280 Living May 2013

May 2013280Living.com

By CLAYTON HURDLE

On May 7, Tripp Nichols and his family will celebrate the end of a long, trying year in which the baby boy from Chelsea overcame odds again and again.

Born without complica-tion in May 2012, Tripp be-gan suffering from chronic seizures soon after his birth. His epilepsy has caused vi-sion impairment and devel-

opmental issues, yet no doc-tor has been able to diagnose Tripps seizure disorder. Doc-tors told Tripps parents that he wouldnt live to his first birthday.

Its hard when you wake up every morning to be posi-tive, Jessica, Tripps mother, said. Its hard to watch him hurt. We know what hes missing out on, so its hard for us not to create a handicap for him.

Jessica and her husband, Nick, have done every-thing in their power to help their son improve, but they knew early on that their ef-forts alone would never be enough.

The Nichols family makes regular trips to Memphis, Tenn., to visit the Le Bonheur Childrens Hospital. Tripp has also been to South Carolina,

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May 2013 | Volume 6 | Issue 9

Special page 14

Community page 8

Celebrations...6Community .....7 Food .............. 10Business ....... 11

School House .. . 20Sports ............... 26Opinion ............. 28Calendar ........... 30

INSIDE

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See TRIPP | page 29

To market, to market

Two-year tournament winner Tom Lehman will attempt a three-peat for this years Regions Tradition at Shoal Creek June 5-9. Read more about the tournament in this issue.

The Tradition returns

Valleydale and The Summit Farmers Markets will open for the season in mid-May, and Mt Laurel will follow soon thereafter. Find more details inside.

As Tripp Nichols approaches his first birthday, his family still seeks a diagnosis

Miracle Man

Tripp Nichols began suffering from chronic seizures after his birth. Photo courtesy Jessica Nichols.

Chelsea resident Tracie Marcum works with The Moment host Kurt Warner and Sports Illustrated photographer Lou Jones as a contestant on the new reality show. The show airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on USA. Photo courtesy of USA/Colleen Haves.

Opportunity capturedChelsea mom gets dream job offer on USA reality show

By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Skeet were flying through the air on a sunny California day, and Tracie Marcums job was to pho-tograph them one step of her sports photography training as a contestant on new USA reality show The Moment.

Marcum, 37, was a long way from her Chelsea home, but there was something much more un-comfortable about the situation. She witnessed her mothers sui-cide by gunshot inside their home 30 years ago.

I dont do guns, she told the camera. If this is part of my as-signment, I cant do this.

Lou Jones a Sports Illustrated photographer, had set up the exer-cise not knowing Marcums back-ground; he only knew it was good training for a final challenge she would face to photograph stunt pi-lots from inside a helicopter.

But after talking to her husband on the phone, Marcum did what seemed like the impossible.

Face your demons, and they wont be your demons any more, right? she said as she walked onto the range.

It was tough, but I am glad that I sucked it up and did it, she said, reflecting on the expe-rience. I realized at that mo-ment I had to overcome that fear

and stop letting that be something that held me back.

Rewind a year: Marcum was an op-erations manager for a software com-pany in Inverness. She had owned a wedding business for 10 years but sold it 12 years ago.

After that, she only pulled out her

camera for her kids youth sports games. Her son, Taylor, now 17, played youth football and baseball, and daughter Kennedi, 10, played softball and basketball.

And somewhere in photographing her kids, a bigger dream was born: sports photography.

The sports world was nothing new to Marcum. Her dad raised her on Alabama football when she was growing up in nearby Wilsonville, and she writes a blog, gridirongirl.com, to inspire women to learn more

See MARCUM | page 29

May 2013 280 Living2

May 2013280Living.com 3

May 2013 280 Living

Legals: 280 Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. 280 Living is designed to inform the 280 community of area school, family and community events. Information in 280 Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of 280 Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

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When the storm comes

Photo of the month

n e i g h b o r l y n e w s & e n t e r t a i n m e n t

280Living

Clayton HurdleClayton is a junior journalism and mass communication major at Samford. A native of Hendersonville, Tenn., he has enjoyed getting to know the Birmingham area better through his internship. He enjoys all things sports and his unrealistic dream job would be as a football or basketball coach.

Meet our intern

April is usually a rainy month, but if you turned on the news last month, you saw the storms of the world pounding: bombs, injuries, deaths, gunshots, police chases. I found myself glued to special NPR coverage in my car as the plot in Boston unfolded like a suspense novel.

When the action ended, though, I retreated back into my little world. Theres a reason I like editing this paper. I turn to the good news in the familiar places around me just as I climb under the covers with a good book during a nasty thunderstorm.

I want to reminisce good times and good people, like Mrs. Amanda Bittinger, whose sweet spirit coupled with unrelenting dedication to explaining foreign calculus concepts gave me a love for learning difficult, abstract things in a way that college never would (thanks to the Oak Mountain seniors on

page 23 for reminding me of her).

I want to plan out my weekend going to a big yard sale (check out North Shelby Librarys on May 11), running a 5K for a good cause (find the details on one on page 9 or 15), hitting up an area farmers market (they return this month see page 14), trying a new place to eat (check out

The Georgia Pits barbecue on page 13) and not thinking about work I have to do. I only want to think on whats good, whats comfortable, whats close.

But when I reread this issue in the copy editing process, I realized that so much of a good story is intertwined the not-always-happy part of life, often away from the comfort of home. In order to follow her dreams to become a sports photographer, Tracie Marcum had to confront a terrifying skeleton in her closet while filming in (see cover

story). Author Robert Palmer writes novels to draw young adults to the Christian faith largely because he draws inspiration from his own skepticism journey of tragedy and doubt (page 18). Tripp Nichols, who turns one this month, is doing better health-wise, but I cant imagine the rough journey he and his family travelled this past year both at home and as they saw doctors in surrounding states (see cover story).

With that in mind, maybe my impulse to hide under the covers isnt always the most wise choice. As Tracie and Tripps stories have reminded me, its when we link arms with those around us to face the storms that life is truly lived in its full glory.

To borrow from an elementary school bulletin board saying, trite yet true, heres to hoping April showers bring May flowers!

Thousands attended Mt Laurel Spring Fest in April, which featured face-painting for children among the many vendors rides and games. Photo by Madoline Markham.

Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (20)Alabama Power (18)Aldridge Gardens (28)Altadena Valley Country Club (26)Azia Medical Spa (13)Beaumont Pharmacy (27)Bellinis (7)Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (20)Bromberg & Company, Inc. (19)Bryant Heating and Air (9)California Closets (25)Charles Dunn (11)Chiropractic Today (16)Comfort Keepers (29)Cousins Insurance Agency (23)Cutting Edge Salon (9)Diana Holladay (24)Elite Tan (11)Encore Rehabilitation (29)Eye Do (29)Fancy Fur- Paws and Claws (14)GeGes Salon (26)GradePower Learning of Birmingham (17)Greenbrier Furniture (2)Greystone Antiques & Marketplace (6)Ground Up Coffee & Smoothies (12)Hannas Garden Shop (15)Home Care Assistance (28)Home Search Solutions (31)ImageSouth (31)Isbell Jewelers (12)Issis & Sons (30)Kobe Japanese Steakhouse (16)Leaf & Petal (13)M&F Bank (21)Mister Carwash (24)Mosquito Squad of Birmingham (16)MoveDaddy (24)NAPA Auto Parts (5)Nex21, LLC (23)Pak Mail (24)Pastry Art (30)Plain Jane Children & Gift Shop (14)Plastic Surgery Specialists (12)RealtySouth Marketing (27)Red Mountain Theatre Company (22)Renaissance Consignment and Marketplace (5)Richard Joseph Salon and Spa (1)Royal Automotive (3)Sew Sheri Designs (21)Skin Wellness Center of Alabama (14)Southeastern Jewelers and Engravers (15)St. Vincents One Nineteen (17, 32)Studio Red (23)The Cuckoos Nest (19)The Ditsy Daisy (22)The Maids (1)The Urban Barn (24)The UPS Store (6)Total Care 280 (7)Vapor Thrift Store (11)Varsity Sports (26)Village Dermatology (10)Vulcan Park and Museum (8)Your Good Neighbor (29)

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Annaclaire Presley Hall of Springdale, Ark. and Jared Warren Mitchell of Birmingham were united in marriage on Jan. 5 at Provine Chapel Campus of Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss. Pastor Tim Peabody officiated the ceremony. A reception was held at Anderson Hall on the Mississippi College campus.

The bride is the daughter of Jim and Nora Hall of Springdale, Ark. She is the granddaughter of Edward Dodson of Springdale, Jo and Uralde Lindsey of Fayetteville, the late Lucille Halle of Springdale and the late Gilbert Hall of Springdale. The bride will graduate in May with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry.

The groom is the son of Frank and Sherry Mitchell of Birmingham. He is the grandson of Bobbie and Dan Johnson of Montevallo, the late Thurman Mitchell of Montevallo, the late D. Anne Patterson Boyd of Birmingham and the late Billy R. Wilson of Birmingham. The groom, a 2009 graduate of Oak Mountain High School, will graduate in May with a bachelor of arts in Christian studies with a minor in psychology.

The maid of honor was Arden Hall, sister of the bride, of Springdale. Bridesmaids were Ryann Mitchell, sister-in-law of the groom, of Alabaster; Lyndi Tankersley of Madison, Miss.; Megan Robinson of Kosciusko, Miss.; Kristen Fowler of Clinton, Miss.; and Rachel Reekers of Rock Springs, Wyo.

The groom chose his father, Frank Mitchell, as his best man. Groomsmen were Jordan Mitchell, brother of the groom, of Birmingham; Will Mitchell, brother of the groom, of Alabaster; Aaron Ammon of Birmingham; Chase Butler of Birmingham; and Kyle Carpenter of Sterrett, Ala.

After a wedding trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica, the couple has made their home in Clinton, Miss.

Celebrations

Have an engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement? Email [email protected] to have it included in an upcoming issue!

Hall-Mitchell

From October through February, approximately 100 volunteers participated in the Oak Mountain Intermediate School Field Makeover Project, a joint project of OMIS and the Oak Mountain Youth Baseball, Softball, Football and Cheerleading community athletic programs.

Educators, parents, students and community members worked together to complete a much-needed makeover of the ball fields at the back of the school property. Volunteers worked evenings and Saturdays to make the fields safer and more enjoyable for OMIS and the community. The extensive renovation project included dismantling, sanding and painting bleachers, installing new seats, using recycled boards to install plant boxes near dugouts, and rebuilding and painting scorekeeper stands.

In addition, volunteers removed old fencing behind the fields and addressed drainage issues. To complete

the renovation, OMIS art teacher Leigh Walker assisted in updating the field signs by hand-painting the new OM community logo This Is Our Mountain. The partnership also involved completion of a soccer/practice field for school and community use.

OMIS Principal Dr. Pat LeQuier extended appreciation on behalf of OMIS to Brian Lee, president of the Oak Mountain Youth Baseball and Softball League, and Derry Herring, president of the Oak Mountain Youth Football and Cheerleading Program, for their active investment in the partnership. LeQuier also acknowledged the significant involvement of Pat Rakers, coordinator of facilities and maintenance for the leagues, whose enthusiasm and leadership for the initiative were invaluable. In addition, the OMIS PTOs financial contribution was crucial to the success of the project.

Submitted by OMIS PTO

OMIS partnership with community pays off

From left, Tim OBrien with Oak Mountain Youth Football and Cheerleading, Pat Rakers with Oak Mountain Youth Baseball and Softball and OMIS PTO President Brandy Rhodes represent the school and area youth programs involved in the OMIS Field Makeover Project.

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Brooklyn Holt, a sophomore at Oak Mountain High School, was named third runner up in Miss Alabamas Outstanding Teen in March. She competed as Miss Leeds

Holt third runner up for Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen

Brooklyn Holt

Area Outstanding Teen and was awarded more than $30,000 in scholarship money to Auburn University, The University of Alabama and Troy University. She also received $1,500 in cash for her outstanding leadership qualities as a teenager in the state of Alabama.

At the competition, Brooklyn also received the Community Service Award and the Advertisement Award for selling the greatest amount of advertising dollars for the scholarship program.

At OMHS, Brooklyn has a 4.3 GPA and is a majorette and member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society, Con-Brio Mixed Competitive Show Choir and Oak Mountain Masters.

As a part of her personal platform, Raise Your Voice for Children, Brooklyn holds fundraisers for Childrens Miracle Network. She performs at her Raise Your Voice for Children Concerts and recorded a single, Raise Your Voice, in May 2012.

7

Community

The Friends of the North Shelby Library is hosting a large fundraiser Yard Sale to support the librarys upcoming summer reading program. The Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Donations for the Yard Sale will be accepted on Wednesday, May 8 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday, May 9 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Friday, May 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Suggested donations include toys, furniture,

bikes, books, outdoor gear and sports equipment. Donations that cannot be accepted are clothes, shoes, computers, mattresses and cribs.

There will also be a preview party show and sale on Friday night at 6:30 p.m., with tickets costing $25.

The North Shelby Library is located at 5521 Cahaba Valley Road.

For more, call 439-5500 or visit facebook.com/FriendsofNorthShelbyLibrary.

North Shelby Library Yard Sale

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Xterra TriathlonMay 18

Oak Mountain State Park will host a triathlon on May 18. Race organizers encourage anyone in the park to join in on the fun and watch runners cross the finish line.

The full-distance XTERRA championship race is comprised of a 1.5-kilometer swim, 30-kilometer mountain bike and a 10-kilometer trail run. Participants may race as an individual or on a relay team.

A shorter distance XTERRA Sprint race is also offered. The Sprint race is half the distance as the championship race at 750 meters for the swim,

15-kilometer mountain bike race and a 5-kilometer trail run.

Park entry fee for adults is $3 per person. To register, visit xterraplanet.com/races/register.cfm.

Lorie Johnson Golf TournamentMay 20

The Fifth-Annual Lorie Johnson Foundation Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Monday, May 20 at Riverchase Country Club.

The foundation, founded in honor of Johnson, a Chelsea woman who later passed away from breast cancer at age 34, provides financial

assistance to low-income women and girls with cancer of any kind. Many of the women they help have breast cancer.

We help low income individuals suffering from cancer with their rent, utilities, groceries, copayment, treatment and travel, foundation board member Steve Bishop said

Registration is at 10 a.m. The driving range opens at 10 a.m. and lunch is at 11 a.m. with a hotgun start at noon. Participants who beat the pro on a Par-3 win cash prizes and a hole in one wins $5,000. There is a $125 registration fee for individual players and $500 registration fee for a four-man team. Registration includes

range balls, golf cart and a barbecue buffet lunch.

Register at loriejohnsonfoundation.org, or call Jay Mullaly at 587-9902.

Free Friday FlicksStarts May 31

Grab a blanket, family and friends and enjoy a free family-friendly movie every Friday night this summer at Veterans Park next to Spain Park High School. Movies will be shown every Friday night from May 31-July 26.

Films start at dusk. Come early to visit vendors, get food and enjoy fun activities.

For more visit hooveral.org. Movie listings will be listed on hooversun.com and in the June issue when they become available.

Alabama Phoenix FestivalMay 24-26

The Alabama Phoenix Festival is a family-friendly, multi-genre, fan convention featuring celebrity guests, authors, comic book writers and artists.

The festival will be held at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center on Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 26.

To register and find out more, visit alabamaphoenixfestival.com.

Phoenix Festival and three other cant-miss events this month

Regions Tradition returning to 280Two-year tournament winner Tom

Lehman will attempt a three-peat for this years Regions Tradition as he faces a 58-player pool featuring PGA Tour stars like Fred Couples, Hale Irwin and Corey Pavin.

Also for the third year in a row, the golf tournament will be held at Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club June 5-9.

The 72-hole competition has a purse of $2.2 million and has no cut, according to Bruno Event Team Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing Jessica Sciacca.

The title sponsor of the tournament, Regions Financial Corporation, recorded an economic impact of more than $25 million to the greater Birmingham area over

the past two years.All general spectator parking

at the tournament is free, and tournament shuttles will be provided to transport guests to and from the main tournament entrance. General parking is located at the corner of U.S. 280 and AL 119.

Gates open for the tournament at 6:30 a.m. each day, with 7:30 a.m. tee times for each round. Tickets for a week pass for the tournament are $80 and $20 for a day pass. Junior guests, 18 years or younger, have free admission to the tournament when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club is located at 100 New Williamsburg Drive. For more, call 969-9229 or visit regionstradition.com.

PGA Tour Golfer Fred Couples sinks a putt at the 2012 Regions Tradition Golf Tournament. Photo courtesy of Bruno Event Team.


The Prescott House Child Advocacy Center is hosting a 5K and fun run on Saturday, May 18, at 8 a.m. in The Town of Mt Laurel.

The price for the 5K is $25, and for the fun run is $10. Both fees include a T-shirt, and the price goes up to $30 and $15, respectively, if runners register the day of the event. To register, visit prescotthouse.org.

For more than 25 years Prescott House Child Advocacy Center has been a safe haven for child victims of sexual and physical abuse. The center is dedicated to the care and restoration of children who have suffered trauma.

The Prescott House Child Advocacy Center is located at 1730 14th Avenue South. For more, call 930-3622 or visit prescotthouse.org.

Fearless Feet 5K and Fun Run

Inverness area resident Sylvester Sly King is in the run-ning for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys (LLS) 2013 Man of the Year. As a nominee, he has pledged to raise a minimum of $20,000 by May 16.

My immediate family has never been directly affected by a blood cancer disease, but I understand that cancer does not care, King said. Leukemia does not care how old you are. Lymphoma does not care about race or gender. Myeloma does not care about your wealth or the lack thereof. Statistics show that approximately every 4 minutes one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer disease and approximately every 10 minutes someone in the U.S. dies from a blood cancer. That person could be me, my wife, my 3-year old daughter, or it could be you.

The Grand Finale of the campaign will be May 16, but the competition doesnt end until after a live and silent auction at the event. Campaigners have the option to bring a certain amount of items, either their own or solicited from local busi-ness, to auction. The money raised per item also adds to their votes. There will also be dinner, cocktails and music.

The fi nale will be held at the McWane Science Center from 6-9 p.m. Individual tickets are $100, tables are $600 and pa-tron sponsorship (two tickets and names in program) is $250. Call 989-0098 for more information.

Visit mwoy.org to donate to Kings campaigns. The last day for online donations is May 14.

King raising money as Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys Man of the Year candidate

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Exclusively Ballet & Dance is gearing up for its spring performances.

On Saturday, May 11, the company will present Cinderella at 2:30 p.m. at the Oak Mountain High School Performing Arts Center. That evening, a Broadway-themed show featuring Exclusively Ballet & Dances lyrical, jazz, modern and tap students will take

place at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday, May 12, the Mothers Day

Preschool Performance, which will share the Broadway theme, will take place at 2:30 pm.

Tickets will be sold at the door. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more, call 995-9220 or visit exclusivelyballet.com.

Dance recitals this month

In conjunction with Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the Alabama Lyme Disease Association will hold an awareness event at Veterans Park on May 18. The festivities will take place at the new pavilion near the playground starting at 10 a.m.

With the warm summer months ahead, it is important for our community to be aware of the possibility of contracting this disease, according to event organizer Carrye Hodges said. She believes the public needs to know that Lyme disease is not just a disease in the Northeast but it is thriving in Alabama, too.

Lyme disease is a spirochetal infection that is transmitted from a tick. It is known as the great imitator because it can present as many other diseases such as fi bromyalgia, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. The CDC recognizes that Lyme disease is the number one growing vector-borne disease.

The current testing physicians use for the disease are admittedly inaccurate, and many people do not suspect that they have Lyme disease. Not everyone gets the classic bulls-eye rash, and many admit they never remember getting a tick-bite. Those with early stage Lyme disease generally have fl u-like symptoms such fever, chills, joint pain and swelling. As the disease progresses, patients develop a constellation of symptoms that can include extreme fatigue, cognitive impairment and neurological pain.

No registration for the event is required, and the event is free of charge, although donations of any amount are welcomed. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. For more information and T-shirt order forms, visit alabamalymedisease.org or fi nd Alabama Lyme Disease on Facebook.

Event to raise Lyme disease awareness

Sly King, right, with LLS Girl of the Year Avery Snuggs.


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Read past Restaurant Showcases at 280Living.comRestaurant Showcase

By NATHAN KELLY

Charles Hawk has never used a simple smoker to cook a butt or rack of ribs since childhood. His meat has always been perfected in an under-ground pit.

He sums up the result two words: consistency and affection.

Using only pecan tree wood, he now slow cooks meat using the same style he grew up with and sells it on U.S. 280.

This started out as a hobby of mine after I retired, Hawk said. Af-ter I built our little barbecue stand, I just cooked it the way I had learned in my childhood and now its a hit.

His takeout-only barbecue stand parks next door to the Cowboys gas station on U.S. 280 in Greystone. Hawk said he knew the owner of the gas station before he opened and was graciously given a spot to sell his barbecue.

As for the name, Hawk grew up in Madison, Ga., before moving to the Birmingham area as a teenager when his dad got a job as iron worker.

He never expected the business to take off like it did, and he con-siders all that has come from it a blessing. Customers have travelled from as far as Tennessee or Key West, Fla., and told him they like his meat more than any barbecue restaurant they had tried. Now, he

The Georgia Pit5492 Highway 280

672-7674Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Charles Hawk smokes barbecue and sells it from his Highway 280 stand. Photos by Nathan Kelly.

sees his business as a way to give back that blessing to his customers.

The food at The Georgia Pit is simple: pulled pork, ribs and Cone-cuh sausage. No sides are served, but each plate ($12 for pork, $15 for ribs) comes with either two slic-es of bread or a bun. You can also

buy a $40 butt ($50 chopped) or $25 rack of ribs ($30 sliced). Sau-sage is $10 a pound, or comes on a $5 hoagie.

Hawks most popular item is the $6 pork sandwich, which he said comes with enough meat to feed a small family.

The Georgia Pits sauce is avail-able to buy as well ($6 for a pint, $12 for a quart and $25 for a gal-lon). Hawk created it after he made the recipe for the rub he uses with his barbecue.

After all, its his food that he sees as the key to his stands popularity.

Our barbecue stand is about as humble as you can get in the food industry. Were a family-run busi-ness parked next to a gas station with hardly any advertising besides word of mouth, he said. But if you have a good product, people will come back to see you and bring a friend.

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Business SpotlightRead past Business Spotlights at 280Living.com

By NATHAN KELLY

In 2012, after working in country clubs and golf equipment retail for more than 20 years, Bill Ochsenhirt was ready to branch off not too far, though. He wanted to remain in a business related to the golf family.

His idea was to develop the next generation of golf car dealerships that featured clean, upscale environments and made customers feel comfort-able but in control. So, he modeled his showroom after a Lexus dealer-ship and developed a way to make the relationship with his customers and their cars unique.

Most people who come in have an idea in their minds of what they want their car to look like, Ochsenhirt said of his new store on 280, Diamond Golf Cars. How to get that thought to reality is where we come in and build that bridge for them.

Ochsenhirts team is a knowledge-able, experienced group of techni-cians who not only work on the cars requested by customers, but also help coach them to find exactly what theyre looking for out of their ve-hicle. Ochsenhirt said his dealership separates itself from others by the level of customization it offers to its customers.

We can literally take a customer in the door and ask them what they want

Diamond Golf Cars769-63554647 U.S. 280, Suite Ydiamondgolfcars.com/Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Diamond Golf Cars

Diamond Golf Cars owner Bill Ochsenhirt

done to their vehicle, its limitless, he said.

Customers at Diamond Golf Cars will choose from a wide range of color, wheels, lifts, seats and stereo systems to be installed in the cars.

Availability and variety are two central points of Diamond Golf Cars business, going as far as hav-ing an iPad inside the store with an

app that lets the customer see his or her vehicle before the designing even starts.

The app features every golf car Ochsenhirt has in his showroom along with every customization op-tion to add to the vehicle. It allows customers to more easily visualize the exact golf car they want.

Ochsenhirt said the level of detail and options his business offers was

a challenge to demonstrate. Making sure the customer doesnt buy more car than they need but still leaving happy with the look and perfor-mance is what his business boils down to.

It winds up being a very personal relationship with our customers, Ochsenhirt said. We had one gentle-man who acted like an expecting fa-ther coming by every day to watch

his car being built and the progress wed made.

Business has been steady if not booming in Diamond Golf Cars first few months. Its cars are being used by security guards, in malls and as personnel shuttles.

We supplied all of the vehicles used for the Compass Bowl at Legion Field, he said. You name it and we can provide it.

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Business HappeningsVision therapy now offered

Narrows Family Eye Care now offers vision therapy to strengthen eye muscles. The therapy includes both in-office and at-home exercises.

We offer everything else, said Jessica Palmer, O.D. Now, were a one-stop shop.

Vision therapy includes eye tracking, eye focusing, visual information processing, computer related vision problems and acquired brain injury related vision problems. Palmer said not many people provide the service in the area and it is something needed for the community.

Narrows Family Eye Care is located at 13521 Old Highway 280, Suite 233. The office is open Monday and Wednesday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Call 980-4530 for more.

Regus expands to fourth location

Regus, a flexible workplace provider, will open its fourth full-service business center in Birmingham in July. The new center is located at 2700 Corporate Drive.

Regus operates more than 600 locations throughout the U.S. Businesses of all sizes can access customizable office space at locations without an exhaustive search or long-term lease. Regus offers fully equipped offices, virtual offices, meeting rooms, and business lounges.

For more, visit regus.com.

Gravlee Fitness closes

Gravlee Fitness closed its business after 21 years of operation. The last day of

business for the personal training studio was March 31.

Since opening in 1991, owners Lee and Amy Gravlee expanded their business to include TRX, Yoga, Pilates, Fit Train and Zumba classes. In November of 2011, they moved their business to Mt Laurel to make Gravlee Fitness more community centered until the closing date.

After closing Gravlee Fitness, both Lee and Amy Gravlee have taken personal training positions at Life Time Fitness in Vestavia.

Consigned Designs now open

Consigned Designs, a new furniture, gifts and accessories store, opened in Chelsea in March.

Owner Lisa Curran and friend Lisa Eastman upcycle used items into creative products. Projects include a once-breadbox-now-flower planter and an old suitcase that has been made into a chair.

Consigned Designs is located at 540 Teen Town Road and open Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. For more visit the Chelsea Consigned Designs Facebook page or call 835-2905.

Fitness Together celebrates anniversary

Fitness Together Greystone celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a celebration that included a ribbon cutting, an open house, free fitness classes and health screenings including checking anti-oxidant levels.

Fitness Together boasts members who have been there since it first opened. The fitness facility offers one-on-one training and an intimate setting to make members


Greater Shelby County Chamber of CommerceMay Events

May 1:Ambassadors Work Group. 11:30 a.m. Greater Shelby Chamber, 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham.

May 1: Small Business Work Group. 4 p.m. Greater Shelby Chamber, 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham.

May 10:Health Services Work Group. 8:30 a.m. Cardiovascular Associates, 3890 Colonnade Parkway, Birmingham.

May 14: Education Work Group. 8:30 a.m. Shelby County Instructional Services Center, 601 First Street South, Alabaster.

May 14: Existing Business & Industry Work Group. 9 a.m. Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc., 3535 Grandview Parkway, Suite 500, Birmingham.

May 14: Membership Reception. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sponsored by RX Catering. Greater Shelby Chamber, 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham.No cost. RSVP required by Monday, May 13.

May 20: Small Business Persons of the Year Nominees Reception. Featuring Rod Perkins, SBA. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Greater Shelby Chamber, 1301 County Services Drive, Pelham.

May 22: Membership Luncheon Small Business Week. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sponsored by Regions Bank. Mary Martha and Gary Parisher, owners of Cheeriodicals, will speak on Entrepreneurship: Small Business Success. Pelham Civic Complex, 500 Amphitheater Road, Pelham. RSVP required by noon, Monday, May 20. Investment: Members $17, future-members $25.

For more, call 663-4542 or visit ShelbyChamber.org

more comfortable and focused on their goals.

Fitness Together Greystone is located behind Krispy Kreme Donuts, near Wal-Mart on U.S. 280. Call 981-2454 for more.

Weygand Insurance Agency wins Top Agency award

Scott Weygands Farmers Insurance Agency won the award for Top Agency for Specialty Insurance Production for 2012. The award was given to Weygand in April, and it won the same award in 2009.

The award came after Weygand was named the top agency in its district. It represents excellence in specialty insurance, which includes motorcycle, boat, motorhome, all-terrain vehicles and landlord policy insurance.

Weygands Farmers Insurance Agency is located at 398 Chesser Drive, Suite 1. For more, call 678-4711 or visit farmersagent.com/sweygand.

The Urban Barn relocates

On May 1, The Urban Barn relocated to a new home in Lee Branch Shopping Center.

The move came when Owner Colleen Burback felt it would be a better location for her business than its previous location in Inveness Corners. She said most of The Urban Barns customers lived closer to Lee Branch Shopping Center so the move is a win-win.

The Urban Barn is a clothing retail store specializing in boutique fashion, gifts and home dcor. For more call 451-8888 or visit the-urban-barn.com.

May 2013 280 Living

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Farmers Market season returns

214 Summit Blvd., Suite 102Thursdays

May 16-August 8 (except July 4)3-7 p.m.

urbancookhouse.com/farmers-markets

Urban Cookhouse practices its buy local, eat urban motto not just in its restaurant but also in its farmers market held at The Summit.

We want to show support for local farmers, market manager Victoria Underwood said. Urban Cookhouse even buys from them for the restaurant.

Underwood said that while the market does get some competition from Saturday farmers markets, it is good for guests and farmers because it is in the evening. The market usually averages 20-25 vendors a week.

Urban Cookhouse Farmers Market at The Summit

Last year the Urban Cookhouse Farmers Market at The Summit welcomed farmers from Dodd Hill Farms in Blountsville. 38 Manning Place

SaturdaysJune 1-October 26

8 a.m.-noonmtlaurel.com/virtualvisit/eventspage

Sponsored by EBSCO Industries, the Mt Laurel Farmers Market and Craft Fair invites vendors and farmers from around the community to gather on Manning Place every Saturday morning from June-October.

The market proves people with good quality fresh food that they know where it came from, said market manager Kelley Burley.

The market not only offers locally grown, fresh produce, but also craftsmen of every trade to present their works to the community. The market brings more than 20 farmers and 35 crafts workers each weekend. Visitors will find pottery, woodcarving, knife and blade sharpening, frames, tin art, reclaimed furniture, honey, eggs, goat cheese, bread, succulents and fresh flowers.

Mt Laurel Farmers Market and Craft Fair

A plant vendor sells his wares on a Saturday morning in Mt Laurel.

4601 Valleydale RoadSaturdays

May 18-October 268 a.m.-noon

valleydalefarmersmarket.com

Five years ago, members of the Faith Presbyterian Church decided the community needed a good farmers market closer than the Pepper Place Market in downtown Birmingham. Today farmers from Chilton, Blount and other counties from Alabama travel to sell their produce to the community from the church parking lot.

There are also vendors selling everything from homemade soaps to jewelry.

Assistant manager Laura Buder said there will not be an art festival this year, but there will be a peaches and ice cream day and a tomato sandwich day.

Valleydale Farmers Market

The Valleydale Farmers Market offers farm-fresh recipes in addition to its local produce.

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15

By REBECCA WALDEN

On May 18, Veterans Park will be fi lled with kids crafts, Zumba dancing, clowns, music, food and a signature 5K as a part of the annual Great Strides Walk, sponsored by the Alabama chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Our Great Strides event is a day of celebrating the funds our Great Strides teams have raised in the fi ght against CF, said Jennifer McEuen, associate executive director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Alabama. Its a great way to have fun while making a difference for a child or young adult with this life-threatening disease, whether or not you know anyone personally with CF.

Zumba instructor Cristina Rodriguez leads warm up activities at a previous CF race.

Maddie Haglers team gathers at last years Great Strides Walk at Veterans Park.

Celebrating strides in the fi ght against Cystic Fibrosis

Bene ts Cystic Fibrosis Foundation May 18 Veterans Park

Great Strides Walk

Alabama receives at least twice as much as we raise annually.

That represents more than $10 million reinvested back into Birmingham for CF research. Recently, Birmingham-led research efforts resulted in the development of Kalydec, approved by the FDA in January 2012.

For more information about the race, including registration either as an individual or for a team, visit cff.org/Chapters/alabama/GREATSTRIDES/.

While held in Hoover, the event represents the CF community of greater Birmingham, with families from surrounding neighborhoods turning out in droves to support a loved one or friend living with CF.

Clay Hagler, principal of the Hagler & Brocato accounting fi rm on Valleydale Road, is participating this year as he has annually since 2006, when his oldest child, Maddie, was born with CF.

The walk provides the Cystic Fibrosis community the necessary funds to battle the disease on many levels, he said. The money raised has helped develop life-changing drugs and therapies that have increased the average

lifespan of Cystic Fibrosis patients from 14 years of age to their mid-30s. Not only are we battling the disease, but we are also assisting the local economy. Many of the research studies are performed in Birmingham at UAB (at the Gregory Fleming James CF Research Center) and Childrens Hospital.

UAB and Childrens also house the Foundations accredited care centers, which in total serve a combined CF population of 400 patients from across Alabama.

Because of our local research presence, as well as the care centers at Childrens and UAB, we receive back from our national offi ce much more than we put in to the overall fundraising each year, said McEuen. In fact, on average,


Your Health Today By Dr. Irma Palmer

Youre nutsChiropractic care for my infant? Thats usually the kind of response I get from parents when I make the suggestion. You wouldnt believe the number of stories Ive heard in almost 20 years of practice from parents at their wits endcomments like Im afraid to have any more kids if this colicky baby, chronic ear infections, incessant crying (insert any typical infant problem here) doesnt stop! As a chiropractor, I know theres help without turning to stronger and stronger medicines to help these issues, and if I can just convince parents to walk through my of ce door, I know the parents will also nd its true.

Heres just one mothers story. My son started care at 7 months old. He was not sleeping, crying and fussy constantly and just generally unhappy. We tried everything, and after numerous doctor appointments, a variety of different formulas, etc. he still was having major stomach issues and sleepless nights. As our last resort we turned to Chiropractic. Dr. Palmer talked to me about different formulas and how to read the labels. After only a few adjustments we noticed our son was sleeping more, crying less, and becoming the happy

loving baby we knew. Now, we have the entire family under care and we are all living life again!

This mother is not alonenot by a long shot. Another came in saying, If this child was my rst, he would have been my only. It has been three months of continual crying unless he is held, sleepless nights, bottles of medications, a variety of formulas and endless doctors appointments to get to the problem. Thankfully, this mom took a bold last resort step across my doorway. After the rst evaluation and a gentle adjustment, the child had three hours without crying; one week later, he was all smiles, was cackling, and both the mom and I shed tears of joy! Words cannot describe the impact this simple act of stepping out of the traditional box and trying Chiropractic will have on the family.

So many have been lead to believe there is something wrong, something missing, and that better chemistry, and better and stronger meds will resolve the issue of a child not sleeping, spitting up, crying, etc. If this is so, then our better chemistry, better science, and sophisticated testing should yield better health in our community, and across our state and

country. We should be the epitome of health! Reduced cardio vascular disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. should be expected. Our children without question should be faster, smarter, and healthier than any previous generation. Yet, unfortunately this is not our reality!

Its not just babies and kids whose health can be improved with Chiropractic care. It truly can work wonders for all members of the family. Another patient shared this story, After many years of countless doctor visits, treatments and more prescriptions than you can imagine, I havent gone for more than my annual physical for the last two years since beginning Chiropractic care. This person, well ingrained in traditional ways, had no other choice than to step out of the box when hed nally had too much. He decided to let me try something different to see if a different result could be attained. No need for extra doctor visits two years running? We are celebrating his success with him and his entire family. His kids couldnt be happier - they have a spunkier version of their dad back!

One of the biggest stumbling blocks I nd that people have to trying Chiropractic care, whether for

themselves or their kids, is that its not universally accepted. Dont let that stop you! Come into my of ce and we will get to the root of your health issues or pain and then determine a course of action to restore proper function and resolve the cause of your problem, rather than trying to mask the symptoms with drugs that dont x the problem (and often make the situation worse!)

If you are like the countless patients Ive encountered through the years who have tried traditional options and are still experiencing dis-ease, pain, illness, or discomfort, or are tired of pumping medicines in and dealing with the side effects of doing so, I encourage you to be a trendsetter and give Chiropractic care a try. What do you have to lose? The traditional choice of treating your symptoms with over-the-counter and prescription meds will still be there if Im wrong and cant help you. But if Im right and we can nd the root cause of your problem, you wont think its crazy to have given Chiropractic a try!

Summer is a perfect time for children and entire families to enjoy living life outside the box! Please dont wait. Call or visit us online today.

You Wont Call it Crazy When it Works


By NATHAN KELLY

For teens, its not always easy to make time for politics.

Knowing the pressures of GPAs, college acceptance letters and social lives can get in the way, members of the Shelby County Republican Party wanted to start educating teens on political topics early. So, one year ago this month, Executive Committee members Jason and April DeLuca founded The Greater Birmingham Teenage Republicans.

When we formed this group we wanted to introduce all sides of the Party. We realize theres a wide range of views from far right to closer in the middle, Jason DeLuca said. A lot of teens will go to college and join the College Republicans like April and I did. This group gives them a head start and an easy transition.

Read Mills, the groups president, said he benefits from the group most when he is able to swap ideas and perspectives with other teens that he may not get in a typical civics course in high school.

We realized the political efficacy among

teenagers is dismal, Mills said. People turn 18 and end up not voting because they dont know the issues and dont know what theyre voting for. This group is helping to change that and showing that votes really do matter.

In its second year, the Teenage Republicans will be focusing on what the county party does DeLuca said. It will learn when the Executive Committee meets and what it discusses in the meetings. The group plans to take trips to Montgomery to learn about State Legislature and stay up-to-date on 2014 state elections.

Teens become members of the Teenage Republicans by attending meetings, held on the second Thursday of each month. A typical meeting is in a restaurant in the U.S. 280 area featuring either a group discussion on a popular political topic or a presentation by an elected official. Membership forms are brought to every meeting which are posted on the groups Facebook page and website.

For more information on the Greater Birmingham Teenage Republicans, visit greaterbirminghamtr.com or facebook.com/GreaterBirminghamTeenageRepublicans.

Teenage Republican organization taking root

The Greater Birmingham Teenage Republicans recently dedicated a Saturday to help build a house with Habitat for Humanity. Photo by Nathan Kelly

17


By MEGAN SMITH

Robert Palmer believes he under-stands what young Christians need to keep their faith. After all, his own jour-ney includes stepping away from the church in his youth.

The problem is that youth today are growing up, leaving the church and not coming back, he said. The adults fail them. They either spoon-feed youth dry scripture without any heart, or they take the other extreme and only focus on entertaining them.

Palmer, a Highland Lakes resident, believes the best way to keep youth involved with the church, whichever church that may be, is to engage them intellectually and with heart and feeling.

So he has sought to do that by writ-ing fantasy adventure novels that are allegories to scripture.

Using his own experience away from the church, Palmers Archibald Zwick and the Eight Towers, published in 2010, follows protagonist Archibald Zwick on his physical, mental and spiritual adventures in the Bermuda Triangle. The readers heart and feel-ings attach to the story when they iden-tify with Archibald, Palmer said. The scripture the story is based on, revealed in the ending, sets readers up for the

companion volume, Truth in the Eight Towers, which engages the intellect.

The second book reveals that almost everything in Archibald Zwick and the Eight Towers is symbolic. Archibald is a Germanic name that means genuine and bold, two attributes Palmer thinks Christians should have. The eight-spoke wheel that Archibald wears on his chest reveals a Greek acronym.

As for his own story, Palmer said he has been a practicing lawyer lon-ger than he says hes been a Chris-tian. Sure, he was raised in a Christian home, but for various reasons when he was young, he found himself more and more disassociated with God.

I had two dogs die, and I went and prayed for the third dog, a coyote pup. And then it got hit by a car on Christ-mas, Palmer said.

Palmer said moments like this led him away from God.

I realize I had this vending machine mentality about God. Just insert time and choose what you need, Palmer said.

When he mentioned how he was feeling to his mother, she gave him Re-turn to Religion by Henry Link to read, but he said it was bland and didnt help.

Through college, his religion be-came to try to become the best person

A pathway back to faithLocal author writes fantasy novels to draw young people to belief

Robert Palmer writes fantasy adventures that are allegorical to his Christian faith. Photo courtesy of Robert Palmer.

he could be. He went to Georgetown on an ROTC scholarship and gradu-ated as an officer in the U.S. Army. Afterward, he served in Korea. While he was there, his first wife filed for divorce.

Mary Poppins talks about practi-cally perfect people, Palmer said. Thats what I was trying to be, and

divorce just didnt fit into that. It caused a lot of soul searching.

Palmer was 8,000 miles away from everyone he knew and loved and fac-ing a personal crisis. So, he found a bookstore, bought the Bible and read it from cover to cover.

Id built up the framework of a nonbeliever, Palmer said, but I sur-

rendered to God and finally learnt what faith meant.

Since then, Palmers faith has led him to get involved with the Jimmy Hale Mission (he currently serves as immediate past chairman of its board) and influence his pro-fessional endeavors.

After a four-year struggle and constant praying, Palmer got the statute of limitation law for tort cases in Alabama changed.

Matthew 6:33 says seek first the kingdom of heaven, Palmer said. I looked to God and every-thing worked out.

In 2008, the Public Justice Foundation of Washington D.C. awarded Palmer its Access to Jus-tice Award. He became the second person to ever receive the award, but he considered declining it. He accepted it and gave God credit.

His law firm started generating heavy income, but he felt God tell-ing him to leave his lucrative busi-ness for something else. He quit his job and devoted his time to fin-ishing his book and its companion novel.

Now having published his first two novels with Crossbooks, the self-publishing branch of Lifeway, a Christian bookstore and publish-ing company, he has more books in the works and plans to publish each with a companion volume explaining its history and symbols.

For more visit RobertLesliePal-mer.com. You can find his books on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com.


By MEGAN SMITH

Theres a new book on the summer reading list at Oak Mountain High School this year, and its author will be familiar to some students. Anna Kathryn Davis isnt just a name on a cover shes a 2012 graduate of the high school.

Her novel, The Gifted, debuted in April. It follows Rose Hawthorne, whose face is so beautiful it drives normal men insane, as she learns that she and her friends, with superpow-ers, have to protect the human race from an infestation.

Davis started writing in the sev-enth grade when a teacher she con-fided in at Oak Mountain Middle School suggested she take up poetry to sort out her emotions. She said it was a disaster, but she did start writ-ing prose that slowly turned into characters and plots. By ninth grade, she had her first manuscript.

Im glad I didnt try to do anything with that, Davis said. Re-reading it definitely keeps me humbled.

It wasnt until junior year that she began writing The Gifted. Davis has always been the youngest in her grade, so when everyone else was out driving places, she stayed up late writing. As a result she ended up having a lot of material. In a folder

of miscellaneous writing on her computer, she had stories and prose ranging from four to 400 pages.

One night, she went through the folder and started compiling the things she really liked and started combining them.

From there, it took on a life of its own, Davis said.

In two and a half months she had a completed novel. Then came the pre-edits and editing with others help. When she thought it was complete, she wasnt sure what to do next.

I never intended to write it, she said, so when I finished it, I pulled books off my bookshelf to find pub-lishing companies.

She emailed her manuscript to those companies and didnt receive feedback, so she let the book sit. When senior year came, she looked at an old list, her bucket list. Publish-ing a book was on there, so she went to Google and searched small pub-lishing houses.

She clicked the first link, found Tate Publishing and Enterprises and followed its submit your manu-script button. She even input her mothers information and approval without permission. Her mom didnt even know Davis wrote the book.

Before long Tate called her and asked Davis about The Gifted.

Teen authors novel arrives on shelves

Oak Mountain High School graduate Anna Kathryn Davis holds her newly released novel.

Mom called and asked what The Gifted was, Davis said. I got so mad. I thought shed been going through my things.

By late December, Davis had signed a contract and began the long process with multiple edi-tors, a design team, a publicist and marketer.

Davis, with no previous knowledge of how the industry worked, was overwhelmed. She even had to cut 40,000 words from her story. But now she has a website, annakathryndavis.com and a book for sale on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble.

It may sound clich to say I just have to thank God, Davis said, but I do. I feel like this is

what I was supposed to do. Tates is a Christian publishing house, and my novel doesnt have any Christian underlinings.

Davis is now a double major at The University of Alabama, keeps endless lists of her goals and of things to do, and main-tains two jobs.

But, if you ask the 18 year old what she wants to do with her life, she will tell you she doesnt have a clue.

Before the book thing took off, Davis said, I always wanted to be a pediatrician.

One thing is for sure though: she will go into every experi-ence with published author on her resume.

19


School House

Jefferson State Community College Phi Theta Kappa honor student Deanna Pack was one of only 20 students in the United States to be selected as a 2013 Guistwhite Scholarship recipient. Pack, a resident of Shelby County, was recognized during

special reception at Phi Theta Kappas Annual Convention in San Jose, Cali., in April. Pack was chosen from more than 1,800 applicants to receive this $5,000 scholarship, the second highest offered by Phi Theta Kappa.

During the month of February, Mt Laurel students in Lisa Bagleys and Al-lison Gulocks P.E. classes learned what it meant to be a Heart Hero. They took part in a month-long Jump Rope Unit that con-cluded with the Annual Jump Rope For Heart fundraiser that benefits the Ameri-can Heart Association.

In addition to students collecting do-nations, Bagley and Gulock created a

Chain of Love around the gymnasium. For a $1 donation, students were given a heart with their name on it to place on the wall. The goal was to create a chain around the entire gym.

Mt Laurel raised a total of $4,005.23 in donations for the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser, $300 of which came from the Chain of Love fundraiser. The school-wide goal was $2,500.

As part of Pi Day, celebrated worldwide on March 14, Liberty Park Middle School students in Brett Richards sixth grade math class participated in several activities.

Richards read aloud the book Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Wayne Geehan. Students also discovered pi by measuring circular objects in the

class and had a competition to see who could memorize the most digits of pi. At the end of the competition, first place winners in each class got to throw pie at Richards.

First place winners were: Eden Roberson - 81 digits; Riley McIntrye - 66 digits; Yuheon Lee - 59 digits; and Kendall Tucker - 54 digits.

First grade teachers at Oak Mountain Elementary recently honored the men in their students lives by treating them to a morning of poetry reading and breakfast during an event they called Dads and Doughnuts.

Teachers Nina Butler and Monika Tortorici wanted to celebrate the men who have had an impact in their students lives in a similar manner as they do with their annual Mothers Day Tea. Fathers Day falls during the summer months, so students do not have the same opportunities to prepare something for their fathers during the school year.

I hope this was a day where the dads of our students felt honored and loved, Tortorici said. It was a fun way to involve them as we finished our unit on poetry, and I look forward to doing it again next year!

Students recited poetry in a coffee house style. They had also written poetry, letters and stories as gifts for their fathers or other male role models.

Dads and Doughnuts saw rooms filled with fathers, grandfathers and other family members discussing how honored they felt to be a part of the special event.

This will definitely be an annual event, Butler said. The response was so wonderful that I cannot imagine not doing it again next year.

- Submitted by Rebekah Austin, OMES

Poems and pastries help OMES students celebrate dads

Student Carter Austin enjoys Dads and Doughnuts Day with his father, Scott.

Jeff State student awarded coveted scholarship

Pies fly on Pi Day at LPMS

Mt Laurel exceeds Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser goal


Spain Park High School placed first in the 2013 Scholars Bowl State Championship in April at Jef-ferson States Shelby-Hoover Campus.

Huntsvilles Grissom High School battled Spain Park in a sudden-death playoff for the championship. In the late afternoon, Spain Park won the last match and won the state title. Ran-dolph School earned third place honors.

Students prepare for this tournament all year and they are serious about this competi-tion said Tournament Director and Jefferson State Instructor Lucy Lewis. These are the best scholar teams from around the state,fa and they are comprised of extremely bright students.

To qualify for the state tournament, teams had to win a tournament in their district and win their region. Twenty-four teams competed.

The competition is very similar to a game show, where contestants compete to give the correct answer very quickly, said Lewis. It is easy to see the pressure increase as teams prog-ress further into the tournament.

During the tournament, four-person student teams face off in head to head competition. A moderator asks questions, and individuals buzz in with an answer.

The teams here definitely want to win, but this competition is also about celebrating our bright, young leaders of tomorrow, said Lewis.

Jefferson State has hosted the state champi-onship tournament for 10 years. For more in-formation about the tournament, email [email protected].

-Submitted by Jefferson State

Spain Park wins Scholars Bowl State Championship

Matt Schoeneman, Stefanie Schoeneman, Dion Hagan, Kevin Yang, Andrew Forsyth, Kyle Griffin, Jack Peters and Coach Todd Parker.

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May 2013 280 Living

people telling you that you cant do things. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

What did you recently learn from someone younger than you?

My brother is much better at time management than I am. As soon as we get home, he starts doing his homework and hes done at 8 or 9 p.m. I wait until 11 p.m. or midnight to even begin.

If you were going to be locked in a windowless room for one month but could bring one movie to watch and one book to read, what would they be?

Pulp Fiction, definitely. Its entertaining time and time again. Id probably bring the Dao De Jing. I dont practice Taoism, but I think its an interesting book. It would probably help me keep calm in a room without any windows.

What one object can you not live without?

My laptop. Music is a large part of my life, and I spend an inordinate amount of time on Spotify and Pandora searching new music. If I didnt have that, Id probably go crazy.

Who was your most inspirational teacher?

My most inspirational teacher was Mr. (Craig) Thompson, the AP U.S. History teacher. He took the history and taught us the background behind it. He made us think about the global aspect of it. He talks about ethics, aesthetics and other things that he wasnt necessarily required to teach us, but he felt like it would help us as a person.

Whats the study secret to your success?

Pay attention in class because if you dont pay attention in class you have to work harder. To be quite honest, I didnt actually do a lot of studying outside of class, but I did a lot of paying attention in class.

If you could go back in time, what yearwould you visit?

As an African American, 1964 and the Civil Rights Movement. My parents and grandparents tell me all these different stories; it would be cool to get that perspective.

22

Top seniors ready for next step

Read full interviews online at 280living.com

What are your college aspirations?

Ill be attending The University of Montevallo and majoring in chemistry.

What is your studying secret or habit?

Before I study for a big test, I like to take about 20 to 30 minutes to read scripture. I was always told that if you give God a portion of your time in scripture, He would take care of you. So thats been very true for me.


Coach Jason Hill. He taught me chemistry and is a godly man. What stuck out about Coach Hill was how much he believed in everybody no matter what background they had.

What can aspiring graduates learn from your success?

Id say to just have a good work ethic. High school isnt the hardest thing in the world, but it can be tedious. Ask for help along the way and always work hard.

Chelsea High SchoolCheyenne Thompson

What are your college and career aspirations?

Im planning on going to Harvard University. I dont really know what Im planning to do yet. Im planning on either going into medicine, or something completely different with finance. Ive always wanted to do medicine because the human body has always interested me, and I have an interest in helping people. On the other hand, Harvards resources are unparalleled with finance. I feel like I could take my career much further in that way.

What one thing on your college application helps you stand out?

I play the cello, I dont know if that helps. I do a lot of community service as well.

When youre 50 and you look back at yourself as a teenager, what characteristic will you remember most?

Determination. Any of the goals Ive put forward for myself, Ive accomplished almost all of them.

What can aspiring grads learn from you?

Never sell yourself short. Believe in yourself, dont listen to

Spain ParkHigh SchoolDion Hagan

What do you remember most about your freshman year?

I remember being surprised about how big all the other upper classmen were.

What did you recently learn from someone younger than you?

My younger siblings have taught me resilience. I need time to wind down and relax and they know how to have fun.

What will walking across the stage mean to you?

I think Ill start to think about the relationships Ive made at Chelsea. We are all going our separate ways, and I know the friendships are going to change. Its a little sad, but Im so happy to have made these memories with my friends for the last four years.



I will attend Auburn University and major in some kind of engineering.

Whats an object you cant live without?Water, food and shelter.

Are you a dog or cat person?Definitely a dog person.


Pretty simple, just reading over my notes works for me.

What would you buy if you were given $1 million and had to spend it in one day?

Id buy a beach house in Destin, Fla.

If your citizenship was taken away and you had to live in a different country, where would it be?

Probably Guatemala, I just visited there for a mission trip.

If you were locked in a windowless room for a month, what one book and movie would you bring?

I would bring the Bible and the movie Shooter.


Im going to The University of Alabama and majoring in Business. Ill then go to law school and hopefully become a corporate attorney.

What do you remember most about your Freshman year?

Probably the amount of school spirit Oak Mountain has. Everyone is so energized about our school.

Whats an object that you cant live without?

Definitely my cell phone, Im all about Twitter.


Mrs. Bittinger. She taught me AP calculus, and she is an angel. Shes very understanding of each students life, so shes very patient with us.


I make online note cards on a website called quizlet.com. I make one for every test and a lot of classmates end up using them too since they know my user name.

Lacey Cencula


Im going to The University of Alabama and majoring in business. Then I plan to attend law school.

What do you remembermost about your freshman year?

I remember trying to get involved as much as possible. I joined a lot of clubs and sports teams and made a lot of new friends through my involvement.


Its not necessarily an object, but I cant go through life without taking naps.


Mrs. Bittinger.


I learn when I write so when Im studying Ill usually rewrite my notes over and over again until Ive got it memorized.

Are you a dog or a cat person?Cat.

Sarah Rourke Michael Matthews


I will attend Auburn University and major in biomedical sciences. Then Ill attend med school.

Whats one thing that helped you stand out on your college application?

My musical background stood out. I play piano and guitar.

What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon growing up?

Ive got to go with Spongebob Squarepants.


My piano.

How many hearts have you broken?Too many to count.

What would you buy if you were given $1 million and had to spend it in one day?

I would buy a baby grand piano, and then give the rest of it to Mrs. Bittinger.

What do you remember most about your freshman year?

The sense of community that Oak Mountain gave me as soon as I started.

Stephen Wiley

Read full interviews online at 280living.com

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Chelsea High School student Colby Sisco, 17, and his teammates on the Grey Hat Cyber Sailors recently took first place in their division and sixth overall in the national finals of CyberPatriot V in Washington D.C.

CyberPatriot, billed as The National High School Cyber Defense Competition, is designed to inspire students to consider

science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in their studies. Students in the CyberPatriot games gain an exposure to the principles of cybersecurity by identifying and ridding vulnerabilities from virtual machines.

Led by coach Kelly Jones, the team was one of 14 finalists out of the 806 teams originally registered for the competitions All Service

Division. This was the first year that a Naval Sea Cadet team or a team from the state of Alabama competed at this level.

Following its performance, the team was commended by Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus, attended a House Judiciary Committee hearing on cybersecurity and received a personalized tour of the U.S. Capitol.

Chelsea students team takes top honors in national cybersecurity competition

Chelsea student Colby Sisco, second from left, with his teammates from the CyberPatriot V competition: Dean Williams, Stephen Jones, Isaac Lenox, Jose Martinez and Genevieve Breimhorst.

In March, Primrose School at Liberty Park presented the Birmingham Chapter of Reach Out and Read with more than 550 books. Primrose School families donated books during a month-long book drive.

The Reach Out and Read

program site at Pediatrics West received the books during a parade of words presentation put together by Primrose School students.

Dr. Abby Allen represented the pediatrics practice with a visit to the school, read to the students and was awarded the books.

Primrose donates more than 500 books

Dr. Abby Allen of Pediatrics West reads to students at Primrose followingtheir donation of 550 books to Reach Out and Read.


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Next year, 15-year-old Hayden Fike will become a professional wakeboarder.

The Spain Park linebacker has completed the top wakeboarding trick in the highest level amateur divi-sion, which consists of a forward flip while spinning 360 degrees in the air. He won first place in multiple events within the division, most recently at a regional championship event in Hot Springs, Ark., last September.

Hayden has had the goal to be-come a pro wakeboarder since he was very young. With the ultimate goal now in his sights, Hayden couldnt be happier.

I havent thought about it too much, but when I do its something I can just picture in my mind so clear-ly, he said. I feel like its there, and I just have to step up and take it.

The growth of Haydens skill hasnt been easy. His father, Gregory, described waking up at 6 a.m. many mornings to find his oldest son practicing flips and turns on the trampoline.

Thats commitment right there, Gregory said.Haydens brother, 14-year-old Hunter, who

plays on Spain Parks lacrosse team, placed sec-ond in a lower division at the Hot Springs wake-boarding event. He has learned much of his craft from his older brother, as well as his parents.

Having Hayden as an older brother whos better than me is always good, Hunter said. Hes always pushing me to step it up and do some new tricks.

In fact, water sports are a family pastime for all the Fikes. Dad Gregory drives the boat for both boys. Mom Kim is a national champion in the womens beginner division. Sisters Savan-nah, 13, and Lilli-Ann, 11, enjoy wakeboarding and being on the water with Hayden and Hunter.

The entire family except for Lilli-Ann rides competitively.

All of the kids do different things, Gregory said. Wake-boarding is the one thing that real-ly pulls us all together. I can count on one hand the number of times we were at the lake together in the entire year, just our family. That makes it special.

The Fike brothers have two dif-ferent approaches to wakeboard-ing. Hayden, the consummate competitor, is constantly working on improving his already honed skills. Hunter, though also very talented, is more into the social as-pect of wakeboarding.

For Hayden, its more about competing and winning, Gregory said. Hunter loves to bring bud-dies and enjoys wakeboarding for the fun of it.

When both brothers placed at the Hot Springs competition last fall, it was a momentous occasion.

That was the first time thats happened, Hayden said. It was pretty cool to watch [Hunt-er] excel at what he does and get second.

The Fike family has also traveled across the nation to locations such as Orlando and Bakers-field, Calif., for competitions. The family enjoys the travel, but once there the boys full attention is given to the event.

They get the chance to go site-seeing, and a lot of the families do, Gregory said. But when were there, they dont want to leave the site. They work the booth for the board com-pany that sponsors them the whole time when theyre not riding. You couldnt peel them away from that. Theres no place that theyd rather be besides there.

Its a labor of love for the Fike teens, and the Fike family, as they work in their potential to be among the best in their sport.

25

Fike brothers finding success on the water

Spain Park High School students Hayden, above, and Hunter Fike compete in wakeboarding competitions.

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Briarwood sixth grader Mark Hand and eighth graders Will Hulsey, Wilson Hand and Grant Weldon have been named a 2013 Brine National Lacrosse All-Star and selected to represent the Southeast Region in the Brine National All-Star Lacrosse Academy and National Lacrosse Classic to be held in Boyds, Md., from June 30-July 3.

These young men play in the Greater Birmingham Youth Lacrosse League. Mark Hand plays for the U13 Lions Lacrosse team coached by Rick Burgess. Will Hulsey and

Grant Weldon play for the U15 Lions coached by Frank Bemis and Bobby Cowen, and Wilson Hand plays for the Varsity Lions team coached by Mark Hand Sr. All four young men are also members of Bamalax, Alabamas select travel lacrosse program.

The Brine National All-Star Lacrosse Academy brings the top 400 middle school lacrosse players in the country to one venue, where 16 regional teams will compete in front of NCAA lacrosse coaches from every division to become the 2013 National Champion.

The third grade Oak Mountain Raptors basketball team won three championships this season.

The first came in December in the annual Jingle Bell Jam Tournament, where the Raptors beat out 15 teams to take the title. The Raptors also went undefeated in the North Shelby Basketball Association regular season

and won the NSBA tournament. Finally, the team won the Over the Mountain title, knocking off Vestavia Blue in late February.

The teams record for the year was 25-2. Its only two losses were by one point in overtime.

The Raptors were coached by Kris Dunn, Mike Evers and Pat Rakers.

Raptors wrap up season with third championship

The Oak Mountain Raptors after winning the Over the Mountain Championship: Tyler Fanning, Wilder Evers, Taylor Bush, Ryan Giegel, Brady Dunn, Cam Whitaker, Ean Gove. Not pictured: Jack Driskill and Grant Rakers.

Briarwood students named to all-star lacrosse team

All-Star lacrosse players Mark Hand, Will Hulsey, Wilson Hand and Grant Weldon.


Briarwood tennis takes state title

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Beaumont Pharmacy America, have we become a pill nation?By Tammy Rogers, Pharmacist

& Gift BoutiqueBEAUMONTPHARMACY

Americans today take a lot of pills. The drug manufactures are able to advertise their products online, on television, even in your favorite newspaper. Every day millions of Americans watch Dr. Oz and are out looking for his remedies by the next day. At Beaumont Pharmacy, we have a Dr. Oz section where we try to keep his latest recom-mendations. Lets face it, we are constantly confronted by the media with a pill solution for our every medical need.

With so many medications prescribed today, it has never been more important for consumers to have a pharmacy advocate that is looking out for them!

A lot of people today use multiple pharmacies and multiple doctors. Most pharmacies today check for drug interactions when filling prescriptions. However, if your pharmacist doesnt know that you use different pharmacies, or maybe even a mail order source for your prescriptions, they have no way of checking the interactions on the products they dont know about.

I recommend that my patients always keep an updated drug list of their most current medications, and its important to update that list when changes occur. Every doctor and pharmacist you visit should know all the medications that you currently take, and dont forget, over the counter medications as well as nutritional supplements. These products can also interact with prescriptions in an adverse way. Vitamins are considered to be harmless by a lot of folks, but vitamins can be harmful and even toxic in high dos-ages. Did you know that iron tablets or vitamin A in excess can be harmful or even deadly?

Medications can certainly change our lives in positive ways; but when taken in the wrong strength or wrong amount, drugs can harm or even kill. Drug interactions are responsible for millions of hospital admissions and deaths every year. The actual numbers are probably much higher than what actually gets reported.

If you are looking for an advocate to assist with your medication questions and concerns, please stop by today and let me be your advocate in pharmacy. We keep patient profiles on all out patients and our computer checks for drug interactions and allergies on every prescription we fill.

If you are looking for a refreshing pharmacy experience, you will be pleasantly surprised with what you find a Beaumont Pharmacy!

In April, the Briarwood Christian School girls tennis team won the Class 5A state championship. The tournament was played in Decatur.

Ashley Ochsenhirt placed fi rst in the state in No. 1 singles play, defeating Sydney McKin-ney from Muscle Shoals 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Judson Tarence defeated Maggie Williams of Home-wood 6-3, 6-1 to claim the No. 2 singles title.

Together, Ochsenhirt and Tarence also took the No. 1 doubles state championship.

Briarwoods Ashton Henderson, Ellie Tarence and Kateleigh Calloway each fi n-ished state runners-up in their brackets. Ellie Tarence and Calloway also took second in the No. 2 doubles tournament.

Left, Briarwood doubles partners and state champions Mary Judson Tarence (left) and Ashley Ochenshirt. Photos courtesy of Jamie Tarence.

May 2013 280 Living

A friend gave us a Katherine Tucker Windham documentary recently, and it blew me away.

Windham was a master storyteller who lived near Selma. When she died in 2011, Alabama lost a treasure.

Windham reminded me of my own grandmother Wil

Documents

280 Living May 2013