Beginning Monday, June 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Birmingham Zoo will host a soft reopening limited only to Members and donors of our Emergency Animal Fund. The Zoo will reopen to the public three days later, on Thursday, June 11.

“We are excited to welcome our guests back to their Zoo,” says Chris Pfefferkorn, Birmingham Zoo President & CEO. “Our staff is taking every precaution to keep our visitors and animals safe during every phase of reopening. We are committed to providing a safe environment for our guests to enjoy the natural world and make memorable connections to wildlife.”

The Zoo will open and operate in phases, and in compliance with city, state, and federal guidelines. Phase One is a reduced opening with strict limits on attendance and one-way traffic patterns. Guests will enter through the front gate and be required to exit through the Children’s Zoo gate. Directional signage and distancing markers will guide guests on a one-way pathway, while signage and other measures will remind guests of safe and healthy practices.

A timed-ticketing system will be implemented to limit the number of guests and provide for better physical distancing. Online admission tickets will be required for members and visitors and will be available on the Zoo’s website at birminghamzoo.com. Members will need to sign-in to their account to reserve a time and access a Member ticket.

The Birmingham Zoo supports efforts to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, and we recognize that the best way to prevent the COVID-19 illness is to avoid exposure to the virus. All visitors & members to the Zoo will be required to wear face masks for the protection of other guests, our staff, and our animals per City of Birmingham ordinance mandating the wearing of face masks in public places. Zoo staff will be required to wear face masks and maintain other heightened safety protocols. We have enhanced our rigorous sanitation protocols and cleaning standards to ensure that all facilities will be thoroughly disinfected.

The Zoo will be operating as an outdoor experience in a park environment. High-touchpoint areas like rides and attractions will not be in operation. Animal encounters and experiences, including shows and demonstrations, have been postponed in order to minimize clustering of guests. Animal buildings and Nourish 205 indoor restaurant will be closed during this time.

Guests will be able to purchase food at Wild Burger restaurant, which is equipped with outdoor seating. The Gift Shop will be closed but gift kiosks will be stationed near the exit gate for guests to purchase items. Cash will not be accepted to buy tickets, food, or merchandise. Major credit cards are the only forms of payment that will be accepted.

We’ve all been spending way more time at home over the last few months and I don’t know about you, but all this extra time has made me focus on a lot of the things I want to change around my house, whether it’s updating bathrooms and knocking down walls or just finally getting to those parts of my house I hate cleaning and will put off for as long as possible.

Here’s a little refresh challenge to help you do some cleaning out and sprucing up without breaking the bank!

Make an Entrance:
Give your guests a warm welcome by spicing up your front door for Summer. Plant bright flowers in pots, add a new welcome mat, put a fresh coat of paint on your door, replace worn looking house numbers and swap out exterior lighting if it’s looking shabby! 

Re-organize or re-style a current space:
It could be as simple as re-styling the items on a bookshelf or countertop. Maybe it’s changing up the decor on your mantel or coffee table.

Refreshing the look of a space doesn’t have to cost money. Instead, master the art of rearranging your own home decor. Making small changes in how a shelf is styled or where you put things like plants and artwork can give your living space a brand new, refreshed feel.

Lighting:
Nothing boosts your mood and energy level like good lighting. There are some super simple things you can do to up your lighting game! It’s time to replace old bulbs, swap outdated fixtures for something modern, remove heavy or dark drapes and add a lamps to reading nooks and darker corners! 

Linens:
There’s nothing better than the feeling of clean sheets – don’t you agree?! But what about the rest of our linens? The guest room bedding, the blankets stuffed away in our storage ottomans and linen closets.. Time to wash them all! Summer is here, quarantine is ending and it will be so nice to have blankets and bedding ready for company.

Here’s a bonus tip for making them smell and feel their freshest – replace dryer sheets with dryer balls and add a few drops of your favorite essential oils before throwing them in the dryer. My favorite combo is 3 drops of Lavender and 2 drops of Eucalyptus. Your linens will smell like they came straight from the spa!

Windows:
Break out the magical Norwex rags or call a local window cleaning company! It’s time to schedule the window washing! Turn on your favorite Spotify station and get to washing! While you’re at it, take the time to replace or repair any torn or ratty screens.

Closets and Cabinets:
You know that cabinet or closet that you avoid because it’s going to be a big project to clean it out. You shove things in when you’re in a rush but think “not today!” Well TODAY is that day! I promise you’ll feel so much better!

If you decide to tackle your bedroom closet, try color coding your clothes! It’s a quick way to sort through things and it looks really pretty. Tell me which cabinet or closet you’re refreshing today!

What ways have you been refreshing your house this spring?

Stanley Steemer of North Central Alabama services the greater Birmingham Metro Area and surrounding counties, spanning from Cullman to Clanton and from the Mississippi state line to the Georgia state line.

All Stanley Steemer water restoration specialists have Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the most widely recognized and accepted certification program in the industry. These individuals are highly trained and prepared for any emergency water removal task they encounter. In addition to certification, our technicians attend IICRC-accredited continuing education and training programs throughout the year. We provide the time and money to train our people, and we supply them with the best equipment available.
For more information on their 24/7 Emergency Water Resmoval visit their site

Stanley Steemer provides trained technicians and state-of-the-art equipment you can’t get anywhere else. When flooding occurs, why muddy the waters? Call Stanley Steemer.

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Last month our Resident Realtors, Scott Boudreaux and Sophia Leece from LAH Real Estate gave us some tips on how to sell your home during the Coronovirus, this month they’re back and giving us the deets on how to proceed if you’re looking to buy during this weird weird time.

Everyone is being affected in some manner by the outbreak of Covid-19 coronavirus. During this time, buyers will have more questions than normal about the home buying process and their ability to buy a new home. While we can’t predict what the next few weeks and months will bring, the more we can educate ourselves, the better we can help buyers navigate the buying process smoothly during the pandemic. Here are a few common buyer questions as they related to the Coronavirus outbreak and real estate answered.

Can we still go see home listings in person?

This is the hardest question to answer and it will depend on the home, the seller, the agent and any fast-changing governmental policies put in place. Agents should be able to offer a Skype or Face Time home tour virtually. Talk to your agent to find out what they have available for the buyers to pre-screen the home virtually before setting up the visit; they might have virtual tours already available which can help rule out those that don’t suit their needs.

How can I stay safe while visiting homes?

Everyone’s health has to be the priority; this includes the buyers, sellers, and agents. If you are going to see a home in person during this time, carry hand sanitizer and wipes to use before, during and after the tour. Drive separately from your agent meet at the homes. During the tour, designate one person to open doors, drawers, and closets and use disposable gloves during the showing.

What happens if I lose my job during the escrow period?

Most real estate contracts include a contingency that protects the buyer in the event they can’t get final loan approval and close the loan. Typically during the process, this contingency is removed after a set time frame, or after receiving the loan approval. Since every aspect of real estate is negotiable, consider asking for the contingency deadline to be extended and in place until the close; talk through this aspect with the seller and their agent in advance to set the right expectation.

Will I still have access to the home during the escrow period?

It’s very common for the buyer to have easy access to the home during the escrow period; home inspections, appraisals and just measuring are all common reasons to visit the home during escrow. Consider grouping these activities whenever possible.

Will I get a better deal if I wait to buy a new home?

We all know there’s no crystal ball, but with everything that’s going on, sellers on the market should be very motivated to sell. There are also historically low-interest rates on home loans. There is no way to predict the future, so if the right home comes along, it makes sense to consider it.

The Covid-19 outbreak is causing some uncertainty among home buyers, sellers, and even agents. However, with the use of technology and following best practices, you can still find the home you’ve been waiting for during this time.

Thank you to our new site sponsors, Sophia Leece and Scott Boudreaux with LAH Real Estate for these great tips. For more information on what’s happening in the Birmingham Housing Market, or to schedule a free home buyer/seller consultation, you can reach them:

Sophia Leece, 205.895.9120 | sleece@lahrealestate.com |
Scott Boudreaux, 205.835.9787 |sboudreaux@lahrealestate.com | Website

The Cahaba River National Wildlife Preserve is located in Bibb County, about any hour from Birmingham. This preserve boasts one of the largest habitats for the imperiled shoals lily (known around here as the Cahaba Lily) anywhere in the world.

5 Things to Know about Cahaba River National Wildlife Preserve

1. Go in late spring/early summer. The area itself is beautiful but to get the full experience, you’ll want to go when the Cahaba Lilies are in bloom – generally early May to late June.

2. Admission is free! There’s no need to check in – just park where you find a spot and go enjoy! Be aware, there aren’t restrooms or any other amenities there. You can bring your own food but be prepared to take your trash and recycling out with you – we have to work together to keep the Cahaba beautiful!

3. You can boat or float. If you have kayaks, floats, or canoes, there are several good spots to put in. When we went, the water was very tranquil and clear so it was a fun trip even for littles. Floats and kayaks are best because there are some very shallow spots but we made it fine with our canoe.

4. Boats aren’t necessary. We had a blast canoeing around the lilies but you can get up close and personal simply by wading in from the shore. Water shoes with some grip are a good idea to protect your feet and keep from slipping.

5. There’s a beach! The refuge has a couple of little sandy spots that serve as easy entries into the water. Bring a blanket or chairs and just enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Social distancing is very doable – especially if you go on a weekday when it’s less crowded.

The Birmingham Zoo is preparing a plan to reopen amid changes to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions. The health and safety of our guests, staff, volunteers, and animals is paramount. The Zoo plans to reopen in phases, and in compliance with city, state, and federal guidelines and recommendations.

Zoo administrators are preparing operational policies, practices, and procedures to ensure a safe and responsible reopening. Parts of the plan will include increased cleaning and sanitation of the Zoo, reduced daily guest capacity, one-way pathways, restricted access to animal buildings, and signage to reinforce hand washing, social distancing and other measures to encourage the safe enjoyment of the Zoo.

All staff and volunteers will be required to wear face masks at the Zoo. Guests will be encouraged to wear face masks for their own safety. Rides and attractions will not be in operation, and animal encounters, feedings, and shows have been postponed for the first phase of re-opening.

In addition to operational planning, the Zoo has begun implementing enhanced rigorous sanitation protocols and cleaning standards to ensure that all facilities will be thoroughly disinfected.

“The Zoo will open in a methodical and safe manner when the time is right,” says Chris Pfefferkorn, Birmingham Zoo President & CEO. “We miss our guests, and we are eager to welcome our supportive community back to their Zoo under the safest conditions possible.”

Updates on the Zoo’s reopening plan will be announced at later dates via press releases and on their social media platforms at Facebook.com/BirminghamZoo, Twitter.com/BirminghamZoo, and Instagram.com/bhamzoo.

More than 13 million businesses in the US are owned by women, accounting for 42 percent of all privately held businesses, according to the 2019 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report by American Express. Gone are the days when women used to be left at home taking care of children while the men went to work. However, many women who own businesses admit that it’s far from easy, particularly those who have children. Running a successful business and taking care of children feels like having two full-time jobs, and it can be overwhelming even for women who have always been known to be great at multitasking. But, with the right approach and a few changes, mompreneurs can find the perfect work-life balance that allows them to perform their duties as business owners and mothers effortlessly.

Make sure your kids are well taken care of when you’re not available 

If you want to focus on your business when you’re at work with no worries at all, you must ensure that your child is in good hands. The best-case scenario would be if your partner is at home when you are working, but this is seldom the case. If your partner is not an option, the next consideration would be a family member who you trust fully to take care of your child. If you have nobodu in mind, you can find a reliable daycare where you’ll be dropping your child off or hire a nanny to be taking care of your child at home when you’re working. A quality daycare should have up to date licenses, a low teacher-to-child ratio, a clean and spacious environment, and flexible work hours. A good should have great references from people you know and extensive experience.

Secure your business 

In the same way that you don’t want to worry about your child when you’re working, you don’t want to worry about your business when you’re at home. As such, it’s important to take steps to secure your business against all possible threats it might face especially when you are not there. Start by enhancing physical security by installing security cameras that you can monitor remotely, hiring a guard if necessary, and installing intruder alarms. You must also build a strong cybersecurity system to secure your business against Cyberattacks that seem to be happening almost every day. To be on the safe side, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage against all the threats you face including fire, theft, or damage from natural disasters. If you have employees, workers’ compensation insurance is absolutely necessary, insurance experts at Cerity assert, to protect your assets in the event that your staff faces a job-related injury or illness.

Delegate tasks both at home and at your business 

Sometimes you’ll find that you have too many tasks to handle on your own either at home or work, or you may find that tasks are overlapping. Maybe your child has an important school play that you don’t want to miss during work hours. Or maybe you have a deadline at work forcing you to stay at work for a few more hours past closing time. Whichever the case, you must be ready to delegate some tasks both at home and at work. At work, you need to have a reliable employee who can take care of your business competently when you need a break. At home, you can talk to your spouse and older kids about how to divide the load for child-caring and household needs so that you have less to do when you get home from a long day of work. You can also outsource some tasks like house or laundry cleaning if you feel the need to.

Being a successful business owner and a great mom is a daunting task, but very much possible. Even though you may be forced to make a few changes to find balance, you can come up with a schedule that suits your duties both as a mother and as a business owner if you play your cards right.