The Sears Hometown Store in Leeds opens next week, August 18. This is the second retail endeavor by Bobby and Roxanne Nix. This couple initially opened Right Stuff Thrift Store to assist in funding Right Stuff Ministries, a “Fathering” ministry to work with at-risk children. Up to this point, Right Stuff Ministries operated solely on outside donations. Bobby felt the call into the ministry some time ago, but not as a pastor. With so many children growing up in homes without both parents, he felt the call to mentor children, primarily at-risk boys, to teach them to be better citizens and better fathers and be the role model that many of these children just do not have. Right Stuff Thrift Store grew successfully from day one and two years ago, it was re-branded as Right Stuff Bargain Center with a huge renovation and expansion to include new and gently used items for that bargain conscious shopper. With the Leeds Commons Shopping Center revitalization project on the Parkway, other old storefronts that were once empty are now being filled this year with new retail stores including Farmers Home Furniture, Workout Anytime and Daylight Donuts. Bobby feels pride in contributing to the revitalization with not only one retail store in this shopping center, but now two with the opening of the new Sears Hometown Store. Bobby is all about Christian Community Development, which he describes as living life together as Christians, raising our families, contributing to society with our ministries or whatever God has called us to do, developing businesses and living out our purpose. This idea could definitely have an impact on the socio-economic development of our entire community. The Sears store will provide great customer service along with an incredible selection of top appliance brands such as Kenmore, Maytag, KitchenAid, Whirlpool, Samsung, Frigidaire, LG and GE, plus a large assortment of lawn and garden equipment, Craftsman tools, fitness equipment, mattresses, and access to all Sears products through the in-store computer kiosks. This Leeds Hometown Location will also offer Sears Nationwide service, parts and installation and is authorized as an American Appliance Expert. Be sure to stop in, see the new store, check out the new appliances and make a purchase. As we all pull together for the greater good of the Leeds/Moody area, let’s support our local retailers. Shop our local area first. When you shop local, your purchase strengthens and enriches our community. Let’s give the new Sears Hometown Store a big welcome and thank the Bobby Nix family for their positive contributions to the greater Leeds area.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce Political Forum will be held at 11:30 a.m. today, August 11 at Moody City Hall. This is an opportunity to learn more about candidates that are running for local office in the upcoming election. Candidates for Moody Municipal Election include: Mayor – Joe Lee, Place 1 – Linda Crowe (incumbent), Place 1 – Clyde M. Jones, Place 2 – Lynn Taylor (incumbent, unopposed), Place 3 – Matt Morris, Place 3 – Larry Snyder, Place 4 – Jeff Green (incumbent), Place 4 – Nick Rutledge, Place 5 – Ricky Parker (incumbent, unopposed). Please send your questions for the candidates to chamber@moodyalabama.gov or call (205) 640-6262. To attend the forum, an RSVP is required. Lunch is $10 for Chamber Members and $15 for Non-Members.

The Leeds Arts Council is proud to announce the appearance of Alan Tedders and Terry Padgett as Willie & Waylon and Elvis performing at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 13 at Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. The Outlaws and the King are back! Since February 2014, Terry and Alan have performed several times as the legends’ duo in Alabama and Tennessee- most recently and notably in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at the Cyrus Family Theatre, The Tribute Theatre off Stoplight #3 in Pigeon Forge and at Wears Valley Music Barn in Sevierville. Tickets are $20. Seating will be around tables with eight people seated at each table. You may purchase individual tickets at $20 each or purchase a table for $160. Reservations are recommended but not required. Come dressed in your best western apparel and ready to have some fun! For reservations, call (205) 699-1892 or email leedsartscouncil@windstream.net.

The Leeds City Board of Education and the City of Leeds will conduct a Ribbon Cutting at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 13 at Homer Smiles Field celebrating the newly renovated football field. Also Dedication for the new Leeds Primary School will be Sunday, August 14 at 2 p.m.

Leeds City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, August 15 at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

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

Moody Kiwanis are scheduled to meet at noon on Tuesday, August 16 at Moody City Hall.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a city-wide Political Forum at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center for all local candidates that are running for Mayor and City Council seats. Tiffany Bittner will be their moderator for the evening and she will direct the questions to the candidates, no questions from the audience will be allowed. Questions for the candidates should be submitted to the chamber office by August 12 by email to Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com or send via mail to P.O. Box 900, Leeds, AL 35094. Names will be held in confidence of those submitting questions. Each candidate will be allowed to give a three minute Opening Remark Statement, followed by questions to the four Mayoral candidates and the District 5 candidates. The Council Seats that are unopposed will not be asked to respond to questions. Qualified Candidates are: Mayor – John Dawson, Devoris Roscha Ragland-Pierce, John Patterson, David Miller; District 1 – Kenneth Washington – unopposed; District 2 – Eric Turner – unopposed; District 3 – Johnny Dutton – unopposed; District 4 – Ryan Bell – unopposed; District 5 – Linda Miller, Opal Ramsey, Staci Tawbush.

Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassadors will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 17 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Lunch is $10 and RSVP to m.k.davis2010@gmail.com.

Breakfast for the Brave will be served at 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 18 at the Leeds River Campus. If you are policeman, fireman, EMT or other first responder in the greater Leeds area, please come by for a free breakfast and fellowship. For more information, please visit EdenWestside.org.

Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber Luncheon on Thursday, August 18 at Leeds First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Guest speaker will be Mayor David Miller. Lunch is $12 and payable at the door. Please RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (206) 966-9392 or Sandra@LeedsAreaChamber.com.

Children and mom’s consignment sale is scheduled for September 23-24 hosted by First Baptist Church of Moody. They are currently registering those interested to be a consignor. For more information, please visit: fbcclosetconsignment.weebly.com/.

Community Kids Closet is also accepting new and returning consigners for September 22-24 sale dates at Community Presbyterian Church in Moody. For more information, please visit communitypca.net.

Quote for the Week: “To raise a child, who is comfortable enough to leave you, means you’ve done your job. They are not ours to keep, but to teach how to soar on their own.” ~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!