Moody was chosen in the top 10 of the Safest and Most Peaceful Places to Live in Alabama recently along with Margaret. St. Clair County is continuing to make positive headlines and we are definitely proud of these accomplishments.

Leadership St. Clair County 2015-16 kicks off this week with a retreat at Springville Camp & Conference Center this Thursday and Friday. This program is designed to develop a leadership network across the county and educate those leaders on the issues our county is currently facing. Approximately 33 professionals from all over St. Clair County will participate this year including these from the Leeds/Moody area: Doshia Stein (TCI-Sales), Leia Ragland and Lindsey Marlow (Heritage South Credit Union), Sandra McGuire (Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce), Tracy Marcus (BancorpSouth) and Karen Bean (Branchville Animal Hospital).

This group will meet periodically throughout the next nine months to tour facilities and hear speakers all around the county to learn more about what St. Clair County has to offer including the areas of government, safety, justice, education, economic development, legislative, infrastructure and quality of life. I had the honor of participating with this program last year and look forward to serving on the Board of Directors this year. For more information about this wonderful program, please visit stclairedc.com/leadership-st-clair-county.

Alabama Power will host the First Annual Moody Miracle League 1-Mile Fun Run at the Moody Miracle League Park on Saturday, August 29. The Fun Run will begin at 8 a.m. sharp followed by a Miracle League game around 9 a.m. Entry is free, though they are looking for any donations to help raise funds for upcoming Miracle League group events. Sponsorships are available at gofundme.com.

Join the next meeting of LAVA on Monday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. at the Leeds Theatre & Arts Center. Leeds Area Visual Artists (LAVA) is a newly formed group of adults (18 and older) who meet monthly for those interested in original art and/or active in creating visual arts. For more information, please contact Leeds Arts Council at (205) 699.1892.

Moody Kiwanis are scheduled to meet at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Moody City Hall.

Leeds Redevelopment Authority will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Leeds Civic Center.

Leeds Lions Club is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. in the Leeds Masonic Lodge building on Thursday, Sept. 3. Please contact T.V. Weaver, President, at (205) 699.6606 for more information.

Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 (first Saturday of each month). Breakfast is free, but donations would be appreciated. All donations stay in the City of Leeds community involvement programs. Contact T. V. Weaver for more information at (205) 699.6742.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host a very special guest speaker at their Sept. 10 Chamber luncheon. Worth Lumry from Chick-fil-A headquarters in Atlanta will be their guest speaker. Lunch is $10 and RSVP is required for this luncheon. Expecting a packed house, please RSVP as soon as possible to Andrea Machen, Executive Director, at (205) 640.6262.

First Baptist Moody will host a fall consignment sale on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11-12. You may sign up to consign or volunteer to work and receive an invitation to their pre-sale. Volunteer and consignor shopping is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10. Drop off dates are August 21, 22, 28, 29 and 31. Pick up date is Thursday, Sept. 17. For more information, please visit http://fbcclosetconsignment.weebly.com/.

First Annual Celebrity Roast benefiting Shepherd Supply, Incorporated sponsored by Bluegrass Barbeque will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Moody City Hall. Shepherd Supply is a 501c3 public charity and serves the Leeds/Moody area. Master of Ceremonies, Dennis Russell, with guide you through the evening’s events including the roast of our very own Bill Morris, dinner and an introduction to Shepherd Supply Ministries. $50 per plate or you may sponsor a table of 8 for $350. Tickets are available online at shepherdsupplymission.com/#tickets or you may call Brittany Perryman at (205) 306.7831. This should be an event to remember!

Relay for Life will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Bluegrass BBQ to plan their Relay 2016 Kick off, which will be a Spirit Night at Zaxby’s on Tuesday, October 20. There are so many exciting things for 2016 that they would like to share with everyone. Contact Becky Hogan at (205) 567.7621 if you plan to attend. Let’s PAINT YOUR WORLD PURPLE for 2016!

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for local talent to perform at the 12^th Annual Oktoberfest scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3. If you have a musical talent and are interested in performing, please contact Andrea Machen at (205) 640.6262 as soon as possible. Also, praise bands, drama groups, children’s choirs, dance teams, concert band, etc. would also be considered.

O’Reilly Auto Parts is now open in Moody on Highway 411!

Headstart in Leeds is looking for individuals or companies who would be willing to come by the center and read to their students. If you would be willing to donate your time, please call (615) 624.3917.

Looking for another way to get involved in our community? Volunteer for Discovery Clubs at Leeds Elementary beginning in September. Discovery Clubs are Bible Clubs that meet in public elementary schools after-school hours. These clubs are freely offered and teach the Gospel while also building foundations for life, developing character and changing our communities. For more information, please call (205) 941.9852.

Job openings this week: Sonic Drive-In and the travel company inside Bass Pro Shop. Lehigh Cement will be hiring Servicemen for their Leeds Plant Operations. All candidates should submit their resumes and applications to: Ambassador Staffing, 2301 Moody Parkway, Suite 2, Moody, AL 35004. Publix Job Fair is scheduled for Sept. 10-18 at Moody City Hall.

Here’s a thought for the week: “Believe in your dreams, they were given to you for a reason!” ~ Author Unknown

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. See you next week!

Additional Calendar Events:

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Leeds will conduct a Ribbon Cutting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10 for “Faith Cuts” new barber shop located at 7300 Parkway Drive, right beside where you turn to go the High School.

Community Kids Closet Consignment Sale is scheduled for Sept. 18-19 at Community Presbyterian Church. For more information, please visit their website at www.communitypca.net/new-page.

The 5^th Annual C & C Motors & Carpenetti’s Car Show and Live Auction is scheduled for Saturday, October 3 from 8 a.m. until 3 PM. Registration is $10. All proceeds benefit the Moody Miracle League.