SAM Agency Newsletter

Beauty in Birding: David

April 5, 2019April 10, 2019 Luke Thomas

In the foothills and forests of Spokane, Washington, there lives a deceitful little bird. The killdeer, with its amber-lined eyes and unassuming stripes, protects its nest not with force, but with weakness.

David McMath watched the killdeer’s “broken wing act” all throughout his childhood in the Evergreen State. Because the bird nests on the ground rather than in trees, its eggs are particularly vulnerable. When a predator approaches, it feigns injury, holding out one wing and wobbling in the opposite direction of its nest, luring the egg thief away.

David hadn’t seen the broken wing act in decades. He caught on as a child, running in the opposite direction of the bird to glimpse its granite-colored eggs. It wasn’t until several weeks ago that he was on a bird-watching trip at the Auburn Fish Hatchery and stumbled upon a killdeer nest built right into the gravel road.

“It was a nostalgic moment,” David said. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen a killdeer nest. I thought Spokane had a lot of wildlife, but I’ve been amazed at the biodiversity here in Alabama.”

The childhood love for observing backyard birds manifested into something greater when he came to Birmingham. David found the Birmingham Audubon Society‘s Introduction to Birding class, and the rest is history.

“The group meets for a monthly class, and there are plenty of expeditions all around the state,” David said. “The field trips give me the chance to see parts of rural Alabama I’d otherwise never visit.”

It was during one of these outings that David witnessed his most memorable bird moment to date.

“We were watching a field of about 50 wild turkeys by Guntersville Dam when, all of a sudden, I saw a bald eagle flying overhead,” David said. “The eagle, who was much larger, was being attacked by a red tail hawk. It looked just like a WWI dogfight and was amazing to watch.”

David explained that neither of the birds was hurt. It was a battle for turf, not death. In fact, he said he rarely sees birds engaged in a true fight.

Aside from field trips and sight-seeing, David enjoys the arcane knowledge that goes hand-in-hand with a niche hobby.

“I like stats and numbers, so birding gives me the chance to fill up that part of my mind,” David said. “A lot of people learn sports facts, but since I’m not much into sports, I soak up knowledge on birds and their habitats instead.”

For instance, David shared that there are 28 varieties of flowers in Alabama alone that are pollinated exclusively by hummingbirds.

“There is so much to learn,” David said. “It’s a neat feeling to walk down the street and be able to distinguish between a cardinal and a towhee calling.”

For anyone interested in learning more about Alabama’s fauna, the Birmingham Audubon Society offers monthly classes at affordable prices. Field trips are free of charge and open to the public.

Read Andrea’s Story Here

Precious Plastic Alabama

March 7, 2019March 7, 2019 Luke Thomas

When China shuttered its doors to much of the U.S. recycling industry, Americans were left with lots of trash, and few options to address it.

One of the worst culprits is single-use plastics. Even in areas with curbside recycling, single-use items like plastic forks and cups are rarely accepted. After their brief moment of mealtime glory, these products are condemned to a landfill, where they will spend the next 100–1,000 years decomposing.

In the Netherlands, one organization seeks to change that fate. Precious Plastic is a non-profit group dedicated to collecting and repurposing discarded single-use plastics. The organization encourages new chapters, and that’s how Jr. Editor Aaron Anderson became involved with starting up the new Alabama group.

A Plastic Solution for Birmingham

Precious Plastic Alabama (PPA) is currently headquartered in a local art studio and staffed by a team of five volunteers. Here’s how the process works:

PPA collects unwanted plastics that can’t go in curbside recycling
The team places plastic in a grinder
Shreds get melted down, then injected into a mold
Plastic dries and hardens into a new product
Products are sold, and money is used to fund operations

“Our goal is to take plastics that people only use once and turn them into objects that have a long lifespan,” Aaron said. “We can make phone cases, park benches, climbing wall grips, bowls, and 3D printer plastic, just to name a few.”

Helping the Planet and its People

In addition to helping the environment, Aaron wants to impact Birmingham on a humanitarian level.

“My dream for this program is to pave a path for Birmingham’s homeless to get off the streets,” Aaron said. “They’ll start by collecting and sorting plastic, then learn to operate the machinery and eventually design products using the 3D printer. We can teach them skills that will give them a way to a better life.”

Along with employing homeless persons, Aarons seeks to use PPA’s proceeds to fund a substance abuse counseling program.

Grinding Forward

The group is still in its infancy right now. Two of the three machines required are built and operating, with others still being tested. All machines are made of repurposed parts, with the exception of one of the motors.

Aaron notes that it could be several years before PPA is fully functioning as the group envisions. Right now, what it needs most are monetary and plastic donations. The group is also in search of volunteers willing to lend their time and expertise.

“We want to deal with our plastic problem ourselves versus having to send it to China,” Aaron said. “In doing so, we’re bettering Birmingham by lifting up our people and bettering the environment by reducing plastic waste.”

Considering a Standing Desk? Read This First

March 6, 2019July 16, 2020 Luke Thomas

For most of us, being productive at work means being at a desk.

However, sitting for too long can cause back, neck, and shoulder pain, along with tightened hip flexors and increased lethargy. Some workers mitigate this by taking regular standing and walking breaks. But another solution that has gained traction lately is the introduction of a new contraption: the sit-stand desk.

How Do Sit-Stand Desks Work?

The nice thing about sit-stand desks is that you’re not stuck in any one position. Using either a motor or a manual hydraulic system, the desk can be raised and lowered to accommodate both standing and sitting.

Researchers agree that the best way to stay healthy at work is by incorporating a mix of sitting, standing, and moving. Sit-stand desks allow you to work however you are most comfortable at that moment.

What Can You Expect from a Sit-Stand Desk?

Traffic Coordinator Andrea Kring is among the agency’s first sit-stand adoptees.

“Because I have a spinal condition, my doctor recommended I try to avoid sitting in the same position all day,” Andrea said. “I’ve noticed having more energy from being able to stand and stretch out, and my back pain has lessened.”

Andrea notes that she prefers standing and working when she first arrives at the office. She likes to alternate throughout the day, depending on the kind of work she’s doing.

“I really can’t think of a downside of being able to choose sitting or standing while you work,” Andrea said.

Andrea prefers the VARIDESK brand for its reputation for well-designed products. She offered the following advice for those interested in purchasing a sit-stand desk:

“Make sure it has proper hydraulics. Yenae shared with me that she had one at her old job that she had to hoist up and down, and it was a lot of hassle at times. Mechanical risers do cost less and do not make noise to reposition, but you may want to consider the possible additional noise that comes with a motorized version. This is something to consider if you work in a cubicle environment.”

Considering Investing?

Standing desks were once bulky and expensive. We now enjoy an abundance of well-priced options for sit-stand risers.

SAM complies with federal regulations in accommodating employees with ADA-registered disabilities. If you do not meet this criterion, you can still browse the selection of affordable sit-stand desks available from retailers like Amazon. There are many quality products available for under $150.

After reviewing the benefits, you may just feel it is worth the investment!

Letters by Elisabeth

February 7, 2019 Luke Thomas

Some say that good handwriting is a lost art. A skill once taught consistently in schools, penmanship is more the hobbyist’s foray these days.

The digital world’s preference for perfectly-produced typeface doesn’t always bleed over to our human minds, however. For many, handwriting still holds an elegant, personal appeal.

It’s this predilection for penmanship that has allowed Account Manager Elisabeth Broome to run a successful lettering business in her spare time.

From Doodles to Paychecks

As a child, Elisabeth held a fascination for lettering. Over and over, she would trace the characters of her name, trying different fonts and apertures. As she moved through to high school, Elisabeth’s handwriting came in handy creating cheerleading signs for school football games.

“Back then, most of my writing consisted of simple block letters,” Elisabeth said. “Now looking back, I can tell I’ve grown a lot since my beginner days.”

After moving to Birmingham, Elisabeth attended a one-day calligraphy workshop at Samford University. This was her first taste of formal training in calligraphy, and it opened her eyes to a world of possibilities.

She didn’t receive her first paid gig until a co-worker asked her to produce a set of Christmas invitations. After posting her work on Instagram, the requests started rolling in.

“Social media marketing has been my main avenue for attracting business,” Elisabeth said. “I’ve gotten 10 projects off of one post before.”

Elisabeth began with invitations. Then, as she received requests for lettering on other mediums, she would research and practice until she had it mastered. When she completed her first chalkboard order, she discovered it was her favorite form of lettering. Now, chalkboards are Elisabeth’s specialty.

A Stroke By Any Other Name

The term “calligraphy” encompasses a panoply of ornate lettering styles. Traditional styles, such as Copperplate and Spencerian calligraphy, require special tools, exact strokes, and pots of ink. Modern calligraphy differs in that it preserves visual appeal and harmony while allowing a degree of freedom that isn’t present in the traditional scripts.

“I like to call my lettering ‘faux-calligraphy’ since it isn’t any one specific style,” Elisabeth said. “I’ve taken examples of letters from different styles and combined them to form my own script. I can definitely pick my writing out of a crowd.”

In addition to Pinterest posts, Elisabeth finds inspiration in everyday life.

“I’ve seen some gorgeous examples of chalkboard lettering at Trader Joe’s and Taco Mama,” Elisabeth said. “Most people think I’m taking forever to look over the menu, but really I’m looking at how they lettered the board!”

In the future, Elisabeth hopes to grow her handwriting hobby and increase her digital footprint. She already has a dedicated Instagram account. Her goal is to create an Etsy shop so she can expand her services beyond the current scope of social accounts and word of mouth.

A Choreographer’s Tale

January 10, 2019January 10, 2019 Luke Thomas

As the sun sets and the clock ticks to 5, Shannon Mahr steps out of Strong and slips into her second skin.

One could say she lives another life. Not hidden, but only obvious if you know where to look. After eight hours of left-brained thinking, Shannon makes the switch from coordinator to creative mastermind.

Being a dancer trained in classical ballet, the arts have always played a significant role in Shannon’s life. She trains young dancers in her free time and has served as a member of a professional dance company. As with any craft, Shannon’s mastery of dance has transformed her from the student to the teacher.

This ballet aficionado began choreographing her own works some time ago, infusing them with her unique twist on contemporary dance. When the opportunity came to submit her work to the Alabama Dance Festival, she couldn’t say no.

Set with two student dancers, Shannon trained her pupils on the moves she choreographed. Her favorite technique is taking the straight lines of ballet moves and bending them sharply for a clean yet fluid feel. After getting the dance down, former Strong employee Kiara Byrd filmed the dancers for submission. Now, all that was left to do was wait.

A few weeks later, the news that Shannon was hoping for had arrived. Her work would be showcased at January’s festival. The piece, entitled Chords Within, comes from a hodgepodge of cultural inspiration and carries a unifying message.

“What I wanted to convey with this piece is that no matter where you’re from, despite different backgrounds, music is our common ground,” Shannon explained. “We are all moved in some way by it.”

Her submission had been accepted, but there was still much work to be done before the final showcase. After work, Shannon would meet with her two dancers to rehearse and refine. As choreographer, she has full control over all aspects of the production, including sound, lighting, and photography.

“The most challenging part of this process is taking my vision and projecting it onto the stage in a way that will make sense to other people in the same way it does for me,” Shannon said. “It is very different from how I think at work. It forces me to go entirely outside of the box.”

Shannon’s goal with this showcase is to seed interest in contemporary dance in Birmingham. Currently, there is no contemporary company in the city. She also seeks to inspire students and young people to pursue their passions in dance, just as she was inspired at this festival in her youth.

“I performed at this festival in early 2017, and I made so many connections and left with a ton of inspiration,” Shannon recounted. “I’m excited to give that same feeling to people now that I’m on the other side of the table.”

The Alabama Dance Festival will take place on January 27 at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Shannon will be present with a choreographer’s booth to explain more about her work and her vision for Birmingham’s budding contemporary scene. You can see her dance in action at the March iteration of Happy Hour Happening at Forma, a local arts and wellness center.

Heading Back to the Future

December 10, 2018December 10, 2018 Luke ThomasLeave a comment

Anyone who has seen Back to the Future can recognize the iconic car used to traverse the space-time continuum: the DeLorean DMC-12.

While the futuristic world of 2015 has come and gone, one relic remains in the parking lot of Strong.

Graphic Designer Ryan Nations is the proud owner of a restored 1983 DeLorean, the last model year ever produced. To learn how he came into possession of this timeless vehicle, we’ll have to take a trip through time.

Origins

Nine-year-old Ryan was seated beside his father as the two cruised down the highway in the family’s then-new truck. His dad nudged him and pointed out the window.

“Look at this cool car that’s about to pass us,” Ryan’s dad said.

The two had to come to a near-stop to let the DeLorean pass, but when it finally did, the image engrained itself into Ryan’s consciousness and never faded.

Ever since that moment, Ryan has been obsessed with DeLoreans. When he was 12, he got his first computer and dedicated all of his time to researching the automobile.

A few years later, Ryan had gotten older, but his fascination had yet to wane. His grandfather was the proprietor of a used car lot, and he had promised all of his grandchildren a car when they turned 16. Naturally, Ryan was set on the DeLorean, but he wasn’t quite sure how to make it happen.

Two days before his sixteenth birthday, Ryan was at the BJCC’s World of Wheels show that he attended annually with his father. The two were surveying the displays, when lo and behold, a DeLorean made its debut.

“When I saw it I started freaking out,” Ryan said. “Then I started freaking out even more when I saw that it was for sale. I immediately told my grandfather that was the car I wanted.”

So, for three years, the DeLorean was Ryan’s sole mode of transportation. Over time, he has taken apart every piece of the car, though not all at once. Even more surprisingly, the car never broke down during the three years that it was his only vehicle.

Present-Day Adventures

You may have glimpsed Ryan’s unmistakable ride at the company tailgate party this year, but that was far from its first special appearance.

For the past decade, Ryan and his DeLorean have taken part in the Altoona, Alabama, Christmas parade.

This small town, located between Oneonta and Gadsden, boasts an impressive holiday parade for its size. Ten years ago, its organizers found Ryan on a classic cars website and asked him to be a part of their celebration. Ever since, he has made the trek to Altoona, with no shortage of adventures or mishaps.

One year, Ryan and his crew had to bring their own blankets for warmth thanks to the DeLorean’s malfunctioning heat system. The next year, the heater was working, but the dashboard lights had given out. So, the crew made the one-hour trip in the dark using Ryan’s iPhone flashlight to read the speedometer.

“The speedometer maxes out at 85, so there’s really no telling how fast we were going down those back roads,” Ryan laughed, adding that the phone overheated before they even arrived.

Despite its age, the DeLorean has completed several successful road trips to places like Atlanta, Tupelo, and Huntsville.

Ryan’s passion for this little piece of history continues. Every so often, discerning eyes can catch the gullwing doors raising in the front parking lot as Ryan emerges, smiling, from one of his most prized possessions.

A Georgian Haunting

November 6, 2018November 7, 2018 Luke ThomasLeave a comment

For some, All Hallows’ Eve is unsettling. The spooky traditions and haunting legends are a little too real. For Laura Dobbs, it’s quite the inverse. Few holidays enchant her like Halloween. Keep reading as she shares her tale of Georgian mystery and tradition.

A Haunted Voyage

Anyone who’s met me, even in passing, knows how much I love Halloween. It just so happens that my best friend from childhood shares this passion, and we like to celebrate together.

She and I go every year to one of the best haunted houses in the country. It’s called Netherworld, and it’s located in an Atlanta suburb.

It’s become “our thing.” Our friends and families definitely do not understand. How can you go every year? Isn’t it the same every year? Aren’t you scared? Aren’t you too old for this stuff?

It’s a blast.
No. The attractions change every year.
Nope. Not ever. Not even when we went back for a special Zombie Survival event they did a couple of years ago and we got to shoot some pretty realistic zombies with modified M-1’s. And especially not when they did a special Christmas-themed event and decked out the attraction for the holidays!
How dare you ask that question!?!

Honestly, it’s a blast. And it doesn’t matter whether or not anyone else goes with us (various friends and family members have tagged along over the years). It’s something we enjoy, it keeps us connected, and we look forward to it all year.

Netherworld existed in a dinky little strip mall off of Jimmy Carter Boulevard for years. They retired that location last year and moved into a larger, newer facility in Stone Mountain back in the spring.

They also offer escape room games and have a museum of some of their most famous props, costumes, and décor. Many of their items have appeared in popular TV shows and movies.

The cast from the Walking Dead made a special trip up to ATL a few years ago just to go through the house!

If anyone is interested, they have two haunted attractions (the theme and décor for each “house” change every year). Here’s an article about the attraction and its owners. One of them is a former film makeup and FX artist.

She Said Yes

October 10, 2018October 11, 2018 Luke ThomasLeave a comment

The leaves may be changing, but that doesn’t mean love isn’t still in the air. This fall, two of Strong’s digital team members popped the question and set a date. Their stories, while composed of different times, faces and places, share the same raw emotion that anyone getting down on one knee can’t help but feel.

Joey

Always one to practice what he preaches, Joey Tichenor harnessed the power of digital technology to find eternal love. Tichenor met his fiancée, Anna, via a dating app last spring. The two had their first date at Cahaba Brewing in April of 2017. Ever since, Tichenor has known that Anna was the one.

With Anna being of Polish descent, Tichenor suggested that the two visit Poland as a late summer trip. While there, Tichenor would have the opportunity to meet his future fiancée’s extended family and practice nodding blankly while they spoke to him in Polish.

Everything coalesced in Tichenor’s mind. A foreign destination, a family gathering, a first-time adventure… it was the perfect place for a proposal. There was only one problem. Anna’s cousin’s wedding was taking place during the trip. Not wanting to steal her thunder, Tichenor had to wait.

The day after the wedding, Anna and Tichenor took a sojourn to a mountain resort town near the Czech border. Tichenor described it as a “Polish Gatlinburg.”

His original plan was to hike the town’s mountain and propose at the top, but once he fully realized its height, he knew neither would be in a condition to be photographed once they reached the summit.

Instead, Tichenor spotted an enchanting garden in the courtyard of the hotel. There was lush vegetation, a koi pond, a quaint little bridge – the perfect spot.

“Let’s take a walk in the hotel garden before dinner,” Tichenor suggested.

As they walked, Anna questioned why Tichenor was unusually silent. She brushed it off as pre-dinner peckishness. Little did she know, Tichenor’s hand was placed over his pocket the entire walk, fearful of misplacing the ring that he had so masterfully hidden for the duration of their trip.

As they stood on the bridge and gazed out at the water’s rippling surface, Anna turned to walk away. Tichenor knew it was now or never.

“Anna, wait!” he called.

She paused and swiveled. As she cast her gaze back toward the other end of the bridge, she found Tichenor kneeling before her, ring in hand.

After a heartfelt proposal and a resounding “yes” on his fiancée’s part, the two eagerly informed friends and family back home before continuing on to the night’s dinner.

The couple is set to wed on Saturday, June 1, 2019, in the ballroom at Roots and Revelry.

Mary-Kate

Mary-Kate Laird and fiancée Savannah’s meeting was somewhat by chance.

Seated at a table at Café Dupont, Laird was surveying the room when she stopped for a double-take. One diner, in particular, looked strikingly familiar. Pulling out her phone to check, Laird recognized her as someone she had seen on a dating app. She sent a message calling out the dinnertime coincidence to the girl and carried on.

As it turned out, Laird was mistaken. The girl from the app was not the girl in Café Dupont. Rather, she was a few blocks away at Ghost Train Brewery. Nevertheless, the two connected and found they had much in common.

Fast forward almost one year later, and the two are preparing to attend their one-year anniversary celebration dinner at The View.

What better time, what better place, Laird thought, than here to ask.

In preparation, she had asked a former co-worker, Colin, to perch behind the columns outside and capture the moment on camera. Her father and Savannah’s mother attended clandestinely as well.

“Let’s take a minute to go to The Grill and see the skyline,” Laird suggested to Savannah.

As the two made their way outside, Laird paused, searching for a pre-determined bush. The family, unbeknownst to Savannah, was lingering just out of sight on the balcony above. They watched as Laird produced a small, wooden box. In it was the ring.

“We had talked about it before,” Laird said. “She told me that I have to tell her I’m about to ask an important question. I had an entire script written but could only get out, ‘Okay – I have an important question… You know I love you, right? And I want to be with you forever. So, will you marry me?’”

Savannah nodded tearfully, and Laird pointed to the balcony to reveal her mom while Colin emerged from behind the columns. It was a joyous moment with family and friends that she will never forget.

The couple is set to wed Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, at Barnsley Gardens in Georgia.