AUGUST 2016 | Vol. 14, No. 8

CHAMBER CHATTER

845 Valley Street • Montevallo, Alabama 35115 • montevallochamber@gmail.com • www.montevallocc.com • 205-665-1519

CHAMBER COMMENT

SILVER BUSINESS PARTNERUNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO

CHAMBER BUSINESS PARTNERSBOB BUTTERWORTHARGOS CEMENT LLC

MONTEVALLO FAMILY DENTISTRYMONTEVALLO DRUGTRUSTMARK BANK

REGIONS BANK

PREMIUM MEMBERABSOLUTE VAPE

For additional information about how to become a Chamber Business Partner, Silver, Gold, or Diamond Business Partner, contact Chamber Director Steve Gilbert (205) 665-1519

Chamber News This month I want to talk about partnerships and look at the involvement of numerous groups in the success of several community projects. The Montevallo Development Cooperative District, MDCD for short, is just one of the partnerships committed to community development. This partnership between the University of Montevallo, Shelby County, and the City of Montevallohas produced the renovation of three downtown properties: now home to the Main Street Tavern, Barnes and Noble Book Store and The University of Montevallo on Main. It has also produced the UM Women’s Softball Stadium in Orr Park, a track and field facility, that is open to the public for walking and running, and numerous improvements to the Stephens Park Sports Facility. The bottom line is this; they all have an economic impact on our community. UMOM for example places close to 800 students a day in classrooms in a downtown building. These students carry with them a meal card that has dollars they can spend at our restaurants. In its first year of existence it added almost $200,000 in sales at local restaurants. That involvement means jobs and local businesses prosper and remain open. The Main Street Tavern and Barnes and Noble provide sales tax revenue to the city. The softball stadium and the track and field facility draw teams, coaches and spectators to Montevallo. Stephens Park hosts numerous Travel Ball tournaments every month. These visitors eat in our restaurants, buy gas, and shop at local merchants. It is the small items that make an impact on city revenue.Another partnership is First Battalion Shelby County. This partnership and working agreement among the six volunteer fire departments in south Shelby County provides us all with enhanced fire protection and emergency medical services. This dedicated group of volunteers helps us maintain good ISO fire ratings, which help our merchants and local residents save money on fire insurance. The Advanced Life Support Unit (ALS) of First Battalion provides emergency medical service with transport capability, meaning advanced care on scene with no waiting for ambulance transport. The Chamber’s partnership with the IDB, the City of Montevallo, the Montevallo Project (Main Street) and the other respective chambers in Shelby County mean better benefits for our members. We each have our areas of influence, but are dedicated to helping our partner organizations work toward common economic goals for each community represented. My final point is this; partnerships work, but only because of the leadership and vision from dedicated individuals, some elected, and others that volunteer for the good of the community. Thank you to our partners. The numbers tell the story of success

July 29th - Ribbon cutting 4:00 PM at Lucky Penny Boutique, 626 Main Street, Montevallo, Next to El Agave.

* * * * *Chamber Luncheon August 17th Networking 11:30 Am Lunch at Noon “Growing Alabama’s Economy One Small Business at a Time” Guest Speakers Emily Moore and Matt Wilson. Alabama Small Business Development Center. Lunch $12 Per person.

INVESTMENT GROUP RIBBON CUTTINGFront (L-R): Chris McRee, Rachel McRee, Maggie Hall, Chuck Buttel, Don Kilpatrick, Richard Patrissi; Second row: LeahAnne Webb, Phil Hurst, Carol Buttel, Cheryl Patton, Beverly Kilpatrick, Adele Nelson, Susan Lehman; Third row: Steve Gilbert and Sarah Hogan.

SEA SAMMY RIDE - Motorcycle RideShelby Emergency Assistance Fundraiser 8am registration / 9am kick stands up UM - Alabama Traffic Safety CenterInfo call : 205.665.1942

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Calendar of EVENTSAUGUST 2016

EVERY FRIDAY - Main St. Tavern Open Mic hosted by Chase StewartEVERY SATURDAY - Main St. Tavern - Live Acoustic Music

9 First Day of School for students at Shelby County Schools

TUESDAY

19 UM - Freshman Move-In Day, 8-5

FRIDAY

22 UM - First Day of Classes

UM Back-To-School Bash4-6 p.m. on Main Quad

POKEMON GOES TO MAIN ST.From 3:30-7 p.m.the Poke stops along Main Street will ight up to lure everyone including new UM Freshmen to downtown Montevallo. Check the Chamber’s Facebook page for announcements of special gym tournaments and photo contests at local businesses.

MONDAY

SATURDAY

7 Montevallo First Baptist Churchcelebrates 160 years (Service at 10 a.m)

SUNDAY

4 M.E.S. Meet the Teacher Night

THURSDAY

12 Montevallo Main Street Players“A 1940’S RADIO SHOW FEATURINGCASABLANCA” at 7 PMParnell Memorial Library Theatre

RECYCLING DAY

FRIDAY

13 Montevallo Main Street Players“A 1940’S RADIO SHOW FEATURINGCASABLANCA” at 7 PMParnell Memorial Library Theatre

SATURDAY

14 Montevallo Main Street Players“A 1940’S RADIO SHOW FEATURINGCASABLANCA” at 2 PMParnell Memorial Library Theatre

SUNDAY

MHS Bulldogs vs. West Blocton7 PM, Home Game

University of MontevalloEarly Bird Twilight “Under the Lights”First race at 6:20 p.m.

RECYCLING DAY

26FRIDAY

6 UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY atAlmont Park, 255 Davis-Hawkins Street8:00 AM-1:00 PM, Free Fun & GamesSATURDAY

17 CHAMBER LUNCHEON, Parnell LibraryNetworking at 11:30, Lunch at Noon“Growing Alabama’s Economy One Small Business at a Time”WEDNESDAY

WOMEN’S SYMPOSIUM “SWAP MEETING”10-3, Shelby Springs District Building1838 Hwy 84 West in Calera

15th ANNUAL CARS BY THE CREEKCar Show, 9 to 3, Orr Park

SATURDAY

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National Farmers Market Week is August 7 - 13SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS MARKET¡

MMP HOLDS REGISTRATION FOR 2016-2017 Montevallo Methodist Preschool is conducting 16/17 school year registration for the new 2 year old and the 3 year old class and compiling a waiting list for the 4 year old class. The 2 and 3 year old classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30-12:00. Fours meet Monday-Friday for the same hours. To register your child, call the church office, 665-7535 or 665-7541 or visit the website https://mmpschool234.wordpress.com/parental-info. Please call or email the Director if you have any questions,mmpreschool@yahoo.com.

MONTEVALLO FIRST BAPTIST CELEBRATES 160 YEARS Montevallo First Baptist Church will celebrate their 160th Anniversary on August 7, 2016 beginning at 10 a.m. The speaker will be Dr. Bob Terry. Pastor is Dr. Terry Sutton. Homecoming lunch will be at 12 noon. To RSVP or for more information, call: 205-665-2566.WOMEN’S SYMPOSIUM A “Swap Meeting” Women’s Symposium will be hosted by Stop The Madness Outreach Ministry and The Encouragement Learning Foundation Inc. on Saturday, August 20th from 10-3 at Shelby Springs District Building located at 1838 Hwy 84 West in Calera. The theme is “MY Rags for HIS Righteousness”. The event is free but registration is required. For registration and ticket information call 205-532-0176 or 205-602-1029. Lunch will be provided.UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY IS AUG. 6th Unity in the Community, a fun day in Almont Park will be held on Saturday, August 6th from 8 until 1. This event is FREE and everyone is encouraged to attend. Activities include free fun and games, face painting, a games workshop, space bounce, literature, and hamburgers and hotdogs. This event is sponsored by the surrounding area churches. Almont Park is located at 255 Davis-Hawkins Street, Montevallo, AL.

SONSHINE CHILD DEVELOPMENT REGISTRATION SonShine Child Development Center, a ministry of Southside Baptist Church, is now registering for the fall term. We will be caring for children ages 6 weeks through 4 years. We are located at 340 Hicks Street. You can reach us by phone at 205-476-8083 or by email at sonshine6@gmail.com. Don’t wait! Enrollment is limited. Open House will be Sunday, August 7th, from 3-5 p.m.AMERICAN VILLAGE TEMPORARY HOURS Due to major building maintenance projects (painting, roofing, floor finishing, etc.) and repaving that have been scheduled, the American Village will be closed on certain days in August and operate on a limited tour schedule the last week of July and part of August and September. The schedule is as follows: • CLOSURE FOR MAJOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE PROJECTS: Saturday, July 30 through Sunday, August 21 • LIMITED TOURS (Not all buildings available for programming) - $5 ADMISSION - Monday, July 25 through Friday, July 29 and August 22 through September 23Regular public tours and school programs resume on Monday, September 26. Regular closing schedule. The Village is also CLOSED on Saturdays and Sundays and will be CLOSED on Labor Day, September 5 Thank you for your patience during this time. If you have any questions, please contact us by calling (205) 665-3535.

We’ll start with a huge THANK YOU to Montevallo Elementary School for hosting us for the first 6 weeks of our summer program. This space allows us to more than double the number of kids we can serve and provides more than 10 additional part-time jobs for a great group of youth development staff members. Our members are ending the summer in Myrick Hall at the University of Montevallo and we are equally grateful to them for this space. One of our members commented “we must be really smart if we get to go right from elementary school to college!” I told him he was exactly right, that he and our other members really ARE smart (but I didn’t have the heart to tell him he still had to go to middle and high school before college!) Even as we are wrapping another awesome summer, we are busy planning an equally terrific After-School Program. Sign up for that is underway now. You can register for all the school year fun by coming by the Park & Rec building located at 420 Vine Street in Montevallo. The fee is $75 per month (in addition to the $25 annual membership fee). At this location kids age 6 to 12 from Montevallo and Calera are served, while older kids up to age 18 can join the Teen Center (call 626-8222 for more information about the Teen Center). As always we are looking for volunteers of all ages (13 and up) who want to make a difference in the lives of an amazing group of kids. Volunteering at our Clubs can involve as much or as little time as you have to give. Please consider changing a life while having your own life changed as well! For more information about this, call 205-665-4466.

WELCOME BACK MES FAMILIES! MES PTO is gearing up for Back to School! Come by our PTO table at Meet the Teacher on August 4th and Parent Nights (tba) to find out how you can join PTO, volunteer in the school, become a Parent Partner in Education, or sign up your company or community group as a Business Partner in Education. We will also have new T-shirt designs to add to your new school wardrobe. MES raises funds in two specific ways. Our fundraisers come from MES for General Funds or from the MES PTO. While both support our MES students, General Funds are very specified. PTO funds are used to help supplement General Funds for needed items, as well as provide additional funds for students, teacher or school needs not provided for by the General Fund. Our PTO, now in the 2nd year of Parent and Business Partners in Education programs, with Parent and Community help, we are able to raise funds without having our students sell door to door for PTO. We also raise funds through MES Spirit Nights as local restaurants give a percentage of their sells back to MES PTO on designated days. Look for these upcoming dates and support our school while enjoying great food here in Montevallo. These programs along with t-shirt / spirit gear sells and grants allow us to provide items for the students, teachers, classrooms and for the school. We are currently using PTO funds to turn our courtyard into an outdoor classroom garden. We look forward to announcing a grand opening later this a fall. We welcome you to come be a part of our school and PTO and look forward to sharing involvement opportunities with you!

typeshopinc@aol.com616 Main St. • Montevallo, AL

205-665-5818 • Fax 205-665-0411

COPY• FAX • PRINTING • STAMPS• INVITATIONS • SPIRAL BINDING, ETC.

BOYS AND GIRLS

CLUB NEWS

MONTEVALLO MIDDLE SCHOOL BACK-TO-SCHOOL Montevallo Middle School PTO is currently in a reorganization phase so as the principal I would like to reflect on MMS. We would like to welcome four new faculty members to its roster. Lucie Harding (6th grade English), Ashley Davis (Collaboration), James Rogers (Band Director) and Shahalini Gilbert (Collaboration) have joined the MMS staff. This year has brought a few structural changes to the school. Newly renovated cafeteria and locker rooms are welcomed additions to our prior renovations. Montevallo Middle School’s scholars bowl team traveled to New Orleans in May to compete in a national academic competition. Although the team did not advance to the final round, the team members made a great showing by winning over half of their matches. We are so proud of this team and their sponsors. We plan to return to this competition next year in full competitive mode.We will continue to participate in the Alabama Chess Ini tiative. During this past year our chess team was able to attend several competitions and received a few trophies, ribbons, and medals for first and second placements. We are planning a few community-wide chess activities during this school year. We are proud of our faculty/student mentoring program and would like to extend the Big Brother/Big Sister program. We need adult volunteers to help mentor some of our students. With the support of the Montevallo community, we are looking forward to another successful school year.

Shelia Lewis, Ed.S / Principal / MMS

MONTEVALLO HIGH SCHOOL BACK-TO-SCHOOL The Montevallo High School parent teacher student or-ganization has plans on establishing a new fundraiser this year by selling concessions at the Homecoming Community Pep Rally on Thursday October 6th. The money raised is going to help provide awards for A/B Honor Roll students for each nine weeks, student of the month for all levels, teacher of the month, and staff support person of the month. One of our long-range goals is to have the funding in place to provide teachers with mini-grants to help them out in their classrooms. We always welcome assistance at the MHS PTO so please join with only a diminutive donation per family. For more information please contact Dawn Cabrera at dcabrera@shelbyed.org

AUGUST SCHEDULE

COMING NEXT MONTH: ESOL Registration and the first class will take place on Thursday, September 1st at 6:00 p.m. The Main Street Players will present a 40s variety show on the following dates: Friday, August 12th, and Saturday, August 13th at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, August 14th at 2:00 p.m. Computer Class will NOT meet in August. See you in September!

TUESDAYSAugust 2nd: After School Movie, Call for Title at 3:30 p.m. (new animated DVD about wolves meeting some dinosaurs.)August 9th: After School Movie, Call for Title at 3:30 p.m. (new animated dvd about a polar bear in NYC)August 16th: After School Movie, Call for Title at 3:30 p.m. (new animated DVD about a sheep in the big city (hmmm….)August 23rd: After School Movie, Call for Title at 3:30 p.m. (new DVD about a girl )August 30th: After School Movie, Call for Title at 3:30 p.m. (new DVD about a girl trying to help dogs)

WEDNESDAYS Storytime with Mr. Mac every Wednesday at 9:15 a.m.

FRIDAYSAugust 28th: Lego Club. Just show up and build! 3:15 - 4:30 p.m.

Our clubs will not meet in August as we prepare for Sum-mer Reading 2015! Check with us in late August for our pro-gram schedule for June and July! All programs including crafts and movies are subject to change at the library’s discretion. Library event calendars are available at the circulation desk. All library events are free to the public unless specifi-cally indicated.

Children’s Policy: Parents and caregivers are responsible for monitoring the activities and behavior of their children while in the library. Children in the 5th grade or ages 10 and younger August not be left unattended in any part of the library. Laptops are available for use in the library so you are able to supervise your child while he or she is playing in the children’s depart-ment. During a library-sponsored program, a parent or anoth-er responsible person 16 years of age or older must remain in the library and meet the child at the end of the program. For more information visit our website at www.cityofmonte-vallo.com

THIS MONTH AT Library Hours:Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Tuesday: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

www.cityofmontevallo.com

MONTEVALLO MAIN STREET PLAYERS Make plans to experience “A 1940’s Radio Show Fea-turing Casablanca” this month. Get “In the Mood” for an eve-ning of radio nostalgia as we take a sentimental, fun-filled journey back to 1944 and experience the entertainment world of the greatest generation. During the first act of our variety show, feel free to dance in the aisles with our own boogie woogie bugle boy and other talented local musicians as they play and sing favorites from the Big Band Era. See Lee Barry, Traffic Lady for 97.7FM The Peach, in a cameo role in a kid’s radio play. After the intermission, settle back into your seat and see what some have called the best movie of all time, “Casa-blanca”, performed for radio before your eyes. Witness the creation of live sound effects and feel the tension build dur-ing the live organ interludes. Wax nostalgic with us as Ilsa says, “Play it, Sam” and Sam responds by singing “As Time Goes By”. If you’d like to enjoy a local community theater produc-tion with your friends and family, this is a show you won’t want to miss. One weekend only! Show dates are Aug. 12 and 13 at 7pm and Aug 14 at 2pm at the Parnell Memorial Library Theater. Visit our website at www.montevallomain-streetplayers.org for more information.

Join the Chamber today!

UM CHILD STUDY HAS OPENINGS The University of Montevallo Child Study Center has limited enrollment opportunities for 3 and 4 year olds. We have a Nationally-accredited Preschool program for 3 and4 year old children. It is the only program in Shelby Countythat is accredited by NAEYC. For information or registrationforms, call the Family and Consumer Sciences Office at 205-665-6385.

UM PREPARES FOR STUDENT RETURN The University of Montevallo is busy preparing for another school year. UM’s 2016 Welcome Weekend will be held from Friday, August 19 to Sunday, August 21. The University will welcome new students for Freshman Move-In Day on Friday, August 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Upperclassmen will move in Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21. Volunteers are needed to welcome new students to campus and assist with moving operations. Those interested in volunteering should contact the UM Housing Office at housing@montevallo.edu for more information. The UM Back-to-School Bash will be on Monday, August 22 from 4-6 p.m. on Main Quad. The Back-to-School Bash gives new students and returning students the opportunity to learn about campus activities, Greek life, campus clubs, local organizations and local businesses. Area businesses and organizations interested in participating will need to provide a table and contact Cassandra Moore at cmoore16@montevallo.edu to sign up.

The Deadline is the 15th of each month for the next issue.

Email: montevallochamber@gmail.comDrop off or mail copy to:

845 Valley Street, Montevallo, AL 35115

Or call us:205-665-1519

EARLY BIRD TWIGHLIGHT “UNDER THE LIGHTS” The Early Bird Twilight “Under the Lights” will be held on Friday, August 26th at the UM Cross Course. Race Time schedule is: Middle School Girls (3k) 6:20 p.m., Middle School Boys (3k) 6:40 p.m., Purple High School Girls (5k) 5A-7A - 7:00 p.m., Purple Hgh School Boys (5k) 5A-7A - 7:30 p.m., High School Girls (5k) 1A-4A - 8:00 p.m., Gold High School Girls (5k) 5A-7A - 9:00 p.m., and Gold High School Boys (5k) 5A-7A at 9:30 p.m. Gold races are for top 10 athletes from eac team. The rest will compete in the Purple races. The extra race will not cost an additional entry fee. Entry deadline is Tuesday, August 23rd. There is a $5 per person admission (kids 12 and under are free). Parking is free. There will be concessions for purchase. For registration fees or to register call www.alabamarunners.com or contact Tommy Barksdale at tbarksdale@montevallo.edu, (205) 602-4633.

Crossword Puzzle

A D S H O W

N A Y C A R H O P

T I N D E R B O X B

S C O L D A B L E

T P L Y O E R

A P S E T W I T

B R O A S H H

B O O K S H O E S

Y T E D I O U S L Y

P S E U D O P O I

N E E Y E N

Across

Magazines are full of them1.

What, where, who, when, why and ____4.

Opposite of "Yea"7.

Rollerskating waitress8.

A single spark could set it off10.

Upbraid13.

Ready, willing and _____14.

Do this with a trade17.

Poet's word for above18.

Part of a cathedral19.

Numbskull22.

Male friend, slangily23.

What's left after a fire24.

Reserve a flight or hotel room26.

Footwear28.

With great labor31.

Greek prefix meaning "false"34.

Hawaiian dish made from taro root35.

"Previously named"36.

Powerful craving37.

Down

Hardworking insect1.

Raised platform for a ceremony2.

'N____ (boy band from the 90's)3.

Thomas ______ wrote Jude the Obscure4.

Sphere5.

Word for getting horses to stop6.

Small room for a prisoner8.

U-shaped bend in a river9.

Numbskull11.

Give angry people a wide ______12.

Necklace made of flowers15.

Type of house cat16.

Opposite of amateur20.

These build-up inside chimneys21.

Antiquated way of saying "you"22.

A parenthetical remark24.

Do this to pesky insects25.

Sharp-edged27.

To catch sight of29.

____ Gin Fizz30.

Give credit where it's _____32.

Yang's partner33.

Created by Steve Forrester

Answers to last Month’sCrossword

Puzzle >

Crossword Puzzle

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12

13 14 15

16 17

18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29

30 31 32 33

34 35 36

37 38

39 40

Across

Sleep _____ (breathing problem while asleep)

1.

Proper way to address a lady6.

Famous American meat stew11.

Basic shape made from 6 squares12.

Easily find this on the beach13.

Single16.

Hammered one board to another17.

Depend18.

Choose one ___ from a set of dice20.

Have this candied at Thanksgiving21.

This replaced the VHS tape23.

Uncooked26.

Relaxation28.

Rock band helper30.

Latin for "thing"33.

One sentence in two or more lines of verse34.

Injury memento37.

Rocky outcropping38.

____ of Endearment 39.

Dangerous gas40.

Down

Agreement1.

This used to only make calls2.

In a friendly way3.

Large deer4.

Suffer from an illness5.

Accomplish7.

One on one8.

Can do the job9.

Blend10.

Finish14.

Spoken aloud15.

Outermost part of a sailing ship's mast19.

Severely harm22.

Mended socks24.

Decrease25.

Spiders weave this27.

All ___ __ go? (2 words)29.

Need this after hard work30.

"____ upon a time..."31.

Loose or slightly open32.

Deface35.

Important time period36.

Crossword Puzzle

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

11 12

13 14 15

16 17

18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29

30 31 32 33

34 35 36

37 38

39 40

Across

Sleep _____ (breathing problem while asleep)

1.

Proper way to address a lady6.

Famous American meat stew11.

Basic shape made from 6 squares12.

Easily find this on the beach13.

Single16.

Hammered one board to another17.

Depend18.

Choose one ___ from a set of dice20.

Have this candied at Thanksgiving21.

This replaced the VHS tape23.

Uncooked26.

Relaxation28.

Rock band helper30.

Latin for "thing"33.

One sentence in two or more lines of verse34.

Injury memento37.

Rocky outcropping38.

____ of Endearment 39.

Dangerous gas40.

Down

Agreement1.

This used to only make calls2.

In a friendly way3.

Large deer4.

Suffer from an illness5.

Accomplish7.

One on one8.

Can do the job9.

Blend10.

Finish14.

Spoken aloud15.

Outermost part of a sailing ship's mast19.

Severely harm22.

Mended socks24.

Decrease25.

Spiders weave this27.

All ___ __ go? (2 words)29.

Need this after hard work30.

"____ upon a time..."31.

Loose or slightly open32.

Deface35.

Important time period36.

Join the Chamber today!

EVERY 4TH MONDAYMontevallo Cooperative Development District (MCDD)4 p.m., Meets at Parnell Library

EVERY TUESDAYBoy Scout Troop 525, 6:30 p.m., Scout Lodge

EVERY THURSDAYMontevallo Chorale, 7-9 p.m., Meets in the Choir Room of Davis Hall

EVERY THURSDAYCub Scout Pack 525, 6:30 p.m., Scout Lodge

EVERY 2ND WEDNESDAYMontevallo Water & Sewer Board Meeting, 9:00 a.m.

COMMUNITY MEETING CALENDAREVERY 1ST TUESDAYHistorical Commission, 6:30 p.m., City Hall

EVERY 2ND SUNDAYMontevallo Acceptance Project, 2 p.m., in the GLOCO Builiding, 845 Valley Street

EVERY 2ND & 4TH MONDAYCity Council Meeting6:00 p.m., City Hall, 5:30 p.m. Work Session

EVERY 2ND & 4TH MONDAYMontevallo Civitan Club, 5:45 p.m., UBC

CITY OF MONTEVALLO NEWS

Mayor’s Message... Crafting the vision for Main Street: Our future is so bright! Put on your shades and get ready Montevallo! During July, The Monte-vallo Project Team (MVP), under the leadership of Main Street Director, Ms. Sarah Hogan and committee chair Ms. Tiffany Bunt, had the distinct pleasureof hosting multiple town-hall meetings to develop the city’s shared vision of Main Street. This vision did not focus solely on the physical features of Main Street but on the heart and soul of the district itself, integrating features of design, orga-nization, promotion and economic vitality. Main Street Ala-bama’s professional resource team led these meetings and presented this vision at a culminating meeting at Montevallo First Baptist Church. So, it is now my distinct pleasure to pres-ent key elements, slightly edited due to space constraints. “Downtown Montevallo is known as the social center and pre-serves the community identity of their small town atmosphere where everyone knows not just your name but your parents name too! The walkability, accessibility and proximity the Uni-versity, the potential of the downtown and historic buildings and great nearby public amenities are the pride of Montevallo. ……” “Tapping into the enthusiasm and vision for the future, Montevallo Main Street has united with forward thinking lead-ers within both the public and private sectors to form a realis-tic action plan resulting in the renovation of historic buildings and storefronts along with quality downtown redevelopment projects that attract both businesses and customers.…. “ “Hometown families and those from surrounding commu-nities are drawn to the welcoming and friendly area to enjoy festivals, food, outdoor dining, quality entertainment district and musical attractions. Montevallo Main Street will partner with the local school district to co-host events to bring the schools and the community together to celebrate the positive things that are happening with the children of the community. Locals as well as those in adjacent counties support thriving homegrown businesses including restaurants such as a dine-in brick oven pizza place, a variety of retail shops including a hardware store and antique shops, unique specialty mer-chants and maker spaces. Downtown is the heart and soul of Montevallo and a source of pride for all who live here.” Following the vision, members of the team presented re-markably engaging and realistic ways of paving the path for a better Montevallo, drawing visitors into town, retaining our youth and encouraging families to relocate to our unconven-tional oasis. Just to give you a teaser, here is a snapshot of these ideas: redesigning the old Triple T’s into a welcome cen-ter with a distinct community entryway, placing “I AM Monteval-lo” posters all over town with quotes from distinctive citizens, hosting an annual wood-carving festival with accompanying workshops, carving distinct niches into unassuming spaces. To view the complete presentation with a full audio file, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5liVCpcdJk. As you review, you may have other ideas and input. Whether your input is a critique or an accolade, we want to hear it! Feel free to send it to shogan@cityofmontevallo.com and/or attend a follow-up meeting on August 9th, time and location TBA on our city Facebook Page and beyond.

I am absolutely thrilled about what the future holds for Montevallo and can’t wait to share this ride with you. We should all be especially grateful that we have Sarah Hogan leading our Main Street program. She is dedi-cated, professional and truly embraces the ideals of our city. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Mayor. Mayor Hollie C. Cost

CHAMBER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM UNDERWAY The Chamber’s Ambassador Program is now underway. Chamber Ambassadors are appointed to help assist with programs and functions such as Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies, Business After Hours, Membership Assistance and Chamber Luncheons. We are proud to announce our new Ambassadors. Adele Nelson, Chairman, Terry Bruno, Susan Lehman, Patricia Honeycutt and Melinda Bennett. For more information on the Ambassador Program contact Adele Nelson or Steve Gilbert at the Chamber Office 665-1519 or via email at montevallochamber@gmail.com

Shelby County Reporter is starting their Best of the Best contest from July 18th until August 12. You can nominate your favorite coffee shop, pharmacist, vet,tech repair, florist and many more. Help support our local businesses with your vote. Go to the Shelby County reporter web site or better yet pick up a copy and Support Montevallo!