Village Living
| September 2012 |
neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook Summer Fun Photo Contest winners- pg 16
Rosh Hashanahpg 21
Volume 3 | Issue 6 | September 2012
Generations of Greek Mountain Brook residents a part of 40 annual Greek Festival th
By MADOLINE MARKHAM Ernie Gerontakis was a teenager when the Greek Festival began 40 years ago. He remembers learning to cook chicken and kebabs and dancing at the festival through high school and college, just as his sons Spiro, a Birmingham-Southern College freshman, and ninth grader Petey have grown up doing. “So many different [restaurant] professionals and grandmothers and grandfathers have passed down recipes,” said Gerontakis. Over the years he has enjoyed seeing customers from Gus’s Hot Dogs, which he owns in Crestline, and kids he has coached in baseball and basketball come downtown to Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral where the festival is held. “You see a lot of people you know, especially when you work as cashier,” said Alexis Pappas, whose grandmother was the first person to cook rice for the festival.
See GREEK | page 14
September Features City Council Crime Report Library calendar Kari Kampakis Richard Simmons Judge candidates Village Sports School House Dale Wisely Restaurant Showcase Business Spotlight Around the Villages Calendar of Events
6 7 10 11 15 18 22 24 26 27 28 29 30
Members of the Greek Orthodox community start preparing food for the Greek Festival in early September. Front row: Renee Kampakis McMinn, Chum Atkins, Irene Tracy, Becky Kampakis. Back row: Alexis Pappas, Staci Graphos, Peter Graphos, Harriett Marinos. Photo by Madoline Markham.
An NBA dream
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MBHS sophomore George Chamoun has met with Mayor William Bell regarding his grassroots campaign to bring an NBA team to Birmingham. Photo courtesy of the Chamoun family.
By PATRICK THOMAS Hearing the NBA and Birmingham in the same sentence seems like an oddity. In a land ruled by collegiate football, split between fans who either pull for the Tigers or the Tide, professional basketball doesn’t seem to be a fit in the Magic City. But many
might not know that Birmingham is in the top five in ESPN ratings for NBA viewership and has been voted the tenth best metro area without a professional team. The NBA in Birmingham might sound crazy to some people, but George Chamoun believes it is
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a vision that can work. George, a sophomore at Mountain Brook High School, has worked extensively to begin a grassroots movement to bring an NBA team to Birmingham. “I like watching basketball and it would help the economy of the city tremendously,” George said. No stranger to online media, he created nbabirmingham.com to host a petition to garner support for bringing a team here. His twitter account, @NBABirmingham, has generated nearly 6,000 followers. Wasting no time to build a cult following, he has emailed small businesses like Mountain High Outfitters and Cahaba Cycles that immediately gave their support. Although he is awaiting responses, he wholeheartedly believes BBVA Compass and Regions banks would be committed after witnessing the success the Regions Tradition brought to the Birmingham area. One thing is certain—George knows the problems the Birmingham area has faced. From the sewage crisis to corruption involving city officials, convincing naysayers is a formidable task. The thought of building an NBA arena is a daunting task when economic stability has been unseen in recent times. George’s logic is that a team would greatly benefit local businesses and create new jobs. He specifically referenced the Oklahoma City Thunder, who built its
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| September 2012 | Village Living
Think strong. Our little gym isn’t such a novelty any more. We are no longer isolated to working out in a 400 foot garage. The mother of three is no longer intimated by the workouts. Nowadays, nobody even wonders what’s going on when they see women running up and down the street with a medicine ball. In fact, Iron Tribe Athletes are no longer shocked by the strength of our 100% money back guarantee. Or the strength of our community to grow from 12 friends to over 900.
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Village Living | September 2012 |
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| September 2012 | Welcome Friends
Village Living
Crestline Campers Mary Grace Lorino and Georgia Stewart with their camp counselor Megan and cousin Virginia. Photo courtesy of Julie Stewart.
Staff & Friends
Publisher: Dan Starnes Creative Director : Keith McCoy Editor : Jennifer Gray Managing Editor : Madoline Markham Editor at Large : Joe Samuel Starnes Copy Editor: Lauren Denton Sales and Distribution: Rhonda Smith | Warren Caldwell | Matthew Allen Published by : Village Living LLC Contributing Writers : Susan Matthews | Christiana Roussel | Kari Kampakis Rick Watson | Brittney Harrison | Holley Wesley | Maggie Carter O’Connor Patrick Thomas School House Contributors : Frances Watts- Cherokee Bend, Britt ReddenCrestline, Bama Hager- Brookwood Forest, Sherrie Futch- Mountain Brook High School, Hilary Ross- Mountain Brook Elem. & Mountain Brook Jr. High Contributing Photographer: Image Arts Interns : Katey Courtney| Madison Miller| Jordan Miller
Contact Information: Village Living #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 dan@VillageLivingOnline.com
Please submit all articles, information and photos to: Jennifer@VillageLivingOnline.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253
Legals: Village Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. Village Living is designed to inform the Mountain Brook community of area school, faith, family and community events. Information in Village Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of Village Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 370-0732 or by email. Please recycle this paper
Editor’s Note you must give it a try. We share Even though I cherish the slow, lazy days of summer, it’s their story in this issue. We also have the recap also so much fun to see things get back into full swing in the of the swim season from this fall. School is back in session, summer. Many of us were inspired as we watched and football seasons begin Olympic swimmers from the anew, full of anticipation and U.S. compete in London. We hopes for additional national have some pretty great talent championships. here as well. Hilary Ross has Another fun event that recapped some of the meets takes place each September is and swimmers’ finishes from the annual Greek Food Festival. our area teams. As we head into Although this event is held Jennifer Gray fall, that also means elections. downtown at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, it is very On a local level, multiple candidates that much an event that is part of the lives of have ties to our community are running for many of our residents. For some like my judgeships. Over the next few issues, we family, we eagerly anticipate going and will highlight their stories. Lastly, as a final tribute to the fun partaking of those amazing dishes and desserts. We plan our weekend around of summer, we have our winners and which night we are getting our Greek fix. some of our favorite pictures from our But more than that, it is a time to celebrate Summer Fun Photo Contest. Thanks to the heritage and traditions of neighbors. everyone who submitted photos. There are Mountain Brook has many from the additional photos online as well at www. Greek community that reside here. Many villagelivingonline.com. have helped prepare the dishes we enjoy at the food festival for years and even generations. If you haven’t been before,
Call for cousin and family photos
There is a Kubiszyn cousin in every grade (except 5th) at Mountain Brook Elementary: Ann Wolter (sixth), Ella Kampakis (fourth), Caroline Allen (third), Daniel Kubiszyn (second), Sophie Kampakis (second), Sarah Allen (first) and Marie Claire Kampakis (kindergarten). The Kubiszyn siblings are Dana Kubiszyn Wolter, Jack Kubiszyn, Krissie Kubiszyn Allen and Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis. There are also three more children at MBJH and MBHS: Ellie Wolter (eighth), John David Kubiszyn (tenth) and Lucy Wolter (tenth).
Calling all cousins and families! Village Living is looking for photos of school-age children in Mountain Brook who are related. The children do not have to all attend the same school. Selected photos
will run in an upcoming issue of Village Living in print and online. To submit a photo, email jennifer@ villagelivingonline.com by September 10.
Please Support Our Sponsors Alabama Allergy & Asthma (26) A’mano (27) Amy Smith, State Farm (14) Architectural Heritage (31) Authentic Restoration (10) Briarcliff Shop (23) Birmingham Botanical Gardens (21) Bromberg’s (29) Brookdale Place (12) Cardiovascular Associates (17) Children’s of Alabama (9) Golden Rule Bar-b-q (15) Hufham Orthodontics (25) iJump 280 (28) Iron Tribe (2) Issis & Sons (23) Jacqueline DeMarco (21)
Lamb’s Ears, Ltd. (27) Laura Kathryn (8) Livid Boutique (14) Marella/Village Sportswear (11) Medhelp (26) Mobley and Sons (6) ORE (14) Otey’s (25) Piggly Wiggly (22) Plastic Surgery Specialists (18) Please Reply (16) RealtySouth (32) Renasant Bank (3) Sew Sheri (24) Sharp Carpet (29) Smart Skin Day Spa (31) Snoozy’s Kids (20)
Southern Womens Show (12) Taco Mama (24) The Diamond Dealer (11) The Hill Apartments (5) The Maids (1) The Pink Tulip (20) The Town of Mt Laurel (13) Town and Country (22) Tracery (28) United Way Vestavia Hills Soccer Club (19) Village Dermatology (7) Vogue Cleaners (21) Vulcan (16, 18)
Village Living | September 2012 |
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| September 2012 | Village Living
City council updates Lane Parke development incentive approved On July 30, the Mountain Brook City Council approved a $14 million incentive from the city for the Lane Parke development to be built in Mountain Brook Village. The council chambers were full the night of the meeting, and many citizens voiced concerns about the potential agreement. Representatives from Daniel Corporation said that city funding is critical to secure finalizing from other sources. City council members cited how the
city had entered similar agreements with the developers of Cahaba Village and the Publix shopping center on Overton Road. The city will reimburse the developer for $4 million of street improvements and will be paid as the work is completed. The remaining $10 million will be a tax abatement/revenue sharing plan for over 20 years. If the project does not earn this amount during this time period, then the city will not give it to them. The Lane Parke development is being planned for Mountain Brook Village.
Council concerns with residential property New city website launched The City Council received an update on the house at 304 Stoneridge Drive that burned down a year ago. The property was left in inadequate condition, and the council required the property owner to either demolish the property or restore the property to meet city codes. The property owner demolished the house, but left the pool empty. The property owner asked if he could fence around the pool until further work could be done, but the Council refused. The
owner must fill in the pool. The City Council also considered sending a notice to remedy a nuisance to the property owner at 2210 Sterlingwood Drive. The house burned down and has been left in disarray. The consideration asked the Council to approve a demolish or restoration order and the Council approved. The home owner/ property owner was notified on July 24.
Fire hydrants for school sidewalk project The City Council agreed to authorize the relocation of four fire hydrants for the Safe Routes to Schools sidewalk projects. The projects, which are taking place at Mountain Brook Elementary and Crestline Elementary, will add up to two miles of
sidewalk improvements between the two schools. Nimrod Long & Associates is in charge of the project; this is the first Safe Routes for Schools project approved in the state.
112 euclid ave. birmingham, alabama 35213 facebook.com/mobleyandsons 205.870.7929
The City of Mountain Brook introduced its new website at the beginning of August. The new mtnbrook.org provides visitors with information on city happenings and services and allows residents to pay fines and tickets online. The site also allows residents to
connect to city departments and officials, as well as the city’s calendar of events. Citizens can also ask for assistance from police, fire, animal control and other departments and leave comments.
Sidewalks to link to Homewood The City Council approved the proposed sidewalk project along Montevallo Road and Hollywood Boulevard. The new sidewalks will link the cities of Homewood and Mountain Brook. State Representative Paul DeMarco spoke in favor of the project and is in full
support of linking the two cities. In linking the two cities, a safer pedestrian crosswalk will be added to the shoulder of the Hollywood Bridge, along with a traffic barrier. The connection will also allow for pedestrians to access the Birmingham Zoo more easily.
Village Living | September 2012 |
Crime Report By LT. JIM COLE
Week of July 13-19 This week we had six home burglaries and no UBEVs (Unlawful Breaking and Entering Vehicles). The first home burglary occurred on Dell Road between June 27 and July 3. This house is under construction, and several people had access to it. Jewelry was taken. The second home burglary occurred on Montevallo Road at approximately 9:13 p.m. on July 15. The thief kicked in the front door of the residence to gain entry. The resident’s alarm activated, and the thief left the scene. The third home burglary occurred on Montevallo Road between 6 p.m. on July 14 and 6:30 p.m. on July 16. The thief entered an unlocked kitchen door and took jewelry, televisions and an iPad. The fourth home burglary occurred on Sharpsburg Drive between 1 p.m. on July 14 and 1 p.m. on July 16. The thief entered a broken window in the master bedroom and bypassed the victim’s alarm. A large amount of jewelry was taken from this home. The victim’s alarm was set. The fifth home burglary occurred on Ridge Drive between 6:15 p.m. on July 15 and 9 a.m. on July 16. The thief removed the center panel of a wooden door in order to bypass the alarm. A large amount of silver was removed from this home. The victim had her alarm set, but the thief knew how to bypass the alarm. The sixth home burglary occurred on Country Club Road between 10 a.m. on July 15 and 8 a.m. on July 18. The thief entered the apartment with a key that the resident leaves near the entrance of the apartment. Televisions and jewelry were taken. There is a suspect, and he is acquainted with the victim.
Week of July 20-26 This week we had one home burglary and no UBEVs (Unlawful Breaking and Entering Vehicles). The home burglary occurred on Warrington Road at about 2:30 a.m. on July 23. This was a strange case because an individual entered a home early in the morning knowing the residents were at home. According to the victim, the offender entered the home through an unlocked sliding door in the basement and was spotted leaving the home through the same door. There is no viable description available. In light of the recent increase in home burglaries the past couple of weeks, we have received suggestions regarding video surveillance around homes. Some of our residents have installed video equipment that records any activity around their residence. There are different systems available. Some are connected to DVRs, and some are web-based so you can monitor your property no matter where you are just by looking at your computer. There are different companies who provide these services. If you do choose to get a video system, be sure that the video camera is set at a level that will allow a face shot of the thief. So often all we get from a video is the top of a head. Also, video cameras visible to anyone approaching a property might be a deterrent to a potential thief. Week of July 27-August 2 This past week we had one home burglary and one UBEV (Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle). The home burglary occurred on North Woodridge Road between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on July 25. The residents were gone, but workers were present during the day and the residence was not locked. An iPad and
accessories were taken from the home. The UBEV occurred on Beverly Drive between 5 p.m. on July 24 and 10 a.m. on July 25. The victim left her vehicle unlocked, and a small purse with cash was taken from the vehicle. Week of August 3-9 This past week we had five home burglaries and three UBEVs (Unlawful Breaking and Entering Vehicles). This was the worst week of the year for us. It is imperative that we stay vigilant and report anything suspicious. The first home burglary occurred on Pumphouse Road between 7:45 and 10:15 a.m. on July 30. The resident returned home to find her front door forced open. The thief had taken a television and two computers. The second home burglary occurred on Crestview Drive between 10:30 a.m. on August 3 and 6:45 a.m. on August 6. The home was entered through a window towards the rear of the home. The thief took an iPad, a GPS and a silver service. The victim’s alarm was on but did not activate. The third home burglary occurred on Ridge Drive between 12 p.m. on August 5 and 8:30 a.m. on August 6. The thief entered the home after a door on the back patio had been forced open. It is not known what if any items were taken. The fourth home burglary occurred on Sharpsburg Drive between August 2 and 6. It appears that a ladder was used to enter the home through a window. The victim had his alarm on, and it may have malfunctioned. The thief took an iPod, jewelry and other items. The fifth home burglary occurred on Beverly Drive on August 8 between 8 and 11 a.m. The thief pried a back door open and took jewelry, computers and cash. The first UBEV occurred on Park Lane Ct. E. between 9:30 p.m. on July 24 and 10 a.m. on July 25. The victim left his golf clubs in his unlocked vehicle, and they were taken. It occurred the same time and was committed by the same thief who took
items from the Beverly Drive UBEV that was reported last week. The second UBEV occurred at the hotel on US 280 between 8 p.m. on August 5 and 6:50 a.m. on August 6. The thief entered an unlocked vehicle and took tools, an iPod, a GPS and cash. The third UBEV occurred on River Bend Road during the day on August 8 while a man was working. His work truck was unlocked, and a thief took tools from his truck. A citizen requested that the update members be reminded that Jefferson County does not send out tag expiration reminders. Also, remember to make sure your insurance card is updated to indicate that your insurance is currently in effect. If either has expired, you could get a ticket. Week of August 10-16 This week we had no home burglaries and three UBEVs (Unlawful Breaking and Entering Vehicles). Our home burglaries are still down compared to the last three years, but a couple of bad weeks could put us close to those years. Please call if you see any suspicious vehicles cruising the neighborhoods or any suspicious person walking. The first and second UBEVs occurred on Wynward Road between 11 p.m. on August 8 and 11 a.m. on August 9. The victim left his golf clubs in his unlocked vehicle, and they were taken. Another vehicle was left unlocked in the same driveway and checks were taken from it. The third UBEV should have been reported a couple of weeks ago. The victim reported it on August 11. It occurred on Randolph Place during the night on July 30. Clothes and a Visa credit card were taken from an unlocked vehicle. Our officers are writing tickets for texting while driving. Texting while driving is a dangerous thing to do. It used to be that when you saw a car weaving on the highway, it was a drunk driver. Now, it is difficult to distinguish whether the driver is drunk or texting. Both are dangerous.
You’re invited to a special evening at
A Cool Night Out Live demos Free consultations Event-only special pricing Fabulous goodie bags & door prizes Raffle for a FREE CoolSculpting treatment Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Stone Hollow Kitchen
Thursday, September 20th, 2012 5:30 – 7:30 pm Presentation begins at 5:45 Village Dermatology Boutique 2901 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook, Alabama 35213
Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres as you learn about CoolSculpting®, a revolutionary new non-surgical treatment designed to remove stubborn fat and help you reclaim the real version of yourself, the cool, natural way. IC0296-A
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Admission is free but space is limited, so RSVP by September 13th to reserve your spot.
Call 877-9773 For more information about CoolSculpting, visit www.villagedermatology.net/coolsculpting.html
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| September 2012 | Village Living
Antiques at the Gardens festival By MADISON MILLER The seventh annual Antiques at the Gardens: Arts, Jewelry and Antiques will be held at Birmingham Botanical Gardens October 5-7. The show will feature renowned tastemakers and dealers from across the country. Twelve architects, interior designers and landscape designers will curate themed areas such as “Beach House,” “Library” and “Jewel Box.” Antiques, furniture, porcelain, fine art,
silver, garden accessories and jewelry will also be presented at the show. Special events include the Sterne Agee First Look Party, a black tie event to kick off the festivities, and a Red Diamond Lecture Series featuring chef Alex Hitz. For more information, including times and prices, visit www.bbgardens. org/antiques or contact Shelly McCarty at 414-3965 or smccarty@bbgardens.org/ antiques.
Twisters Dance Club celebrates 25th anniversary
When you give to United Way, you’re not just doing a good deed — you’re creating opportunities for a better life for all. Your donations go directly to our partners and initiatives in our community to help those who need it most. The truth is undeniable: doing good feels good. And nothing feels better than making good things happen with a partner like United Way.
Twisters Social Chairmen, President and Founding Officers Beth Andrews, Carmen Morrow, Lynn Creighton, Susan Waggoner, Andrea Hawkins, Kathy Whatley, Elisabeth Branch, Kendall Eagan, Landon Stivender, Jodi Skinner and Ginger Hollingsworth. Picture courtesy of Carmen Morrow.
In celebration of its 25th anniversary and because it was so much fun the first time, the Twisters recently teamed up with another dance club, the Go-Gos, to host the second ever Hair Ball at Park Lane in English Village. What on earth is a Hair Ball? Just an excuse to get a crazy hairdo and wear a wig or a costume or whatever to a party. Guests were treated to music by the Locust Fork Band and food catered
Diana Warner
by Kathy G. This year’s social chairmen, Beth Andrews, Andrea Hawkins and Susan Waggoner (Twisters) and Leigh Collins (Go-Gos), planned the party. Twisters’ founding officers attending the ball were President Elisabeth Branch, Secretary Ginger Hollingsworth, Membership Chairman Lynn Creighton, Hospitality Chairman Jodi Skinner and Treasurer Kendall Eagan.
Girl Scouts earn Bronze Award Joie
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Laura Kathryn brings
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Girl Scout Troop 31. Photo courtesy of Ami Estreicher.
Junior Troop #31 helped the Greater Birmingham Humane Society in a major way as they worked to earn the Bronze Award. The Bronze Award is the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can achieve. Troop #31 toured the Humane Society, crafted frames to advertise each animal in the shelter, made 100 newspaper rolls for the shelter to use when cleaning cages and held a pet food drive to collect pet food for the Humane Society’s Pet Pantry. The girls advertised the weeklong drive at Brookwood Forest Elementary School and collected several buckets of dog and cat food from this effort. In addition, the girls gathered at a local Piggly Wiggly grocery store and collected $600 worth of pet food. The Troop accepted money donations too and these donations along with several of the Scout’s arts and crafts endeavors (jewelry making, personalized t-shirts, and
computer generated art work) as well as the profits made from selling Girl Scout cookies this year allowed the Troop to purchase two permanent small mammal habitats for the Humane Society. These living quarters are already being used to house bunny rabbits at the shelter and will be used for many years to come. Members of Troop #31 include Anna Balzli, Olivia Bell, Holly Brown, Holly Chapman, Harper Cook, Sara Cook, Rachel Estreicher, Grace Flynn, Mary Margaret Freeland, Emily Grant, Amelia Jane Joehl, Greer Kelly, Louise Knight, Alison Levine, Tess Levine, Hannah McCabe, Katelyn McInerney, Kathleen Odum, Kate Perry, Anna Lisa Pflaum, Ella Pyron, Sophie Saab, Kyndall Scott, Annika Siddall, Maddie Stern, Sarah Taylor, Grace Turner, Maddie Usdan, Martha Louise Waters and Luisa Windsor.
Village Living | September 2012 |
Miles for Smiles Run The ninth annual Miles for Smiles 5K and Fun Run will be held in Crestline Village on September 8. The event, held by the UAB School of Dentistry, benefits the Cahaba Valley Health Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to quality healthcare for the underserved, primarily Hispanic communities in Jefferson and Shelby counties. The first 150 participants to sign up will receive a T-shirt. All participants will receive a goodie bag. An awards ceremony will take place
at Otey’s Tavern following the race, and participants will be given an armband for food and beverages provided by Otey’s. Registration for the 5K and post-race party is $28 by September 7 or $35 on race day. Registration for the Fun Run and the post-race party is $20 by September 7 or $25 on race day. Tickets for the post-race party only are $15 per armband. A raffle will take place the day of the race, and donations are appreciated. For more information and registration, visit active.com.
Drug Take Back Day The Mountain Brook Police Department will again participate in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on September 29. The event offers an opportunity for anyone to safely dispose of unwanted, unused prescription drugs. Mountain Brook Police Department (8 Office Park Circle) and Mountain Brook Fire Station 2 (3785 Locksley Drive) will act as a drop off location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day. As before, this is a no-questionsasked program. You simply bring the prescription drugs to the drop off locations and empty them into a container. There is no registration, and you are not required to
give your name. Our goal is to provide a safe means of disposal for unwanted and unused drugs. On the April 28 DEA-led National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, citizens turned in a record-breaking 552,161 pounds (276 tons) of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at the 5,659 take-back sites that were available in all 50 states and U.S. territories. When the results of the four Take-Back Days to date are combined, the DEA and its state, local, and tribal law-enforcement and community partners have removed over 1.5 million pounds (774 tons) of medication from circulation.
ZooGala 2012
ThE ALABAmA CENTER fOR ChiLDhOOD CANCER AND BLOOD DiSORDERS Committed to a Cure “Rollins and Kamar receive care from The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama. The Center is the largest single provider of cancer care for children and young adults in our state. We’re committed to a cure, and you can be, too.” ~Sara Evans, Singer/Songwriter~
Visit Ch ild re n sA L .or g/ c ommi tted toa c ure to DON AT E N O W and for information on other ways to help.
ZooGala organizers Allison Ingram, Charles Mayer, Missy Cox, Vasa the Vasa Parrot, Jason Waters and Cissy Jackson. Photo courtesy of The Birmingham Zoo.
On Saturday, September 15 at 6:30 p.m., the Birmingham Zoo will host its largest fundraising event, ZooGala 2012, with elephants, a vasa parrot, a serval, a great horned owl and many more animals. Chairs of this year’s event are Missy Cox and Allison Ingram. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, live music and animal walkabouts in an African safari atmosphere. All funds raised at ZooGala go towards the Zoo’s operational efforts. This unique annual event helps the Birmingham Zoo continue its mission of “inspiring passion
for the natural world.” This black tie-optional affair will be held in the Zoo’s signature exhibit, Trails of Africa. A seated dinner begins at 8 p.m. ZooGala will feature live entertainment by K-JAMS, menu and decorations by Kathy G. & Company, an original piece of artwork by Thomas Andrew and jewelry by Empire Diamonds. For more information, visit www. birminghamzoo.com. To purchase tickets, contact Kathy Vaughn at 397-3861 or kvaughn@birminghamzoo.com.
Cahaba Village for the Cure set for Sept. 20 Cahaba Village will once again host an after-hours event on September 20 to encourage participation in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Volunteers will be signing up participants for the Oct. 20 race in pink tents from 6 to 8 p.m. Businesses in Cahaba Village will participate in the event as well. Whole Foods will have a bouncy castle; Newk’s will host a wine tasting and will have pink cups; Tonya Jones Salon will being doing pink hair extensions; and Fleet Feet will dress their mannequin in front of the store in support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Cahaba Village will also give away
door prizes and have a scavenger hunt during the event. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has invested nearly $1.5 billion in breast cancer research since inception in 1982. This year, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure wishes to raise $1.2 million for the community. For more information on Cahaba Village for the Cure, contact Paige Gilliland at 919-9944. For more information on the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, visit www. komenncalabama.org.
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| September 2012 | Village Living
Free access to continuing education courses By HOLLEY WESLEY If you’re like me, you have a healthy admiration for knowledge and learning. I wasn’t necessarily at my best in an organized classroom, but to this day if I find a topic to fire up my mind, then I’m instantly on task and motivated. The classes in college that captured my attention included art appreciation, music appreciation, defensive driving, sociology, Chaucer, Spanish and psychology. Beyond that, I excelled but was not excited. What I am excited about is the Library’s newest online service, Universal Class! Residents of Mountain Brook with a valid Jefferson County Library Cooperative library card have access to over 500 online non-college credit continuing education courses from dog training to learning HTML and beyond. Residents of Mountain Brook may access the Universal Class database via the Library’s website at www.eolib.org. You will need a valid email address to sign up
for a free account. This way, Universal Class will keep up with your lessons for you and each course has a real instructor with whom you may communicate using your email. You may enroll in up to five courses at a time, and you will have up to six months to finish each of those courses. As long as you have internet access at home, you’ll be able to keep up with your courses 24/7, attending classes and doing assignments on your own schedule. These are noncredit courses and are provided strictly for your personal enrichment. These courses are not intended to be a substitute for any state, government, licensing or educational requirements. For information about the Library’s regularly scheduled programs, see the Library’s calendar in this issue of Village Living. Visit us online at www.eolib.org and www.facebook.com/emmetoneallibrary or call 445-1121.
Emmet O’Neal Library Schedule Adults 9/1-9/3- Library closed in observance of Labor Day
9/7- Game On! Video Game Tournament, 4:30pm-6:30 p.m.
9/4- Thyme to Read-EOL Book Group, discussing The French Gardener by Santa Montefiore, 6 p.m., The Library at the Botanical Gardens
9/14- Knitting Crafts with Brianna Payne, 4-6 p.m.
9/5- Brown Bag Lunch series, film about blue whales, 12:30 p.m. 9/10- Great Books Book Group discussing a selected short story, “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and So Forth” by John Updike, 6:30 p.m. 9/11- The Bookies Book Group, discussing Prague Winter by Madeleine Albright, 10 a.m. 9/12- Brown Bag Lunch series, film about historic landmarks from Uzbekistan to Syria, 12:30 p.m. 9/15- Knit & Knibble, all crafts and skill levels welcome, 2-3:30 p.m. 9/18- Tech Tuesday, call 445-1115 to make an appointment for help learning how to borrow Audiobooks on your Mp3 device or ebooks on your Nook, Kindle, or iPad. 9/18- Documentaries After Dark, film about the art of the Chauvet Cave in France, 6:30 p.m. 9/19- Brown Bag Lunch series, author Aileen Kilgore Henderson will speak about her new book, Eugene Allen Smith’s Alabama, which is about our state’s first geologist, 12:30 p.m. 9/25- Tech Tuesday, call 445-1115 to make an appointment for help learning about tech resources at the Library, social media basics, or beginner Microsoft Word or Excel. 9/25- Genre Reading Group, discussing graphic novels, 6:30 p.m. 9/26- Brown Bag Lunch series, film about hydroelectric dams in Patagonia, 12:30 p.m.
Teens
9/4- TAB Meeting, the monthly meeting of the Teen Advisory Board, 5-6 p.m.
9/15- Football & BBQ at the Library, Alabama vs. Arkansas OR Auburn vs Louisiana, Time TBA
Children’s Mondays
*Toddler Tales Story Time. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Chess Club. 6 p.m.
Tuesdays
Together Time Story Time. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Library Out Loud Story Time. 3:30 p.m.
Wednesdays
*Mother Goose Story Time. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Thursdays
*Patty Cake Story Time. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. SNaP. 3:30 p.m.
Saturdays
Family Story Time with Mr. Mac. 10:30 a.m.
Special Events
9/11- Family Night: Bama Air Dogs. 5:30 p.m. 9/19- After School Special: “Drumming Up Stories” w/Beatin’ Path. 3:30 p.m. 9/25- *Bookmania: Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading. 6 p.m. 9/27- *Bookmania: Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading. 6 p.m. *Space is limited; please call 879-0497 or visit www.eolib.org to register. For more information about any of our programs, call 445-1121 and find us online at www.eolib.org, blogging at www.eolib. blogspot.com, on Facebook at www. facebook.com/emmetoneallibrary and on Twitter at @ eolib.
Village Living | September 2012 |
Life Actually By Kari Kampakis
The deep end of love I should have been exhausted, but I wasn’t. I needed to sleep, but I couldn’t. Instead, I only wanted to look at my new baby girl, an eight-pound miracle we named Ella. After an 18-hour labor, she arrived around midnight. As we settled in a hospital room, our surroundings dark and quiet due to the time, I savored a moment alone with her. The nurse had left to gather supplies. My husband was getting food. And I...well, I was undergoing a major transformation. With adoring eyes I studied Ella’s face, memorizing features and wishing I could watch her all night, every night. When our eyes met, she held my gaze, never once wavering. It felt like a reunion, not an introduction, two long-lost friends who already knew and understood each other. If ever I’d questioned my existence, wondered what good I added to this world, I now had an answer. This angel from heaven was here because of me. God had chosen me to raise her. As a tidal wave of love swelled inside me, so powerful and intense I could hardly breathe, I realized something: for this tiny creature to evoke so many life-changing emotions, she had to be special. Then and there, my life split into two: Before and After. Before I became a mom, I’d experienced
Kari Kampakis with her daughter, Ella. Photo by Heather Swanner Photography.
love, love in many sizes and forms. I’d given it and taken it, doling out more when someone treated me right, less when they hurt me. But what I felt for Ella was completely one-sided and unmeasured. Gone was any instinct to protect my heart, replaced by a drive to protect her. She’d never love me the way I loved her, but I didn’t care. In fact, that was the beauty of the situation. At 30 years old, I wanted to be saved from my selfishness. I wanted motherhood to help me grow up and mature. As I cradled Ella in my arms, the concept of unconditional love sank in. In mere
moments she’d stolen my heart like no one ever had. I loved her not because of what she’d done, or might do down the road, but because she existed. That was enough. Ella turns 10 this month, and for me that marks a decade of motherhood. Her birth day was the best day of my life, not because I love Ella more than her sisters, but because she’s the one who made me a mom. She was the game-changer, the one who took me out of floaties and launched me into the deep end of love. I was nervous and scared, but somehow I knew how to tread water. Somehow I understood the connection
among everyone in the deep end, where staying afloat was the common battle. My life felt out-of-control...and yet so free. I’d traded in security for a danger zone, a place where my feet would never touch bottom again. Why would I do that? Why would I take on the risk of drowning? I’ll tell you why: Because life begins in the deep end. And for me, it took a child to make me jump in. Ella’s birth was a rebirth for me, a second chance to embrace life with less inhibition. Ella exposed me raw, cranking my heart wide-open, and unleashing emotions like fireworks. Never again would I be able to harness my feelings, for I’d joined the ranks of women who feel the joys and pains of this world on a deeper, more spiritual level. And while I liked to reminisce about my days in the shallow end, remembering how carefree life used to be, I didn’t wish to go back. In the deep end I came alive; I wanted to soak it up. Maybe life was easier before Ella, but it wasn’t as full, or anywhere near complete. Going back could never satisfy me as it had before, because once you experience the deep end, shallow waters aren’t the same. So I thank my beautiful, kind, quickwitted firstborn for granting me this opportunity. I thank her for bearing with me as I learn new strokes in each stage of parenting. Most of all, I thank Ella for her compassion toward others. With her in the universe, I have faith in the future, for I know she’ll make it better. I love you, sweet Ella, not because of what you’ve done or might do down the road with your many talents, but because you exist. It was enough at your birth, and it’s enough now. To watch you blossom on this intricate level, as your proud and everamazed mother, is a gift for which I am so grateful. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four with a background in PR, writing, and photography. Visit her website at www.karikampakis.com, find her on Facebook and Twitter, or contact her at kari@ karikampakis.com.
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| September 2012 | Village Living
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Grace Carroll works at her sewing machine to create more cases for Angel Pillowcases. Photo courtesy of Grace Carroll.
patient of Children’s of Alabama and also contribute to the SEANStrong Fund. The SEANStrong Fund, inspired by Mountain Brook resident Sean Fredella, raises money for Children’s of Alabama and their young patients who are battling cancer. Pillowcases are available for a fully tax-deductible donation of $25. To support Angel Pillowcases, visit www. angelpillowcases.org or mail a check to Janie Jones – Children’s of Alabama, 1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233. After receiving a $1,000 grant from the Banking on Youth competition, Angel Pillowcases has begun to receive donation orders at an exponential rate. Additional volunteers are needed to help craft the pillowcases. If you are interested in volunteering, send an email to angelpillowcases@gmail.com.
By MADISON MILLER The blue bow campaign for Sean Fredella got Harry Arnold, a rising senior at the Altamont School, thinking about how he could help people like Sean’s family. So he teamed up with classmate Grace Carroll who has always crafted hand-made, quality pillowcases for donation to patients of Children’s of Alabama. Together they formed Angel Pillowcases. “A pillowcase is something that most of us take for granted each night when we go to bed,” said Carroll. “However, for hospitalized children, it can mean the world. A pillowcase can be the difference between feeling uncomfortable in a hospital room as opposed to feeling at home.” Angel Pillowcases come in many different designs, including bicycles and basketballs for boys and flowers and cupcakes for girls. Donations to the organization cover the cost of each pillowcase delivered to a
Samples of some of the prints used for the pillowcases. Photo courtesy of Grace Carroll.
Food and wine event to benefit library Western’s Wine & Food Festival benefitting Emmet O’Neal Library will be held Friday, September 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Birmingham Zoo. The library uses the proceeds from the event, now in its ninth year, to host its events year round. In the past, they have brought in bestselling authors like Khaled Hosseini, John Berendt, Alexander McCall-Smith and Carl Hiaasen. Library Director Sue DeBrecht looks forward to this premiere wine tasting event each fall and is very appreciative of the generous contributions the library has received from Western Supermarkets. The festival will include numerous wine vendors offering over 650 wines for tasting and delicious foods focusing on Alabama products prepared by the chefs from Jefferson State Culinary School. Those who come will be able to enjoy Fox Valley crab cakes, pond-raised shrimp, Hereford N.Y. strip steak samples and more. Each ticket holder will also receive a re-useable wine tote from Western. Western Supermarkets staff will also be present to suggest wine pairings for your
Western employees Brett Hubbard and Darwin Metcalf plan for the upcoming wine event. Photo courtesy of Emmet O’Neal Library.
particular menu for upcoming parties and holiday festivities. Wine will be available by the case to take home at a discounted price. Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 at the door and can be purchased at Westernsupermarkets.com or in person at the Emmet O’Neal Library and the Mountain Brook, Highland Avenue and Rocky Ridge Western Supermarkets locations.
Beer-N-BBQ & Bingo The first annual “Finish the Fight” Beer-n-BBQ & Bingo fundraising event will be held Thursday evening, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Avondale Brewery. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation, which supports GI cancer research at UAB under the direction of Martin J. Heslin, M.D. and his team of research physicians. The cost for a great evening is $25 per person at the door. Lauren DeMoss, Neillie Butler, Roxane Mackin and Lauren Silverstein finalize plans for the first annual “Finish the Fight” Beer-n-BBQ & Bingo. Photo courtesy of Kathi Ash.
Village Living | September 2012 |
13
Acts of kindness for Otto
Lynda Thompson and John McGill sit atop “Otto” with other staff from the RealtySouth office in Mountain Brook Village. Photo by Katey Courtney.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM John McGill got rid of his car in an unusual way. His 22-year-old Mercedes “Otto” was the prize for a sort of random acts of kindness contest at the Realty South Cahaba Office in Mountain Brook Village. For two months in the office, whenever someone saw someone else do something kind with no instruction and no recognition or reward, they put that person’s name on a
card. Realtor Lynda Thompson’s name was drawn from the cards to win the car at the end of the project. “It’s been a fun thing,” McGill said. “It is creating a real spirit of community.” McGill saw coworkers noted for doing things like helping someone who had a sick family member or tidying up the exterior of their office.
15 annual Symphony 30 picnic th
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Mt Laurel specializes in custom homes. Imagine living in a community where you can walk your children to school, ride bikes to Jimbo’s Soda Shop for an ice cream float, or enjoy an evening stroll on your way to a romantic dinner at Stone’s Throw. Swim in the pool, fish at Spoonwood Lake or watch your children play while you relax at the neighborhood playground or doggy park. Plus, the Town Center is filled with conveniences such as groceries, fresh cut flowers and a pizza parlor for those nights you simply don’t want to cook. Contact us today and discover how you can make this truly walkable community your dream come true. Hwy 280 East. Left on Hugh Daniel. Right on Hwy 41. Mt Laurel is 1.3 miles on the left. Hwy 280 West. Right on Hwy 41. Mt Laurel is 3.4 miles on the right. EBSCO Development Company, Inc.
Those involved in planning the annual Symphony 30 Picnic at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens: Caroline Reynolds, picnic chair; Paige Daniel, Symphony 30 president; Sarah Johnson of Jim ‘N Nicks; Emily Branum, picnic co-chair, and Mary Goodrich, corporate solicitations chair. Not pictured was Kelly Taylor of Brookwood Medical Center. Photo by Jennifer Gray.
Symphony 30 will host its annual Symphony 30 Picnic. This year’s event will be held once again at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, with the proceeds benefiting the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and specifically their family and education programs. Along with dinner provided by Jim ‘N Nicks and a symphony concert including family favorite excerpts from Harry Potter and The Sound of Music,
activities will include an art table where children can make their own musical instruments. The Symphony 30 Group has raised more than $280,000 for education programs at the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.. For more information regarding the Symphony 30 Picnic or to purchase tickets, visit www.symphony30.org. Tickets are $60 per family or $25 for an individual ticket.
Alabama Symphony Maestro Ball
r t s e Octobe v r Ha l h t a 3 1 V i t S e F saturda
FR EE A
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y,
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Festival Events Doggie Dress-up
Craft Fair • Face Painting
Inflatables • Hay Rides • Music Festival Concessions
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6 Restaurants & a Variety of Shops • Mt Laurel’s Farmer’s Market
Special Appearances We welcome Cinderella! 2012 Maestro’s Ball Committee members Lynn Cassady, Jennifer Styslinger, Helen Drennen, Tricia Holbrook, Kellie McDowell, Karen Luce, Lynn Larussa, Jennifer Ard, Kate Phillips, Robin Bienvenu, Cleo O’Neal, Kelly Styslinger. Not pictured: Dell Brooke, Maggie Brooke, Cameron Crowe, Kelli Jetmundsen, Sheryl Kimerling, Connie McCallum, Hillery Head Perkins, Lee Sewell, Helen Catherine Smith, Sybil Sylvester. Photo courtesy of the Alabama Symphony.
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s (ASO) 2012 Maestro’s Ball will be hosted by Kelly and Lee Styslinger of Mountain Brook on Friday, September 7, at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. Proceeds support the ASO’s artistic, educational and outreach programs. The program will take a look at a variety of Composer George Gershwin’s show tunes and orchestral music. The evening will begin with a champagne
reception in the ASC lobby at 6 p.m. with chamber music provided by members of the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra, followed by a 7 p.m. concert in the Jemison Concert Hall. At 8 p.m. patrons will enjoy dinner on the ASC grounds catered by Idie and Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club. For additional information, contact Ashley Blomeyer at 314-6917.
Be on the lookout for other special guest characters:
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Directions:
Miles on the left • Right on HWY 41 • Mt Laurel is 1.3 HWY 280E: Left on Hugh Daniel Drive right the on Miles 3.2 is l HWY 280W : Right on HWY 41 • Mt Laure
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14 | September 2012 |
GREEK
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Even the church’s priest, Father Paul Costopoulos, who lives on Westbury Road, works takeout with wife, Penny. Mountain Brook residents like Becky Kampakis start on festival preparations weeks in advance. Kampakis heads up the pastichio, a Greek lasagna, cooking with help of her daughters, Renee Kampakis McMinn and Elene Giattina, and a large team of volunteers. They start the weeklong process in early September, preparing cream sauce and assembling it with meat, cheese and noodles. “It’s the most labor intensive thing we have at the festival,” McMinn said. They work all day at the church to prepare about 100 recipes of the casserole a day to freeze for the festival. About 3,700 pounds of ground beef are cooked for 360 large pans and 800 small pans of the dish. “By the grace of God it gets done,” Kampakis said. Festival preparations are only one aspect of how members of the only Greek Orthodox Church in Birmingham form a strong sense of community in the city and in Mountain Brook. “I call the parents who have kids at the high school and ask about their classes, and parents of younger kids call me,” Eleni Shipp said of the Greek community. “The older kids watch out for the younger kids, too. They are interacting in youth group and at church, and they work together at the food festival.” In addition to dancing at the festival, kids and teenagers at the church work at stations like take out or soft drinks. This year they will also sell imported Greek products like olives and olive oil to raise money for the competitive Greek dance group made up of about 20 middle and high school students who travel to compete in January and February. “The biggest part is our faith, our history and our traditions, and the kids are sharing that also,” said Steve Leara, father
of MBHS junior Demi and eighth grader John. “They enjoy having friends from school come down and showing them their church and their heritage, teaching them how to dance, showing them the food. It gives them a sense of pride.” Pappas, who serves as the church’s youth coordinator, also said it’s special for her kids to see their community come to their church. “My sons, Eli and Stavros, get really excited when they see their friends in the crowd or their teachers,” she said. “They like it when people from the community support their dancing.” Several families who now reside in Mountain Brook, minutes from their cathedral, lived in different parts of the country before coming to the community here. One of the first things Shipp and her husband did when they moved to Birmingham from Cleveland 15 years ago was attend the Greek Festival, “Some of the women came up to me and immediately invited us to dinner,” Shipp said.” People were so warm. I felt integrated into the community a lot because of them.” Kampakis and her husband drove their family from their home in Gadsden to Birmingham every Sunday to attend church throughout their kids’ childhood—a commitment for which her daughter, Renee McMinn, said that she is very thankful. “I have lived in several different places, and this [the Birmingham Greek Orthodox community] by far has been my very favorite,” Kampakis said. “I went to the Holy Land last year, and I still think we have one of the most beautiful churches. But that’s just my opinion.” Leara, who moved to Birmingham from St. Louis, has similar feelings about the uniqueness of Birmingham’s Greek Orthodox community. “When you are raised in the [Greek Orthodox] church, the communities are pretty similar,” Leara said. “But I wouldn’t trade this community for any of them. It’s got all the hospitality and love but with Southern charm, which makes it even more special.”
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Call 716-3086 for orders of 10 or more or for takeout. Free parking is located in the Liberty National parking deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Boulevard.
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony The City of Homewood is hosting an annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony with the cities of Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills on Tuesday, September 11 at Homewood City Hall. The event is open to the public and will begin at 9 a.m. with bell ringers ringing the first bell at the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center. For more information contact Sgt. Andrew Didcoct at 332-6204 or the Homewood Chamber of Commerce at 8715631. The American flag raised in front of Homewood City Hall. Photo courtesy Sgt. Andrew Didcot.
Orchid Show and Sale Bar Opens at 4pm Daily • Dinner Tuesday & Wednesday 5pm until 9pm Dinner Thursday, Friday & Saturday 5pm until 10pm • Sunday Jazz Brunch 10:30am until 2:30pm
The Alabama Orchid Society will hold its 28th annual Alabama Orchid Show and Sale September 21-23 at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The free event will feature exhibits showcasing species of orchids from vendors located throughout the US. There will also be many different varieties of
orchids for sale at the show. The event will run Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Alabama Orchid Society welcomes all visitors to their meetings held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Hodges Room every fourth Tuesday at 7:15 p.m.
Village Living | September 2012 |
15
Speaking to the true measure of a man By RICK WATSON With the economic tsunami in recent years, men have been looking for answers amidst the loss of jobs and other major life transitions. Where have they found them? Richard E. Simmons III, a 1972 graduate of Mountain Brook High School, has written them in The True Measure of a Man. Mountain Brook High School head coach Chris Yeager said the book is life changing: “It has been so meaningful to me that I’ve read it three times.” For the last two years, Yeager has given a copy of the book to his graduating seniors. Simmons, who grew up in Mountain Brook, is the director of the Center for Executive Leadership (CFEL). He explained that men today get their sense of self worth from how well they perform in the workplace. When they lose their jobs, their sense of self worth is battered, and their sense of identity becomes threatened. “So many men are driven not by the desire to succeed, but by the fear of failure,” he said. “Failure is like a psychological death to most men. They fear what people will think of them.” In years past, men in this country based their self worth on relationships – as a father, as a husband, as a son, as a friend of other men, and as a member of the community. Work was just a means of contributing to the quality of life in the community and a way to make a living, but something changed. The message of The True Measure of a Man provides hope and points the way to a path that can help men discover what really matters most in their lives. The self-published book hit the shelves late in 2009. The first and second printings sold so quickly that Simmons realized the book had potential for broader
appeal. That’s when he went shopping for a publisher. He decided on Evergreen Press because the publisher offered a more timely publication date. While Simmons has a full-time person marketing the book, much of the buzz came at the heels of interviews in The Birmingham News, the Lee Davis radio talk show in Birmingham, the Steve Brown syndicated radio show in Orlando, Fla., and many other talk shows across the country. He plans to continue work with the media to raise the level of awareness about his work. Big time endorsements from The Wall Street Journal writer Fred Barnes and other heavy hitters in sports, business and religious leaders added momentum. Simmons speaks frequently to various civic organizations and churches, which gives him the opportunity to sell books. He also speaks to the management teams
of large corporations like Brasfield and Gorrie and Altec. “The message hit home with a lot of men,” said Simmons. “Some guys buy the book and are so moved by the message that they buy copies for their friends who are going through hard times.” Simmons began asking himself questions about his own life several years ago, and the quest for answers provided some of the insights captured in his book. He was a successful insurance executive early in his career and married for the first time at 41. Then 18 months later, he and his wife Holly welcomed Dixon, the first of three children (Dorothy Pate and Will followed). He was traveling a lot, and during this period his life got complicated. Simmons realized things needed to change. He decided to leave the insurance industry and start the CFEL in 2002.
The organization coaches men through professional career counseling and Bible study. The mission of CFEL is to provide guidance and counseling to men, especially during that time in a man’s life when things haven’t turned out the way he might have planned. Some people call this a midlife crisis, but Simmons feels a better description is “spiritual crisis.” Simmons and the team at CFEL started doing programs in 2001 for local professionals at the Birmingham Country Club in Mountain Brook several times a year. One of the presentations contained the essence of the message in The True Measure of a Man, and a friend suggested that Simmons write a book based on the presentation. Simmons said one of his goals is to get the book reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. He feels the message of The True Measure of a Man has the potential to speak into the lives of executives and businessmen across the country. What’s next for Simmons? “I spent the first 25 years of my working life focusing on success,” he said. “I want to spend the rest of my life trying to make a difference.” The men’s group he leads at the Birmingham Country Club has continued to meet five or six times a year since 2001. The intent of the meetings is to focus on issues that are pertinent to the lives of businessmen. The September meeting features Kelvin Elko, sports psychologist and consultant to Nick Saben’s University of Alabama football team. You can purchase The True Measure of a Man at Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Little Professor, Family Christian Stores, Church of the Highlands Bookstore, Briarwood Bookstore, as well as online from Amazon.com.
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| September 2012 | Village Living
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Michael Hawkins, Brant Hawkins, George Garzon, Will Rutledge and Joseph Gilroy had a successful day red snapper fishing in Orange Beach. Photo by Lucy Hawkins.
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Village Living | September 2012 |
17
YOLO Paddleboard fun at Rosemary Beach: Mary Katherine Monson, Charlotte Robbins, Sophie Robbins, Caroline Monson. Photo by Alyssa Monson.
(Top) Will Monroe, Laurence Barringer & Charlotte Monroe celebrate 4th of July at the Lake Martin Boat Parade. Photo by Ashley Monroe (Middle) Little Man’s first swim! Sally Williams with son Walker Guy Williams (3 months). Photo by Gloria Holcombe.
(Top) Brother Swagler, 15, of Mountain Brook juggles his soccer ball while on vacation at Santa Rosa Beach in Florida. Photo by Susan Swagler. (Bottom) Shark Fishing in Hilton Head. Photo by Monica Sargent. 17
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Peter and Terry Pitman whitewater raft the Gallatin River in Big Sky, Mont. 11:13 AM
(Bottom) Alice Monk and Mary Katherine Fowlkes, Choctaws at Camp Merri-Mac, enjoy the first tribal event of the summer. Picture by Wendy Perry.
18
| September 2012 | Village Living
Get to know Mountain Brook residents running for judgeships By KATEY COURTNEY
Judge John William “Bill” Cole Circuit Court Judge Place 7
The first of two installments of candidate profiles
David Faulkner Circuit Court Judge Place 6
The Cole family: Jack, Grant, Kelly, William, William, and Anne Clayton.
Judge Cole has served as Circuit Division Judge since 2005. After graduating from Vanderbilt University in 1989, Cole completed law school at the University of Alabama in 1992. Cole practiced law at Luker, Cole and Associates, L.L.C. from 1993 to 2005. He served as municipal court judge in Morris, Ala., from 2001 to 2005, until he was elected circuit court judge. Cole is currently active in the Alabama Bar Association, the Birmingham Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Cole is running for re-election with the support of his wife, Kelly, and his children, William, Anne Clayton, and twins Jack and Grant. As a judge for your county, how do you feel your decisions will impact your area? As a circuit court judge in the Criminal Division, I know that the decisions I make can have a profound effect on our
community. First, I think it is important that everyone who comes into my courtroom knows that my decisions are based upon the law. Furthermore, everyone should know that I will be fair and that they will have an opportunity to be heard. It is essential that the community has faith in their judges and in the judicial system as a whole. I know that some people deserve second chances and that our society is improved when those people are given an opportunity and assistance in becoming more productive citizens. I am also aware that some individuals deserve longer sentences as punishment for their crimes and that longer sentences can be an effective means of protecting our law abiding citizens. As a fair, honest and hard working judge, I believe that I have a positive impact on the people that come to my courtroom and a positive impact on the rest of our community.
The Faulkner family: Wilson, David, Nancy, David, and Elizabeth.
Faulkner was born and raised in Jefferson County. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama cum laude in 1990 and graduated from the University of Alabama Law School in 1994. Faulkner has practiced law at Christian & Small, L.L.P. since 2000 and has 17 years of experience practicing civil court matters and practicing law in Jefferson County, as well as across the state. He was a member of the Board of Governors for The Club from 2001 to 2004 and is currently the general counsel for the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. Faulkner is an active member of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, has served as a Sunday school teacher and currently serves
as acolyte team leader and a lay eucharistic minister. With the support of his wife, Nancy, and his children David, Wilson and Elizabeth, Faulkner is running for Circuit Court Judge Place 6. As a judge for your county, how do you feel your decisions will impact your area? As a judge, my decisions would be affecting the case that is before me and the parties involved in that particular case. I feel it is important that we have judges that are fair and will follow the law. I believe I have the experience and character to be the type of judge that people want on the bench.
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Village Living | September 2012 |
Jim Hughey Circuit Court Place 9
Pat Thetford Circuit Court Judge Place 13
The Hughey family. Front Row: Emma, Fletcher. Second Row: Jim, Lauren, Campbell.
Hughey received an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 1992 and a law degree from the University of Alabama in 1998, where he graduated summa cum laude and received the Dean M. Leigh Harrison Award for graduating in the top five percent of his class. Hughey received the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest peer rating available for legal ability and professional ethics. Hughey is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham and of the Alabama State Bar’s Leadership Forum. Hughey became the first recipient of the University of Alabama School of Law Black Law Students Association’s Gail K Johnson Achievement Award in 2012, which recognizes a practicing attorney who has made significant contributions to the community, especially students aspiring
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to become attorneys. Hughey provides pro bono legal service through the Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program and was previously recognized by Birmingham Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40.” Hughey grew up in Mountain Brook and remains involved in the community. He is a resident of Homewood. With the support of his wife, Lauren, and his children Emma, Fletcher and Campbell, Hughey is running for the 10th Circuit Court, Place 9. As a judge for your county, how do you feel your decisions will impact your area? All citizens are favorably impacted when we have a fair, open and honest civil justice system to utilize when we need to resolve important disputes in a civil manner.
Thetford was born and raised in Montgomery. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a bachelors degree in commerce and business administration. He received his MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and also graduated from Samford University’s Cumberland Law School. J.D. Thetford has practiced law at Crosby, Saad, Beebe, Cavender and Crump (Mobile and Birmingham); Joe Carroll and Associates; and Wade Anderson and Associates. His legal experience has involved handling the same type cases that are filed in the Civil Court of Jefferson County, including more than 70 civil jury trials. Thetford is a member of the Birmingham Bar Association, The Thetford family. Front Row: Tommy and Peyton. where he has served on the Back Row: Mary Frances and Pat. Medical-Legal Liaison Committee and the respect for the position of circuit judge. Public Service Committee. He has also For the next few years, we anticipate the served as a volunteer at the Firehouse Jefferson County Courts will be negatively Shelter and has participated in the Service impacted by funding shortfalls brought Juris Volunteer Service Project sponsored on by the county’s bankruptcy and the by the Bar’s Public Service Committee. decline in the state’s general fund. I believe In his free time, he has served as a soccer, my background and experience will allow baseball and basketball youth coach for me to make decisions that will not only be the Mountain Brook Recreational League fair but also will also be efficient. I believe and plays mandolin and guitar in the we need a judge who can manage a case Contemporary Church Band at Canterbury docket to avoid unnecessary delays and United Methodist. With the support of his reversals and this in turn will help the court wife, Mary Frances, and sons Tommy and through this time of financial hardship. I Peyton, Thetford is running for Circuit also believe that a judge must be absolutely impartial and follow the rule of law. I Court Judge of Place 13. would hope that these qualities I bring As a judge for your county, how do you as a candidate will positively impact our feel your decisions will impact your area? area by maintaining fairness, integrity and As the son of a Circuit Court Judge efficiency in the Jefferson County Circuit and a veteran of more than 70 civil jury Court. trials, I have a great appreciation and
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20 | September 2012 | Village Living
Passion for music takes local musician to the Grammys By RICK WATSON Ted Pewitt’s passion for music is woven into the fabric of his life. Both of his older brothers are musicians, and there was always a guitar around when he was growing up. The Mountain Brook native began playing guitar as a teenager, but it wasn’t until he was pushing 40 that he seriously took up the bass guitar. “The minute I picked it up, I fell in love with it. I play every day, rain or shine,” he said. His love of music eclipsed any other interest in his life. Pewitt has played with a couple guitar duos and played at church for a while, but when he switched to playing bass, the “band” idea started getting serious. He teamed up with guys he’d known all his
Catherine and Ted Pewitt hold the Allman Brothers Life Time Achievement Grammy at this year’s Grammy Awards. Photo courtesy of Oteil Burbridge.
Pewitt with Allman Brothers bassist and now two-time Grammy winner Oteil Burbridge. Photo courtesy of Catherine Pewitt.
life and formed The Love Handles. The group had a blast playing neighborhood gigs. Later he formed a blues trio with Lanford McCaulley and John Mark Dorough that they called Spoonful. “We liked the idea of an old school power trio like Band of Gypsys, ZZ Top, and Cream,” Pewitt said. They perform every weekend playing Clapton, Allman Brothers, Santana, Robert Cray and other power groups. “We call it music from the Crossroads.” Pewitt also writes original songs, but he has yet to perform them
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because he said they don’t fit his band’s genre. He got a rare chance under the big lights a few years ago when his music teacher and dear friend Oteil Burbridge, who has been the bassist for the Allman Brothers Band for the last 17 years, allowed Pewitt to play bass on “One Way Out” before 10,000 people at the Wanee Music Festival. “Considering I’m just a bar band kind of guy, finding myself on stage with the Allman Brothers in front of 10,000 people was a bit of a shock... How many people
can say they have played with their most favorite band in the world?” After this performance, he became a part of the Allman family. Fast forward to this year: The Allman Brothers Band was presented with a Life Time Achievement Award at the 2012 Grammy Awards in February. Being an “Allman Cousin,” Pewitt found himself invited to go with them to the Grammys. Pewitt said it was really special to spend time with Duane Allman’s daughter, Berry Oakley’s widow and the rest of the Allman Brothers family. “At one point my wife and I found ourselves in a conversation with Glenn Campbell and Weird Al Yankovic. That was surreal.” “I was literally in a buffet line with Tony Bennett, Booker T. Jones and the parents of Amy Weinhouse’s and shared a table with Jerry Douglas and Deana Carter. Sadly, Whitney Houston passed away just a couple of blocks away while we were there.” Still, Pewitt’s favorite part of the experience was not all the celebrities. His dear friend Oteil was the recipient of two Grammys that night. “He’s worked so hard for so many years. It was beautiful to see him recognized as one of the best in the world at following his heart. Nothing tops that,” said Pewitt. Even though he is 45 years old, his wife of 21 years, Catherine still lets him live out his rock ‘n roll fantasy, he said. “We have three children who all have a deep appreciation for the arts. I try to teach them that there is artistic expression in everything they do and to not miss the opportunity to share your muse with the world,” he said. By day, Pewitt is a Certified Financial Planner and Portfolio Manager with Anderson Pewitt & Assoc.
Village Living | September 2012 |
Celebrating Rosh Hashanah
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Eric Cordover holds up a Shofar, a traditional ram’s horn instrument, to welcome the Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Photo courtesy of the JAHM Chai Tots Preschool.
Rosh Hashanah is one of the major holidays on the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning “head of the year,” celebrates the Jewish New Year as well as the birthday of the world and all of mankind. This year, on September 16, the world will turn 5,773 years old. How do Jewish people observe Rosh Hashanah? We reflect on the previous year and think about how we will make the next year even better. This reflection is much like the New Year’s resolutions people of every religion make on January 1 each year. Rosh Hashanah is a holiday of prolonged and intense prayer. Lots of time is spent in a synagogue, or a place where Jewish people worship, together as a community with friends and family. The synagogue services are longer than a weekly Sabbath service and involve extra prayers not recited any other time throughout the year. These prayers are found in a special prayer book called a Machzor. We seek forgiveness for our previous sins through these prayers, through charitable giving and through repentance. While in the synagogue, we listen to the sound of 100 blasts of the shofar, the hollowed out horn of a ram. It just might be the oldest wind instrument known to man. The shofar sounds something like a trumpet but has no mouthpiece. Its sound wakes us up and reminds us to take charge of our lives. Besides the synagogue, Rosh Hashanah is also celebrated in the home. We light special candles, recite blessings over wine and share large meals with family and friends. At these meals we eat sweet foods such as apples dipped in honey; honey cake; and raisin-filled challah
bread, a delicious traditional braided bread eaten on the Sabbath and other holidays. These sweet foods awaken our senses and encourage us to begin the year on a sweet note. We eat these foods for their symbolism, but all these sweet foods taste very yummy too. In addition, round challah bread on the table instead of the usual braided shape represents the cycle of the year, and we hope our year should run smoothly with much happiness and good fortune. Many people eat a pomegranate. This fruit has many seeds that represent the numerous good deeds we can do. Some people observe Rosh Hashanah in one day’s time while others observe it over two days. Adults may take time off from work, and many children will miss school in order to attend synagogue services, as this holiday is observed as a day of rest. “L’Shana Tova” is the greeting we say to our family and friends that means, “May you have a happy and sweet new year!” For my family, Rosh Hashanah is a holiday when we spend quality time together. My father-in-law reads in Hebrew from the Torah, where the first five books of the Old Testament are located. It is a special treat to attend synagogue services and listen to Grandpa read this important text. Afterward we eat a scrumptious meal together with the rest of our extended family. My children and I make homemade challah bread and mold it into big circleshaped loaves. Plenty of apples and pieces of challah bread are dipped in honey as we pass around the plate for all to share. L’Shana Tova! A Mountain Brook resident graciously shared this submission on Rosh Hashanah.
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Village Sports
Village Sports
MB Swimmers place at Senior County Championship Meet By HILARY ROSS Mountain Brook swimmers competed as part of the 22 Jefferson and Shelby County swim teams in the Senior County meet. The meet is eligible to swimmers who have met qualifying times. For the first time, the Senior County Championship Meet was held at the Birmingham CrossPlex, which is a 750,000 square foot, multi-purpose facility that opened in 2011. Mountain Brook swimmers had several high point award winners from many area teams and clubs. These awards were given to the eight best overall swimmers in each of the age groups based upon points earned by their place finishes.
Cal and Liz Elder, who grew up swimming in Mountain Brook, enjoyed seeing their three daughters compete and two won their divisions: 6 and Under Girls (Ren Elder) and 9-10 Girls (Patsy Elder). In the 6 and under girls’ division, Ren Elder of Hoover Blue Thunder (HBT) finished as high-point winner and set a new meet record for 25 freestyle with a time of 17.27. Kate Peterson of Mountain Brook Club (MBC) was fifth overall. For the 6 and under boys’ division, Phillip Cook of Birmingham Country Club (BCC) was the high point runner-up, while William Grier McDuffie of MBC finished third, Andrew Naftek of the MBC was fourth, and Billy MBC swimmers Billy Hoyt, Sam Holmes, Grace Knight, Ann Carlton Keller, Payton Flynn, William Grier McDuffie.
Rosemary Cooper, Sarah Petznick, Lucy Redden and Sadie Patton from BCC swam the 8 and under girls relay. Photos courtesy of Britt Redden.
Hoyt (MBC) finished in seventh place overall. In the 7-8 year old girls’ division, Sarah Petznick (BCC) was the high point winner. Lucy Redden (BCC) finished second in overall points, while Grace Knight (MBC) was the fifth place finisher. Rosemary Cooper (BCC) was the sixth place finisher. For the 7-8 year old boys’ division, Grayson Long of Pine Tree Piranhas (PTP) took the fourth place finish overall. In 9-10 girls, Patsy Elder (HBT) was the high point winner, with Ann Vandevelde (BCC) as runner-up. Courtney Clark (BCC) finished seventh overall, and
Liz Vandevelde (BCC) rounded out the top eight girls. For the 9-10 boys, Henry Phillips (MBC) was the fifth place finisher. For the 11-12 boys, Gaston Petznick (BCC) finished eighth overall. Hannah Elliott (BCC) was sixth for 13-14 girls while Jack Tucker of Vestavia Country Club (VCC) was fifth for 13-14 boys. In the 15-18 division, Mary Clay Carr of BCC was the high point winner. Tommy Thetford (BCC) finished fifth overall, and Andrew Davis (BCC) was seventh overall for the 15-18 boys. For more information about swimming, visit www.swimjssc.org.
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Village Sports | September 2012 |
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USSSA AA 15U State Champions
Andrew Autrey, Tucker Ellis, Charlie Boyd, Parks Shoulders, John Tully, Alan Hale, Joseph Dillard, Coach Allen Baynes, Mac Harris, Jack McPherson, Bailey Shelfer, Griffin Osborne and TJ Beard. The team is coached by Allen Baynes and Robert Shoulders. Photo courtesy of Pam Autrey.
6U Spartans win USSSA state
tournament by a combined score of 99-18. In the championship game, the Spartans defeated Oak Mountain 12-3.
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Elizabeth Damrich won the Drill Down Competition and was crowned Drill Down Queen. Jennifer Sirkin was runner up. Seven seniors were chosen as UDA All-Americans: Isabella Keating, Jennifer O’Neil, Lamar Cooper, Ann Brooks Johnson, Adelaide Miller, Caroline Lee and Jennifer Sirkin. Six seniors were invited to apply for UDA staff positions: Isabella Keating, Jennifer O’Neil, Lamar Cooper, Ann Brooks Johnson, Caroline Lee and Jennifer Sirkin. Coach Lauren Sullivan and sponsor Heather Wood also won an award for superior coaching.
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The MBHS Dorians dance team attended four-day Universal Dance Association Camp at Auburn University in July. The team, led by Captain Isabella Keating and Co-Captains Elizabeth Damrich and Lamar Cooper, took second place in Home Routine Competition, doing a jazz, high kick dance to Michael Jackson’s “State of Shock.” They were awarded the Super Spirit Stick, an award based on their work ethic, positive attitude and teamwork; the Leadership Award, the most prestigious award that is voted on by the other teams attending the camp; and a Superior Trophy.
Tables
Front row: Adelaide Miller, Ann Brooks Johnson, Melissa Kidd, Elizabeth Damrich, Isabella Keating, Lamar Cooper, Caroline Lee, Jennifer O’Neil, Jennifer Sirkin. Second row: Katherine Harris, Claudia Rose Keating, Holly Struthers, Dana Kahn, Laura Stagno, Maggie Selesky, Sidnie Adair, Erin Rector, Callie Anderson, Oliver Little. Back Row: Annie Somerville, Sally Kale Bussman, Mary Rives Drake, Mary Clark Logan, Findlay Shelfer, Emily Owen Mendelsohn, Walton Stivender, Evalyn Bargeron.
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Dorians take home camp awards
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The 6U Mountain Brook Spartans team won the USSSA State tournament June 2324. The Spartans won all six games in the
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Front row: Christopher Yeilding, Watts Alexander, Charlie Elliott, Zach Wyatt, Wil Lucas, James Cameron Adams. Second row: Ty Davis, Matt Egan, Kamal Amerson, Carson Romero, Luke Schwefler, Chase Kyes. Back row: Coaches Scott Elliott, Chris Yeilding, John Romero, Brian Lucas. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Yielding.
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| September 2012 | School House
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Mountain Brook Elementary welcomed new teachers: fourth grade teacher Heather Novitski, Martha Johnston, special education teacher Brannon Aaron, kindergarten teacher Mitchell Nelson, assistant principal Ashley McCombs and book keeper Katrina Cook. To learn more about these new staff members’ education and experience, visit VillageLivingOnline.com.
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BWF holds back to school picnic Brookwood Forest Elementary held a back to school picnic and gathering at Overton Park on the evening of Sunday, August 12. Families and faculty packed picnics, played on recreational equipment and shared time before the beginning of the school year on August 20. Principal Nathan Pitner greeted parents and students, and new students were welcomed by all. Brookwood Forest has an enrollment of about 520 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.
BWF second graders Anna Hites, Merritt Crumpton, Molly Barkan, Mamie Dickey, Sarah Adams Garner and kindergartener Nola Crumpton enjoy a back to school picnic at Overton Park on August 12.
Crestline Elementary welcomes new students By BRITT REDDEN A Newcomer’s Party was held at Crestline Elementary for grades one through sixth on Friday, August 17. This event helps new families become familiar with the school. The students are paired with a buddy in the same grade. The buddy and the new student tour the school and meet their teacher, which always helps to alleviate some anxiety or first day jitters of a new school. Students and their families enjoyed light refreshments while getting acquainted with each other and their teachers.
New Crestline student Jack DeRosier and with his buddy for the day, Ford Moffatt.
Cherokee Bend Elementary hosts summer fun By FRANCES WATTS Over the summer, Cherokee Bend Elementary School offered students who completed the fourth, fifth and sixth grades several exciting Fair Oaks Adventure Curriculum opportunities guided by instructor Rick Hedrick. For a week-long camp on the school’s rope course, students participated in many activities including the cat walk, the twoline bridge, zip line, giant swing and multivine. Mr. Hedrick also led students on two day trips; one trip to Palisades Park in Oneonta for rock climbing and reppelling and the other to Desoto Falls for reppelling in the lake.
Sixth grader Laura Catherine Goodson rappels in Lake Desoto. Photo courtesy of Glenn Rice.
School House | September 2012 |
Crestline has new cougar mascot
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ays am is alw x e l ia it Your in ENTARY! COMPLIM
! T H G A I T R S U Y O T E S WE’LL
Mountain Brook Schools Superintendant Dicky Barlow, Crestline Elementary Principal Laurie King and the Crestline mascot were a part of the school’s playground dedication on August 20. Photo by Katey Courtney.
By BRITT REDDEN On August 7, Director of Facilities for Mountain Brook Schools Ken Key received a strange alert from a coworker at the Mountain Brook Board of Education’s Charles Mason Building. There was a lifesize cougar mascot roaming the building. Upon investigation, Key discovered that the culprit was the new Crestline mascot being introduced to the faculty at their back to school meeting. Last spring the Crestline sixth grade class of 2011-12 donated the necessary funds for Crestline to purchase a school
mascot costume. The mascot was ordered over the summer and arrived just in time to meet teachers upon their return. “We are so thankful for the mascot,” said Crestline Principal Laurie King. “We really feel like it will give students a chance to show their Crestline school spirit.” Sixth grade students will be allowed to try out to serve as the mascot for their sixth grade year. The mascot will make appearances at school events such as Boosterthon Fun Run, Pumpkin Run, Cougar Chase and open houses.
SPORT YOUR COLORS Brace yourself for the season!
MBJH welcomes new faculty
Front Row: Lesli Hudson, Jennifer Nelson, Brenda Bush, Amy Kathryn Gannon, Lori Akin, Brittany Henegar, Robin Chapman, Renee Kothe. Back Row: Andrew Cotten, Derek Jones, Derek Dearman, John Pledger, Donald Clayton.
BY HILARY ROSS Last month, Village Living spotlighted the new MBJH principal, Amanda Hood. This month, we would like to welcome the following new faculty members to the Mountain Brook Junior High community. Donald Clayton joins the MBJH administrative team and will be serving as the curriculum assistant principal. Prior to MBJH, he worked for ten years at Oak Mountain High School as a teacher, coach, athletic director and assistant principal. He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Montevallo. In his spare time he enjoys playing tennis, reading and spending time with his wife, Kelly, their son, and two miniature schnauzers. Derek Dearman is also a new MBJH assistant principal who for the past three years served as principal of Montevallo High School. Prior to that position, he served in a variety of roles for Oak Mountain High School including ninth grade assistant principal, social sciences teacher, and head coach for the varsity boys’ soccer team. He holds a B.S. in political science from the University of Montevallo and a master’s in secondary education from UAB. Dearman currently serves in the Alabama Army National Guard as a
Lieutenant attached to the 440th Chemical Company. Prior to serving in the National Guard, he was a Navy Seabee in the Navy Reserves and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He enjoys spending time with his family and attending and participating in sporting events. New seventh grade counselor Lori Akin taught for fourteen years in both private and public schools, and most recently was the ninth and tenth grade counselor at Vestavia Hills High School. Brenda Bush is excited to a part of the MBJH World Language team as the new French teacher. New social studies teacher Derek Jones comes from Oak Mountain High School, and John Pledger will also teach the subject along with coaching the freshman football team. A resident of Mountain Brook, Pledger is married and has four children. Brittany Henegar, Robin Chapman, Amy Kathryn Gannon and Renee Kothe will be teaching in the math department. Andrew Cotten and Jennifer Nelson will join the English department. Lesli Hudson is joining the special education department. Learn more about the new MBJH faculty at VillageLivingOnline.com.
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| September 2012 | Village Living
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My husband is a pretty strict, no-nonsense parent who isn’t particularly affectionate with the children. I tend to be the nurturer in the family, and my husband says I’m too easy on the kids. Is it unhealthy for parents to differ in this regard? Not necessarily. In fact, when you think about it, it is probably very difficult to find two parents who fall exactly at the same place on the permissive versus strict continuum. I like to think of these differences as a kind of checks-andbalances system. When Mrs. Wisely and I were raising our daughters, we differed sometimes on how easy versus how tough to be with them. I think it worked out well. When one of us was being too “looseygoosey” (to use a precise clinical term) or when one of us was ready to ground a daughter until she was 36 years old, I think we helped each other pull back from the extremes. So, as a general rule, this is not even about whether differences between parents are healthy or unhealthy. It’s just the way things are. That said, I have seen differences between parents about childrearing become a problem in a couple of different ways. The first has to do with how parents express and then attempt to resolve those differences. When young people see their parents fight about parenting, it can cause trouble for the family. Some children start to blame themselves for their parents’ arguments. Other children will exploit their parents’ differences and try to drive a wider
wedge between the parents in hopes of ultimately getting what they want. Ideally, parents ought to confer privately—away from the kids—to hash out a position and then present a united front to the children. A second way I’ve seen differences in parenting styles create problems is when the gap between parenting styles is excessively wide. Ironically, when parents are too far away from each other on the permissive-strict continuum, I think that often forces each parent even further out on the continuum and therefore further apart. It is as if the strict parent thinks, “My spouse is too easy on these kids, and I have to be tougher to make up for it.” The more lenient parent then thinks, “My spouse is too hard on these kids, and I have to be easier on them to make up for it.” The result is ever-widening differences, instead of the checks-and-balances system I described earlier. I don’t mean to oversell professional help, and, in fact, I think parents are typically able to work out the usual differences that couples have on their own. But when these differences are causing significant tension in the marriage and in the family, it might be worthwhile to seek professional guidance. Dale Wisely, Ph.D. is Director of Student Services at Mountain Brook Schools and has been a child and adolescent psychologist for nearly 30 years. Dr. Wisely welcomes your questions for future columns; email jennifer@ villagelivingonline.com to submit yours.
Charlie Cope earns Eagle Scout Charlie Cope, a rising ninth grader at Mountain Brook Junior High School, has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. Charlie is a member of Troop 320 at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church. Charlie chose to do his leadership project at Glenwood, a nonprofit organization devoted to the education and treatment of adults with autism or other disorders. Charlie’s project included the construction of three picnic tables set on a circular gravel bed and surrounded by an edible garden. It also involved an expansion of the existing gardens at the Sullivan Day Center to provide a place for residents to sit and eat while enjoying the outdoors. As a member of Troop 320, Charlie earned 21 merit badges and served in several leadership positions. At Mountain Brook Junior High School, Charlie is a member of the tennis team. He is on the “A” Honor Roll, and is a
Pictured working on his Eagle Scout project is Charlie Cope. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Cope.
member of the National Beta Club and the SOS organization. Charlie is the son of Jennifer and Pat Cope.
NBA
from pg 1 franchise in 2008 and recently made a trip to the NBA Finals. “Oklahoma City is a smaller to midsized city just like Birmingham. Mick Cornett (Mayor of OKC) commented that ‘It boomed our economy,’” said George. “It’s more affordable than people realize.” Mayor William Bell has also taken notice of the Oklahoma City population versus the Birmingham population. The mayor plans to speak with NBA commissioner David Stern about what needs to happen to bring a team to Birmingham. The Birmingham City Council has also discussed the prospect, and George recently spoke at one of the meetings at the request of Mayor Bell. “Mayor Bell is on board with the movement,” George said. “It was cool knowing my thoughts were shared throughout the city.” This summer, George worked with the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center to film a video there to garner more awareness about an NBA campaign.
“The BJCC has more potential than conceived,” George said. “Renovations would need to be made, but it is a start before an official venue would be made.” The final piece to George’s NBA puzzle could be Leeds native Charles Barkley. George is determined to convince Barkley to join the movement. The future of a potential NBA team is still undecided, but George Chamoun is full of zeal for making it a reality.
George Chamoun created nbabirmingham. com.
Restaurant Showcase | September 2012 |
Restaurant Showcase
Jim Davenport’s Pizza Palace
2837 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village
Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday, 4:30-10 p.m. 879-8603 There is something to be said for longstanding traditions. Ask any Auburn fan about the oaks at Toomer’s Corner, and they’ll tear up. Alabama fans might do the same when talking about Bear Bryant. Southerners are a passionate lot, and we hold firm to certain routines and preferences. Jim Davenport’s Pizza Palace is one such place that stirs memories and conjures up fond feelings. Originally opened in 1964, Davenport’s has been serving up hot, fresh, classic pizzas to generations of Mountain Brook families. One step inside that familiar heavy wooden door on Cahaba Road, and you instantly feel at home. In summer time, the cool interior provides a respite from the brutally hot asphalt outside. The faint digital cacophony drifting from the back room reminds you there are video games waiting for hungry patrons whiling away the time until their meal arrives. The air smells of fresh yeasty pizza dough and that traditional marinara sauce. It is the kind of feeling Rex Hollis was always hoping for when he opened the doors all those years ago. He had the idea for a place where families could meet for dinner or friends could share a few slices (or squares, really) of pizza at lunch. He was looking for instant name recognition when he struck upon something novel. He’d been best friends with a guy whose brother became something of a professional baseball player. In fact, that guy – Jim Davenport – had helped the San Francisco Giants win the World Series in 1962. Everyone knew who that guy was. Hollis
Amanda Thames, pictured with the Jim Special, runs Davenport’s Pizza with her aunt, Heather Norris. Photo by Keith McCoy.
asked if the pro would mind letting him use his name, and the original namesake was flattered. Perhaps he’d tried Hollis’ pizza and already knew it would be a hit in and of itself. So, why not? And so the Pizza Palace was born. Rex and his wife, Ardyce, moved to adjacent Mountain Brook Manor so they could walk to work and raised their family there. They built a loyal following with such menu items as the Jim Special (kind of a supreme-
style) and the Rex Special (with all of the toppings on top of the cheese). The rest of the offerings are pretty straightforward. You won’t see any trendy additions like micro-greens or tofu. There are a few secrets to the restaurant’s success, but these are readily shared by Hollis’ daughter, Heather Norris, who now runs the family business. She shares the duties with her niece, Amanda Thames, who assists in bookkeeping.
Read all the past Restaurant Showcases at villagelivingonline.com
By CHRISTIANA ROUSSEL
Norris makes all of the dough and marinara sauce from scratch for every single pizza. She uses the family recipes, but those specifics are not for sharing in print. She makes the Italian and French dressing from scratch as well. “Over the years, we’ve had a lot of patrons ask us to bottle the dressing – you know, to give out to friends at Christmastime – but I don’t think we’d ever do it. I think one of the reasons they like it so much is because of where they’re eating it. They feel good when they are here, and that adds to their fondness for the dressing.” Another secret to the Palace’s success is Dave Simpson, who has been tossing dough and handcrafting signature Davenport’s thin-crust pies for more than 30 years. “He has his own way of making the pizzas that is pretty unique,” Thames said. “Folks will call before they come, just to see if Dave is working. They only want one of Dave’s pizzas.” enerally shy and avoiding cameras or small talk, Simpson does assist in training new hires to make the old-school favorites. “He shows them how he does it, but each person eventually puts their own spin on things,” Norris said. But with sauce and dough made from scratch, it’s easy to see why the pizzas are still classics. Sadly, Ardyce Hollis passed away in 2000 and Rex Hollis followed in 2009, but their legend lives on – in the red and white checked tablecloths, wrapped Chianti bottles and old-school Italian restaurant charm. So come hungry, and make sure you bring plenty of quarters for video games. Ms. Pac-Man and a Rex Special are waiting for you. Christiana Roussel lives in Crestline and enjoys all things food-related. Follow her culinary musings on line at ChristianasKitchen. com or on Facebook or Twitter (Christiana40).
…treasures for
living and giving…
LAMB’S EARS, LTD. 70 Church Street Crestline Village 205-802-5700
27
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| September 2012 | Business
Business Spotlight 2834 Culver Road 802-TINY
A Tiny Kingdom
By MADISON MILLER
www.atinykingdom.com Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. After years of volunteering to coach his sons’ sports teams, Brannon Bruno knew that he liked working with children. “I’m a big kid at heart. I’ve always collected toys myself,” the owner of A Tiny Kingdom said. “I just love being around the kids. It seemed like a perfect fit.” He opened the store in Mountain Brook Village in June 2011. “Most of the kids that come here know me as Coach Bruno from being on one of my sons’ sports teams,” he said. “They just come here and hang out and play video games.” As a family-run business, A Tiny Kingdom wants the parents and kids who come into their store to feel at home. Bruno’s wife, Stephanae, is main buyer for the store. The store’s party planner, Bruno’s mother-in-law, Gigi Redmon, is known as “Gigi” to all of the kids who visit. It’s also what her grandchildren call her. Bruno and his wife have two boys, Hayden and Leo, who attend Crestline Elementary. They enjoy helping around the shop for pocket money. “It works out for me because they just end up spending it all here,” Bruno said. The store is more than a toy store. It’s a party destination as well as a safe afterschool or summer time hang out place for kids. Many kids have accounts set up by their parents for them to use to purchase Icees or snacks when they visit the store. “We’re really open with the kids. They can come play here and be safe,” Bruno
A Tiny Kingdom owner Brannon Bruno, better known as Coach Bruno, in the toy store’s sports section. Photo by Keith McCoy.
said. Their merchandise includes dress-up clothes, dolls, sports memorabilia, jerseys and much more. For birthday parties, the birthday girl or boy can register for gifts they’d like to receive, and party guests can go online and purchase the gifts for their friend.
Gift wrapping is included so that it will be ready at the party. Bruno said they are always on the lookout for new products and toys that kids would enjoy. “New products come in every week or so,” he said. “It’s like Christmas. We get to open new toys every couple of days.”
A little over year into the start of A Tiny Kingdom, Bruno has learned that enjoying the business is one of the most important aspects. “I hope people can see that I enjoy it. It doesn’t really feel like work when I’m hanging out with the kids and people I know.”
Read all the past Business Spotlights at villagelivingonline.com
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Business
| September 2012 |
Around the Villages Ollie Irene celebrates one year
29
Upcoming chamber luncheons On Thursday, September 13, the Mountain Brook Chamber will host a luncheon featuring a panel discussion with representatives of The Birmingham Barons, The Birmingham Zoo, The Birmingham Botanical Gardens, The McWane Science Center and Vulcan Park. The chamber will host another luncheon on Thursday, October 11. John
Cooper, director of Alabama Department of Transportation, will discuss current and future regional transportation projects. Both luncheons will be held at Lane Parke and begin at 11 a.m. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. For more information and tickets, visit welcometomountainbrook.com.
Arden Photography new location Arden Photography has moved to 53 Church Street in Crestline Village. The business specializes in wedding photography. Their vendors include The Club, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
The staff at Ollie Irene toasts to celebrate its first anniversary of business in Mountain Brook Village. The restaurant was nominated for a Best New Restaurant James Beard Award. Front row: Terry Chapman, Isaias Aguilar, Chef and co-owner Chris Newsome, Mayor Terry Oden, co-owner Anna Newsome, Sherry Newsome, Jessica Bowles, Julia Gray. Back row: Jesse Lane Sanders, Chris Vaughn, Kevin Jernigan, Zak Kittle, Andrew Mills, Wimberly Miree III, Larry Kinney, Thyme Randle.
Dyron’s Low Country to expand Dyron’s Low Country in Crestline plans to expand their restaurant by adding a deck in Oak Street Garden Shop’s former market area. The area will increase seating capacity and incorporate televisions and live
acoustic music to the restaurant. There will be a bar menu, complete with on tap beer, low country boils and oysters. The project will open the third week of September. For more information, contact Dyron’s at 834-8257 or visit dyronslowcountry.com.
and Gia’s Cakes. Arden Photography is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday. For more information, call 834-8252 or visit ardenphoto.squarespace.com.
VINO anniversary, event to support schools and charity VINO in English Village will celebrate its one year anniversary from September 17 to 23. Owner Al Rabiee will offer featured and signature drink specials, half price appetizers and a huge cake with a champagne toast to celebrate. The restaurant will also be a part of Mountain Brook Schools Foundation’s 20th anniversary on Tuesday, September 18. The event will include complimentary appetizers from 5-7 p.m. Also, if patrons mention the Foundation in their
reservations, VINO will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Foundation. On Thursday, September 20, VINO will hold a Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser in which part of the proceeds will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.The evening will also include cake and a champagne toast at 7 p.m. For more information, visit VINObirmingham.com or call 870-8404. VINO is located at 1930 Cahaba Road.
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| September 2012 |
Mountain Brook events
Village Living Calendar
9/3 – Labor Day Holiday 9/6-10/1- Basic Water Colors Painting Class with Ed Abernathy. Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. Levite Jewish Community Center. Fee: $72/members, $90/nonmembers. Contact Mindy Cohen at 8790411 ext. 233 or mcohen@bhamjcc.org.
9/6 – Brookwood Live – Rock Candy. Join us on the street for great live music, family fun and dancing in the street. Rock Candy will perform. 5 – 9 p.m. Colonial Brookwood Village. More information: shopbrookwoodvillage.com
9/8 – Miles for Smiles Run. 5K and Fun Run held by UAB School of Dentistry benefitting the Cahaba Valley Health Center. Awards ceremony at Otey’s Tavern in Crestline Village after race. Participants will be given armband for food and beverages. 5K and post-race party: $28 by 9/7 or $35 on race day. Fun Run and postrace party: $20 by 9/7 or $25 on race day. Post-race party: $15. More information: active.com.
9/21 – The Indigo Girls. 8 p.m. Presented by Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Alys Stephens Center. 1200 10th Avenue S. More information/ Tickets: alabamasymphony. org
9/11- 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony. A joint ceremony held by Mountain Brook, Homewood and Vestavia. 9 a.m. Homewood City Hall. More information: Sgt. Andrew Didcoct, 332-6204; Homewood Chamber of Commerce at 8715631.
Theatre
9/13 – Chamber luncheon on area attractions. The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will feature a panel from Birmingham area attractions including the Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Vulcan Park and Museum, McWane Science Center and Birmingham Barons. 11 a.m. Parke Lane in English Village. More information/sign-up: www. welcometomountainbrook.com. 9/14- Mountain Brook High School Cheerleaders Clinic. Open to all elementary students, grades K-5. 4 p.m.-Second quarter of football game. Participants will learn cheers, chants and dances from the MBHS Cheerleaders and perform at the game between the first and second quarter. They will receive a t-shirt, pizza, a snack and water. Mountain Brook High School Cheerleading Training Facility and Main Gym. Cost: $40 per child. More information: http://www. mtnbrook.k12.al.us/cms/cheerleaders or martinh@mtnbrook.k12.al.us.
9/30- Journey to Inaccessible Places. A concert by pianist and composer Laurence Rosenthal, . Birmingham Museum of Art. 7 p.m. Free, but space is limited. Reservations: 320-0013 or RMSG@att.net.
9/13 – 9/16, 9/20 – 9/23 – The Sea Horse. City Equity Theatre presents The Sea Horse by Edward J. Moore. Directed by Patrick and Ian McCall and featuring Alan and Francie Gardner. Weekdays and Saturdays: 8 p.m. Sundays: 3 p.m. Virginia Samford at Caldwell Park. More information: virginiasamfordtheatre.org. 9/13 – 9/15, 9/20 – 9/23, 9/27-9/29 – The Graduate. Theatre Downtown presents a theatrical adaptation of the 1967 movie, The Graduate. . Weekdays and Saturdays: 8 p.m. Sunday: 2 p.m. Theatre Downtown. 2410 5th Ave. S More information: theatredowntown.org.
9/29- Drug Take Back Day. Drop off unwanted, unused prescription drugs at Mountain Brook Police Department, 8 Office Park Circle. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Music and Arts 9/4 – Sursum Corda, Choral Group. Samford University and Patty McDonald present Concertmaster and Friends. 7:30 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. 1200 10th Avenue S. More information/ Tickets: alabamasymphony.org.
Save the Date 10/3- Brock McGuire Band Concert. Only 100 seats available. Moonlight on the Mountain, 585 Shades Crest Road, Hoover. Tickets: $25, available through Homewood Music, 3027 Central Avenue, 879-4868. More information: BrockMcGuireBand. com.
Sports 9/1 – Samford vs. Furman. Football. 3:30
CBS hold special events for Kindergartners
9/6 – Fashions Night Out. 7 p.m. Colonial Brookwood Village. More information: www.fashionsnightout.com.
9/8- Sjögren’s Awareness Walkabout. An event to raise awareness about autoimmune disease Sjögren’s Syndrome. Colonial Brookwood Village. 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk. More information: sjogrens.org.
9/28 – Western’s Food and Wine Festival. Benefits the Emmet O’Neal Library. 6-9 p.m. Birmingham Zoo. Tickets: $45 in advance, $55 at the door. Purchase at westernsupermarkets.com, Emmet O’Neal Library, or Western locations.
9/29 – UAB vs. Tulsa. Football. 2 p.m. UAB More information: uabsports.com.
Special Events
9/18Mountain Brook Schools Foundation’s 20th anniversary event. Complimentary appetizers will be served 5-7 p.m. Mention the Foundation in their reservations, and VINO will donate a portion of the proceeds. VINO, 1930 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook. More info: VINObirmingham.com or 870-8404.
9/21 – Mountain Brook vs. Woodlawn. Football. 7 p.m. Mountain Brook High School. More information: mtnbrook.k12. al.us.
9/29 – Samford Legacy League’s 5K. Proceeds provide scholarships to deserving Samford University students with financial need. Registration closes on 9/26 at 11:59 p.m. Pre-registration packet pickup and walk-up registration begin 3 p.m. 5K starts 5 p.m. 600 University Park Place. More information: www.samford. edu/legacyleague.
9/8 – Samford vs. West Alabama. Football. 6 p.m. Samford. More information: www. samfordsports.com.
9/20- Menopause The Musical. For every ticket purchased using the promo code NLTEAL, Menopause The Musical will donate $5 to The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. BJCC. 8 p.m.
9/7 – Maestro Ball. Benefits the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. UAB Alys Stephens Center. 6 p.m. More info: Ashley Blomeyer, 314-6917.
9/20- Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser. Event will include cake and a champagne toast at 7 p.m. VINO, 1930 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook. More info: VINObirmingham.com or 870-8404.
9/27- Beer-N-BBQ & Bingo. Benefits the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. Avondale Brewery, 201 41st Street South. 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $25 at the door. More info: 427-508.
9/1 – UAB vs. Troy. Football. 11 a.m. UAB. More information: uabsports.com.
9/13 – Black Pearl Sings! Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 p.m. Birmingham Festival Theatre. 1901 ½ 11th Avenue South. More information: bftonline.org.
9/14 – Mountain Brook vs. Gardendale. Football. 7 p.m. Mountain Brook High School. More information: mtnbook.k12. al.us.
9/20 – Cahaba Village for the Cure. Cahaba Village will host an event to sign up participants for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on October 20. 6 – 8 p.m. Cahaba Village. More info: www. welcometomountainbrook.com.
fundraising event. 6:30 p.m. Birmingham Zoo. More information: 397-3861 or kvaughn@birminghamzoo.com.
p.m. Samford. More information: www. samfordsports.com.
9/9- Felder Rushing Talk. Linn-Henley Lecture Hall, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. 2 p.m. Admission: $15 by reservation. More info: bbgardens.org. 9/9 – Crestwood Tour of Homes. Peek inside houses that span decades of architectural styles. 12 – 3 p.m. Crestwood neighborhood. $15 in advance at Urban Cottage and City Arts Boutique from 9/1 – 9/8 or $20 at Crestwood Park day of event. More information: 592 – 4566. 9/13 – “Brown Baggin’ it at the Bell.” Lunch and Learn. 12 – 1 p.m. More information: Denise Williams, dwilliams@ thebellcenter.org. 9/13- EasyBridge! Lessons. 15 weeks; first two weeks are free. 1:30-4 p.m. Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club, 144 Business Center Drive, Birmingham. More info: 276-6084, 979-5929 or learnbridge@ bellsouth.net. 9/13 – Glow for a Cure. Benefits Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama’s Research Program. 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Highland Park Golf Course. Foursome: $800, single players: $200. More information: Vance Holder 871-7970 or vholder@alzca.org. 9/15 – Head Over Teal 5K and Family Fun Day. Proceeds benefit the Laura Crandall Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation. 8 a.m. The Preserve. More information/ Registration: active.com or www. thinkoflaura.org/headoverteal. 9/15 – ZooGala. Birmingham Zoo’s largest
Cherokee Bend teacher Trisha Humphries welcomes new students Caroline Huddleston, Hews Goodson, Ann Carter Brown and Frank Lee at the school’s Meet and Greet event.
By CATHERINE BODNAR Cherokee Bend school showed its excitement about the new school year and welcomed 60 students to the kindergarten class this year. Several events the first week of school made the transition enjoyable for students and their families. On August 17, new students and parents met at the Library for orientation before the students were invited for a “Meet and Greet” with their new teachers and
classmates in the kindergarten classrooms. After dropping off their students on the first day of school, many mothers of kindergarteners enjoyed coffee and muffins at the home of Grant and Kelly Robicheaux for the traditional Sip n’ Sob. Parents will also enjoy Back to School Night on August 21 to learn about the children’s new curriculum for the school year and have an opportunity to purchase CBS Sportswear.
Swimming tradition continues for the Long family For the Long family, competitive swimming is a tradition passed down from their dad, former Auburn All American swimmer and Olympic trial candidate, Gary Long. Watching the Olympic swimming events has made these children only slightly begin to realize what discipline it takes to swim like Michael Phelps and represent the United States. Alaina, Garrett and Grayson Long qualified and competed in every event for their age group at the JSSC Senior County Swim Meet held at the new Birmingham Crossplex. All had their own personal best times in their final summer swim meet. Alaina and Garrett both ribboned in events this year. Grayson took the fourth place male high point trophy in his age group this year. Alaina (7), Garrett (9) and Grayson Long (7). Photo courtesy of Kim Long.
Village Living | September 2012 |
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| September 2012 |
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