Hope you enjoyed the Fourth of July holiday this week celebrating our country’s independence.  It is so exciting to live in a free country and enjoy all of the freedoms and amenities we have as U.S. citizens.  We have so much to be thankful for.  The United States of America is a great country and so many other countries are better because of our example and our help to those in need.  Regardless of our faults, we need to continue to stand tall and protect those freedoms we enjoy so we can continue being a shining light and beacon to others.

Leeds and Moody continue to prosper with new business start-ups.  The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Moody conducted a ribbon cutting at the new r.k.ick Boutique last week.  If you haven’t stopped in to see their store, it is located at 2719 Moody Parkway.  They are funky, fun and very different with something for your rocking cowgirl, Boho-chic and fun-loving weekend girl.  For more information, please call (205) 702-6422.

The City of Leeds and the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Knockerball Trussville at Grand River last week.  This is a great addition to the fun you can have at the Shops of Grand River.  For more information, please visit their website at www.knockerballtrussville.com.

ServPro of St. Clair County is the July Business of the Month for the Moody Area Chamber of Commerce.  This company is one of 1700 independently owned and operated franchises and has been a leader in cleanup and restoration for over 45 years.  This franchise is owned by Jason and Katie Taylor and they operate out of the Childersburg location.  Shirley Kujan is the local sales representative.  She lives in Pell City and can be “Faster to any size disaster.”  ServPro offers water removal and dehumidification for water damages.  For fire damage, they are able to clean contents and structure.  Other services provided are HVAC cleaning, mold remediation, bio-hazardous cleaning, deodorization, carpet cleaning and contents inventory for insurance companies.  For more information, please contact Shirley at (205) 362-7431 or 1-800-SERVPRO.

Chick-fil-A Leeds will host Cow Appreciation Day on July 11 at 6:00 p.m.  Check out their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/cfaleeds for more information about this event and other upcoming events that you can experience.

The Moody City Council meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 10 at Moody City Hall.  Moody Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11 at 6:00 p.m.

The Leeds City Council meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 10 at Leeds Civic Center meeting room. 

LadyBUGS, the Leeds/Moody Professional Women’s Group, will host their monthly lunch meeting at noon on Tuesday, July 11 at the Livery Event Center.  Anna Riddlehoover, one of their Leeds High School scholarship recipients, will speak.  Lunch is $10. Please RSVP to Anne Glidewell at anneglidewell@yahoo.com.

The Central Parliamentary Unit will meet on Wednesday, July 12 in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Please contact Grady Sue Saxon at (205) 699-2440 for more information.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 13 at Moody City Hall.  Guest speaker will by Carolyn Guyton with topic “Live Your Fullest Life”.  Lunch menu includes salad, pan-grilled chicken tenders with onions and gravy, bacon and cheese potato casserole, lima beans, black-eyed peas along with choice of dessert and drink.  Lunch is $10 with RSVP ($15 without.) Please RSVP to Andrea Machen, Executive Director, at (205) 640-6262 or chamber@moodyalabama.gov.

Leeds Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 13 at Leeds Civic Center meeting room.

Leeds Arts Council will present Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory July 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 7:00 p.m. and July 16 and 30 at 2:00 p.m. on stage at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. The production is directed by Cliff Keen, Jr.  Free chocolate treats will be served on opening night.  Special ticket price for children up to age 18 is $5 when an adult makes a reservation and prepays a ticket for $15.  Limit one special priced children’s ticket for each adult ticket.  Tickets at the door will be $15 for adults and $10 for a child up to age 18.  To make reservations, please call (205) 699-1892.  The Center is handicapped accessible.  When making your reservation, please mention if you are in a wheelchair or need a first row seat because of a handicap.

The Leeds River Campus of Eden Westside Baptist Church will host Vacation Bible School Monday, July 24 through Friday, July 28 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.  All kids age four through  eighth grade are welcome.  Bring your kids for a high energy time together with music, crafts, Bible lessons, singing, playtime, snacks, prizes and more.  Leeds River Campus is located on Hwy. 78 just past the Shops of Grand River.  Please visit www.EdenWestside.org or call (205) 338-7711 for more information.

Job openings are available at  Advanced Disposal, Lovejoy Realty, Chick-fil-A, Zaxby’s,  and Domino’s. 

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