Congratulations to the St. Clair Culinary Academy, Chef Allphin and student culinary team, including Autumn Brown and Christopher Mendez who swept the state competition in cooking and management.  They are now headed to Nationals in Dallas, Texas. St Clair County Schools have the best Culinary Academy in the state and they are located at the Moody School campus!

Congratulations to the Leeds Elementary School Jump Rope Team who were featured on the Jack’s Super Bowl Commercial! If you missed it, you can view it online at app.frame.io/f/GxE2HpWV.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce High School Diplomats and the Moody Area Chamber of Commerce High School Ambassadors along with Chamber and Leeds Chick-fil-A leadership visited the Chick-fil-A Headquarters in Atlanta this week. This group traveled on a charter bus together and toured different aspects of headquarters property to learn more about the founder, S.Truett Cathy, and the Chick-fil-A story, their core values and reason for their success.

Alabama Power Company celebrated their building renovation with a ribbon cutting last week with the City of Leeds and the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce. When completed, this reno will provide the expansion of their sales room for appliances which will also include a few pieces of furniture as well as a large conference room.

With sadness, our communities are mourning the loss of beloved Odenville educator, Constance Seymour, who gave up her battle with cancer. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family, friends and students who were touched by her life.

We also want to extend our prayers and condolences to the family of Andrew (Andy) Carroll who lost his life last week due to a motorcycle accident. Andy was 32 years old and the co-owner of A & G Motorsports located in downtown Leeds, leaving behind his wife and four children.

Bethel Baptist Church Youth Department will host a Parent’s Night Out this Saturday, Feb. 13, with adult supervision with babysitting. Cost is $30 per family, regardless of the number of children for ages six weeks through sixth grade. There will be games, arts and crafts, and dinner will be provided. This is a fundraiser for their youth for the Operation Change they work in every summer, so bring your little ones and know that your children will be safe, well cared for and entertained. Sign up online at bethelnet.net.

Valentine’s Day is this Sunday, Feb. 14, and time to celebrate with your sweetie. There are so many different ways to celebrate, from dressing up with a romantic date on the town or spend a quiet evening at home. Have fun celebrating the love in your life!

The 26^th Annual Queen of Hearts Pageant is scheduled for 1 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 13, at Moody High School hosted by the Moody High Band Boosters.

Leeds City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

Moody Lions Club will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, at White’s Chapel.

Moody Kiwanis will meet at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Moody City Hall.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassadors will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. The role of a Corporate Ambassador is to build relationships with other business professionals and work on different Chamber and community projects. This month they will discuss the Creek Bank Festival. Lunch is $10. If you are interested in learning more, you are invited to attend. Please RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699-5001.

Eden Westside Baptist Church River Campus on Highway 78 will host a BREAKFAST FOR THE BRAVE. They will serve biscuits, coffee, and juice at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, for the members of the police and fire departments that serve the Leeds community. For more information about this event or the River Campus, please visit their website at edenwestside.org.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18, in the Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. The Leeds Elementary School Jump Rope Team will perform and the guest speaker will be Bill Clark, UAB Head Football Couch. Lunch is $12 with RSVP ($15 without). Please RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699-5001.

The Leeds Arts Council will present the Brandi Overbeck event scheduled for 7:00 PM on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. Brandi will be singing songs from the Broadway Big Band Era and tickets are $10 each. Call (205) 699-1892 for reservations.

Please remember the Distinguished Young Women of St. Clair County informational meeting for potential participants and parents scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 21, from 2-3:30 p.m. at Moody City Hall. This event is for eleventh grade girls graduating in May of 2017 who are interested in earning college scholarships through this program. For more information, please visit DistinguishedYW.org or call (205) 640-3078.

A special called Leeds City Council Meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, at Leeds Civic Center as a result of the continuance of the regular city council meeting.

Leeds Arts Council will hold auditions for Noel Coward’s Private Lives on Feb. 22-23, from 7-9 p.m. at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. They will be casting for two male and three female parts. Play dates are April 8-10 and 15-17,. Please bring your resume and head shot.

Leeds/Moody Caravan presents Chili Cook Off 2016 so SAVE THE DATE for Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Moody City Hall. Come vote for your favorite chili and bid on the silent auction items. All proceeds go to Leeds Outreach and St. Clair County Children’s Place. Tickets are $10 each. Contact Katha Gold at (205) 229-9790 or any Caravan Member for tickets.

Job opening: Night Shift Dock Work/Driver in Moody – email your resume to Kisha@personnelstaffing.com or call (205) 338-2300 to make an appointment.

Our quote for the Week: “Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.” ~John Wooden

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 leedsmoodynews@gmail.com. See you next week!