280 Living March 2012

| March 2012 | www.280living.com Volume 5 | Issue 7 | March 2012 P

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March Features

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Editor’s note

Local events

Chelsea History Museum

Birmingham Fashion Week

High Cotton Candles

People You Should Know

Business Spotlight

280 Business Happenings

Restaurant Showcase

Calendar of Events

Sports

High School Correspondents

School House

Spring break plans

Library Happenings

Rick Watson

Kari Kampakis

Paul Johnson

Music Listings/Classifi eds

A4

A6

A7

A8

A10

A11

A12

A13

A15

A16

B1

B6

B8

B10

B12

B13

B14

B15

B19

See PURDY | page A9

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Pop, bluegrass, country, instrumental, rock and classical—it’s a musical combination you don’t typically hear at once. But you also don’t often hear a sound that appeals to both teenagers and their grandparents alike.

That’s where Act of Congress comes in.

You might have seen them performing at Mt Laurel; with the Alabama Symphony at the Alabama Theatre in December; at Doo Dah Day; or at countless local festivals, churches or weddings.

The band, who rehearses at guitar player Adam Wright’s house off Caldwell Mill Road, will release their second album, Worth Fighting For, later this month.

For this album, Act of Congress explored more of a rock sound. The band even fl ew in drummer Matt Chamberlain, who went on to play for Bruce Springsteen’s new album, to record their new songs.

“I like that there are twists and turns and curveballs (in the new album),” Wright

By RICK WATsON

Only a few minutes’ drive from our congested suburban streets lies Lake Purdy. There 7800 undeveloped acres surround the 1050-acre reservoir— with no houses, mobile homes and no boat docks

Rediscover Lake Purdy

Act of Congress releases new album with rock sound

Local band Act of Congress—Adam Wright, Chris Griffi n, Tim Carroll and Connie Skellie—is releasing their second album, Worth Fighting For, this month. Photo courtesy of Act of Congress. See ACT OF CONGRESS | page A9

on the water. The fi shing is good, and you are bound to see wildlife while you troll around.

“Boating on Lake Purdy is like being on a lake in Montana, or some remote area

out West,” said Ken Delap, owner of Lake Purdy Fish and Boat shop.

Like most marinas, Lake Purdy Fish and Boat has their share of fi sh stories.

Lake Purdy, located off Highway 119, offers fi shing and recreational opportunities. Photo by Chris Mason.

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280 Living| March 2012 | A2

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280 Living | March 2012 | www.280living.com A3

Staff & FriendsContributing Writers

Paul Johnson | Brittney Harrison | Stacey BlakemorePatrick Thomas | Rick Watson | Kari Kampakis

High School CorrespondentsWhitten Green| Collier Kauffman | Taylor Kniphfer

Tabitha Fulton | Becky Brinkerhoff

Contributing Photographers Cari Dean | Barry Clemons | Chris Mason

Contact Information:280 Living

P.O. Box 530341Birmingham, AL 35253

(205)-370-0732

Legals: 280 Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. 280 Living is designed to inform the communities along Highway 280 of area school, faith, family and community events. Information in 280 Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submi� ed become the property of 280 Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the a� ention of the publisher at (205) 370-0732 or by email.

Please submit all articles, information and photos to:

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Welcome Friends

Editor’s Note

Please recycle this paper

PublisherDan Starnes

Creative Director Keith McCoy

Community EditorKathryn Acree

Managing EditorMadoline Markham

Editor at LargeJoe Samuel Starnes

Copy EditorsAnna Cate Little | Erica Midkiff

Sales and DistributionDan Starnes | Angela Morris

Published byStarnes Publishing LLC

Call for spring break photos

| March 2012 | A4

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Remember only Fans who “like” our Facebook page are eligible for the monthly giveaway.

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Meet our internVirginia Duffee is from Birmingham and is a senior at the University of Montevallo. Apart from majoring in graphic design, she enjoys studying art history, drawing, yoga, watching movies, and reading books.

When I sit (and sit) in Highway 280 traffi c at I-459 and calculate the fi ve hours it will take me before I turn off at Highway 119, I wish I lived in another part of town. As I see pictures of friends’ lives or travels in California or Asia, I force myself off Facebook, oh Facebook, when I am consumed by wondering what it would be like if my life looked more like theirs.

It’s when envy sets in that I remind myself how I am daily uncovering the treasure of the right here and right now. I didn’t appreciate the beauty of driving past Double Oak Mountain and biking up and down neighborhood hills until I went to college in Memphis, which is quite fl at. I didn’t know the natural serenity of Lake Purdy even though I’ve driven by it on Highway 119 countless times until I read Rick Watson’s cover story. I was not expecting such a rock sound from Act of Congress (see cover), as much as I enjoy their more acoustic, bluegrass-like music, until I heard one of the songs off their new

CD at their December concert at the Alabama Theatre. It’s the little things I didn’t know were right around me that so surprise and delight.

I forget that neighbors are out there doing things like dreaming up a candle company (A10) or continuing a spouse’s legacy as probate judge (A11), that there are high school students creating

fashion designs far beyond my imagination (A8) or signing scholarships with schools all over the country (B1), that there are new places like Serendipity boutique (A13) or Wan’s Chinese (A15) to discover in the shopping havens I have driven through so many times.

As we get to enjoy the sunny spring days ahead, I hope we can all fi nd adventure and beauty up and down our highways and neighborhood streets. It’s there if you look for it.

Headed to the beach or the mountains for spring break? Wherever you go, we’d love to see your pictures. Email them to [email protected], and we’ll run our favorites in an upcoming issue and all of them online. Happy traveling!

A group of Briarwood High School seniors formed the “Leprechauns” team for a basketball league that plays on Monday nights at Lakeside Baptist Church. Their team mascot, the leprechaun, was inspired by team member Andrew Stokes, whom the team said “looks Irish” with fair skin, red hair and a hint of mischievousness behind his eyes. Back row: Taylor Bussell, Coach Patrick Russo, Chase Schroeder, Trace Hudson, Michael Lathem, Holden Gully.Front row: Harris Nash, William Rutledge, Conner Lee, Matthew Caldwell, Carter Tyra. Not pictured: Kalan Reed. Photo courtesy of Nan Morris.


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| March 2012 | A6Shelby County Museum Trail planned

The Theatre Department of Briarwood Christian High School will host “Light it Up” March 8, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. The student production will dazzle audiences with singing and dancing numbers from selected Broadway musicals and popular movie themes.

Tickets go on sale one week before the opening show date and are available by calling 776-5612. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for students.

Briarwood’s “Light” performance

Chelsea’s Chuck and Carla Watkins presented their panoramic photos of area museums at a recent meeting to promote a Shelby County Museum Trail. Museums that are currently part of the project include Columbiana’s Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington, the Shelby County Museum and Archives, the Shelby Iron Works Museum, the Confederate Cemetery, the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum and the Aldrich Coal Mine Museum. Photo by Kathryn Acree.

The Friends of Mt Laurel Library will host a garage sale to support the Mt Laurel Library Building Fund. The sale is set for March 31 from 7 a.m. to noon on Croft Street in Mt Laurel.

The library continues to work to raise funds for a new library to be built on Olmstead Street between Mt Laurel Grocery and Double Oak Community Church.

Anyone wishing to donate items for the library to sell is invited drop them off daily starting Monday, March 26, through Friday, March 30, from 10 a.m. until noon or 6 until 8 p.m. Donations are tax deductible. Receipts will be available at the drop-off location. For more information, go to [email protected].

In addition to the sale benefitting the library, more than 25 families in Mt Laurel will also participate in a community-wide garage sale on March 31 coinciding with the library’s event.

Mt Laurel garage sale

Inverness Kiwanis Golf Tournament

The Inverness Kiwanis Club is holding its Charity Golf Tournament at Inverness Country Club on Monday, April 2.

Festivities start at 11 a.m. with practice and a box lunch. The shotgun start is at noon, and the Victory Party starts at 4:30 p.m.

The Four Man Scramble costs $125 per person, $500 per team or $560 per team including three mulligans per person.

The registration deadline is March 30. To register, contact Janet Collum at 257-6638 or [email protected].

Friends of the Mt Laurel Library’s Alice Perkins, Martha Davenport, Jay Price and Gwynne Sams at a previous garage sale to raise funds for the a new library. Photo courtesy of Ann Price.

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280 Living


Chelsea Youth Football is hosting a night out with a spaghetti dinner that includes salad, garlic bread and a drink for $8 a person. The event will be held March 9 from 5 to 9 p.m.

All proceeds will go to the Chelsea Youth Football program for uniforms, training and field maintenance; a percentage will also be donated to King’s

Home in Chelsea. To-go boxes are available if you’d like

to enjoy a meal but can’t stay. The dinner will be held at King’s

Home, 221 Kings Home Drive, Chelsea.Advanced tickets are available by

contacting Kim Weldon 223-1638 or [email protected].

By KATHRYN ACREE

Chelsea officially became a city in 1996, and its long-time residents had stories and artifacts to share of the once sleepy community. Likewise, city councilmember Juanita Champion and former city clerk Bob Wanninger felt Chelsea needed a museum to tell its story.

“We first started talking about it about six years ago,” said Champion. “We had designs on the Crane House when the City bought it. That became the library so we’re opening the museum in the former library location in City Hall.”

Champion and Wanninger foresee the museum being open in a limited way starting this month, perhaps on Sunday afternoons. They are continuing to reach out to residents for items to be in the museum. Artifacts already donated include memorabilia from Chelsea’s 1995 campaign to be a city and older items such as farm tools, photographs, a plow and even a wagon without the bed.

One item Wanninger and Champion seek more information on is the former Chelsea train station that was torn down in the mid 1940s.

“We’ve hunted a good train station picture for at least eight years,” Champion

The Renaissance Choir of Bethel University in McKenzie, Tenn., will perform at the Anniversary Celebration of New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 11. The service and performance will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The church invites everyone to join

them for the service and luncheon to follow.The Renaissance Choir is a ministry

that seeks to inspire others to praise God and learn about Bethel University, a Christian school affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

On Saturday, March 17, the Chelsea Kiwanis Club will host a benefit pancake breakfast at Liberty Baptist Church Fellowship Hall (11050 Chelsea Road) from 7 to 11 a.m. They will serve pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and coffee.

All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Shelby Medical as well as fund a scholarship for a Chelsea High School Key

Club member.Organizers recommend you bring

your camera to have your picture taken with leprechauns that will be present.

Tickets are $5 presale or $6 at the door. Presale tickets are available at Johnny Ray’s in Chelsea. For more information on the event, call 515-0809 or email [email protected].

Chelsea Kiwanis to host St. Patrick’s Day Pancake Breakfast

Renaissance Choir to perform for New Hope anniversary

Chelsea Youth Football spaghetti dinner

New Chelsea History Museum shares stories, seeks more items

said. Wanninger and others have explored the wooded area where the station once stood, uncovering railroad spikes and other items. Many residents remember the station and Wanninger hopes to add a re-creation of the station to the museum in the future.

Watch for more news of the Chelsea History Museum online at www.280living.com and on Facebook.

Bob Wanninger and Juanita Champion look through a donated scrapbook in the new Chelsea History Museum located in Chelsea City Hall. Photo by Kathryn Acree.

Make plans to attend the Community Health Fair at Chelsea’s Liberty Baptist Church on Saturday, March 31. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. – noon.

The “Living Healthy from Head to Toe”-themed event will include free screenings, door prizes, educational health promotions, giveaways and more.

Title sponsor of the health fair is Shelby Baptist Medical Center with the event being presented by the South Shelby Chamber and the Health and Wellness Ministry of Liberty Baptist Church.

For more information, contact the South Shelby Chamber at 669-9075 or online at www.southshelbychamber.com.

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SPHS students place in Fashion Week challengeBy MADOLINE MARKHAM

Sarah Valin’s bedroom wall is covered in fashion magazines—a medium that inspired her winning design in the Rising Star Design Challenge during Birmingham Fashion Week. The Spain Park junior takes art in school, but her professional aspirations lie in fashion.

Sarah’s dress made of aluminum, magazines and duct tape placed first in the competition, and she was awarded a $500 scholarship from Mercedes-Benz.

The Rising Star Challenge judged high school and junior high students on garments made of nontraditional items. The top 20 designers, including Sarah’s and fellow SPHS student Allie Phifer’s, showed their designs in the Saturday night fashion finale.

“I knew I wanted to make it look like a sculpture,” Sarah said, “so I went through all the industrial materials at Home Depot. The aluminum siding looked really workable.”

She also wanted to use Vogue pages for her design. “It’s the most iconic magazine,” she said, “and I already had a bunch of copies around my house.”

To complete the look, Sarah ended up using an old screen from her porch as the bodice.

Sarah was the only designer in the competition to both create and model her design. “I knew how I wanted to walk and how to present the dress,” she said. “I wear heels three out of five days a week, so it was pretty easy.”

Sarah was pleasantly surprised to find such opportunity to explore fashion in Birmingham. “It felt like a mini New York Fashion Week,” she said. “It was also cool to meet other kids who are interested in fashion.”

She hopes to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City

and one day start her own clothing line.SPHS senior Allie Phifer also placed

in the top 20 of the Rising Star Design Challenge.

“I wanted my design to have some meaning behind it, so I used things that are obsolete now: phone cords, maps, analog clock gears and phone books,” she said.

She said the tedious duct tape work made her never want to use it ever again.

“I cannot tell you how much hair I lost

in the process, but I left the sticky side up so I could put the phone book pages on it,” she said. “The most fun part was breaking up the clocks though.”

Allie bought eight clocks for $3 at J&J Junk in Chelsea and let her imagination take her from there, using the clock gears as sequins on one side of the corset top.

Allie’s friend and theatre classmate Madison Mulkey modeled the anachronistic dress on the runway during Birmingham

Fashion Week. Madison said it was like a dream and that she had never felt as alive as she was on the runway.

“The whole experience was really legitimate and not something I was expecting for Birmingham,” Allie said. “It was so professional. I had a lot of fun.”

Allie plans to study theatre design at UAB starting in the fall. As for the dress’ future plans, one of Allie’s friends plans to wear it to prom.

Spain Park High School junior Sarah Valin models the dress she designed for Birmingham Fashion Week’s Rising Star Design Challenge. Sarah’s design won first place. Photo courtesy of Chuck St. John Photography.

Spain Park senior Madison Mulkey models Allie Phifer’s design for Birmingham Fashion Week’s Rising Star Design Challenge. Photo courtesy of Chuck St. John Photography.

| March 2012 | www.280living.com A9280 Living

PURDYCONTINUED from page 1

ACT OF CONGRESSCONTINUED from page 1

“Gary Goodwin, who is our fishing guide, caught two bass that weighed between four and five pounds on the same lure—with one cast.” That’s something that happens every now and then, according to Delap.

Fishermen have come to the docks saying they saw bear, mountain lions, monkeys, hogs and even Bigfoot. Delap said it’s hard to verify what the people actually saw, though.

The fishing is great in the spring and autumn, according to guide Gary Goodwin, but people catch fish year around at Lake Purdy. Friday night fishing tournaments at the lake start in the spring and continue until late August.

Crappie is probably the most popular fish at Lake Purdy, but there are good populations of bass, catfish and bream too. People tell Dulap all the time that the best tasting catfish come from Lake Purdy.

Delap’s shop rents boats, rods, reels and tackle including live bait.

“We try to accommodate a variety of people,” said Delap. “Someone can bring their own fishing equipment, including an outboard motor (up to 10 horsepower) and rent a boat for a day of fishing.”

Delap said they also have fully equipped bass boats with outboard motors,

trolling motors, fish finders, anchors, paddles and lifejackets for safety. The shop also has pontoon boats, which are popular with the families.

Oftentimes people are uncomfortable going to an overcrowded lake where there are jet boats, skiers and swimmers. Delap said you won’t find any of those things at Lake Purdy.

The lake is so clean you won’t worry about eating a catch. “This water is tested by the water works, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and a host of other agencies to certify that the water is clean,” said Delap.

On a short boat ride, Scott Lewandowski, who helps out at the marina, pointed out small game, a great blue heron and a young deer that had come to the water’s edge to drink.

Last fall, a pair of mating eagles made their home at Lake Purdy. “This is the first time this has happened since I’ve been here,” said Delap. “We’ve see a few single eagles in the past, but this pair of eagles here had eaglets in their nest. That’s not something you seen every day.”

For the more information and fishing reports for Lake Purdy, visit www.lakepurdyfishing.com.

said. “It was kind of an experimentation to see how we would sound in a rock format. Our producer had told us that a great song is a great song no matter how you perform it.”

Still, their live performances will stay more true to their acoustic roots.

The band gives a sneak peak of this new sound with “You Never Will,” which is available for listening on their website.

When you hear their music, both new and old, you hear Act of Congress, but you also hear all their influences: Coldplay, singer/songwriter music, John Mayer, musicianship.

Their resume boasts performances at Austin’s South By Southwest festival and opening for artists John Mayer, Edwin McCain, Toby Keith and Alan Jackson. They have also been recognized by Paste Online, SXSW, Disney, NACA, APCA and Billboard.

Still, the group said they purposefully have not done “the bar thing.” Wright said that nine o’clock is his bedtime after all.

Based on popularity of cover songs like “Paperback Writer,” the band released “Cover Up” on iTunes in 2009. The EP also includes covers of Radiohead, Coldplay and Postal Service.

Playing in Act of Congress is an everyday job for each band member, but their musical influence extends into the community in other ways too.

Mandolin/guitar player Chris Griffin, who grew up in Brook Highland, and Wright teach music lessons at Christ Church United Methodist. Wright leads music at Cahaba Park Church, and Griffin runs the rhythm section at Metro Church of God. Bass player Tim Carroll does freelance symphony and jazz gigs on the side, but

he has cut back on these performances to focus on Act of Congress.

“I think our uniqueness comes from our diversity of skill sets and influences,” Wright said.

Managing the band is also their own business; they run all of their own booking, marketing and production.

“It’s like a marriage,” Carroll said. “You have to make sure you are on the same page with people to rehearse and make decisions.”

Act of Congress’ camaraderie is obvious when you watch them pray over their lunch together and chat about that day’s practice and the album in the works.

Their producer encouraged them to learn about the music business on their own and try it.

“We are in control for better or for worse,” said Carroll, who the others said is “the organized one.” “We do it because we love our music and we haven’t found someone who loves it like we do.”

The band has traveled frequently in recent years but is now trying to play more around Birmingham.

“We love music, so we are trying to figure out how to do it well and to balance it with the rest of our lives,” Wright said.

Act of Congress’ Worth Fighting For CD release party will be held at Workplay April 27 at 6:30 p.m. On March 10 you can hear them live at Moonlight on the Mountain in Hoover, and next month they will also play at the Barnes and Noble at Patton Creek on April 21.

For more information on Act of Congress, visit actofcongressmusic.com. Their music is also available on iTunes and on CD.

Scott Lewandowski, one of the helpers at Lake Purdy Marina, trolls for bass in the shallows. Photo by Rick Watson.

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By KATHRYN ACREE

Florals, the sweet smells of a home-baked dessert, the clean scents of soap on laundry day— these are the Southern scents celebrated in High Cotton Candles.

“My son loves the Lemon Bisque, which we named from my husband Dugg’s grandmother’s dessert recipe of the same name,” founder and Eagle Point resident Karen Ingram said. “Even after smelling so many candles, he said he could just eat that one up.”

Ingram delved into the world of soy candles after a request by her mom last summer to fi nd just the right candle line to carry in her antique shop near Lake Martin.

“If you would have told me, even six months ago, that I would be making candles for a living, I would have said you are crazy,” Ingram said with a smile.

“I started looking for my mom’s shop, and while there are a lot of candle companies, I just didn’t come across what I was really seeking,” she said. “I wanted something southern and just wasn’t fi nding it.”

Ingram’s research led her to realize that with time and effort she could create what she wanted herself.

“I’m a little bit on the crafty side anyway, so I ordered a small amount of the ingredients necessary for candle making and tried it,” Ingram said.

When she sent the creations to her mom’s store, they sold out, and her mom called saying she needed more.

With the success of Ingram’s fi rst batch, High Cotton Candle Company was born.

“Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been just in awe over cotton and cotton fi elds,” Ingram said. “We’ve had portraits made of our kids out in a cotton fi eld; I just love it.”

The collection now has 25 scents

with names such as Southern Hospitality, Welcome Y’all, Sweet Home Alabama, Cotton Fields and Mint Julep.

It was important to Ingram her candles be all natural soy with no additives or dyes, so all the candles are white with wood wicks. Soy wax is made from the oil of soybeans from American farms and burns clean, producing virtually no soot. Ingram hand pours the candles into glass containers that are also made in America.

“I’m proud to produce a product completely made in the USA,” she said.

High Cotton 12-ounce candles burn for 60 hours. They are sold on etsy.com and now are re-stocked and available at her mom’s shop, Lakeshore Antiques, in Dadeville. Ingram is seeking other retail outlets and thrilled at the reception they’ve received in our area after selling out at the

Mt Laurel Harvest Festival. “I’ve just been so blessed by my

friends and family for their support while creating this new business,” Ingram said. “It’s been fun!”

High Cotton Candle Co. is on Facebook, and candles are available online at www.highcottoncandleco.etsy.com or by contacting Karen Ingram at [email protected].

Eagle Point’s Karen Ingram created High Cotton Candle Company. Photo by Kathryn Acree.

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The last thing a surgical patient needs is more pain. So gynecologic surgeon and Trinity medical staff member, Robert DeSantis, M.D., has become an expert in the use of da Vinci® robotic-assisted women’s surgeries. In fact, Dr. DeSantis is one of the area’s only surgeons performing complex procedures with the da Vinci Surgical System, including hysterectomies, and surgeries for endometriosis, uterine prolapse and uterine fibroids. These procedures may mean less pain, less scarring and less time in the hospital for many patients. And the shorter your recovery, the faster you can get back to your life. Dr. DeSantis is now seeing patients in Birmingham and Chelsea. Call 205-592-5499 for more information.

Trinity Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

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280 Living

People you should know

By KATHRYN ACREE

Inverness resident Judge Jim Fuhrmeister has served as Shelby County’s Probate Judge since March 2008. He was appointed to the position by Governor Bob Riley following the death of Fuhrmeister’s wife, Patricia, who had served as Probate Judge since 1994.

A Birmingham-Southern College graduate, Fuhrmeister has called Shelby County home since first moving to the Alabaster area in the early 1970s. Upon completing his law degree at Birmingham School of Law, he worked as an assistant district attorney in the Shelby County District Attorney’s office from 1981 to 1987.

We met recently with Fuhrmeister at his office in the Columbiana courthouse to discuss his interests, his family and why he is passionate about continuing the work of the probate court by running in this month’s election for his first full term as probate judge.

What first led you into working at the D.A.’s office?

When Patti Smith left the district attorney’s office to become a judge, I applied for that opening. It was a very transitional time for Shelby County as it was experiencing a lot of growth. During those years I prosecuted everything from speeding tickets to death penalty cases. I have a very real understanding of the importance of the cases in this courthouse and the effect on people’s lives.

When did you move to the Inverness area?Patricia and I moved there in 1985;

our oldest son, Chris, was six months old. There was very little on 280 then; you had to go to Hoover for groceries!

After being in private practice in the Meadow Brook area for several years, you stepped in to fulfill Patricia’s term as probate judge. How did you go about continuing the work she’d begun?

Many people shared with me that I needed to continue her legacy. That’s been something that came naturally to me; we were married almost 25 years. It’s a natural thing that I think I’ve put my own personality on. Not long after I was appointed, I was shown the file where the probate office was trying to get a mental health court started. I knew that was something very much needed that the community would respond to. It came together as a project I was part of with Leadership Shelby County.

Explain the purpose of mental health court.

Jim FuhrmeisterShelby County Probate Judge

Mental health court is for Shelby County residents who have been charged with lesser crimes. Typically we’ll see domestic violence, minor assaults, minor theft crimes or drug crimes. They’re in the criminal justice system but have a diagnosed mental illness. It’s a voluntary program on their part; they can go through the criminal justice system if they choose. But, if they choose to apply to mental health court, they fill out an application and we have a case manager and we have a team.

The team is made up of me, a representative of the public defender’s office, a representative of the district attorney’s office and a case manager with a background in the mental health field. The district attorney has absolute veto power. But if a defendant is accepted into the program, then they begin the steps of the process.

The defendants come to court every Tuesday. They are subject to random drug screens and are in the program at least a year. My goal is help provide structure in the defendants’ lives and emphasize to them that there are rules in life you have to follow, no matter who you are. When they get to the end, if they realize they can do these things, if they stay on their medicines, I can say we’ve seen some remarkable things.

The probate court takes on many tough issues—estates, conservatorships and guardianships, for example. What types of cases are you most passionate about?

Adoptions. I was adopted out of a children’s home, and I tell folks when we’re doing adoptions that I’m an adopted person. I can still hear my parents sharing with me the joy they felt when I was adopted. I see the process through the eyes of the parents and the kid’s eyes. It’s very rewarding.

Share a little about your family life now with your sons.

Both of my sons went to Oak Mountain High School. Chris is 26 and has gone back to school. He blogs, writes about Auburn sports and lives in the Highland Park area. Will is now 20 and in Auburn’s Industrial Design program. I’m really proud of both of them. Something we enjoy together is cooking a great meal. Now I’m not a great cook, but I can put a good meal on the table. My boys can do the same, and we like to get creative. It’s something we have good memories of with Patricia and plan to carry on.

Probate Judge Jim Fuhrmeister. Photo by Kathryn Acree.

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|Business Spotlight Chic Boutique BY BROOKE BOUCEK

270 Doug Baker Boulevard, Suite 200980-2272Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

When Eve Smith saw the bright, bold patterns of Desigual clothing in Barcelona, she knew she had to share them with her friends back home. She did just that, and now you can fi nd the funky line along with many others in her store, Chic Boutique in the Village at Lee Branch.

“I wanted customers to be able to come in our store and go home with an entire new outfi t without having to make a trip to The Summit,” Smith said.

Chic Boutique’s clothes, jewelry galore, shoes with a purpose and other items appeal to teens through women in their 40s and 50s—all in a reasonable price range. For many, it’s a convenient stop after getting a manicure at Foxy Nails next door.

“We want everyone to feel welcome to stop by and check out what our store is all about,” Smith said. “We love seeing old customers just as much as we enjoy seeing new faces.”

Beyond their clothing lines, Chic Boutique offers endless options to accessorize.

“A lot of times I just wear black and really cool pieces of jewelry to make it stand out,” Smith said.

Monogrammed jewelry by Moon and Lola has been an especially hot item for teens and girls in college. Earrings and necklaces come in gold, silver or various colored acrylics.

“The best thing about fashion is accessories,” Smith and co-worker Pam Phillips agreed. “It can really turn a boring outfi t into something really fabulous.”

The clothing store doubles as an Agatha Ainsley shoe boutique, with 30 to 40 pairs in stock. Agatha Ainsley co-owner Pam Phillips had volunteered in a Crisis Pregnancy Center and has designated a portion of proceeds from each shoe for women who have suffered sexual violence and abuse.

Smith also had a background in

helping others as a social worker, but even then fashion was an important part of her life. She bought Chic Boutique 12 years ago when it was located in Leeds and moved the store to Lee Branch as the new Publix was being built. Soon Phillips became a customer, and then an advisor, and now her co-owner and best friend.

Both Smith and Phillips will be glad to help anyone fi nd the perfect outfi t, including selections from their spring inventory of new espadrilles, wedges and colorful spring dresses.

“It’s fun to offer an encouraging critique to customers,” Phillips said. “We help bring the beauty from the inside to the outside.”

Owner Eve Smith and Pam Phillips work at Chic Boutique. Photos by Brooke Boucek.

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280 Living

March Events for the 280 Area

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For information about Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce events, go online to:

www.shelbychamber.org or call 663-4542.

280 Business Happenings

3/6- 8:30 am – 9:30 am ~ Focus Montevallo. University of Montevallo. The Wilkinson Student Life Center, 75 College Dr. No RSVP required. No cost. 3/8- 11 am - 1 pm ~ Grow & Go “How to Motivate Employees.” Presented by Cook-Blackburn Human Resources. Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham. RSVP required by noon, Tuesday, March 6th. Investment: Members and non-members $10. Lunch and materials included. 3/14- 8:30 am - 9:30 am ~ Network 280. Regions Bank Greystone, 5420 Highway 280. No RSVP required. No cost.

3/15- 8:30 am - 10 am ~ “Get Your Business Connected.” Presented by MyMarketStreet. Chamber, 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham. RSVP required by noon, Tuesday, March 13th. Investment: No cost. 3/28- 11 am - 1 pm ~ Monthly Membership Luncheon. Randy Fuller, Shelby County Schools Superintendent. Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Dr., Pelham. RSVP required by noon, Monday, March 26. Investment: Members $17, non-members $25.

Serendipity now open in Brook Highland

New Ditsy Daisy boutique in Chelsea

DIY wedding invitations at Mitchell’s

Village Dermatology at the Narrows

Serendipity craft and gift shop is now open in Brook Highland Shopping Center next to Books-A-Million.

Serendipity is located at 5287

Hwy 280 South, Suite 229, and can be reached at 451-8888. Their hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ditsy Daisy Boutique is now open in Chelsea next to the BP station on Highway 280.

The store offers apparel for juniors and women as well as accessories and gifts.

“We have really good prices, not boutqiue prices,” said owner Michelle Butts.

Ditsy Daisy is located at 16618 U.S. Highway 280, Suite 100, and can be reached at 678-6166. They are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Village Dermatology has opened a satellite location in the Narrows Town Center.

The offi ce specializes in general cosmetic and surgical dermatology for adults, geriatric and pediatric patients.

Their services include skin exams and mole evaluations and treatment for skin cancer, acne, rosacea, warts, eczima, psoriasis and other medical skin issues. They also do Botox and dermal fi llers.

The Narrows location is a satellite of Village Dermatology’s Mountain Brook Village offi ce. Dermatologists Dr. Jenny Sobera and Dr. Kristy P. Curl are available at both locations.

Village Dermatology Narrows is located at 13521 U.S. Highway 280. To make an appointment, call 877-9773. For more information, visit www.villagedermatology.net.

Mitchell’s Paper Etc. now offers a Do-It-Yourself Wedding Invitation Kit. The cards, which can be printed on your home printer, cost 40 to 70 percent less than

traditional invitations Mitchells Paper Etc is located at 300 Doug Baker Boulevard, Suite 100. For more information, contact Craig at 408-0216.

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Your Health TodayBy Dr. Irma Palmer

Your HealthYour Health Manage Your Health, Not Your Diseases

For 18 years, my practice has been committed to transforming the lives of people right here along the Highway 280 corridor in Birmingham, Alabama, and that commitment will never change so long as I live. The fi rst step in transforming YOUR life is changing the way you view and manage your health. Let me explain.

The health care model most Americans follow is sick care rather than wellness care. Who ever heard of going to the doctor when you’re well? Yet, that’s precisely what I’m suggesting you do! I believe with every inch of my being that if you invest in restoring your body to the natural state you were designed to live in, your need for doctor visits for sickness and chronic medical problems will diminish or disappear altogether. Who wouldn’t want that?

You were born to live a full and healthy life, complete with vitality, strength, peace, and more. As a nation, we have forgotten this truth, and instead live in a world where we wait until we are sick and then look to treat what ails us. Instead, we should be looking to avoid getting sick in the fi rst place! So how can we do that?

Step one is to stay subluxation free. Subluxations are simply internal structural

distortions which cause serious health problems. These subluxations stress the nervous system and interfere with how it communicates with the rest of your body…your organs, glands, muscles and other body parts. Most people have subluxations and don’t even know it! For that reason alone, everyone should have periodic chiropractic checkups.

Step two is to eat nutrient dense foods. I could literally write a book on this topic, but to keep it simple, I would say eat real food and avoid fake foods. Stick to the perimeter of the grocery store when shopping to avoid processed foods which have little or even negative nutritional value. Consume as much as you can in its raw form (fruits, vegetables, etc.) to maximize the health benefi t of these foods.

Step three is to cleanse yourself of toxins. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs are common toxins often prescribed to help with symptoms of disease. Instead, as a chiropractor, I focus on fi nding the root cause of your disease. Toxins are also found in the air we breathe and many of the products we use (household cleaning products of course, but also in the makeup you wear and perhaps even the water you

drink). Educate yourself and choose wisely to reduce and eliminate the toxins in your life.

Step four is to stay hydrated. Did you know that dehydration has been linked to depression, high blood pressure, disc problems, vision problems, muscle weakness, fatigue, exhaustion, and many other physical and mental conditions? Drink plenty of water. A good way to know how much you need is to take your body weight and divide that number by 2, then drink that many ounces of water each day.

Step fi ve is to stay physically active. Remember when you were a kid and could seemingly go nonstop? I know parents who refer to their kids as the “Energizer Bunny” because they keep going, and going, and going. You can too! And you don’t have to become a marathon runner or make hour-long daily trips to the gym to increase your energy level. Try burst training at home. You can do it without special equipment and in as little as 10 minutes a day 3 to 4 times a week and you’ll see results.

Step six is to get enough rest. Interestingly, this goes hand in hand with step fi ve. Studies show that making aerobic exercise a priority will improve

your sleeping. Lack of sleep affects us in so many ways, so make sure you schedule enough time for suffi cient sleep, and if you do have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep, try some burst training!

Step seven is to exercise your heart (fi guratively, not literally). Just like your body needs exercise, so do your mind, heart, and spirit. Do you make time to pray and open yourself to life’s possibilities? Find your purpose and pursue it!

The fi nal step is to enjoy nourishing relationships. Your immune system will thank you for having an attitude of gratitude and staying connected to the important people in your life. The science of psychoneuroimmunology confi rms what I’ve always known…people in healthy relationships are better off.

Wellness oriented chiropractic care is the foundation of living out these eight steps so you can live at your fullest potential…wide open! With an on-staff Wellness Coordinator, we are equipped to help with eating plan, teach you about burst training and more! Please call my offi ce and schedule a consultation so we can determine the best way to manage your health, and stop managing your diseases.

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280 Living

330 Inverness Corners995-5859 Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 4:30-9:30 p.m.Sat., 4:30-10:30 p.m.Sun., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Combining the sweet savor of Shanghi with the spicy flavors of Canton, Wan’s menu is completely influenced by the regions of China where owners Yunan and Xianneng Wan were raised.

Some of their most popular dishes include Mongolian Beef, General Tao Chicken, and Salt and Pepper Shrimp. Chef Wan’s specialties include Three Delight,

|Restaurant Showcase Wan’s Chinese By BRITTNEY HARRIsON

Ginger Steamed Fish, Dragon and Phoenix, and Happy Family.

Lunch entrees are served with your choice of sweet and sour or egg drop soup along with a traditional egg roll. For dinner, entrees are served with either brown or white steamed rice.

All the food is fresh and cooked to order.

For ten years the Wan family has brought a true taste of China to Birmingham area in their restaurants.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” said manager Jin Wan, who is Yunan’s daughter.

The restaurant relocated to Inverness Corners after their previous location in Cahaba Heights suffered from some storm damage.

Mr. Wan, the chef of the family, first

came to the United States to work as a polymer chemist at UAB years. Jin joked about her father’s meticulous personality and how evident it is in the way he prepares his food.

“They [Mr. and Mrs. Wan] care about what they’re serving,” Jin said. “Hospitality is huge in China.”

Upon entering a home in China, you are often asked if you’ve eaten before being asked how you are.

It is a part of Chinese culture and tradition to celebrate any and all occasions with food, and lots of it. Jin explained how symbolic food is in China and that some foods are only served on certain occasions and holidays. For example, long noodles are served when celebrating someone’s birthday because they symbolize a long

life. In addition to authentic flavors and a

cultural experience, Wan’s offers free WiFi and a spacious banquet room for business meetings, church groups, birthday parties and more. The banquet room can hold up to 50 people.

Jin and her husband, Doug, have helped Jin’s parents with the restaurant as much as they could while still raising their two children, Daniel and Sophie.

Now that the kids are older, Jin is running the restaurant full time.

“I want to fulfill that dream for (my father), “ she said.

In the near future, Wan’s will be offering a delivery option as well as a special buffet-style lunch on Sunday afternoons.

Three Delight is one of many popular entrees served at Wan’s.

Wan’s manager Jin opened Wan’s Chinese Restaurant with her mother, restaurant owner Xianneng Wan. The family opened their Inverness Corners location in early February. Photos by Brittney Harrison.

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| March 2012 | A16 March Calendar of Eventsemail your events to [email protected] Events

3/11 – The Renaissance Choir of Bethel University. New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 10:30 a.m. The anniversary celebration of New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with a luncheon following the performance by the choir from McKenzie, TN. More information: 991-5252.

3/13, 3/16 – Tour de Cure Spin-a-thon. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Hoover, AL 35242. 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Bike for the cause in half-hour sessions on the Trixter bikes, which simulate riding outdoors with a visual image. Benefi ts The American Diabetes Association. Admission: Suggested donation of $5 per half hour. More information: 408-6550.

3/15 - The Brazilian Table. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Hoover, AL 35242. 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Make authentic Brazilian dishes like Shrimp Juquitaya, Pork Villa Rica-style, Arepas and Black Bean Tutu. Bring a bottle of wine and join the party with Chef Gray. Nursery provided with advance registration. Admission: $25. More information: Register at 408-6550.

3/17 – Chelsea Kiwanis’ First Annual St. Patrick’s Day Pancake Breakfast. Liberty Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 11050 Chelsea Road. 7 a.m.-11 a.m. There will be pancakes, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee. Bring your camera and have your picture taken with a leprechaun. Admission: Presale, $5; Door, $6. More information: 555-0809 or email Chelsea [email protected].

3/22 –ALFRA: The Alabama Family Rights Association. Hoover Public Library. 6 p.m. Reestablish the concept of family to ensure that children can maintain a healthy relationship with each

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Monograms, Frames, Garment Bags and much more!

parent regardless of marital status and promote equal rights for fathers, mothers and their children. More information: 626-9458 or www.alfra.org.

3/29 –Cupcakes, Cocktails and Charms. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. 7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Hoover, AL. 6:30 p.m.-8p.m. Make your own jewelry from scratch, or pick out a charm to add to an already formed jewelry base. Laura East, jewelry designer for designer for Spa One Nineteen will give you simple designs to make beautiful jewelry. Cupcakes and mock-tails will be served. Admission: Free; jewelry prices vary. More information: Register at 408-6550.

3/30-4/1 – Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Barber Motorsports Park. Indy legends Dario Franchitti, Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, defending champion Will Power and more take on the twists and turns of this great local venue. Admission: $69, 3-day ticket; Children 12 and under free with adult ticket. More information: www.barbermotorsports.com.

3/31 – Community Health Fair. Liberty Baptist Church, Chelsea, AL. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The “Living Healthy from Head to Toe” themed event will include free screenings, door prizes, educational health promotions, giveaways and more. More information: 669-9075 or www.southshelbychamber.com.

3/31 – Great Egg Drop. Vandiver Church of God, Hwy 43, Vandiver, AL. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 10,000 easter eggs fi lled with candy and prizes, all dropped from a helicopter. There will be infl atables, drinks, snacks, door prizes and more. Egg drop is for children 12 and under. Admission: Free. More information: 672-7693 or 672-8229.

3/31 – Mt. Laurel Library Garage Sale. Croft Street, Mt. Laurel. 7 a.m.-12 p.m. The Friends of Mt Laurel Library will host a garage sale to support the Mt Laurel Library Building Fund. The library continues to work to raise funds for a new library to be built on Olmstead Street between Mt Laurel Grocery and Double Oak Community Church. More information: [email protected].

Food3/6- The Art of Indian Curry Making. 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Kurry Guru’s Mukta Joshi will teach the fi rst class in a serious of Indian cooking classes. The class will start with a basic overview of Indian foods, an introduction to India’s spices and herbs, the health benefi ts of Indian cuisine, and India’s vast and complex regional culinary diversity. Curry making techniques are explored through discussion, demonstration and the tasting of some well- known curries. Admission: $40. More information: http://bakeandcookco.com/.

3/8 – NOLA Dessert Classics. Birmingham Bake & Cook Company. 6:30 p.m.-9p.m. Cook undeniable New Orleans classics and some good old-fashioned home town favorites with Susan Green and Melanie Thorn. Admission: $40. More information: http://bakeandcookco.com/.

3/15 – Revisit Waitress with Dinner and a Movie. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Susan Green and Melanie Thorn will help you prepare and demonstrate some of Jenna’s sweet and savory pies from Waitress while watching the movie, and then there will be a

Waitress pie feast. Admission: $40. More information: http://bakeandcookco.com/.

3/21 – Say “Cheese … Cake!” Birmingham Bake & Cook Company. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Learn how to perfect your cheesecake from George Geary, award winning author of the Cheesecake Bible, former prop manager for many TV shows, and Pastry Chef for the Walt Disney Company. His Cheesecake Bible will be available for purchase. Admission: $40. More information: http://bakeandcookco.com/.

3/22 – Let’s Get Sauced! Birmingham Bake & Cook Company. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. George Geary, author of 9 cookbooks, will be teaching easy ways to add sauces to your meals. Admission: $40. More information: http://bakeandcookco.com/.

3/27 – Knife Skills I. Birmingham Bake & Cook Company. 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Susan Green sharpens your knowledge of knives and their various uses. Also learn what knives should be used for what purpose, safe knife care, and more. Includes discussion, demonstration, and limited hands-on-training. Bring 2 knives. Limited to 10. Admission: $35. More information: h t t p : / / b a k e a n d c o o k c o . c o m / .

Special Events3/2 – Dr. Seuss’s Birthday. McWane Science Center. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Discover science with exciting programs on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Admission: included in cost; free, members. More information: www.mcwane.org/events.

3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 – Hikes for Tykes. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. 10 a.m.-

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12 p.m. Children engage with nature through hands-on biology, storytelling, and movement. More information: 401-0245 or email [email protected].

3/3 – Arbor Day 2012 Tree Giveaway. Piggly Wiggly at Crestline and River Run, Western, and Whole Foods. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The Mountain Brook Tree Commission will be distributing approximately 1500 tree seedlings. Selections include southern red oak, sassafras, vitex, white dogwood and sweetbay magnolias. Boy Scout Troop 320 will prepare and bag the seedlings before the event.

3/3 – Chili Cook-off Presented by Regions Bank. 10:30 a.m.-3p.m. Northwestern Mutual of Alabama presents its annual Chili Cook-Off featuring Sweetwater Road. Admission: $10, in advance; $15, at gate; Free, children 12 and under. 1616 Oxmoor Road. www.exceptionalfoundation.org.

3/3 – Cajun Cabaret. Rooftop penthouse of Wiggins, Childs, Quinn & Pantazis Law Office. 4 p.m. Support Red Mountain Theatre Company’s Young Executive Council in this low-country cookout fundraising event. Proceeds benefit the James Hatcher Fund, which provides scholarships to Red Mountain Theatre Company’s educational programs. Admission: $15 with raffle ticket; $5 for additional raffle tickets. More information: 324-2424.

3/3 – Casino Night Gala. This event will raise money for the nonprofit programs of Assistance League of Birmingham. More information: 870-5555.

3/3 – Conquer Cancer Run. St. Vincent’s One Nineteen Health and Wellness. This is the 8th Annual Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run in Hoover. The event is open to all ages and will have food and fun after the run. More information: 930-8893 or [email protected].

3/3 – Lake Trail Walk. Oak Mountain State Park. 10 a.m. Come out and take a walk around the Lake Trail. Meet at the Marina Parking Lot on Terrace Drive. Bring water and wear good hiking/walking shoes. Admission: Free with park admission. More information: 620-2520.

3/5 - BAO BINGO. Birmingham AIDS Outreach, 205 32nd Street South. 7-9 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Must be 19 to enter. Six games and door prizes with $100 or more cash prize for each game. Admission: $15 to play five games; $1 to play final bonus; $1 for ink dauber. More information: 332-4197.

3/6-3/7 - Babes in the Zoo: Swimming Animal. Birmingham Zoo. 9 a.m. Children six months to two years old are introduced to animals in a safe environment. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Classes are 30 minute long. Admission: $6, Members; $12, Non-members. More information: 879-0409.

3/10 – The Early Bird African Violet Club presents “Hybridization.” Birmingham Botanical Gardens, main level Conference Room. 10 a.m. Open to anyone interested in African violets and how to grow them. Includes leaf/plant giveaways and trades, delicious snacks and fellowship. More information: (256) 378-7398 or www.ebafricanvioletclub.com.

3/10 – Birmingham Roller Derby. Zamora Shrine Temple. 3521 Ratliff Road, Irondale, AL 35210. 4 p.m. Birmingham’s Tragic City Rollers will take on the Rolling Arsenal of Derby (RAD) of Huntsville, AL in a double-header feature. Admission: $10 in advance, $15

at the door; children 8 and under are free. More information: [email protected] or www.tragiccityrollers.com.

3/13 – Mom & Me Tea. Tea Party Castle. 6 p.m. A fun mother and daughter date night idea. More information: 529-0081 or http://www.teapartycastle.com/alabama/

3/14 – Pi Day. McWane Science Center. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn about the number and celebrate the most famous number in science. Admission: included in cost; free, members. More information: www.mcwane.org/events.

3/16– Baptist Health Presents an Evening with Tim Tebow. Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center, Montgomery, AL. 6 p.m. Benefiting the Cancer Wellness Center of Central Alabama. Heisman Trophy winner and Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow will join WSFA Sports Anchor Jeff Shearer in a Q&A session. There will also be silent and live auctions during the evening. Admission: $100, $400 with VIP reception ticket. More information: (334) 328-3359 or www.cancerwellnessfoundation.org.

3/19-3/23 - Spring Break Camp. McWane Science Center. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. every day. First rate hands-on educational programming, ½ day or day options, mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks, lunch, before care for morning sessions, after care for afternoon sessions. Admission: morning & afternoon sessions, members $60, non-members $80; half-day (morning or afternoon sessions), members $30, non-members $40.

3/20 – Tuesday’s Tweets. Oak Mountain State Park. 10 a.m. Get out, look, and listen for signs of birds. Meet at the Treetop Nature Trail on Terrace drive. Bring binoculars if you have them. Asmission: Free with park admission. More information: 620-2520.

3/21 – In the Woods Wednesday. Oak Mountain State Park. 10 a.m. Explore and touch to expand your knowledge of the world around us. Meet at the Campground Pavilion (B-side). Admission: Free with park admission. More information: 620-2520.

3/22 – Tiny Treasures. Oak Mountain State Park. 10 a.m. Dig in the dirt and turn over rocks to see the tiny creatures of the world. Meet at the Campground Pavilion (B-side). Admission: Free with park admission. More information: 620-2520.

3/23 – Ribbitt Ribbitt. Oak Mountain State Park. 2 p.m. Learn about frogs and toads. Meet at the Campground Pavilion (B-side). Admission: Free with park admission. More information: 620-2520.

3/25 - Bon Voyage Party. The Furnace. 3 p.m. The fourth annual event is the grand finale party of “Passport to Dine” benefiting Birmingham AIDS Outreach. The fundraiser runs from Feb 1 until the last Sunday in March. The event will end in two grand prize vacation drawings including a Grand Canyon, St. Kitts and Dublin, Ireland vacation. Ticket prices: $25 minimum donation. More information: www.birminghamaidsoutreach.org or 322-4197.

3/29 - Beer on the Backporch FUNdraiser. Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. 6-10 p.m. Relax as you support Ruffner with local brews, food and music. All festivities at the event will take place on the picnic pavilion. Admission: $20 per person. More information: 833-8264.

7 for Mankind • Anne Klein • Anthropologie • Antik Denim • BCBG • Betsey

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CAlENDARCONTINUED from page 17

YOURSKIN

AWAITS

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1

Dr. Hartman is the founder and medical director of the Skin Wellness Center of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama. He is Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Alabama School of Medicine.

Dr. Hartman has a special interest in General Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery, Cosmetic Dermatology and Ethnic Hair and Skin Disorders. He frequently speaks on hair disorders and cosmetic procedures in darker racial skin tones at meetings around the country.

Laser Hair RemovalLaser Resurfacing

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3/29 – Melinda Rainey Thompson – I’ve Had It Up to Here with Teenagers. Alabama Booksmith. 2626 19th Place South, Birmingham. 4 p.m. Book purchasing and signing event. More information: 870-4242.

3/31 - Rumpshaker 5k. Sloss Furnaces. 5k, 8 a.m.; 1 Mile Fun Run, 9 a.m. This event was organized by friends and family of Lisa Martz in her honor to support colon cancer research. Funds raised will go to educate and raise awareness of colon cancer throughout the community. Registration opens at 6 a.m. More information: 933-8911.

3/31 – Salamander Walk and (Log) Roll. Ruffner Mountian Nature Center. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Join herpetologist Nick Bieser for a morning quest to learn about and fi nd some salamanders on the trails. Includes a presentation on salamanders and a showing of live specimens. An easy hike. Admission: $7; members, $5. Reservations required. Reserve your spot at shop.ruffermountain.org. More information: 833-8264.

3/31 – Free Tennis Festival. Birmingham Southern Tennis Complex. 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Open to children of all ages 10 and under. Admission: Free. First 25 kids to register for Play Days, The Excellence Team, or after school programs at event will receive a free tennis racquet. More information: [email protected].

Music & Arts3/2-3/3 –Improv Idol. Virginia Samford Theatre’s Martha Moore Sykes Studio. 8 p.m. Based off the hit show “American Idol” but showcases the talents of Birmingham residents. Includes karaoke and improve comedy. Admission:

$17.50 adults; $12.50 students. More information: 251-1228.

3/3 – Birmingham Music Club Presents: David Lomeli. Samford University’s Wright Center Concert Hall. 8 p.m. Tenor David Lomeli is considered one of the top rising tenors in the world. Admission: $25, $20, $10. More information: 726-4591 or http://www.bhammusicclub.org/id22.html.

3/9 - TAO: The Art of the Drum. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center. 8 p.m. The event will be a fusion of athletic prowess, innovative choreography and explosive Taiko drumming. Admission: $28-$50; $20, students. More information: 975-ARTS.

3/9-3/11 - The Pablo Cruise Incident. Virginia Samford Theatre. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. The local musical asks a nice guy what he is going to do when his life hits an intersection. Admission: $20, Adults; $15, Students and Seniors. More information: 251-1206.

3/9-3/11 - Birmingham Ballet Presents: Sleeping Beauty. BJCC. 3/9 at 10 a.m. 3/10 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. 3/11 at 2 p.m. Admission: $25-$38, Adults, $17.50-$27.50. More information: www.bjcc.org.

3/10, 3/17 - BCT Presents: The Little Engine That Could. BJCC. More information: www.bjcc.org.

3/10 - Freestyle Motocross. BJCC. 7:30 p.m. Admission: $16-20. More information: www.bjcc.org.

3/16, 3/18 - Opera Birmingham Presents: Carmen. Samford University’s Wright Center Concert Hall. Mar.16, 7:30 p.m.; Mar.18, 2:30 p.m. Admission: $35-

$90. More information: 322-6737 or http://www.operabirmingham.org/performances.html.

3/17 - Disney Presents: Phineas and Ferb. BJCC. 3 and 6 p.m. Admission: $16-$53. More information: www.bjcc.org.

3/27. Peking Acrobats. Samford University’s Wright Center Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. Since 1958, this elite group has toured the world presenting their ancient folk art, acrobatics. The gymnasts, jugglers, cyclists and tumblers are carefully selected from the fi nest acrobat schools in China. Admission: $15- $33. More information: 726-2853 or www.samford.edu/wrightcenter.

3/29-4/1 – 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Red Mountain Theatre Company Cabaret Theatre. Thursday- Sunday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday- Sunday, 2 p.m. Admission: $20. More information: 324-2424 or http://www.redmountaintheatre.org/our-season.html.

3/30. Ballet Hispanico. Samford University’s Wright Center Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. This internationally acclaimed company closes the Wright Center Series. Part of “A Week of Dance” at Samford University. Admission: $18- $43. More information: 726-2853 or www.samford.edu/wrightcenter.

Save the Date4/7 – 5th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Oak Mountain State Park. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Egg hunts are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission: $3 adults, $1 children (6-11), 5 and under are free. Activities except egg hunt & sack races) require 1 ticket, which can be bought for $1 a piece under the Dogwood Pavilion. More information:

620-2520.

4/14 – Tracks, Scat, & Signs. Oak Mountain State Park. 10 a.m. Come learn about tracks, scat, & signs of common animals in the area. Meet at the Campground Pavilion (B-side). Admission: Free with park admission. More information: 620-2520.

4/14 – Ready. Set. Cure. Oak Mountain State Park. 8 a.m. 5k benefi ting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Food, live music and door prizes. Admission: $25 until March 31 and $30 from April 1 until the day of the race; children 12 and under are free. More information: register online at www.active.com/5krace/pelham-al/readysetcure-2012 or call Megan Yeilding at [email protected].

4/20-4/22– The King and I. Chelsea High School. April 20 and 21, 7 p.m.; April 21 and 22, 2 p.m. A musical/theatre production with more than 50 students. Admission: $5, students; $10, adults.

4/21 – Mountain Brook Art Association 31st Annual Spring Art Show. Crestline Field, 32 Vine St. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Up to 100 local artists will display original paintings for sale in an outdoor setting in Mountain Brook near Crestline Village. More information: http://mountainbrookartassociation.com/events/spring-show-information/.

4/29 - UAB National Alumni Society Scholarship Run 5K/10K. Pepper Place District. 6 p.m. Admission: $25 early registration, $30 postmarked after March 31, 2012, $35 day of race. All proceeds benefi t UAB Student Scholarships. More information: www.active.com or www.uab.edu.


Physiotherapy Associates

Greystone will no longer participate in the Medicare Program (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act) as a CORF provider effective December 7, 2011.Physiotherapy Associates – Greystone and the Secretary of Health and Human Services will be terminated on December 7, 2011 in accordance with the provisions of the Social Security Act as a CORF provider. Therefore, the Medicare Program will not make payment for CORF services furnished to Benefi ciaries on or after December 7, 2011.Physiotherapy Associates – Greystone will continue to participate as an OPT Provider in the Medicare Program effective December 7, 2011.Trent Nessler, Area Vice President/AdministratorPhysiotherapy Associates, Inc.

Classifi edsOffi ce Condo For Sale

in The Narrows $183,475

194 Narrows Drive, Suite 102Birmingham, AL 35242• 895± Sq. Ft. ($209.68 psf)• Contains open area/reception, storage,

work room, break room & bathroom• Less then a minute from Highway 280,

Old Highway 280 & Highway 41• Minutes from Chelsea, Greystone, In-

verness & I-459Contact Owner, Georgia Lay @ 205-266-1100

HOGANS Irish Pub & Grill507 Cahaba Park Circle995-0533Every Wednesday / Thursday 8 p.m. Live Music by Razz Ma TazzEvery Friday / Saturday 9 p.m. - Until Live Music by Razz Ma Tazz

280 Live Music Listings

The Fish Market Restaurant GREYSTONE5407 Highway 280 980-8600Every Thursday night live music with Jeff Taylor. All Parrotheads are invited.

CAFE FIRENZE110 Inverness Plaza 980-1315

City Vineyard Arbor Place5479 Highway 280, Suite 102437-3360cityvineyard.net

Pablo’s Restaurant and Cantina3439 Colonnade Parkway969-1411Live music Wednesday and Thursday, 6 – 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 6 – 10:30 p.m.

Village Tavern The Summit, Lower Level970-1640Every Wednesday and Thursday, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Artist Jeff Tyler performs.Fridays, 9 -11:30 p.m., Various live music.

Every Friday Night live music, 7-10 p.m. on the patio. Inside, they have a wine tasting, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Call for this month’s music listings.

3/1-Huck and Boss3/2-Honey Child / Matt Hill band3/3-Todd Simpson and the Mojo Child /

Heath Shoemaker3/4-Will and Bobby / Heath Shoemaker3/5-Dj Kop (karaoke)3/6-Dj Quack3/7-Matt Hill and Sean Bunn / Matt

Barnes and David Koonce3/8-Heath Shoemaker3/9-After the Crash / SK53/10-Matt Ritchie band / Bobby Legg3/11-Heath Shoemaker3/12-Dj Kop (Karaoke)3/13-Dj Kop3/14-Matt Hill and Sean Bunn / Matt

Barnes and David Koonce3/15-Huck and Boss3/16-4th & 1 / Matt Hill band3/17-4th & 1 / Heath Shoemaker3/18-Heath Shoemaker3/19-Dj Kop (karaoke)3/20-Dj Quack3/21-Matt Hill and Sean Bunn / Matt

Barnes and David Koonce3/22-Heath Shoemaker3/23-Gentleman Zero / SK53/24-The Wheelers / Heath Shoemaker3/25-Huck and Boss3/26-Dj Kop (karaoke)3/27-Dj Kop3/28-Matt Hill and Sean Bunn / Matt

Barnes and David Koonce3/29-Will and Bobby3/30-Dub Massive / Matt Hill band3/31-Erica’s Playhouse

Courtyard Oyster bar & grill 280 band and dj schedule

BILLY’S BAR & GRILL4520 Overton Road, Suite 104Liberty Park956-23232/24 - Zippy D2/29 - Goodfellas3/2 - Lasers Edge3/7 - Goodfellas3/9 - Simone Durande Trio3/14 - Goodfellas3/16 - the Haulers “unplugged”3/21 - Goodfellas3/28 - Goodfellas3/30 - Behind the Canvas

Nest Boxes and Mealworms. Oh, My!

416 Cahaba Park Circle280 Station Shopping Center

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416 Cahaba Park Circle 280 Station Shopping Ctr., Birmingham

(205)995-2473

enhanc ing l i f e w i th p lan t s

Spring plant SaleMore than 100,000 plantS

pr e v i e w pa r t y: April 12 | 5 - 6:30 p.m.Me M b e r S-on ly Sa l e : April 12 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

pu b l i c pl a n t Sa l e

Friday, April 13 | 9 - 5 p.m.Saturday, April 14 | 9 - 5 p.m.Sunday, April 15 | 11 - 3 p.m.

205.414.3950 bbgardens.org

Former Mazer’s on Greensprings in Homewood, AL

The Gardens’ Junior Board presents

Friday, April 136 - 8 p.m.

New for 2012

Wine/Beer, Food & Live Music

Get the free mobile app athttp:/ /gettag.mobi

Scan the tag for a video about the event.

| March 2012 | 20

Now offering these services at the Narrows on 280…..Medical & Surgical Dermatology

ff Skin cancer screeningsff Molesff Skin Rashes / Dry Skinff Psoriasisff Exzemaff Rosaceaff Skin Tagsff Wartsff Molluscum and more

Cosmetic Dermatologyff Cosmetic Consultations by a Board Certified Dermatologistff Botoxff Dysportff Sculptra Aestheticff Dermal Fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, & Perlane)ff Chemical Peels

The secret to great skin is closer than you think.

Dr. Jenny Sobera and Dr. Kristy CurlBoard Certified Dermatologists

Shelley WinzelerCertified Physician Assistant

Call 877-9773 to make your appointment.www.villagedermatology.net

Mountain Brook Village • St. Vincent’s Blount • The Narrows

| March 2012 | www.280living.com Sports

BSECTION


280Living

Sports/B2High School Correspondents/B6School House/B8Libraries/B12Columns/B13

Area high school athletes sign in National Signing Day

Spain Park High School announced its group of 23 signees on National Signing Day. Photo by Kathryn Acree.

280 Living congratulates all of our area high school seniors who signed scholarships on National Signing Day.

We started out the day covering

ceremonies at Chelsea High School and went on through the afternoon at Briarwood, Oak Mountain and Spain Park. We are so honored to have shared the

smiles of parents, grandparents, teachers and coaches who’ve supported these stars of football, baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, cross country and golf.

We wish all these student athletes well as their journey continues. Open to pages B2 and B3 to see all the athletes who signed on that day.

Infant’s • Children’s • Teen’s • Women’s • Gifts

5287 Hwy 280 S. • 410.6395Brook Highland Plaza Suite 209Between Books-a-million & Steinmart

We will be closed during the week of Cottontails March 2-4

Come see us upstairs booth # 722-723-800-801

| March 2012 | B2

Sports

280 Living

Jake Ganus, FootballUAB

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Christian Adkins, SoccerUniversity of West Alabama

Haley Gerken, SoccerAuburn University

Richard Greene, BaseballSamford University

Chris Humes, FootballArkansas State

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Bailee Harnett, SoccerAir Force Academy

Bradley Bostick, FootballNaval Academy

Chris Jones, FootballTuskegee University

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Ben Craft, FootballUAB

Jason Laatsch, BasketballUniversity of West Florida

Kalan Reed , FootballSouthern Mississippi B

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Joey Mock, Football Air Force Academy

Preston Pittman, FootballMercer University

Daniel Schroder, GolfUniversity of Montevallo

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Justin Carter, Football Rice University

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National Signing

Day presented by

Behind Logan’s Roadhouse on 280Your source for teams sports

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| March 2012 | www.280living.com B3280 Living

Ben Tamburello, FootballSamford University

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Brandon Hazouri, Cross Country,Track and Field, Samford University

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Spencer Jack, SoccerWest Alabama

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Tommy Bostany, WrestlingUniversity of Maryland

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Devon Brown, FootballUAB

| March 2012 | B4 280 Living

The Oak Mountain Middle School wrestling team placed first in the Metro South Conference Championship for an unprecedented third year in a row. OM placed first with a 10.5-point lead over second place Pizitz Middle School.

The following wrestlers placed at the event: 75#, third place, Tipton Redding; 85#, first place, Michael John Harris; 85#, sixth place, Logan Marbut; 95#, first place, Hall Morton; 95#, sixth place, Mason James; 103#, sixth place, Landon White;

112#, fourth place, Jason Webb; 125#, second place, Coleman Reeves; 130#, fourth place, Will Sayers; 145#, second place, Dalton Bradford; 155#, second place, Jared Buxton; 165#, sixth place, Josh Jones; 175#, first place, Manny Allen; HWT, third place, Armond Lloyd. Michael John Harris received the coaches award for best match.

The eagles celebrated with a pep rally back at OMMS and raised the Oak Mountain victory flag. The team is coached by Jay McGaughy and Brent Buckner.

The Spain Park High School tennis teams kicked off the upcoming tennis season with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their courts.

The Jags celebrated their newly resurfaced courts, new fencing, new nets and windscreens and a new 2007 state championship banner.

Principal Chris Shaw and tennis coach Virginia Tucker cut a large, Jaguar-blue ribbon at the entrance to the court and the team enjoyed watching Athletic Director Clay Osburne play a few tennis matches with senior tennis team member Jack Nicholas.

Newly surfaced courts, fencing and nets start tennis season for Jags

Spain Park High School principal Chris Shaw cuts the ribbon to the Jags newly resurfaced tennis courts with tennis coach Virginia Tucker. Photo by Kathryn Acree.

It’s a three-peat: OMMS wrestling wins Metro South Conference Championship once again

Oak Mountain Middle School’s wrestling team celebrated their third year to win a first-place victory at the Metro South Conference Championship. Photo courtesy of Sandy Tipton.

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Allie Luster, a senior at Chelsea High School, signed with The University of Mobile on a softball scholarship. Photo courtesy of Monica Luster.


Briarwood Christian High SchoolBy COLLIER KAUFFMAN

By PATRICK THOMAs

Most people would consider themselves sports fans here in Alabama. Some might even call themselves fanatics. But to say, “I love hockey”? Yeah, that might be a stretch.

The Pelham Bantam Panthers are that exception. “Hockey is awesome,” said Austin Gleason, of Highland Lakes, who plays goalie on the team. “We have an ESPN NHL package so we get every game that comes on TV.”

The Pelham Bantam Panthers club team won the International Silver Stick Trophy at the North American Silver Stick tournament in Pelham, Ontario, Canada, in 2011.

In January, the Pelham Bantam Panthers, consisting of sixteen boys ages thirteen to fourteen from Birmingham and the surrounding areas, headed back to vie for their second Silver Stick Trophy. The team was rewarded a return trip to the Silver Stick Trophy after they won the southern regional tournament in Huntsville, competing against teams from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida.

This time, they didn’t come home empty handed, either.

While there was apparent faith in players, coaches, and parents alike, it was not guaranteed the Panthers would win a second trophy.

“We were excited to be back again but we were unsure as to how we would do,” said Austin.

This year was a little different for the team. Last season, the Panthers played the role of underdog en route to their first championship. This year they had more of a bulls’s-eye on their back.

The Panthers struggled at first going 0-2 with a tie in Round Robin play. Any thoughts of a repeat win almost came to an end.

“We all thought it might be over,” said Peyton Harlow of Alabaster, left wing for the team.

Panthers win Silver Stick again

The Panthers gather after winning their second Silver Stick Trophy in Ontario.

Somehow the Panthers managed to rally together to spark a run once seeding started.

Blake Harlow, Peyton’s brother and a forward and wing for the team, acknowledged that focus changed once the playoffs began. “It was a lose or go home mindset,” said Blake. Peyton echoed that same sentiment as well.

“Our attitude had to change,” said Peyton. “We were not going anywhere unless we turned it on.”

Starting with the quarterfinal game in the Tier 2 bracket, the Panthers turned it on to beat the Chicago Cyclones 3-1. Slowly but surely, the Panthers could sense momentum rising.

The quarterfinal win led to a 6-0 blowout in the semifinals against the Columbus, Ohio, Blue Jackets with each goal coming from a different player on the roster. Feelings of a repeat were more evident than ever.

One signature moment for the Panthers championship run came not in the final game, but in the locker room beforehand.

“I talked about three things with the boys: loyalty, truthfulness and respect. I asked, ‘Who should you show these qualities to?’” said Head Coach Tony Harlow. “Some of the boys said their parents and some said coaches. I told them, ‘Show loyalty, truthfulness and respect to yourselves. Give it all you have every shift on the ice.’”

The Panthers displayed those traits in stunning fashion as they won the championship game 3-1.

Once the buzzer sounded, the need to maintain composure went out the door. “We knew with about a minute left we were going to win,” said Austin. “But once the buzzer sounded, we just dogpiled the goalie.”

Most people might think winning one Silver Stick trophy was enough. For them, one more is even better.

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On Feb. 1, four student athletes from Briarwood Christian School moved up to the next level in their game. Preston Pittman, Ben Craft and Kalan Reed signed scholarships to play football, and Jason Laatsch signed for basketball.

On signing day, tables were set up for each individual student athlete, and after a few words from the players and their coaches, the dotted line was signed.

Ben Craft, quarterback for the Lions, signed with UAB.

Preston Pittman, a left-tackle on the offensive line for the Lions’ football team, signed with Mercer University.

“It is a great school and I will receive an outstanding education,” said Pittman. “I will also be on the inaugural football team there so that is something special.”

Kalan Reed served BCS as a

cornerback on defense. Reed signed with The University of Southern Mississippi.

“The main reason I signed with Southern Miss is because of the great family atmosphere and the support of the fans,” Reed said.

Jason Laatsch has been an incredible basketball player for the Lions over the past years. Laatsch signed with The University of West Florida.

“I mainly chose West Florida because I felt like that’s where God was really leading me to go,” said Laatsch. “I love the coaches and the players are great. The campus is absolutely beautiful, and it’s right by the beach. The coaches showed a lot of interest in me and so it made me feel welcomed and wanted. (West Florida) is also in a great basketball conference.”

BCS athletes move to next level


As we arrived at the Birmingham CrossPlex in January for the AHSAA 4A-1A State Championship Indoor Track meet, the varsity track team had low expectations and simply wanted just to do our best.

With only 12 athletes, we had decided simply to shoot for personal records and do our best to put to use what the team had practiced. However, due to some key wins by Andrew Carrell (gold, 60-meter hurdles) and Katie Brooks Boone (gold, 60-meter dash and 400-meter dash), the Westminster School found itself halfway through the meet holding a strong third place finish for the boys, with the girls’ team not far behind.

The boys’ team realized that if we gave it our all, we might actually keep third. The following day the team met together on the bleachers to encourage one another to leave everything we had on the track and let the results come.

With athletes still competing in six events, we knew we had a strong chance of scoring some serious points. The team rallied behind one another and achieved victories including a gold medal in the 4 x 400 boy’s relay. We ended with the boys taking third place in state and the girls taking sixth place.

Chelsea High School is very fortunate to have two football players and a soccer player to represent Chelsea at Division One schools next year.

Senior Joey Mock recently signed with the Air Force Academy to play football as a defensive end. Joey has an ACT score of 25 and a 3.92 GPA.

Joey was interested in the Air Force because he wanted to fly and has always wanted to be in the military. When he got the chance to play college football and serve his country, he jumped at it. Joey most looks forward to boot camp and starting football.

His favorite sports memory from high school is when he had his first multi-sack game his sophomore year. When asked where he sees himself in ten years, he said, “I see myself flying A-10’s.” The most influential people in his life are his parents.

Senior Jake Ganus chose to play football at UAB. Although Jake played quarterback in high school, in college he is returning to his original position at safety. Jake has a 23 on his ACT and a 3.7 GPA.

Jake looks forward to representing Chelsea at the next level, playing D1 football, and bringing home a conference championship to UAB. He feels UAB was right for him because it is close to home, he has a great relationship with the coaches, and he has a chance to be a part of turning the football program around.

His favorite sports memory from high school was when the Chelsea Football team beat Sylacauga on a last minute drive at their home field in his junior year. In ten years, Jake says he sees himself hopefully finishing up medical school and becoming a pediatrician. His parents and coaches have been influential in his life.

Senior Alli Cochran signed with South Alabama on a soccer scholarship. Alli has a

22 on her ACT and a 3.92 GPA.Alli has 14 years of soccer experience

on many different travel teams. Some of the teams she has played for include Vestavia Hills, Birmingham United and Brentwood Soccer Club in Tennessee.

At South Alabama, Alli will be playing center midfield. She looks forward to playing college ball and starting a more independent chapter in her life.

Alli says she felt South Alabama was right for her because she fell in love with the campus the first time she visited there, and each time after that it felt more right to her. She also says she has always wanted to go farther south to where it’s warmer and South Alabama was the perfect opportunity.

She said her biggest influence has been her mom. “[My mom] always believed in me and kept the passion burning for the game,” said Alli. “Even when she was hard on me, I knew she was only trying to get me to reach my full potential. She’s my biggest encourager and a big part of the reason I am where I am today.”

In 10 years, Alli hopes to be a graduate of South Alabama with a nursing related major such as exercise science. She then hopes to go into the Air Force as an officer to fulfill the remainder of her nursing training to be a licensed RN.

Alli also wanted to include her favorite quote: “What you reap, you shall sow. What you think on, you shall say. What you plant, you shall harvest. What you practice, you shall perform. What you work at, you will accomplish. What you put into it, you will get out of it. What you have in your heart, you will live by.”

Joey, Jake and Alli are all outstanding athletes and it is wonderful they are getting to share their talent at the next level.

As we left the meet, our heads were held high. No one expected a school with 12 athletes to do so well, but we showed that even with a small team, we could compete with some of the best schools in the state.

Whitten is a senior at the Westminster School at Oak Mountain. He plays soccer, runs track and is active in the ministries of The Church at Brook Hills. Whitten was awarded a scholarship to play soccer at Mississippi College, where he plans to attend next fall.

Chelsea High SchoolBy TABITHA FULTON

The Westminster School at Oak Mountain

By WHITTEN GREEN

Westminster track team shows strength at state championship

Chelsea athletes bound to play on collegiate level

Westminster’s Whitten Green at the AHSAA 4A-1A State Championship Indoor Track meet.

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Oak Mountain High SchoolBy TAYLOR KNIPHFER

“Oh look, it’s the after-school special: an unlikely relationship between a rag-tag group of students and a radical, outcast teacher,” said Spain Park High School history teacher Craig Thompson as he waltzed into fellow teacher Richard Stamper’s room.

Stamper shot him an eye roll.There is always a hub of students that

congregate in Stamper’s room before and after school. Why would students spend more time in a classroom than necessary? The answer lies in the trust students feel with the teachers. Few teachers take more interest in their student than a certain triumvirate of AP teachers: Stamper, Thompson and Burgin Mathews.

Stamper, the semi-intimidating tattooed AP U.S. History and AP Human Geography teacher, didn’t plan on becoming a teacher. “I was going to work in law enforcement, but I wanted a more positive environment,” he said.

To any eye it is obvious that Stamper cares about his students. “Students are human beings, not just props. If you do your job the right way, it has to be emotional. You should be exhausted by the end of the day.”

Stamper hangs his hat on effort. He doesn’t claim to be the perfect teacher; however, he is content knowing that he puts in all his effort. “It’s all you can ask of someone,” he said.

“There is so much damage you can to the world through ignorance,” said Thompson, fellow A PUSH teacher and best friend of Stamper.

The ex-Peace Corps worker teaches to

combat ignorance and to better the lives of the students. “My favorite students are the ones who think that they shouldn’t be in an AP class,” Thompson said. “My goal is to get kids to see the potential they don’t see in themselves, but it can be heartbreaking when a kid gives up.”

When giving advice to future teachers, Thompson shares three ways to be successful. One, know the material. Two, show the kids why the material is important. Three, invest in the students on a real level, not a level that just involves test scores. “Grades are silly,” Thompson laughed. “Kids defi ne themselves by these silly numbers.”

Mathews is known for his incessant grin and the way he scoots around his room on a rolling podium. But under his quirky personality and sweaters is a man with a contagious fi re for learning and teaching.

The AP English teacher believes in learning for the sake of enriching oneself, not solely for grades. “You’re interacting with a human being, not a grade,” Mathews said.

He loves teaching simply because it encompasses two of his loves: teenagers and books. “I have to pass the days somehow; I don’t know what could be a better way,” Mathews said.

These teachers have an effect on their students beyond what they can see. All three of them do more than just relay facts and prepare for tests. They create relationships, and through those relationships they help students discover who they are—and more importantly who they could be. They are mentors, motivators and inspirations.

Spain Park High SchoolBy BECKY BRINKERHOFF

The triumvirate

Spain Park High School’s Richard Stamper with his AP U.S. History class on Halloween. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Muhihu.

Fine arts busy at OMHSMarch will be a busy month for the

fi ne arts departments at Oak Mountain High School.

The theatre department is performing the musical Anything Goes, a 1934 hit now currently undergoing a revival on Broadway. Performance dates are Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 3 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m.

The musical tells the story of Billy Crocker, an intern at Elisha J. Whitney’s fi rm in New York City. He meets and falls desperately in love with beautiful debutant Hope Harcourt. However, nightclub singer turned evangelist Reno Sweeney has fallen for Billy. To make matters worse, Hope is engaged to another man, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, a far more suitable match in the eyes of Hope’s mother, Evangeline Harcourt.

Eventually, Billy lands on board the S.S. American in an attempt to make Hope

marry him. Along the way, he’s helped by gangster Moonface Martin and his gal, Erma. The musical itself is great fun, with many jokes and funny side remarks.

In addition to the musical in March, the choral department is completing a busy show choir season. Oak Mountain Con Brio, a mixed show choir group of 26 couples, will be traveling to perform at Show Choir Nationals in Nashville at the Opryland Hotel.

This is Con Brio’s fi rst appearance at Nationals. The group has worked very hard for this honor and will be fully ready to give the competition their all. Show Choir Nationals will be held the weekend of March 29-31.

Taylor Kniphfer is a sophomore at Oak Mountain High School. He will be playing the role of Elisha J. Whitney in Anything Goes and is a member of Con Brio mixed show choir.

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By sTACEY BLAKEMORE

Max Herzel was just 10 years old when he was forced to flee his Belgium home in 1940. He endured four years of hiding in order to survive the Holocaust. His journey was filled with pain, heartache and loss. He continues his journey today by sharing his story with others. In January, Herzel visited students at Oak Mountain High School where he shared his message about the need for tolerance, the power of hate and the importance of remembering.

Herzel began by giving background information on the Holocaust. He shared startling statistics with his audience and provided photographs and maps to help students grasp the enormity of the Holocaust and the philosophies that allowed it to become a reality. He explained that the Holocaust is different than genocide because the Holocaust was “state sponsored and well organized.” He then provided students with the numbers of European Jews, Christians, gypsies and millions of others that died at the hands of Nazis during World War II. His eloquent descriptions of the need for tolerance and

Travis Bender, the band director at Liberty Park Middle School, was recently named as the school’s nominee for Alabama State Teacher of the Year.

Bender has taught at Liberty Park Middle School for four years and was previously a drum major for the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band. He teaches the school’s Beginning Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Pep Band.

Bender holds B.S. and M.A. degrees in music education from the University of Alabama. He is currently pursuing an Ed.S. degree at Samford University in Teacher Leadership.

Bender pushes his students to perform their best every day. He believes that making his classroom a fun place to learn is critically important to the success of a band program. Bender adds that his favorite part of being a teacher is watching students play their first notes in sixth grade and comparing that to the final sounds of their eighth grade concert. Bender’s hobbies include competing in pinball tournaments, collecting Pez dispensers and spending time with his family.

Holocaust survivor Max Herzel visits OMHS

Holocaust survivor Max Herzel spoke to juniors at Oak Mountain High School in January. Photo courtesy of Stacey Blakemore.

the dire consequences of a world without tolerance were moving and touching. He asked of students, “So what if your last name is Smith and mine is not? We are all the same. We are the same.”

Herzel also shared his own painful personal story. He talked openly about the loss of his father, his relatives and his mother’s attempted suicide. He described the anger and frustration he feels for Holocaust deniers and the motivation they have provided him to refute their claims. He opened the floor to the students and offered to answer any and all questions. He did all of this with a quiet dignity and grace that is all the more impressive for the fact that he does not see himself as the special individual that he is. At the end of his presentation, the students gave him a standing ovation. It was one he certainly deserved.

Stacey Blakemore teaches eleventh grade English and AP Language and sponsors the literary magazine at Oak Mountain High School.

Bender named LPMS nominee for state Teacher of the Year

Band director Travis Bender is the LPMS nominee for Alabama State Teacher of the Year.

Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park warmly welcomes new cafeteria manager, Amy Long.

Long comes to LPES from Pizitz Middle School. In the short time she has been on staff at LPES, she has implemented school celebrations in the cafeteria such as events to honor the 100th and 101st day of

school.Long also encourages students to

make positive nutritional choices with charts reflecting the daily menu options. Teachers also enjoy her weekly feature salads. Her hard work and commitment make the school cafeteria the best it can be.

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Congratulations to these Hoover Teachers of the Year from our area:

Greystone Elementary SchoolAmanda Fox teaches K-5 gifted

education at Greystone Elementary School. She has been in education 14 years, working in urban and suburban settings that include classroom teaching, instructional technology and administrative capacities. Fox holds degrees from Samford University, Lesley University and Berry College. She gained prestigious National Board Certifi cation in 2008. Aside from being the 2011-12 Teacher of the Year for Greystone Elementary School, Fox was also named the Elementary Teacher of the Year for Hoover City Schools. Fox is married with three children and enjoys photography, travel and family time.

Berry Middle SchoolKaren Howell has taught eighth grade

English at Berry Middle School for 15 years and has been in education a total of 24 years. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Samford University and taught in various school systems across Jefferson County prior to joining Hoover City Schools. Howell holds a number of professional memberships and has served as both a committee member and presenter for various leadership teams at her school level and the district level. Currently, Howell gives her time as faculty sponsor for various clubs and organizations including National Junior Honor Society, National Junior Beta Club and the Student Council. A married mother of two, Howell enjoys family time, community involvement and travel.

Spain Park High SchoolSuzanne Culbreth has been at Spain

Park for four years teaching various levels of math and has a total of 28 years teaching experience.She holds degrees from Auburn University and the University of Montevallo and is National Board Certifi ed. In addition to being named Teacher of the Year for Spain Park High School, Culbreth was also named Secondary Teacher of the Year for Hoover City Schools. In 1999, Culbreth was named a “Milken Educator,” one of the highest national honors for teachers. Culbreth is a married mother of two, and in her spare time enjoys professional development activities, family time and helping with her church, Meadow Brook Baptist, where her husband, James, serves as Minister of Education.

Our Lady of the Valley eighth grader Albert Dascher won the school spelling bee and will advance to the Shelby County Spelling Bee. Classmate Nikki Panzica, also an eighth grade student, was the runner-up. Dascher’s winning word was “ameliorate,” meaning “to make better or more tolerable.”The County Spelling Bee winner advances to the Alabama Spelling Bee to compete for the state championship. The Alabama Spelling Bee champion will represent the state at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.

OLV also recently hosted a Geographic

Bee. Fifth grade student Nicky Portante was named the winner with fourth grade student Ben Buckley being named runner-up. Nicky began his quest to win the Bee by answering 50 questions based on National Geo graphic Bee information. The top scorers in the school made it to the OLV Bee, where they competed in several rounds of questions before Nicky emerged as the winner. Nicky will take the Alabama state Geography Bee qualifying test, and if he attains a high enough score, he will com-pete at the state event in April at Samford University.

OLV announces Bee winners

OLV spelling bee winner Albert Dascher and runner-up Nikki Panzica.

OLV Geographic Bee runner-up Ben Buckley and winner Nicky Portante.

Hoover City Schools names Teachers of the Year

Greystone Elementary’s Amanda Fox

Berry Middle’s Karen Howell

Spain Park’s Suzanne Culbreth

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“We’re heading to Panama City Beach with our friends Michelle Cung, Kristen Senetto and Brandy Vaughan. We plan to enjoy our last spring break together before everyone goes off to college.” – Olivia Bevill and Morgan Polston, seniors, Chelsea High School

280 area students share spring break plans

We asked students in our area what that wonderful week in March, known as spring break, has in store for them:

“My best friends and I are going to the beach and plan to see the Avett Brothers at the Wharf.”- Maggie Cox, senior, Oak Mountain High School

“I’m going to New York City to see everything the Big Apple has to offer.”- Michael Matthews, junior, Oak Mountain High School

“I am going on a missions trip to Guatemala for spring break.”- Sawyer McKenzie, sophomore, Briarwood Christian High School

“I am looking forward to a family trip snow skiing in Colorado. I plan to learn how to snowboard and can’t wait to see a part of America that I have never seen before.”- Bentley Stroud, fi fth grade, The Westminster School at Oak Mountain

“I am going to New York City to see my sister, Megan. Time to dust off the old swing dancing shoes!”-Shannon Lalley, senior, Spain Park High School

“I am going to the beach with my family for spring break to surf on the waves, build gigantic sand castles and play putt putt golf!”- Dylan David, fi rst grade, Mt Laurel Elementary School

“I’m looking forward to sleeping late and hanging out with my friends.”- Hunter Dials, eighth grade, Oak Mountain Middle School

“I can’t wait to take a break from schoolwork and have the chance to relax!”- Caroline Lackey, sixth grade, Chelsea Middle School

Courtney Simmons, eighth grade social studies teacher and one of the cheerleader sponsors at Liberty Park Middle School, was recently named as the school’s nominee for the Vestavia Hills Rotary Club Teacher of the Year.

Simmons has taught in the Vestavia School System for fi ve years. She received her secondary social studies education degree from the University of Mississippi.

She works hard to differentiate the daily activities in her classroom and feels that it is benefi cial for her students to get up and move around the room to learn. She adds that she loves coming up with new activities and challenging her students.

Simmons’ hobbies include dancing, cooking and traveling.

Simmons nominated for VH Rotary Club Teacher of the Year

Courtney Simmons of Liberty Park Middle School

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Rachel Hyche, a second grader from Oak Mountain Elementary School, has been awarded the Grand Prize for first place in the Helen Keller Art Show.

Rachel’s “CopperTree” is a multisensory piece using watercolors, copper wire of various lengths and colors and copper sheeting cutouts.

“I enjoyed working on this art piece very much. The leaves were hard to make,” said Rachel. “My favorite thing about this art was painting. I like to paint.”

As the winner of this prestigious award, Rachel is invited to Tuscumbia to stay and participate for the duration of the Festival. She will ride in the Festival Parade in a car designated just for her in the Grand Marshall portion of the parade. She will also be interviewed at the Helen Keller homestead, open the Helen Keller play and be presented onstage at the festival’s

opening ceremonies.Rachel was selected for the Patty

Johnson Award by the Helen Keller Festival Board; her piece will be displayed in Tuscumbia in a permanent gallery. The award is dedicated to Helen Keller’s niece, Patty Johnson, who continued the legacy of recognizing the success of students who are blind or visually impaired.

The Helen Keller Art Show is an annual show for Alabama students who are visually impaired, blind or deaf-blind. The show is open to students of all ages in the public, private, residential and home schools, providing them an opportunity to showcase special talents and abilities. The artwork is unique with emphasis on creativity, color and tactile media.

During the year the artwork is exhibited in various venues including the state capital.

Oak Mountain Elementary student wins Grand Prize in Helen Keller Art Show

OMES second grader Rachel Hyche with her award-winning artwork, “CopperTree.”

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OMHS’s Walker named Distinguished Young Woman

Scarlett Walker, a senior at Oak Mountain High School, has been named the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama. She represented Shelby County at the statewide competition held this past January at Frazer United Methodist in Montgomery. This year 51 participants competed in, scholastics, interview, fitness, self-expression, and talent. The Distinguished Young Woman Program, formerly known as Alabama’s Junior Miss, is a national program that emphasizes scholarship, leadership, and talent.

In addition to being named the 2012 DYW of Alabama, Walker won category awards in interview, self-expression, fitness, and in talent, for her self-choreographed ballet en pointe to Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” She was also one of three participants to be recognized for her “Be Your Best Self” essay. She was awarded $5000.00 in cash scholarship at the county level and $11,200.00 in cash scholarship at the state level. She was also awarded full tuition scholarships to Auburn University, Birmingham Southern College, and The University of Alabama.

The statewide scholarship program awarded more than $38,000 in cash scholarships to participants.

Throughout the next year, Walker will represent Alabama at various public events and serve as a role model to young people by spreading the program’s national outreach message of “Be Your Best Self.” The outreach program is designed to encourage self-esteem and excellence in all young people through its five principles:

Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible.

Walker is the daughter of Angela and Michael Walker and is active in student government, ballet, show choir and the Wilson Chapel United Methodist Youth Group. She will compete in the 55th National Finals will take place on June 28, 29, and 30, 2012, in Mobilefor the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012 and for a share of more than $130,000 in cash scholarships.

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Library Happenings North Shelby and Mt Laurel Public LibrariesMarch HappeningsNorth Shelby Library

Special Programming

Friday, March 2, 4 - 4:45 p.m.- Dr. Seuss Birthday Party. Come celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with cake, ice cream, stories, and fun! All ages welcome. Registration required.

Saturday, March 3, 10 - 11:30 a.m.- Lego Club. The library will provide the Legos and snacks, the kids will provide the imagination and creativity. Families are welcome to drop in anytime between 10 – 11 a.m. to build spectacular creations. Creations will then go on display in the Children’s Department. Snacks served. All ages welcome. No registration is required.

Wednesday, March 14, 1 p.m.-Homeschool Hangout: Marine Biology. Join us for a lively discussion and cool projects involving unusual ocean life. Ages 8-12. Registration required.

Thursday, March 22, 4 p.m.-B’Tween the Pages Book Club. Join us to discuss great books that have become movies and create book reviews. Snacks served. Ages 8-12. Registration required.

Spring Break Activities

Monday, March 19, 2 p.m.-Giant Butterfly Craft. Join us to have fun creating your very own giant butterfly. All ages. Registration required.

Tuesday, March 20, 2 p.m.- Movie: Treasure Buddies. Go with the Buddies and a few new friends to Egypt where

they will be searching for Cleocatra’s tomb. All ages. No registration required. Snacks served!

Wednesday, March 21, 2 p.m.- Spring Bird Craft. Make a bright and cheery bird to get ready for Springtime! All ages. Registration required.

Teen Happenings

GamingFridays, March 2, 9, 16, and 30 – 3:30-6 p.m.Come to the teen department each Friday afternoon for open gaming and mini-tournaments on the Wii. There will be all-day open gaming on the 23rd. Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or [email protected] for more information. Anime NightThursday, March 8, 6 p.m.Join us in the teen department for an evening of anime. The audience will pick what we watch. Treats will be served and costumes are welcome! Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or [email protected] for more information.

Teen Advisory CouncilMonday, March 12, 6 p.m.Interested in helping the Teen Department be even better than it is now? Bring your ideas and your appetite! Snacks served and community service hours earned. Call 205-439-5512 or email Kate or Daniel at [email protected] for more information or to sign up.

Spring Break Programming

Movie MarathonMonday-Thursday, March 19-22, 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Stop by the department to catch a movie and have some popcorn. We’ll be showing movies all day related to a different theme each day: Monday – the best of the 80s, Tuesday – super heroes, Wednesday – anime, Thursday – dystopian (to get you ready for The Hunger Games premiere). Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or [email protected] for more information.

Teen Book ClubMonday, March 19, 6 p.m.The Teen Book Club will meet to discuss The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter by John Gosselink, one of the Shelby County Schools Battle of the Books Middle School Selections. Snacks served. Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or [email protected] for more information.

CraftThursday, March 22, 6 p.m.Get ready for the premiere of The Hunger Games by creating your own daisy chain bracelet. Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or [email protected] to register.

GamingFriday, March 23, 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Come to the teen department all day Friday of spring break for open gaming (board, card, and two Wiis). Daniel will take on all challengers for Super Smash Bros. starting at 3 pm. Call or email Kate or Daniel at 439-5512 or [email protected] for more information.

Mt Laurel Public Library

Mt Laurel Book ClubThursday, March 1, 7 p.m.All are invited to join us to discuss The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. Please contact Dee at 439-5500 or [email protected] for location and more

information.

Toddler TalesWednesdays, March 7 and 21, 10 a.m.Stories, songs, fingerplays, and more make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially for short attention spans and their caregiver. Registration begins two weeks prior to each storytime. Ages 36 months and younger. Registration required. Call or email the Mt Laurel Library at 991-1660 or [email protected] for more information or to register.

Storytime with Ms KristyWednesdays, March 7 and 21, 11 a.m.Stories, music, and more for every member of the family. All ages. No registration required.

Crafty SaturdaySaturday, March 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.Stop by to make a fun craft to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. All ages with parent help. Registration not required but supplies are limited. Call or email the Mt Laurel Library at 991-1660 or [email protected] for more information.

Spring Break CraftTuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21, 2 – 5 p.m.Drop in to make a beautiful flower. The craft will be the same both days. All ages with parent help. Registration not required but supplies are limited. Call or email the Mt Laurel Library at 991-1660 or [email protected] for more information.

Friends of the Library Garage SaleSaturday, March 31, 7 a.m. – noonFind some great bargains on Croft Street and support the Mt Laurel Library building fund. Contact the Friends at [email protected] for more information or to donate items. Tax receipts will be available.

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My SouthBy RICK WATsON

Call me old-fashioned, but I like to read books, newspapers and magazines. I’m not talking about reading them on a computer screen or some new fangled electronic gadget but the real thing. I don’t think I’m in the minority here.

When I’m out of town and don’t have access to my local daily paper, I will call it up on my laptop computer and check the local headlines and obits, but when I’m home, I’m trotting down to the paper box at day break and fetching the paper.

I like the smell of ink and the feel of the paper in my hands. The crinkling sound it makes when you turn a page is oddly comforting to me.

No Sunday morning would be complete without a hot cup of coffee and the morning news; it’s one of life’s little pleasures. It wouldn’t be the same with an electronic gadget on my lap.

Then there’s my wife. She loves reading the paper as much as I do. The way we handle it is she reads the headlines and the front section then passes it to me, and moves on to the next section. She’s a fast reader, so the delay is tolerable.

If we were to read the paper on one of those gadgets, how would we divide it up? I can promise you there would be a hassle. I’d wind up in the doghouse ignorant of what’s going on that day in our community and the world.

Who knows what would happen if we spilled coffee on that contraption like we sometimes do with a newspaper? I don’t even want to talk about trying to cut out coupons.

An entire wall of our great room has shelves full of books of all kinds. We have the classics, like War and Peace; Catcher in the Rye; Atlas Shrugged; and works by

Dickens, Shakespeare, Vonnegut, Frost and Twain. We also have shelves dedicated to gardening, philosophy, religion, geography, modern fi ction and self-help books.

Sometimes when I have writer’s block and need inspiration, I’ll go over and randomly pick a book from the shelf to read. Nine times out of ten, I’ll get an idea and the writer’s block blows away like dust in the wind, as the old song goes.

You can fi nd a lot of good information on the internet, but when I need inspiration, even a simple search on say “Shakespeare” tends to bring up Shakespeare fi shing equipment. This sends mind off fl oating down the Warrior River in a boat, casting in the reeds for a trophy bass.

And if I ever glance at my email or Facebook, woosh! That’s the sound of a pound of sand passing through the hourglass of my life.

Don’t get me wrong, the internet is a vital tool in my line of work, but I’m just saying it provides too many distractions when I’m trying to focus. That’s not an issue with books.

Amazon.com, the mammoth online book retailer, reported late last year that for the fi rst time in history online Christmas sales surpassed physical books. I realize the popularity of electronic books, newspapers and magazines is growing exponentially.

There may come a time in the future when resources become scarce and the cost of handling physical books and papers is too high for publishers to make money, but until then, just leave me with my trusty newspapers and dusty old books with highlighted passages and dog-eared pages.

If that makes me old fashioned, then so be it—but I think I have a lot of company.

Newspapers

The Cahaba-Coosa Chapter, Alabama Society, Sons of the American Revolution met recently at the North Shelby Library to install its2012 Offi cers. Past presidents in attendance at the meeting included Bobby Joe Seales, Scott A. Martin, C.W. Posey, Jr., D. Alan Dismukes, Richard D. “Rick” Price, Robert “Bob” Melton, Donald L. Glover and Richard B. “Rick” Booth, the incoming 2012 president. Any man, age 18 years or older, who is a lineal descendent of an ancestor who supported the War for American Independence is eligible for membership. The Cahaba-Coosa Chapter meets the third Sunday of each month at 2:30 p.m. at the North Shelby Library. For additional information on the history of this chapter, the current offi cers and how to become a member, please visit their website, www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~alshelby/cahaba-coosachapter.html.

North Shelby Library hosts Sons of American Revolution

If you’re looking for world-class racing excitement, head down Highway 119 to Leeds and the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park, March 30-April 1.

Watch as Indy legends Dario Franchitti, Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, defending champion Will Power and more take on the twists and turns of this great local venue.

New for this year, all parking will be on-site and free ofcharge on Friday and Saturday. Premium on-site parking and

preferred off-site parking are available for purchase for Sunday only. Premium on-site parking is located inside the Barber Motorsports Park and preferred off-site parking is located directly across the street from the park entrance. Sunday parking passes are available on a very limited basis. There will be complimentary off-site parking located at the Shops at Grand River with a shuttle to the track.

Tickets and additional information are available online at www.barbermotorsports.com.

Indy racing coming to Barber

ELECT KEVIN MORRIS

Shelby County Board of EducationPlace 2

VOTE REPUBLICAN

Kevin Morris has a proven record of leadership and community involvement. •Leadership Shelby County-Board Member

•Youth Leadership Shelby County-Chairman

•Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

•South Shelby Chamber of Commerce-Board Member

•Volunteer Coach for Youth Sports

•Shelby County Fine Arts Council-Board Member•American Cancer Society Relay for Life-Chairman

•Church-Deacon/Finance Chair/Youth Sunday School Teacher

“Every decision I make will be in the best interest of the

children of Shelby County.”

AccountableBusiness Minded

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Paid for by Committee to Elect Kevin Morris • P.O. Box 339 Chelsea, AL 35043

Kevin Morris for Shelby County Board of Education

I am SMART. I am CREATIVE. I am DYSLEXIC.

I won’t let that stop ME.

Spring Valley School “Educating bright children with learning differences”

Claire Barabash, PhD, JD Executive Director 205.423. 8660

www.springvalleyschool.org


LifeActuallyBY KARI KAMPAKIs

People often ask me how I write with four children.

By now I have a pat answer: It’s not pretty.

More often than not, my stories are pieced together, written and edited in a series of stolen moments. If I’m working while the kids are home, I have the added challenge of tuning out their chaos. I’ll write and write until I fall under a spell, catching the groove I’ve long waited for. And just when I hit the brink of inspiration, the inevitable happens: Camille will toddle into my offi ce wearing a big grin...and a foul-smelling diaper.

Like I said, it’s not pretty.I wish I had a daily routine, concrete

time no one can interrupt, but I don’t. Writers are told to write every day, and while I agree with this, life gets in the way. I may go days or even weeks without writing due to family matters. I hate these breaks, because falling back under the spell is hard, and when I’m not writing I don’t feel right. But as a mom, I have bigger priorities, and as much as I like to believe the world needs my writing, my daughters need me much more.

So for now I write when I can, usually in stretches of two to fi ve hours. And while this arrangement works, I wonder sometimes how productive I’d be if my life wasn’t stop-and-go. What if I had no distractions to break the zone? What if I could ride the trance out, working late at night and picking up the next morning? Could I fl esh out a manuscript in six weeks, fi nish a novel in six months? I believe I could. With time on my side, I could be a writing machine, accomplishing in spurts what would normally take me months.

This leads me to a question I fi nd relevant to all parents: Do kids hinder or inspire our dreams? There’s no question how much time and energy they siphon. Children are needy by nature, and regardless of how much attention we show them, they want more. By the time we tend to them we’re exhausted—and hardly in the mood to pursue a passion.

From this standpoint, kids do hold us

back. They push our personal pleasures aside and slow us down, making tortoises out of hares. In a world as fast as ours, it seems impossible that slow and steady could ever win the race.

On the other hand, children add a richness to our lives that I believe inspires better work, thus compensating for time we lose. As a writer, I don’t fi nd inspiration sitting at my computer. I fi nd it when I’m out living, and the paths I take because of my children—going to the ball park, school functions, birthday parties, even doctor visits—put me in contact with people who constantly trigger new ideas.

Many aha! moments arise through casual conversation, because an offhand remark a parent makes while waiting for dance to end can hit me like a thunderbolt. Immediately, I’ll make a mental note, knowing that someday I’ll use that nugget in a story.

Then of course there’s the inspiration I fi nd through my children’s prolifi c take on life. Their innocence is brilliant, better than anything I could concoct. Thanks to my daughters, I experience life on a deeper level, caring more and loving harder. When my writing taps into the emotions they trigger, it gains a defi nite intensity.

It’s easy to see our children as barriers, obstacles to what we want or feel called to do. But what I’ve learned is to work smarter, not harder, and approach my goal in baby steps. For now I’m in the tortoise stage, and while tortoises are slow, they make progress, and progress is all it takes to reach a destination. It’s my hope that other moms taking the scenic route through parenthood may be encouraged to take baby steps toward their dreams, and remember that the children who consume our life and attention now may also be the muses who infl uence our best work to come.

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls with a background in PR, writing and photography. Visit her blog at www.karikampakis.com, “friend” her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter. You can reach her at [email protected]

Do kids hinder or inspire our dreams?

Area students part of Youth Leadership Shelby County

Kevin Morris, LSC Board Vice President and Chair of the Youth Leadership Shelby County program, with YLSC participants from the 280 area at “Justice Day.” Morris, with the Chelsea branch of M & F Bank, is currently running for Place 2 on the Shelby County Board of Education. Students pictured include: Briarwood Christian High School’s Jonathan Blackmon and Chris Walz; Chelsea High School’s Audra Daniels, Amanda Mock, Emily Shaw, Laura Thomas and Laura Beth Towery; Indian Springs School’s Caleb Caldwell; Oak Mountain High School’s Imani Anderson, Morgan Fields, Ryan Hall, Mary Pat Holder, Joy Rosa Jackson and Kristen Lusco; and Spain Park High School’s Cas Holley and Nathan Norden.

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That’s Life BY PAUL JOHNsON

BY ALLIE KLAUBERT

If you know David H. Sharp, you have seen his heart for others, especially foster children.

Sharp was honored as an exceptional foster parent by Casey Family Programs for his work as a licensed foster care provider who also serves as a leader and a resource for other foster parents.

“Sharp carries the banner for countless others across the nation who are doing extraordinary work on behalf of those involved in the foster care system,” said Shelia Evans-Tranumn, chair of the Board of Trustees of Casey Family Programs. “He shares our goal to have every child grow up in a healthy, safe and permanent family, and within a supportive community.”

Recently elected president of the

Parent honored for work with foster children

Shelby County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, Sharp has been instrumental in foster care reforms and has successfully reduced the length of time that children stay in foster care.

Sharp is also a member of the board of directors for a local organization, Foster Kids Rock, Inc., located on County Road 43.

Sharp and his family live off Dunnavant Road and are members at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, where he started a mercy ministry for foster care. The couple, along with their three sons, recently adopted a two-year-old foster child named Danielle. Sharp also coaches the boys soccer team at Westminster School at Oak Mountain.

We moved. And when I say we, I mean Samaritan. And when I say Samaritan, I don’t mean all of us, but only some of us. And the some are those who work in our main offi ce.

Moving can be fun—new environment, new surroundings, new route to work.

Moving can be not fun—unfamiliar environment, unfamiliar surroundings, unfamiliar route to work that leads to being really late for important meetings.

And the most not fun? Packing, relocating the stuff, unpacking and placing. Ugh.

As my stress level rises, and my back is aching, I start to question, “Why am I doing this? Why is this happening? Couldn’t we just have kept it the way it was?”

Ok, track with me as I divert.I often hear from people, “I’m just

ready to move on.” I fi nd, after a little digging, that what is meant is they want to go back to the way things were, which is at that moment a vague memory of a seemingly peaceful and calm time, but above all, familiar.

Ah, familiarity. It is said that familiarity breeds contempt. Contempt is often what brings folks into my offi ce—they are contemptuous of someone or something, and something needs to change. Yet, they yearn to return to that which ultimately brought a state of contempt. So is this moving on, or moving in circles?

As it turns out, then, moving on is really just escaping. It is a plea to “get past this,” though nothing is really resolved, nothing has changed. It is a return to a state of being where one is no longer having to tolerate what one is being given the opportunity to tolerate. One knows one has not moved on when one fi nds oneself saying, “Again? I thought we were past this?”

However, real moving on requires that

one fully endure the season one is in—to follow to completion the experience one wants to move on from. Yes, it would be nice for the discomfort to end, or not to have happened at all. But reality is, it is happening. It is here and must be dealt with and endured.

It is akin to what nautical people experience in stormy seas. Yes, the ideal would be for the storm not to be or to be over quickly. But when the seas are choppy and the waves are rolling, nautical people turn into the waves rather than trying to turn away or outrun the storm. Turning away or attempting to outrun is often what causes a boat to capsize. “Moving on” is most often a guarantee that whatever you are enduring will happen again—because nothing got resolved. Nothing changed. You just ran in a circle and now you are just a little more tired.

Take a breath. Face your issue. Turn into the storm. Increase your tolerance for frustration. Move on only when it is over, when the concern is fully addressed, and you can move on together, in peace, in completion and fully connected.

I know we have moved because there is nothing left at the former site. We got it all (my back can confi rm this fact). We have moved on and moved into a new location. I no longer need to revisit the old site because I got it all. We will revisit only in our memories, with gratitude and fondness.

Here is hoping the same for you.Paul Johnson is the executive director

as well as a professionally licensed marriage and family therapist and an associate licensed counselor at the Samaritan Counseling Center, which is now located at 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, 35242. You may reach him at 967-3660 or visit the Center’s website at www.samaritancc.org.

Moving on or moving in circles

Please call 408-6550 to register for this free seminar.

Breakfast with the Trainer

7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35242

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There are lots of workout programs and exercise concepts out there, but how do you know which one is best for you? Join Sebastian Hudd, Certified Strength Conditioning Specialist, as he shares his opinion on current training ideas and models. Learn the basic training concepts of cardiovascular training, strength training, functional fitness, and how your body works as a single unit. If you understand the principles, you can’t go wrong when choosing the right program for you.

Get Fit, Get Healthy: The Right Exercise Program for You! Thursday, March 29 8:00-9:00 a.m.

U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus, Shelby County Historical Society President Bobby Joe Seales, Birmingham Auto Dealer Association Executive Director Jennifer Whisenant, and Shelby County Probate Judge Jim Fuhrmeister at the Shelby County Historical Society’s 194th birthday celebration for Shelby County. Photo by Kathryn Acree.

County celebrates 194th birthday

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280 Living March 2012

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owner of lake purdy

y n e w s e n t e r

act of congress page

chris griffi n

bruce springsteens new

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