Shelby Chamber Receives Statewide Recognition

August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Business Today

The Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) recently announced that nine chambers of commerce, including The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, have received the Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce distinction (AACC). The Shelby Chamber is the only Chamber in the Birmingham area to receive the honor. “Receiving this accreditation is a strong testament to the Chamber’s five year Strategic Plan, ShelbyOne – Next Level Up! and our current program of work. What’s most gratifying, however, is the positive recognition which the time and effort put forth by the hundreds of volunteers serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and our Work Groups receive with this achievement,” shared Kirk Mancer, President & CEO of The Shelby County Chamber, adding “We are truly blessed to have the business leadership we have here in Shelby County who want to ensure we continue our efforts to make our communities even better places to live and do business.”

One of the most prestigious programs of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama is the AACC program which sets standards of excellence for chambers in Alabama. It recognizes chambers that have achieved those standards while offering guidelines for those to improve their effectiveness. The program is designed to promote public awareness of the intent of the chamber of commerce brand as a not-for-profit community development- based business membership organization by providing a peer review process of generally accepted chamber of commerce organizational benchmarks. The program looks at six standard topics: Organization, Mission Focus, Professional Administration, Financial Management, Communications and Advocacy. “The Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce program shows that each chamber receiving the distinction is committed to the highest standards of organization management. This distinction recognizes local chambers of commerce in Alabama that strengthen free enterprise by protecting their local business environment,” said Dean Mitchell, Exec. Dir. of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce and the CCAA’s 2020 Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Business Today Shelby Chamber CCAA Accredidation Plaques — The Shelby County Chamber also received this distinction in 2016-2019 and now again for the years 2020-2024.

Since its beginning in 1937 as the Alabama Association of Commercial Organizations, what is now known as the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama has remained dedicated to advancing the goal that chambers of commerce are the premier local business advocate in the State of Alabama. In conjunction with the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), a non-partisan organization, the two groups, through the BCA/CCAA Partnership represent the interests and concerns of over 1 million working Alabamians every day.

Those receiving the AACC in alphabetical order were: Calhoun County Area Chamber and Visitors Center, Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce, The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and The Shelby County Chamber. Learn more about The Shelby County Chamber at www.shelbychamber.org or call 205-663-4542. †

August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Money Matters

Brought to you by: Community Partner Vision Financial Group, www.vision-financialgroup.com

Election years cause some anxiety. With all of the storm and stress of the year 2020, you’d be forgiven if you momentarily forgot that we’re due for another national election in November. Many states will be selecting governors, representatives, and senators, while the country itself will be voting in the presidential election.

Even though these elections happen every four years, they often breed uncertainty or anxiety about the financial markets and other investment matters. Some of our personal political beliefs may be informed by our economic worldview. For that reason, it’s natural that presidential elections are seen as potential turning points for the economy.

It’s important to keep in mind that while the White House has an enormous influence on economic policy, ambitious policies frequently find challenges in the legislative and judicial branches. It’s also important to keep in mind that in the wake of COVID-19 there are other factors that can influence the financial markets.¹

Your financial professional helps you craft an investment strategy, one that may run through several presidents and many sessions of Congress. Naturally, you may have questions about how these policies might affect things in the short term, and they look forward to a chance to discuss them with their clients.

-Vision Financial Group

4505 Pine Tree Circle, Birmingham, AL 35243

205-970-4909

Investment Advisory services offered through Investment Advisors, a division of ProEquities, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through ProEquities, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA & SIPC. Vision Financial Group, Inc. is independent of ProEquities, Inc.

This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate.

Citations.

NYTimes.com, July 29, 2020

August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Our House

COVID-19 has dramatically impacted our world. Brian Camp of Waterstone Homes says the pandemic has positively impacted the buying and selling market by bringing the lowest interest rates in history. “It’s a great time to buy right now,” Camp says, adding that the biggest hurdle current buyers will face is finding exactly what they want since the market is so hot. “It’s definitely a seller’s market right now.”

What are buyers today looking for? Camp explains that the biggest difference between current buyers and buyers years ago centers around renovations. People are currently desiring homes with little to no needed renovations. If you are thinking about selling your home soon, it’s important to realize most potential buyers are looking for updated homes; not a fixer upper.

Our House Bathroom — Brian Camp of Waterstone Homes has been in the business of buying, selling and building homes for over 20 years.

Camp has been in the realty business for over 20 years. He helps families not only buy and sell homes, but also build homes. As he starts helping families make building decisions, he finds that most are surprised by the rise of construction costs. One reason for the rise, Camp explains, is a lumber shortage that has increased demand. Should you wait to build? Camp suggests starting to build now, even with the higher costs. Why? Because building costs will continue to rise year after year but the current low interest rates, that will help you save money, won’t last. Camp and his team strive to make the building process as hassle free for customers as possible. Camp helps customers through the whole process including finding property, budgeting, evaluating, considering equity, and selling their home. “I’d say I help at least half of my customers through the transition of selling, finding property, building and moving.”

Most of Camp’s projects are in St. Clair County, but he also has home projects in Jefferson and Shelby Counties, as well as Gadsden. He shares that he enjoys helping families find the right home and fixing problems that come along the way. As he looks back over the years and thinks about past market crashes and times of uncertainty, he finds assurance that God always takes care of His children- even during a pandemic.

-Melissa Armstrong

August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Senior Scene

Most everyone would agree the past couple of months have been extremely difficult. By this point in the pandemic, most of us have been impacted significantly, or know someone who has. Many have lost jobs; some dual income families have lost both incomes. Some parents of young children have to choose whether to continue to work or stay home with children as they navigate a combination of remote or traditional learning. Tears have been shed over long-term coworkers that no longer sit in the office next door due to layoffs. We see the empty parking lots of businesses that once thrived in a hustling bustling economy before COVID. Some of our favorite local businesses have closed shops they’ve worked to build for years because they don’t have the technical capabilities, product or service to offer in a virtual world. We see the stress on the faces of grocery store workers trying to restock shelves met with both unappreciative shoppers as well as gracious customers who offer a kind word, all within the span of just a few minutes. We see red, tired eyes of nurses, case managers and others at medical establishments who have had to take on additional responsibilities or a different job all together; and that is if they still have a job. EMS workers don’t have the luxury of staying six feet apart from those whose lives they run to save. And finally, the heartbreak over losing a loved one to the virus, or trying to help someone we know cope with the loss of a parent, a church member or friend.

Senior Scene Brookdale School Days — “School Days” photos on display this month at Brookdale include resident John Russell during his baseball pitching days at Phillips High School(1957) and Samford University(1960).

Senior Scene Brookdale School Days John Russell Samford Pitcher — John Russell in his Samford pitcher’s uniform.

How in the world do we make sense of all of this? After working in senior living for more than 16 years, I have found that cherishing every special moment, positive word or personal connection is what helps a lot of us appreciate each day and end each day on a positive note. Brookdale University Park has worked diligently to make sure our residents are engaged using a very personal approach. From the start of COVID, we implemented a resident engagement survey to help identify specific interests for each resident. This has become the framework by which we hand deliver activities to each resident’s door, consisting of adult coloring, reading material, flower planting kits and so on. We’ve done courtyard concerts, themed snack carts and provided virtual opportunities for residents to engage with their families. We are currently collecting photos from our residents during their “School Days” so that we can compile them all for our residents to see on a display as well as digitally to reminisce and bring back fond memories. We’ve had more one on one conversation with our residents and their families. We’ve learned more about our residents’ lives before they moved to Brookdale. Caregivers have sat in rooms and gone through years of photo albums while listening to their life stories. We’ve partnered with churches and groups to provide encouraging notes for residents and pizza parties for associates. We are celebrating small and large wins and make sure we have something to look forward to every day.

No one asked to be challenged by a life-changing global pandemic. But it has surely helped us set our eyes on good things and appreciate things that may have gone unnoticed and we are all stronger and better for it! Below are some ways you can get involved with Brookdale University Park even during COVID that may just give you something to look forward to:

Be a pen pal with a resident
Send a note to an associate
Let us host your retiree/social/civic/church group virtually
Let us call or drop off a meal to an older adult you know

Call me at 205-613-0688 for details or to be connected to one of our dedicated Associates to help with your specific need or question.

-Leanne Messer

Brookdale University Park

205-613-0688

www.brookdale.com

Hope for Healthcare Workers in COVID-19 World

Speaker: Bobbie Harrison, BS, MA,CMC, Healthcare Consultant

Date/Time: Thursday, September 17, 2020, Noon – 1 p.m.

Session Objectives: Nurses and healthcare workers discover personal “Stress Resilience” in a Covid 19 work environment, evaluate personal risk for depression and anxiety, and develop tools to avoid pitfalls and negative outcomes. The session will also teach how to build a spiritual and emotional oasis into your life from which you can draw strength against the stresses of your day.

Hosted by Brookdale University Park this free session includes Contact Hours for Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists provided by Human Resource Options, LLC. This free virtual experience is RSVP only so email Leanne Messer at [email protected] today for the registration link.

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Faith at Work State Farm Cycling Team 4 members

Special Feature

Brought to you by: Community Partner State Farm, www.ThomasWaters.com

Faith at Work State Farm Thomas Waters wreck IMG 3240 — While riding his bike June 26, 2017, Thomas Waters was struck by a hit and run driver in Irondale. Fellow cyclists, Al Schlosser and Rex Seaborn, helped Waters to safety.

“By God’s grace I am here. I have been the beneficiary of God’s ocean of grace,” explains Thomas Waters as he remembers the bike ride he took through Irondale two years ago. “I felt the car’s front end hit me and the next thing I knew I was lying in the middle of the road.” With a low back fracture and a severe soft tissue injury to his shoulder, Waters struggled to get out of the road. With help from fellow cyclists, he did and avoided being hit by on-coming traffic. The driver of the vehicle that hit Waters never stopped and has not been caught. “At first, I had a lot of anger,’ says Waters. “I was angry and grateful at the same time.” As a State Farm Agent, Waters team focuses on living out their mission to “be there for you in life’s toughest moments.” Waters confesses it was hard for him to understand how someone could leave the scene of an accident not knowing the well-being of someone else. “The accident has refined my personal ministry to give out more grace. Be kind to everybody even though sometimes that kindness isn’t easy to offer,” explains Waters adding, “Al Schlosser and Rex Seaborn were examples of God’s grace to me as they called for the ambulance and came to check on me in the emergency room.”

Faith at Work State Farm Thomas Waters on Restoration Ride — September 26, 2020, Thomas Waters and his team will ride again in Bike MS. Help them reach their team goal of $15,000 to help those affected by MS.

For twelve years Waters enjoyed cycling, but after the accident he struggled to ride again. “Every time a car passed I would think, this could be the next hit.” The only thing that kept him riding was a commitment he made with his cycling team to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). “I had so much mental pressure not to ride, but my friends gave me the confidence to ride to help people who really needed it.” Three months after the accident, Thomas and his team rode two, 80-mile rides in one weekend and raised $11,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “I thought, as soon as the ride is over, I will quit,” says Waters. “Anxiety and fear are crippling, but that ride restored my soul and my desire to ride. My friends lifted me up. Two of them, Adam Hodges and Jonathan Schaefer, escorted me at the end of the second day. I was struggling and they both sacrificed good positions to help me cross the finish line.”

Waters and his team are preparing for the MS Ride again this fall. Bike MS: Tour De Beach is usually held at Orange Beach, Ala. but this year the team will participate virtually on September 26. The team goal is $15,000 and Waters personal goal is $5000. To learn more about how you can support or participate with Waters’ team visit www.mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/11352.

August 26, 2021August 27, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

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August 24, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Photo Fun

Darts for Sweetarts, a carnival type activity, was recently enjoyed by Brookdale University Park assisted living residents! Brookdale employee Raphael sweetened the pot with some candy if they got within a certain range. Not only did it provide them with a sweet treat, it gave them exercise, engagement and camaraderie. †

August 24, 2020August 21, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Church Leaders

“Sunday mornings are so much more than to come hang out for an hour and leave. Sunday mornings are a time where we grow as a church body, be together and lift up the name of Jesus,” says First Baptist Church Trussville Worship Leader Andrew Morris as he reflects on the pandemic and how much we are made to be in community.

A native of Chelsea and graduate of Samford University, Morris remembers feeling called to worship ministry at a Scott Dawson conference when he was 12 years old. From that moment, he began learning how to play instruments and started leading worship for his youth group at the age of 16. During his freshman year at Samford, a friend encouraged him to lead Wednesday night youth group worship at First Baptist Church Trussville. This decision led him to becoming the church’s Contemporary Worship Leader.

Faithful Father Album Cover — “Faithful Father” is available now on all streaming platforms. Andrew Morris prays that the song leads listeners into a time of worshipping the Lord for who He is.

“Faithful Father” is Morris’s debut release that he wrote while reading John 14:1-3. “The whole song is a reminder that God is faithful to call us back home to be with Him and that He will never leave us or forsake us,” Morris says. Even though he knew and believed this truth, he shares that he didn’t necessarily feel that his life reflected it. That is why the bridge of the song says, “Let my soul reflect the truth that I am Yours forever.” Morris shares he wanted the song to have a moment that was more than just head knowledge but heart knowledge that states “I am reflecting the truth. I am the Lord’s forever.”

“I am not in the business of writing music for myself. I am in the business of writing music for the glory of God. That’s what I believe music is made for,” Morris says. His specific prayer for anyone who listens to “Faithful Father” is that they remember that God is faithful and that He is coming back to take believers to be with Him forever. “Most importantly, I pray people worship the Lord through this song, remember His faithfulness and what He has prepared for those who are in Christ in the coming days.” “Faithful Father” is available now on all streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.

-Melissa Armstrong

August 20, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

bigstock Happy Grandparents With Grandc 355174133

Senior Scene

Attention Grandparents! Grand Monday Nights is the newest ministry focus of Legacy Coalition, a ministry whose heart champions intentional Christ-like grandparenting. Larry Fowler, Founder of Legacy Coalition, kicked off “Grand Monday Nights” August 10 with – “Awaken: A Call to Action for Christian Grandparents.”

There is a nationwide movement of Christian grandparents embracing a new attitude in their role as grandparents. “Just like untying a knot,” Larry stated, “Christian grandparents are faced with undoing the cultural norms of today’s grandparents.” Christian grandparents need to realign their beliefs with what the Bible has to say about their spiritual influence and increasing their efforts through prayer, example, relationships, and time! Larry cites Deuteronomy 4:9 as the ‘John 3:16’ for Grandparents. “Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” And is the operative word calling grandparents, along with the parent, to encourage and nurture the grandchild in the things of God.

Interestingly a parents’ influence is about 20 years. Whereas, the influence of a grandparent in the life of a grandchild can be as long as 40+ years. Consider there are 70 million grandparents today; more than any other time in our history. According to statistics, among those are 30 million Christian Grandparents! The American grandparent has an average of six grandchildren. Do the math. Christian grandparents have the opportunity to influence 180 million children. Could today’s Christian grandparent make a significant impact for Jesus Christ in our world? Without question!

Grand Monday Nights is free each Monday night at 7 p.m. Topics presented by pastors, educators, and ministry leaders will address family dynamics, grandparents raising grandchildren, long distance grandparenting, cultural issues, and more. Encouragement, practical help, and resources are offered each Monday night. You only need to register once. Reminders the day before and one hour before will be emailed to you. Register at www.legacycoalition.com. Click here to get a taste of what future Grand Monday Nights will be like.

Another great opportunity for grandparents will be held this month. Join Legacy Coalition for Finding Hope for Today. This free, three hour on-demand webinar will headline national speakers and educators and will be available from September 17-20. Invite your friends and watch from home! Register at www.legacycoalition.com.

-Cynthia Moss

GrandLife Director at Shades Mountain Baptist Church

August 12, 2020 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Janet daughter 2 — Daughter Allie sings background vocals on Hall’s song “Woman on the Way”. “When we got to the point of recording, I really wanted her to do the harmony on it. It was a real special night when we did that one,” explains Hall.

While earning a degree in broadcast communications and speech rhetoric at the University of Alabama, Fox 6 News anchor Janet Hall also began to hone a talent few of her television viewers know about. Hall first picked up an acoustic guitar as a child. “Our grandfather gave a guitar to all of us as a Christmas present, and I grabbed it. It became mine. I started seriously playing about fifth grade, usually back in my bedroom, but when I got to college, a good friend from high school, Dan Farmer, and I started playing together.” Farmer and Hall often found themselves singing and playing at places around Tuscaloosa. “Our main place was Ireland’s, a big restaurant at the time. That was the start of being halfway serious about it,” remembers Hall. Years later, well into a successful career as a news anchor in Birmingham and the mother of two, Hall returned to music. “There was a long period of time when I did not do anything with the music, but in more recent years I became more purposeful about writing music.” As a Christmas gift, husband Frank sent Janet to a songwriter’s workshop in Nashville. It would be the first of several. “Frank is not into music like I am,” explains Hall, “but he simply knows it is important to me and has been very supportive of it. I need encouragement, and he has done that.”

Janet Hall has anchored the news on WBRC- TV in Birmingham for 40 years. “The audience has watched me grow up to a certain extent, and as long as they’ll let me do it, I’ll do it.”

Hall set a goal for herself to record some of her songs before she turned 50. With the support of family and her old friend Dan and his band, Crooked Road, Hall went into WorkPlay studio in Birmingham and recorded 12 original songs. “I just had a blast doing it. The process was as fun as having the final product.” The project is self-titled, Janet Hall O’Neil. “I’ve tried to keep the music person separate from the anchorperson. I want to know if the music works on its own strength-that’s the reason for the title.” She dubs her CD as mostly fun country –pop with a couple faith related songs included as well.

“Anytime you write a song it is a part of feelings, not necessarily autobiographical but feelings you would have in that situation.” Hall’s song “Watch What You Believe” expresses the Christian beliefs of her father who died unexpectedly a year ago. “The song is about faith and how it keeps coming around in your life,” explains Hall who says her own faith, which was nurtured by her parents, was critical in dealing with her father’s death. One of Hall’s oldest songs, “All the Way Up to God,” was written when her son and daughter were fighting with each other as young children. “I told them to tell each other how much they loved each other. Each tried to top the other, and Jack topped Allie by saying, ‘I love you all the way up to God.’”

janethallrev — Hall says she often draws upon her mother Lois’ example to be the best parent she can be to daughter Allie and her brother Jack.

Hall says the most autobiographical song writing she has done is “Woman on the Way.” “It was written when Allie was 13. We were doing the typical banging of heads that moms and daughters do, ” remembers Hall. The song gives a mother’s perspective as she watches her little girl growing into a beautiful woman. “It’s that whole idea of letting go- giving guidance but giving room to make mistakes.” Hall says as she parents she seeks to follow her parents’ example. “I look to my mom and dad and how as I was raised, and try to do it as well as they did…. I don’t really recall having that [teenage disagreements] with my mother, but I’m sure I did and I hope that I’m handling it as gracefully as I think she did.” Hall remembers how her parents, especially her mother, gave her a sense of security during those difficult teen years. “I always knew there was a safety net, no matter how bad it was, I had that safety net. I did not get punished much, because the worst punishment of all was knowing I had disappointed my parents. That comes out of sheer love and respect of a parent. I hope that’s the same sort of feeling I’m instilling in my children.”

Hall says she and her husband strive to live out their faith as an example to their children. “It is not in forcing kids to go to church. It is showing them that you go to church. Faith is not just something on Sunday but how you live your life everyday- the decisions you make everyday.”

-Laurie Stroud

Shelby Chamber Receives Statewide Recognition

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