By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

Although last week’s snow and cold felt like winter, spring truly is right around the corner, and with it many fun and healthy outdoor events in Shelby County.

On March 14, Jefferson State Community College is hosting the inaugural Judy M. Merritt 5K Run and Walk. Beginning at 8 a.m. at the Jeff State Shelby-Hoover campus, the event features a 5K run, a one-mile “fun walk,” family-friendly activities and food. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Judy M. Merritt Scholarship Fund.

The Oak Mountain High School Student Government Association is also holding a race on March 14, the second annual OMHS Color Run. Non-toxic colored powder adds a unique and colorful twist to the road-race, and turns participants’ shirts into a tie-dyed item they can take home.

The Color Run kicks off at 8 a.m. in Oak Mountain State Park, and all proceeds raised will fund cancer research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

While staying active is one part of a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy is important too. March is National Nutrition Month and St. Vincent’s One Nineteen is holding nutrition-focused events and workshops throughout the month.

On March 17 at 6 p.m., St. Vincent’s One Nineteen will hold “Health Eating in a Bag.” This workshop is perfect for those with a busy lifestyle who might not have time to prepare a healthy meal from scratch every night.

Attendants will be given a healthy shopping list, and during this two-hour class, a registered dieticians will demonstrate how to turn those ingredients into seven healthy meals to freeze.

St. Vincent’s One Nineteen will also guide a tours of the new Sprouts grocery store, located in the Brook Highland Shopping Center, on March 18 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. A registered dietician will teach attendants what to look for on nutrition labels and where to find the healthiest options in the store.

With the cold and snow hopefully behind us, I’m looking forward to getting into spring and enjoying some of the great activities Shelby County has to offer.