden Club member Jim Collins took up the reins of the Bee City USA application process to continue her work. "Teresa had started the application process, which was extensive.

A resolution was passed by the Pelham City Council on November 20, 2023 and, approved by Mayor Waters and supported by City Manager Gretchen DiFante. I just needed to get up to speed on the status with Bee City officials, and I worked with Brian Cooper, Director of Pelham Parks & Recreation, to complete it."

The application was accepted by Bee City USA as the Pelham Garden Club awaited news. "The announcement came in about three weeks. The Garden Club was extremely pleased, and I know Teresa would have been ecstatic. I want to think she knew of the outcome because it was so important to her." The City of Pelham will work with Pelham Garden Club to create pollinator habitats by increasing the abundance of native plants and providing nest sites.

Citizens will also be educated on ways they can help. "As we begin to implement parts of the program, residents can do things like using native plants and wildflowers in their personal landscaping. There will be opportunities to attend meetings in the future to learn more about the program. The Pelham Garden Club will have a booth at Pelham Palooza, and I encourage everyone to stop by and see what's going on," said Collins.

Mayor Gary Waters said, "Our City Council let it be known that we understand the importance of sustaining pollinators and want to make the city more pollinator-friendly. We are grateful to Dr. Teresa Nichols and the Pelham Garden Club for bringing the opportunity to our attention."

Bee City USA, an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, is playing a vital role in preserving the world's pollinators. These pollinators, including bumble bees, sweat bees, mason bees, honey bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, and many others, are responsible for the reproduction of almost 90 percent of the world's flowering plant species and one in every three bites of food we consume.

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Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of almost 90 percent of the world’s flowering plant species and one in every three bites of food we consume.

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AUSSIE ANGLER

Ballantrae Golf Club Food & Beverage superstar really is a star in the professional angler world.

BY: GINA WOMACK

The beverage cart approaches the golfers who've just finished the 14th hole at Ballantrae Golf Club and slows to a stop. "How's it going today?" asks the smiling driver with a soft Australian accent. "Oh, not so good," replies one gentleman in the group. The cart driver responds encouragingly, "Well, that's why we get 18 holes, so we can do better on the next one, right?"

Kim Bain-Moore provides the golfers with beverages to keep them going during a challenging round. She enjoys her work with Ballantrae's Food and Beverage Service and says Aussies are known for being sociable, so it's a good fit. Plus, she loves being outdoors. It just so happens that her love of the outdoors has shaped her entire life.

You see, what many unsuspecting Ballantrae customers don't realize is the Australian-born Kim Bain-Moore is a well-known name in the world of professional fishing and was the first woman to compete in the Bassmaster Classic, which is considered the "Super Bowl" of the sport.

Kim's professional angler career has taken her across the globe, fishing in as many as thirty countries. Her love for the sport was nurtured by her family, who were avid anglers. "My parents were into fishing, and I always went with them," she recalls. "I loved being outdoors, and I came to love the challenge of the sport – trying to figure out what would make the fish bite and then, when you have the fish on the line, trying to get it in the boat. It was fun."

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Kim's journey to international fishing competitions started with local tournaments in Australia. "I fished freshwater and saltwater, and I was a member of local clubs," she shared. "They would have little tournaments, and I built up from there." Her skills and reputation grew, and she started fishing on a bass trail in Australia. "As that got more popular, the season championship prize was a trip to the United States to fish in a big bass tournament. While I never was the season champion, I thought, 'What's stopping me from just going?' So, I put all my stuff in a backpack, grabbed a seven-foot fishing rod tube, and started traveling to the States."

At age 19, Kim landed in Los Angeles with the names of some of her dad's contacts in her pocket, including anglers Norval Pimentel from California and Bob Adkinson in Washington State. "I remember fishing with Norval for largemouth for the first time, and I didn't know what I was doing. I flipped into some reeds, got a bite, and set the hook on it. I was like, 'Ah, Norval, I've got one!' He looked over and saw the fish in the water and said, 'Oh, that's a toad!' His lingo confused me because I thought I'd caught something undesirable. He laughed and said, 'No, it's a TOAD!' I then reeled in an eight-pound largemouth. My first largemouth in this country was eight pounds! I had to laugh because I learned that 'toad' was the lingo for 'a good one.' These guys took me under their wings, and their families cared for me during those early days in America."

Kim Bain-Moore was the first woman to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.

Kim Bain-Moore with a giant Red Snapper.

Kim started fishing in tournaments as a co-angler, where you don't have a boat but are randomly drawn or partnered with a pro who does have a boat. Kim explained, "When you are a co-angler, you are paired with someone for a day and switch partners on the second day. You switch again on the third day. You essentially fish with three different people." When asked about the rivalry while on the boat, Kim said, "You're definitely not a team, but you're not competing against them. You're competing against the other people in your division, which are the other co-anglers. The pros are competing against the other pros. But having said that, sometimes when I was catching fish, and maybe the pro was not, or vice versa, the other person was not necessarily pleased about that.

In the boat, you're friendly and learning from each other."

Through her experience as a co-angler, Kim said she learned a lot about the techniques and the tackle and learned a lot about American bass fishing before turning to the next challenge. "After spending several years as a co-angler on the West Coast, I decided to start traveling down south and on the East Coast, where I experienced some different styles of bass fishing. After a few years of doing that, I decided it was time to step up and start running a boat as a pro angler."

After several years of fishing different tournament trails and competitions, including both co-ed tournaments and women's tours, Kim Bain-Moore earned the 2008 Toyota Tundra Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year and, along with the title, a berth in the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.

"I was the first woman to qualify in," said Kim, meaning the Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship winner automatically qualified for a spot in the tournament. In the 39-year history of the Bassmaster Classic, the 28-year-old was the first female angler to compete at professional bass fishing's highest level. "It was a huge deal for the sport and me. I just wanted to treat it like any other tournament, but I could tell it brought a lot of women to the tournament, and little girls were standing around holding signs of support."

Kim said being the first woman in the male-dominated tournament didn't come without controversy and resentment. "There were a lot of people who thought I shouldn't be there, or I didn't deserve to be there, and they made it challenging." One of her competitors said, "I don't care that she's fishing. My biggest gripe is that she was given an opportunity that none of us were ever given."

Before the tournament, Kim was quoted in a Time magazine article as saying, "I'm a tough cookie. Being the first when you're paving the way is always difficult. But hopefully, if I can keep my chin up and keep soldiering forward, it will be easier for the next lady that comes along and easier for the next lady after that." In the end, Kim didn't finish as well as she'd hoped – 47th out of a field of 51 – but her achievement did pave the way for many female anglers who came after her.

"Little girls were standing around holding signs of support.

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Kim took the fame and notoriety that came with her 2009 Bassmaster Classic appearance in stride, and being in the spotlight did not faze her. It didn't hurt that Kim had a print and electronic media background. As a teen in Australia, Kim was allowed to write articles about fishing for various publications when she was only 14 years old. "Through my writing, I had an interesting opportunity to experiment with different fishing styles and learn more about techniques." But a bigger opportunity was on the horizon.

After Kim came to America and was fishing in tournaments as a co-angler, certain people, including talent scouts from ESPN, began to take notice.

I was like this Aussie out of nowhere. I started doing well in the sport. I must have gotten somebody's attention because I was asked to come to the ESPN headquarters in Connecticut and do a screen test. They hired me to do some on-water reporting. I would be in a boat during a tournament, narrate the action on camera, and conduct interviews. It was a lot of fun and a great experience. I guess the Australian accent and my fishing knowledge made them come calling," said Kim. While Kim admits it's hard to talk about herself, some research into her career revealed she covered three Bassmaster Classics for BASS/ESPN from 2004-2006 and the Great Outdoor Games, which won an Emmy Award.

Kim Bain-Moore caught a 700lb Bluefin Tuna off Prince Edward Island.

"About the time I made the Classic, I landed another job on a Sportsman Channel television show called 'Breaking the Surface,'" said Kim. She co-hosted the show with Diana Rudolph, an expert on fly-fishing. "We would travel to Kim Bain-Moore hosted ‘Breaking the Surface’ on the Sportsman Channel. different locations and showcase the two techniques.

Diana would do fly-fishing, and I fished with conventional tackle. We did two seasons of that show, and it was a blast.” Kim said she also did a television show in Australia. "I've always dabbled in the media through TV and magazines. It's been a lot of fun and has given me some great opportunities."

Kim's travels on the fishing circuit changed her life in more ways than one. She met fellow professional angler Andre Moore for the first time in California and then met him again in Florida. "We started dating, and we've been together since 2002," said Kim. As a couple, they traveled together and fished in tournaments nationwide.

That same year, Andre started his fishing lure business, Reaction Innovations, while fishing in professional tournaments.

He had been making handmade fishing lures since childhood. He used his hobby to make unique lures that could give him a competitive edge against the best anglers. Kim and Andre moved Reaction Innovations from his home state of Arizona to Shelby County, and the business is still going strong today.

The couple bought a home in Olde Weatherly to raise their children. They have nine-year-old twin girls and a son, who just turned eight. "We've been in Pelham since 2006. The school system is great for the kids, and Pelham has a nice combination of all the amenities you need, like restaurants and shops. I like that a large portion of Pelham is still undeveloped and has natural beauty. It's safe, and everybody is friendly."

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She mentioned that Pelham's hidden gems, like Oak Mountain State Park and Ballantrae Golf Club, provide peace and a chance to focus on family time, which is a priority, especially now that Kim and Andre have retired from the professional fishing circuit. When the family is not on the water fishing for fun, they're honing their skills at golf. Kim and Andre plan to enroll two children in Ballantrae's Junior PGA program.

"Andre is competitive, and I am competitive, so it makes sense that our little kiddos have that same drive as well," Kim said with a laugh. "I've dabbled with golf for a couple of years. Now that I work here, I play and practice more. I understand the game, and I'm trying to get better. Part of my competitive mindset is that I like to get better and be good at things. I believe knowing more about golf helps me with my customer service. If I understand the game, I can help people on the course. Not with their game, but just knowing the rules and etiquette, both written and unwritten." Kim compared fishing to golf. "You can have a chill day at the lake and enjoy casual fishing or a day when you get competitive. It's similar to golf. You can go out there and play with your buddies, and it can be casual, or you can take it a bit more seriously and compete over who will come in with the best score at the end of the day."

Kim has many fascinating interests. For example, she's really into metal detection. "That's my nerd hobby," she said, laughing. "When I was growing up, I always wanted to find a way to combine professional fishing and archaeology into one big dream job. While my career took me in a different direction, metal detection and the history involved are ways to have a little bit of that dream. I like finding something and researching the history surrounding it."

Kim said her most exciting find was a Spanish real (or royal coin) that dated back to the 1760s. "You may have heard a reference to a 'piece of eight.' In those days, they would get these big silver coins and cut them into pieces to make smaller currency units. You'll usually find a piece of the eight, but I found the whole eight! I was on a trip with friends in South Carolina and was just a beginner. It was funny because many people had been in that area, and I was learning. With metal detecting, you learn different sounds. You have trashy sounds, good sounds, high tones, and low tones. I was trying to figure it out, then dug it out.

My friends were floored. Another time, I found a Revolutionary War Navy button. It popped off someone's coat. I've found many Civil War items in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Kentucky.

It's amazing when you pull it out of the ground, and it's been buried for over a hundred years. Sometimes, I'll find a bullet that hasn't been fired, and I'll think about the fact that somebody dropped it, perhaps in the heat of battle.

It's stayed there for years, and now it found me. It's like it has a great story to tell."

In conversation with Kim, her humble nature and selfdeprecating humor ("I'm just a goober…") almost make you forget that she is, in fact, a really big deal. As a female trailblazer in her sport, Kim Bain-Moore's name can be placed right up there with someone like Danica Patrick or Annika Sorenstam. "Whenever you're a female in a maledominated sport, you're going to run into the nay-sayers.

You must truly believe in what you're doing and keep trying to dull the noise. I feel like every female who goes in and starts competing and doing well is breaking down the walls just a little bit."

"I think women are just brave, and they're stepping out and doing what they want to do. Unfortunately, I think that still comes with the behind-the-scenes challenges.

Throughout my entire career, I tried to keep things light and positive. I would get up on the stage, and maybe I'd lost five fish that day, or maybe I could have won the tournament, but I didn't convert my fish. I'd face the reporters and say, 'Oh, it was a tough day, but I'm keen to get out there and practice and improve it next time.' When something's new, there's always going to be a little resistance, but there are always people who are supportive at the same time."

Meanwhile, at Ballantrae Golf Club, a teenage girl chats with staff members and mentions she's on her high school fishing team. Robert Shoemaker, Food and Beverage Manager, mentions Kim Bain-Moore's name to the girl and tells her they must talk. Kim reacted to the news, "When Robert told me about the aspiring angler, I thought it was cool. Although I'm not a professional angler anymore, I feel I can still have an impact on women who have a passion for the sport, and I can be encouraging to them."

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Play in Pelham BY: GINA WOMACK In the last few years, the City of Pelham has amplified its brand identity, rooted in the diverse outdoor and indoor recreation offerings available to local citizens. These unmatched opportunities are a significant component of the City's strategic marketing plan, and the leaders of Pelham's recreation-oriented departments recognize the importance of their roles in promoting the unparalleled quality of life Pelham residents enjoy.

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With its stunning city-owned semi-private golf course, a tennis facility that draws players from all corners of the globe, a multi-use civic complex boasting two NHL-sized ice rinks, and a park system that's continually enhancing its offerings, Pelham is a compact city with boundless possibilities.

"You'll be hard-pressed to find a city this size with our kind of offerings," stated Brian Cooper, Director of Pelham Parks & Recreation. Cooper, along with Hal Brown, General Manager of Ballantrae Golf Club, Seth Greenberg, Administrator of Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena, and Chaney Mills, Director of Pelham Racquet Club, form a cohesive group of leaders who oversee Pelham's recreational facilities. They believe in the power of collaboration and are loosely referred to as Pelham's "recreation conglomerate." The four regularly share ideas, support each other's programs and events, and share resources when needed. This collaborative spirit has led to expanding programming, cross-promotion of facilities, and creating more inclusive "Learn To" opportunities.

NEW SPORTS Some newer programs include NHL Street Hockey, Start Smart Golf, and expanded youth flag football offered through Parks & Recreation, plus indoor (box) lacrosse and indoor soccer offered through the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. "From my perspective, it's just a value-add to the city to have so much diversity in the recreational programs. In addition to baseball, football, and basketball - the 'standard' sports - we have all of these other offerings. It caters something to everyone, young or old," said Seth Greenberg.

NHL Street Hockey Start Smart Golf Indoor Lacrosse Indoor Soccer

Hal Brown agreed. He said he grew up in a small south Alabama town that didn't have many sports options. "Not everybody is a baseball player. I played, and I wouldn't say I liked it. I was interested in golf, but there was no opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game in my hometown. Kids are into different things, and if we have different options, what a great bonus!

Brian Cooper recognized that only a small percentage of Pelham's school-age children are involved in the current youth sports options with Parks & Recreation. "We have about 300 kids playing in our programs. There are a little over 3,000 students in Pelham schools.

We're hitting the same 300 kids with baseball, football, and basketball. I need to find a way to program for the other 2,700 kids.

Unfortunately, most youth sports options stop at age 12. What are we doing for the teenagers? What are we doing for the adults? We're trying experimental programs like a neighborhood bowling league and a teenage basketball league to reach different audiences. We don't want people to leave town to find somewhere to play."

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Cooper and Greenberg are excited about the new NHL street hockey program the National Hockey League offers. It will begin June 25 and run through early August at the Pelham Rec Center.

Pelham Parks & Recreation offers a Learn to Play NHL Street program from May 21 through late June. Both programs are for children ages six to 12. "This takes a sport like Seth (Greenberg) offers, one that is ice skating-based, and opens it up to a new group of kids," said Cooper.

Cooper and Greenberg feel that NHL Street can serve two purposes: It can introduce young athletes to a sport where they can develop skills on the parks and recreation courts and decide later to go to the arena and try the sport on ice.

Greenberg said the reverse is also true. "Maybe some of our ice hockey players will come over and play NHL Street in the off-season to keep up their training or mix it up. I think it's a win-win for both Parks & Rec and the Civic Complex. It could open some kids' eyes to the game, and maybe they will want to try ice and vice versa."

Greenberg brought up a point the other three leaders readily agreed with. "Any time you have a pro league sponsoring something, it adds instant credibility to the program. It's not like Brian (Cooper) is starting something from scratch. In the case of NHL Street, the National Hockey League has put their stamp on the program, so I think that's huge." Cooper said the same is true of the NFL Flag Football program. "I think our fall league of flag football will grow because it's got the NFL brand behind it." Similarly, Chaney Mills said the Pelham Racquet Club and the Pelham Tennis Center offer USTA Junior Team Tennis. Brown said PGA Junior League team golf is now registering for the 2024 season at Ballantrae.

Brown and Mills said one challenge they have to overcome is golf and tennis, which can be intimidating to someone who has never played before. That's why they say it's essential to introduce the game to people in a more casual setting.

Brown is working with Parks & Recreation on the new Start Smart Golf program, beginning in early June. Children ages five to seven will be introduced to the game at the Pelham Rec Center for a nominal fee. He hopes some Start Smart participants will want to pursue the sport and eventually take advantage of various golf clinics, camps, and even the PGA Jr. League team golf offered at Ballantrae Golf Club.

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"PGA America was looking for ways to get more kids involved in golf.

They started the PGA Jr. League and based it on the youth baseball league model. Kids sign up for a team, in this case, Ballantrae. They have team jerseys with numbers on the back, and they come up with a team name. They play against different golf facilities around Birmingham. It's good for beginners up to age 12 or 13. The season usually starts when school is out for summer."

Mills said Pelham is fortunate to have two excellent tennis facilities: the Pelham Racquet Club and the Pelham Tennis Center. The Tennis Center is located at Pelham City Park, while the Racquet Club is across I-65 on the east side of Pelham. "The Pelham Tennis Center is a great place for someone unsure if they want to commit to tennis fully, maybe someone who wants to dip their toe into it and see where it leads. Some people feel the Tennis Center is not as intimidating for a beginner. I know of a lady who started beginner lessons at the Tennis Center, and she liked the game so much that she eventually joined the Racquet Club. After she joined the Racquet Club, she said she was glad she had a chance to ease into the game through instruction at the Tennis Center." The Pelham Racquet Club and the Pelham Tennis Center offer lessons for all ages and skill levels.

Because the Pelham Tennis Center is conveniently located in City Park, Mills said some parents bring their children to play youth sports and take notice of the tennis facility. "A mother recently called to ask about tennis lessons for herself and one of her boys. Her oldest son plays baseball at the park, but the younger son does not want to play. We explained the options and lessons available to them.

Now, while the older son goes to baseball practice, the mom takes beginner adult lessons, and her younger son is in the junior beginner program. The family can all go to City Park and participate in sports programs of their choosing."

“The family can all go to City Park and participate in sports programs of their choosing.”

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Brown, Cooper, Greenberg, and Mills agreed that the "Learn To" programs are the bread and butter for the future of their respective facilities. "When we adopted the "Learn to Play" catchphrase, I don't know what it was, but the minute we put that on our sign at the Racquet Club, we did get more calls. We've had more beginner kids and adults in the past few years, and that's much more than we normally do," stated Mills. At the Civic Complex & Ice Arena, the "Learn to Skate" programs are the basis of the figure skating and hockey programs. "It all starts with someone lacing up that first pair of skates," said Greenberg. Cooper hopes to add more "Learn To" programs and perhaps partner with a local outdoor outfitter for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking next summer. He's even exploring a soap box derby program.

Cooper said the possibilities are endless. "Oak Mountain State Park is the largest in the state and is right here in our city. We are looking to do some more programming with them. Perhaps we'll have a chance to expand to other sites around the city and provide opportunities for learning and recreation," he said.

Brian Cooper added, "The Tennis Center is also where you can go and play tennis informally. I could meet a friend there tomorrow afternoon, but you can't just show up at the Racquet Club and play informally. It's the same with City Park's outdoor basketball and sand volleyball courts.

You can show up and play."

This summer at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena, Seth Greenberg is excited about adding some diversity to the programs offered at the facility. Two programs that are being tested are indoor soccer and indoor (box) lacrosse. "Initially, we wanted to do an indoor soccer league this summer, but the timing of other shows and events that utilize our arena will make it tough to run a league. We'll probably offer opportunities for pick-up games by age range for youth and adults. We're going to do the same thing with box lacrosse. We had a league last year. Josh Harris, Director of Hockey, is toying around with the idea of doing tournaments instead of league play.

We're in conversations with a college group about hosting a weekend tournament at the beginning of August. From my perspective, anything and everything we can do to add diversity to the Complex is something I want to do." He added that the facility now has turf that can be placed over the arena surface, so the playing experience for indoor soccer and box lacrosse will be significantly enhanced this year. Last year, the games were played on concrete.

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Cooper wrapped up the conversation by emphasizing that the four leaders of the "recreation conglomerate" are creating synergy among their facilities and hope that people do not see what they're doing as a competition against each other. "At Parks & Rec, I'm not trying to start a league that Seth's already doing at the Civic Complex. I'm not trying to get into the golf business, but Hal and I will work together on some youth programs. We're not trying to chip away at what the Racquet Club is doing, even though City Park has nine courts. We're all considerate of what each other has going on and want to piggyback off each other."

PELHAM POTLUCK & CHILI COOKOFF

Panther Pride

BY: NICOLE KNIGHT

Standout Students One student from each Pelham school was chosen as this year's Character in Action Award winner. The honorees were selected for positively impacting their school and community with actions that exhibit respect, responsibility, citizenship, self-discipline, friendship, fairness, perseverance, and courage.

The students and their families were celebrated at a commemorative event at American Village, which was organized in collaboration with the Shelby County Juvenile Court, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office, the American Legion Matthew Blount Post 555, and the other school systems of Shelby County.

Congratulations to Gerren Whitlock (Pelham Oaks Elementary), Emma Dailey (Pelham Ridge Elementary), Malayia Wilson (Pelham Park Middle School), and Sloan Bridges (Pelham High School)!

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New Principal at Pelham Ridge Mrs. Khadidr Jones was recently named as the next principal of Pelham Ridge Elementary School. She is set to replace Mrs. Lisa Baxter who will be retiring in July. Mrs. Jones has been serving as the assistant principal for the past five years and before that she served the school in roles as instructional coach, administrative lead teacher and fifthgrade teacher.

Career Technical Education Accolades The Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Pelham continue to provide opportunities for students to explore career pathways, earn certifications and credentials, and participate in competitions to earn recognition for their skills and efforts.

The Technology Student Association from PHS had an amazing showing at the association's statewide conference. Pelham students earned top recognition in categories such as coding, webmaster, drones, VEX robotics, podcasts, technology problem solving, prepared presentations, safety posters, and more. Ten students qualified for the national competition that will take place in Orlando this summer!

At the SkillsUSA State Convention, the Pelham High School video news production team earned a secondplace finish. This is the third year the club has competed, and it was the highest finish ever of any Pelham representative.

At the Alabama Junior and Senior High School Beef CookOff, Pelham Park Middle School student Ava Alves Santos won Second Place in the Junior North Division of the statewide competition after earning top honors in the Shelby County Cook-Off earlier this year.

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PHS Hospitality and Culinary Arts students ended the competition season with a second-place finish at ProStart and 2nd Place in the Baking and Pastry competition at Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).

In Health Sciences, Pelham students attended the Future Health Professionals (HOSA) conference and earned several top-10 finishes in competitions related to EMT, forensic science, research posters, and biomedical debate. Ten health sciences students have also passed the Patient Care Technician exam, which provides them with a valuable career-ready certification.

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP

The Council for Alabama Leaders in Schools (CLAS) School of Distinction Award recognizes programs that serve as outstanding educational models for other schools. Only 32 schools statewide were selected for this recognition from 240 nominees. From the 32 programs chosen for Schools of Distinction, eight programs are elevated to the Banner School designation.

Pelham Oaks Elementary received the School of Distinction award for its Panther Pals program, a student-designed and student-led program that encourages fourth—and fifth-grade students to mentor a kindergarten or first-grade student while building literacy skills. The Panther Pals program went on to earn the elite Banner School designation, which was announced at a statewide event in May. Pelham High School received the School of Distinction designation for its Jitterbugs program, which brews a sense of independence and social connection for special needs students.

The program empowers and equips students with valuable life skills as they take coffee orders, prepare the coffee, and then make deliveries to teachers throughout Pelham High School.

Pelham High School was recognized as a School of Distinction for the second year in a row after gaining the Banner School designation for the Green & Gold program last year.

Congratulations to all the students, teachers, and administrators in our schools for their creativity, vision, and implementation of these impactful programs that make Pelham unique!

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CONGRATS CLASS OF 2024

GO MAKE US PROUD

CONGRATULATIONS

CLASS OF 2024 As Mayor of Pelham, I am honored to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you on this momentous occasion. Your journey through high school has been a testament to your resilience, dedication, and unwavering spirit. As you stand on the brink of a new chapter, I am filled with pride, knowing that our city's future is in the hands of such exceptional individuals.

Pelham has always prided itself on being a community set apart, a place where innovation thrives and dreams take flight. As you embark on your own unique path beyond the halls of Pelham High School, remember that the lessons learned there have equipped you to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

I encourage you to embrace the journey before you with courage and conviction. Each step you take is an opportunity to carve out your own path, to define success on your own terms, and to make a lasting impact in the world around you. As you pursue your passions and aspirations, know that Pelham stands behind you, ready to support and cheer you on every step of the way.

As you leave behind the familiar and venture into the unknown, may you thrive in all your endeavors. May you find fulfillment in your pursuits, joy in your accomplishments, and strength in the face of adversity. Remember, you are not just graduates of Pelham High School; you are the architects of your own destiny, poised to leave an indelible mark on the world.

Congratulations, Pelham High School Class of 2024! May your futures be bright, your hearts be full, and your dreams know no bounds.

With warmest regards,

A path apart.

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COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS

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Summer fun That means just one thing: time for fun in the sun. The new playground and splash pad are officially open.

They’re located on the Pelham Greenway Trail by the dog park.

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Sprucing up The Pelham Garden Club planted flowers and shrubs at the Destiny Riekeberg memorial at Pelham City Park in April. A few weeks later, volunteers from Publix spent the day cleaning up around the park.

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Ready, set, reno The bunkers at Ballantrae Golf Club look pristine since the recent renovation, and golfers enjoy a smoother ride on the cart path. At Pelham Racquet Club, the clubhouse renovations are nearly complete. The pro shop is stocked, and staff has moved back into the building. A fullservice racquet bar is located upstairs.

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Taste of Pelham The annual Taste of Pelham was a success once again. The event, organized by the Pelham Library Guild, raised $8,500 for the Pelham Public Library.

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ACTIVITY GUIDE JUNE 3-6 | JUNE 17-20 | JULY 22-25 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

JUNE 10 - JUNE 13 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

PRC Summer Camp

Golf Summer Camp

The Pelham Racquet Club will host three weeks of summer camp that are geared toward beginner and intermediate players agest five to 13. Learn more by scanning the QR code

Children ages five to twelve will learn from our PGA Professionals in a fun environment at Ballantrae Golf Club. The cost is $200 per child. Call 205.620.4653 to register.

JUNE 10-13 | JUNE 24-27 | JULY 8-11 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

MAY 28 - JULY 20

Tennis Summer Camp The Pelham Tennis Center will host three weeks of summer camp that are geared toward beginner and intermediate players ages five to 15. Learn more by scanning the QR code.

Summer Reading Summer reading isn’t just for children.

Teens and adults are encouraged to pick up a book, too. Download the Beantstack App, start reading, and visit the library to earn prizes.

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ACTIVITY GUIDE

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE JULY 22, 2024 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

THURSDAY | JUNE 13, JULY 11, AUGUST 8 10:00 A.M. - 1:45 P.M.

THURSDAY | JUNE 20, JULY 18, AUGUST 15 10:00 A.M.

Pelham Garden Club

ABC & D’s of Medicare

The Pelham Garden Club is open to all adults interested in all areas of gardening.

Does Medicare confuse you? Get answers at this seminar provided by Karen Haiflich. The presentation simplifies complex issues such as the Medicare parts, enrolling, and more.

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OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATRE June 11

21 Savage

July 26

Hootie & the Blowfish

July 28

Third Eye Blind & Yellowcard

August 6

Barbie The Movie: In Concert

August 9

LOSERVILLE 2024

August 14

Creed

August 16

Train

August 27

+LIVE+ & Stone Temple Pilots

P.O. BOX 1419 PELHAM, AL 35124

PRO

RODEO Benefitting Kidz Outdoors

This thrilling event promises heart-pounding action and family-friendly entertainment as top-notch cowboys compete in various rodeo events, including bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, roping, and more.

There will also be Mutton Bustin each night. Spectators can expect a genuinely authentic rodeo experience.

July 19th & July 20th

Prsrt Std US Postage PAID Montgomery, AL Permit No. 432