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04-21-08 - FIRST EDUCATORS CREDIT UNION WINS A DIAMOND
04-15-08 - Jefferson County Introduces Grease Control Program
04-14-08 - John H. Sellers of Hoover is selected as Big Brother of the Year
04-02-08 - RE/MAX Associate Mary Milton Receives Distinguished Service Award
03-07-08 - MIKOS/KAMPAKIS COMPLETED IT'S 40TH YEAR IN HOOVER
03-07-08 - CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS AND PAK MAIL
01-03-08 - HIGHLAND TECHNICAL APPOINTS DAVIS TO VICE PRESIDENT
12-12-07 - Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith Shareholder Makes Presentation
12-12-07 - Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith Announces New Hires
11-17-07 - HOOVER WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD
10-11-07 - PHYSICIAN SERVICES EXPANDING AT PRINCETON HOOVER
08-20-07 - FORMER AUBURN FOOTBALL STAR
08-09-07 - Microchips Reunite Lost Pets with Owners
08-09-07 - Changing Spaces Moving, Inc.
08-03-07 - Birmingham Caregiver of the Year Selected
06-29-07 - Hoar Construction Honored
06-07-07 - NECK INJURY MORE PREVELENT IN WOMEN AND CHILDREN
FIRST EDUCATORS CREDIT UNION WINS A DIAMOND
MADISON, Wis. - First Educators Credit Union of Hoover, AL. has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association Marketing and Business Development Council with a Diamond Award during the councilís 15th annual conference and competition, held in Nashville, Tenn.
This year's awards competition received 1,300 entries, from which judges awarded Diamond Awards and Awards of Merit. The Diamond Award represents the pinnacle of credit union marketing and business development. First Educators Credit Union's "Thank A Teacher" campaign was recognized in the Community / PR Program category.
Steve Nix, President of First Educators Credit Union said, "The Thank A Teacher campaign is an appreciation campaign to salute teachers, administrators, staff and workers for their dedication. It's a way of letting the teachers and educators know that we appreciate everything they do. As a result of this campaign thousands of people responded by writing Thank You notes that were delivered to area schools and classroom teachers by our staff. "
First Educators Credit Union (formally Birmingham Credit Union) serves educators and residents of Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Talladega and Calhoun Counties and was chartered in 1935.
The campaign was created by Attaway Advertising, Inc. of Birmingham and included billboards, radio and television advertising, newspaper and magazine ads, internet and specialty advertising.
Judges evaluated entries based on strategy, design and production, creative concept, copy and communication, and results. A complete list of award winners is available online at
www.cunamarketingcouncil.org, by selecting the "2008 Diamond Awards" link, located in the "Events" pull-down menu.
For additional information, contact: Bill Attaway (205) 833-1336
bill@attawayadvertising.com
Jefferson County Introduces Grease Control Program
The Jefferson County Environmental Services Department, under the direction of the Jefferson County Commission, has the responsibility to collect, transport and treat sanitary sewage in Jefferson County. Jefferson County maintains over 2700 miles of sewer lines throughout the area.
When sewer lines are blocked, wastewater backs up until it overflows from manholes or building plumbing fixtures into storm drains, creeks or buildings. These overflows are referred to as Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs). SSOs violate the Clean Water Act and render Jefferson County subject to fines and other legal action. Investigations by Jefferson County Environmental Services Department have shown that grease is the leading cause of dry weather SSOs in the county and many of these dry weather SSOs have
been determined to be caused by Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) from food
service facilities.
When grease is disposed of directly into the sewer system it cools, solidifies and combines with other foreign materials in sewer line. Over a period of time this will restrict the flow through the pipe and in some cases completely block a sewer line.
In 2005 approximately 60% of SSOs were found to be caused by grease from
food service facilities. In response the Jefferson County Commission has implemented the Grease Control Program (GCP). This program is one of many steps taken by Jefferson County to eliminate SSOs and comply with the Clean Water Act and the Consent Decree. The Clean Water Act requires the elimination of all sanitary sewer overflows in our county.
The purpose of this program is to decrease the amount of fat, oil and grease being discharged into the sanitary sewer system and thereby reduce the number of dry
weather SSOs. The Grease Control Program will be evaluated periodically and will be modified as necessary to maximize its effectiveness.
Facts about the Grease Control Program:
* In October 2006, the Jefferson County Commission passed the Grease Control Ordinance #1778
* The Grease Control Ordinance covers approximately 3,000 food service facilities that are connected to the sewer
* Jefferson County GCP is a section of the Barton Laboratory Division of the Jefferson County Environmental Services Department
* There are 1671 Food Service Facilities that have filed an application for a GCP permit
* Grease Control Program inspectors began inspections of Food Service Facilities in June 2007
* The number of Food Service Facilities that have been inspected is 1610, as of April 2008
* There are 117 Food Service Facilities that have been determined, through inspection, to be non-compliant
* 16% of the Food Service Facilities in Jefferson County have attended training and information classes
Basic Components of the Grease Control Program:
* All Food Service Facilities are required to file an application for a permit and pay the permit fee
* The program requires a set schedule for the pumping and cleaning of traps and interceptors. Traps must be cleaned every 90 days and interceptors must be cleaned every 14 days
* All Food Service Facilities are required to keep detailed documentation of where and how the grease is being disposed
* Food Service Facilities must develop and implement an employee training program to assure Best Management Practices for proper disposal of grease
* Food Service Facilities are inspected on an annual basis
John H. Sellers of Hoover is selected as Big Brother of the Year
by Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Birmingham
John H. Sellers (BB) has been a part of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Birmingham (BBBS) program for about two years. John is currently matched with little brother, Donate Parker (LB) , who has been in the program for 5 years.
Though he participates in many community activities, John wanted to give back to the community in a personal way.
John has a go getter attitude, which is something that could benefit our kids. Since his match with Donate in 2006 he has occupied the LB with several community activities from speaking engagements with BBBS to flying to volunteering in the nursing home to feeding the homeless. The BB does fun activities with the LB like football games, baseball games, basketball games, video games, etc. As an effort to connect with his LB the BB purchased his first video game console, which shows great on a 52 inch screen TV. The BB quickly found out the reason for the addiction the youth have to video games. He has also introduced the LB to other activities, like jogging, tennis, walking, and golf.
John is a great supporter of the LB and he encourages the LB academically by rewarding monetarily. The BB has set the LB up with a saving account at a local credit union and he is teaching the LB about finances and saving.
John is extremely supportive of the agency. In the past, he monetarily sponsored his little brother for the Agency Christmas party along with other children. John not only mentors Donate but the entire family. He is a role model for the grandparent through his charity of attempting to secure a Habitat home for her family.
He is an influence on the parent who recently signed her other son up for the program because of the role Mr. Sellers plays in Donates life. John works with the entire family in an effort to help the parents and other children improve their interactions among themselves.
Donate's grandparent said, It has been a blessing that John came into Donate's life as his Big Brother. John and I are striving for the same goals to give Donate's a better future. John has played a big part in Donate's life and I am really supporting John as a Big Brother. Donate and I have been very blessed to have John in our life. The parent commented, It's been a blessing to have John as my son big brother. He really has put a lot of goals into his life. No matter what he had going on, he always been there through anything Donate need him for. He takes time with Donate.
Whenever Big Brother Big Sister has an outing John and Donate are there. To me, that shows Donate that there is a big brother that will love him and be there for him. Even when Donate has extra curricular activities at school, John is there to support and encourage him. He helps Donate with his book report and other academic work and I can't thank him enough for that. The best thing Donate like being with his big brother is when they went to camp and there was nobody big brother there but his and he loved that. John financially sponsored the LB at summer camp and the BB even came along as a chaperone. He is very supportive of the agency and participates in over 80% of outing activities sponsored by the agency.
John has been instrumental in securing UAB football tickets, basketball camps, and Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University series. Furthermore, John has volunteered at speaking engagements to sign up potential volunteers and he includes his little brother.
Each activity that the BB spends with his LB is a learning opportunity and a chance to make a difference in the way the LB thinks and perceives the world. The influence that the BB has on the LB and his family is enormous and the LB has already showed signs of developing strong leadership skills along with positive decision making skills.
RE/MAX Associate Mary Milton Receives Distinguished Service Award
Mary Milton, a real estate sales associate with RE/MAX Advantage Central in Hoover, received the Distinguished Service Award from the RE/MAX Dixie Region. The award was presented on February 8, 2008, during the RE/MAX Dixie Region Alabama Success Celebration at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center. Nearly 500 RE/MAX sales associates were in attendance at the awards luncheon.
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes the efforts of Milton for her loyal and dedicated service to better the RE/MAX organization, the real estate industry and the larger community.
Milton, who joined RE/MAX in 1991, has achieved the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and consistently earns honors in the RE/MAX 100% and Platinum Clubs. She is a lifetime member of the Birmingham Club of Excellence and recipient of the Birmingham Association of REALTORSÆ Vulcan Award and "REALTOR of the Year" Award. She is an active member of her church and area Chambers of Commerce.
"I couldn't have achieved this honor without the support of RE/MAX Advantage. Our outstanding agents are some of the most devoted community leaders and committed professionals in the industry," says Milton. She can be reached at 823-2022 or by email at
maryremax@aol.com.
MIKOS/KAMPAKIS COMPLETED IT'S 40TH YEAR IN HOOVER
As 2007 came to a close, Mikos/Kampakis Insurance Services, Inc completed its 40th year in Hoover! Ed Mikos moved to Hoover in 1961 from Weirton, West Virginia as a manager for the Prudential Insurance Company, and in October of 1967 decided to go into to business for himself as Mikos Insurance Agency. His first client was Torrencie Bailey, who is still a client today. Many of you know her as the cashier at Green Valley Drug Store. Ed was very active in Hoover and the community as the President of the Hoover Lions Club, charter member of the Hoover Chamber of Commerce and President of the Chamber in 1979, and President of the Certified Life Underwriters and the Birmingham Aero club.
Originally located next to the old Western Supermarket, Mikos Insurance Agency then moved to a house on Rocky Ridge Road in 1980. Later that year, Dan Mikos gave up being an Air Force fighter pilot to come into the business with his father. In 1987 they built a new office building on their existing site.
Dan was also active in the community serving as President of the Hoover Sertoma Club, Hoover Chamber of Commerce in 1985, Birmingham Independent Agents, and Alabama Youth Soccer Association. Dan flew F4 Phantoms with the Alabama Air National Guard until 1994 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1999, Sergie Kampakis joined the firm and it was renamed Mikos/Kampakis Insurance Services, Inc. Ed Mikos retired in 2002 at 77 years old when his grandson Greg became a third generation member of the firm. Michael Mikos, another grandson, joined the firm in 2003.
In 2007, Mikos/Kampakis was named one of the prestigious “Best Practices Agencies” in America. This is one of 190 agencies chosen out of over 25,000 independent agencies in the country.
Mikos/Kampakis has 16 employees and writes commercial, personal, life, and group insurance products. They can be reached at (205) 822-7413.
CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS AND PAK MAIL
KICK OFF CELL PHONE COLLECTION
(Hoover, AL) – Cell Phones for Soldiers and the Pak Mail Center located at 3435 S. Shades Crest Rd are calling on all Americans to support the 150,000 brave men and women serving overseas by donating their unused cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers recycles the phones and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards sent to soldiers to help keep troops connected with their families. The goal is to collect 50,000 cell phones through partnerships with companies like Pak Mail that have multiple drop off locations.
“For the loved ones of soldiers serving abroad, Memorial Day is much more than a long holiday weekend,” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. “We’re asking Americans to make a small contribution of support by donating their unused cell phones, providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.”
Local residents can support the collection drive by donating their phones at the Pak Mail on 3435 S. Shades Crest Rd. “We’re proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers, and participate in a worthy program like Cell Phones for Soldiers,” says Pak Mail owner, Jeremy Brittain.
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the 501(c)3 non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generous support of thousands of Americans who have helped our troops speak with their loved ones,” says the teens’ father, Bob Bergquist. “However, the need for support keeps growing as more soldiers are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty.”
Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.
The phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone – enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad. Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:
· Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
· Copper wiring from phone chargers
· Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
· Plastic from phone cases and accessories
Founded in 1984, Pak Mail is a premier specialty packaging, shipping and business support franchise with more than 400 centers in North America and 60 international locations in six countries. For information call Pak Mail at 205-988-9494. For additional information regarding the Cell Phones for Soldiers program, please visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com .
HIGHLAND TECHNICAL APPOINTS DAVIS TO VICE PRESIDENT
Company adds three professionals to staff
Birmingham, Ala. – January 2, 2008 – Highland Technical Services, Inc. announces that David M. Davis, P.G. has been promoted to vice president.
Davis joined Highland Technical in 2005 as a senior project geologist. He has more than 15 years experience in environmental services and geosciences. He is licensed to practice geology in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia.
“David has established himself as a true leader,” said William “Billy” Cooch, President of Highland Technical. “His expertise has been an asset to the growth of the company.”
Davis’s areas of expertise include soil and groundwater investigations and underground storage tank, landfill and regulatory compliance services for industrial, municipal and commercial facilities. He has extensive experience in environmental due diligence for real estate investment trust portfolios, industrial acquisitions, and other commercial real estate matters.
In addition, Chip Cates, P.G., Julie Robinson and Roy Cravey have joined Highland Technical as project geologist, project engineer and staff scientist, respectively.
Cates has five years experience in environmental services, including regulatory permitting and documentation and soil and groundwater investigations for real estate, industrial, mining, transportation and municipal clients. He has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in geology from the University of Alabama and is licensed to practice geology in Alabama.
Robinson has approximately five years experience in soil and groundwater investigations, storm water management, spill plans, environmental due diligence, and environmental permitting, including service with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. She has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in environmental and water resources engineering from Vanderbilt University.
Cravey has five years of experience as a geographic information systems (GIS) analyst for environmental and engineering firms and nine years of experience as an analytical chemist, including work with development of analytical methods for chemical products, intermediates, waste streams, and metals analysis. Cravey earned his bachelor’s degrees in environmental biology and chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi. He completed his GIS certification at Samford University.
Highland Technical Services, Inc. is a full-service environmental and geosciences consulting firm comprised of experienced professional geologists, engineers and scientists. Highland Technical provides proactive solutions to environmental compliance issues for construction, industrial, corporate/retail, institutional and public sector clients throughout the United States. Founded in 1998, the company is based in Birmingham. For more information, visit www.htsienv.com.
Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith Announces New Hires
Birmingham, AL, December 11, 2007 – Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith, one of the fastest growing accounting firms in Alabama, is proud to announce new additions to their firm.
Margi Patel, Nick D'Alessandro, Alex Holt, and Kendall Currie recently joined the CPA firm. Margi Patel, a Manager, is a graduate of UAB and will provide tax compliance and consulting services. Nick D'Alessandro, a Senior Accountant, received his BS in Business Administration and MBA from Spring Hill College. Alex Holt, a Senior Accountant, received a BS in Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy from Auburn University. Kendall Currie, a Staff Accountant, is a graduate of Auburn University and a former intern at BMSS.
Lacey Bacchus joined as Marketing Coordinator and will handle all marketing and public relations for the firm. She received a BS in Marketing from Jacksonville State University and a Master of Business Administration from UAB. Lena VanVoorhis was hired as Administrative Assistant.
Debi Stolze has joined Payroll & Benefit Solutions as Payroll Specialist. Payroll & Benefit Solutions, a sister company to Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith, provides payroll and benefit support to small and medium-sized businesses in Alabama.
Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith Shareholder
Makes Presentation to American Subcontractor’s Association
Birmingham, AL, December 11, 2007 – Ross Mendheim, CPA, and shareholder at Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith, recently made a presentation to the Alabama Chapter of the American Subcontractor’s Association (ASA) on Year-End Tax Planning for businesses. Ross’s primary responsibilities for Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith include providing leadership in the Tax services area of the firm. Ross’s special area of interest is in federal and state income taxation for partnerships, LLC’s, S-Corporations and closely held businesses. While he serves clients in a variety of industries, the large part of his client base is in the real estate and construction industries. Ross is also Vice President of the Hoover Rotary Club.
About Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith, PC
Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith, PC is a local CPA firm located in Birmingham, AL serving closely held businesses in various industries including construction, manufacturing, wholesale & retail distribution, non-profit and financial institutions. We provide the traditional accounting, auditing, and tax services as well as value added services including payroll administration, benefits administration and IT support and consulting. BMSS is the second largest local accounting firm in Birmingham. For more information about Barfield Murphy Shank & Smith visit www.bmss.com
For Immediate Release
November 26, 2007
Luckie Strategic PR Media Contacts:
Jim Taylor, Luckie PR (205) 877-9755,
jim.taylor@luckie.com
Mariesa Woodring, Luckie PR (205) 877-9705,
mariesa.woodring@luckie.com
Leigh Anne Monitor, Luckie PR (205) 877-9795,
leighanne.monitor@luckie.com
HOOVER WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD
Environmental Management Practices among the Best in the World
Hoover, Ala. — The City of Hoover is honored to announce it is a winner in an international competition recognizing livable communities and excellence in environmental management. This is the first time a city in Alabama has been so highly praised for its living conditions and positive ecological impact.
Hoover received a silver award in The International Awards for Livable Communities, in a category of cities with populations of 20,001 to 75,000. The winners of the LivCom contest,
www. livcomawards.com/media-2007/finalists.htm , were announced today in Westminster, London. Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos is in London where he competed on behalf of the City, against St. Cloud, Minnesota, Fayetteville, Arkansas and seven other cities from Australia, the Czech Republic, Albania, Bulgaria, England, Russia and Lithuania.
Hoover’s many achievements include:
• Remaining a model city in Alabama for its efforts preserving and conserving nature
• School system nationally recognized for ethnic diversity and excellence in education
• Well-established culture of volunteerism and community involvement
• Heritage conservation programs
• Alternative fuel initiatives -- such as powering 85% of the City’s police vehicles on ethanol 85, the highest percentage in the country, and running most of the City’s other 326 vehicles on B20 or B100
Speaking from London just after receiving this award, Mayor Petelos said, “This is a great day for The City of Hoover. We are truly honored. In just four short decades, together our citizens have built a beautiful, strong, and growing community that we are all proud to call home. And being internationally recognized for our hard work is deeply rewarding and a truly historical benchmark on our 40th anniversary.”
The City’s next project will be the clean up and preservation of close to 250 acres of green space, to ensure Hoover maintains natural environments for residents and visitors to enjoy for years to come. The land is divided into three areas across the City, that when finished will include managed forests, scenic hiking trails, areas to watch wildlife, and a public greenway connecting neighborhoods with nearby shopping areas. Two tracts of land were donated by developers and one was recently purchased by the City for 4.1 million dollars.
For more information call (205) 444-7588 or visit
www.hooveral.org.
The City of Hoover, founded by William Hoover in the late 1950s, grew rapidly after Interstate 65 (Alabama's primary North-South artery) and Interstate 459 were constructed; by 1986, the $300 million Riverchase Galleria was constructed. The city’s population exceeds 65,000 and continues to grow, blending Southern rolling hills with large corporations, businesses and residential developments.
Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting at BumperNets
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
BumperNets is looking forward to having the Hoover Chamber members to stop by for this special event at their new store. Free food from Sbarro in the Galleria Mall presenting complimentary Italian appetizers and Godiva Chocolates Company promoting their new store with complimentary chocolates as a dessert. BumperNets will be offering free play on all the game tables, pinball, arcade and free complimentary cold drinks. They now have an outside entrance to the store and are located in the lower Sears wing. The entrance is from the Macys and Sears parking area if members would like to come from the outside. All Chamber members are invited to come and see the new and bigger BumperNets from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
PHYSICIAN SERVICES EXPANDING AT PRINCETON HOOVER
Hoover area residents now have access to a greater number of physician services at the new Princeton Hoover Baptist Medical Center to serve the health care needs of this growing community. Eleven physician specialists now provide medical care at this new location, which opened in Fall 2006. Area residents now enjoy the convenience of hospital quality health care provided by an increasing number of board certified physicians.
“We are very excited that Princeton Baptist Medical Center is expanding their services in Hoover,” said Hoover Mayor Tony Petelos. “As Hoover continues to grow, it is great to know that our partners in the medical community continue to grow with us. We are very pleased to learn of the variety of specialized services now being offered through Princeton Baptist.”
"Princeton Hoover Baptist Medical Center has been serving patients for less than a year, and yet is already demonstrating how well the relationship between Baptist Health System's first hospital in Birmingham's West End and its newest satellite in Hoover is working,” said Charlie Faulkner, president of Princeton Baptist until his recent transition to president of Baptist Health Centers, the physician practice network of Baptist Health System.
“The range of services include Urgent Care seven days a week; Internal Medicine, Family Practice, OB/GYN, and Dermatology Monday through Friday; and then specialty clinics such as ENT, pulmonology, general surgery, bariatric surgery, colon-rectal surgery, and cardiology. The City of Hoover has been extremely helpful and very business-friendly,” said Faulkner. “We fully intend to follow up these initial successes with significant further investment at the intersection of I-459 and Highway 150."
Princeton Hoover is guided by the same principles of a faith-based health ministry as is Princeton Baptist, just 13 miles away, and all Baptist Health System locations. For more information about services or to make a Princeton Hoover appointment, please call 205-682-6868.
FORMER AUBURN FOOTBALL STAR NAMED TO EYECARE ASSOCIATES OPTOMETRY TEAM IN HOOVER
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Dr. Rob Pate, former football star for Auburn University, recently joined the Hoover location of EyeCare Associates as Optometrist.
Dr. Pate is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Alabama Optometric Association, the Birmingham Area Optometric Society, the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce and the Birmingham Auburn Club.
He earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry and his Bachelor of Science, Zoology from Auburn University.
Dr. Pate played for the Auburn Tigers football team from 1997 until 2000; he has since written a book on his time in collegiate sports, titled Memoirs of an Auburn Football Player (2004).
For more information on EyeCare Associates, visit www.webeca.com. To speak with Dr. Rob Pate, contact him at his office at 205.982.5000.
About EyeCare Associates, Inc. (ECA)
ECA is a dedicated group of optometry professionals providing comprehensive vision and eye health examinations; glaucoma testing, evaluation and treatment; diagnosis and management of ocular disease; complete contact lens services; glasses prescriptions fillings; glasses repair and adjustment; refractive surgery evaluations, and pre and post-operative care.
With 19 locations, 31 doctors and over 160 employees across Alabama, ECA continues to keep an eye on their clients best interests. For more information, visit EyeCare Associates on the web at www.webeca.com or contact 205.968.9196.
Microchips Reunite Lost Pets with Owners
HOOVER, Ala – Find Fido Fast, a new microchipping campaign from Shelby Humane Society and NBC 13, aims to provide area pets with permanent identification. The technology will help cats and dogs find their way home should they become lost or separated from their families during a disaster. To promote its newest service, the shelter will join other local agencies for a Family Fun Day to educate citizens on the importance of disaster preparedness for both people and pets.
Working with the Red Cross and Hoover Animal Control, Shelby Humane Society will hold a low-cost microchip clinic on August 25th from 1-6PM in the parking lot of the Hoover Public Safety Building. Kids will enjoy a moon walk inflatable, learn about the Hoover Police Explorers program and have a chance to win fun prizes. Visitors will also enjoy free Bud’s Best chocolate chip cookies and receive valuable information about disaster preparedness from area experts.
Representatives from the Red Cross Shelby County Service Center will distribute information on the agency’s services, emphasizing on disaster preparation and response. The Birmingham Area Chapter of the Red Cross will provide pet first aid demonstrations and resources. They will also recruit participants for their pet first aid classes. Hoover Fire Fighters will be onsite to provide important fire prevention information, and local DART (Disaster Animal Response Team) members will help citizens decide where to house their pets during mandatory evacuations.
Shelby Humane Society will provide low-cost microchips for $20 per pet. Each unique microchip that is implanted under a pet's skin holds the information necessary to locate and contact that pet's owner. While pets can easily lose collars and tags, microchips provide life-long identification. Most animal shelters and veterinary offices scan lost pets with handheld microchip readers to determine the microchip’s unique ID number. If a microchip is found, its number is entered into a database to retrieve the owner's name and contact information.
Microchips, about the size of a grain of rice, are implanted under a pet’s skin and injected just like a vaccine. Microchips are always placed between a pet's shoulder blades.
According to the American Humane Association, only about 17 percent of lost dogs and two percent of lost cats are reunited with their original owners. In the United States, almost 4 million pets are euthanized each year because they lack identification. In Alabama, animal shelters are required to hold stray and lost pets for only seven days before euthanizing an unidentifiable pet. Microchips give pets the best chance of being when lost.
Shelby Humane Society hopes to microchip 10,000 owned animals over the next two years. Find Fido Fast Microchip Clinics will be held at various businesses and public locations throughout the county, making it convenient for all pet owners to participate. More information and a clinic schedule are available online at
www.shelbyhumane.org/microchip.
Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. is an award winning residential, business, and commercial, local and long distance, family owned, household goods moving company based out of Birmingham.
They have made several accomplishments recently in safety and business awards worth noting:
1. The Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized Changing Spaces Moving, Inc, as one of five finalists in Category II of companies with 10 to 25 employees for “Business of the Year” in the greater Birmingham area for 2007.
2.
The Birmingham Business Journal also recognized Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. as “Best in Business” as one of four finalists for the 1 to 25 employee’s category in the Birmingham region for 2007.
3.
Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. was the only company in Birmingham to be nominated for business of the year, for both the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Birmingham Business Journal, for business of the year awards in 2007.
4.
Alabama Trucking Association, Safety & Maintenance Management Council gave Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. the State of Alabama Safety Improvement Award, for the Household Goods moving division for 2006.
5.
This spring the Alabama Trucking Association also awarded Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. first place in truck safety for the House Hold Goods Division in the state of Alabama for 2006.
Changing Spaces Moving, Inc. is noted for being “Careful, Fast and Courteous”. They are a company that specializes in handling antiques and fine furniture. They can be reached at 205-972-0744 or
www.changingspacesmoving.com for free estimates on moves.
Birmingham Caregiver of the Year Selected
HOOVER - Being a caregiver is hard and often unrecognized work. Family and friends as well as nurses and other professionals take care of elderly loved ones with little to no expectations of congratulations or thanks. The Birmingham Caregiver of the Year Award changes that on August 9th at 2 pm at Country Cottages.
Country Cottages has partnered with Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, the Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens’ Services, Columbia Cottage, and Alabama Interface Coalition on Aging. Together with these agencies, the Cottages is honoring the caregivers that generously give their time every day to help the senior citizens of our community. At the ceremony, Miller Piggott of Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama will speak about the important role caregivers fill in society, and help us share our appreciation to all Caregiver of the Year nominees. This presentation is also worth 2 CEUs for nurses and social workers.
“Without daily caregivers, many elderly people would become discouraged and overwhelmed,” said Viki Mullins, Information Director at Country Cottages. “The Caregiver of the Year Award was created to recognize those extraordinary people who give part of their lives to take care of our parents, grandparents, friends and others.”
Nominations for the Caregiver of the Year were accepted throughout the community and were reviewed by a committee of community leaders including Valerie Childers, PR Coordinator, Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens; Alicia Lepke, Board Member, Alabama Interfaith Coalition on Aging; Janet Wallace, Managing Director, Columbia Cottage; Tom King, Circuit Court Judge; and Sharon Ziemack, Social Worker, Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama. On July 24th, this committee met over a lasagna dinner at Country Cottages to vote on the winners for the Caregiver of the Year awards. The committee members were thrilled to recognize the hard work that caregivers put forth. “I would like to thank these caregivers for everything they do,” said Circuit Court Judge Tom King. “I am pleased to be a part of honoring these very deserving people.”
“I appreciate that the members of the selection committee are such a diverse group of people with different perspectives,” said Sharon Ziemack of Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama.
Come on out and help us celebrate the caregivers in Birmingham. For more information, contact Viki Mullins at 790-7020.
Hoar Construction Honored Nationally as One of the 50 Best Places to Work
SHRM and GPTW Name Top 50 “Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America”
BIRMINGHAM, AL – 6/26/07 - Hoar Construction has been named one of the 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America. The list was announced on June 25th before an audience of more than 15,000 at the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) 59th Annual Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas.
This annual list ranks the top 25 small and top 25 medium-sized companies in America that use smart people management strategies to develop successful organizations with highly productive and satisfied workforces. The organizations, ranging in size from 50 to 999 employees, were announced by SHRM and selected and ranked by the Great Place to Work® Institute (GPTW). The results were based on a randomly distributed employee opinion survey. Each company evaluated was given a score based on employees’ responses to a detailed questionnaire about the organizations’ workplace cultures.
Stories about the winning organizations will appear in the July issue of HR Magazine, the Society’s flagship publication with a circulation of 210,000 (available at
www.shrm.org/hrmagazine The winning organizations will also be listed on the GPTW web site at
www.greatplacetowork.com
Hoar Construction has approximately 600 employees located throughout the United States. According to Rob Burton, President, “We are deeply appreciative of this honor, especially since it is based on confidential responses from our associates. The people who work for Hoar Construction are extraordinary people. Their commitment to their clients, subcontractors and other project partners, their fellow associates, and their communities is truly outstanding. Several years ago we defined our envisioned future as being one of the most respected and admired companies in our industry and in our communities. Receiving this award is confirmation that we are moving closer to achieving this goal. It is truly a privilege to be a part of this company.”
“Small and medium-sized companies make up the majority of the American economy and workforce,” said SHRM President and CEO, Susan R. Meisinger, SPHR. “These winning organizations demonstrate that making effective use of their workforce is key to their success, and their accomplishments deserve recognition.”
Great Place to Work® Institute co-founder, Robert Levering, said, "These companies stand out because their employees find them to be places where they can trust the management, take pride in their work and have fun."
SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 210,000 individual members, the Society’s mission is to serve human resource management professionals and to advance the profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM currently has more than 550 affiliated chapters and members in more than 100 countries.
Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. is an international research and consulting firm dedicated to building great workplaces. Great Place to Work® Institute uses its employee survey and assessment process to select the companies appearing on the annual "Best Small & Medium Companies to Work For in America" list and FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies to Work For® list. In addition to its global headquarters in San Francisco, Great Place to Work® Institute has 29 affiliates in countries throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
www.greatplacetowork.com
For more information contact SHRM Media Affairs at 703-535-6356.
Hoar Construction is a general contractor / construction management firm headquartered in Birmingham with offices in Houston, Orlando, and Nashville. The company has been recognized as one of the Top 400 Contractors by Engineering News Record for more than 30 years. With construction and program management volume exceeding $700 million annually, the company provides services for retail, healthcare, commercial, industrial, and institutional clients.
NECK INJURY MORE PREVELENT IN WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Vestavia Hills, Alabama, June 2007 – Sixty percent (60%) more women suffer neck injuries than men. Children are five (5) times more prone to neck injuries than adults and sixty percent (60%) of child fatalities are due to neck related injuries.
Why? Women usually have longer thinner necks supporting a head, which is almost as heavy as a man’s. Children’s heads are two thirds (2/3) the weight of an adult but are supported by unstable, weak, undeveloped, neck muscles and bones. This is why a very slight injury to women or children may produce a major problem in their necks.
However, there is effective treatment, and more importantly, neck injury prevention techniques says Dr. Mark N. Berry, a Vestavia Hills chiropractor.
Dr. Mark N Berry, a leading authority on the treatment and prevention of neck injuries, is a contributing author in the recently published book “Neck Pain – Neck Pain…You Don’t Want It, You Don’t Need It.”
Dr. Mark N Berry says that while automobile accidents are one of the most common causes of neck injuries, simple daily activities can contribute to an increase of neck pain problems. His neck pain prevention techniques are presented in this book.
For more information, contact Dr. Mark N. Berry at Berry Chiropractic, P. C. located in Vestavia Hills, Alabama at 1442 Montgomery Hwy 31 or by calling 205-533-8972.
(205) 414-3950 Fax (205) 414-3966
P r e s s R e l e a s e
Contact: Laura Brooks Bright PR & Marketing Coordinator Phone: (205) 414-3960 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 9:00 AM CDT May 8, 2007
