Changing Lives One Smile at a time…

What are these doctors holding and what do they have to do with cosmetic dentistry? They’re digital calipers, well-known instruments for scientific work that are now being used to make very precise measurements in the field of cosmetic dentistry.

It is dedication to this level of precision that has helped Drs. Samuel L. Johnson and Shauna L. Palmer of Cosmetic Smile Solutions rise to the top of their profession. Graduates of the world-renowned postgraduate training facility, Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), these doctors have spent the last six years studying the most current advances in Cosmetic and Neuromuscular Dentistry (NMD).

Most traditional dentists practice a two-dimensional form of dentistry, focusing only on the teeth and gums. By using state-of-the-art computerized technology, Drs. Johnson and Palmer take a dynamic approach to dentistry evaluating chewing problems as well as jaw joint problems. These doctors deal with symptoms like head and neck aches, facial pain, ear aches, dizziness, teeth grinding and jaw clenching as well as a host of other symptoms that can often be the result of misaligned jaws and teeth. Their philosophy of treating the entire person allows them to coordinate treatment with ear, nose and throat physicians, chiropractors, massage therapists, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists and other wellness practitioners.

In nature, the concept of Golden Proportion, a phenomenon related to beauty known since antiquity, determines what beauty looks like to our eyes. LVI has incorporated these proportions into detailed measurements for both esthetics and function in order to give patients extremely beautiful restorations functioning optimally with the muscles, jaw joints and skeletal structures. The treatment results, Drs. Johnson and Palmer said, are often life-changing for patients.

Cosmetic Smile Solutions also provides orthopedic appliances, implants and extractions, and other general dental services. While providing patients with a wide array of offerings, the doctors are most driven by their treatment of TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ) dysfunction. As a TMJ patient himself, Dr. Johnson said he can empathize with the suffering other patients experience with this disorder. The doctors’ goal is to continually improve on the success rate of TMJ treatment, which they measure by patient satisfaction.

Both Drs. Johnson and Palmer said they are committed to providing the highest quality of dental care possible through technology. The pair average more than 100 hours of advanced training per year. A native of Mobile, Dr. Johnson is a graduate of the Meharry Medical College and has practiced cosmetic dentistry for more than 20 years. Dr. Palmer, who has more than 13 years experience, is a graduate of the University of Alberta and comes to Mobile from British Columbia.

To learn more about Mobile’s newest dynamic duo and neuromuscular dentistry or to make an appointment, call Cosmetic Smile Solutions at 251-639-0911. Dr. Johnson, Dr. Palmer and their team would love to make you smile!

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“Partners in the success of your plan”

Kim Newell and Belinda Henning started with a plan. By combining Henning’s 20-plus years experience with qualified retirement plans and Newell’s qualified plan administration, human resource administration and comptroller background, they knew they had the foundation for a successful business.

In 2001, Newell and Henning bought the right to provide third party administration services to the former clients of Pension Administration & Consulting, Inc., for whom they had worked. With a list of clients and a wealth of experience, the pair knew they wanted their company to provide clients with quality administration and their staff a good working environment.

With two home equity loans, used office equipment, a lot of prayer and a staff of six including themselves, Newell and Henning started Administration Partners LLC. They immediately sent letters to brokers and investment professionals within the first week of forming the company, making it clear that Administration Partners does not sell investments but rather concentrates solely on the third party administration of defined contribution plans. Rather than compete with investment professionals, the company helps investment professionals increase revenue by expanding opportunities for sales.

Administration Partners works with business owners, their CPA, and their financial advisors to provide compliance for their clients’ Qualified Retirement Plans. The company helps business managers and accountants determine if their clients’ plan has the right design, is in compliance with ever-changing regulations, and produces the annual allocations, testing and government filings. They also provide human resource administrators with the benefit of having an in-house consultant for their retirement plan with the low cost of a third party administrator.

In order to be successful, Newell and Henning wanted a staff that was personally involved in their work. “We are allowed to develop personal relationships with our clients and are encouraged to go the extra mile on their behalf,” explained Administration Manager Robyn Myers. And at Administration Partners, staff is treated like family. Administration Specialist Christine Wilson said, “This company is run on good Christian values, so as a client or an employee, you always get dealt with honestly. They truly care about us as individuals and make you feel like you are working with them and not for them.”

Named Up and Coming Woman-Owned Business of the Year for 2003 by the Women’s Business Center of South Alabama, Administration Partners’ owners Newell and Henning know a lot about the success of a plan. The business has grown to 10 employees and has doubled revenue since inception. The increase in business, the owners said, is due to continuing referrals from financial advisors and accountants throughout the Southeast who have trusted their services to maintain compliance for their clients’ plans.

But they don’t claim to have done it alone. With a lot of good advice, a sound plan, an outstanding staff and answered prayers, Administration Partners has proven to be worth the investment. Administration Partners: (251) 344-3116, Kim Newell knewell@ap-tpa.com, Belinda Henning, belinda@ap-tpa.com.

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Eight out of ten uninsured Americans are from working families and come from every race, age and ethnic group. More than 45 million Americans do not have health insurance, including 80,000 of them who live in the greater Mobile area.

After participating in several mission trips to Central and South America to provide medical care, Dr. Robert D. Lightfoot and his wife, Tami, were inspired to find a way to provide affordable, quality adult primary care for the needy in their own community. In January 2003 they opened Victory Health Partners.

In addition to general medical care, Victory offers x-rays, EKGs, pulmonary function tests, counseling and wellness education. Patients may have blood drawn for laboratory tests, participate in the Dispensary Program and receive their medications at no cost.

Victory teams with local hospitals and private physicians to provide specialized care when needed. More than 150 local physicians and other medical professionals have donated care to Victory’s patients in their offices at no cost to the patient. Providence Hospital donates more than half a million dollars in ancillary services each year. Victory Health Partners has just opened a Dental Clinic to provide basic dental care to qualified patients who now number in excess of 4,400.

The success of Victory depends on the volunteers in the medical community to serve at the clinic or to see patients in their offices, to share their medical samples and supplies, and to support the organization financially. Lightfoot urges the community to join in Victory’s mission to provide healthcare services to those who could not otherwise afford medical care.

You’ll Love Lou’s!

If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then Lou’s Jewelry has been a friend to many people in the Mobile area for more than 30 years. Opened in 1975 by the late Lou Sherrer and her sons, Steve and Tim, one might expect to find a jewelry store of Lou’s caliber in California on Rodeo Drive or in Palm Beach. While Lou’s central location at 3012 Airport Blvd. in Mobile makes it a convenient shopping locale for jewelry buyers, the value these master jewelers and their staff offer to every customer in service and quality products, Steve said, “is what the company prides itself on.”

Steve is one of only two individuals in the state of Alabama to become a Certified Master Jeweler. Steve’s brother Tim is one of only two Certified Gemologists in Mobile.

Lou’s Jewelry specializes in giving their customers exactly what they want in the design, manufacturing and fabrication of their custom jewelry. In fact, give them a round stone and a square setting, and they can make it fit!

The company’s long-term, trained professionals are more than just short-term staff who disappear after the holiday season. Whether customers are looking to buy a $100 charm or a $10,000 necklace, Tim explained “every customer is treated like family.”

When shopping for that extra special something, customers across town and across the country can find exactly what they’re looking for with help from Lou’s staff who go above and beyond to provide superior service and expertise.

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C.E.S. Team One Communications

The Communication Link for our Community…

Team One Communications began in 1995 serving the Mobile and Baldwin county regions after purchasing the local Motorola-owned service center. A Motorola-authorized sales and service provider of Motorola two-way communications and wireless data products, the company’s territory covers Mobile, Ala., as well as locations in Pensacola, Fla., Pascagoula and Gulfport Miss., and Ft. Myers and Punta Gorda, Fla. From Mississippi to south Florida, the company’s 65+ employees provide wireless solutions for public safety, manufacturing and industrial plants, as well as small businesses along the Gulf Coast. Team One also provides Global Positioning System (GPS) and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) solutions, radar repairs and wireless video security solutions.

Among Team One’s clients are the city of Mobile’s wireless communications and data system used by police and fire for radio and mobile computing ability. Public safety is another department covered by Team One where the company installs and supplies maintenance for the Community Siren Alert System providing citizens with an audible warning in the event of a hazardous chemical release. Another hot project for Team One is installing a GPS/data system for the local transit system to provide automatic passenger counting, automatic fare tallying, bus tracking, and automated announcement.

Actively involved in many local charitable organizations and events because of its belief in giving back to the community, Team One is a member of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. The company provides radio communications for the Mobile BayBears and other events such as Senior Bowl, Bayfest, the Mobile Christmas Parade, and the International Festival just to name a few.

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Welcome Friends/Business Link

A Welcoming Woman…
Millie Sue Hawk knows about moving and what it’s like to find yourself in a new area not knowing where to find life’s little necessities. Which merchants have the good products and great personal service? What about a home school group, or where to get a good haircut, a driver’s license, how to register to vote, or what/how to recycle? Well then, how about a garden club, quilting, or horseback riding lessons? Mere child’s play for the Welcome Friends team!

Shortly after moving here from Tennessee with her husband Charlie, a project engineer with Olin Chemical in McIntosh, Hawk started up not just one business, but two! Welcome Friends helps newcomers become acclimated to their new hometown area. Hawk has also started a support group for home-based businesses called MYOB (Minding Your Own Business).

"I enjoy organizing things!" said Hawk. She has also started an Around Town in Fairhope. "This is an opportunity for the new ladies to get together with other newcomers and learn firsthand about living in our community,” Hawk explained.

Since starting Welcome Friends in April 2003 in North Mobile, Hawk has expanded the greeting service to include the Airport Boulevard, West Mobile and Midtown areas of Mobile County, as well as the Eastern Shore area of Baldwin County.

"I enjoy meeting people, and I have the best time with my greeters and with the merchants that I represent," said Hawk. With a team of 10, Welcome Friends currently contacts more than 800 families per month with either a personal home visit or a welcome packet in the mail.

"The newcomer ladies just love to get together and meet some potential new friends," she said.

With a strong team in place, Hawk has begun another service called Business Link, designed to introduce new business owners to other businesses in the area, who can help with their particular startup needs.

Hawk has been actively involved in the community since moving to the area. She is a member of Dauphin Way Baptist Church and Saraland Lions Club. She is also a Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce Diplomat, Saraland Chamber of Commerce Diplomat and Eastern Shore Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. In addition, she serves on the boards of SeniorAdvantage of North Mobile, Saraland Y.M.C.A, and WSI (Welcoming Services International).

For more information regarding Welcome Friends, Business Link or M.Y.O.B, contact Millie Sue Hawk by email at: milliesue@welcome-friends.com or call (251) 422-7777.

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Simply Shutters

The Decision is Simple…
“You’re simply the best…better than all the rest…better than anyone…” Was Tina Turner really singing about Simply Shutters? If she had allowed Simply Shutters to fill her home with beautiful, functional and elegant custom shutters, she might just be singing about them.

Using O’Hara manufactured hardwood shutters for base stock, Simply Shutters hand finishes each shutter. The shutters are custom cut, molded and planed to meet each customer’s specifications. Then the shutters are hand finished, stained or painted to match a customer’s décor. Finally they are cured in a heated and de-humidified drying room, leaving owners with virtually maintenance free shutters.

Handcrafted to fit any architectural door or window shape, Simply Shutters can create anything from innovative hanging systems to one-of-a-kind openings. Circle tops, eyebrows, rakes, ovals, sliding glass doors, French doors, French doors with lever handles or skylights, Simply Shutters has the solution whatever your needs may be.

Bruce and Michelle Buechner welcome customers to visit them at their beautiful showroom and see their two newest offerings, The Horizon Great View shutters and the Sandbrushed Woodgrain shutters. Simply Shutters is known from Panama City, Fla., to New Orleans, La., for the finest in custom interior shutters. Sales and installation services are available from twelve locations. For more information, call 1-800-653-1298 or visit them on the web at www.simplyshutters.com.

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Mobile Community Action, Inc.

HelpingPeople, Changing Lives…
Mobile Community Action Inc. (MCA) was established in 1966as an offspring of the 1964 Anti Poverty Bill. The organizationis a community service agency helping people help themselvesout of poverty through 23 satellite offices in Mobile andWashington counties. MCA’s commitment is to identifyall of the short-term and long-term needs of the people inneed in Mobile and Washington counties, so that when theyleave the MCA program, they are tax-paying contributors tosociety.

The processbegins with a simple question: “What are your needs?”from which a comprehensive plan is established for the developmentof the whole person and their family. MCA programs include:Operation Head Start: a premier preschool program; EmergencyShelter, Water, Food and Prescriptions; Utility Assistance;Weatherization and Volunteer Income Tax preparation.

DuringHurricane Katrina, MCA was one of the first responders toprovide shelter, clothing, food and water to more than 3,000families in the area. As State Senator Gary G. Tanner relatedin an October 20, 2005, letter to MCA Executive Director JimmyKnight, “While other agencies pondered on a course ofaction, you and your employees immediately set up shop andbegan providing assistance to my constituents who found themselvesin dire need.” MCA is a member of Mobile County’sLong Term Recovery Program.

In 2006,the organization is celebrating 40 years of taking actionto help people regardless of race, color or creed, to changetheir lives and to make this a better community for all ofus to live in.

ContactMobile Community Action at (251) 457-5700 to volunteer orto receive help. Local contributions are welcomed.

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Air Specialty, Inc.

Cool Customers and Hot Rods…

In 1993, Larry Ezell and Jerry Anderson used $300 they won racing, as well as a lot of help from above, to start their business, Air Specialty Inc., with an office in Anderson’s mobile home and the shop in a racecar garage.

Thirteen years later, Air Specialty Inc. has more than 26 employees and offers residential, commercial, marine, industrial and fabrication services designing air conditioning and refrigeration systems to meet any need.

As one of only two factory authorized Carrier full service dealers in the Mobile area, Air Specialty Inc. provides its customers with only the best products and customer service. “You’ll find the quality of our workmanship is second to none,” explained Anderson.

But Ezell and Anderson didn’t stray too far from their racing roots, they also own H.O. Motor Sports where they build racing engines and muscle cars. In addition, the pair have announced the opening of a third business with other partners, Winchester Development, which will be an upscale English-style subdivision.

Ezell and Anderson have come a long way, but they never forget how they got here. As Ezell explained, “We strive everyday to be a God-honoring business and to be the best that we can be.”

At Air Specialty Inc., the owners said their customers will find honest, hardworking, quality service for residential or commercial needs. For more information on Air Specialty Inc.’s services, visit their website at www.air-specialty.com, email them at info@air-specialty.com, or call them toll-free at 877-649-6622 or locally at 251-649-0701.

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Westminister Village

Continuing Care/Life Care, an Attractive Retirement Option
As seniors consider options for retirement, there are a number of possibilities that can be examined. One is a stand-alone independent living apartment or cottage where certain services such as dining, housekeeping and maintenance are provided either as part of the monthly fee or chosen separately for an additional fee.

Another option is a continuing care/life care retirement community such as Westminster Village. This type of community charges a monthly fee to cover the services provided. In addition, an entry fee is charged guaranteeing assisted living and skilled nursing care for life with limited exceptions.

Under this concept, the entry fee, in effect, assures a variety of services plus a number of lifetime free days in assisted living and/or skilled nursing, plus a discounted daily rate when permanent transfer to either or both of these facilities becomes necessary. Many couples find this option very attractive, since there is the assurance that the surviving spouse will be cared for throughout his or her lifetime. Various levels of care being provided on campus also make it possible for spouses to live in different buildings as may be required, but still be together at select times.

Seniors should investigate all options when considering a retirement community and choose the one that best meets their interest, needs and financial capability. For more information about Westminster Village contact Kay Brown Korb at 251-626-2900. Westminster Village is located at 500 Spanish Fort Blvd. in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

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American Heart Association

The Heart of the Mobile Community

Across the nation and here at home in Alabama, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of both men and women. More people die each year from some type of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke than all types of cancer combined. Each year the American Heart Association reaches out to people in Mobile and Baldwin counties in order to raise awareness and funds needed to support critical cardiovascular and stroke research.

The American Heart Association (AHA) receives no government funding – funding is received from individuals, corporations and foundations, who recognize the importance of the work the AHA and who want to invest in the fight. Mobile’s local chapter of AHA works to raise both awareness and funds to aid in the fight against CVD and stroke. The money raised by the local AHA stays in the Mobile/Baldwin community, for example, to help researchers and doctors at the University of South Alabama with valuable research work.

Annually the AHA reaches out to Mobile and Baldwin County communities to raise awareness of heart disease through such programs as National Wear Red Day, Go Red for Women Luncheon, a heart walk and the area’s largest fundraiser, a heart gala. This year more than 1000 people participated in the 2006 “Heart & Sole” Walk, presented by the University of South Alabama.

On May 11, 2006, the AHA, along with Robinson Brothers Lincoln Mercury Volvo, will host its 8th Annual Heart Gala, “The Phantom of the Heart.” The evening will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, a pianist, roaming violinists, both silent and live auctions, wine tasting, and a few other surprises. The silent auction will include items from local businesses as well as estate jewelry from Empire Diamond Corp. Goldstein’s, Presenting Jewelry Sponsor, is providing a beautiful piece from their Hearts on Fire collection, and Pay-less Carpet, the Red Carpet Sponsor, will roll out the “ red carpet” for guests. Individual tickets are $150, or $250 per couple. For tickets and more event information contact Ann Davis at 461-4004 or email ann.davis@heart.org.

The Mobile area AHA’s hope is that the organization’s work will save lives along the Gulf Coast, as well as across the country. To get involved in or to learn more about your local American Heart Association please call 461-4000.

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Meet Sandy Sansing…

Need to find a new or pre-owned vehicle? Sandy Sansing can help. Need service and repairs? Sandy Sansing can help. Need to make our community a better place to live, work, and play? Sandy Sansing does help!

Since 1987, Sandy Sansing has provided the Gulf Coast with trustworthy service and honest sales. Built on old-fashioned values of integrity and trust, Sandy Sansing provides customers with quality automobile sales and service. Sandy Sansing’s family of dealerships are locally owned and operated, and he believes in giving back to our communities.

A long-time sponsor of programs such as the United Way’s Cram the Van, Communities Caring at Christmas, and over 70 Little League teams, Sandy Sansing donates his time and resources to improving the Gulf Coast from Pensacola to Mobile.

Sandy Sansing sees his dealerships as another way of serving his community. Visit any Sandy Sansing location, and you will find knowledgeable staff who make quality service and customer satisfaction their top priorities.

So if you need a master-certified technician or a new or pre-owned vehicle, Sandy Sansing can help you. Stop by Sandy Sansing Hyundai in Mobile, Southern Chevrolet in Foley, or any of his Pensacola locations for a great selection of vehicles at affordable prices. You can also visit Sandy Sansing on the web at www.sandysansing.com.

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Catfish Junction

Restaurant, Fishin’ Hole and Catering!

Catfish Junction was founded in 1988 by Paul Stanley and a friend Gary Smallwood. Stanley and Smallwood were turkey hunting in a rural area of Marengo Count, Alabama. When turkey hunting, the middle of the day is not very busy. In an attempt to do something interesting to pass the time, the friends went to a catfish “fishout” operation. A “fishout” is a place where mature catfish are stocked in a pond and customers catch the fish and pay for them by the pound. Lots of people were using the facility, even though it was in a remote area. Stanley and Smallwood thought that a “fishout” close to town could be kept very busy, which proved to be the case.

The business grew to include a wholesale operation that sold catfish fillets to local restaurants. One of those restaurants happened to be managed by Ron Prater, a 20+ year food industry veteran of the food industry. Prater agreed to join Catfish Junction and designed the restaurant with an air-conditioned kitchen and dining rooms, which overlook the fishponds. Prater’s reputation as a well-liked and successful restaurant manager attracted an effective staff that offered Southern hospitality and a friendly family-like atmosphere. The owners said this combination was a huge success, with outstanding results.

Now open Tuesday through Saturday, Stanley and Prater found that their hands were nearly full but they still wanted to offer their customers additional services. Phyllis Patterson was recruited to join the Catfish Junction family to assist with their catering services. Patterson’s experience working at the Adams Mark and the Admiral Semmes hotels provided her with a solid background and understanding of how to exceed even the highest expectations for customers’ special functions. From industrial plant lunches and office gatherings to wedding receptions and formal parties, Catfish Junction Catering offers the same food quality and friendly service found while dining in the restaurant. Additions of heavy hors d’ouvres, fruit presentations, sweets, petite sandwiches and a variety of vegetables have been added to the catering menu. And don’t forget to ask about the cake.

For a fantastic meal served in a great atmosphere, stop by The Catfish Junction Restaurant and Catering Service at 300 Industrial Parkway in Saraland, located one and one-fourth miles east of I-65 at exit 13. The doors open at 11 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Enjoy your lunch or dinner with an alcohol and smoke-free environment. For your next special occasion, call Catfish Junction at 251-679-6666.

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Gulf Coast Office Product (GCOP)

TheSecret of Our Success…

In 1993, Mark and John Wright opened the firstlocation of Gulf Coast Office Products (GCOP)with only four employees and the desire to revolutionizequality customer service in the office supplyindustry. Lane Harper joined the team three yearslater and the company quickly opened a two morelocations. As giant office supply stores movedinto the area, the Wrights and Harper refusedto give in to the self-service mentality thatthe corporate big box stores brought with them.Instead, they maintained that good customer servicedetermined a business’s success. For GCOP,customer service has made all the difference,the owners say, and their prices are competitivewith the large, office supply chain stores. Today,GCOP boasts 60 employees and five offices in theGulf Coast region.

AtGCOP, customers have a partner handling all oftheir office products needs from supplies andservices to furnishings. The company’s highlytrained employees, who average 12-15 years experiencein the industry, are experts at recognizing theircustomer’s office products needs, whetherthe customers are local, state, small or nationalbusinesses.

Every aspect of the GCOP business revolves aroundmolding itself to the way their customers do business.They can print, store and ship the client’sforms on an as-needed basis. They can also providemonthly purchase management reports customizedto the client’s needs. As business ownersthe Wrights and Harper say they know their clients’time is better spent on their business and thatis why GCOP offers a variety of ways to conductbusiness with customers including an online catalog,email, fax and telephone ordering.

GCOP also offers customers the best in furnishingsfor their offices using furniture brands suchas Knoll, Global and La-Z-Boy. The company, ownerssay, never stops improving its business in orderto improve its customers’ business. Employeescan assist customers from the beginning of anoffice renovation project with the design phaseand stay actively involved all the way throughto installation.

As members of the Baldwin County, Mobile Area,South Baldwin, and Pensacola Chambers of Commerce,GCOP believes in being a part of the communitiesthe company serves. GCOP also supports local schoolsand sponsors area events such as the AmericanCancer Society Relay for Life, the YMCA CorporateCup Games and a variety of other civic organizations.

GCOP is growing to serve the needs of the expandingGulf Coast. Having outgrown current facilities,owners say they are in the process of buildinga larger facility in Pensacola as well as renovatingor relocating the Ft. Walton Beach, Montgomeryand Mobile locations.

Mark Wright said, “Gulf Coast Office Productsis never content with who we are today. We arealways trying to improve our service and productofferings to better serve our customers.”

Experience the difference GCOP can make for yourbusiness. Visit them on the web at www.gcop.com,or call the Mobile location at (251) 476-7100,Bay Minette at (251) 937-9800, Montgomery at (334)279-8748, Ft. Walton Beach at (850) 244-6122 orthe Pensacola National Headquarters at (850) 434-5588.

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ColdwellBanker JME Realty

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation

The “Great Unknown” when relocating to a new city or town is stressful for even the most seasoned mover. Who can help me find the right house for my family? What neighborhoods fit our needs? When can we move into the new house? Where are the good schools located?

Coldwell Banker JME Realty’s Relocation Division stands ready to answer all of your relocation questions and more. Winner of the Cendant Mobility Cup and the Cendant Mobility Summit Award for outstanding performance and excellent service within the relocation industry, Coldwell Banker JME Realty’s staff can custom tailor solutions to meet all relocation needs.

Cendant Mobility is the world’s largest relocation company, and as President W. Bruce Wallin explained, “Coldwell Banker JME Realty truly exemplifies the business and performance excellence that Cendant Mobility clients have come to expect from our network.”

With more than 650 agents, Coldwell Banker JME Realty specializes in helping corporations and individuals with all aspects of relocation, no matter if your move is across town, across the country or across the globe. The company’s Relocation Assistance Program provides a single point of contact with a relocation manager who will oversee the entire process. Services include a free customized relocation package; a personalized tour of the area: before, during, and after the interview and hiring process; discounts on the movement of household goods, temporary housing; and rental assistance. In fact, Coldwell Banker JME Realty is currently assisting several Fortune 500 companies with large group moves into the area.

Coldwell Banker JME Realty has five local offices in Mobile, Bay Minette, Daphne, Fairhope and Foley/Gulf Shores as well as along the Gulf Coast with 26 offices from Mississippi to Panama City.
Select Coldwell Banker JME Realty and Cendant Mobility’s Nation’s Best Relocation Service Company for a smooth transition moving to the Gulf Coast. For more information on Coldwell Banker JME Realty’s worldwide relocation services, contact them 800-422-0004 or visit www.jmerealty.com.

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Leatherbury Real Estate, Inc.

Stewardship and Sustainability-

These are two words used a lot by Frank Leatherbury. President of Leatherbury Real Estate Inc., he grew up experiencing the abundant natural resources the Alabama Coast had to offer. “I was fortunate that my dad provided me a great wealth of knowledge about the outdoors. Some of my best friends and I used to joke about how it was his way of keeping us out of trouble. He provided the boat, the truck and all the gear we needed to hunt and fish this area extensively.”

As an adult, Leatherbury found himself moving back to the area as a single parent after a lengthy maritime career. With young children to look after, that career was no longer an option. While deciding what his next career move would be, he went back to his old habits and started working with Weeks Bay Reserve as a volunteer. This led to board positions with Weeks Bay, Alabama Coastal Foundation and his current position as vice president of Mobile Bay Keeper.

It was during this time that an old friend and mentor, Starke Irvine, challenged him to protect the natural resources of the area by learning real estate and development. It seemed like a crazy idea at the time but Starke had been developing in Baldwin County for years and recognized early on, the growth the area was on the verge of experiencing.

Leatherbury Real Estate Inc. is now an established, full service commercial and residential real estate company offering development and planning services.

“In all of my endeavors and habits I try to think of the human footprint on our area. Growing up as I did, it was important to minimize that impact if you were going to be a good hunter or fisherman,” he said. “That led me towards a career goal and company philosophy of stewardship and sustainability in all that we endeavor.”

Leatherbury educates anyone who will listen on the benefits of land use planning and development in an eco-sensitive manner. One of the company’s more recent projects, Sweetwater, is a small residential subdivision in Point Clear that uses low impact design principals of development as well as EarthCraft and Energy Star measures in the construction of the homes. Parts of the land have been set aside as a common nature preserve for the residents where they can enjoy and learn about native plants and area habitat. Considered an infill development, Sweetwater is centrally located within walking and biking distance of the Grand Hotel Resort and downtown Fairhope area.

Currently he is in the planning stages of two new urbanist/traditional neighborhood design residential projects. Leatherbury said he is focused on providing sustainable development and maximizing the product offering a developer provides as it matches the specific site location by utilizing well-established new urbanist and environmental principles.

“It is what most people want when they are looking for a home” Leatherbury said.

To learn more about his developments, Leatherbury invites anyone – customers, realtors or clients – to join him at the Fairhope offices on “Lunch Fridays” where he moderates a roundtable discussion on sustainable building and design, real estate and current events. Leatherbury also spends time giving presentations on various aspects of environmental design and land use planning. For more information on Leatherbury Real Estate located at 251 S. Greeno Rd. in Fairhope, call 251-928-3465 or visit their website at www.LeatherburyRealEstate.com.

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Alabama Coastal Association

BE INFORMED. BE INVOLVED. BE THE BALANCE

In this age of vanishing time and shrinking pocketbooks, many of us wonder where we can dedicate our volunteer efforts. There are so many worthwhile causes, how do we choose? The Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) has the answer.

Since 1993, the Alabama Coastal Foundation has been working to create a healthy balance between the conservation needs of our priceless coastal resources and the pressures of economic growth. The foundation works to accomplish this by bringing together stakeholders with differing interests to facilitate mutually beneficial solutions. At the same time, the foundation provides fair and factual information and offers opportunities for individuals to play a vital part in preserving the environment and coastal way of life.

Balance is the key, in everything we do. Through ideas, energy and commitment, volunteers can support the work of ACF as the organization:

Safeguards Waters - ACF operates Alabama CoastWatch, the oldest ongoing volunteer water quality monitoring program in the state.
Restores Natural Habitats - ACF volunteers place osprey platforms and wood duck boxes for wildlife shelter, plant trees and restore wetlands.
Focuses on the Facts - ACF provides a balanced factual voice through our speaker’s bureau and community awareness initiatives.
Inspires the Next Generation - ACF has developed a K-5 curriculum to provide environmental education to area students.
Reaches Consensus - ACF invites all parties to discuss issues and form solutions. Successful initiatives include the Prichard Wastewater Forum and our Watershed Management Plans.

Help continue Alabama Coastal Foundation’s work “to improve and protect the quality of Alabama’s coastal resources.” For more information, call 251-990-6002, visit www.joinACF.org or email info@joinacf.org.

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Semmes Boys & Girls Club

Boys & Girls Clubs - Celebrating 100 years of Hope &

The area of West Mobile County known as Semmes has enjoyed a rapidly growing population and increasing business activity. Every community must show an active interest in its future citizens if it plans to continue developing, and a key part of the successful growth of any area is its youth programs. In Semmes, the Boys & Girls Club is providing a large portion of those services within the community.

The Semmes Boys & Girls Club currently serves more than 100 children daily who are between the ages of six and eighteen. Children who are members enjoy a fun, safe, and caring environment during after school hours. The Semmes Club has many programs and activities that help build an appreciation for strong character, the arts, education, leadership, sportsmanship and recreation. 

To be a member of the Boys & Girls Club requires completing a membership application and a nominal registration fee of $20 per year. Monthly membership dues are currently only $20 per month, to cover all program activities for a child for the entire month. A variable fee may also apply if the child requires transportation from his or her school.

The Semmes Boys & Girls Club receives funding from several sources such as the United Way and special grants. Support from people within the community, however, is what enables the Semmes Club to reach so many children. Without this help, the club would not be able to provide such a variety of programs.

For more information on the Semmes Boys & Girls Club or any of the 12 club sites in Mobile County please call 432-1235.

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Springhill Medical Center

Offering Advanced Medical Service in a Caring Community Hospital

Since its early beginnings in 1975, Springhill Medical Center’s philosophy has been to be the best health care provider in Mobile. Of equal importance has been to recognize the individuality of the patients and fulfill the needs of the physicians who care for them.

In addition, Springhill Medical Center reflects a national trend toward offering the latest in technology and service. In the last four years, the locally-owned facility has opened a one-stop heart care complex for diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and maintenance; established an outpatient orthopaedic surgery center; installed digital mammography with specialized software to help prevent false negative diagnoses; acquired a high-speed, 64-slice CT scanner that provides a closer look at the heart; installed a picture archiving communications system (PACS) providing physicians with immediate access to radiology reports and digital images; and acquired a PET/CT scanner for cancer detection and treatment planning.

A privately-owned facility, Springhill is the only tax-paying, for-profit health care complex in the local area. The campus is centrally located at the intersection of Dauphin Street and I-65 and includes: the 252-bed acute care accredited hospital, the Springhill Senior Residence skilled nursing facility, the HeartCare Center, the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, the Southeast Regional Center for Sleep/Wake Disorders, The Woman’s DiagnosticCenter, Springhill Rehabilitation Services, the Cancer Center, and the Orthopaedic Center at Springhill. Springhill’s campus is also host to 165 physicians in more than 30 practices, with an additional 400 physicians having hospital privileges at Springhill.

The hospital offers many traditional services such as inpatient and outpatient surgery, pediatric care, intensive care, rehabilitation programs, diagnostic services, laboratory testing, and emergency care by board-certified emergency physicians. In addition, Springhill features industrial health, a high-end lithotripter for the treatment of kidney stones, and one-to-one nursing attention for labor and delivery patients.

Springhill established a tradition of excellent patient care in 1975 when Dr. Gerald L. Wallace developed his vision of a patient and physician-friendly hospital atmosphere he felt was needed in the Mobile community. His vision for Springhill Memorial Hospital was to create an environment where the availability of advanced technology for patients is a priority and where physicians play a vital role in contributing to the design and operation of the hospital. 

After his death in 1986, Dr. Wallace’s wife, Ms. Celia Wallace, preserved the hospital’s family-oriented atmosphere while maintaining a technologically advanced facility.  But, that’s not what makes Springhill unique. 

“The genuine caring and love of their jobs by Springhill employees will continue to set the hospital apart as a place that’s truly dedicated to providing personal health care for patients,” said Ms. Wallace, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer forSouthern Medical Health Systems, Inc., the health care company that operates Springhill Medical Center.

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The Women’s Business Center of Southern Alabama

“Over a Decade of Empowering Women in Business”

“Women’s Business Center gave me the encouragement and assistance I needed.  They supplied me with a detailed list of small business loan options and the steps necessary to open a business.  Moreover, the confidence was reinforced in me that this business could be more than a dream on paper.”

This is a typical comment from a client of the Women’s Business Center of Southern Alabama. The center has provided free and confidential business counseling; low cost business training; technical assistance and networking opportunities to thousands of women and men in Mobile and Baldwin County since 1993.

Women’s Business Center of Southern Alabama also produces the annual Womenbiz Women’s Resource Directory. Contact information for woman-owned and woman-friendly businesses and business resources is provided in print or online atwww.e-womenbiz.com.

Founder and Executive Director Kathryn Cariglino saw a need for an organization to provide a structure for the support of the rapidly increasing numbers of women going into business for themselves.

“Many women in business are their business,” said Cariglino. “They need a place where they feel comfortable asking questions and sharing experiences with one another. They need to know that they are not the only one experiencing the problems and challenges of running a small business.” 

Women’s Business Center of Southern Alabama is a public/private partnership between the U. S. Small Business Administration and the Women’s Business Center, Inc., a private non-profit corporation.

To schedule a counseling appointment, get the latest schedule of classes or get a print copy of the Womenbiz Directory call (251) 660-2725 or (800) 378-7461 or send an email to womensbusinesscenter@ceebic.org.

Photo caption: Ribbon cutting for the WBC SAL new Baldwin County satellite office in Daphne.

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