Advertise with Googlier.com https://280living.com/people/index.rss Feature stories about the people and places along Birmingham, Alabama's Highway 280 corridor that make it the place we all love. en-us Starnes Publishing LLC Wed, 14 Oct 2026 18:34:00 -0000 STAFF Jordyn Godsey and Bibb Green were crowned Miss Oak Mountain 2027 and Miss Oak Mountain’s Teen 2027. https://280living.com/people/miss-oak-mountain-101226/ https://280living.com/people/miss-oak-mountain-101226/ Wed, 14 Oct 2026 18:34:00 -0000 MissOM.jpg Photos courtesy of Miss Oak Mountain KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Livestrong at the YMCA, a free 12-week program at the Greystone YMCA, helps adult cancer survivors rebuild strength and confidence in small, individualized classes led by trained instructors. https://280living.com/people/at-the-greystone-y-a-12-week-class-helps-cancer-survivors-ge/ https://280living.com/people/at-the-greystone-y-a-12-week-class-helps-cancer-survivors-ge/ Sat, 03 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0000 01_LL-20260924.jpeg Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha. STAFF There is plenty going on at the Chelsea Public Library in October. https://280living.com/people/chelsea-public-library-october-100226/ https://280living.com/people/chelsea-public-library-october-100226/ Fri, 02 Oct 2026 21:26:26 -0000 200529_ChelseaLibraryEN01.JPG Photo by Erin Nelson KELLI S. HEWETT Michelyn Reid has spent more than 20 years at North Shelby Library, building community relationships while leading both North Shelby and Mt Laurel libraries. https://280living.com/people/the-reluctant-librarian-who-stayed-michelyn-reid%E2%80%99s-20-plus-y/ https://280living.com/people/the-reluctant-librarian-who-stayed-michelyn-reid%E2%80%99s-20-plus-y/ Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:52:00 -0000 Michelyn_Reid_North_Shelby_Library_Hewett-2.jpg Photos by Kelli S. Hewett. KELLI S. HEWETT Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mary “Meg” Gilmer balances a demanding medical career with trail running, cycling, ultimate Frisbee and skiing while continually testing her own limits. https://280living.com/people/unbroken-drive-orthopedist-balances-risk-recovery/ https://280living.com/people/unbroken-drive-orthopedist-balances-risk-recovery/ Thu, 03 Sep 2026 20:55:10 -0000 Dr_Meg_Gilmer_ortho_surgeon_ski.jpg JON ANDERSON Tickets go on sale for previous season ticket holders on Tuesday, Aug. 11. https://280living.com/people/chubby-checker-to-kick-off-2026-27-hoover-library-theatre-se/ https://280living.com/people/chubby-checker-to-kick-off-2026-27-hoover-library-theatre-se/ Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:56:00 -0000 Chubby Checker.jpg Photo courtesy of Hoover Library KYLE PARMLEY Summer isn't quite over. https://280living.com/people/chelsea-public-library-august-080326/ https://280living.com/people/chelsea-public-library-august-080326/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 20:39:24 -0000 200529_ChelseaLibraryEN01.JPG Photo by Erin Nelson APRIL COFFEY Greystone mom and former educator Haley Brandstadter discusses motherhood, online community and life along the 280 corridor. https://280living.com/people/greystone-mom-turns-classroom-roots-into-online-community/ https://280living.com/people/greystone-mom-turns-classroom-roots-into-online-community/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 20:54:44 -0000 c-O-Haley-Brandstadter--With-children-Dallas,-Remi,-and-Wake.jpg APRIL COFFEY Alabama’s first competitive lake swim debuted at Oak Mountain State Park with the inaugural Magic at the Mountain Open Water Swim. https://280living.com/people/state%E2%80%99s-first-competitive-lake-swim-debuts-at-oak-mountain-s/ https://280living.com/people/state%E2%80%99s-first-competitive-lake-swim-debuts-at-oak-mountain-s/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 23:21:57 -0000 6E0A5622.jpg Photo courtesy of Todd Temple Photography. JON ANDERSON Julia Schumacher is a University of Alabama student from Minnesota, and Cambree Crumpton is a Chilton County High School student from Clanton. https://280living.com/people/schumacher-crumpton-win-miss-hoover-miss-hoover-s-teen-2027/ https://280living.com/people/schumacher-crumpton-win-miss-hoover-miss-hoover-s-teen-2027/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 20:43:00 -0000 260620_MissHoover9.jpg Photo courtesy of city of Hoover STAFF Hoover resident Elaina Burt was named third runner-up. https://280living.com/people/4-women-with-hoover-ties-make-top-14-at-miss-alabama-2026/ https://280living.com/people/4-women-with-hoover-ties-make-top-14-at-miss-alabama-2026/ Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:52:46 -0000 Miss AL 2026 Hoover.jpg Photos from Miss Alabama Competition Facebook page APRIL COFFEY Chelsea High School senior Dalton Jones is using acting, writing, illustration and film to turn his creativity into a calling. https://280living.com/people/becoming-the-story-how-dalton-jones-is-turning/ https://280living.com/people/becoming-the-story-how-dalton-jones-is-turning/ Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:13:13 -0000 260429_DaltonJones_DL_01_e_WEB.jpg KELLI S. HEWETT Dana Polk, Chelsea's only library director since 2001, has grown the library from a shared room with a few thousand books into a beloved 30,000-book community hub with 13 staff. https://280living.com/people/from-bowling-lanes-to-book-stacks-the-unlikely-career-path-o/ https://280living.com/people/from-bowling-lanes-to-book-stacks-the-unlikely-career-path-o/ Fri, 15 May 2026 23:41:51 -0000 Dana Polk, director of the Chelsea Public Library Photo by Kelli S. Hewett. JON ANDERSON Mims is scheduled to take part in the Miss Alabama 2026 competition in early June. https://280living.com/people/city-of-hoover-to-host-sendoff-party-for-miss-hoover-2026-al/ https://280living.com/people/city-of-hoover-to-host-sendoff-party-for-miss-hoover-2026-al/ Thu, 07 May 2026 21:42:00 -0000 260423_Ali_Mims.jpg Photo from Ali Mims Facebook page KYLE PARMLEY Briarwood alum Jolee Giadrosich is turning a passion for sports into a career, gaining hands-on event operations experience through Knight Eady, Alabama athletics and the Masters Tournament. https://280living.com/people/briarwood-alum-sports-management-major-jolee-giadrosich/ https://280living.com/people/briarwood-alum-sports-management-major-jolee-giadrosich/ Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:24:52 -0000 Jolee Giadrosich Jolee Giadrosich at the AHSAA Basketball State Finals in March 2026. Photo courtesy of Paige Taylor. JON ANDERSON Oak Mountain senior Grier Feldman, a baton twirler and childhood cancer advocate, won Miss Alabama's Teen on her fifth try and heads to Miss America's Teen in Orlando in September. https://280living.com/people/miss-hoover-grier-feldman-on-way-to-miss-america%E2%80%99s-teen/ https://280living.com/people/miss-hoover-grier-feldman-on-way-to-miss-america%E2%80%99s-teen/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:44:26 -0000 Miss Hoover’s Teen 2026 Grier Feldman is crowned Miss Alabama’s Teen 2026 Photo courtesy of William C. Moore Jr. APRIL COFFEY YouthServe empowers local students through hands-on service, leadership programs and community projects, helping them develop empathy, awareness and skills to become engaged, impactful leaders. https://280living.com/people/youthserve-shaping-a-generation-of-empathetic-leaders/ https://280living.com/people/youthserve-shaping-a-generation-of-empathetic-leaders/ Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:06:16 -0000 Youthserve_3-photos_webwide.jpg Photos courtesy of Crystal Jones STAFF Greystone resident and business consultant shares his journey from music to corporate leadership, launching a new company and book focused on workplace health, while enjoying hobbies and local life. https://280living.com/people/author-business-consultant-bruce-mcleod/ https://280living.com/people/author-business-consultant-bruce-mcleod/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:41:29 -0000 Bruce-McLeod_GTK_280_Hewett_WEB.jpg JON ANDERSON Brian Muenger steps in as Hoover’s new city administrator amid major leadership changes, bringing a track record of financial stability, growth and strategic planning to help guide the city’s next chapter. https://280living.com/people/new-city-administrator-brings-deliberate-experienced-eye/ https://280living.com/people/new-city-administrator-brings-deliberate-experienced-eye/ Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:24:54 -0000 Brian_Muenger._webwide.jpg KELLI S. HEWETT Hoover’s Jon Michael Ogletree, a CPA and CFO, is also the world’s smallest professional pianist. Known for his unique style and synesthesia that links music to numbers, he performs internationally and uses music to share his faith. https://280living.com/people/hoover-pianist-balances-life-and-faith/ https://280living.com/people/hoover-pianist-balances-life-and-faith/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 22:31:18 -0000 Jon Michael Ogletree Kelli S. Hewett KELLI S. HEWETT Just off busy U.S. 280, local beekeepers are nurturing hives and community. From Hilltop Montessori’s classroom apiary to backyard colonies, residents are finding science, purpose and peace in beekeeping. https://280living.com/people/shelby-county-beekeepers-turn-hives-into-lessons-in-science-/ https://280living.com/people/shelby-county-beekeepers-turn-hives-into-lessons-in-science-/ Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:28:39 -0000 Hilltop Montessori School teacher and beekeeper Cindi Stehr Kelli S. Hewett JON ANDERSON Organizers say the new venue at Liberty Park turned out to be a success. https://280living.com/people/winner-of-2026-exceptional-foundation-chili-cook-off-never-c/ https://280living.com/people/winner-of-2026-exceptional-foundation-chili-cook-off-never-c/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:48:48 -0000 260307_Chili_Cook_Off39.jpg Photo by Jon Anderson JON ANDERSON Feldman lives in Sterrett and is a student at Oak Mountain High School. https://280living.com/people/miss-hoover-s-teen-2026-grier-feldman-crowned-miss-alabama-s/ https://280living.com/people/miss-hoover-s-teen-2026-grier-feldman-crowned-miss-alabama-s/ Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:19:00 -0000 Grier_Feldman.jpg Photo courtesy of Miss Alabama Competition KELLI S. HEWETT World Class Tae Kwon Do Inverness manager Wendy Fort shares how her daughter’s diagnosis led her to tae kwon do, earning a third-degree black belt and building community. https://280living.com/people/world-class-tae-kwon-do-inverness-manager-wendy-fort/ https://280living.com/people/world-class-tae-kwon-do-inverness-manager-wendy-fort/ Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:46:56 -0000 Wendy Fort Photo courtesy of Wendy Fort. APRIL COFFEY A Birmingham parent educator and mom launches a Trussville-recorded podcast for moms in recovery and shares her “Impact Parenting” approach, focused on trust, authority and intentional responses. https://280living.com/people/rachel-gunn-author-of-%E2%80%98impact-parenting%E2%80%99/ https://280living.com/people/rachel-gunn-author-of-%E2%80%98impact-parenting%E2%80%99/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:00:56 -0000 Rachel Gunn Photo courtesy of Rachel Gunn. TOSHA GAINES George Rush discovered music in fifth grade, finding belonging in low brass and a rare whistling talent. An autistic musician, he channels deep feeling into sound and dreams of creating music for film and games. https://280living.com/people/finding-his-own-sound-the-musical-voice-of-george-rush/ https://280living.com/people/finding-his-own-sound-the-musical-voice-of-george-rush/ Sun, 22 Feb 2026 22:22:15 -0000 George Rush Tosha Gaines JORDYN DAVIS A Montgomery native now creating in Birmingham, this artist grew from coastal commissions to gallery shows, honoring her late mother’s influence while expanding through local markets and a new shop space. https://280living.com/people/get-to-know-artist-sherri-springer/ https://280living.com/people/get-to-know-artist-sherri-springer/ Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:59:41 -0000 Artist Sherri Springer Submitted APRIL COFFEY Oak Mountain alum and Auburn grad, this 37-year-old occupational therapist and mom of two shares her passion for family, helping older adults live independently, photography and raising kind, empathetic sons. https://280living.com/people/get-to-know-occupational-therapist-amber-joiner/ https://280living.com/people/get-to-know-occupational-therapist-amber-joiner/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:09:58 -0000 Amber Joiner and her family Photo courtesy of Amber Joiner. APRIL COFFEY Founded in 1973, the Birmingham Boys Choir trains 150 boys ages 8-18 through music, building leadership and character while preparing for a season of public concerts and community support. https://280living.com/people/spotlight-birmingham-boys-choir-executive-director-jeff-caul/ https://280living.com/people/spotlight-birmingham-boys-choir-executive-director-jeff-caul/ Sun, 18 Jan 2026 17:00:34 -0000 Birmingham Boys Choir Executive Director Jeff Caulk Photo courtesy of Jeff Caulk LAUREN H. DOWDLE Former radio host Mark Harvard is the new pastor of Morningstar Methodist Church in Chelsea, bringing years of media experience, ministry calling and a focus on prayer, connection and community outreach. https://280living.com/people/from-radio-to-the-pulpit-mark-harvard-ministers-to-people/ https://280living.com/people/from-radio-to-the-pulpit-mark-harvard-ministers-to-people/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:45:15 -0000 Mark Harvard, new pastor at Morningstar Methodist Church in Chelsea Photo courtesy of Morningstar Methodist Church.