Visit beautiful downtown Montevallo for an evening of live entertainment! Each event will feature a different musician and food truck at Owl’s Cove Park (737 Main Street). This family-friendly, free admission event is the perfect way to kick off your weekend. Bring a chair or picnic blanket and make yourself at home on Main Street! The music begins at 6:30 PM.
Red Mountain Revelers was established on the slopes of Birmingham’s most iconic Mountain. They stay true to their roots and have their own sound derived from a Southern fusion of Americana! Sponsored by Bradford Real Estate Group. Featured Food Truck: LaNetta’s Pop up Food Shop, M&M’s Lemonade Stand. For more information, contact [email protected] or 205-597-9322.
Visit beautiful downtown Montevallo for an evening of live entertainment! Each event will feature a different musician and food truck at Owl’s Cove Park (737 Main Street).
This family-friendly, free admission event is the perfect way to kick off your weekend. Bring a chair or picnic blanket and make yourself at home on Main Street! The music begins at 6:30 p.m.
Mother May I is a precise-sounding musical group playing their mix of Motown, R&B, Classic Rock, 80’s Retro, Old School Funk, current Top 40, and everything in-between. This Birmingham-based band performs with a flair, intensity and stage presence that is all their own! Sponsored by Mayor Rusty Nix & Family. Featured Food Truck: Big Boy Barbecue, M&M’s Lemonade Stand. Friday Nights at the Cove is hosted by Montevallo Main Street, a volunteer-driven organization whose mission is to promote and revitalize our historic downtown. Montevallo has been a Designated Main Street Community since June 2016.
For more information, contact us at [email protected] or 205-597-9322.
On April 30, 2022, in conjunction with St. Elias Lebanese Food Festival, the ‘9th Annual Cedar Run 5K & Cedar Shake Fun Run’ will take place. All proceeds from the run for three years will go to Just Keep Smiling. Consider signing up to participate, whether it is running or walking in the 5K or Fun Run, creating a team or securing a sponsorship with a wide range available. Invite your company to support the JKS mission. Details can be found at www.StEliasCedarRun.org.
Regardless whether running is for you, make plans to enjoy and support the St. Elias Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival on April 29-30. There are other opportunities for supporting Just Keep Smiling as well. Just Keep Smiling ‘Auction & Appetizers’ on Thursday, September 29 at Regions Field is a great night for a great cause. Visit www.justkeepsmiling.org for more on the 501(c)3 and these events.
Blanket Fort Hope closed on land in Columbiana, Ala. in July! This land is the future home of the Restoration Center. Even though they have not broken ground yet, people already visit to pray over the land and leave Scripture rocks scattered around the property.
Did you know that the average age for child human trafficking survivors is between 11-17 years old? Child human trafficking is happening all around the country, explains Birmingham based ministry Blanket Fort Hope (BFH) Chief Executive Officer Alexa James. “We really do have a problem. It’s not another country that is having this problem. This is the fastest growing crime in America,” James says.
James believes that God called her to found BFH after years of experience volunteering and working with human trafficking survivors. It was through volunteering at an elementary school that she realized how high-risk children were for human trafficking. “I would literally walk out the door and see a drug dealer at the corner of the school every day.” This experience opened her eyes and she felt God put a burden on her heart for children. She went on to found BFH in 2015. “This is something that God showed me; this is the plan He had for my life.”
The Hold the Fort 5K & 10K is a certified race at Oak Mountain State Park on September 18. Join other runners (and walkers) in supporting Blanket Fort Hope’s mission of restoring hope for child human trafficking survivors. Expect fantastic giveaways and more! Learn more at HoldTheFortRaces.com.
To date, BFH has trained over 6,000 people in preventative education. “This training has been on the professional level, the school level, and through our foster care initiative,” James explains, adding, “Our mission is to restore hope in the lives of child sex trafficking survivors through access to essential services, compassionate care, and a loving Christian witness.” In July, BFH purchased 73 acres of land in Columbiana! After many years of praying and waiting on the Lord to move, James says that this land will be the future BFH Restoration Home for trafficking survivors. How will BFH introduce survivors to Jesus? “First, through example. Everything we do with these children will exemplify the love of Jesus Christ,” says James. Once their basic needs are met, they will have opportunities to attend Bible studies, church groups and more.
Grab your running shoes! The 3rd Annual Hold the Fort 5K & 10K is set for September 18 at Oak Mountain State Park. “The run is an opportunity for people who like to run or walk to support a cause and make a difference for child survivors of human trafficking,” James explains. The money that is raised will go to engineering the property and building the home in Columbiana. “We are offering hope, not fear. These kids have a chance. We have a blanket fort. And the blanket fort has a name, and its name is hope.” Learn more about BFH at www.blanketforthope.org.
-Melissa Armstrong
Brought to you by: Community Partner, Sawyer Solutions
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Selling a home can be very taxing, but the final touches you do are what cause your home to stand out beyond your competition and sell for top dollar. Curb appeal is crucial for a first impression, so get your gloves, wheelbarrow, spade, pressure washer, and joyful spirit ready! Remember, the effort you put in it is what you should expect to get out of it.
Think “clean edges” with everything and it will help as you prepare to sell. You’ll want the edges of your yard and natural areas to be clearly defined and edges of concrete meeting your lawn to be crisp. Regardless of whether you have a large or small lot, give it purpose and take away the distractions. Do you have old worn-out play equipment? Either spruce it up with new boards, pressure wash, or paint… or get rid of it. Remember, you are not running a daycare center- toys outside that feel unattended will take away a fresh feel and also show a lack of storage. Do you have parts of a birdbath missing or other miscellaneous items lying around? Get rid of them because you will not want the clutter at your new home.
Julie loves instant gratification and pressure washing scratches that itch of hers. If you do not own one, try renting one. It will be worth the investment once your potential buyers see the results when your driveway, sidewalk, steps, and deck go from grungy to gleaming.
Julie and I both love working outside and using our green thumbs. In matters of selling, tidy up beds by pulling weeds and getting rid of dead plants. Also, consider adding pops of color in pots by the front door, window boxes (if you have them), and edges of landscaped beds.
The importance of curb appeal can never be underestimated. Take advantage of the beautiful weather May brings before it gets too hot by pulling weeds, planting flowers, installing pine straw, and pressure washing. After all, the best thing about curb appeal is you will appreciate your efforts whether you are selling or not.
The 7th annual Glow on the Green will be held on Friday, April 30th at Highland Park Golf Course. This one-of-a-kind event features 18 holes of golf. 9 holes are played during the afternoon, with a break for dinner and fun, and 9 holes are played as the sun sets over Birmingham.
For 47 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham has seen first-hand the impact that a positive role model can have on Birmingham youth. Research has shown that youth who have a caring mentor are less likely to use drugs, less likely to skip school, and more likely to attend college. This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ goal is to serve 1,300 children in our community. You can be a part of helping BBBS reach this goal by attending or becoming a sponsor of Glow on the Green.
You have the opportunity to support this exciting event in Birmingham while helping change a life for the better, forever.
Brought to you by: Community Partner Sawyer Solutions, 
