Leeds/Moody News: New businesses are opening in the area
July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month and boy, is courtesy ever needed in this area! Most families cannot carry on a conversation anymore without it being done through electronic devices. Couples sit across the table from each other but communicate to one another through texting on their cell phones rather than actually talking…and when Grandma comes to visit, no one has any time to visit with her because everyone is occupied and consumed with their phones. What a sad world we now live in where people have no social skills, only the ability to communicate by texting and social media. Here are a few tips to cut down on cell phone annoyances: don’t talk on your cell phone in an enclosed space, stay away from others while talking on a cell phone, keep your voice down and don’t talk about personal details in public, avoid making calls while doing anything that involves interacting with other people (i.e. shopping, banking or waiting in line), don’t use your phone while driving. Avoid using your phone in bathrooms, elevators, hospitals, waiting rooms, restaurants, public transportation, meetings, libraries, museums, places of worship, school, live performances, funerals, weddings, movie theatres, while visiting relatives and anywhere else where people are likely to be disturbed. It all boils down to common sense and common courtesy to others. It’s actually okay to turn off your cell phone. Let’s put our phones down, talk to each other, get reacquainted, learn how to communicate and work toward not disturbing other people with our personal business!
Now for some local news: Leeds United Methodist Church will be having a Rummage and Bake Sale on Saturday, July 30 from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. If you have items to donate for the sale, please contact Lori Jenkins or Heather Morrow at LUMC. All proceeds will benefit the Leeds Backpack Buddies in the Leeds Elementary and new Primary School. Please support this worthwhile cause, and help hungry kids in our community schools. Backpack Buddies is a 501C3 organization and 100% of the money goes to purchase food and hygiene products for our kids.
The Moody MerryMakers continue to stay busy this summer. In June, they took a motor coach trip to Canada and toured Toronto and spent time at Niagara Falls. Their weeks are filled with bingo, exercise, crafts and other activities, plus they have plans for additional road trips. All seniors in the Moody area are welcome to participate. For more information, please contact Addie Duke, Director, at (205) 640-2536.
Our newly crowned Miss Leeds Area 2017, Jessica Procter, is already getting around town quickly. She spoke at LadyBUGS last week and shared information about her platform as she represents the Leeds area this year in preparation for the next Miss Alabama Pageant. “Step Up to the Plate” is a subject dear to her heart as she works to create awareness for, and work towards a solution to stamp out, hunger. In Alabama alone, over 19 percent of households face some kind of food insecurity with 900,000 people unsure about where their next meal is coming from. Through Jessica’s partnership with the West Alabama Food Bank and Feeding America, “Step Up to the Plate” fights hunger by conducting canned food drives, speaking to local community groups and schools, raising money, participating in and encouraging volunteerism at local soup bowls and food banks, and establishing food recovery programs at local businesses.
One facet of “Step Up to the Plate” is an initiative called “Fifth Quarter” that recovers and donates all leftover food from home football games, basketball games and gymnastics meets at the University of Alabama. As overseer of Fifth Quarter, Jessica led a team of like-minded volunteers who actively packaged and delivered the leftovers to our community. In the past year alone, Fifth Quarter saved, repackaged and distributed over 11,900 pounds of food, equaling over 14,700 meals. Jessica has also spoken to and conducted canned food drives in local schools, youth groups and retirement communities, encouraging all generations to join the fight against hunger. Recently, the Alabama Baseball Team joined forces with “Step Up to the Plate,” resulting in the future recovery of leftover food at baseball games.
This year as Miss Leeds Area, Jessica looks forward to partnering with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to help combat this growing problem in the Leeds community.
Elizabeth Gregory PhD, Licensed Professional Counselor celebrated the opening of her new office, Gregory Counseling, last week with a ribbon cutting and open house, located at 1200 6th Street, Leeds. Dr. Gregory indicated that she helps many of her clients with marriage counseling, addiction, depression and other types of needs. She participates with many insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory, please call (205) 396-8972.
The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Leeds also held a ribbon cutting at On Guard Self Storage, which is located on the street above BAMA Flea Mall. This represents the 52nd business startup or expansion in Leeds over the last 3 ½ years.
Plans continue to move forward with Leeds qualifying for Main Street USA and regular meetings continue to make decisions in marketing the City of Leeds. Leeds is unique in its convenience to Birmingham and affordable price tag for real estate in comparison to other cities around the greater Birmingham area, and the area has great curb appeal for being an awesome place to live, work and play.
Breakfast for the Brave will be served at 9 a.m. today, July 21 at the Leeds River Campus of Eden Westside Baptist Church. This event is open to all first responders in the greater Leeds area including the police, fire departments and EMTs to show appreciation for keeping the Leeds area safe. So come out to get a free breakfast. For more information, please visit edenwestsideorg.
The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber luncheon at 11:45 a.m. today, July 21 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Guest speaker this month will be Bakari Miller with Regions Bank who will speak on Financial Education in the Workplace. The business spotlight will be On Guard Self Storage and lunch will be catered by Laney’s Restaurant.
The Moody City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 25 at Moody City Hall.
The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Moody will host a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate the grand opening of the new Edward Jones Office with Steve Sink, Financial Advisor, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27 located at 2603 Moody Parkway, Suite 101.
Performances continue at Leeds Arts Council with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! now through July 24 at Leeds Theatre & Arts Center. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under. Reservations are recommended so please call (205) 699-1892. Also, Carolyn Thomas Jones’ paintings will be on display through July 28. For more information, please call (205) 699-1892 or visit their website at LeedsArtsCouncil.org.
American Red Cross will hold a Blood Drive at Moody City Hall on July 25 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. This is a great opportunity to give blood.
Mark your calendars for the Moody Area Chamber of Commerce Members Luncheon and Municipal Election Forum coming up Thursday, August 11. Lunch will be $10 for Members and $15 for Non-Members. Please RSVP to Andrea Machen, Executive Director, at chamber@moodyalabama.gov. Also, please send your questions for this political forum to Andrea as soon as possible.
Quote for the Week: “Children need to learn to take responsibility for their own actions so that they do not become adults believing that nothing is ever their fault.” ~Unknown
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!