There is officially 15 days until Christmas and December is proving to be a busy month, as always.

A lot is happening on the business front. PUBLIX opened last Wednesday bright and early starting with a 6:45 a.m. ribbon cutting. Verizon Wireless hosted a re-grand opening ribbon cutting celebrating the renovation of their retail store in the same shopping center.

St. Clair Animal Care veterinary hospital is now open for business on Moody Parkway. The property was purchased by Dr. Russell and Karen Bean who own Branchville Animal Hospital and this facility underwent a complete renovation. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 10:30 a.m.

Engineered Plastics Components (EPC) in Leeds, which located in Leeds from Iowa last year bringing 110 new jobs, is nearing completion on a new 55,000 square foot expansion. This expansion will create even more jobs. EPC manufactures plastic parts, mostly for the automotive industry.

Congratulations to the recipients of The Red Barn President’s Volunteer Service Awards. Allison Morhard, Karen Evans and Randall Williams received the Bronze Award and Adam Simpson received the Gold Award. These four honorees served a combined total of over 700 hours of volunteer service during the past calendar year.

The Moody MerryMakers have a full scheduled planned for December, including Line Dancing with Edna on Monday, Dec. 14, Bingo with Acmar Methodist Church on Tuesday, Dec. 15, Let’s Have Fun with Kermith Jackson on Wednesday, Dec. 16 and Bible Study with Pastor Arzell on Thursday, Dec. 17. If you are a senior and would like to be part of what’s happening with this moving and grooving group, please contact Addie Duke at (205) 640-2536.

Congratulations to the Leeds Green Wave for their achievements as Alabama State Champions for the second year in a row – Go Greenies!

Alfa Insurance Moody is accepting donations of canned goods and paper products for the Shepherd Supply Mission to help needy families in Moody. Drop off your donations at 2301 Moody Parkway.

Sponsors are needed for Foster Children’s Christmas through The Forgotten Initiative Christmas Gift Sponsor Program. There are approximately 87 St. Clair County children in foster care and they are still in need of gift cards for foster teens so they can shop for a new outfit or shoes. Please contact Carissa Wright, TFI Advocate – St. Clair County, at (205) 602-8461 or tfi.stclaircounty@gmail.com and she will need the gift cards no later than Dec. 13.

The City of Moody Toys for Kids Luncheon on Friday was a huge success again this year. Toys for Kids supports children from birth to 12 years old, and older children with special needs are taken into consideration.

Crossroads Christian School will be hosting a FREE seminar, “How to Get Started Homeschooling”, today, Dec. 10, from 2-3:30 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church in Moody.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host their Christmas luncheon at 11:30 a.m. today, Dec. 10. Special Christmas entertainment and fun is planned so you will not want to miss this event. Lunch is $10 with RSVP ($15 without) and RSVP to Andrea Machen, Executive Director, at (205) 640-6262.

Leeds Planning & Zoning Commission is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. today, Dec. 10, at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

Don’t forget the Leeds Christmas Parade this Friday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. and the Moody Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m.

Bring your child to Breakfast with Santa cow and Elf cow at Chick-fil-A Leeds between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. this Saturday, Dec. 12.

Leeds Area Visual Artist (LAVA) Christmas Art Sale will be held on Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center with lots of unique gifts to choose from for your friends and family so plan to drop in.

A Christmas Carol at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center will conclude this weekend with performances through Sunday, Dec. 13. For reservations call (205) 699-1892 or email leedsartscouncil@windstream.net and tickets are $10.

Moody City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14, at Moody City Hall.

Moody Kiwanis Club is scheduled to meet at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Moody City Hall.

Leeds Board of Zoning Adjustments, Leeds Construction Variance Board and Leeds Flood Damage Prevention Variance Board are scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Leeds Civic Center Meeting Room.

Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Ambassadors are scheduled to host their monthly Ambassador luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at Leeds First Methodist Church Family Life Center. Lunch is $10 and RSVP to Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at (205) 699-5001.

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce will host their annual Chamber Awards Luncheon next Thursday, Dec. 17, at 11:45 a.m. Citizen of the Year Business of the Year, Non-profit of the Year and Ambassador of the Year Awards will be presented. Miss Leeds Area, Briana Kinsey, will sing and new officers and board members will be installed by Mayor David Miller. Lunch is $12 with RSVP and $15 without. RSVP to Sandra McGuire at (205) 699-5001.

Leeds Family Chiropractic will host a Chamber After Hours next Thursday, Dec. 17, from 5-7 p.m. at their newly renovated office located at 1101 Higrove Parkway, Suite 113. This is a free event. If you haven’t seen their new office, please plan to take a tour. For more information about Drs. Rick and Jill Palma, please visit their website at leedsfamilychiropractic.com

The Music Room in Leeds is hosting a Winter Music Camp Dec. 28, 29 and 30. Contact jessica@themusicroomleeds.com for more information.

Job Opening This Week: Delivery Driver at Aarons (jobs.aarons.com)

Here’s a thought for the week: “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” ~ Nora Roberts

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 dona@adrbms.com. See you next week!