Shelby County is an incredible place to live, work and play. Not only is there a booming economy, surging population and low unemployment rate, but it is also a sportsman&8217;s or a sportswoman&8217;s dream.

There are so many sports opportunities in Shelby County and so many talented people pursing their sports related dreams that one cannot help but be impressed.

Recently, I met and reported on the dirt-track races of Shelby County Speedway in Wilsonville and learned about a couple of women in the mix, as well.

I met a woman, Heather Sullivan, formerly of Montevallo, who hopes to make it on the Bassmaster women&8217;s tour. She already placed second in one event. She hopes to make to the women&8217;s classic on Lake Mitchell Feb. 22-25, 2007. See related feature in this sports section.

I met and reported on a driver named Josh Hamner of Chelsea who hopes to make it to NASCAR via the internet and a future TV program called &8220;Racinforalivin.&8221; He wants to qualify for Bush races and a debut in a Nextel Cup race.

I also met a young bowler from Pelham, Mathew Mullinax, who put up some really great scores and who got to meet some great pro bowlers. See this week&8217;s sports section.

Shelby County is a place where people breed and show horses, there are great public and private golf courses, there is a dive place in Pelham and a super skate park in Alabaster.

The quality of golf courses in Shelby County is evident by the fact the Bruno&8217;s Classic Champions Tour event was held at Greystone and the PGA tournament

was once held at Shoal Creek.

Of course there is also Lay Lake and numerous parks around the county.

There are soccer programs, peewee football programs and baseball leagues in addition to tennis and softball events.

Sports and recreational activities are all around you in Shelby County. Just take time to enjoy.

A great place to learn about all these opportunities is in this week&8217;s &8220;Shelby County A Guide For Newcomers Visitors & Residents.&8221;

Take a moment to check it out