Issuu

Bubble soccer

A new sport kicks off at Shelby County Sports Blast

Israeli cuisine Eliâ€™s Jerusalem Grill offers fresh fare on Highway 280

50 and counting Briarwood Christian School celebrates golden anniversary March 2015 shelbyliving.com

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Women in business

Meet local women who launched their own companies

Cultivating

green thumbs

Local garden clubs offer advice, fellowship for members

Having a baby isn’t just about deciding which hospital any more. Because when you have your baby at St. Vincent’s Birmingham and St. Vincent’s East, you work with your birth designer to customize your birth wishes and make important decisions about your birth experience. Learn more about designing your own birth experience at stvhs.com/monogrammaternity.

#IDecideHow

St. Vincent’s Birmingham | St. Vincent’s East

FROM THE EDITOR

have always loved reading about smart, ambitious, strongwilled women. When I was young, I was fascinated by fictional characters or historical figures: Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables, Jo March from Little Women, Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice, Laura Ingalls Wilder of the Little House on the Prairie. I even have a strange affinity for Becky Sharp, a conniving and largely unsympathetic character in Vanity Fair, although I always admired her ambition. The list could go on and on – and on and on and on. I was an English major, after all. As an adult, I’m drawn to real-life stories of success. I enjoyed reading “Lean In” by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. I love following the careers of female media executives and politicians: former New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. In this issue of Shelby Living, we

feature local women who own businesses in Shelby County. These women founded their own companies in a wide range of industries: restaurant, furniture/interior design, management/consulting. These entrepreneurs share insights about what it is like to found and lead a business: How they knew they were ready to start a company. What they learned from their first job. Their biggest challenges and successes. I hope you will find their stories as inspiring and motivating as we did. We would like to make this an annual feature. If you know of a local female business owner you would like to recommend for the Q&A, please email me at the address below. That’s not all we have in this month’s issue of Shelby Living. We have articles on gardening and recreation, as well as new recipes from Stone Hollow Farmstead. As always, I hope you will contact me if you have questions, comments or story ideas. l

Katie McDowell, Editor

SHELBY Living EDITORIAL Graham Brooks Molly Davidson Baker Ellis Jon Harrison Emily Sparacino Neal Wagner CONTRIBUTORS Laura Brookhart Lindsay Dyess Jon Goering Dawn Harrison Ginny Cooper McCarley Lisa Phillips Lori Rikard PRODUCTION Jamie Dawkins Layken Gibbs Robyn Holm Amanda Porter MARKETING Kristy Brown Emily Connell Ashley Duckett Daniel Holmes Nicole Loggins Rhett McCreight Denise McDonald Meagan Mims Kim McCulla Kari Yoder ADMINISTRATION Tim Prince Katie McDowell Mary Jo Eskridge Hailey Dolbare Laurel Cousins

Katie.McDowell@ShelbyLiving.com

ON THE COVER Greystone resident Bonika Wilson resident is the founder of Wilson Capital Management Cover design: Amanda Porter Photography: Jon Goering

Shelby Living is published monthly by Shelby County Newspapers Inc., P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Shelby Living is a registered trademark. All contents herein are the sole property of Shelby County Newspapers Inc. [the Publisher]. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. Please address all correspondence (including but not limited to letters, story ideas and requests to reprint materials) to: Editor, Shelby Living, P.O. Box 947, Columbiana, AL 35051. Shelby Living is mailed to select households throughout Shelby County, and a limited number of free copies are available at local businesses. Please visit Shelbyliving.com for a list of those locations. Subscriptions are available at a rate of $20.41 for one year by visiting Shelbyliving.com, or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 26. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing advertise@ shelbyliving.com, or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 37.

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WHAT’S INSIDE

Food 42

ISRAELI CUISINE Eli’s Jerusalem Grill offers fresh fare on Highway 280

HEALTHY COMFORT FOOD Treat yourself to tasty, filling food with these recipes from Stone Hollow Farmstead

42 March 2015 | 5

WHAT’S INSIDE

14 in every issue 7

THE SIMPLE LIFE

SHORT STORIES

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

SHELBY SPOTTED

MARKETPLACE

CALENDAR

WHY I LOVE SHELBY COUNTY

art & culture 11

ARTS COUNCIL CORNER Elvis impersonator to visit the Black Box Theater

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Lura Campbell creates traditional and contemporary handmade quilts

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health & fitness features 14

BUBBLE SOCCER A new sport kicks off at Sports Blast Shelby County

50 AND COUNTING Briarwood Christian School celebrates golden anniversary

READY TO PLAY Briarwood’s John Hayden signs with UAB golf

WOMEN IN BUSINESS Meet local business owners who launched their own companies

THE BIG BREAK Greystone Golf and Country Club assistant golf pro featured on The Golf Channel

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN Chelsea woman hikes entire Appalachian Trail

ST. VINCENT’S MONOGRAM MATERNITY Empowering women to decide how they want their birth experience

gardening 36

CULTIVATING GREEN THUMBS Local garden clubs offer advice, fellowship for members

RIPE FOR THE PICKING Community gardens yield fresh produce, community connections

THE SIMPLE LIFE

Simple solutions

o you ever wonder where names come from? What’s the reasoning for naming a coffee shop “Starbucks?” It doesn’t even have “coffee” in the name! Snickers? There’s nothing funny about a million calories in four bites. Lisa Phillips, owner of SimpleWorks, There’s no mistake on Simpleworksmtsp.com “SimpleWorks.” We make things lisa@simpleworksmtsp.com too hard, and nine times out of 205.981.7733 10, “simple” is the answer to what frustrates us on a daily basis. Don’t disregard an idea because it appears to be too simple, or toss aside a suggestion because it doesn’t require an “app” that promises speed and ease. Sometimes, when you get to the least common denominator, the answer is pretty simple! Let’s focus on some simple solutions for challenges we all face from time to time. • Hanger trick. Every season we review this simple method for cleaning our closets. Start the season by hanging all of your clothes with the hanger head pointing “out.” After you wear it, turn the hanger head with it facing “in” towards the wall. At the end of the season, you can easily see what you did or didn’t wear. What is still facing “out” – out it goes for good! • Clear the clutter. Walk into your room or survey your desk and immediately remove five things that need to be moved to another part of the house, put in the trash, recycled or donated. Depending on how much clutter you started with, five days or three weeks of doing this simple exercise can make a huge difference in the appearance of your space. • Donate box. Place a box in your garage so that your items to donate have a “home.” This makes letting go of things much easier when you have a place to move them out of the way. • Unrollme.com. A great tool to declutter your inbox. • Spiral notebook. Use this tool to write down every home repair or purchase over $200. Staple the receipt and date of purchase with the owner’s manual. A dear friend just found her father’s notebook on their 25-year-old home, which came in very handy when getting the house ready to sell. We make life too hard; we make it too busy; we create drama out of life … while deep down you have to ask yourself, “What can I do differently today that will bring me better results with my job, family and mental health? How can I simplify my life?” Think of a funnel: You pour your challenges into the wide end of the funnel and what comes out of the tiny end may be the simplest answer of all. It’s that simple. l

ORTHODONTICS

Don’t disregard an idea because it appears to be too simple.

March 2015 | 7

SHORT STORIES

ISS student is scholar candidate ISS senior Tristan Trechsel ’15 has been named a candidate for the 2015 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Founded in 1964 by executive order of the president, the program seeks to recognize graduating seniors on the basis of outstanding scholarship and exceptional SAT and Trechsel ACT scores. Trechsel, who scored a perfect 36 on the ACT last fall, is one of about 3,900 candidates nationwide. A review committee will evaluate all candidates based on academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and a required essay. About 560 candidates will advance to become semifinalists, and up to 141 semifinalists will be named Presidential Scholars. Scholars will be honored at a White House-sponsored ceremony in June.

MLES holds Winter Book Fair Mt Laurel Elementary had its annual Winter Book Fair through Scholastic, and the theme was “Under the Sea: An Ocean Full of Books.” Grandparents visited and attended the book fair with their grandchildren. All the money from the book fair

fundraiser allowed Mt Laurel to purchase more e-books, a high yield student printer and more hardcover titles to the library. Pictured are (left) Viann Jackson, library aide, and (right) Natasha Hanna, librarian.

Mt Laurel Elementary Project Earth students hone bowling skills star visits THS Mt Laurel Elementary students participated in a two-week in-school bowling unit. During the unit students learned bowling skills and also participated in different bowling activities such as Bingo Bowling, Money Bowling for strikes and spares and also used a bowling app on the iPads to keep score. They finished up the unit with a cosmic bowling day. The third grade students went on a bowling field trip to Brunswick Riverview Lanes at the end of the unit.

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Thompson High students in Brian Copes’ students recently met Dr. Jennifer Langual,owner of a Florida-based green construction company and star of the Discovery Channel show “Project Earth.” During her visit to the school, Languell outlined the projects she participated with while filming the show, which all dealt with engineering projects designed to slow and stop global warming. While filming the show, Languell participated in a project to wrap a Greenland glacier in an insulating sheet to prevent melting, a project aimed at bringing algae-rich waters from the depths of the ocean to the surface to absorb carbon dioxide and a project designed to scrub carbon dioxide from Earth’s air.

Polar Plungers brave the frigid waters The Pelham Police Department held its fifth-annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Oak Mountain State Park beach in Pelham. The Polar Plunge is the largest fundraising event in the country for Special Olympics. “We want this to keep getting bigger and bigger every year,” said Mike Williams, a police officer for the city of Pelham and coordinator of the Polar Plunge fundraiser. People and groups from all over Shelby County showed up to participate in the icy plunge. Multiple agencies raised almost $22,000 for Special Olympics with the Polar Plunge fundraiser.

Jeff State to hold Judy Merritt 5k Jefferson State Community College is hosting the inaugural Judy M. Merritt 5K Run and Walk on March 14 in memory of the college’s long-time president. The run will benefit the recently created Judy M. Merritt Scholarship Fund. “Judy Merritt’s legacy is about helping students and doing all the things that help provide access to education for everyone,” Jefferson State Director of College and Community Relations David Bobo said. “That’s what we’re trying to do at Jeff State everyday. This run will be to honor her legacy.” The event will kick off with a 5K run at 8 a.m. The run will begin at the Judy M. Merritt Memorial Highway and continue through Veterans Park and around the Jefferson State ShelbyHoover campus. A one-mile “fun walk” will follow at 9 a.m. To sign up for the March 14 event, visit any Jeff State cashier window or Jeffersonstate.edu/5K. Registration is $25 for the 5K and $10 for the one-mile fun walk before March 11. March 2015 | 9

SHORT STORIES

Malkove wins spelling bee

City opens disc golf course A ribbon cutting was held for Alabaster’s new disc golf course on Jan. 31. “I think this will be one of the most popular courses in the whole metro area,” said past disc golf world champion Tom Monroe, who helped to design the Alabaster course. “Disc golf has been the fastest-growing sport in America for the past 10 years.” Over the past several months, the

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Alabaster Teen Council has worked with the Alabaster Sports and Entertainment Foundation to bring the project to fruition. After accepting the Teen Council’s proposal, ASEF donated $5,000 to the $11,000 project, and the city government funded the remaining expense. The Alabaster Parks and Recreation Department did much of the work on the 18-hole disc golf course.

Eleven students from various Shelby County Schools ranging from third to eighth grade made their way to the Columbiana Central Office on Friday, Jan. 23 to participate in the countywide spelling bee. Contestants representing 11 public and private schools participated in the contest. The contestants were chosen for the countywide bee after competing and winning contests at their respective schools. Thompson Middle School seventh-grader Abby Malkove took home the first place trophy after spelling the winning word “euphonium.” “It definitely feels exciting and stressful and so many thoughts are going on in my mind I can’t even fathom what to think,” Malkove said. Malkove will now move on to the state spelling bee in March at the Alabaster First United Methodist Church.

All

ARTS COUNCIL CORNER

shook up T

Elvis impersonator to visit the Black Box Theater

he King of Rock and Roll himself will take the Shelby County Arts Council stage on March 14 when the Black Box Theater presents Elvis impersonator Terry Padgett. Padgett performs the King’s classic songs dressed in some of his most memorable costumes. His tribute performance started in 2001 and he has played everything from banquets, festivals, grand openings, corporate events, private parties and everything in between. Padgett strives to bring the same high energy and passion to each of his performances the way Elvis did. From facial expressions to Elvis’s signature sideburns and vocal styling, Padgett has made an art of capturing Elvis’s performance. Padgett will perform two sets: one in Elvis’s famous beaded white suit and another in his 1960s black leather outfit. During intermission the audience is invited to participate in an Elvis look-alike contest.

Don your best Elvis look and hop on stage to be judged by Padgett himself. The winner will receive two tickets to an upcoming Black Box Theater event of their choice. Be sure to get your tickets early. Padgettt’s performance will be sure to get you “All Shook Up.” The performance will be March 14 at 8 p.m.; door open at 7 p.m. Tickets for the show are $20. Ricket price includes entrance to the show, opportunity to participate in the look-alike competition and a drink reception before the performance. The Black Box Theater at the Shelby County Arts Council is committed to bringing people the best and most diverse entertainment around town. If you are looking for something new in town, look no further. Be sure to check out Shelbycountyartscouncil.com for other upcoming events at the Black Box Theater, 104 Mildred Street Columbiana. Performance tickets are also available for purchase online. l

Story by LINDSAY DYESS

March 2015 | 11

ARTS & CULTURE

crafty The

quilter

Lura Campbell creates traditional and contemporary handmade quilts Story and Photographs by LAURA BROOKHART

ABOVE: Campbell has been most recently exploring designs using templates by Jen Kingwell, pictured here. The final design will incorporate 16 one-of-a-kind blocks. RIGHT: Lura Campbell first became interested in piecing quilts in 1997. She has grown her quilting business since and never lacks for projects or inspiration. See more at Facebook.com/ lura.campbell

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n the fall of 2014, in honor of Alabama State Parks 75th Anniversary, quilter Lura Campbell was contacted by First Lady of Alabama Dianne Bentley to make a quilt celebrating activities available at our state parks. Bentley, an avid quilter herself, compiled her own nine-point bucket list that included riding bicycles at Oak Mountain State Park and was topped by riding the zip line at Gulf State Park. A member of the Evening Star Guild (Shelby County) and Birmingham Quilt Guild, Campbell was given photos from these events, which she transferred to fabric and incorporated into the star motif of the quilt. Working with Campbell was Sheryl Simpson, fellow quilter and a nurse at Shelby Baptist Hospital. “We only had a couple of days to sew it, as we expected to present it at Shrimp Fest, but as it turned out, it was rescheduled to later in November at the Governor’s Mansion, so we also enjoyed seeing the Christmas decorations there,” Campbell shared. The weeks preceding the holidays are also busy

with commissions for t-shirt quilts, as those are popular presents. “This year, I made seven,” she said, “and finished the last one at noon on Christmas Eve.” The t-shirt quilts are always a hit with teens heading off to college, but this year Campbell made one for Dr. John Mason, retina specialist and surgeon. “He told his wife it was the only thing he wanted. It included t-shirts gathered from family vacation places and team sport shirts he wore through the years while coaching his children,” Campbell said. Campbell also recently quilted a Quilt of Valor for the David Lindsey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a special design to honor a child that was stillborn that incorporated the childhood dress of the mother. Her own quilts have been displayed in American Quilter’s Society competitions, shows at the Shelby County Arts Council and others around the south and also biennially in Hitachi, Japan, Birmingham’s sister city.

Campbell, who has evolved from her original traditional creations, now is drawn to more contemporary and modern. “I see so many opportunities, I may not ever go back,” she said. Campbell estimates that since her retirement from her managerial position at Bell South, she has completed 60 quilts, pieced another 40 and currently has 20 in progress. She now has an extensive workroom housing her fabrics, sewing machines and the long-arm Gammill quilting machine that she uses to quilt the pieced work of her fellow quilters and commissions. “Two of the most interesting quilts that I have finished were designed by Dianne Hire, an international award-winning fiber artist,’ Campbell said. “She is a teacher and author whom I met when she presented a workshop at our 2012 Quilt Symposium of Alabama.” One colorful assemblage was named “Squiggles” and the second, “Miss Daisy,” will be in Hire’s next book. Using her Gammill, Campbell also does the finishing work for two guild member-pieced quilts that are raffled annually, one each from area quilting guilds. Raffle tickets ($1 each) may be purchased from guild members via Esquilters.com or Bhamquilters.com. l March 2015 | 13

HEALTH & FITNESS

Bubble soccer

A new sport kicks off at Sports Blast Shelby County

14 | ShelbyLiving.com

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Samford University students pose in the inflatable balls following a bubble soccer match at Sports Blast Shelby County. A player rebounds off another while going for the ball. Players goof off with the inflatable balls before a match. A player loses balance after kicking the soccer ball. Players collide during a match.

March 2015 | 15

Story by GINNY COOPER MCCARLEY Photographs by DAWN HARRISON

ABOVE: Players face off during a recent game at Sports Blast Shelby County. Public matches are held every Wednesday night. RIGHT: Matches are 20 minutes long, and each team has four players

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jas Gokhale and Ankur Bhuyan were traveling around Europe when they first heard of bubble soccer—a game similar to traditional soccer minus the goalie, plus giant inflatable enforced plastic individual bubbles—and were immediately intrigued by the new sport. “(We thought) it’s pretty interesting, we should look into it,” said Bhuyan. After researching the game and buying a few inflatable bubbles to experiment with, the two joined Guy Maisonville and Wesley Coffee to form Bubble Sports Rentals in June of 2014. The company rents out the equipment necessary to play bubble ball and hosts weekly games every Wednesday nigh at Sports Blast Shelby County. In bubble soccer, players are encased in giant inflatable bubbles, which allows participants to ricochet off each other, often rolling on the ground or flipping in the air. The result is hilarious and incredibly fun, according to Bhuyan. “When you actually play it, you can’t imagine how the bubble ball suit covers you,” said Bhuyan. “You can’t feel anything.” After beginning the Wednesday games at Sports

Blast “our business really took off,” said Bhuyan, who also holds a full-time job as a mechanical engineer. “All four of us have full-time jobs, but we decided that this was fun and it picked up so fast,” Bhuyan said. The group has facilitated bubble soccer games all over Alabama—most recently, Tuscaloosa and Mobile—for churches, corporate team building events, and family gatherings. “We are pretty big right now, every other day we get requests from people,” Bhuyan said. “It’s picking up and we are excited. It’s getting popular.” Bubble soccer is not just a fun game, it is also a full body workout, Bhuyan stressed. “It’s kind of like doing a complete set of workouts in the gym,” he said. For Lillian Haines, who plays the game every Wednesday at Sports Blast Shelby County, bubble soccer is a way to get in a workout while having fun. “It’s a whole head-to-toe workout, and you don’t even realize it,” Haines said. “It’s fantastic.” Haines, who played soccer in high school, said the game is appropriate for players of all skill levels. “All skill levels are out there, and all body types too,” Haines said. Not only is the game a great workout, it’s also a way to meet people and make new friends, Haines

$100 Visa gift card & 5%

discount when new roof purchased!

March 2015 | 17

stressed. “You meet so many new people in all different walks of life and you all have something in common—you just want to do something fun and crazy,” Haines said. “It’s so different, and it’s so much fun. (Bubble soccer) is one of the best things that’s happened in my life recently.” The game is also incredibly safe despite the constant bumps and flips, thanks to the giant bubble that covers the player’s head, neck, torso, and upper 18 | ShelbyLiving.com

legs. Bhuyan estimates that more than 1,000 people have played bubble soccer with Bubble Sports Rentals, and the company has not seen a single injury so far. “You can enjoy it in a really fun way, and you don’t have to worry about getting hurt,” Bhuyan said. The four company founders have exciting plans in store for the future of Bubble Sports Rentals, including renting out the balls to personal trainers

Players say that bubble soccer offers a good workout in addition to being a fun game.

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce C o m m u n i t y • C o m m e rc e • C o l l a b o r a t i o n

to use with their clients and starting a bubble soccer league, with multiple teams and playoffs. Currently, about 20 people play bubble ball every Wednesday, with ages ranging from children in middle school to adults in middle age. The game is open to anyone who wants to play. Four players are needed for a team, and there is a rental fee For Bhuyan, the best part of hosting bubble soccer games is seeing people enjoy the unique sport. “My experience so far has been a great journey,” Bhuyan said. “I like to see the excitement of people and how they enjoy it.” l March 2015 | 19

HEALTH & FITNESS

Ready

play to

Briarwood’s John Hayden signs with UAB golf Story by BAKER ELLIS Photograph by MOLLY DAVIDSON

n Feb. 4, John Hayden decided to stay close to home. The Briarwood senior signed his letter of intent to accept a golf scholarship from the UAB Blazers, where he will take to the links this fall. “I love the coach, the people on the team and the program. In my mind there’s not a better place to go,” Hayden said at a National Signing Day event held at the Greystone Golf and Country Club Founders Clubhouse. Hayden, who was taken on his first golfing outing by his second-grade teacher, can shoot in the mid60s, said his career-low round is either a 65 or a 66, and he hopes to shoot in the high-to-mid 60s with more consistency moving into the college game. “If I can stay consistently there, then I should be okay,” he said. At the college level, golf is broken into a fall and a spring season, so Hayden will hit the ground running when he arrives on campus. “August to November and then February to March (are the timeframes for the seasons),” Hayden said. “So it’s like two months basically for each season, but they’re pretty intense two months.” Hayden also held offers from Mississippi State and South Alabama, but UAB was always the frontrunner. “Normally people will email them (coaches) to tell them they aren’t coming,” Hayden said. “But I was like, ‘I’m not going to email them and tell them,’ after all the time they put in (to recruiting), so I called all 20 | ShelbyLiving.com

the coaches to say I was ready to be a Blazer.” Hayden grew up playing in Greystone’s junior golf tournament and was mentored by Bob Hilton, past president of Greystone Golf and Country Club, according to a GGCC press release. Hayden has also raised a significant amount of money, more than $42,000, for the Bradley Johnson Memorial Foundation. Named after Bradley Johnson, a promising golfer who was killed at age 17 in a car accident, the foundation provides funds for underprivileged American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) golfers. Hayden met Johnson in 2005, when he watched Johnson play at Greystone Golf and Country Club. Hadyen is now close to the Johnson family, and raises money for the foundation by securing pledges for birdies he makes during tournaments and through mass mailings and brochures, according to the AJGA website. Hayden earned recognition as one of the organization’s top fundraisers in its Leadership Links program, as well as the Presidents’ Leadership Award, co-sponsored by the USGA, according to the GGCC press release. As he prepares for next chapter of his golfing career, Hayden is constantly trying to improve his game. He’s hoping to contribute to the team when he gets on campus in the fall. “I was out with my swing instructor yesterday actually,” Hayden said. “It’s going well. Hopefully I can really get going before college.” He is the son of Gavin and Marianthi Hayden. l

ABOVE: Surrounded by family and friends, John Hayden prepares to sign his letter of intent to accept a golf scholarship at UAB.

HEALTH & FITNESS

The BIG Break Greystone Country Club assistant golf pro featured on The Golf Channel

summer on the carnival rather than playing junior golf, so that slowed The Golf Channel is currently me down a little bit. I’ve been in its 23rd installment of “The Big trying to catch up ever since.” Break.” The program has become a The journey has been bumpy mainstay in the golfing community, for Portemont at times. After and the show has garnered a graduating from Troy in 2011, national and international audience where he was team captain and during its tenure. one of the top players in the Sun In its most recent installment, Belt, he turned pro soon after and which is set in Palm Beaches, Fla., spent 2012 as a full-time golfer. and premiered on Feb. 2, the show However he hit a string of bad luck, is given some local flair in the form Zach Portemont and could not make ends meet of contestant Zach Portemont, who playing anymore. In 2013, he put his is an assistant golf professional at Greystone Country Club. Portemont, an Andalusia professional aspirations on hold and went back to work. native, was chosen from more than 20,000 He now works 40 hours a week at the Greystone applicants to be one of 12 on the show. Country Club off U.S. 280, and practices whenever Portemont’s background is unique, and is undoubtedly one of the reasons that landed him on he can around his work schedule. The opportunity presented to him by the show is just the kind of the show. He started playing golf when he was 6, but couldn’t play as often as he liked due to familial exposure Portemont hopes will lead to a resurgence of his professional career. As for the outcome of circumstances. the show? “My upbringing was a little bit different,” “You’ll have to watch and see,” Portemont said Portemont said. “We grew up in a traveling with a chuckle. l amusement business, a carnival. So I spent every Story and Photograph by BAKER ELLIS

ABOVE: Greystone Golf and Country Club Assistant Golf Pro Zach Portemont appeared on The Big Break this year.

March 2015 | 21

HEALTH & FITNESS

22 | ShelbyLiving.com

Climb every

MOUNTAIN

Chelsea woman hikes entire Appalachian Trail Story by EMILY SPARACINO Photographs CONTRIBUTED

athey Leach has enjoyed backpacking throughout her life, but last year, she decided to turn her hobby into a mission to prove she could conquer one of the longest trails in the world. With a 35-pound pack strapped to her back, Leach, 61, hiked the entire Appalachian Trail on foot over a six-month period. She set out from Springer Mountain, Ga., in April, traversed 14 states and arrived at the trail’s end at Katahdin, Maine, in October. Leach described her decision to attempt the Appalachian Trail, also known as the “A.T.,” as an “ah-ha moment.” “I thought, ‘I’m going to do this. I’ve got legs that can walk and a mind that can get me on and off the trail,’” she said. Leach logged nearly 2,186 miles in 186 days. Prior to completing the A.T., Leach’s longest hike was about 35 miles. Each year, Leach and three of her friends go on backpacking trips together, but she was the only one in the group to sign up for the A.T. Leach’s son, Cully Dorer, hiked with her for 17 days at the start of her A.T. journey and joined her for the last several days as she approached Katahdin. Her husband, Ted, met her four times along the trail and spent two weeks with her in Pennsylvania, which accounted for some of the most difficult terrain she had to navigate. March 2015 | 23

Chelsea resident Cathey Leach poses with a sign marking Mount Katahdin, Maine, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

“Mentally, I knew that would be my hardest stretch because it’s just rocks and snakes,” Leach said. “I had to cope with my fear of snakes. I saw four rattlesnakes, very close.” In her pack, she carried a sleeping bag, a tent, water, nonperishable foods, one change of clothes, first-aid items, a small journal, water shoes and a sheet of paper with inspirational writings she compiled beforehand. “I would probably hike four to five days before I needed to resupply,” Leach said. Leach said she felt secure on the trail and made numerous friends along the way. “This awesome trail community starts to form,” she said. “They’re kind of like your neighbors in time. I never felt — Cathey Leach scared on the trail of people.” Leach said the A.T. was her final long-distance hike. “I enjoyed doing something most people don’t get to do,” she said. l

“I thought, ‘I’m going to do this. I’ve got legs that can walk and a mind that can get me on and off the trail.”

24 | ShelbyLiving.com

HEALTH & FITNESS

St. Vincent’s

Monogram Maternity Empowering women to decide how they want their birth experience

s we continue to see health care evolve and change to best fit the needs of our patients, St. Vincent’s is creating a more person-centered model of care. A model where convenience, access, and choices all play key roles. There’s no greater example of this shift than St. Vincent’s Health System’s new transformational model for OB care - Monogram Maternity. As the name implies, St. Vincent’s Monogram Maternity offers expectant moms a birth experience as customized as their own monogram. By celebrating the unique needs of each mom, Monogram Maternity provides one-on-one support to help moms create the birth experience they want. Each mom (and often dad) meets with her very own birth designer (a registered nurse) at St. Vincent’s Birmingham or St. Vincent’s East to design her personalized birth wishes. Whether it’s choosing how to welcome her new baby into the world, or understanding the different birth aides available, or even discussing how big brother fits into the plan, moms learn about the available options and decide which best fit their needs. Moms have the opportunity to ask questions and test the birth experience room. On the way out, moms can stop in the St. Vincent’s Birmingham Blessed Beginnings Boutique to purchase maternity gowns, last-minute baby items or lactation supplies. But Monogram Maternity doesn’t end there. It’s all about supporting moms throughout the journey. And while we don’t deliver babies at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen, we offer a wide range of services to support our moms. Monogram Maternity moms can stay fit with a free fitness membership to the One Nineteen Fitness Center. And if moms need some pampering, they can escape to our spa with a 15 percent discount. Not to mention, the wide range of educational classes available across St. Vincent’s Health System,

including Coping Skills for Labor and Delivery, Breastfeeding Skills for Success, CPR for Family and Friends, weekly Breastfeeding Support Group (held every Wednesday at 10 a.m.), and Baby Sign Language – all held at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. We also have several OB/GYNs located on our campus. We recognize that women make numerous decisions every day from their workout routine to where to live to what career to pursue. Why should their birth experience be any different? Learn more about how Monogram Maternity is empowering moms to decide how they want their birth experience at stvhs.com/monogrammaternity. #IDecideHow

Story by STEPHANIE HOLDERBY Photograph CONTRIBUTED

Stephanie Holderby is the executive director of St. Vincent’s One Nineteen. l March 2015 | 25

FEATURES

50 and counting Briarwood Christian School celebrates golden anniversary

Story by GINNY COOPER MCCARLEY Photographs CONTRIBUTED

n the fifty years since Briarwood Christian School was established—with just 22 five-yearolds and 10 four-year-olds—some things have changed and some have remained exactly the

same. The school now has nearly 2,000 students, two campuses, and 12 grades, but the core principles upon which the school was based—a devotion to missions, a foundation in the Word of God—have stayed the 26 | ShelbyLiving.com

same. The school’s motto for its 50th anniversary, “immutable principles plus innovative practices equals faithfulness and fruitfulness,” reflects this duality, Briarwood Christian School Superintendent Barrett Mosbacker said. Briarwood Christian School was founded as a ministry of Briarwood Church in 1964. Three years later, the school expanded the kindergarten program,

A rendering of the new science/ media building, which is scheduled to open in December 2015.

Briarwood Christian Schoolâ€™s campus on Cahaba Valley Road houses junior and senior high classes.

March 2015 | 27

and one year after that the school grew to include grades two through six. Soon after, junior and senior high grades were added and in 1973 the school had its first graduating class. In August of 1977, a new facility for the high school opened on Cahaba Valley Road in Shelby County, and almost a decade later grades K-8 moved to the new Briarwood Church complex off Highway I-459 at the Acton Road exit. In 1993, the school expanded the junior high classroom building and the fine arts building on Cahaba Valley Road campus, and two years later, a multi-purpose building — Barrett Mosbacker equipped with kitchen facilities was completed. In 1998, another classroom building was added to the Acton Road campus. In 2004, the school added a gymnasium and the Barbara B. Barker Fine Arts Auditorium. The school has grown tremendously since its inception, and the trend shows no sign of stopping.

“Immutable principles plus innovative practices equals faithfulness and fruitfulness.”

Welcome to the good life. Welcome to Shelby Living!

The school broke ground on a new science center and media center in February, with plans to occupy the space in December 2015. The school recently implemented an iPad program, which provides the tablet to all students in grades seven through 12. In addition, all classrooms have SMART boards, an interactive whiteboard that allows teachers to easily integrate technology into the classroom. The iPad program has been popular with students, parents and teachers, according to Mosbacker. The school is also publishing a book about the history of the school, which will have “a lot of information and a lot of pictures,” Mosbacker said. The book will be sold to parents and alumni. In the next 50 years, the school plans to continue providing a world-class education based on Christian values, Mosbacker said. “As to the future, we have a lot planned but to put it succinctly, we are moving the school to a world class level of quality, including a comprehensive k-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program,” Mosbacker said. “More specifically, we are moving to a world-class and Kingdom-class school. It will not take 50 years— Lord willing!” l

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FEATURES

Women in Business

eet a trio of women who founded their own companies. These business owners share memories of their first jobs, their greatest successes and challenges, advice about the importance of mentors and the advice they would give their 18-year-old self.

Bonika Wilson Wilson Capital Management

Photograph by JON GOERING

30 | ShelbyLiving.com

helby County resident Bonika Wilson is an entrepreneur, wife, mother and author. In late 2000, she co-founded Wilson Capital Management, a human capital management-consulting firm. She received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Virginia State University and a master’s degree in HRD/organizational behavior

from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she now lives in Greystone with her husband and children. She is involved with the Greystone Ladies Club, Gryestone Ladies Golf Association and numerous charities, and is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization, I Am My Brother’s/ Sister’s Keeper.

Q: Why did you start Wilson Capital Management? A: Wilson Capital Management is a human capital management-consulting firm. The organization was started in late 2000 to help thriving businesses that required support in managing strategy, change, people and diversity. Executives and business owners have wonderful ideas for growing their business, most don’t have time or a solid plan, and WCM partners with these organizations to help transform their ideas into strategic and action-oriented plans. Q: How did you know you were ready to run your own company? A: After a solid commercial banking career and several years of advising commercial clients with their companies, I was pretty confident that I could run a successful business. My banking career allowed me the opportunity to manage a division, which included managing employees, fiscal responsibility and sales process management, and thus I felt prepared to run a small business. Q: What was the biggest challenge in founding WCM? A: In the beginning my biggest challenge was time management. It took me some time to learn what was the priority because everything is important and I really couldn’t afford to let any balls drop. Many days I still struggle with managing my time most effectively, I bet most small business owners have similar problems. Q: What do you consider your greatest business success to date? A: Since our company began in 2000, we have continued to have year-over-year revenue growth. I have a great team of consultants and we enjoy working together. In addition, most of our new clients come from existing client referrals. I believe this is a true testament to our work and more important, our results. Q: What do you love most about your job? A: My clients, of course! We have such a diverse client base from nonprofits, universities and Fortune 500 organizations. Each day is different and I love seeing my clients accomplish their organizational goals, it is truly gratifying. Q: What is I Am My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper? A: I Am My Brother’s /Sister’s Keeper is a mentoring program established “To provide inner city young men and women self confidence, academic

achievement, entrepreneurial talents, leadership skills, spiritual enrichment, and a passion for community service.” Our mission is primarily accomplished by each participant receiving one-on-one mentoring from an individual who has exhibited our above stated core values in the local community. In addition, we will use workshops and hands-on experience to help instill these core values for success. The comprehensive mentoring program encourages young men and women to maintain competitive grade point averages through high school to increase their opportunities for scholarships and acceptance into competitive four-year universities. The program features a unique systematic approach to accomplish its mission. Q: What inspired you to write a book on marriage? A: I am writing a book called “The Business of Marriage: How to apply successful business practices to ensure a happy and healthy marriage.” I have been consulting or Q: What do you love most working with businesses about your job? for 18 years and what A: My clients, of course! I have learned is that We have such a diverse a successful marriage operates much like a client base from nonprofits, successful business – with universities and Fortune 500 a strategy and a plan. organizations. Each day is The book gives couples different and I love seeing a plan for marriage, focusing on creation my clients accomplish their of goals, mission and organizational goals, it is truly vision, communication gratifying. plan, marketing plan, identification of stakeholders (supporters of the marriage) and most important accountability. After all, no successful business operates without goals and annual performance evaluations. Q: Who is your role model? A: I have two people that have been helpful to me as I continue to grow my business. Wanda Alexander and Janet Smith, both successful, women entrepreneurs. These women have shown me that being in business takes a certain level of grit, passion and persistence. In addition, it takes a great group of advisors who will tell you what you need to hear not necessarily what you want to hear. As a woman business owner, it is important to surround yourself with other female entrepreneurs. l March 2015 | 31

Kathy McMahon Urban Home Market and Renaissance Consignment Photograph by GARRETT COYTE

32 | ShelbyLiving.com

etroit native Kathy McMahon has married two of her passions â€“ interior design and entrepreneurship â€“ with her two businesses, Urban Home Market and Renaissance Consignment.

An artist at heart, McMahon has a degree in interior design, and her hobbies include making her own jewelry, painting furniture and working with tools. She and her husband live in Greystone and have two daughters.

Q: What brought you to Shelby County? A: I was born and raised in Michigan, and I always had a love for the four seasons. I met my husband on a vacation to South Florida, and when we got married I moved to South Florida and lived there for 20 years. As much as I loved living in Florida, I couldn’t wait to take my daughters somewhere the four seasons truly existed and somewhere with a sense of community where they could grow up. We were driving through Oak Mountain one year on our way to St. Louis for Thanksgiving, and the hills were ablaze with color. I made my husband pull off the interstate, and we stayed here for two days. I knew instantly this is where I wanted to move. Q: What attracted you to study interior design in college? A: I have always loved furniture and texture, and the ability to take something old and create something new out of it. Whether it’s a room in a home or a cake I’m decorating, I find a sense of satisfaction in making something beautiful. So, interior design was at the top of my list. Q: When and why did you open Renaissance Consignment? A: I’ve always been an entrepreneur, so when we moved here in 2002 I had an idea to open a highend furniture consignment store in the area. Past Perfect was born, and eventually turned in to a fullfledged furniture store. In 2007 I decided I wanted to take a break, so I sold Past Perfect. And then after being home for six months, I knew I had to get back out there and get my hands in something else. I couldn’t go back into furniture then because of a non-compete clause, so I had the crazy idea to open a women’s consignment store. Renaissance started as women’s everyday casual clothing, and then we expanded into the upstairs and added furniture.

into their dream home, from lighting to upholstery. The Design Center offers a unique experience to clients called “Inspiration to Installation,” where a designer will decorate a client’s home and they can live in their newly decorated space for 24 hours before paying for it. Our unparalleled customer service will assure each client leaves with exactly what they were looking for. Q: What do you love most about your job? A: I absolutely love my job. I never wake up and dread going to work. I love the interaction with the clients. I love the feeling I get when I’ve completed a project and created a space in someone’s home that they can be proud of. It’s something I will always love to do. Q: What was your first job? A: I was a waitress at Big Boy for my first job. It taught me to never put ice water in a hot glass and hold it over the customer, because it will break and glass will go all over said customer.

Q: What attracted you to study interior design in college? A: I have always loved furniture and texture, and the ability to take something old and create something new out of it. Whether it’s a room in a home or a cake I’m decorating, I find a sense of satisfaction in making something beautiful. So, interior design was at the top of my list.

Q: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? A: There are a couple of things that I really believe in that I was fortunate enough to learn at a young age. Growing up, my parents didn’t have much and we lived a simple life, and that was normal. I started my first business at 22 years old, it was a printing franchise and I eventually opened 40 stores. I was involved in a motivational training class early on, and I remember a man Q: What led you to open Urban Home saying, “If you believe it, you’ll see it.” This was the Market? opposite of what were used to hearing “If you see it A: When we added furniture to Renaissance two you’ll believe it,” and it really stuck with me. If you years ago, it was so well received. I realized there truly believe something, it’ll come to fruition. Henry was a huge need for a high-end furniture store of Ford said, “Whether you think you can, or you think this caliber in Shelby County, and my true love really is interior design. Urban Home Market offers you can’t – you’re both right.” My whole life I have had enough faith to believe that if you work hard 17,000 square feet of lovely and unexpected home enough at something, and you’re persistent with it, furnishings, mixing the rustic with the elegant. Urban Home Market can help you recreate a special and you really throw yourself into something, you can do it. And it’s worked out great for me in every atmosphere in your home from our Design Center. We offer decorating services where clients can create aspect of my life. And I believe it will be the same way with Urban Home Market. l exactly what they want to transform their space

March 2015 | 33

Ashley McMakin Photograph by JON GOERING

34 | ShelbyLiving.com

Ashley Mac’s

shley McMakin grew up in Birmingham and graduated from Briarwood High school in 1998. She then attended the University of Alabama, where she met her now husband, Andy McMakin. They live in Mountain Brook with their three children. They have two boys, Ryder, 5, and Jackson, 3, and just returned home from China where they adopted a little

girl, Mally, 2. McMakin loves to read, exercise, hang out with family/friends, check out new restaurants, and of course, cook! McMakin and her family are involved with several organizations and ministries that are close to their hearts, including Lifeline Children’s Services and Jobs For Life. They are also active members at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church.

Q: When and why did you open the first Ashley Mac’s location? A: Our first location, Bluff Park, was opened in June of 2007. We were so excited to finally have an official location as we had very much outgrown our “home-based” business. Cooking in an apartmentsized kitchen for up to 100 people a week was getting difficult! Q: What was the biggest challenge in starting your own business? A: Our biggest challenge was being able to maintain a balanced perspective. Especially running the business with your spouse, it was easy to become consumed with it and we had to set boundaries like “no business talk at the dinner table.” Ha! Q: What do you love most about your job? A: I love all the new relationships that have come from Ashley Mac’s, most importantly those with our staff. I also love working on our menu development and marketing. Q: What is your favorite food at Ashley Mac’s?

A: Our refrigerator at home is always stocked with our Chicken Salad and Spicy Pimento Cheese! Q: What was your first job? A: My first job was a cashier at a marina in Lake Tahoe, California. I learned the importance of great customer service … and that working an 8 a.m.-2 p.m. shift at one of the most beautiful places in the country Q: What advice was a good decision! Q: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self? A: That God is worth trusting. His plans are much greater than my own, even if I can’t see it at the time.

would you give your 18-year-old self? A: That God is worth trusting. His plans are much greater than my own, even if I can’t see it at the time.

Q: Is there any other information you would like to share with our readers? A: We are excited for our Cahaba Heights location to re-open this spring as well as a new location in Riverchase! l

March 2015 | 35

GARDENING

Cultivating green

thumbs

Local garden clubs offer advice, fellowship for members Story by GRACE THORNTON Photograph by JESSICA CRIHFIELD

ABOVE: Members of the Centrala Garden Club in Montevallo listen as Michelle Pawlak tells the stories of her yard.

36 | ShelbyLiving.com

t’s about friends. And flowers. And friends helping friends with flowers, Ann Davis said with a smile. “We have one new lady who said, ‘I kill everything I touch,’” Davis said, “and now she’s growing tomatoes and making flower arrangements.” It’s a “come as you are, and watch things bloom” spirit at the Heatherwood Garden Club. And they’re not the only ones. A little frost may still be dusting the ground here and there, but the members of several local garden clubs say they see nothing but possibilities out the window. Vicki Everett, president of the Highland Lakes Garden Club, says she feels that way every time she visits new neighbors and tells them about the group

— and takes them a packet of seeds for whatever flower is in season. “It’s a great way to make friendships for someone new moving in — it’s a precious group of ladies,” Everett said of the club, which started in 2001 and meets regularly in the “warm Southern hospitality” of someone’s home. “It opens a door of opportunity to get them involved if they wish to, especially in a neighborhood this size. It’s warm and inviting, and it’s a great way to meet new friends and share great ideas about gardening in the South,” she said. And the programs they have each month are “educational and fun, and everybody walks away with something,” Everett said. Recently Jason Powell from Petals from the Past

in Jemison came in to help club members jumpstart their spring gardens with some early-blooming plants. Someone is slated to come soon to talk about the Cahaba lily, and the club will end the year in May with what else but a garden party. And as for the level of skill required to be a part of the club, Everett said they have master gardeners all the way to people who enjoy putting pots of mums on their front porch. Anyone is welcome. Davis said Heatherwood Garden Club is much the same way. The main common thread is that everyone likes to help each other — and even to extend their help into the community. They make Christmas bows for all the mailboxes in the neighborhood, but they also do things like maintain the garden for the residents of Sunshine Manor. Davis said one of the tenets of their club, which was founded in 1988, is that it “beautifies a neighborhood and generates more community pride and involvement,” as well as helping people “learn how to work together in a positive way.” That’s the kind of thing that Jan McKinnon says is up her garden’s group alley in Montevallo, even though over the years they have developed into

something not so flower-centric. “It’s named the Centrala Club for the ‘center of Alabama,’ and when it started in 1963, the ladies wore their gloves and hats and came and had tea in the garden,” McKinnon said. “But during the late ’70s, it changed to more of a community organization.” Centrala Club members work to enhance the beauty of Montevallo, she said, but they do it through things like bake sales, craft and plant sales, silent auctions and tablescapes events. They’ve worked extensively on behalf of the American Village, as well as to keep up the local veterans cemetery, and they’ve given large monetary gifts to local schools. “A lot of people think all we do is talk about flowers, and that’s all we do. It’s not,” McKinnon said. The group has a 25-member limit, but that’s just because that’s the reasonable limit to fit in someone’s home for a meeting, she said. When a spot comes open, anyone can be nominated, and “there’s never been anyone turned down,” she said. Overall, it’s a stimulating thing to be a part of, said McKinnon, a member since the late ’70s. “I enjoy it. I enjoy the programs and the fellowship,” she said. “It’s a good thing to be able to give back to the community that I’ve lived in for so long.” l

March 2015 | 37

GARDENING

Ripe for the

picking Community gardens yield fresh produce, community connections Story by GINNY COOPER MCCARLEY Photographs CONTRIBUTED

esidents of the Montevallo Housing Authority (also known as Crow Village) were able to grow their own fresh vegetables and flowers in raised garden beds in 2014, due to a partnership between the University of Montevallo and the City of Montevallo. The gardens were a group effort: University students in the Summer Harvest Class led the project, with support from the City of Montevallo Public Works Department. University Organic Community Garden Manager Holly Wadley provided many of the plants as well as gardening expertise, and Rita Forrest, from the Shelby County master gardeners, helped build the gardens and aid in the plot design. Though many different entities were involved in building the gardens, the idea for the project originated in the community. “It was the residents’ idea. We had talked to them, and one lady was really interested in a garden,” said Montevallo Mayor Hollie Cost, who also serves as coordinator of the University of Montevallo’s Service Learning program. After learning of the interest in community gardens, Cost worked to secure a grant to make the project possible. Eleventh Area of Alabama Opportunity Action Committee, Inc. provided $5,000, which funded seven raised beds in the area. 38 | ShelbyLiving.com

The gardens – built from cinderblocks and high enough to be wheelchair accessible – are shared by two residents who are responsible for maintaining the area, though a few residents have their own plot. “The residents seem to like it, they seem to really enjoy it,” Cost said. The program was optional for residents, and gardens were only built for residents who expressed interest in maintaining a garden and opted into the program. “We identified and built gardens for those residents who were interested,” Cost said. Resident Minnie Brazzell used her garden to grow a variety of summer produce including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, collard greens, okra and lettuce. “I’d get a whole bucket full of fresh tomatoes (per day),” Brazzell said. “The garden did really good.” Brazzell enjoyed working in the garden, and said several people commented on the attractiveness of the plot. “It was so pretty, a lot of people came around,” Brazzell said. “I really did enjoy it.” The gardens benefit not only the residents of the community, but also the University of Montevallo students who helped with the program, Cost stressed. “We want to maintain some sort of resident and community connection, so we can learn from them

The University of Montevallo and City of Montevallo partnered to build raised garden beds for Crow Village residents.

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and offer support where it will be needed,” Cost said. “Some of those residents have great gardening abilities.” The connection between students and residents could be seen in July, when students came out to build the plots and residents would provide snacks and support. “What they (the students) really love about (the project) is they’re out there talking to each other,” Cost said. “One student has been back several times. It helped to facilitate a stronger network of friendships and camaraderie.” The project also allowed the students to learn more about the residents of the community, Cost said. “They were able to really understand more about (the residents), and all the assets that are in the housing unit,” Cost said. Going forward, Cost hopes to expand the project to allow more students to become involved and take the community garden idea to other neighborhoods. With money leftover from the $5,000 grant, university students plan to build plots at the Shelby County Regional Juvenile Detention Facility as well as the Wilton public housing facility. Soon, Montevallo residents may also run a booth and the farmer’s market with the fresh produce from the gardens, and Cost hopes to connect the program with local elementary schools and Montevallo High School’s Future Farmers of America. Though some aspects of the project are still in the works, overall the program was a success, Cost said, that benefited both the University of Montevallo students and Montevallo Housing Authority residents. “I just really think it was a great experience overall,” she said. l March 2015 | 39

FOOD

Eli’s Jerusalem Grill serves authentic Israeli cuisine

li Markshtien will spend hours on his feet to make sure every plate of food leaving the kitchen of Eli’s Jerusalem Grill meets his high standards. “I say I need those plates to be perfect when they come out,” Eli Markshtien said. “Every plate is going to look the same.” Eli Markshtien and his wife, Laurel Wurthmann-Markshtien, opened their restaurant in November in a space formerly occupied by Jersey Mike’s on U.S. 280 East in Shelby County. The couple’s mission is to serve “the freshest produce, skillfully prepared quality meats, and all served with our homemade pita prepared daily in our kitchen, along with homemade soups and desserts, to bring you the tastiest and best loved food of Israel,” as the menu says. Many of the restaurant’s dishes are based on

recipes Eli learned by watching his grandmother cook in her 6-foot-by-6-foot kitchen in Israel. “That’s what I grew up on,” he said of the food. “I’m keeping everything authentic.” Shawarma (chicken and beef or lamb), falafel, kabob (beef, lamb or kefta), chicken schnitzel, chicken tenders and homemade hummus are key items on the menu. Another option is shakshuka, an Israeli Tunisian dish of eggs poached in a spicy sauce of tomatoes, chili peppers, garlic, onions and cumin. Supplementing the dishes are sides like Basmati rice, Israeli couscous, French fries, Moroccan carrot salad, Israeli pickles and olives, falafel balls, Israeli salad, Tabouli salad, red cabbage salad, red beet salad, roasted peppers salad and Baba Ghanoush, a dish of cooked eggplant, garlic and seasonings, often eaten as a dip with pita bread.

Story by EMILY SPARACINO Photographs by JON GOERING

LEFT: Eli Markshtien and his wife, Laurel WurthmannMarkshtien, opened Eli’s Jerusalem Grill in early November. ABOVE: Chicken shawarma over rice with salad is one of many authentic Israeli dishes available at the restaurant, located on U.S. 280 East in Shelby County.

March 2015 | 43

44 | ShelbyLiving.com

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The interior walls of Eliâ€™s Jerusalem Grill bear images of Israel, where owner Eli Markshtien grew up. A map of Israel can be found on the wall of the restaurant. Markshtien serves authentic Israeli cuisine using ingredients like those captured in an image on the wall of Eliâ€™s Jerusalem Grill. Family photographs can also be found on the interior walls of the restaurant.

March 2015 | 45

Eli’s Jerusalem Grill 4673 U.S. 280 East Birmingham For more information, go to Facebook.com/elisjerusalemgrill or call 637-3658. Eli’s pita bread is homemade. Beef served at Eli’s Jerusalem Grill is grass-fed, and the menu contains gluten-free options. Produce items are certified naturally grown and purchased from Owls Hollow Farm, north of Gadsden. Eli makes his own seasoning blends and sauces served on the side, including Tahini, a sesame seed sauce, and S’rug, Yemenite hot sauce. Homemade soups include chicken vegetable and lentil. Menu suggestions for children are the chicken schnitzel, falafel and kosher hot dog. For dessert, customers can have baklava, a rich, sweet pastry made from layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey; or knafeh, a traditional Israeli dessert made with sweet cheese between two layers of light, flaky pastry soaked with a syrup of sugar and rose water, and sprinkled with crushed pistachios. 46 | ShelbyLiving.com

Laurel said she encouraged Eli to open the restaurant because of his love for cooking and the quality of his food. “He always cooks for family and friends,” Laurel said of her husband. “I decided he needed to share his gift with other people.” For him, the restaurant is a “dream” and a culmination of countless years of dedication to his culinary craft. “I’ve been cooking for many years,” Eli said. “It’s a passion for me.” Eli said he wanted to make sure everyone that comes into his restaurant “feels like family.” “People of all backgrounds come and enjoy the atmosphere,” Laurel said. “Everyone does come from different backgrounds to enjoy that.” Eli’s Jerusalem Grill is located at 4673 U.S. 280 East in Birmingham. For more information, go to Facebook.com/ elisjerusalemgrill or call 637-3658. l

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Menu items at Eli’s Jerusalem Grill include beef shawarma over couscous with salad. Chicken shawarma over rice with salad is another popular dish. Falafel, which are crispy brown croquettes made from chickpeas and herbs, constitute another menu option. A salad sampler on the menu includes hummus, red cabbage salad, Moroccan carrot salad, red beet salad and roasted peppers salad.

March 2015 | 47

FOOD

HEALTHY

COMFORT FOOD Treat yourself to tasty, filling food all day long with these recipes from Stone Hollow Farmstead in Harpersville Recipes by DEBORAH STONE OF STONE HOLLOW FARMSTEAD Photographs by LORI RIKARD

48 | ShelbyLiving.com

GREEN SMOOTHIE Leafy greens + fruit + liquid base = healthy meal 1 cup arugula or other healthy green ½ cup pineapple ½ Satsuma orange or other seasonal favorite 1 cup deseeded pears with peel 1 small avocado 1 cup almond milk ¼ cup yogurt (optional) Honey (optional) 1 cup ice

1. We love our vita mix but you can use any blender to

create a delicious green smoothie! In a blender add your greens and your liquid base and blend thoroughly.

2. Stop blender and add the almond milk and deseeded fruits.

3. Blend once more, then stop blender and add fresh yogurt and ice.

4. Blend once more until thick and creamy. If you prefer a bit sweeter add a teaspoon of honey.

Deborah Stone is the owner of Stone Hollow Farmstead, an artisan farm located in Harpersville. For more information, visit Stonehollowfarmstead.com or call 1-800-285-8590.

March 2015 | 49

SHEPHERD’S PIE 2 Tbsp. grapeseed oil 2 lbs. ground lean beef 1-2 tsp. basil or thyme 2.5 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 yellow onion, diced 2 carrots, peeled and grated ½ cup corn (Can substitute diced celery or your favorite veggie) 4 Tbsp. butter, divided 2 tsp. coconut flour 2 cups turkey or chicken stock ¼ cup heavy cream 8-10 oz. frozen peas Salt Fresh ground pepper

1. In a deep skillet or a Dutch oven heat two tablespoons of oil over high heat. Add meat – Stone Hollow Farmstead uses Angus – and break 50 | ShelbyLiving.com

up with a wooden spoon. Season with salt and pepper and basil.

2. Slice sweet potatoes and cook covered with water or broth. Bring to a boil, salt and cook 15 minutes until tender. I love to use our left over baked sweet potatoes. 3. Pour diced onions and chopped carrots into the cooked beef. Stir, cook 5 minutes. While vegetables are cooking, heat two tablespoons butter in a small pot over medium heat. Add flour to melted butter and whisk for one minute. Then whisk in stock and season with salt and pepper. Thicken a few minutes. 4. Stir the gravy into the beef mixture. Stir peas into meat and turn heat off. 5. Drain potatoes and return pot to heat. Add remaining butter and melt over medium heat. Add cream and season potatoes with salt and pepper. Mash potatoes and top the meat with the potatoes. Bake 5-10 minutes in oven until bubbly on the sides. l

xxxx

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Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce C o m m u n i t y • C o m m e rc e • C o l l a b o r a t i o n

Business Connections

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its Small Business of the Year in four categories as part of 2015 Small Business Celebration sponsored by Regions Bank and scheduled for May 18-22. Completed nomination packets in four categories are due to the Chamber on Friday, April 17 by 5:00PM. Nomination packets are available by contacting Brooke Story by phone at 663-4542, ext. 105 or via e-mail at brooke@

Sponsor:

shelbyhamber.org. Small business, which employs half of all private sector employees, generates roughly 70% of new jobs annually and accounts for one of every 13 U.S. workers, truly is the backbone of our economy both nationally and locally. What’s more, roughly 75% of our 1,000+ Chamber members are companies

which employ 25 or fewer people. So you can see why small business is vitally important to our economy. The four categories are: Category I (1-10 Employees; Open 1 Year or More), Category II (11-20 Employees; Open 1 Year or More), Category III (21+ Employees; Open 1 Year or More) and Category IV (Less Than 25 Employees; Open Less Than 1 Year). The Chamber’s Small Business Work Group will host a Nominees’ Reception on Monday, May 18 for all

the nominees and their guests. The 2015 recipients will be announced at the Small Business of the Year Awards’ Community Luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, May 20 at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. The cost for Greater Shelby Chamber members is $20 per person and $30 for “Future” members. Reservations are requested by noon on Monday, May 18. Call the Chamber at 6634542 or register online at Shelbychamber.org.

First Quarterly Industry Tour at Grede on April 1 The Chamber’s first Quarterly Industry Tour of 2015 is on April 1. The Industry Tour -- sponsored by Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon -- will be held from 9:00AM until 11:00AM at Grede (pronounced Gray-D), 130 Industrial Park Road, Columbiana, AL 35051-9359. The iron foundry uses

the Lost Foam Casting process to create parts for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and construction equipment markets. Grede is the largest manufacturing employer in Columbiana. This specific operation dates back to the early 60’s when it began as Simsco. Today, their customers are

Sponsor:

some of the most recognized and successful equipment manufacturers in the world. On your visit, there will be a short brief on the overall business followed by a walking tour of the

facilities. Reservations are requested by Friday, March 27 and the tour is limited to 20 attendees. Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis and can be made by contacting Brooke Story at 663-4542, email brooke@ shelbychamber.org or register online at www. shelbychamber.org. March 2015 | 53 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

Greater Shelby Chamber to Host 3rd Small Business Celebration

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Celebrating Growth in Shelby County

2015 Ribbon Cutting Sponsor

Oh My Boutique and Gifts held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its grand opening on location at 72 B Fulton Springs, Alabaster. At Oh My Boutique and Gifts you’ll find a wide variety of specialty gifts including baby gifts, jewelry, home decor, women’s clothing and much more!

Congratulations to Favorite Laundry -- A Children’s Clothing Store -on its one year anniversary! Located at 100 Croft Street in Mt. Laurel, Favorite Laundry offers clothes, novelty items for babies, toddlers and children from a variety of lines and they also have expanded to offer consignment items.

Executive Director of Psychiatric Services with Baptist Health Services Zelia Baugh cut the ribbon for the opening ceremony of Shelby Baptist South Tower’s Adult Psychiatric Unit located on the 5th floor of the South Tower in Alabaster. The 20-bed inpatient psychiatric unit is the first in Shelby County to be able to assist those in need of psychiatric services.

The Greater Shelby Chamber’s January Community Luncheon, sponsored by Shelby County Newspapers, Inc., was its 34th Annual Meeting. The Chamber shared its 2014 Annual Report, 2015 Business Plan, recognized incoming and outgoing leadership and presented a special memento to Chris Curry on his retirement after 34 years of public service with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

New and existing members attended the Chamber Member Reception (held each quarter) to find out about the many benefits, resources, and information available through their membership Thank you to our 2015 sponsor, RX Catering! The programs and events we offer wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors!

Newsletter

The SERVPRO of Birmingham held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new facility located at 2000 Huntley Parkway, Pelham. ServPro offers residential and commercial services from mold removal to top to bottom damage restoration cleaning.

54 | ShelbyLiving.com Shelbychamber.org

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Volunteers Needed for “Keeping It Real” Programs in March 2015 Co-sponsors:

are interested in being a volunteer. Call 663-4542, ext. 106 or email keyla@ shelbychamber.org. Volunteers would arrive as early as 7:30AM and the program would conclude by 3:00PM. Lunch is provided for all volunteers.

The “Keeping It Real” program took students to a whole new reality recently at Thompson High School. The program teaches 9th grade students about “real world” life choices by giving them a random “life scenario” which includes marital/ family status, education, job and salary. The students then have to pay bills based on the randomassigned scenario.

Get Special Offers and Free Checks! Become a Benefit Partner with America’s First! ;gZZ 8]ZX`h l^i] 9^gZXi 9Zedh^i Adl GViZh dc KZ]^XaZ VcY EZghdcVa AdVch =dbZ AdVch HeZX^Va 8djedch dc HZaZXi ;^cVcX^Va EgdYjXih [dg Ndjg :beadnZZh ;^cVcX^Va :YjXVi^dc Ldg`h]deh EZg[ZXi [dg ndjg AjcX] VcY AZVgc

To take advantage of this offer contact America’s First today! For more information, email benefitpartners@amfirst.org or call 205-320-4054 FEDERALLY INSURED BY NCUA For qualifying members only. Certain restrictions apply.

March 2015 | 55 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

The Chamber is seeking volunteers for 1/2 - 1 day for its “Keeping It Real” programs on Thursday, March 12 at Chelsea High School and on Tuesday, March 17 at Pelham High School. Volunteers would manage a station and assist 9th grade students as they “pay bills” and make “life choices” based on a random life scenario. The program is co-sponsored by The UPS Store Caldwell Mill/ Hoover and Legacy Community Federal Credit Union. Contact Keyla Handley if you, or your colleagues,

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Chamber’s Mentorship Program Providing Much Needed Assistance The Chamber’s Entrepreneur Mentorship program sponsored by Charter Business continues to provide confidential guidance for entrepreneurs and small business owners on a variety of issues, including starting a new business, expanding an existing business, launching a new product, downsizing and dealing with a difficult employee.

2015 Sponsor:

The next Mentorship sessions will be held Tuesday, March 10 from 8:00AM-11:00AM. During that time, Michael Smith with the The Great, The Good and The Gone and the Chamber’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence will be available for a one-

on-one confidential meeting with any small business owner or entrepreneur to discuss any topic. Appointments are required and usually last 3045 minutes. Please contact Brooke Story, the Chamber’s Director of Business

Development & Support, at 663-4542 ext. 105 or via e-mail at brooke@ shelbychamber.org for availability on March 10.

WILL YOU TAKE THE 2015 CHALLENGE? Newsletter

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of heart attacks and the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult 2015 Health Focus Sponsor

disability in the United States. Many of the risk factors for heart attack and stroke are the same. Risk factors: Age- heart attack or stroke may happen at any age, but the risk increases as one ages Smoking Diabetes Hypertension (high blood pressure) High cholesterol/

triglyceride levels Overweight; poor dietary choices Family history Lack of exercise Stress Additional Risk factors for stroke: African American/ Hispanic Previous Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)- precursor to stroke History of Atrial

Fibrillation Diet high in sodium (salt) I want to challenge you to improve your health in 2015. Will you take action by decreasing just (1) risk factor? You may SAVE your life! Article submitted by: Jinnie Lacey, RN Rehabilitation Liaison HealthSouth Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital

Go & Grow Workshop

“Creating Messages That Work”

On March 10, the Chamber’s Go & Grow Workshop -- sponsored by Charter Business and facilitated by Michael Smith of The Great, The Good and The Gone -- will provide strategies and action steps for attendees to create and deliver messages that will grow their business. Topics covered during this hands-on and interactive workshop include: Learning How To Create 56 | ShelbyLiving.com Shelbychamber.org

Sponsor:

Messages That Get Action, Making Messages That Get To The People You Want To Hear Them, How To Win The Mind Share War With Your Chosen Audience, Building A Message Tool Kit That Works For You on Multiple Platforms And More!

The workshop will be from 11:30AM until 2:00PM at the Chamber. There is no cost to attend, but lunch is available for $10 per person for Chamber members ($20 for “Future” members). To ensure we have a proper headcount, please make reservations for

this workshop by March 9 contacting Brooke Story, the Chamber’s Director of Business Development & Support via e-mail at brooke@shelbychamber. org, by calling 663-4542, ext. 105 or register online at Shelbychamber.org.

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Welcome New Members (As of January 29, 2015)

Alabama Rental Managers

Sydney Williams

2084 Valleydale Rd, Birmingham

Alabamarentalmanagers.com

Alpha Dawg Pet Sitting, LLC

Kelley Fulmer

3079 Highland Lakes Rd. Birmingham

AlphaDawgPets.com

Property Management Pet Sitting Service

ARCpoint Labs of Birmingham Terry Pouncey at Greystone

5510 Highway 280 South, Ste 215, Arcpointlabs.com/bham-greystone Birmingham Services

Chick-Fil-A at Inverness

Mark Meadows

4620 Hwy 280 S, Birmingham

Chick-fil-a.com/inverness

H&R Block - Richard Gibson

Rich Gibson

116 Market Center Dr. Alabaster

Hrblock.com

Pearce & Associates Auction Company

Chip Pearce

P.O. Box 1864, Alabaster

AuctionbyPearce.com

Shelby County Commission -Facilities

Reed Prince

P.O. Box 467, Columbiana

Shelbyal.com

Southern Roots

Tonya Youngblood 48 Chesser Crane Road, Ste E, Chelsea

Spot On, LLC

Susie Kelley

101 Patriot Park, Montevallo

The Watts Agency- Helena

Cathy Dunagan

911 Creekside Ct #C, Helena

Insurance

The Watts Agency- Pelham

Rachel McRee

600 Oak Moutain Commons Lane, Pelham

Insurance

Tracey L. Mercer OD, PC

Judy Hogan

2000 Southlake Park, Ste 100, Hoover

Woodforest National Bank

Tonika Lawson

630 Colonial Promenade Parkway Woodforest.com Alabaster

Restaurants Tax Preparation Auction Services Government - County Women’s Clothing/Jewelry Inbound Marketing/Website Services

Eye Care/ Optometrist Financial Institutions

Seeking Volunteers to Share Expertise at the Chamber’s Career Awareness Fair The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Career Awareness Fair all Shelby County 10th grade students on April 23-24 at the Shelby County Exhibition Center. The program, sponsored by Legacy Community Federal Credit Union, is an opportunity for business professionals to share 1/2 - 1 day with students the education and/ or training requirements, salary range, workplace expectations and more in needed to be employed

Sponsor:

in your respective field. We are seeking volunteers in the professions listed below to address students in the real world of work. If you or someone in your organization is interested in sharing your expertise, please contact Keyla Handley at 663-4542 ext. 106 or E-mail keyla@shelbychamber.org for more information.

Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Architecture & Construction Arts, AV Technology & Communication Business Management & Administration Education & Training Finance Government & Public Administration Health Science Hospitality & Tourism Human Services Information Technology Law, Public Safety, Corrections, Security Manufacturing Marketing Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Transportation, Distribution, Logistics

1301 County Services Drive Pelham, Alabama 35124 Office: (205) 663-4542 • Fax: (205) 663-4524 info@shelbychamber.org www.shelbychamber.org

March 2015 | 57 Shelbychamber.org

Newsletter

Thespotonagency.com

Drug Testing

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

GSCCC Board of Directors (As of 1/29/15)

Officers Lisa McMahon Warren Averett, LLC (Chair) Paul Rogers NobleBank & Trust (Chair-elect) Bill Keller Regions Bank (Immediate Past Chair) John Browing Cahaba Valley Computer Services (Vice Chair, Business Development & Support) April Weaver Shelby Baptist Medical Center (Vice Chair, Communications)

Newsletter

Keith Brown Jefferson State Community College (Vice Chair, Community & Workforce Development) Gregg Maercker First Commercial Bank (Vice Chair, Finance & Administration)

Tim Benefield (2016) Buffalo Rock Company Linda Cencula (2016) Avadian Credit Union Steve Chapman (2016) Alabama Gas Corporation Kathy Copeland (2016) White Rock QuarriesVincent Hills Bruce Fryer (2016) Lhoist North America Dominic Buompastore (2017) Hyatt Regency Birmingham -The Wynfrey Hotel Bill Connor (2017) America’s First Federal Credit Union Chris Grace (2017) Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc. Katie McDowell (2017) Shelby County Newspapers, Inc.

2015 Continual Sponsors (As of January 29, 2015)

280 Living A.C. Legg, Inc. AT&T - Alabama America’s First Federal Credit Union Business Telephones, Inc. FastSigns First Commercial Bank Graham & Associates, CPA’s HealthSouth Lakeshore Rehabilitation Jefferson State Community College M.J. Harris, LLC New Point Outdoor Shelby Baptist Medical Center Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. The UPS Store Caldwell Mill Rd/ Hoover The GREAT the GOOD and the GONE University of Montevallo

Ambassador of the Month

Charlie Stevens Thompson Tractor Company, Inc. (Vice Chair, Membership & Marketing)

Andrew McGee (*) Hampton Inn & Suites 280 at Eagle Point

Board of Directors Tim Bowen (2015) Alabama Power Company

Jeff Brown (*) Brownstone Marketing Solutions

William Carroll (2015) Armstrong Relocation & Companies

Amanda Mundy (*) Trinity Medical Center

Congratulations to Kendall Williams for earning Ambassador of the Month. Kendall is the Development Director for the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation. The Foundation provides financial support for the Shelby County Schools District and strengthens interactive partnerships between parents, communities, businesses and educators to ensure that each student is offered maximum potential for achievement. Kendall also serves on the Board of Directors and Alumni Board for Leadership

David Schlueter (*) Buck Creek Stained Glass

2015 Ambassador Program Sponsor:

Joe Meads Sain Associates (Vice Chair, Governmental Affairs)

David Platt (2015) Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Jim Purvis (2015) A. C. Legg, Inc.

58 | ShelbyLiving.com Shelbychamber.org

Michael Smith (2017) The GREAT, The GOOD and The GONE Sam Tucker (2017) Charter Business

Brent Stewart (*) Renasant Bank *Serving a one-year term in 2015.

Shelby County, 2015 Chair of the Greater Shelby Chamber’s Ambassador Work Group and serves on the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Work Group. For more information about the Foundation and ways you can support Shelby County Schools, contact Kendall at foundation@ shelbyed.k12.al.us.

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

Chamber “Eggs & Issues SpeedNetworking Times Breakfast” to Feature Four on March 19 Sponsor: The Greater Shelby, Washington Update from Calera, Montevallo and Shelby chambers Congressman Gary Palmer South are joining together to Sponsor:

attending. This event, sponsored by Alabama Power Company, is co-hosted by the Greater Shelby County, Calera, Hoover, Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills chambers of commerce. The investment for a full breakfast is $15 per person for Chamber members and $25 for “Future” members. ShelbyOne investors receive one complimentary registration. Registration is required by March 26, so please contact the Chamber via e-mail at info@shelbychamber. org, by phone at 6634542 or register online at Shelbychamber.org.

Greater Shelby Chamber March Community Luncheon The Chamber’s March Community Luncheon will be hosted by the Existing Business & Industry Work Group. The Community Luncheon will be held on March 25 in the banquet hall at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena. Doors will open at 11:00AM for business networking and the program will begin promptly at 11:30AM. Existing Businesses & Industries are invited to participate in the Showcase Feature. Call or email Brooke Story, Director,

Business Development & Support for details at 6634542, etc. 105 or brooke@ shelbychamber.org. The investment is $20 per person for Chamber members and $30 per person for “Future” Members and includes a luncheon buffet. Reservations requested by Monday, March 23. Please contact the Chamber at info@ shelbychamber.org, by telephone at 663-4542 or register online at Shelbychamber.org.

host a four-Chamber SpeedNetworking event for members to expand the opportunity to connect! Bring a minimum 100+ business cards and ready for a morning of fun, fast and no cost networking! Sponsored by the YMCA Alabaster, the event will be held on Thursday, March 19 from 8:30AM until

10:00AM at the Rolling Hills Camp and Retreat Center, 521 Highway 304, Calera. There is no cost but reservations are requested by Tuesday, March 17. Contact the Chamber at 6634542 or register online at Shelbychamber.org.

March Business After Hours Features the Arts & Networking Mark your calendar for Thursdsay, March 5 and join us at the Shelby County Arts Council from 5:30PM until 7:00PM for Shelby County’s best after hours networking event! The Chamber’s quarterly Business After Hours -sponsored by Shelby County Newspapers -- are a great way to make new business contacts — and have fun while you’re doing it! The cost to attend is affordable — only $10 for Chamber members ($20 for “Future” members) — and includes hot, heavy

Sponsor:

hors d’oeuvres and two complimentary beverages of your choice. Advance reservations are requested by March 3. Contact the Chamber by phone at 6634542, info@shelbychamber. org or register online at Shelbychamber.org.

March 2015 | 59 Shelbychamber.org

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Gary Palmer, the new Congressman for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District, was elected this past November and sworn into office in January. During his first term in Congress he will serve as a member of these three Congressional Committees: Oversight and Government Reform, Budget and Space, Science and Technology. He was also appointed as the representative for Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina to the Republican Policy Committee. On March 31, Congressman Palmer will join us for an “Eggs & Issues” Breakfast event from 7:30AM-9:00AM at the Birmingham Marriott Hotel and provide a Washington Update. Time permitting we will open the floor to questions from those

Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce

GSCC Events

Find more details of what you can expect about any event listed by visiting the Greater Shelby County Chamber’s website at: www.shelbychamber.org. Register for events online at www.shelbychamber.org or the Chamber office 663-4542. CANCELLATION POLICY REMINDER: If a reservation is made for a paying event and you are unable to attend, you will be charged for the event unless a cancellation request is made at least TWO business days prior to the event.

March 2015

4 4 5

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11:30AM - 1:00PM - Ambassadors Work Group Greater Shelby Chamber 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham 4:00PM - 5:00PM - Small Business Work Group Greater Shelby Chamber 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham 5:30AM - 7:00PM - Business After Hours Sponsor: Shelby County Newspapers, Inc. Shelby County Arts Council 104 Mildred Street, Columbiana Investment: $10 members, $20 “Future” members —includes hot, heavy hors díoeuvres & two complimentary beverages. Reservations requested by March 3. 8:00AM - 11:00AM - Small Business Mentorship Appointments Michael Smith, The GREAT, the GOOD, and The GONE Sponsored by: Charter Business Greater Shelby Chamber 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham By appointment. Contact Brooke Story at 663-4542, ext. 105. 11:00AM - 1:00PM - Go & Grow Workshop “Creating Messages That Work” Presented by Michael Smith, The GREAT, the GOOD, and The GONE Sponsor: Charter Business Greater Shelby Chamber 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham Reservations requested by Monday, March 9 as lunch will be served. Investment: Members $10, “Future” members $20. 8:30AM - 9:30AM - Existing Business & Industry Work Group Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc. 3535 Grandview Parkway, Suite 500, Birmingham 8:00AM - 3:00PM - “Keeping It Real” Program Co-Sponsors: Legacy Community Federal Credit Union & The UPS Store Caldwell Mill Rd/ Hoover Chelsea High School, 10510 Highway 11, Chelsea Volunteers needed. Contact Keyla Handley, 663-4542, ext. 106 8:30AM - 9:30AM - Health Services Work Group Greater Shelby Chamber 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham

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8:30AM - 9:30AM - Education Work Group Shelby County Instructional Services Center 601 First Street South, Alabaster 11:30AM - 1:00PM - Calera Chamber Monthly Luncheon Timberline Golf Club, 300 Timberline Trail, Calera Investment: $12 No reservations required. 8:00AM - 3:00PM - “Keeping It Real” Program Co-Sponsors: The UPS Store Caldwell Mill Rd/ Hoover & Legacy Community Federal Credit Union Pelham High School, 2500 Panther Circle, Pelham Volunteers needed. Contact Keyla Handley, 663-4542, ext. 106 8:00AM - 10:00AM - Entrepreneur Rountable I Sponsor: Business Telephones, Inc. 8:15AM - 9:30AM - Executive Committee Meeting Greater Shelby Chamber 1301 County Services Dr., Pelham SpeedNetworking Times Four Chambers Sponsor: YMCA Alabaster Rolling Hills Camp & Retreat Center, 521 Highway 304, Calera. No cost. Reservations requested by March 17. 8:30AM - 10:30AM - Entrepreneur Roundtable II Sponsor: Business Telephones, Inc. Greater Shelby Chamber Community Luncheon Doors open at 11:00AM. Program 11:30AM - 1:00PM. Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena 500 Amphitheater Rd., Pelham Reservations requested by noon, Monday, March 23. Investment: Members $20, “Future” members $30. 8:30AM - 9:30AM - Governmental Affairs Work Group Sain Associates Two Perimeter Park South, Ste 500 East, Birmingham 7:30AM - 9:00AM - “Eggs & Issues Breakfast” Washington Update from Congressman Gary Palmer Sponsor: Alabama Power Company Birmingham Marriott Hotel 3590 Grandview Pkwy, Birmingham Investment: Members $15, “Future” members $25.

SHELBY SPOTTED

GSCC Luncheon

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce held its 34th Annual Meeting Jan. 28 at the Pelham Civic Complex. 1. Chris and Pam Curry 2. Randy Fuller, David Bobo and Kendall Williams 3. Cassandra Spencer and LaVada Varner 4. Grant Larsen and David DuBose 5. Jinnie Lacey and Vicki Everett

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Greystone Ladies Club luncheon

The Greystone Ladies Club held a luncheon at the Founders Clubhouse on Jan. 14. Members participated in a painting session and enjoyed waffles, eggs Benedict with grilled asparagus and strawberry cheesecake. 1. Robin Lee and Donna Urrutia 2. Sylvia Stagner and Rebecca Hamrick 3. Wilma Thompson, Beth Yoder and Shirl Ward 4. Pat Coshatt and Michelle Matlock 5. Carole Marks and Denise Tassone 6. Beth Yoder, Jeannie Johnson, Ann Layne and Hiltrud Hollibaugh 7. Hiltrud Hollibaugh and Barbara Brickner 8. Jackie McAtee and Sandra Battles

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9. Alicia Cuevas and Julie Kim 10.Trudy Baughan and Krystal Phillips 11. Charlene Ryan and Joyce Vasha 12. Roula Hakim, Mirvat Hamid and Eman Hunaidi

11 12

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SHELBY SPOTTED

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2 3 5

Mutts on Main

Mutts on Main, sponsored by the Columbiana Merchants and Professionals Association to benefit the Shelby Humane Society, was held Dec. 13 in Columbiana. 1. Simon Carbone, Brian Chestnut, Sydney Davis, Kayla Clark, Rebekah Siddiqi, Sarah Latuch, Ellen Ludwig 2. Landon, Sunena, Avi and Retta Argo with Rollo 3. Parade participants 4. Buddy and Carla Smith with Dolly, Sophie, Hartley, Winkin, Blinkin and Nod 5. Delores Adkins with Ozzy and Scott McCreery with Yeti 6. Heidee Vansant with Belle, Pebbles, Pogo, Spunkie 7. Cindy and Lexi Martin with Lilli

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8. Daniel and Kelli Taylor with Scarlett and Jenna 9. Marreen Wilson with Bobo, Emily Gravitt and Becky Stacks with Fred 10. Nancy Davis with Pepi 11. Shelby Humane Society Staff

Vintage Interiors Antiques & Gifts

2838 Pelham Parkway 205-620-1900 March 2015 | 65

SHELBY SPOTTED

4 Asbury UMC hosts first Chili Cook Off

Cooks put their chili recipes to the test in Asbury United Methodist Church’s first Chili Cook Off Fundraiser on Jan. 24. Hosted by the church’s Children’s Ministry, the fundraiser benefited Imagine No Malaria. 1. Rev. Greg Foust with Lauren, William and Tim Moynihan 2. Pierce, Robert, Katie and Kim Burnett with Hannah Mercer 3. Rileigh and Scott Ferguson with DeAnne Thorn 4. Amy and Stephanie King 5. Mike Gibbs and Scott Crawford 6. Rev. Kip Laxson, Melissa Wise, Reis Logan and Kim Nolen 7. Christine Ferguson and Lamar Shaw 8. Reese Ferguson, Tami Laxon and Myra Shaw

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SHELBY SPOTTED

Curry retirement reception

Law enforcement and local officials gathered at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 15 to celebrate Sheriff Chris Curry’s retirement. 1. Cliff James, Scott Grant, Scott Graham and Allen King 2. Mac Stinson and Ben Kratz 3. Jason Johnston and Jeff Hughes 4. Donny Acton and Clay Hammac

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SHELBY SPOTTED

Hoover Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours

The Hoover Chamber of Commerce hosted its Business After Hours at the Inverness Holiday Inn Express on Jan. 22. 1. Jeff Brown and Chris Greene 2. Debbie Asay, April DeLuca and Ernie Jonseof 3. Ira Levine and Lisa Dunbar 4. Verona Petite, Tammy Hammond and Nicole Dobbins 5. Scott Sanders and Scott Shinbaum 6. Glenn Lewis and Laura Robinson 7. Lynn Ray and Rhett Callis 8. Matt Taul and Anthony Bandura

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SHELBY SPOTTED

Indian Springs Village Christmas party

Residents of Indian Springs Village and friends gathered at Town Hall for a Christmas party on Dec. 16. 1. Don Downs, Ginger Crook, Pam Curry, Jake Guercio and Margie Robins 2. Jeremy Crook and Joan Downs 3. David Price and Wayne Jones 4. Pam and Tom Welch

SHE HOLDS THE HOUSE RECORD FOR “MOST STATE CAPITALS RECALLED IN FIVE MINUTES” AND “BIGGEST HOLE DUG IN THE BACKYARD FOR NO APPARENT REASON.” and at Children’s of Alabama we want to see every child grow up and live to their fullest potential. That’s why we recruit, train and retain the most inquiring minds, the most skilled hands and the most compassionate hearts in pediatric medicine.

C H I L D R E N A M A Z E U S E V E R Y D AY

1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H B I R M I N G H A M , A L 3 5 2 3 3 (205) 638-9100

ChildrensAL.org

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SHELBY SPOTTED

Carly’s Clubhouse kickoff fundraiser

A kickoff fundraising event for Pelham’s all-inclusive playground project, Carly’s Clubhouse, was held at the Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena on Jan. 24. 1. Brenda Walker, Laura Rochester and Cindy Hardin 2. Susan and Alyssa Lee with Sharon Wall 3. Sue and Bruce Clements 4. Sonya Gibson and Gloria Buie 5. Catherine Jared and Kelly Windham 6. Kayla Mizell, Dunn Timothy, Melissa Pouncey, Katie Beaton and Calvin Pouncey 7. Robert Cooper and Tanner Morgan 8. Marylin Eddings and Dorothy Hill

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SHELBY SPOTTED

HLGC monthly meeting

Horticulturalist Jason Powell from Petals from the Past in Jemison presented a program about winter gardening techniques at a Highland Lakes Gardening Club meeting on Jan. 22. 1. Joy Stinson and Jason Powell 2. Mary Ray and Sue Friend 3. Kathy Banks and Phyllis Weaver 4. Bellann Fitts, Sue Comeaux and Joy Stinson 5. Myra Elliott and Sharon Hauser

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33 Shelby County 197th Birthday Celebration

Shelby Countyâ€™s 197th Birthday Celebration, hosted by the Shelby County Historical Association, was held at the Shelby County Museum and Archives on Sunday, Feb. 1. 1. Chris and Harriet Doss and Fred Olive 2. 1st Pennsylvania Regiment Color Guard Christopher Long, Don Relyea, Troy Mason and Allen Cousins 3. Diane and Bobby Joe Seales 4. Paul DeMarco, Nancy Barefield, Pam Nichols and Bob Barefield 5. Sandy Crumpton with Jim and Debbie McCrary 6. Arthur McCall and Quincy Whitehead 7. Terri Sullivan 8. Henry and Rose Emfinger and Veronica Emfinger Bailey 72 | ShelbyLiving.com

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SHELBY SPOTTED

Fifth annual Polar Plunge

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics held the fifth annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Oak Mountain State Park. 1. Pelham City Councilman Ron Scott, Pelham Mayor Gary Waters, Special Olympics Super-Star Jane Cameron, David Noble and Pelham City Council President Rick Hayes 2. The Mountain Brook Police Department took the plunge with the clever team name “Copsicles” 3. Lindsey Swinford and Lisa Gangflood

OPEN MON-FRI 7AM-6PM SAT 8AM-5PM • (888) 693-9020

HOME OF THE 30 MINUTE OIL CHANGE PLEDGE Expires 4/15/15

$10.00 OFF

ANY OIL CHANGE

Cahaba Heights Reopening & New Riverchase Location

Coming Spring 2015!

Expires 4/15/15

10% OFF

ANY ACCESSORY OR OVER THE COUNTER SALE

Expires 4/15/15

$25.00 OFF ANY SERVICE OR REPAIR

Must spend over $50. Choose any service available in our dealership. This exclusive offer not valid for insurance work, warranty, over the counter sales, other offers or service specials. Must be redeemed at one visit. Has no cash surrender value.

Salad Trio

Cahaba Heights ~ Inverness Riverchase ashleymacs.com ~ (205)822-4142 March 2015 | 73

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Greystone hosts premier viewing party

The Greystone Golf and Country Club hosted a viewing party for the premier of Big Break the Palm Beaches on the Golf Channel on Feb. 2. This season of the show features local Greystone golfer Zach Portemont. 1. Caroline and Missy McCabe with Breck Fowler. 2. Kendra Wright, Danielle Sullivan and Anna Shinn. 3. Beau and Sloan Beard. 4. Deanna and Mike Natale. 5. Ray and Glenda Etheredge. 6. Jim, Charlene and Nick Dunlap with Landon and Hayden Carner. 7. JT and Zach Portemont. 8. Marianthi and John Hayden.

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SHELBY SPOTTED

South Shelby Chamber Luncheon The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce spotlighted the city of Chelsea during a membership luncheon Feb. 5.

1. Kim Egan and Laurie Barker 2. Kelly Bland and Nathan Park 3. Mike Cooley and Becky Landers 4. Sonya Knight, Gene Hunter and Mara Wood 5. Pat McDanal and Donald Shirley

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DESCENDED FROM HEROES They came from all walks of life, from rural farms, from small towns to big cities, to answer their country’s call. — Senator Bob Dole

HWY. 119 MONTEVALLO, AL

Free Teach ers: Reg classister of H avail room kit onor a dow ble for nloa d

To find out how to include the veterans in your family in the Register of Honor, visit:

WWW.VETERANSREGISTEROFHONOR.COM

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SHELBY SPOTTED

Greystone golfer signs with UAB

Family, friends and members of the Greystone community gathered at the Greystone Founders Clubhouse to celebrate Briarwood senior John Hayden signing with the UAB Blazers golf team on Feb. 4. 1. Katia Aguilar with Christy and Remy Thompson and Todd and Robert Makofski 2. Katherine Collier, Hayden Dooley, Johnson Dooley and Preston Fights 3. Gavin, John and Marianthi Hayden 4. Grace and Renae Friedman with Gavin Hayden 5. Murray and Suzanne Hasinoff 6. Calvin Bolling and Charlie Tickle 7. Todd Thompson and Brian Speikman 8. Olivia and Darin Cissle with Ashlyn Halbrooks 9. Danette Akins and Julie Collier

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CLASSIFIEDS

Marketplace Shelby Living • 205.669.3131

37 Auto Sales Financing Available! 205-280-1177 6545 US Highway 31, Verbena, AL 35091 www.37autosales.com ACCEPTANCE LOAN COMPANY Personal Loans! Let us Pay Off Your Title Loans! Come by Acceptance Loan and apply for a loan today. 224 Cahaba Valley Rd Pelham, AL 35124 205-663-5821 Company Drivers and Owner Operators Home at least once a wk. Exc benefits, pay. Must have Class A CDL w Hazmat & Tanker endorsements, 2 yrs OTR exp, good safety record. 800-338-2717 JOBS IN ALABAMA!! AIDT assists employers throughout AL by identifying qualified applicants by recruitment, screening & training services. Visit www.aidt. edu/jobs for latest jobs & training! Alabama Insurance Agency has a Business Opportunity for Insurance Agents. Turn Key Operation. Contact us through the website, www.alinsagency.com or phone Allen Vest at 205303-2055 VENDORS NEEDED! Alabama Pick N’ Trade, LLC dba Dixieland Tradin’ Post under new ownership. 33985 Hwy 25, Harpersville, AL 35078 For info, call 205-672-2022. 205-672-2022 (formerly Dixieland)

All American Asphalt Complete Paving and Seal Coating Service • Commercial and Residential. No job too big or too small, too near or too far. Quality work at reasonable prices. Free estimates. No obligations. Call now for spring discount. Licensed and insured. Statewide Service Since 1969 (205)767-1585 $10 OFF ANY SERVICE! American Holmes Heating & Air, LLC 205-479-9148 AL#14098 www. americanholmeshvac.com EXPERIENCED LANDSCAPE DESIGNER for Andy’s Landscape Service. Must have Horticulture Degree. Apply at 3351 Morgan Dr, Vestavia Hills, or email cindyl@ andysgardencenter.com Attic Antiques • Antiques • Vintage • Industrial Tues - Sat, 10:00 - 4:30 5620 Cahaba Valley Road 205-991-6887 Clanton Area!! Automation Personnel Services - Responsibilities Include: Inspection of automotive parts • Load and unload parts • Detail oriented • Able to lift 50 lbs regularly Requirements: HS Diploma or GED. Applications accepted Tu-Th, 8am11am. Interested Candidates may walk into our office to apply. Inside JCI. 2541 7th St S, Clanton, AL 35045. (205)280-0002, EOE

ShelbyLiving.com

B & M Shelby Pickers Indoor/ Outdoor Flea Market and Kountry Store is NOW OPEN. Mon/Tue/Thu 12-5pm, Fri/ Sat 8am-5pm. 4814 Hwy.47, Shelby 205-461-8725 1 (one) brand new Queen Mattress and Box Spring for $195.00. Call 334-655-1946 for more info (IN MONTGOMERY) BAMA Concrete Finishing. Driveways, Patios, Floors, Driveway Repair, Sidewalks, Concrete Walls, and Stamping. Call Jeremy. Free Est. 205-901-4112 BAMA CONCRETE PRODUCTS 205-664-3500 Bartens Media. Let us help you find Drivers. 618965-9505 Bibb Medical Center in Centreville, AL offers a new, independent living facility for seniors. Congregate Housing @ Cahaba Trace. Allinclusive price. Numerous amenities. Private pay. Must be 62+ years and capable of living independently. For info, please call Carrie Williams at 205.926.3286. Bibb Medical Center Nursing Home Openings: CNA & LPN All shifts: PT & FT positions available Contact Human Resources at : bmchr@ bibbmedicalcenter.com Apply On-line at bibbmedicalcenter.com

COME RUN WITH THE BIG DOGS Big M-Transportation $500 Orientation Pay. $1500 Sign On Bonus. Personal Dispatcher 24/7. 2015 Equipment Arriving. Driver Friendly Company. Great Home Time..Lease Purchase Program. Up to $0.42/mile in 6 months. Contact Jacob at: 877-553-2448 www.bigmtransport.com Journeymen Electricians, $24 per hour plus insurance. Helpers $9.60 to $19.20 per hour depending on experience. Greater Birmingham area. Call 205-849-5522 for details. Piano Tuning / Repair, Refinishing, Moving & Storage Trained by The School for the Blind. Buddy Gray Music. 205-822-0482 or 800-593-2462 The Bumper Company • We sell and install painted bumpers and perform repairs, often for less than your deductible! CALL TODAY (205)8683763 • 906 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 Casino Trips • Fun trips at reasonable rates! Pick-ups in Hoover and Shelby County. For more information and reservations contact Louise Jones 205/663-3060 • Email: LJones7067@AOL. Com CDL Skills And Test Training, LLC. Day & Evening Classes. Hoover/ Pelham Area. 205-2535960

2-5 Years Flatbed Lumber Experience. Home Every Night. Apply in Person. Cedar Creek Wholesale 901 2nd Court West Birmingham, AL 35204 205-458-7900 Full Benefits. SERVICE TECHNICIAN with HVAC exp. Energetic, outgoing, hardworking, career oriented person to be part of team. Min 3 yrs exp. w/ EPA cert. Negotiable Salary between $15 to $30 hourly. Call 205-7552209 or apply at 816 7th Street. N., Clanton Class A CDL Drivers needed for Birmingham Coca-Cola and Tuscaloosa Coca-Cola Bottling Companies. Driving experience is required. Apply in person at: 4600 East Lake Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35217 Columbiana Health and Rehabilitation, LLC CNA Class -Starting SOON !!!! Apply in person: 22969 Hwy 25. Columbiana, AL 35051 FIREWOOD-OAK or HICKORY Pick up - only 5 cents per pound. Commercial and Residential delivery also available. Columbiana Wood Products 21421 Hwy 25 Columbiana (205) 671-5202 Comfort Care Hospice • Volunteers needed to be present with someone on their journey. (877)2310321 comfortcarehospice. com March 2015 | 77

ATTN WAITRESS, BARTENDERS & ENTERTAINERS Established Local Company needs 12 people w/ great personalities. Hourly + No Nights, No Travel, Paid Weekly, Benefits Available. Call 205-969-1797 or 800-510-2287 52 Beers on Tap! Cowboys 280 5492 US Highway 280 E. 205-981-0994 Dawson Landscape Group. Custom Outdoor lighting, Firepits, irrigation, weed control packages. dawsonlandscapegroup. com. 205-532-9793 DCH Health System. Caring. For Life. RN Signon Bonus! For information and to apply online visit www.dchsystem.com TARGET AUCTION. Advanced Real Estate Marketing. 800-476-3939 www.targetauction.com Dirtworks & Bobcat Landscaping, sprinkler systems, retaining walls, drainage work, stone patio. Call 205-620-1818 for more information Help Wanted: Part Time Office Help For Afternoons. Full Time Labor Workers needed with clean DL Call (205)678-2411 For More Information. Dunn Building Company is looking for a Shop Assistant for their Fabrication Shop in Calera.The candidate must be a certified welder and be able to read blueprints. To apply visit: dunnbuildingcompany. com and download an application from the Careers section. They can be faxed or emailed to Brett Clark at 205510-0301 or bclark@ dunnbuildingcompany. com EOE M/F/Vet/Disabled 78 | ShelbyLiving.com

Dunn Building Company has Immediate Openings for projects in Trussville and Childersburg. Form carpenters, earth moving equipment operators, metal sheeters, field engineers, laborers & superintendents. Min. 1 year exp. and ability to pass drug test. To apply visit: dunnbuildingcompany. com. NO PHONE CALLS!!! EOE Welder Training Coming Soon! Short Term Licensing Call for Details 866-432-0430 ESDschool. com $3000 SIGN ON BONUS NEW PAY SCALE TO QUALIFYING DRIVERS EVERGREEN TRANSPORT, is accepting applications for local drivers in the Calera and Leeds, AL, area. Must have class A CDL, good driving record, 1 yr verifiable tractor trailer experience. Good pay and benefits. Apply in person at 8278 Hwy 25 South, Calera, AL, or call for info 205-668-3316. Evergreen Transport, LLC has an immediate opening in the Maintenance Department at its Calera Terminal for a Lead Technician. The job will require repairing diesel trucks and directing other mechanics with repair orders. If interested, please call Shane Jones @ 205-668-3316 or Chuck Talbot @ 800-525-5144. Queen Pillow Top Mattress Set New Still in plastic. $200 205.789.8611. Can Deliver. Wrap Team Leader/ Out-Patient Therapist. Supervise Wrap team. Coordinate weekly staffing with Shelby DHR. Provide individual/family counseling. LGSW/LCSW/ ALC/LPC with supervisory experience. Fax 205-5102626 or email hrm@gway. org.

I believe I am defined by the care I give. Home healthcare allows you to see one patient at a time. When you become a part of home healthcare, you become a part of your patients’ lives. Now Hiring Registered Nurses for Centreville/Brent Contact Shea Parker 1.866.GENTIVA or 770-372-1109 shea.parker@gentiva.com Visit gentiva.com/careers AA/EOE/M/F/D/V encouraged to apply. INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICIAN with Mechanical skills. Competitive Benefits. Located in Calera. Call 205-795-7294 Recipes. Products. Company Store. Tours. So much more! GoldenFlake. com ONLINE AUCTIONS www.GTAOnlineAuctions. com 205-326-0833 Granger, Thagard & Assoc. Jack F. Granger #873 Great Clips Hiring Stylists Chelsea 205-966-7254 Looking for Full or Part Time Counter Help for Cleaners 280 location. Greystone Area. (205)807-4646 IT’S REFUND SEASON NOBODY GETS MORE OF YOUR MONEY BACK THAN H&R BLOCK IN CHELSEA...GUARANTEED. CALL TODAY (205) 6783007 Get your BILLIONS back America! DRIVERS Hanna Truck Lines is seeking 20 Professional Flatbed Drivers. 50 cpm No Surprises: Starting Pay (all Miles): 48 cpm, 49 cpm @ 6 mo, 50 cpm @ 1 yr. 100% Outbounds loads Pre-loaded & Tarped. 75% Inbound No Tarp.

Late Model Peterbilt Trucks. Air Ride Trailers. Home weekends. Low cost BCBS Health & Dental Ins. Matching 401K. Qualifications: 18 Mo Class A CDL driving exp w/ 6 mo flatbed; Applicants must meet all D.O.T. req. Contact recruiting @ 1-800-634-7315 or come by HTL office @ 1700 Boone Blvd, Northport. EOE HARDEE’S Now Hiring Store & Asst Managers, & Shift Leaders. Email resume to hardees2007@ bellsouth.net or apply in person on Valleydale Rd Healtcare Certification. Visit Healthcareergroup. com or call 800-897-1773 for more info. No college required. KATS Grocery Delivery 205-923-6110 iKareihelp@gmail.com NEEDED NOW!! King’s Home has openings for Youth Care Workers (FT & PT) different shifts. Must be 23+ yo. Clear driving record, clear criminal background, HS diploma/ GED req’d. Please email lynn@ kingshome.com or fax to 205-678-7372. Owner Operators Wanting Dedicated Year Round Anniston, AL www. pull4klb.com Others buy Gold, We buy Jewelry! 205-251-3381 Downtown Birmingham www.levysfinejewelry.com Lil Angels Learning Center is now accepting enrollment for ages 3 wks to 12yrs! 200 Ridge Drive, Pelham 205-663-1852 NEED A JOB? Lyons HR has jobs. Various positions available. Apply at: 490 Wildwood Circle N., Ste. 150 Birmingham, AL 35209

FT Drivers Needed. Must be willing to work days, nights or weekends. Wages begin at $10/hr. www.MacsDelivers.com 866-217-1928 or email amy@macsdelivers.com MACS Courier Service House Cleaners Wanted 25-35 Hrs a week no nights or wknds Car, D.L & insurance req Located in Pelham Call for appt 3581800 www.maidpro.com/ birmingham Christian Mission Agency in Wilsonville Seeking Executive Administrator. Excellent organizer, proficient in Excel & Quickbooks. Supervisory experience helpful. Salary negotiable. Send resume: info@ makewaypartners.org Christian Mission Agency headquartered in Wilsonville seeking dataentry person. Experience: proven record with Excel & details. Annual salary $1822K. Send resume: info@ makewaypartners.org Service Technician • Top Pay, Benefits & Commission! Apply in person: Mainline Heating & Air 400 Hillwood Park S. Alabaster (205) 664-4751 New Urgent Care, MedCenter Hoover, is hiring LPN, Lab Tech, Patient Care Coord. Great Benefits. Fax Resume to 205-822-1158. Montgomery Stockyard Drop Station at Gray & Son’s in Clanton. Call Lane at 205-389-4530. For other hauling arrangements, contact Wes in Harpersville 205-9658657 Morrison Healthcare Food Service at Shelby Baptist Hospital Now accepting applications for future openings. Must pass drug/ nicotine/background check. Apply online at www. compassgroupcareers.com

Nate’s Pit Stop Service Special: $10 OFF of $100 or more. Most Vehicles. See website for details. Not valid with other offers. 644-9393 www.natespitstop.com NatrualNailz by Tara Specialize in natural nail care. 10% OFF for first time client when you mention this ad! 624 Montgomery Hwy, Ste 9 Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 745-6591 • Schedulicity. com Immediate Opening for PT/FT Employee for Medical Office in Alabaster. Applicant must be willing to learn new skills and live in vicinity. Email resume to personal4@charter.net or fax to 205-664-9689. Noble LLC of Scottsboro, AL is looking for company drivers & owner/ops – both flatbed & van. We have paid vacation, holiday bonus pay, safety bonus, & BC/BS is available. We have a family atmosphere with newer equipment. We like to have 2 years of experience & acceptable safety record - If less, call us. noblellctrucking.com Call 256-574-0066 Production / Manufacturing Vance, Alabama Starting pay: $12.00 – $14.50 /hr. • Have 2 years+ Production/Manufacturing exp. • Have Recently Lived in Alabama at least 2 years. • Have A High School Diploma or GED. • Are at least 18 years old. Complete your application on line at www.naonsite.com Manufacturing/ Assembly positions available in Calera area. Full time hours, all shifts available. Call today 205267-3910

Const Foreman Trainee Labor Intensive position at tobacco free company. Must pass DOT physical, drug & background check. Clean driving & workrecord, reliable transportation & telephone required. Call 205-668-2626 OTR Class A Driver in Montgomery, AL. • 3 years experience • $.40-.50 per mile • Paid weekly • BCBS Insurance • Home Weekends • EZ & prepass • Safety bonus Call: (334) 288-8106 Rock Products. Specializing in Dolomotic Lime, Dolomitic filler, Dolomotic dust and aggregates. Sylacauga, AL 35151. Hours Mon-Fri, 7-4:30. Some Saturdays. (256)249-9545 ateammining.com Salvation Army Bi-Weekly Auction • 1401 FL Shuttlesworth Dr, Bham. Used electronics, furniture, equipment, bric-a-brac. Fee $4-$5. Public welcome! Call for details: (205)252-8151 Pfaff 18.8 GrandQuilter with Quilt Artist & Grace Frame; can be 5’ or 10’ long. $8000 obo. Bernina 750QE Sewing Machine w/ Embroidery Unit. Like new. $4000. Call 205-669-6120 x24 or 205-369-0015. SERVERS NEEDED Premier golf club in North Shelby County seeking motivated individuals for full and part time server positions. Must be available to work some nights and weekends. $10 - 12 per hour. Immediate openings. Interested candidates please reply to shoal@bellsouth.net. Smith Roofing Metal Roof Specialists. All roofs & repairs. No job too small. 35 years exp. All work guaranteed. 256391-7144, 205-777-8069

Order Selectors Food Dist. Center in Pelham Al. Day Shift: Mon-Fri. 40+ hours/week 10:00 AM until finished (varies). $10.50-$14.00/ hour. Benefits: medical, vision, dental, vacation & 401k. Requirements: •Reading & math skills •Lift 60 lbs. repetitively. •Work in +90 Temperature •Work in -10 Temperature •Walking majority of day. Apply 10:30AM-5:00PM Southeastern Food 201 Parker Drive Pelham, Alabama 35124 205-685-4551 Southern Haulers LLC We are expanding again! Immediate openings for regional CDL Class A drivers for flatbed, dumps, cement tanker. Home on weekends. Our req’s: 1 yr CDL Class A exp, 23+ years old, good MVR. Excellent wage and benefits package. If interested, call 1-800-537-4621 ask for George or James or southernhaulersllc.com EOE PLUMBERS NEEDED Call 682-2828, fax resume to 682-2827 or email to resume@sps9.com Electricians Needed Birmingham & Tuscaloosa Call 682-2828, fax resume to 682-2827 or email to resume@sps9.com TOMMY BUYS HOUSES 205-283-3272 IMMEDIATE POSITIONS!!!!! Need 5 motivated workers to replace 5 lazy ones! Loaders, assistant manager, customer service positions, sales reps. Need valid DL. No experience neccesary. Long hours, but very competitive pay. Call Drew (205)490-1003 or (404)723-1322

CLOCK REPAIR SVS. * Setup * Repair * Maintenance I can fix your Mother’s clock. Alabaster/ Pelham Call Stephen (205)663-2822 Need extra money? We need weekend merchandisers! Apply at: supremebeverage.com Electrician - FT Supreme Electric, a local based company in Pelham. Must be willing to learn & work hard. Go to: supremeelectric-al.com. Print empl app under Contact Us and mail to: Supreme Electric, 231 Commerce Pkwy, Pelham, AL 35124 or call 205-4539327. Are you happy with your Child’s Grades? FREE ASSESSMENT! Guaranteed Results! The Tutoring Center 205-987-9577 www.hoover. tutoringcenter.com Stable Hand Position. P/T, No. Shelby Cty. To apply, call 205-991-9720 or 205-531-1355 EFP, INC NOW HIRING Local Haul Truck Drivers 3 yrs exp & CDL required. Full time/Part time/ Weekends. For application or more info call Nicole Johns 334-687-6000 X 18 ELECTRICIAN Commercial Service: Automatic Doors, pd. hol./vac. APPLY @ UNIVERSAL DOOR 205 967 3414. Doorjob14@ gmail.com The UPS Store. 703 Logan Road, Across from High School. 205-7556400. Mention our ad & get: 25% OFF Shredding; 29¢ Color Copies; 5¢ Black & White Healtcare Certification. Visit Healthcareergroup. com or call 800-897-1773 for more info. No college required.

MANUFACTURED HOMES MOBILE HOMES with land. Ready to move in. Owner financing with approved credit. 3 bdrm., 2 bath. No renters.1-205-289-8899 VMFhomes.com Become a Dental Asst. in ONLY 8 WEEKS! Please visit our website www. capstonedentalassisting. com or call (205) 5618118 and get your career started! Villa Maria Apartments Affordable Housing for Ages 62 & above or Mobility Impaired • Income Based Rent • Gated Community 205-836-7839 205-8330532 Call today for an application and/or appt. TANK & DUMP DRIVERS. Walpole is looking for local and regional class A company CDL drivers with a minimum of two years driving experience and a clean driving record. Our package includes: 401k, paid training, safety bonuses, paid vacations, professional uniforms, uniform cleaning service, boot program & more! Walpole EOE/DFWP Call Valerie at (800) 749-5552 or apply online www.walpoleinc.com. Wayne J. Griffin Electric, Inc. is seeking Electrical Apprentices & Electricians in Tuscaloosa. Great Benefits! Call 800-421-0151 X5339 or e-mail fieldrecruiting@ wjgei.com. Women, minorities, veterans and applicants with disabilities encouraged to apply. Whiteline Express Ltd. is looking for OTR drivers out of Alabama. Apply online at www.whitelineexpress.com

March 2015 | 79

OUT & ABOUT Masterpiece Book Club

Egg Dying Workshop

March 1

Columbiana. The benefit is sponsored by Meet author Hunter Murphy: Come to the three GFWC-Alabama Clubs of Shelby the North Shelby Library from 2-3 p.m. and County, Culture, Novella and Vignette clubs. meet Alabama author Hunter Murphy. He Former Miss Alabama contestant Shelly will discuss his debut novel, a mystery titled O’Brien will be the emcee. Tickets are $25 “Imogene in New Orleans.” This will be the and are available at Busy Hands and from first in a series featuring Imogene, the boys all club members. Adult fashions will be by Cache at the Galleria and Cato of Chelsea. and Goose the English Bulldog. For more information, call Diane Moore at 669-1450 or columbianainn@gmail.com. March 5 SSCC Luncheon: The South Shelby Chamber of Commerce will hold a membership luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Columbiana United Methodist Church, 200 North Main Street in Columbiana. The cost is $12 per person. The sponsor is Avadian Credit Union. The speaker will be Dr. Joe Sumners, director of the Economic Development Institute at Auburn University. GSCCC Business After Hours: The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce will hold Business After Hours at the Shelby County Arts Council, 104 Mildred Street in Columbiana, from 5:30-7 p.m. on March 5 for a business networking event. The cost to attend is $10 for Chamber members and $20 for future members, which includes hot, heavy hors d’oeuvres and two complimentary beverages of your choice. Advance reservations are requested by March 3. Contact the Chamber at 6634542, info@shelbychamber.org or use online registration.

March 7

SCAC Fashion Show: The annual fashion show and luncheon to benefit the Shelby County Arts Council will be held March 7 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of 80 | ShelbyLiving.com

Birds of Alabama

Birmingham. The race will start at 8 a.m. For more information, go to Omsga.com/ oakmountaincolorrun.

Judy M. Merritt 5K Run and Walk: Jefferson State Community College is holding the inaugural Judy M. Merritt 5K Run and Walk on March 14. The 5K will kick off at the Shelby-Hoover campus at 8 a.m. and the fun walk will follow at 9 a.m. Registration is $25 for the 5K and $10 for the March 9 walk before March 11, and $30 for the 5K Downton Abbey Tea & Trivia: Think you and $15 for the walk after and on race day. know all there is to know about Downton Proceeds from the race benefit the Judy M. Abbey? Come test your knowledge and Merritt Scholarship Fund. To register, visit maybe win a prize at the Albert L. Scott Jeffersonstate.edu/5k or a Jefferson State Library in Alabaster on March 9 at 6 p.m. cashier window. Enjoy delicious snacks, teas and see if you have what it takes to win. Registration is Elvis Live! Featuring Terry Padgett: This required. Call 664-6822 or come by the Albert show will be two sets from award-winning L. Scott Library to sign up. Elvis impersonator Terry Padgett. This will be a fun night at SCAC. The public is invited March 13 (optional) to dress up like Elvis to come to Masterpiece Book Club: Join this daytime the show. Outfits will be judged at the end book club as we explore the classics of with “Our Elvis” having the final say. Tickets literature at the Albert L. Scott Library in are $20 each. Doors open at 7 p.m. Enjoy a Alabaster on March 13 at 2 p.m. We will wine reception prior to the show. The Shelby discuss Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas County Arts Council is located at 104 Mildred Hardy. Young Tess Durbeyfield attempts Street in Columbiana. For more information, to restore her family’s fortunes by claiming call 669-0044. their connection with the aristocratic d’Urbervilles. But Alec d’Urberville is a rich Meditate on This: Meditation can help wipe wastrel who seduces her and makes her life away the day’s stress and build a sense of inner miserable. The program takes place in the peace. The Mayo Clinic states meditation meeting room. can give a sense of calm, peace and balance that benefits both emotional well-being and March 14 overall health. Meditation can help someone OMHS Color Run 5K: Oak Mountain High move more calmly through the entire day and School will hold the second annual OMHS may improve certain medical conditions. In Color Run 5K on March 14 benefitting cancer this class on March 14, participants will see research at the University of Alabama at how simple it is to meditate, and will look at

more than one approach to this ancient practice. Participants must register at the Pelham Public Library and bring their own cushions. There is a $5 fee payable upon registration, which covers all classes. Call the library at 620-6418. Another session will be held March 28 from 1-2 p.m.

March 17

Lego League: Kids of all ages can come play with Legos of all sizes at the Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster on March 17 from 6-6:45 p.m. The group will meet in the meeting room. Children 6 years old and younger must be with an adult.

March 21

Birds of Alabama: Come out to the Treetop Nature Trail at Oak Mountain State Park on March 21 at 10 a.m. to learn about the local birds. Alabama is home to many species of birds, as well as numerous migratory species.

March 25

Hippity-Hoppity Tales with the Easter Bunny: How EGG-citing! Young children accompanied by an adult can come for fun with “Miss Spring” and the Easter Bunny at the Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster from 10:15-11 a.m. Visit with the Easter Bunny and get a goody bag. Don’t forget your camera to take photos. The fun is in the meeting room.

March 27

American Girls Club: Girls 7 years old and older can sign up for the fun of making friends, reading, learning history and playing with dolls at the Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster at 4 p.m. Come with or without a doll and learn to finger-knit a doll scarf. The group will meet in the meeting room.

March 26

Pete the Cat Book Club: Boys and girls 5 years old and older can join in the fun of cool cats, reading and making an Easter Hut at 4 p.m. on March 26 at the Albert L. Scott Library in Alabaster. These cute houses are like gingerbread houses but use pastel colors. Please sign up. The group will meet in the meeting room. Children age 6 and younger must be with an adult.

March 28

Lake Trail Hike: Meet the Naturalist at the Marina on Terrace Drive for a walk around the lake at Oak Mountain State Park at 9:30 a.m. Dress for the weather and bring water. The terrain is gently rolling. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.

March 30

Meet the Animals: Come out to Oak Mountain’s Petting Farm to meet the animals at 10 a.m. For more information, call 620-2520.

March 31

Egg Dying Workshop: Children dye eggs for $3 per half-dozen eggs. Please sign up and pay in advance by March 30. Make checks out to the library. Children 6 years old and younger must be with an adult. The group will meet in the meeting room. Shelby Living is happy to feature community events in its monthly calendar. The event must take place in Shelby County or be sponsored by a Shelby County-based group. Email details to Katie.mcdowell@ shelbyliving.com. l March 2015 | 81

WHY I LOVE SHELBY COUNTY

JENNIFER HAND “Great family and faith-based priorities”

ennifer Hand was named executive director of the Calera Chamber of Commerce in December 2014. After working as a CPA in private industry for 22 years, she recently stepped down to run her own business, Family Memories Travel. The Massachusetts native moved to the South 23 years ago, and is married to Kevin Hand, a Columbiana native and investigator with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. They have two sons, Parker, 15, and Carter, 16.

Photograph CONTRIBUTED What do you love about Shelby County? What is not to love about Shelby County? The communities in Shelby County have great family and faith-based priorities. I love the hard-working people who take care of people in need and who really take the time to invest time into others. The cities and towns provide such great sports and cultural activities for kids, the seniors are really supported with great facilities and the business community and the residents value each other What attracted to you the Calera Chamber of Commerce executive director position? Calera is a great city and is set to explode in the near future due to the commitment of city officials and employees, local business and residential growth. I was very interested in participating in such a partnership because it really affects the overall quality of life in Calera. Strong business relationships help provide residents with all they need, right in the city. The city then benefits, which enables them to offer more great facilities and services to the residents. It’s a great time of growth and opportunity in Calera. I’ve met so many residents who are really excited for what is in store for their community. What are your goals for the Calera 82 | ShelbyLiving.com

Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber’s goals are to support city government in attracting new business by highlighting the thriving business economy and the family/community demographics. Another goal is to really highlight local businesses and help them attract their ideal customer within the city an outside the city. Many small businesses lack the readership or marketing tools required to really bring in more ideal customers that would benefit from the goods and services available in the city. The Chamber is able to be the “town crier” if you will, alerting residents to all the great products and services available. A third goal is to grow the Chamber. We want all businesses engaged and involved. Networking really helps to spread best practices and referral business. All sizes of businesses benefit from a large healthy chamber. The more members, the more sharing, learning and growing there will be. Lastly, the Calera Chamber of Commerce wants to be a partner in the community helping provide fun events, scholarship programs (Junior Chamber) and business development programs. How does your experience as a small business owner affect your work with the Chamber? As a home-based small business I understand the need to be included in

the business community even though I don’t have a storefront. Visibility is a huge issue for all business, but especially small business. Small businesses are mostly service-oriented businesses and can provide great service and value to residents. I hope to grow the Chamber’s home-based and small business membership by offering them social media and event visibility where they can reach more clients. If you couldn’t live in Shelby County, where would you want to live? On a beautiful beach! I always long for soft sand, warm temps and beautiful tropical views. That’s probably due to growing up in a seaside town in Massachusetts. It’s probably also why I love Caribbean resorts and cruises so much. Who is your role model? Wow, I have several. A major one has to be my dad. I lost him to cancer on Dec. 23 of last year and I’m realizing more every day how he influenced me. He was always a hard worker and never missed a chance to let me know how much he loved me. He always believed in me, even when I wasn’t so sure of myself. He encouraged me a lot during his two-year battle with cancer to chase my dreams and do what I love. His bravery in the face of a terminal diagnosis helps put every little bump in the road I experience in perspective. l