Advertise with Googlier.com https://280living.com/columns/index.rss 280 Living's monthly columns from Kari Kampakis, Rick Watson and Paul Johnson. en-us Starnes Publishing LLC Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:31:00 -0000 KYLE PARMLEY Kyle Parmley reflects on October as a fresh start for local families, schools, football and community life. https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-october-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-october-2026/ Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:31:00 -0000 KyleParmley_WEB.jpg KYLE PARMLEY Kyle Parmley reflects on September as a fresh start for local families, schools, football and community life. https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-september-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-september-2026/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0000 KyleParmley_WEB.jpg KYLE PARMLEY Kyle Parmley reflects on August as a fresh start for local families, schools, football and community life. https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-August-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-August-2026/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 02:00:45 -0000 KyleParmley_WEB.jpg KYLE PARMLEY Kyle Parmley reflects on celebrating Independence Day, the nation’s 250th anniversary and the freedoms worth appreciating this July. https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-July-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-July-2026/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 22:08:48 -0000 KyleParmley_WEB.jpg KYLE PARMLEY Change can be bittersweet, especially when a season, team or familiar chapter comes to an end. But with every ending comes the hope of new joys, new people and a new season ahead. https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor%E2%80%99s-note-june-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor%E2%80%99s-note-june-2026/ Thu, 28 May 2026 21:00:00 -0000 Kyle Parmley KYLE PARMLEY Each season brings its own joys, from spring softball to summer downtime, but the real lesson is that life has seasons too — and brighter days always follow the darker ones. https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-may-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-may-2026/ Sat, 02 May 2026 21:57:14 -0000 KyleParmley_WEB.jpg NICK DERZIS "In a short time, we have accomplished a lot, and we are just getting started." https://280living.com/columns/mayor-derzis-opinion-a-safe-hoover-is-a-strong-hoover/ https://280living.com/columns/mayor-derzis-opinion-a-safe-hoover-is-a-strong-hoover/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:02:20 -0000 Nick_Derzis.jpg Photo from city of Hoover website KYLE PARMLEY April brings renewed hope for Braves fans chasing another title like 2021. Despite yearly disappointment, optimism remains for a magical run, warmer days ahead and a season full of possibility. https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-april-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-april-2026/ Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:46:40 -0000 KyleParmley_WEB.jpg KYLE PARMLEY As daylight saving time returns March 8, the writer jokes about winter’s early sunsets and reflects on integrity — striving to match words with action and inviting readers to share ideas. https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-march-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-march-2026/ Sat, 28 Feb 2026 19:15:07 -0000 KyleParmley_WEB.jpg KYLE PARMLEY A month into 2026, it’s time to check your momentum. Habits are forming, it’s not too late to reset, Valentine’s Day is coming, and spring story ideas are welcome. https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-february-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-perspective/editor-s-note-february-2026/ Sat, 31 Jan 2026 20:20:54 -0000 KyleParmley.jpg KYLE PARMLEY As the new year begins, we’re reminded to strive for progress, build better habits and stay connected — starting with reading, engaging and sharing ideas for the year ahead. https://280living.com/columns/editors-note-january-2026/ https://280living.com/columns/editors-note-january-2026/ Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:02:14 -0000 KyleParmley_WEB.jpg CASEY MIDDLEBROOKS Casey Middlebrooks is president of the Hoover City Council. https://280living.com/columns/opinion-new-city-leaders-seek-excellence-action-accountabili/ https://280living.com/columns/opinion-new-city-leaders-seek-excellence-action-accountabili/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:15:00 -0000 251104_Casey_Middlebrooks.jpg Photo by Jon Anderson KYLE PARMLEY Kyle Parmley steps into the managing editor's role for this month’s 280 Living highlighting the holiday season. https://280living.com/columns/280-editor-s-note-december-2025/ https://280living.com/columns/280-editor-s-note-december-2025/ Mon, 01 Dec 2025 22:49:38 -0000 Briarwood Football James Nicholas TIM STEPHENS This month’s 280 Living explores patriotism, career readiness and holiday prep — from Veterans Day reflections to hands-on education and tips for Thanksgiving and Christmas planning. https://280living.com/columns/editor-s-note-november-edition-preview/ https://280living.com/columns/editor-s-note-november-edition-preview/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0000 Veterans Day Photo courtesy of the Hoover Public Library. William Herz Palmer introduced an amendment to legislation to stop the EPA from using federal funds to move forward with additional lime regulations. https://280living.com/columns/letter-to-the-editor-gary-palmer-protects-lime-industry-jobs/ https://280living.com/columns/letter-to-the-editor-gary-palmer-protects-lime-industry-jobs/ Tue, 30 Jul 2024 16:19:00 -0000 gary palmer.jpeg Palmer photo courtesy of Gary Palmer. Lime plant photo courtesy of Adobe Stock. Alana Smith ALANA SMITH Staff I found some new “mom shoes” this weekend. They are flat, slip-on Sperry’s. https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/july/ https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/july/ Thu, 27 Jun 2024 05:00:00 -0000 Alana Smith.jpg Alana Smith “So then, the kids were out of sorts since they had stayed up late, and they …” https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-learning-to-listen/ https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-learning-to-listen/ Thu, 06 Jun 2024 07:38:38 -0000 Alana Smith.jpeg Sean Dietrich Dear Young Person: I am an imaginary old man. I am every World War II veteran you never knew. I am each faceless GI from the bygone European War. Or any other war, for that matter. https://280living.com/columns/sean-dietrich/sean-of-the-south-by-sean-dietrich-this-memorial-day/ https://280living.com/columns/sean-dietrich/sean-of-the-south-by-sean-dietrich-this-memorial-day/ Thu, 06 Jun 2024 07:34:26 -0000 Sean-of-the-South_color.jpg KYLE PARMLEY If you recall seeing me during the first four days of the NCAA Basketball Tournament in the middle of March, you’re not remembering things correctly. https://280living.com/columns/sports-editors-note-by-kyle-parmley-what-is-it-about-march-madness/ https://280living.com/columns/sports-editors-note-by-kyle-parmley-what-is-it-about-march-madness/ Thu, 02 May 2024 10:55:23 -0000 KyleParmley.jpg Alana Smith I know that you cannot read letters, but that didn’t stop me from writing this one. I’m sure you’d either shred this paper to pieces or eat it whole if I gave it to you, so I’ll read it aloud for you one day. https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-dear-dog/ https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-dear-dog/ Wed, 01 May 2024 13:07:52 -0000 Alana Smith.jpeg Sean Dietrich I’d like to make my mama proud. That’s one of my main goals. If I’ve made her proud, well, then I’ve really done something. https://280living.com/columns/sean-dietrich/sean-of-the-south-by-sean-dietrich-make-mama-proud/ https://280living.com/columns/sean-dietrich/sean-of-the-south-by-sean-dietrich-make-mama-proud/ Sun, 31 Mar 2024 10:31:02 -0000 Sean-of-the-South_color.jpg Alana Smith Contentment: Being in a state of peaceful happiness and satisfaction. https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-contentment/ https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-contentment/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 09:32:33 -0000 Alana Smith.jpeg Alana Smith I love baseball. I grew up playing front yard baseball with a gaggle of boys, using trees as bases and the neighbor’s property line as the "fence.” I was the only girl, so I had to keep up or they wouldn’t want me to play. https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-keeping-score/ https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-keeping-score/ Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:45:01 -0000 Alana Smith.jpeg KYLE PARMLEY There’s plenty to talk about in high school football at the moment. https://280living.com/columns/sports-editors-note-by-kyle-parmley-where-to-for-the-super-7/ https://280living.com/columns/sports-editors-note-by-kyle-parmley-where-to-for-the-super-7/ Mon, 05 Feb 2024 06:28:56 -0000 KyleParmley.jpg Sean Dietrich It’s Girl Scout cookie season again, which traditionally begins right after deer season and is followed by Lent. https://280living.com/columns/sean-dietrich/sean-of-the-south-by-sean-dietrich-girl-scout-cookie-season/ https://280living.com/columns/sean-dietrich/sean-of-the-south-by-sean-dietrich-girl-scout-cookie-season/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 16:46:08 -0000 Sean-of-the-South_color.jpg Alana Smith Sheesh, those words might give you the cold sweats. It’s probably the most controversial of holidays (followed closely by Halloween), with most folks either loving it or hating it. https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-valentines-day/ https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-valentines-day/ Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:17:12 -0000 Alana Smith.jpeg Sean Dietrich Remember when you were little? Remember how whenever you were sick, your mother made chicken soup? Remember what culinary pageantry this was? https://280living.com/columns/sean-dietrich/sean-of-the-south-by-sean-dietrich-its-gonna-be-ok/ https://280living.com/columns/sean-dietrich/sean-of-the-south-by-sean-dietrich-its-gonna-be-ok/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 06:19:46 -0000 Sean-of-the-South_color.jpg Kyle Parmley What will we see in 2024? Will it be a year where new high school sports programs rise to the top, or will we see many of the same programs continue to dominate their sports? https://280living.com/columns/sports-editor%E2%80%99s-note-by-kyle-parmley-new-possibilities-abound-in-2024/ https://280living.com/columns/sports-editor%E2%80%99s-note-by-kyle-parmley-new-possibilities-abound-in-2024/ Wed, 03 Jan 2024 01:40:57 -0000 KyleParmley.jpg Alana Smith There’s a lot of pressure on you when you are expected to do well at something. I was so nauseated as we moved to the bar exercise. My coach told me to eat some chalk to settle my stomach, but the thought of that was worse than my nausea. I https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-i-hope-this-is-your-year/ https://280living.com/columns/alana-smith/holy-moly-motherhood-by-alana-smith-i-hope-this-is-your-year/ Tue, 02 Jan 2024 17:05:01 -0000 Alana Smith.jpeg LEAH INGRAM EAGLE For our final three weeks, we finished up with the Drug Enforcement Task Force/Compact, training to survive an active shooter and had our official graduation. https://280living.com/columns/the-grand-finale-citizens-sheriff-academy-by-leah-ingram-eagle/ https://280living.com/columns/the-grand-finale-citizens-sheriff-academy-by-leah-ingram-eagle/ Mon, 01 Jan 2024 17:03:32 -0000 280-COMM-Leah-w-Sheriff-Samaniego.jpg Photos courtesy of Clay Hammac.