It’s definitely going to be a busy spring with a lot going on, so I wanted to help get the word out. I have plenty of news, and there are a number of future events in the calendar section for you to check out.

This week is Spring Break for many of our area students. so whether you are at the beach or staying in town, I hope you are able to enjoy some sunshine after we have had such a wet March!

Spring always reminds that it’s time to do a little shopping so we can put away those winter clothes. One of my favorite stores at the Shops of Grand River is Kasper and they are having a 50 percent off their entire store merchandise. They carry regular, petite and plus sizes.

The City of Leeds and the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed the LEVI’s Outlet Store at the Shops of Grand River last week with a ribbon cutting. Be sure to visit their new store when you are out shopping and take advantage of their grand opening sale!

I had the pleasure of traveling to Montgomery last week with Leadership St. Clair County for our Legislative Day. Along with the leadership group, the Moody High School Ambassadors took the trip and we all had a great time. We toured the capitol, had the opportunity to be greeted by our own state representatives including Dr. Jim McClendon and Judge Jim Hill. We, then, stopped in on the House and Senate floor, had lunch at Commerce Café along with hearing a presentation from Dr. Linda Fulton regarding state education news. We also had a group picture made with Governor Bentley.

Monday was National Puppy Day 2015. This day is set aside each year to celebrate the unconditional love of a puppy dog and how much joy they give us. This day was also set aside to promote adopting a pet from your local animal shelter. There are so many wonderful dogs just waiting for a new home at the shelter.

The Birmingham Children’s Theatre Touring Group will present “The Queen of Hearts and the Terrible Tarts” at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center this Friday, March 27, 2015 at 10:00 AM – $8.00 Admission. For more information, please contact the Leeds Arts Council at 205.699.1892.

There may still be time to participate with the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament which will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at Community Presbyterian Church. Please contact Paul.Jameson@orsnasco.com or 918.706.7544. All proceeds from this event will go to their local Relay for Life Team to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Leeds First United Methodist Church invites you to join them this Sunday, March 29, 2015, as their choir presents “Come to the Cross” at the 11:00 AM service in the Sanctuary. This is an opportunity to be blessed as you prepare for Easter Sunday!

Because Easter is the first Sunday in April, the Leeds Arts Council has moved the opening reception for the April artist up one week to Sunday, March 29, 2015 from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. The public is invited to meet the photographer, Nelda Faulkner, who is well known in this area for her beautiful photographs of orchids, butterflies and birds – particularly blue birds, redbirds and hummingbirds. She and her husband, Harold, often present programs to senior groups and garden clubs in the Leeds/Moody area.

For more information regarding the exhibit or other Leeds Arts Council events, please call the arts center at 205-699-1892 or visit website at www.leedsartscouncil.org. The gallery is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. This exhibit will run through April 30, 2015.

The Leeds Lions Club will meet next Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 1:00 PM in the Leeds Masonic Lodge building. Please contact T.V. Weaver, President, at 205.699.6742 for more information.

Moody Middle School Librarian, Ms. Lana Cornelius, was the Barnes & Nobles local store winner of My Favorite Teacher writing contest. Ms. Cornelius will be presented the award at their awards ceremony on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 6:00 PM to honor her for her positive impact on the lives of students. Skylon Snipes, the sixth grader who submitted the essay, will read her winning essay, also! This event will be held at Barnes & Nobles at The Summit.

Chanel Wood and her husband, Justin, are current residents of Moody and plan to open a theatre/acting and musical studio next month called Wood Manor Theatre & Events and Chanel Wood Acting. Their studio will be located on Main Street in Trussville next to Captain D’s. While in the process of casting their shows, they partnered with the Stardome Comedy Club and will be offering their first Murder Mystery dinner theatre show next month, Polter-Heist! Please visit their Facebook pages or their website at www.woodmanortheatre.com for more information.

Peggy Smith, local artist and Leeds resident, is now accepting students under 12 years of age for personal art instruction and mentorships. She will also accept a group of adults who have an interest in learning murals (concept and application). Peggy is an artist. designer, muralist, consultant, mentor, creative skills developer. For more information, please contact Peggy at nteriorart@gmail.com or Facebook Peggy Smith Arts or Southern Artists Auction.

Job Openings this week: Chick-fil-A Leeds.

I truly appreciate each of you who read my column. Please remember to send your Leeds and Moody news to me at dona@adrbms.com. Enjoy Spring Break and see you next week!