Shelby Living May 2013

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Farm freshFarmers markets return this month

Project ShareSpecial needs students learn job skills at Shelby Baptist

CAFEHoover eatery offers fresh food with a twist

Fresh Art

Ready Vallocycle rolls onto ride

2 | ShelbyLiving.com

www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Pelham

Play & Stayin Pelham

www.pelhamonline.com


ediToriAlKatie McDowell

Amy JonesNeal Wagner

Mickel Ponthieux

CoNTribuTorsLisa Phillips

Laura Brookhart Heather Buckner

Clarke Stackhouse

produCTioNDaniel Holmes

Jamie SparacinoAmy BaldisJon Goering

mArkeTiNgAlan BrownJill Harvell

Thomas LaBooneNicole Loggins

Rhett McCreightMeagan Mims

LaShan JohnsonMary Strehle

AdmiNisTrATioNTim PrinceJan Griffey

Mary Jo EskridgeAnnie McGilvrayHailey Dolbare

Christine Roberts

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 $12 for one year by emailing [email protected], or calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 21.

Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing [email protected], or by calling (205) 669-3131, ext. 11.

SHELBYSHELBYLivingMay is fi nally here, and summer is right

around the corner. For Shelby County’s school-

age students, weeks of lazy summer days are beckoning. In this month’s issue, we took a look at what some students have been up to during the school year, and I have to say it’s pretty impressive.

First up is Project Search, a program that teaches job skills to eligible special needs students. Beginning last fall, 11 students have participated in three 10-week internships at Shelby Baptist Medical Center, while receiving instruction about social skills, communication, money management and more. The Arc of Shelby County, Shelby County Schools and, of course, Shelby Baptist Medical Center were the major players in getting this initiative off the ground, but a host of other organizations and agencies also contributed funds and services.

The program Riverchase Elementary hosted in March was shorter — three

days — but its goal was no less worthy. Taught by instructors and students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Physiology Understanding (PhUn) aims to educate children about how the body works and the importance of making healthy decisions, as well as sparking their interest in the sciences.

If you want proof the program was a success, check out the students’ rapt, joyful and even comedic expressions in our photos on page 20. This kind of hands-on learning, complete with stethoscopes, lab coats and even pig hearts, is a great way to engage young minds.

What I love most about both of these programs is the importance community partnerships played in their development. Project Search and PhUn would not be possible without multiple groups working toward a common goal.

I love seeing this type of cooperation, especially when it’s to benefi t Shelby County’s next generation.

Katie McDowell, [email protected]

Jason Cooper is an employee of Carmicheal Library and a ValloCycle supporter. ValloCycle is the state’s fi rst city-wide bike-sharing initiative and was started about two years ago.

Cover design: Daniel HolmesPhotography: Jon Goering

FROM THE EDITOR

ON THE COVER

ShelbyLiving.com

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features

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WHAT’S INSIDEWHAT’S INSIDEWHAT’S INSIDE

TAke iT To The limiTLocal CrossFit gyms help clients get in shape

TAke iT To The limiTLocal CrossFit gyms help clients get

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VAlloCyCle rolls oNMontevallo’s bike share program has big plans

meeT The swissies An Alabaster family and their dogs find success in dog shows

hiT The roAdThese biking accessories will keep you safe, stylish and comfortable

VAlloCyCle rolls oNMontevallo’s bike share program has

you safe, stylish and comfortable

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meeT The swissies An Alabaster family and their dogs

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hiT The roAdThese biking accessories will keep

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The simple life The righT To work Project Search prepares special needs students for the work force

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in every issue home & foodfeatures

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WHAT’S INSIDE

phuN AT riVerChAse UAB brings physiology program to local elementary school

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The TrAdiTioNAlisT Interior designer Mallory Smith opens up her Inverness home

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fresh ArT CAfeHoover cafe helps you “feed your inner creativity”

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fArm fresh Farmers markets return with locally grown produce

A fAmily AffAir A local Italian family shares their recipe for fig cookies

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Check out biking gear to go

ArTisTiC liCeNse Teresa Wamble creates unique art with gourds

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art & culture

reAdiNg room Debbie Markey shares why she loves reading

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sCAC’s CurTAiN rises New theater opens with Patsy Cline performance

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May 2013 | 7

THE SIMPLE LIFE

Tips for Efficient Emailhere are many ways we communicate in the world today. Text, phone, snail mail, email,

Skype, social media, and – losing popularity, but still hanging in there – is face-to-face live conversation. Our grandparents called this talking.

While there are many avenues to communicate, email still rules the No. 1 slot for business communication. By thinking of email as electronic paper, you are able to use some of the same principles of physical paper organization when dealing with the onset of a full inbox.

remove unnecessary icons. This makes unnecessary visual clutter and fights for your attention from what you should be focusing on.

Turn off incoming email alerts. Constant “dinging” interrupts your concentration, which breaks down your productivity.

Check three-five times daily. Checking your email is more efficient when done in blocks of time versus answering immediately.

first complete crucial tasks. Email can put chaos into your schedule. First things first.

make concise subject lines. Both for the receiver and for filing.

Create folders. Create consistent labeling with categories, then subcategories. This should correspond with paper files. Then minimize the folders to keep a cleaner and simpler “filing cabinet.”

delete immediately. One hundred and fifty new messages since lunch. Really? When checking your inbox, quickly scan the entire inbox and first delete what is not relevant. This leaves you with a manageable workload.

opt-off mailing lists. Make the extra “click” to remove yourself from unwanted mailing lists.

let others know when you normally respond. This keeps others from hunting you down with phone calls and texts to “see if you got my message.”

purge once a month. Just like with paper, you need to empty the trash can.

Email is a great tool when used with these things in mind ... a nightmare if you let it use you! It’s that simple.l

Lisa Phillips, owner of SimpleWorks, Simpleworksmtsp.com

[email protected]

Checking your email is more efficient when done in blocks of time versus answering immediatley.

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SHORT STORIES

Country music star Josh Turner will headline the 2013 Alabaster CityFest.

Turner is scheduled to take the festival’s main stage at 9 p.m. Since releasing his debut album “Long Black Train,” Turner has earned numerous CMA, ACM and Grammy nominations, sold more than 5 million albums and garnered four No. 1 hits.

CityFest will be held in Alabaster’s Municipal Park on Saturday, June 1

beginning at 9 a.m. Ed Kowalczyk, the former front man

for the alternative rock group Live, will open for Turner.

The 2012 CityFest drew a record crowd of about 70,000, and event organizers are looking to top the crowd during the festival’s 11th anniversary this year.

For more information, visit Alabastercityfest.com.

~Neal wagner

Josh Turner to headline CityFest

Shelby County residents were recently named the state’s healthiest by a national study.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute made the findings of the study public March 20.

The study measured certain categories, such as mortality, morbidity, health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment, when determining health

of county residents.According to the rankings, Shelby

County was ranked No. 1 out of 67 counties in every category except for physical environment. The county still ranked highly in the physical environment category, coming in at No. 8. Shelby County has ranked as the state’s healthiest county every year since 2010, when the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation began handing out its yearly rankings.

~Amy Jones

Shelby County named state’s healthiest

Alabaster residents can now use their smartphones to find businesses in the city in dozens of categories with the launch of the city’s Buy Alabaster First app.

The free app works on iOS and Android operating systems and allows residents to view information about Alabaster businesses in categories ranging from restaurants and entertainment to construction and gas stations.

The app also allows residents to view businesses near their current location and search for businesses by name. Basic information is listed in the app for every business registered in Alabaster. Business owners are able to input additional information on their listing for free, as well as advertise specials, run coupons and post job openings.

The app currently displays the city’s Twitter feed and will include direct links to several city departments. Alabaster nonprofits can also use the app to create “micro sites.”

To download the free app, search “Buy Alabaster First” in the iOS app store and in the Android GooglePlay store.

Shop Alabaster app goes live

May 2013 | 9

Baseball fans across the country are mourning the loss of Calera resident and former Major League Baseball pitcher Virgil “Fire” Trucks Sr., who passed away at the age of 95 at Shelby Baptist Medical Center March 23.

Trucks’ daughter, Carolyn Beckwith, said her father will be remembered for the love and kindness he showed to his family and fans.

“He was just the best father anybody could have,” Beckwith said. “He was so kind and so loving – the sweetest man you have ever met. He was a sweet, gentle man.”

“Fire” Trucks – known for his fastball – played 19 years in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees and St. Louis Browns. He finished his career with a record of 177-135 with 1,534 strikeouts and was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1974 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

Trucks, who was featured in Shelby Living in September 2012, was on the 1945 Detroit Tigers World Series championship team and is one of four pitchers to throw two no-hitters in the same season in 1952.

Trucks always took time to sign autographs for fans who requested them. Beckwith said Trucks would sign his name to memorabilia for those who asked for it until he passed, and he did just that during his 10-day stay at Shelby Baptist before his passing on March 23.

“The day before he passed away, he was wanting me to go to the house to get more of his baseball cards so that he could sign and give them to the nurses,” she said.

She said condolences have been coming in from across the country from his fans that he has touched through his fan mail.

The Trucks family asks in lieu of flowers that donations are made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his name.

— mickel ponthieux

Hall of Famer Virgil Trucks dies

• No surgery, no pills, no herbals • Private and discreet

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ARTS & CULTURE

Artistic licensehe monkey gourd, the gator gourd, the swan or goose gourd, the egg gourd, the dipper gourd. Carefully caged for protection from mice and squirrels in Teresa Wamble’s garage are the basic

forms for her creative journey with gourds, which she began 12 years ago.

“Did you know there are over 1,000 kinds of gourds?” she asked. “I’m quite selective about those I choose to embellish.

Story and photographs by lAurA brookhArT

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT: Wamble uses a variety of patterns on her gourds, including faces, spools of thread and animals. Teresa Wambe displays the gourd art she’s created in her garage in her Shelby County home. To create her designs, Wamble traces a pattern on the gourd and then uses a woodburner and colorful dyes.

T

May 2013 | 11

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I look for faces in the gourds or characteristics that suggest a design motif. Shape and design must complement each other.”

Wamble, who grew up in Hollow Rock, Tenn., and now lives in Calera, received a degree in art education from American University in Washington D.C. with a focus on painting.

She travels to art shows and festivals throughout the South such as the Cullman Gourd Festival, the Fayette Arts Festival and the White Squirrel Festival in Brevard, N.C. Her gourd art has won purchase prizes and best of show awards through the years.

Often she will create patterns that echo the show’s theme, such as okra, or for the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Flora and Fauna Festival in Millbrook, which requires all art to contain images of a native Alabama species, a Chinese bottle gourd honoring the Alabama cave salamander.

Another gourd is patterned with a more abstract rendering of the shell underside of the Alabama red-bellied turtle.

Cleaning the interior of the gourd is quite a task – Wamble’s preferred tool is one meant to remove stones from horses’ hooves, but she also uses a serrated edge knife and a grapefruit spoon that sync well with the convex interior. The seed and spongy contents of the interior may contain molds, so she wears a covered gear hood and shield during the process.

Wamble traces a paper pattern onto the gourd surface then outlines the image and details using a woodburner. Dyes, rather than paint, are used for color, as their translucency allows the natural patina of the gourd to add subtle texturing. A top coating of wax seals the surface.

Moth species collected by her husband, Bruce, are fodder for repetition. Delicate winged mayflies and dragonflies, crickets, caterpillars, leaves, pods, berries and flower blooms honor Mother Nature.

The human face is also a motif she frequently employs, keeping a file of those she finds interesting. A portrait of her mother, Rachel Noles Brown, interpreted from a long-ago favorite photo, joins the series of female faces that grace a gourd pitcher.

Spools of thread whimsically parade across another pitcher with a honeysuckle vine handle. An old wooden spool is the finial.

At festivals, Wamble’s gourd art is available in a range of prices, starting at $10 for her popular egg ornaments. She also has dolls with gourd heads and sculptures that allude to fish shapes made from shaped honeysuckle vines strung with gourd seeds.

Wamble wastes no part of any gourd, purposing the smaller pieces as pencil holders and stemmed flowers.

“Sometimes I have to remind myself – hey, you’re the artist – you can take all the artistic license you want,” she said.

A member of the American Gourd Society and Alabama Gourd Society, Wamble also works by commission.

For more information about gourd art, the Gourd Patch Meetup meets the third Saturday of each month at Falcon Art Supply in Montevallo. l


ARTS & CULTURE

Reading Room: Debbie Markey

Debbie Markey is the library media specialist at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School.She also taught second grade for 15

years. Markey grew up in the Midwest and received degrees from Southwest Missouri State University and the University of Alabama. She and her husband, John, moved to Alabama 20 years ago and have four children: John (26), Christopher (24), Patrick (21), and Shannon (17).

Photograph by JoN goeriNg

why do you love reading? I love reading because it opens doors

to parts of the world and historical timeframes that I could never otherwise experience. Reading also has deepened my understanding of the diverse viewpoints held by various people throughout history. I especially like novels set in other cultures because they help me to better understand my students’ backgrounds.

what’s the first book you loved? I remember loving books as a child –

less because of their content or plot and more because they were gifts from people who loved me. I had a book called “Home for a Bunny,” which was given to me by my

grandmother. I loved looking at its pictures and sitting with my father as he read it to me. I also remember the first books I read for enjoyment – a series of sports books by Matt Christopher. As a girl growing up in the 70s –before Title IX – these books provided me insight to little league sports.

what’s your favorite genre?Today, my favorite type of book to read

is teen fiction – a relatively new genre full of utopian fiction and paranormal drama. These books are fast paced and full of unimaginable twists and turns that keep readers hooked until the end. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins and “Divergent and Insurgent” by Veronica Roth are two examples. Another trend within this genre is the rewriting of classic fiction. In books, such as “Beastly” by Alex Flinn and “Prom and Prejudice” by Elizabeth Eulberg, well-known storylines are given a modern spin.

why did you decide to pursue a literary career?

My desire to become a library media specialist developed from two passions. The first is my enjoyment of children’s literature and the satisfaction derived from helping children learn to read. The second is a keen interest in the digital world and the significant role it is now playing in the education of children. The more I learn about digital media, the more I understand why it’s important for children to love reading. I want my students to appreciate that ideas that begin as a work of someone’s imagination are capable of growing into a great work of fiction, movies or even a theme park.

The watsons go to birmingham- 1963by Christopher paul Curtis

This award-winning novel brings humor and tragedy together to create a touching account of what life could have been like in the United States in 1963. The Watson children of Flint, Mich., don’t really know what life’s harsh realities are until they come face to face with one of our nation’s darkest moments in history.

A single shardby linda sue park

This is another award winning book of historical fiction that helps the reader see what life in Korea might have been like. Tree-ear, a homeless orphan, finds many obstacles await him in 12 th century Korea, especially for a boy who wants to become a potter in a city known for its delicate celadon ware. His quest is full of adventure, possibly leaving his destiny hanging by a single shard.

grandpa for saleby dotti enderle and Vicki sansum

As a children’s librarian I want to recommend a great children’s storybook but have found it to be as difficult as choosing a best friend. Since Grandparent’s Day was one of my most treasured activities when I taught second grade, I chose to recommend the book “Grandpa for Sale.” This book is truly “priceless.”

Debbie’s Reading Recommendations:

May 2013 | 13

205-663-4111 • Fax: 205-663-4134www.joesitalianonline.com

21 Weatherly Club DriveAlabaster, AL 35007

Performance art and theatre have been bringing communities and

people together since the days of the ancient Greeks. The Shelby County Arts Council is keeping the tradition alive with the construction of a new performance space in Columbiana.

The grand opening for the performance space was March 16. The Arts Council enjoyed a sold-out show, “Songs of Patsy Cline,” sung by Emily Kay Herring, a performance veteran with a range of experience. She has starred in many productions from national tours to local theatre. She was most recently seen at the Virginia Samford Theatre in Birmingham as Patsy Cline in “Always...Patsy Cline.”

The performance space will also host two South City Theatre Productions, “ONESIES” and “Eleemosynary,” in coming months. “ONESIES” premieres on May 11 at the new space. “ONESIES” showcases different short plays by David Ives, directed by the newest directing talent South City has to offer: Lisa Ponder, Josh Roberts, Donna Williamson, Frank Deming and Linda Lowery. “ONESIES” promises a great night of comedy and entertainment.

“Eleemosynary” opens June 22. The one act play by Lee Blessing explores the relationship between three generations of women throughout the course of the play. Tickets to all the performances will be available online at Shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

SCAC members hope the new performance space will broaden the horizons of the community and build an audience for a future performing arts center.

“We’re excited to have an economic impact on Columbiana and expose the community to new live entertainment,” Board President Kevin Gustin said.

The Arts Council plans to host touring performances, musical groups and community theatre productions at the new space. The space, which is 26 Feet by 40 feet, seats about 100 people. It is located at 102 Mildred Street, Columbiana, next door to the SCAC’s gallery.

Arts Council Corner is a regular article featuring the happenings at the Shelby County Arts Council. l

Story by ClArke sTACkhousePhotograph heATher buCkNer

SCAC’s curtain rises

Emily Kay Herring poses for a photo at the opening performance of the SCAC’s new performance space.

ARTS COUNCIL CORNER


The RIgHT to work

On a Friday morning, a woman walks into the administration office at Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster.

An assistant looks up from the welcome desk and asks, “May I help you, ma’am?” before pointing the woman in the right direction. The short exchange was unremarkable, except for the fact that

only a few months ago, it would not have happened.

The assistant was Jamie Whatley, an 18-year-old Alabaster resident participating in Project Search, a program designed to help special needs high school students transition to the work force through a series of internships with a community business partner. When Jamie began her administration internship in January, she

was shy and avoided social interaction. She kept her head down and had a difficult time talking to or even making eye contact with people.

However, after 10 weeks in the administration department, Jamie was readily greeting visitors and working on small projects like stapling and laminating handouts and replenishing marketing brochures throughout the hospital.

Above left: Marc McCallum, 20, pushes a wheelchair through the hospital during his internship with Shelby Baptist’s transport department. Above right: Bridget Hunt, a 19-year-old Vincent resident, cleans cribs in the women’s center. Page 15: Laura Smith, a 20-year-old Alabaster resident, carts supplies through Shelby Baptist.

EDUCATION

Story by kATie mCdowellPhotographs by JoN goeriNg

Project Search prepares special needs students for employment

May 2013 | 15


Music opportunities for the community• YoungMusicians’Camp,heldSunday,June16

-Friday,June21,providesstudentsages11-18withsuperiormusicalinstructioncombinedwiththefunandfriendshipofagreatsummercamp.Foradditionalinformation,pleasevisithttp://www.montevallo.edu/music/ymc.shtm

• CommunitySchoolofMusicoffers summergroupmusiclessonsinpianoandguitarforadultsandchildren.

• MontevalloMusicConnectionprogramprovidesfreemusicclassesinpiano,guitarandviolinforchildreninthecommunitywhoareeconomicallydisadvantaged.

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Contact: 205-665-6670 or [email protected]

“She was shy, but she’s not now,” said Anne Clayton, a Shelby Baptist employee who serves as a Project Search mentor in the administration department. “I think Jamie is ready for the work fi eld. She’s got the personality. She’s got the skills.”

Clayton said Jamie “blossomed” during her internship. The shy young woman who wouldn’t look anyone in the eye had developed a rapport with her co-workers and become an asset to the department.

“If I had a special needs child, this is defi nitely a program I would want to look into,” Clayton said.

Community partners

Project Search is in its fi rst year in Shelby County. In fact, it was the fi rst in the state to apply for the program, although Montgomery also began a program this school year.

The program offers a combination of classroom instruction and internships to prepare special needs students in the Shelby County School System for the work force. Founded at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio in 1996, Project Search has grown to more than 200 sites in the United States and abroad. Students rotate through three 10-week internships in different departments at Shelby Baptist Medical Center. In the classroom, they learn about workplace safety, technology, social skills, communication, interviewing skills, money management, job search skills and health and wellness.

Project Search is a partnership between a handful of local and state players with the Shelby County School System, Shelby

May 2013 | 17

Signature Communities -“where your family calls home.”e-signaturehomes.com

Left: Shane Trejo empties a cup while cleaning dishes in the cafeteria. He was also responsible for serving food in the buffet line. Above: Alabaster resident Jamie Whatley spent her second internship in the administration department, where she greeted visitors and laminated and stapled papers.


Baptist Medical Center and The Arc of Shelby County at the forefront. Cindy Nicholson, Lacy Jordan and Kim Bryant represent the main community leaders of Project Search. Nicholson is the director of human resources at Shelby Baptist Medical Center and serves as Project Search’s business liaison. Jordan is Project Search’s teacher and is employed by Shelby County School System, while Bryant is the lead job coach and an employee of The Arc of Shelby County, which works with disabled people.

The three women meet monthly to discuss the nascent program: what works, what doesn’t, who is struggling or succeeding. During these conversations, they keep the end goal in mind: to have all 11 interns employed in the community by Aug. 1, 2013.

‘why would we not do this?’

Shelby Baptist’s partnership with Project Search began in April 2012. A representative from The Arc of Shelby County approached Nicholson about having the hospital serve as the intern site for the new program. Nicholson said the organizers wanted a response within two weeks, so she approached the hospital’s leadership, who initially expressed doubt. After a visit from Project Search representatives from Ohio, Shelby Baptist Medical Center was on

board. “The reaction changed to ‘Why would we not do this?’ Our team

was on board because that group presented to our executive team,” Nicholson recalled. “Then the question was ‘Who’s going to work with this?’ And I said, ‘I will. If I’m going to bring this in, I want to be involved.’ That’s when I got my second title as business liaison.”

Nicholson went to work identifying departments she thought would be able to use interns.

“Some jumped in immediately, some were a little skeptical, but they all agreed,” she said.

As of March 2013, the program had 13 internship sites: administration, the women’s center, medical records, cafeteria, diagnostic center, transportation, imaging, the operating room, outpatient surgery, materials management, plant operations and security.

All in a day’s work

The students’ day begins at 8:30 a.m. when they arrive in the Project Search classroom. The student and their families are responsible for finding their own trasnsportation to the internship, and many use ClasTran, a bus service that serves the disabled and

Clockwise from top left: Marc McCallum shows off his official Shelby Baptist Medical Center employee ID. Cindy Nicholson is Shelby Baptist Medical Center’s director of human resources and serves as Project Search’s business liaison. Kim Bryant is Project Search’s lead job coach and is employed by The Arc of Shelby County, while Lacy Johnson, an employee of the Shelby County School System, is the Project Search teacher.

May 2013 | 19

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senior adults. Project Search’s main classroom is located in Shelby Baptist’s Resource Center, which is a building separate from the hospital. The students leave for their internship site around 8:45 a.m. and are expected to navigate the hospital grounds on their own, although instructors accompany them for the fi rst few days of a new internship.

The students work at their internship site from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break.

For Laura Smith, a 20-year-old Alabaster resident, her day typically starts with cleaning the blood pressure cuffs. When patients check in to Shelby Baptist, they are given a blood pressure cuff to use for the duration of the stay. Smith is responsible for cleaning the cuffs after a patient is discharged from the hospital.

“I do the blood pressure cuffs,” she said. “I clean them and let them dry.”

The cleaning process involves the use of strong chemicals and Smith has to wear an apron and mask during the process. She’s also responsible for returning the cuffs to their proper location in the hospital.

Jordan and Bryant said Shelby Baptist approached them about having an intern clean the blood pressure cuffs. The instructors had encouraged the hospital to recommend projects for the interns, and they thought one of the more responsible interns could handle the job.

“We don’t have to worry about whether (Laura’s) getting them cleaned and getting it done effi ciently,” Bryant said.

Laura began cleaning a single fl oor’s blood pressure cuffs, but was responsible for the cuffs on the second, third and fourth fl oors by the end of March. She typically cleans between 10-40 cuffs on a daily basis.

In the afternoons, Laura reports to the women’s center, where Bridget Hunt, a 19-year-old Vincent resident, also interns. The two are responsible for cleaning the cribs, stocking milk and other tasks. Throughout the hospital, interns help in their various departments. Shane Trejo, a 20-year-old Calera resident, spent his second internship in the cafeteria. He helped clean dishes, but also worked on the serving line.

Steve Norby, 21, of Birmingham and Mark McCallum, 20, of Birmingham both spent their second internship in transport. They helped push wheelchairs and carried charts.

Jordan said they consider the students’ abilities and career goals when placing them in internships. During the fi rst internship, they tried to place students in departments where they would feel comfortable.

“In the second and third internships, we put them in totally different scenarios. We get them out of their comfort zone for the next two rotations,” Bryant said.

in the classroom

In March, Chris Oyer, a speech pathologist, stood before the students in their classroom and led a discussion about how to deal with stress.

“In a job situation, can we yell? Can we throw things? Can we curse? No. So we have to come up with other ways to deal with stress,” she said.

Oyer told the students that stress can raise blood pressure or give you a headache. The students offered several methods for


Clockwise from top left: Speech pathologist Chris Oyer discusses stress relief techniques with the students. Steve Norby returns a wheelchair to the transport department. Laura Smith wears protective gear while cleaning blood pressure cuffs. Shane Trejo walks to his internship site from the research center.

May 2013 | 21

dealing with stress, including using a punching bag. “One of the easiest things to do on the job, if there’s a problem

and you’re getting stressed, is to take a minute and breathe calmly,” Oyer said before having the students practice relaxation breathing. Oyer’s instruction is part of the instruction Project Search offers to give the students the social and emotional skills they need to join the work force. These classes are typically held at 2 p.m. when the students leave their internship site, but are occasionally held in the morning. The students review a range of career and life skills, including employability, independent living skills, budgeting, interviewing skills, job placement and job applications.

In the afternoons, the students also discuss that day’s events. “It’s also a time for them to reflect on their day,” Bryant said. “If

they’ve had a situation come up, and they feel they didn’t handle it correctly or they weren’t sure how to handle it, that’s their time to bounce it off us and to talk about it as a group.”

learning independence

One of Project Search’s main goals is teaching the students to be independent. Jordan said that concept was difficult for the students, parents and even teachers to accept at first.

“I was taught my whole career that you can’t ever leave your students. You must be with your students at all times,” she said. “So to take that mentality, and say I’m going to get between 10-12 interns and trust them to go into a hospital setting without teacher supervision or paraprofessional supervision was really scary for me.”

Bryant said they rely on the interns’ parents to reinforce the lessons taught at school.

“Having independence is a big thing we push here at Project Search, to be as independent as possible,” she said. “That means solving your own problems. Our goal is to make them as independent (as possible) at work and at home.”

The instructors meet with the parents and share ways to encourage the students to be independent at home: making their own lunch, laying out clothes for the following day, going to bed on time and setting an alarm clock.

“Some of them are able to live independently, semi-independently, but even if they have to live at home, they still need that independence and responsibility,” Bryant said. “Parent support is a big thing. If we don’t have that, then their intern has a hard time being successful.”

Jordan and Bryant said the feedback they’ve received from parents has been positive to date. Many have reported their children are more much responsible at home, including Jamie Whatley.

“Her parents have said her maturity level is so much better,” Bryant said. “She is so much more confident in talking to people and doing her job. She’s even picked up some independent skills at home.”

More importantly, the interns have shown independence in their thinking. Jordan said the students are more goal-oriented and have expressed desires to live independently, have jobs and drive cars.

“I think they are more confident in themselves and their abilities,” she said. l


UAB makes learning PhUn

“It’s not every day you have pig hearts in a classroom.”

Riverchase Elementary Assistant Principal Alice Turney makes a good point, but that’s exactly what happened when staff from the

University of Alabama at Birmingham brought their Physiology Understanding (PhUn) program to the school March 18-20.

The program is an extension of PhUn Week, a nationwide event held each November to foster relationships between physiologists, teachers and students. With extra funding, UAB’s Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology is able to offer the program at numerous schools throughout the year. Now in its third year, UAB’s PhUn program will reach approximately 1,600 students at five schools in Shelby and Jefferson counties.

“I saw this as a way to show children at a very early age that biomedical science can be fun and as a way to promote awareness

that choices you make can have detrimental effects on (your) own normal physiology,” said Dr. Carmel McNicholas-Bevensee, a UAB instructor and director of UAB’s PhUn program. “As adults we take this concept for granted, but children do not make the connection. By bringing the science ‘to life’ with hands on activities, it shows the children it can be more interesting than studying from a textbook.”

First, third and fifth grade students participated in the program over a three-day period. UAB’s PhUn program begins with an overview about the organ systems and scientists’ protective clothing. The program includes four main stations: u A “lung-o-meter” station where students blow into a bottle

filled with water and measure the density of displaced water. uA station where students listen to their own hearts with

stethoscopes and learn about blood pressure. uA station with anatomical models, which students disassemble

EDUCATION

Story by kATie mCdowell | Photographs by JoN goeriNg

May 2013 | 23

Left: UAB’s Carmel McNicholas-Bevensee shows Riverchase Elementary third-graders a powerpoint at the start of a session of PhUn week on March 20. Center: Riverchase third-graders Anabelle Kunz and Maddie Ellis react as UAB students show them parts of a pig’s heart. Above: Students learn about the proper, and improper, uses of a stethoscope.

to learn about each organ’s job. uA station with pig hearts for the students to examine, which

McNicholas-Bevensee said is typically the most popular activity. Turney said the program was well received by faculty, students

and parents, many of whom also participated. “We are fortunate to live so close to an university that has so much

to offer and is willing to give to the community to better science and health education,” Turney said. “This is important to us at RES because we are an Alliance for a Healthier Generation School. Several years ago we won the bronze award and last fall we won the silver.”

McNicholas-Bevensee said the program, which is made possible through grants, emphasizes the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.

“We teach them about how overeating and not getting exercise can lead to obesity and diabetes, both of which are increasingly prevalent health issues. We also teach them why tobacco products are so detrimental to their health,” she said.

UAB President Dr. Ray L. Watts said it was important for children to be introduced to the sciences early in life.

“We at UAB are very pleased that Dr. McNicholas-Bevensee is spearheading this science education outreach program for elementary and intermediate school children in our communities,” he said. “We want these young people to learn early how fascinating and fun science can be, and many may become our leading scientists, physicians and other health care professionals of the future.” l


Clockwise from top left: Jordan Phenicie lifts a barbell at CrossFit Sky Soldiers in Alabaster. Women use a tire for support while lifting weights at CrossFit Riverchase. Michelle Miller does a pull up at Riverchase. Charli Hamlin lifts a barbell at CrossFit Sky Soldiers in Alabaster. Jeff Lubresky uses the rowing machine at Riverchase. Opposite page: A woman exercises at Trinity CrossFit in Pelham.

May 2013 | 25

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CrossFit Riverchase Manager Sandy Colvin likes to tell a story about one of her clients.

The woman, who is in her late 40s, recently ran a 50k. The kicker? Only two years ago, she wasn’t

able to run a 5k. Colvin said those results, while maybe not typical, are

indicative of what you can do with CrossFit. Most people are likely familiar with CrossFit for its

intense workouts — think stacking diesel tires and Olympic weight lifting. While the program has gained national popularity only in recent years, it was started in California several decades ago. CrossFit’s website describes it as “a core strength and conditioning program.”

“Crossfi t is just a form of exercise where you take constant movements and perform them in different ways at different intensities,” Colvin said.

Today, CrossFit has approximately 5,500 affi liated gyms, including several in Shelby County.

One of those is CrossFit Sky Soldiers in Alabaster. Michele


Take itto the

LIMIT


Burch, who owns CrossFit Sky Soldiers with her husband, Michael, said the gym was started in August 2012. Burch said she serves as a trainer, while their head trainer is Chris Brown, a former Army sniper and paratrooper.

“CrossFit is a rapidly growing program because it fi ts so well with busy people’s schedules. The workouts are short but intense,” she said. “It’s a good program for these same reasons. It is diverse and adaptable. It is functional for everyday life.

“The classes are fun and energetic and ever-changing. You are not likely to get bored with CrossFit,” she added.

Colvin said Crossfi t Riverchase stresses endurance. The gym offers a CrossFit foundations course three days a week for people with no previous CrossFit experience. The course teaches 12 Olympic lifts and eight-10 accessory exercises that focus on jumping rope, running, push ups and sit ups.

CrossFit Riverchase offers the “Workout of the Day,” which is provided by the parent company, six times a day.

Burch said Sky Soldiers offers an introductory class, traditional classes seven times a day and young athlete classes, which teaches agility to kids participating in a sport.

Both Burch and Colvin said the key to CrossFit’s success is it can be adapted to the participant.

“That’s one of the good things about Crossfi t. It is infi nitely scalable for whatever fi tness level you are,” Colvin said.

For hours and other information, visit Crossfi tskysoldiers.com or Crossfi triverchase.com. l

Heith Comer lifts weights at CrossFit Riverchase.


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May 2013 | 29

championshipRoad to the

Produced by miCkel poNThieuxPhotograph by bruCe yeuNg

Kevin Guy never thought he would leave his native Columbiana. He thought after his football playing

days were done, that he’d move on to coaching high school football. However, after playing four years of college football, his career took off with the Arena Football League. Guy reached the summit of the AFL when he guided the Arizona Rattlers to the ArenaBowl XXV championship last August. Now, he’s in his 12th season as an arena football coach, but he still considers Shelby County home.

from player to champion

Kevin and his family moved to Columbiana from McAdory when he was in the eighth grade. He immediately stood out to Shelby County football coaches and played for the Wildcats’ varsity team as a ninth grader after playing one year of middle school football.

Guy played four years of varsity football as a quarterback and defensive back for Shelby County High School and was named to the all-county team as a junior and a senior. After his senior season in 1990, he was named to the all-metro second team and was an all-state honorable mention.

He made visits to Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, Samford and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, but was only offered a scholarship from Livingston University – now known as University of West Alabama – where he played from 1991 to 1995.

As he was about to graduate from Livingston, Guy signed a contract to play for the AFL’s Minnesota Fighting Pike in

1996 to begin his four-year AFL career as a wide receiver and defensive back.

The AFL differs from the National Football League in that the game is played indoors on a field which is only 50 yards long – which results in higher scoring games and many players playing on both sides of the ball.

“It was one of those deals where I was always going to go back and finish my degree, but my career just took off,” Guy said.

The Minnesota AFL franchise only lasted one season, so in 1997 Guy signed and played two seasons with the New Jersey Red Dogs. In 1999, he signed to play for Jay Gruden – brother of Super Bowl-winning head coach John Gruden – with the Orlando Predators.

Guy ended his playing career with a championship – his only title as a player at any level – with the Predators in ArenaBowl XIV. Guy suffered from a hamstring injury, but was not going to

Kevin Guy, a Columbiana native, celebrates with the Foster Trophy after the Arizona Rattlers won ArenaBowl XXV over the Philadelphia Soul Aug. 10, 2012.


Super Bowl on ABC national television. “That was my first championship game as a player,” Guy said.

“Both of my hamstrings were pulled and I was hurt. There was no way I was going to miss that championship game. I have been waiting all my life to play in a championship game on national TV.”

Coaching career

After winning an AFL title as a player, Guy had an opportunity to remain in the league as a coach. Guy returned to New Jersey in 2001 as a defensive backs coach for his first coaching job.

“When I was playing, people asked me if I ever thought of being a coach,” said Guy. “I did, but I’ve gone through life thinking it would be at the high school level. The opportunity presented itself and I jumped on it.”

After one season as a defensive backs coach, the New Jersey organization made changes including firing the head coach which resulted in Guy being named the head coach and the youngest in AFL history at the age of 26.

“When they (ownership) fired the head coach, I was the only

coach on staff that they ever knew because I used to play there and they asked me to take the interim job,” said Guy.

Once he gained experience as a head coach at the AFL level, Guy began to get offers from across the country. He coached for the AFL’s Florida Bobcats for a season, and then spent four seasons with the Tennessee Valley Vipers of the af2 (Arena Football League 2) where he currently has the most wins all-time – which sent him into the af2 Hall of Fame in 2009. After a season with the Rio Grande Valley Dorados in 2004, Guy was hired by the AFL’s San Jose SaberCats to be their defensive coordinator.

“They have won some championships, but had gotten old,” said Guy. “They wanted me to help them turn the roster over.”

A couple of weeks after winning ArenaBowl XXI with the SaberCats in 2007, the Arizona Rattlers called Guy and offered him the head coaching position.

Arizona rattlers

Guy was named the head coach of the Arizona Rattlers on Aug. 10, 2007. The Rattlers had experienced three seasons under .500 including a 4-12 season in 2007. Guy knew the roster had the

May 2013 | 31

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D

talent and the new ownership would give him the tools to win.“Arizona has a big tradition in arena football,” Guy said. “I took

the job because of the history. I knew they have won before and that they could win again.”

In his first season with the Rattlers, Guy led Arizona to the No. 3 seed in the AFL playoffs with an 8-8 record in 2008. After a suspended season in 2009, the Rattlers finished the 2010 season 10-6 and lost in the conference semifinals.

The continued improvement under Guy carried over into the 2011 season. Arizona won an AFL-record 18 games including the National Conference championship game, but lost to Jacksonville on the last play of ArenaBowl XXIV.

“I still haven’t gotten over that,” Guy said on the last-second loss. “In fact, I can’t sit down and watch the film cause I get mad when I think about the last play of that game.”

Even though the Rattlers lost the championship game, Guy was named the 2011 NFL Network Coach of the Year.

Guy and his team knew they had unfinished business heading into the 2012 season. The Rattlers went 13-5 in the regular season and won the conference title over Utah before dominating the Philadelphia Soul 72-54 in ArenaBowl XXV.

Left: Arizona Rattlers head coach Kevin guy discusses the game plan with quarterback Nick Davila during ArenaBowl XXV. Above: guy meets with the media after his Arizona Rattlers won the Arena Football League’s National Conference championship to advance to ArenaBowl XXV.


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“It starts with leadership,” Guy said on winning the Foster Trophy – the AFL championship trophy. “I’m a big believer that the people make the organization. We were able to go out and hire good people and have them in the right situation.”

Since Guy has been the head coach with the Rattlers, Arizona has had more players move on to the National Football League than any team in the AFL.

“That’s something we are proud of,” Guy said. “It says that we are recruiting the right guys and doing a good job of developing players. Not only are we proud of the championship, but we are proud of these guys getting some opportunities.”

shelby County is still home

Guy has spent time learning from some of the best football coaches in the business, but he still remembers lessons taught by his mentors in Shelby County. Former Shelby County High School coach Charles Dickinson – also known as Coach D – was Guy’s position coach when he moved up from the middle school team to the varsity team. He said that Coach D “always brought me down to earth.”

Guy says he checks in regularly via the Internet on his Shelby County Wildcats during football season to see how they performed. Guy, his wife Cathy, and their two children Alexa and Kody currently live in Arizona.

When asked where is home, he has one answer: “I always say Shelby. That’s home for me.” l

May 2013 | 33May 2013 | 33


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he first citywide bike-sharing program in the state of Alabama rolled up to the University of Montevallo on Oct. 14, 2011 and hasn’t slowed down since.

ValloCycle is in its second year now, and, stemming from a belief that everyone

in the community deserves the freedom and benefits of personal mobility, it aims to provide dependable, low-cost transportation – while promoting a healthier lifestyle and cleaner environment.

Serving locals and University of Montevallo students alike, ValloCycle offers seven-day bicycle rentals from a stockpile of about 50 bikes of various makes, models and sizes. Annual membership fees amount to roughly $25 a year for adults and $10 a year for children.

Through what administrators of the program describe as an open and creative payment plan, members can opt to commit to 25 volunteer service hours instead.

According to Cindy Holsombeck, administrative assistant to the mayor and city clerk, about 75 percent of members have chosen to give time instead of money by taking advantage of community service opportunities around town, such as running a Halloween fair for children or working in the organic community garden.

The program currently boasts more than 30 bicycles donated by community members and refurbished by the ValloCycle team. Some of those bicycles sport names like “Sparkplug” and “Road Runner,” given to them by the local Boys and Girls Club.

Vallocycle rolls onStory by heATher buCkNer | Photographs by JoN goeriNg & mATThew orToN

Montevallo’s bike-sharing program has big plans

Left: Montevallo Mayor Hollie Cost is a former co-chair of Vallocycle’s Board of Directors. Opposite page: John Nicholson, who designed Vallocycle’s logo, Courtney Bennett, public relations chair, Gloria Beasley, a check-out location representative for Carmichael Library and Jason Cooper, a Vallocycle supporter who also works at Carmichael Library.

T

May 2013 | 37


Vallocycle spokeswoman Courtney Bennett said Vallocycle encourages new University of Montevallo students to learn more about downtown.

May 2013 | 39

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With 50 bicycles in their fleet, Co-chair and Spokeswoman Courtney Bennett said ValloCycle is in the process of adding 19 more.

To accommodate the growing number of bikes, there are currently nine bike racks around town. The first of five sculptural bike racks, designed by Lily Montgomery, a former UM art major, was just installed behind Bloch Hall in what Montevallo Mayor Hollie Cost, who is also a Vallocycle board member, described as “a very unique way to connect health initiatives with art initiatives.”

Co-chair Aaron Traywick said he feels that the biggest struggle facing ValloCycle today is the reluctance of people to get out of their comfort zones.

“Our biggest obstacle may just be people taking advantage of the resource in front of them. It takes a hell of a lot to get out of your car and experience the world, experience your community,” he said.

Part of this community engagement comes from the spotlight ValloCycle places on Montevallo businesses, which are invited to sponsor bicycles and have signs supporting their businesses mounted to the front of the bikes.

To further encourage members to explore the area, ValloCycle offers a map of local businesses, completely researched, written and designed by Traywick, Bennett and fellow board member John Nicholson.

“Like many of my cohorts, I didn’t start enjoying Main Street until I was a junior,” Bennett said. “We wanted freshmen to know right off the bat that Montevallo was a great place to study and hang out, too.”

Registration is open to any resident of Shelby County, and forms are located at three in-town locations — UM Carmichael Library, Parnell Library and the City Police Department — and turned in to City Hall.

“We’ve institutionalized the program,” Traywick said. “Many of the responsibilities that were volunteer-oriented before are being handled by city officials now. We’ve made it so the program can stand without us when we’re gone. That’s what a good program does, it lives on.”

As it lives on, members believe it will


continue to develop. ValloCycle now has a partnership with the CommuteSmart program, which provides incentives for people who live or work in Shelby County to take an alternative commute from home to work.

As successful as the program has been so far, members of the board agree that ValloCycle is not finished growing. On what a perfect ValloCycle program would look like, Cost said, “I would love to have a fleet of high quality bikes that could be checked out through automated stations. I would like to see bike lanes from one end of the city to the other with more people in town biking than riding and beautiful bike rack sculptures on every corner.”

Another hope is to one day have a bicycle shop set up at the university to maintain the bikes, where students would have the opportunity to become certified in bicycle maintenance or safety.

But for now, ValloCycle’s next big event is its third annual Montevallo Tour-by-Bike on August 25, an activity that introduces incoming freshmen and other riders to different landmarks in town, including University Lake, Main Street and Eclipse Coffee & Books.

More information on the program and opportunities to donate bicycles, bicycle parts or other funding can be found at Vallocycle.com or by contacting [email protected]. l

Vallocycle founder Aaron Traywick cuts the ribbon at the organization’s launch on Oct. 3, 2011.

May 2013 | 41

®


Six years ago Stacey Gwin loaded her two children into her car and drove to North Carolina in search of the family’s newest member.

The catch? That new member was a dog, and Stacey wasn’t sure if the family would be approved for the adoption. Luckily, they were approved and they returned home with a Greater Swiss Mountain dog, which they named Living Water’s “Coda” Bear.

Fast forward to 2013 and the Alabaster family has added two more dogs, one for Greggory, 14, and Madeline, 9. The dogs have proved to be much more than family pets.The Gwins and their canine counterparts have entered the world of competitive dog showing with great success, racking up numerous awards, including recognition at the Eukanuba National Dog Show in late 2012.

surgery and swissies

Dog show competitions were the last

thing on Stacey’s mind when their family dogs died within a month of each other about six years ago. At the time, Madeline, who was born with heart problems, was preparing for her fi nal procedure, an open heart surgery. Stacey and her husband, Brad, wanted to wait to fi nd a new pet.

After the surgery, Stacey began looking into different dog breeds. The family had rescue dogs in the past, but she decided to look into purebreds after an experience with a dog that was aggressive toward the children.

“I knew I needed a breed that worked with our family,” she said. “Spending a little bit more money, I knew the medical history, was able to meet the parents, have a rapport with the breeder.”

Her research led her to Greater Swiss Mountain dogs. Known as “Swissies,” the dogs are large but laid back, and Stacey felt they would fi t in with the family’s active lifestyle. Coda joined the family when he was 9 months old.

“I got him as a pet, but he looked really good to me. I thought, ‘Maybe there is something to this showing thing,’” Stacey recalled.

in the ring

Stacey began entering Coda in American Kennel Club conformation shows in the Southeast.

During conformation shows, the dogs are awarded points based on how well they conform to the established type for their breed. A judge evaluates a dog’s gait, personality, profi le, bone structure and more to determine how it compares to the breed’s offi cial standard. A dog must receive at least 15 points, including two major wins (worth three points or more), from three different judges to become an AKC “Champion of Record.”

Stacey said she and Coda weren’t successful immediately, but she did fi nd the dog show community to be supportive,

Meet the SwissiesAn Alabaster family and their dogs fi nd success in dog shows


From left: The Gwin family and their canine counterparts: Greggory and Halfmoon’s Dreamin’ Meeko, Stacey and Living Water’s Coda Bear, Madeline and Adanvto Nakoma’s Reign.

May 2013 | 43

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especially other owners of Greater Swiss Mountain dogs. “We learned by mistake, trial and error. The fi rst time I went

I didn’t know what I was doing,” she said. “This is a very small breed as far as how many owners are out there. The people who show and the people who breed, it’s a very inviting family. They do take you under their wing.”

A family affair

After a year, Stacey and Brad began considering adding another dog to the family. She had taken Coda as far as he could go in competition, and she was ready for a new challenge. However, the American Kennel Club added the Grand Championship, which gave the duo a reason to continue competing.

At this point, Greggory expressed interest in competing. “I saw Mom do it, and I thought it would be fun,” he explained. The family decided to move forward with the adding another

dog to the family – Halfmoon’s Dreamin’ Meeko, who is known as Meeko. Greggory, who is now in eighth grade at Thompson Middle, also found success in the ring, and began racking up points over the next three years.

In 2008, Stacey decided to breed Meeko and Coda, which resulted in a litter of six puppies. By that time, Madeline also wanted to compete with Stacey and Greggory.

They kept one of the male dogs, and in keeping with tradition, Madeline, now a fourth grader at Thompson Intermediate, named him after a character in a Disney movie – Adanvto Nakoma’s Reign, known as Nakoma.

life lessons

While competing can be frustrating for the younger Gwins, they have both done well in the ring.

In December 2012, the family headed to the Eukanuba National Dog Show, a fi ve-day show that attracted more than 15,500 entries.

Greggory and Stacey were invited to participate because they had both received their Grand Championship titles. Madeline, who only began showing in March 2012, entered on her own and won two ribbons: fi rst place and reserve in her group.

Greggory and Madeline said the shows teach them lessons they don’t necessarily receive in school.

“They’re learning confi dence because they’re going out and having to show in front of 50 people at a time, 100 people, depending on the show,” Stacey said.

The family participates in one show a month, excluding December. Most of those shows are out of state, and the family makes a fi eld trip out of their travels.

“Typically, we will try to go fi nd something else the city offers,” Stacey said.

Greggory and Madeline also participate in junior handling shows, during which only the handlers are judged, not the dogs.

While the Gwins are serious competitors, the shows are also a chance for fun, with many offering family activities, such as costume contests.

They also take the dogs on trips to Oak Mountain State Park, while Coda and Stacey volunteer for Hand in Paw.

“My Swissy family has become a very big part of our lives,” Stacey said. l


The TraditionalistDesigner Mallory Smith opens up her home


May 2013 | 45


HOME & FOOD


Page 44: The Smiths remodeled their kitchen in December 2011. The update included marble counters, wooden beams in the ceiling and a farmhouse sink. Page 46: Mallory Smith is drawn to antiques, including these chairs around the kitchen table.

May 2013 | 47

Mallory Smith is not one to follow trends. The Inverness resident, whose interior

design company is based in Vestavia Hills, describes her style as “rustic elegance” and prefers clean lines, symmetrical design and

antiques. “I’m very traditional,” she said. “When I buy a piece or I

have a client buy a piece, I want it to last forever. I want you to be able to put it in other rooms.”

Smith, a mother of three whose husband, Drayton, is a dentist in Inverness, applied her philosophy to her own home. The family moved into the two-story home in the spring of 2004.

“We weren’t planning to be here this long, but the location is wonderful and I keep doing stuff to the house. The more we do, the more we want to stay,” she said.

Today, the house doesn’t resemble its former self. First on Smith’s to-do list was painting the exterior and interior and placing hardwoods throughout the house. She also redid the kitchen herself, which had red walls, pink Formica counters and yellow cabinets.

Over the last nine years, they also replaced the doors and windows, enlarged the opening between the kitchen and the living room and landscaped the lawn.

About a year ago, the kitchen was completely renovated with marble counters, white cabinetry, a steel farmhouse sink and wooden beams across the ceiling.

The key has been to take their time and make smart decisions about their renovations.

“When we bought the house, we knew we were going to have to do a lot of work,” Mallory said. “I knew it had great bones. We have worked on it a little at a time and done what we wanted to it.”

While the home is filled with antiques and decorated in light, neutral tones, it’s still livable – a must for a house with young children.

“You want a formal look but a casual

feeling. You want a room … that looks nice, but you’re not scared to sit down.”

— Mallory Smith


Clockwise from top: The living room is filled with antiques, including silver trophies on the bookcase and the pillows on the chairs. Made in Mississippi, the pillows include gold trim and detailing from Catholic priests’ robes. The Smiths painted the exterior of the home and added rustic shutters. A detail shot of the stove in the newly renovated kitchen.

May 2013 | 49

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“You want a formal look but a casual feeling,” she said. “You want a room … that looks nice, but you’re not scared to sit down.”

For centerpiece items, such as furniture and rugs, Smith suggests “buying wise” and investing in pieces with a “timeless quality.” She prefers clean lines for upholstery and typically buys chairs and side tables in pairs.

“You can be trendy with pillows, and you can be trendy with things that don’t cost a lot of money and you won’t feel bad to get rid of in a year and a half,”

she said. Smith has followed her own advice

and still has pieces she owned in her first apartment. When she tires of a look, she recovers upholstery or moves items to a new room.

While Smith favors traditional, symmetrical looks, she’s not afraid to mix things up. The living room features a variety of metals — gold and silver — and wooden furniture — dark, light and painted.

When it comes to decorating, Smith has an excellent resource in her mother

and sister, who own Maison de France, a Leeds-based company that imports furniture and home accessories directly from France and England.

She often accompanies her mother and sister abroad, and she returns home with pieces for her own home.

Favorite pieces include the Juliet balcony overlooking the front door, and a beautifully detailed wood door she found in France and used for the pantry entrance.

“Each thing really has a story,” she said. l

From left: Smith used wallpaper in a guest bathroom. Inverness resident Mallory Smith owns an interior design company based in Vestavia. All of the chandeliers inthe homes, including this gold one in the dining room, are antiques.

May 2013 | 51

ACTIVITY SPONSORSState Senator Cam Ward Hillsboro SubdivisionIn Memory of Larry Childers Pepsi/Buff alo RockBlue Cross Blue Shield of AL Primrose School of RiverwoodsDennis & Jeannene O’Brien Verizon Wireless

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORSBrian Peters, Meteorologist Representative April WeaverTop It Off Yogurt Elizabeth Roland, AttorneyBig Red Balanced Scorecard


HOME & FOOD

This page: Fresh Art Cafe offers a variety of sandwiches named after famous artists. Opposite page: The salad trio offers chicken salad, tuna

salad and sides served on a fresh bed of lettuce.

May 2013 | 53

Fresh Art Cafe offers food with a twistStory by kATie mCdowell | Photographs by JoN goeriNg

creativityFeed your inner

Michelangelo, Rubens, Van Gogh, Remington.

At Fresh Art Café in Hoover, art isn’t

relegated to the walls. It’s a part of your meal.

Sandwiches take the name of artistic masters through the centuries. Patrons are also encouraged to “create their

own masterpiece” with salads and sandwiches.

“Our theory is to have people come in and release their inner creativity by creating their own salads and sandwiches,” owner Kitty McCoy said.

The merging between art and fresh food came about because both Kitty and manager Brooke Owens are artists. In fact, several of their paintings and some

by Kitty’s daughter brighten up the walls of the café.

McCoy opened Fresh Art Café three years ago after being laid off from her job in the banking industry. She decided to go into catering, but then decided to open a small café with to-go options and catering. She stumbled across a open building in the Riverchase Center, and decided it was perfect for what she


wanted to do. What she wanted to do was “casual,

fresh and fast food.” The area is teeming with business people, and she wanted the café to give people a chance to unplug.

“I really want this to be a place where people can come and unwind and get away from all that electronic stuff,” she said.

In keeping with that theme, Fresh Art Café is uncluttered, and McCoy purposefully shies away from neon signs and advertising. The café often features live jazz performances during the lunch hour, as well.

Fresh Art Café is based on a restaurant McCoy, who is married and has four children, worked at during college.

“I have a degree in design, actually in architecture. It was fun designing something from scratch,” she said. “The menu is reminiscent of the place that I worked at, but we put our own little twists on it.”

Fresh Art Café offers light breakfast, lunch and dinners-to-go. The sandwiches take the spotlight on the lunch menu. Each named after a artistic master, the sandwiches are classics with a twist.

“We put our little spin on everything,” she said.

The most popular is the Michelangelo, an Italian sandwich with ham, salami, bologna, Provolone cheese and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, Italian spices, oil and vinegar. Another customer favorite is the Remington, a roast beef sandwich with Swiss cheese and the café’s signature cole slaw on dark rye bread.

Then there’s the café’s take on the Reuben – the famous hot, corned beef sandwich – and its feminine counterpart, the Rachel, which is made with turkey.

“The Reuben is actually spelled Rubens, like Paul Rubens the painter,” McCoy said. “His wife, actually his second wife, was named Isabelle. They call it a Rachel and a Rueben in most places, but we have a Rubens and Bella.”

Fresh Art Café also offers a range of classic salads, including chef, Greek, spinach and Chicken.

Of course, they take artistic license with a few of the salads. There’s “The

Impressionist,” which includes hot marinated grilled chicken, smothered in a lime-based salsa of corn, black beans, peppers and tomato on mixed greens.

The café also offers daily specials, including sandwiches, soups, sides and casseroles. Favorite sides include a gourmet pimento cheese, which is punched up with capers, walnuts and roasted red peppers.

Fresh Art Café’s casseroles also offer a twist on the traditional. McCoy said the stuffed cabbage rolls are popular, as is the lasagna.

“I call it a low-carb lasagna,” she said. “We don’t use any pasta in it. It still has meat and cheese, but instead of the pasta we use layers of grilled vegetables.”

Other to-go meals include chicken tetrazzini, shrimp and grits, spaghetti

pie, curry chicken, chicken pot pie, broccoli rice cheese casserole, carrot soufflé, squash casserole and collards soufflé. Breakfast options are caramel apple French toast and egg casserole.

Whatever the recipe, McCoy said she tries to use fresh, organic ingredients as often as possible.

“I think there’s just too much of that in our diet, and I (want) to help people in a little way of eliminating a little of that,” she said. “They don’t have to order anything outrageous. I’ve already eliminated it for them and made it easier for them to eat a little bit healthier.”

Located at 2100 Riverchase Center, #226, in Hoover, Fresh Art Café is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit Fresh-art-cafe.com or call 205-988-8360. l

Clockwise from top left: Fresh blooms adorn old soda bottles. Manager Brook Owens. The cafe also offers soups of the day, specials and casseroles. Customers may create their own masterpiece salad or sandwich with goods from the deli case.

May 2013 | 55


ColumbiANA fArmers mArkeTWest College StreetOpen March-NovemberSaturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Contact Randy Glenn at 205-305-8632

CAlerA fArmers mArkeTOliver Park, 9758 Highway 25Open June through AugustTuesday, 3-6 p.m. Contact [email protected] Calerafarmersmarket.com

u-piCk’em blueberriesMorgan Creek Winery 181 Morgan Creek Lane, HarpersvilleJune 15-July Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $12 per bucketMorgancreekwinery.com

heleNA fArmers mArkeT4151 Helena Road June-AugustSaturday, 8 a.m.-noon Contact Ron Holly at 410-4496

mT lAurel fArmers mArkeT38 Manning Place June-AugustSaturday, 8 a.m.-noon Mtlaurel.com

moNTeVAllo fArmers mArkeTMiddle Street behind First Baptist ChurchJune-AugustMonday, 3-6 p.m. Contact Mary Lou Williams at 665-1519

VAlleydAle fArmers mArkeT4601 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, May 18-Aug. 31Saturday, 8 a.m.-noonContact 205-538-3652Valleydalefarmersmarket.com

Farmers markets return with locally grown produce

arm reshF

HOME & FOOD

May 2013 | 57

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HOME & FOOD

Baking is a right of passage for the Monella and Berry families.

Family members learn to make Cuccidati — Italian fi g cookies — at an early age. They start with the icing, by far the easiest job, and graduate to stuffi ng and rolling the cookies or manning the oven.

“When you fi rst get exposed to the cookies, it’s the decorating. I can remember clouds of powdered sugar and sprinkles,” said Marc Berry, who lives in Alabaster with his wife, Zabrina, and their two teenage sons.

Marc’s mother, Antoinette Berry, and her sister, Ruth Monella, who both live in Birmingham, are now responsible for teaching family members how to make the cookies.

“We’ve been making these since we were old enough to reach the table,” Antoinette said.

The recipe is their great-aunt’s and is known for being the most diffi cult and time-consuming of the family recipes.

The challenge comes from both the size of the recipe, which calls for 7 pounds of fl our and 15 pounds of fi gs – and for the tedious fi lling and rolling.

On a Wednesday afternoon in April, the family divided into stations with Ruth using a handmade rolling pin to fl atten the dough, Antoinette and Zabrina fi lling and rolling the cookies and Marc manning the oven.

The fi g fi lling also includes fruitcake mix, pecans, spices, honey, orange marmalade and chocolate chips. The women spoon the fi lling out of a bowl and carefully spread a large scoop of it across each piece of dough.

Marc once tried to fi nd a shortcut by using a pastry bag for the fi lling, but it

A family affairStory by kATie mCdowell | Photograph by JoN goeriNg

was too thick and stuck to the bag. “We’ve tried to modernize the cookies

for the last 10 years, and this is the only way it will work, the same way that my grandma used to do it,” he said.

Ruth and Antoinette, whose father immigrated to America from Sicily in his teens, have found a few ways to quicken the process. Ruth remembers her mother and grandmother carefully

painting each cookie with icing, but she simply drizzles the cookies before topping them with red and green sprinkles to honor Italy’s colors.

While the recipe is a diffi cult one, it’s one the family cherishes and makes around the holidays.

“There are about four or fi ve (recipes) we stick to,” Antoinette said. “Cooking is like a religion.” l

May 2013 | 59

To make the dough, beat eggs and sugar, then add melted oleo and Crisco. Add milk and vanilla. After mixing the liquids, add to flour and baking powder. Continue mixing until the dough is formed and allow it to rest for about 30 minutes. (It should look like bread dough.) Roll the dough into approximately 10-inch discs. Use a knife to cut the dough into three strips that are about two inches wide. Arrange about 1/3 cup of filling in a log across each strip. Fold each side of the strip over the filling and roll. Trim the ends of the log. Then cut the log into approximately 1 1/2 –inch slices. Slash each of the cookies three times on the top, and place on a baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake at 375 degrees until the cookies are golden brown, approximately 15-20 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool. Drizzle icing over the tops of the cookies, followed by sprinkles.

Cuccidati16 eggs3 cups sugar3 cups milk 20 tsp. baking powder

7 lbs. flour 1 lb. oleo1 lb. Crisco 2 Tbsp. vanilla

Filling

Grind the ingredients into a paste using a food processor. You likely will have to make small batches of the filling at a time.

Directions:

Directions:

(Yields several dozen)

3 lbs. figs 1 lb. dates2 c. raisins3 c. fruitcake mix 4 c. pecans or walnuts, chopped 1 c. honey

2 10-oz. cans of orange marmalade1 c. chocolate chips 1 Tbsp. all spice 1 Tbsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. cloves2 tsp. vanilla

Icing

Cream Crisco and a little sugar. Mix in milk and the rest of the sugar.

Directions:

3 packages powdered sugar2 Tbsp. Crisco

2 tsp. vanillaSprinkles


1. Tony, Rosalyn, Joseph, Stella and Brighton Bell 2. Jenny and Jacob Moore 3. Lindsey Cunningham, Lauren Weeks and Talmadge James4. Sara and Law Rockett with dog Levi 5. Belinda Schraer with Sophia and Grace Kruger 6. Gina Sisbarrow and Sean Martin7. Stephanie and Darren Tillman8. Ellemae and Noh Goering 9. Niki and Joel Murphy10. Jackie and Billy Quinn

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Shamfest 2013Shamfest 2013, benefiting the Hope for Gabe Foundation, was held March 16-17 in Mt Laurel.

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11.Carl Woolridge, Katherine Webster, Tracie Blair, and Jason Walker 12. Kevin Markeles, David Gottlieb and Lindsey Gottlieb 13. Marion Barnes and Meredith Sharman14. Kim McCulla and Lee Ann Reid

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1. Mary Catherine and Anna Marie Bilodeau 2. Aubreigh and Emily Davenport 3. Lorelai and Ashley Hart with Rachel Trucks4. Alexzandria King-Sales and Hollery Harris 5. Aniyah, Lacresha and Gabriel McDaniel 6. Madison and Kim Duncan7. Lilly and Casey Pate8. Jakob, Lori, Lola, Emily and Jason Hill 9. Katherine Houston and Brooke Sanner10. Emileigh and Ethan Lowery

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Kids FestThe Alabaster Belk held its fourth annual Kids Fest March 16.

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11. Steve, Hunter, Maggie, Grace and Abbey Thompson 12. Kennedy and Brittany Head13. Juanita Riles14. Mia and Tiffany Gwin 15. Amber Hyde and Karen Hultsman16. Cathy Massey and Alexandra Stewart

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1. Peggy Wood and Bonnie Atchison 2. Emily Kay Herring and Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey with members of the SCAC’s board of directors 3. Emily Kay Herring and Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey 4. Joe Sullivan, Diane Ellis and Corley Ellis 5. Julie and Kevin Gustin6. Jackie and Judi Elliot7. Ann Handley, Emily Kay Herring and Columbiana Mayor Stancil Handley. 8. Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, Christine Frederick, Lynn Hightower and Bill Hightower

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Songs of Patsy ClineThe Shelby County Arts Council opened its new performance theater in Columbiana on March 16 with “Songs of Patsy Cline,” peformed by Emily Kay Herring.

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9. Joe Sullivan, Trent Sullivan, Ann Head and Oliver Head10. Lisa and Fulton Ramsay with Stancil and Ann Handley 11. Terri Sullivan, Janice Falkner and Jan Smith 12. Laura Gardner, James Herring, Emily Herring and Barbara Herring

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1. Caroline Mills, Marilyn Steed and Molly McNulty 2. Nicolas Obregon, Viraj Kacker, Emilia Trueb, Adam Wygle, Alex Laney and Katie Ford3. Darren Teixeira and Jessica Jacob 4. Hannah Horton, Victoria Hogg, Maggie Stroup and Maggie Richardson 5. Bradley Hughes and Riley Ford6. Mersisters: Grace Hughes, Abby Long, Avery Brune, Makayla Miller, Sydney Taylor, Grace Hampton Frazer7. Liza DeVane, Adyson Hatcher, Emma Stansell, Teegan Howell, Brooke Savage and Lill-Ann Fike

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The Little MermaidThe Greystone Drama Club performed “The Little Mermaid” on Feb. 21.

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8.Amber Miranda, Camryn Huynh, Taylor Harrington and Nicole Taylor9. Hannah Bishop, Helene-Rose O’Shea and Christina Smarrelli 10. James Gerstner, Josie Bonamy and Misaki Uchida 11. Hollie Stone, Emily Joy Nelson, Paige Walls, Tully Anne Hamner, Rebecca Vercher and Maddy Jackson

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1. Lindsey Young, Lauren Sazera and Wyvolyn Kirkland2. Rich and Shana Wolf3. Mathew and Victoria Owens4. Michelle Wilhite and Gretchen Quave5. Jamie Lester and Meredith McFerrin6. Rachel Goodson and Katy Mills7. Emily Hayes and Barbara Tumm8. John Lyda and Cam Ward9. Julia Byron, Catherine Jones, Brittany Nessmith and Kelli Slocum10. Mike Caraccido and Kevin Nathan

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Walk With MeEaster Seals of the Birmingham area held its Walk With Me event at Veterans Park March 9.

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1. Cheryl Morrow, Burgin Mathews and Jill Sturgeon2. RJ Reyes and AJ Hudson 3. Estherica Pierre-Louis and Chris Poston 4. Haley Hill, Shakara Williams and Alexis MacKay

Spain Park High School Arbor DayThe Spain Park High School Green Team held an Arbor Day ceremony March 6.

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1. Bella Brown and Alivia Abbott2. Abbey Macklin, Mary Rose Kitchens, Claire Killian and Kathryn Taylor Sisk3. Dr. Elizabeth Korcz and Eden Roy 4. Beth Rooney and John Klosterman 5. Julie and Kevin Gustin6. Amelia Self and Quinton Dunn7. Catherine and Ellie Findley8. Lizzie Hudson and Henry Goff9. Karen Brown and Anna Morris

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DessertissementsFriends of the Alabama Youth Ballet Company and the Alabama Youth Ballet Guild attended the fifth annual Dessertissements on Feb. 17 at Grebel Dance in Pelham.

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VINTAGEInteriors

www.facebook.com/VintageInteriors.com

12,000 square feet with over 55 vendors

New merchandise arriving daily

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1. Brant Berry and Josh Appel2. Jennifer Thomas, Heather Bell-Lawing, Sherrie Pippin and Kristen Webb3. Valencia Albright and Susan Johnston4. Virginia Fall and Rachael Farlow5. Kendall Williams and Vivian Johnson6. Gwen Hatcher and Jennifer Dick7.Sarah Halliday, Jessica Henderson and Jahzmin Young8. Dr. Mickey Bunn, Leah Spangle, Mallory Mitchell, Hannah Faulkner, Lizzie Bellina, Audre Mitchell, Darla Allen, Courtney Naish, Kaley Kendrick and GSCCC Executive Director Kirk Mancer.

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GSCCC luncheonThe Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce held its monthly luncheon Feb 27 at the Pelham Civic Center.

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1. Erin Hayes with Loren Leigh, Collin, Lydia and John Allen Baggett2. Kathy and Julie McEntee 3. Kristen Goad and Cathy Canant4. Barbara Williams and Faye Roberts

Montevallo Arbor DayMore than 1,200 trees and tree saplings were available for adoption Feb. 23 at Montevallo Arbor Day.

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1. Caroline and Jason Brough2. Sydney Bayer, Grace Mills and Vanna Bayer 3. Hayden Casey and Chelsea Von Bartheld4. Alysa Rambo and Bill Cracraft 5. Kemille Edgar and Kyleigh Hill6. Laura Grace Smedley and Emma Krueger7. Patrick, Kim, Abigail, Annlee and James Fuller8. Chloe Abbott and Catelynn Davis9. Peyton and Mia Allen

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Fairy Tale Ball 2013Storybook characters came to life March 2 at the Calera library’s fifth annual Fairy Tale Ball.

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10. Emma Scott, Mallory Venable and Courtney Kee11. Mary Embry, Jayme Glass and Alanna Angrisano12. Trenton Johnson and Heather Hilyer 13. Camille Powers and Laurel Storian with Jim and Linda Powers

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1. Sheree Andrews and Terry Sherman2. Jodie James, Carol Marks and Mechelle Wilder3. Elaine Kennedy and Ashley David 4. Janie Dollar, Ann Layne and Hollis Traylor5. Dawn Baldy, Joanna Burleson and Barbara Martin 6. Nita Yarbrough and Ann Capps7. Carol Burns, Alicia Cuevas and Sheree Andrews8.Barbara Irvin, Helen Hampton, Mary Jackson and Gwen Bell

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The Greystone Ladies Club luncheonThe Greystone Ladies Club held its monthly luncheon March 13 at the Founders Clubhouse.

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1. Brooke Story, Melanie Sims Goodwin and Aubri Smith McClendon2. Lindsey Allison and Terri Williams 3. David Nolen and Joe Meads4. Phillip Heard, Jeff Neufeld and Tim Bowen

Shelby One receptionThe Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce celebrated raising $1.9 million for its Shelby One fundraising campaign.

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James Bond GalaThe Regional Oncology Action Research committee, which is the volunteer fundraising committee of the Southeast Cancer Foundation, hosted the third annual James Bond Gala, “GoldenCure,” on Feb. 9 at The Club.

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10. Jackie McAtee, Chantal Kottmeyer and Barbara Brickner 11. Becky Cammack, Julie Kim, Terry Crutchfield and Michelle Scholtz12. “Bubba” and Betty Bussey 13. Anna Dewees, Mary Rankin, Carolyn Higginbotham and Melody McGuire

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May 2Artists of the Anagama The Shelby County Arts Council will host the opening reception for, Artists of the Anagama‚ May 2 at its gallery, located at 104 Mildred Street in Columbiana. The exhibit will feature works fired in the anagama kiln at the University of Montevallo, including those by UM professor Scott Meyer, and a large pictorial expos√© of the firing process. Visit Shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

Tim mcgraw concert Country superstar Tim McGraw will perform Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the Oak Mountain Amphitheater as part of his Two Lanes of Freedom Tour. Opening acts include Brantley Gilbert and Love and Theft. Visit Ticketmaster.com.

May 3 west shelby relay The West Shelby Relay for Life will be held May 3-4 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at Oliver Park Sports Complex in Calera.

May 3-5 Antiques and Appraisal market The Central Alabama Antiques and Appraisal Market will be held May 3-5 at Handley Barn, 245 Old Highway 25,

Columbiana, 35051. Activities include antique appraisal, food vendors, music, entertainment and antique, vintage and retro sales booths. Admission is $5, and appraisals are $5 each with a limit of three. Appraisers will be available for art, Civil War memorabilia, clocks, Coca-Cola collectibles, jewelry, ephemera, furniture, general items, glassware, guns, jukebox, pottery, textiles, toys and art. Visit Centralalantiques.com.

May 4 um Commencement The University of Montevallo will hold spring commencement at Flower Hill Saturday, May 4 at 9 a.m.

bark and wine Shelby Humane Society‚ fourth annual Bark and Wine is back Saturday, May 4 at 6 p.m. at the Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Road, Pelham. The event will feature silent and live auctions of goods, services and trips donated by SHS supporters. Shelby County philanthropist Ken Jackson will serve as auctioneer. Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased at Barkandwine.eventbrite.com. Net proceeds benefit the programs and the pets of Shelby Humane Society.

photography hike Bring your camera to Oak Mountain State Park from May 4 from 10-11:30 a.m. for a photography hike. Meet at the Old Tennis Courts on Terrace Drive. Parking is available at the Beach parking lot (third lot on right).

Celebrate hoover day Celebrate Hoover Day, an annual city-wide celebration that is free to the public, will be held Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Veterans Park on Valleydale Road. This family-friendly event draws more than 10,000 residents of all ages with live entertainment, a car show, kids zone, carnival ride, petting zoo, giant apple pie and more. Rain date is Sunday, May 5 from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Visit Hooveral.org.

May 5 Community recital Students of the University of Montevallo‚ Community School of Music will present a recital for family, friends and guests Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at LeBaron Recital Hall. Call 205-665-6678.

May 9 philip davis memorial golf Tournament The 2013 Philip Davis Memorial

Golf Tournament will be held Thursday, May 9. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and shotgun start at noon. Proceeds benefit the Philip Mahan Davis Foundation to benefit Shelby County law enforcement and fire officers and their families in need. Registration is $96/person and $384/team. Mail entry forms and payments to the Philip Mahan Davis Foundation at P.O. Box 1434, Pelham, 35124.

May 10 south shelby relay The South Shelby Relay for Life will be held Friday, May 10 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the Columbiana Sports Complex on McDow Road.

buck Creek festival The 12th annual Buck Creek Festival will be held Friday-Saturday, May 10-11 at the Helena Amphitheater Park. The Buck Creek Festival is a free, family-friendly community event that has raised more than $170,000 for the city of Helena since it began. The event includes live music, crafts, children’s activities and food. Visit Buckcreekfestival.com.

May 11girl powerSt. Vincent One Nineteen will offer Girl Power, a class

Buckcreek Festival

OUT & ABOUT

Tim Mcgraw concert

XTERRA

May 2013 | 81

Swinging ForeAchievement

Golf Tournament

To Benefi t The Arc ofShelby County

designed to help girls 8-12 understand and accept the natural changes that occur with early adolescence. The program addresses developing a positive self-image while accepting the physical changes that accompany puberty. For girls and a female adult relative or friend. $5/girl. Call Dial-A-Nurse at 939-7878 to register.

May 13 Calera Chamber golf Tournament For more inforamation call 668-3023.

May 16North shelby relay The North Shelby Relay for Life will be held Friday, May 16 from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. at Pelham High School, 2500 Panther Circle, Pelham.

May 18 soil Critters Hidden below the leaf litter there is a part of the natural world that is composed of living things so small that they cannot be seen with the unaided eye. Learn more during the Alabama Wildlife Center‚ final program of the 2013 Audobon Teaches Nature Lecture series. Soil Critters‚ It’s a Tiny World Under the Microscope‚ will be held Sunday, May 19 at 2 p.m. with Ellen McLaughlin as the guest speaker. Program is free, but park charges an entrance fee. Visit Awrc.org.

Coppelia The Alabama Youth Ballet and students of Grebel Dance in Pelham will perform Coppelia at the Pelham High School Theatre on Saturday, May 18 at 3 p.m. Admission is $10. Visit Grebeldance.com/springdance.

May 19 xTerrA at oak mountain Back for another year at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, the XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Run is giving

athletes mud and a brand new marathon distance. This race features 5km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon distances. For registration or more information, visit Xterratrailrun.com. The runs will be held Sunday, May 19 beginning at 8 a.m.

May 26 Night hike Take a hike at night at Oak Mountain State Park from 7:30-9:30 p.m.. There are a lot more creatures out at night than you think about. Learn about some of them during this hike. Meet at the Park Office on Terrace Drive.

May 27 bug raceCome race some bugs in the third annual Memorial Bug Races on May 27 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Oak Mountain State Park. You can bring your own bugs or look for some here. Meet at the bottom of the stairs at Treetop Nature Trail.

memorial day ppogram A Memorial Day program will be held May 27 at Alabama National Cemetery at 9 a.m. The ceremony will pay tribute to America’s fallen servicemen and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Info: 680-3413.

May 30swinging fore Achievement golf Tournament The seventh annual Swinging Fore Achievement Golf Tournament will be held Thursday, May 30 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley. The event benefits The Arc of Shelby County, which serves people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Visit Thearcofshelbycounty.org.

Do you have an event you want to be featured in Shelby Living? Email the details to [email protected]. l


Scott Dawson:‘It is small enough to know tons of people’

What brought you to Shelby County?

We moved into Greystone Glen in late 1998. We loved the area and were appreciative of the school system.

What do you love about Shelby County?

The atmosphere. It is small enough to know tons of people, but large enough to have great shopping and dining. The church community also is very involved with one another.

When and why did you decide to go into the ministry?

In high school I had the desire to share my faith. A show on television is “Hoarding” and it is disgusting! I believe God hates hoarding … then why would I hoard the greatest message this world could hear?

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Life change. It happens to every age group and both genders. When someone understands I am not talking political or religion, but a relationship with a living God…that is cool!

What is your mission for the Scott Dawson Evangelical Association?

Wherever people are to tell them the life-changing message of Christ. It is not something missing in your life, but someone.

What do you like to do on the weekends?

Nothing beats a great dinner with the family. Most of the time we are either watching Hunter play baseball at Spain Park or watching my daughter, Hope, dance. I would not change it for the world!

If you weren’t an evangelist, what would you want to be?

Probably an executive at Disney World! I love creativity. Mix the creativity of Walt Disney with the passion of Billy Graham – if that is me – I am happy!

What lessons have you learned from being a parent?

I joke that I had a sermon when I was single entitled, “10 ways to raise a Godly child” and I changed it after we had kids to “three suggestions that may or may not work!” Parenting is so hard in the area of consistency.

I must live my life on a stage because my kids are constantly watching. Also, beware of empty promises to children because they believe your word. I never knew how much my parents prayed for me, because now I know I am constantly praying for my kids.

Finally, make sure they know they are loved and as a parent I am proud of them. Nothing they could do would change my love or pride for them. I hope that gives them confidence. l

Scott Dawson founded the Scott Dawson Evangelistic Association 25 years ago. The organization has grown from Scott giving testimonials at youth rallies to “a comprehensive

outreach organization that that extends across all ages and denominations offering a unifying message of hope to America and beyond,” according to the SDEA’s website. The SDEA sponsors several large events, including StadiumFest, a biennial free Christian music event that was held in April 2013. An Ensley native, Scott graduated from Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School. He and his wife, Tarra, live in Greystone Glen with their children, Hope and Hunter.

WHY I LOVE SHELBY COUNTY

Story by kATie mCdowell | Photograph CoNTribuTed

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Shelby Living May 2013