November is National Sleep Comfort Month, which is a time to raise awareness about the importance of healthy sleep habits. Getting enough sleep is critical for your physical and evmotional health. Without enough quality sleep, you won’t look and feel your best. There also seems to be an increase in medical conditions such as sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a common disorder where a person stops breathing multiple times per hour while sleeping. These pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to minutes. Sometimes a loud snort or choking sound occurs when normal breathing starts back again. Significant danger may exist in untreated sleep apnea because the brain and the rest of the body may not get enough oxygen which may put a person at risk for stroke or heart attack.

After learning more about sleep apnea, whenever I hear of someone dying in their sleep, I wonder if the person had undetected sleep apnea. If you or a family member happens to snore, it’s a good indication that a medical problem may exist and important to seek advice from a physician.

Now let’s get to this week’s news!

Moody Area Chamber of Commerce High School Ambassadors toured LeHigh Cement Company last week. Mike Schutts with LeHigh did a great job educating the group about cement, how it is made, more about LeHigh Hanson and career opportunities in this industry plus served them lunch from Taziki’s. Thank you LeHigh for a great tour!

Today, Nov. 12 is the last day to submit your favorite recipes for the Relay for Life of Greater St. Clair County Cookbook. Please send recipes to becky.hogan@hotmail.com or drop off at Leeds Wal-Mart to Becky or Anita Durden. Cookbooks are $15 each and will be back by Christmas – a great way to fight back against cancer and give a gift to your family and friends.

Leeds Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

Tomorrow, Nov. 13, is World Kindness Day, which is a global celebration, dedicated to paying-it-forward and focusing on the good. The Bible says, “Be kind to one another, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) Let’s be kind to people; reach out to people today and every day. Let them know there is good in the world. #worldkindnessday

In recognition of World Diabetes Day, Miss Leeds Area, Briana Kinsey, will be hosting the Daring to Defeat Diabetes Poster Contest, which will feature an exhibition of artwork from students from various schools to focus on ways to defeat diabetes and live healthy. This event will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Leeds High School and will also feature the Daring to Defeat Diabetes High School Ambassadors in a balloon lift tribute to persons who suffer from diabetes.

Leeds Arts Council presents Dolores Hydock’s “In Her Own Fashion” on Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and reservations are required. Please call (205) 699-1892, email leedsartscouncil@windstream.net, or message LAC on Facebook with your name, phone number, and number of tickets you need to secure your reservations.

Lakeside Hospice will host a 5K on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Outlet Shops of Grand River. They are currently offering sponsorships for this event. If you have an interest, please contact Susan A Cook, Patient Care/Human Resource Assistant at (205) 884-1111.

The Leeds City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, at the Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

The Moody Lions Club is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, at White’s Chapel.

The Moody Kiwanis Club is scheduled to meet at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Moody City Hall.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassadors will host their monthly Luncheon Meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18. This is a great way to get more involved in the Leeds community. Lunch is $10 and RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 640-6262.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19. Mayor David Miller will be the guest speaker. The food and fellowship is always great. Lunch is $12 with RSVP ($15 without) and you may RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 640-6262.

The Miss Merry Christmas Pageant is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, for babies through 12th grade hosted by the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce. For pageant information, rules and application, please visit the Chamber website at LeedsAreaChamber.com or call Sandra McGuire at (205) 699-5001.

The 1st Annual “Tree of Hope” Spaghetti Dinner and Auction is scheduled for Dec. 8, at Moody City Hall to benefit Relay for Life of Greater St. Clair. Ticket price is $7, which includes spaghetti, salad, garlic toast and drink, which will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. Auction starts at 7 p.m. You may purchase your tickets in advance from any Relay for Life committee member or call (205) 352-8351.

Remember to get your applications in for the Leeds and Moody Christmas Parades (no charge to participate, but registration is required). Leeds Christmas Parade will be Friday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Please download application at LeedsAreaChamber.com. Moody’s Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. Contact Melissa Fraser at (205) 640-0307 to register.

2nd Avenue between 6th and 8th Street in Leeds is closed for 30 days due to construction activity. Trucks will need to use the northern truck route during this time.

Moody Reflections of the Past 2016 Calendars are available for $5 each from the Moody Lions Club.

Join the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce now for 2016 and get Nov. and Dec. FREE. Memberships are available for individuals, non-profits and businesses located in the greater Leeds area. This is a great opportunity to join your local Chamber of Commerce and learn more about how they support your community. For more information, please visit LeedsAreaChamber.com.

Here’s a thought for the week: “Kindness is free; let’s pass it on.”

I truly appreciate each of you who read my column and I really love sharing news so please remember to send your Leeds and Moody news to me at dona@adrbms.com. See you next week!