Village Living Living local Volume 5 | Issue 8 | November 2014
neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook
MSNBC footage of local shopping campaign to air this month By MADOLINE MARKHAM
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There’s a new way to measure the success of Live Local Saturdays: national media attention. This month the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce campaign will be featured on MSNBC’s Your Business, a show about small businesses and entrepreneurship, with footage filmed on Oct. 18. The program is showcasing shop small and shop local initiatives around the country leading up to Small Business Saturday, which is the
Saturday after Thanksgiving. The producers hope segments like the one filmed in Mountain Brook will give other communities ideas about how to increase their small business traffic. Mountain Brook in particular interested them for the network’s shop local coverage. “It isn’t a traditional main street, so shopping is around villages,” MSNBC producer David Foster said. “They are more spread out, so people have to make an effort to have programming to come to those specific villages. What struck a
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Continental Bakery owner Carole Griffin speaks with MSNBC producer David Foster for a segment on shopping local. Photo by Dan Starnes.
chord with us is that the community is making a concerted effort to bring people to the area.” Elizabeth Adams, who owns Ex Voto Vintage, said she noticed more people than normal in Mountain Brook Village on the day of filming. “Even for people who weren’t interviewed, any exposure that benefits Mountain Brook Village benefits all of us,” she said. While her store was being shot, Adams shared with Foster how in the past year two larger brands have contacted her about opening a local brick-and-mortar store. It’s part of a larger trend
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she has seen with high fashion brands starting their own retail stores in addition to selling within department stores. “I couldn’t believe that they would call and ask my advice,” Adams said. “It’s encouraging for local businesses that even the big boys are wanting to go small. We are already doing it and have that edge.” Foster took note of the Shop Local T-shirts and stickers he saw around Mountain Brook and
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Calendar .......... B26 facebook.com/villageliving
Stepping back in time
Beware of traffic
Do you remember taking ballroom dancing lessons at Steeple Arts? Take a look at this tradition inside.
Learn how Brookwood Forest parents have taken steps for the city to address safety hazards during afternoon carpool pickup.
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DISCOVER THE MANY REASONS HOMEOWNERS ARE GIVING THANKS THIS holiday season.
City page A9 Proudly keeping homes cleaner and healthier since 1987
871-9338 www.MAIDS.com
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Referred for a reason.
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Photo of the month
Nancy Ryals and Witt Little and their mom, Caroline, run in the Norwood Boulevard Blast. The race was held in the memory of Mountain Brook resident Bill Black, who was one of the founders of the Norwood Resource Center. More than 350 runners and walkers turned out for the first ever event. Photo courtesy of Natalie Sansom.
Send your submissions for Photo of the Month to jennifer@villagelivingonline.com
Editor’s Note By Jennifer Gray I really love the idea of living local. We have so many amenities right here in our own backyards: parks, trails, an amazing library and, of course, the shops. With the holiday season upon us, this issue is chocked full of meaningful ways to celebrate life, Thanksgiving, and the upcoming Christmas season. As I read over this month’s issue, what struck me was that not only can I shop local for my holiday shopping, but that I can purchase personal and meaningful gifts made or created by friends and fellow “Brookies.” Just take a look at what I found in this issue: Catherine Pittman Smith’s Images of America: Mountain Brook is a beautiful book that celebrates the history of our community. Catherine has worked to pull together images that tell the story of Mountain Brook and let you revisit memories from your childhood and days gone by. I can’t wait to show
my children what the Mountain Brook Shopping Center looked like long ago. I had forgotten there was a Utopia Cleaners there! This is the perfect gift for several people I know. Another book that would make a wonderful gift is by my MBHS classmate Dr. Stephen Russell. Stephen releases his second medical thriller in his Cooper McKay series this month. This time, readers get to not only enjoy a great book but also know that they are helping a good cause as he is donating his first three months of sales to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. If you have girls in your life, then Kari Kampakis’ book, 10 Ultimate Truths Every Girls Should Know is an absolute must. Kari’s wisdom and heart for girls and their struggles shines through in this book. It has such wonderful life lessons and words of encouragement. If you want to get a jump start on
your holiday decorations, we have that covered, too. The Red Mountain Garden Club will be holding their annual greenery sale of wreathes, kissing balls and table arrangements as well as mailbox decorations, or you can buy greenery and create your decorations yourself. PreSchool Partners will also once again be selling their freshly cut Christmas trees, garland and wreathes. And lastly, if you are looking for ways to keep Thanksgiving from going to your waist and stay as healthy as possible during the holidays, make sure to read about two upcoming races, the Dirt Dash and the Sam Lapidus Memorial Run. Both of those would be a great way to get the whole family moving. And if you need a little inspiration before planning your menus this month, Amy Lipscomb has an article that helps us learn more about what’s in our food and a healthy diet.
Village Living Publisher: Creative Director: Editor: Managing Editor: Sports Editor: Staff Writers: Editorial Assistant: Graphic Designer: Advertising Manager: Sales and Distribution:
Contributing Photographer: Contributing Writer: Published by:
Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Jennifer Gray Madoline Markham David Knox Katie Turpen Jessa Pease Sydney Cromwell Madison Miller Emily VanderMey Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Morgan Robinson Nathan Pearman Karim Shamsi-Basha Kari Kampakis Village Living LLC
School House Contributors: Catherine Gasque & Catherine Bodnar - Cherokee Bend, Lisa Stone - Crestline, Kathleen Woodry - Brookwood Forest, Suzanne Milligan - Mountain Brook High School, Hilary Ross- Mountain Brook Elementary, Elizabeth Farrar - Mountain Brook Junior High Contributing Photographer: Image Arts 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
For advertising contact: Dan@VillageLivingOnline.com
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.
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A Little Something (B27) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (B8) Alabama Art Supply (A15) Alabama Gaslight & Grill (A23) Alabama Outdoors (A16) Alabama Power (A27) America’s Thrift Store (B1) Amy Smith (B26) Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers (B25) Batts’ Chimney Services (B12) Bedzzz Express (B28) Birmingham Festival Theatre (B6) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (B24) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (A5, A17) Brookwood Village (B2) Campaign to Elect Davis Lawley (A9) Canterbury Gardens (B16) Canterbury UMC (B5) Christmas Village (A15) Christopher Glenn (B18) Columbia Cottage/The Cottages (B25) Delicio’s Pizza (B18) Dish’n It Out (A14) Ecoview (B13) Elle / Laura Katherine (A13) Etc. (A12) Ex Voto Vintage (A14) Family Share Massage (B7) Fred Smith Group (A6) Frontera (A23) Granger Thagard Associates (B13) Granite Transformations (B11) Hanna’s Garden Shop (B24) Home Care Associates (B11) Hufham Orthodontics (B15) Iz Café (A18) Jacqueline DeMarco (B5) Jimmie Hale Mission (A26) John-William Jeweller (B21) jojo Home & Marjorie Johnston & Co. (B26) Jordan Alexander Jewelry (B9) Junior League of Birmingham (A24, B17) Just Happy Hounds (B15) King’s House Oriental Rugs (A10) Kirkwood by the River (B12) Lane Parke - Evson Inc. (A11) Leaf & Petal (A13) Little Hardware, Inc (B4) Magnolia Creek Treatment Center (A9) Mobley & Sons (B3) Monkee’s of Mountain Brook (A21) Morningside at Riverchase (A20) Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce (A22) On Time Service (A19) Otey’s (B3) Please Reply (B16) PreSchool Partners (A19) RealtySouth (A28) Red Wing Shoes (B19, B23) Renasant Bank (A3) Sew Sheri Designs (A25) Swoop (A15) Taco Mama (A10) The Blue Willow (B23) The Cook Store (B5) The Fitness Center (A6, B13) The Highlands School (B21) The Maids (A1) The Scribbler (A17) The White Room Bridal Salon (A21) TherapySouth Crestline (A2) Town and Country (A25) Trinity Medical Center (B22) UAB Callahan Eye Hospital (B20) Village Dermatology (A7) Village Sportswear (B14) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A8, B10) Wallace-Burke (A26, B8) Winn-Dixie (B19)
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Trunk Shows Wednesday, November 12 9:30am – 5:30pm Mountain Brook Mountain Brook • 205.871.3276
10:00am – 6:00pm
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Village Living
City City budget includes lights for Pig development, Lane Parke road improvements By MADOLINE MARKHAM The city is now proceeding as planned with its budget for the 2015 fiscal year, which began Oct. 1. Following a public hearing, the council approved the budget at its Sept. 22 meeting. The budget calls for $33,026,257 in general fund revenues and expenditures, which includes $650,000 in budgeted surplus funds and $3.9 million in deficit spending for capital projects in 2015. Capital projects in the budget include: }} $1 million for Lane Park Road improvements as part of the Lane Parke development agreement }} $2.5 million for Cahaba Road improvements as part of the Lane Parke development agreement }} $220,000 for lights on Dexter Avenue at Vine Street and Dexter Avenue at Church Street for the Piggly Wiggly development in Crestline }} $100,000 for a sidewalk connector at Poinciana Drive in Homewood }} $829,205 (gross) for grant-funded sidewalk construction (grants are anticipated to fund $656,000 of that cost) }} $266,019 to complete the Cahaba River Park (total cost is approximately $450,000) }} $84,000 for a restroom at Brookwood Forest and another elementary school yet to be determined }} $55,000 for generators for U.S. 280 traffic signals }} $159,000 for carpet, furniture, elevator repair
2015 General Fund Budgeted Expenses City of Mountain Brook 14 1 13 2 12 11 10 9 8
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Council approves traffic study and more At its recent meetings, the Mountain Brook City Council: }} Approved a traffic study by Skipper Consulting for the proposed Piggly Wiggly development on Vine Street. }} Approved an additional $5,000 for Schoel Engineering’s drainage study at Beech Circle. }} Set an organizational meeting of the new city council and committee and liaison appointments for Nov. 3 at 7:30 a.m. }} Approved an agreement for the city to maintain landscaping, parking lots and other areas in the right-of-way of the northern shoulder and median of Cahaba Village. This will allow is part of a project that will create additional in the shopping area. }} Discussed mobile phone use in school zones. A resident, Duncan Manley, had emailed the council a YouTube video about texting and driving awareness and asked them to consider limiting mobile phone use in school zones. To follow up,
Jesse Vogtle contacted the school system to see what their policy is regarding texting in school zones. }} Approved installing a fire hydrant at 2655 Lane Park Road to serve the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook Village. }} Appointed Rhett Loveman as a supernumerary member of the Board of Zoning Adjustment through Sept. 22, 2017. }} Approved a mayoral reappointment of Susan Swagler to the Planning Commission. }} Heard presentations from the Emmet O’Neal Library. Library Board Chairman Max Pulliam recognized Jesse Vogtle for serving as the council liaison to the Library Board from 2008-2012 and Amy Carter for serving as the liaison from 2012 to the present. }} Appointed Patrick Carlton to serve on the Emmet O’Neal Library Board without compensation through Sept. 30, 2018.
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and upgrades, and painting, all at the library The budget also reflects a slight increase in most revenues, including the real estate tax, which makes up 40 percent of revenues. The revenues include 28 percent sales tax, and the expenses are made up of 60 percent labor costs.
Development plans for Montclair’s Pilgrim Place moving forward The Pilgrim Place subdivision, currently home to two residences, will soon be known as Village Place. Changes to the PUD master development plan for the Montclair Road neighborhood were approved at the Oct. 13 city council meeting. The subdivision’s street will change names from Pilgrim Place to Village Place. Plans also call for widening the entryway
to allow for gates, reducing width of the road to allow for deeper lots, closing setbacks from 12 ½ to 10 feet and resurveying some areas. At the council meeting, Bruce Steel, a resident of Ridgeview Drive West, asked for clarification regarding the upkeep of the area on the edge of the property, and the developer said it would be maintained as a part of the development’s codes and covenants.
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CRIME REPORT Western Supermarket robbed A robbery occurred at Western Supermarket at 2717 Culver Road on Oct. 8. An unidentified suspect entered the business at 6:15 a.m. and presented a note to an employee. The suspect was dressed in dark clothing and was wearing a mask. An undetermined amount of currency was taken in the robbery. No weapon was displayed by the suspect. Sept. 11-18 Theft of Property A theft occurred on Sept. 17 in the 200 block of Dexter Avenue. Unknown suspect(s) entered a garage and stole lawn equipment. A theft occurred between Sept. 12-17 on the 2900 block of Surrey Road. Unknown suspect(s) stole jewelry from a residence. A theft occurred in the 3200 block of East Briarcliff Road between Sept. 4-5. Unknown suspect(s) entered a garage and stole a leaf blower. Unlawful Breaking Entering Vehicle A UBEV occurred on Sept. 16 in the 3500 block of Crestbrook Road. Unknown suspect(s) entered unlocked vehicles and stole currency, credit cards, and a wallet. A UBEV occurred on Sept. 16 in the 3500 block of Spring Valley Terrace. Unknown suspect(s) entered unlocked vehicles and stole a handbag, iPhone and firearm. Sept. 19-25 Unlawful Breaking / Entering of a Vehicle A UBEV case occurred in the 3800 block of Glencoe Drive on Sept. 23. Unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole a backpack and sunglasses. A UBEV case occurred in the 200 block of Beech Street between Sept. 22-23. Unknown suspect(s) entered two unlocked
Pavilion added to Cahaba River Park plans
vehicles and stole an iPad and prescription medication from one of the vehicles. A UBEV case occurred in the 800 block of Euclid Avenue on Sept. 22Unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole prescription medication. Sept. 26-Oct. 2 Unlawful Breaking Entering Vehicle A UBEV occurred on Oct. 2 in the 3600 block of Belle Meade Way. Unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked vehicle and stole a computer, credit cards and a wallet. A UBEV occurred on Oct. 2 in the 3700 block of Crestbrook Road. Unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked vehicle and stole a firearm. A UBEV occurred on Sept. 26 in the 3600 block of Bethune Drive. Unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked vehicle and stole a firearm and checkbook. Oct. 2-8 Vehicle Theft A 2011 Ford truck was stolen between Oct. 6-7 in the 10 block of West Montcrest Drive. Unknown suspect(s) also stole a firearm that was in the truck. It is likely that a key left in the console of the vehicle was used in the theft. Unlawful Breaking Entering Vehicle A UBEV occurred on Oct. 5 in the 4200 block of Montevallo Road. Unknown suspect(s) broke out a window of the vehicle and stole currency, a checkbook and credit cards. On Oct. 5, a UBEV occurred in the 300 block of Office Park Drive. Unknown suspect(s) broke out a window and stole electronic equipment. -Submitted by Mountain Brook Police Department
Cahaba River Park will be home to walking paths and a new pavilion in early 2015.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM Mountain Brook’s new gateway to the Cahaba River will now feature a picnic pavilion in its first phase. The City Council approved the pavilion addition while taking away plans for water connection at the 4.7-acre Cahaba River Park at its Oct. 13 meeting. The net cost adds $23,239.97 to the $450,000 initially budgeted. The pavilion will overlook the river and feature stone columns and a wood shingle roof. The space will be able to be used for birthday parties and other events once it opens in January or February 2015. Landscape architect Nimrod Long said the remainder of park amenities planned for this phase, which are now under construction at the intersection of Overton Road and River Run Drive, should be complete by December. These include a parking area for 20 cars, a loop walkway and a walkway down to a natural stone beach on the river. An additional nature path similar to ones on Jemison Trail will be added as an Eagle Scout project in the next few months.
In addition, native plants will be placed in disturbed areas to create a bioswale to filter water that flows from the parking lot to the river. The final feature of this phase is a trail that will go under the bridge as a part of what Long hopes will one day be a 2-mile trail to the Carraway-Davie House and Conference Center, which was recently purchased by Cahaba Park Church. Also related to the park, the city is currently working with Skipper Consulting to determine the best way to improve pedestrian crossings at the intersection of Overton Road and Oakdale Drive/River Run Drive. At the Oct. 13 council meeting, a study was approved to examine pedestrian traffic as well as how to slow down traffic at the intersection. Jefferson County, which maintains the intersection as well as Oakdale Drive and River Run Drive at Vestavia-Mountain Brook city limits, had previously suggested adding pedestrian crossings across all four crossings at the intersections and reshaping the curve at River Run and Overton Road.
As they say goodbye
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Village Living checked in with outgoing City Council members as they step aside to pursue other opportunities
Amy Carter City Council member since 2010 Q A
What are some highlights that the council addressed during your tenure? I enjoyed working on the new City Hall as well as moving into it. Bob Moody, Virginia Smith, Brasfield & Gorrie, Bill Williams and countless others worked together to accomplish what we enjoy today, and the Linn-Henley Charitable Trust was so generous to donate the beautiful fountain. I’ve also enjoyed being involved with
the sidewalk project and Cahaba River Park. We have close to 40 miles of connected sidewalks now. I’m really looking forward to the new park opening.
Wiggly’s closing was a disappointment, but I anticipate that the needs of Crestline Village will be met in the near future.
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What current projects are you most anticipating? I’m delighted that the density of the Lane Parke project has been scaled back from its initial proposals and think the Kessler hotel will be a wonderful addition to Mountain Brook. The Piggly
Are there any parting words you’d like to share with the community? It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the residents of Mountain Brook. We are fortunate to have an incredible group of staff who work at
City Hall, all devoted to living out the mission, vision and values that we cherish in our special community. The relationships among the various entities in the city such as the Board of Education, the Chamber of Commerce and the Library Board are unique in that there is cooperation and collaboration for the benefit of the greater good of the community. This team approach acts to ensure the shared goal of an excellent quality of life for Mountain Brook’s residents.
Jesse Vogtle City Council member since 2006 Q A
What are some highlights that the council addressed during your tenure? The big projects that come to mind include: adopting a new Master Land Use Plan for the city’s four villages in 2007; fighting with Moody’s to maintain the city’s Aa1 rating, jeopardized in part by the Jefferson County financial demise in 2008; removing the garbage fee, which currently is 100 percent subsidized by the city in 2008; helping the city’s walkway system come in full swing with many miles of sidewalks added to improve safe paths to schools and connection of our villages and neighborhoods in 2009; commencing the new municipal complex in 2010; approving the Lane Parke Planned Unit Development after 14 public hearings in
2010; purchasing 4.7 acres on Cahaba River at the intersection of Overton/ Oakdale Roads near River Run in 2011; budgeting for park improvements construction in 2014; seeing the city Wi-Fi initiative being installed in public parks, schoolyards and villages in 2012; seeing Lane Parke apartments substantially constructed in 2013; and watching the Kessler Grand Bohemian 100-room boutique hotel break ground across from the Botanical Gardens parking lot in 2014.
Q A
What current projects are you most anticipating? For starters, the city has no longterm debt. My predecessors on the finance committee instituted an equipment replacement budgeting system implemented by our finance
director, Steve Boone, which allows us to pay cash for most everything the city needs to operate. If it’s not in the budget, we simply wait until the cash is available before making the purchase. This includes 100 percent of the expenses for the new City Hall project, public works building, police, fire, administrative, and public works fleets and equipment. The one unfinished project that gives me the most long-term concern is the city’s unfunded pension liability owed to the RSA defined benefits plan. We’ve worked hard over the years to bring awareness to this growing liability and to encourage our state elected officials to introduce legislation allowing municipalities to offer different types of benefit programs to future
employees. We continue to work with the League of Municipalities to further this cause. (Frankly, this is not a huge problem. Deficit spending doesn’t happen in Mountain Brook, which is important; however, unfunded pension liability is a problem that needs to be fixed.)
Q A
Are there any parting words you’d like to share with the community? It has been one of the great pleasures of my life to serve you. We have great elected officials and city employees who do their very best every day to serve you with no red tape or added cost or aggravation. Mountain Brook government is a little unique. With five councilors elected to serve
the entire city, not just a particular neighborhood or jurisdiction, your elected officials can make decisions that favor the entire city. I very much respect and appreciate the continued hard work by our mayor, fellow councilors and all our city leaders.
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Brookwood Forest afternoon traffic concerns to be addressed By MADOLINE MARKHAM Each day at 2:50 p.m., Kimberly Fasking grows concerned. As she sits in the carpool line at Brookwood Forest Elementary, the mother of six frequently sees cars going around the line of traffic by driving the wrong way on South Brookwood Road toward the school. “Although the police say what these drivers are doing is not illegal, it is definitely a hazard,” she said. Fasking has had children at the school for the past nine years, but it is only in the past year that the issue with cars going around has escalated. As a result of Fasking and other parents voicing concerns about this issue to the city, action is being taken. The city council approved a Skipper Consulting study for traffic solutions around the school at its Oct. 13 meeting. In 2003 Skipper conducted a study of the area and suggested extensive projects estimated around $65,000 and $120,000 to add additional lanes on school property to accommodate more cars in the queue, but no action was taken. Last spring more cars were beginning to go around the traffic, so some parents called the police department and asked for their help. The department put up signs and tried to reprimand parents who were sitting in the road. At the same time, Alabama law states that cars can go around an
The afternoon carpool line from Brookwood Forest Elementary stops traffic on South Brookwood Road. Parents are concerned about cars going around traffic in the opposite lane, which has prompted the city to conduct a traffic study of the area. Photo by Madoline Markham.
obstruction in traffic, so officers can’t enforce cars not doing so. When the issue was picked up again last month, Fasking spearheaded a group of parents to meet with Police Chief Ted Cook, City Manager Sam Gaston, school administration and the school’s resource officer, which
prompted the traffic study. At the council meeting where the study was approved, Richard Caudle with Skipper said the new study will focus on trying to find lower-cost improvements and addressing pedestrian traffic safety instead of more costly long-term improvements.
“It is a bad situation, and I believe the real solutions will take asphalt and concrete,” Caudle said. “But I do believe we can do some [smaller] things, particularly to protect the pedestrians.” Council member Amy Carter pointed out that she thinks parents
will not change their driving behavior even if you add signs or other minor changes. Council member Jack Carl suggested looking at a new drive to get more cars up on school property but doesn’t think extending the left turn lane on South Brookwood Road would be possible. Council President Virginia Smith said one solution could be rerouting through traffic or making the road one way for traffic during peak times. Caudle said Skipper had previously considered adding a circular drive for more cars to sit on. The proposed study will address traffic congestion and potentially unsafe conditions on South Brookwood Road, particularly related to afternoon carpool traffic around the school. It will include traffic counts during morning and afternoon peak times. Speed and vehicle classification will also be considered, as well as queues, pedestrian activity, carpool flow and accident data. The detailed operational study will cost $6,900 and take about six weeks. Upon completion, a final report will be presented to the council. Fasking said she thinks the traffic study is great news and feels positively about the city looking into ways to fix the problem. “I am hoping for a permanent fix,” Fasking said. “It would be nice if they added a new drive around school and for overflow parking during special events. But at least we could get some flashing signs to alert drivers before they get stuck in traffic.”
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BEST OF MOUNTAIN BROOK Village Living 2013 Best Mexican Food
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Now Open
The Alabama Retail Association recognized Frederick W. “Ricky” Bromberg, president of Bromberg & Co. Inc., as a Retailer of the Year on Sept. 23. The business received a Gold Award for the Annual Sales $5 Million to $20 Million category and was nominated by Suzan Doidge, executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, and two others. Bromberg’s Mountain Brook location is at 2800 Cahaba Road. 871-3276. brombergs.com.
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La Catrina, a Mexican restaurant, was scheduled to open in the former Salvatore’s location in English Village at 2031 Cahaba Road by the end of October. The restaurant also has locations in Homewood, Vestavia and Trussville. lacatrinarestaurant.com.
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Relocations and Renovations Estate Jewelers of Mountain Brook, 2405 Montevallo Road, has recently renovated its interior. Its hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 414-8071.
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New Ownership Delicio’s Pizza & Pasta, 3150 Overton Road, is now owned by Irina Boca. The restaurant serves pizza, pasta, subs and desserts for dine-in, takeout and delivery. Its hours are Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 968-2323.
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News and Accomplishments Two Maids & a Mop, 16 Office Park Circle, Suite 18, celebrated the opening of a new franchise location in the Washington, D.C., market in September. 870-8643. twomaidsfranchise.com.
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The Alabama Retail Association recognized Carole Griffin, owner of Continental Bakery and Chez Lulu, as a Retailer of the Year on Sept. 23. The business received a Gold Award for the Annual Sales $1 Million to $5 Million category and was nominated by Suzan Doidge, executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. The businesses are located at 1909 and 1911 Cahaba Road in English Village. 870-5584 Continental Bakery, 870-7011 Chez Lulu. chezlulu.us.
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Hirings and Promotions TrainSmarter, 1103 Dunston Ave., has hired Amy Neiman. She will be teaching TRX classes on Mondays and Fridays. 222-8464.
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Kimmy Stapleton has been hired as a full-time barber and stylist at Treadwell Barber Shop, 2700 Culver Road. She is a recent graduate of the Alabama Barber College. 870-9210.
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LAH Real Estate’s Mountain Brook office, 2850 Cahaba Road, Suite 200, recently welcomed new agents Ken Vinoski, LaRue Thomas, Belinda Malke, Margaret Manuel, Matthew Mangham, Kim Mangham-Barelare, Heide Forsythe, WuHsiung Wu, Brian Brown, Kenan Ashurst, Carol Buchanan, Donna Tyner and Henry Swain. 870-8580. lahrealestate.com.
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Anniversaries Antiquities, 2421 Canterbury Road, celebrated its fourth anniversary in October. 870-1030.
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Marguerite’s Conceits, 2406 Canterbury Road, celebrated its 21st anniversary in September. 879-2730.
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Business news
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A12 • November 2014
Village Living
Business Spotlight
Monkee’s of Mountain Brook
Read past Business Spotlights at villagelivingonline.com
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2006 Cahaba Road 783-1240 r D y a monkeesofmountainbrook.com w ir Fa Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, 12-4 p.m.* *Only for October through December
By MADISON MILLER Melissa Cunningham didn’t set out to own a boutique. It happened by accident. While visiting her children at Furman University one January, Cunningham happened upon a small store called Monkee’s of the West End. There, she and her children shopped for hours and enjoyed relief from what Cunningham refers to as the “winter blah.” “We took our time and reconnected,” Cunningham said. Cunningham told her husband about the trip and the boutique once she returned home, which was then in Wisconsin. Surprised by the variety of clothing and the fun his family had experienced, Cunningham’s husband suggested that she run her own Monkee’s. “He said, ‘I think this is something that you would be good at,’” Cunningham said. Although Cunningham had not had any professional experience with fashion before opening her Monkee’s franchises, it had long been her passion. As her children were growing up, she designed and made all of their clothing. She even modeled for a time. “I’ve always had a finger on fashion,” Cunningham said. Caroline, Cunningham’s youngest daughter, had plans to attend Auburn University. Much to Caroline’s dismay, Cunningham said, her parents followed her there. The family had always wanted to relocate to the South in order to be closer to family. Cunningham started her first franchise, Monkee’s of Auburn, shortly after
Owner Melissa Cunningham sits at the front of Monkee’s of Mountain Brook. Photo by Madison Miller.
relocating. Monkee’s of Mountain Brook opened after requests from customers in Auburn to open a Birmingham location. Now, Cunningham runs the English Village store while her daughter runs the store in Auburn.
After several years of experience, the family tries to keep the same feeling that they had on their first trip to Monkee’s alive in their locations. Most importantly, they try to keep their clothing multigenerational. This, Cunningham said,
sets their boutique apart. When buying for their store, Cunningham keeps community events of all age groups in mind. “[In the fall] a Mountain Brook woman has a lot of events to go to,” Cunningham said. The store is not only for event wear, however. Monkee’s of Mountain Brook tries to carry on-trend clothing for day-to-day wear. Cunningham often finds that customers want a certain look that they’ve seen in a movie or on TV. This fall, statement coats and capes are on trend, much due to the fashion of characters such as Olivia Pope from Scandal. Customers enjoy taking these looks and making them their own, Cunningham said. If customers are not sure what they are looking for or how to complete an outfit, the boutique offers suggestions. Cunningham encourages customers to bring in a necklace, blouse or other piece of clothing that they are not sure how to wear, and she will help build an outfit around it. Monkee’s also offers a closet consultation, which includes a visit to a customer’s closet to help assess what they need and what they no longer wear. After clothing is deemed no longer necessary, Cunningham encourages donations to local shelters. Having formerly worked with a shelter, Cunningham knows that donations are often essential to help women with interviewing for jobs. “It’s a little gluttonous to hold onto these things when they’re no longer needed,” Cunningham said. “I know how important it is that these things are recirculated.”
Join us for an evening with Liz Legg and Ann Piper Carpenter
Thursday Nov 13th 4pm-7pm
...celebrating the launch of her Haiti Project Collaboration with North Coast Development Corporation Liz Legg trunk show continues through Saturday Nov 15
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • A13
Restaurant Showcase ENGLISH VILLAGE st
21
eS Av
Fairway Dr Rd ba ha Ca
La Catrina Mexican Cantina Grill
Read past Restaurant Showcases at villagelivingonline.com
By MADOLINE MARKHAM Eating at La Catrina is an authentic Mexican experience. At the new English Village restaurant, you’ll find standbys like nachos and burritos, but the heart of it digs much deeper. “Most people think Mexican food is what you know, but the truth is, it is different,” said Toshimi Hira, who owns La Catrina with his wife, Vanessa. To the right of the hostess stand in the former Salvatore’s space, a gallery area introduces customers to the restaurant’s mission as a “cultural experience.” Pieces of art showcase Mexican history, including the Mexican-American War in the 1840s and the French invasion in the 1860s. A video that plays in the gallery shows scenes of Mexico, including the shaving of agave leaves to make nectar for margaritas. Hira hopes to share the Mexico he knows, not just the one portrayed in TexMex cuisine. The country’s authentic cuisine merges indigenous foods with European influence. That means the menu boasts salads, pastas, breads and Spanish-Mediterranean spices in additional to traditional entrées. “I want to blend what people already
(above) Red Wine Marinated Steak is topped with pico de gallo for an entrée at La Catrina. Photo courtesy of La Catrina. (left) Toshimi Hira and his wife, Vanessa, opened La Catrina in English Village in late October. Photo by Madoline Markham.
know with new things,” Hira said, “and to separate [La Catrina] from the McDonald’s of Mexican food.” Hira knows what he is talking about, too. He grew up in Mexico City, the son of a Japanese father and a Mexican mother. After coming to the U.S. to study business and spending several years buying and selling hotels, he
wanted to make a business of his true love — Mexican food. Over the past few years he has opened La Catrina restaurants in Homewood, Vestavia and Trussville. The English Village location is his fourth. Next to quesadillas and nachos on La Catrina’s menu, you’ll find Mahi Mahi Ceviche and Shrimp Cocktail, both
popular hors d’oeuvres in the Mexican capital city during the French invasion. The restaurant has been certified by the Mexican government as authentic, a process that involves applications, recipe submissions and even sending a chef to cook for governmental officials. The Parrillada boasts a mixed grill sampling from Mexico City with the
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customer’s choice of meats. Pan-seared grouper is topped with grilled shrimp and a house poblano sauce and served with rice and grilled vegetables. You’ll find new twists on Tex-Mex favorites as well. The Angus Enchiladas are filled with grilled Angus steak, and the Fish Tacos are stuffed with beer-batter fried grouper and pineapple salsa. Hira sought out the English Village location to launch a new generation of entrées featuring meats such as filet mignon and lamb chops, as well as other unique dishes such as a Cactus Salad. He is also adding a Sunday brunch buffet with an omelet station. The restaurant’s name is also part of the cultural experience it provides. Throughout the dining area you’ll find La Calavera Catrina, a depiction of an upper-class woman first etched by Mexican printmaker Jose Guadalupe Posada around 1910. The female skeleton “death face” dressed only in a hat satirizes Mexican women who wanted to be like Europeans. According to Hira, they sold their souls to be someone they were not. Hira’s food, however, sticks with showcasing the culture in which he was raised.
A14 • November 2014
Village Living
Chamber
Preview of
November Luncheon
David Faulkner introduced Greg Canfield at the Oct. 16 Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Photo by Madoline Markham.
Greg Canfield spoke to the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce about the state of Alabama’s economy. Photo by Madoline Markham.
State economy growing in diversity Secretary of commerce addresses chamber By MADOLINE MARKHAM Greg Canfield likes to tell people being “made in Alabama” means something. In the past 20 years, Alabama has become the fourth largest automobile producing state in the country, and its products can be found in 85 countries. Addressing the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce at its Oct. 16 luncheon, the Alabama secretary of commerce highlighted how the state is now home to biomedical and cancer research, automobile, aerospace, and specialty steels and other material industries in addition to those it hosted 75-100 years ago. “Alabama’s economy is still based in a larger part on agriculture and timber, but today it is much more diversified,” Canfield said. “I never imagined Alabama would be a major
player in international business and become home to companies from around the globe, but now we have 419 of those companies: 70 from Germany, 65 from Japan, 405 from Canada, 40 from France and 27 from the UK.” This diversity has continued even in the recent recession. The state lost a staggering 154,800 jobs between December 2007 and February 2010. Job figures have grown since March 2011; as of August 2014, there are now an additional 63,700 in the state. “We’re bouncing back, but we’ve got a long way to go,” Canfield said. “That’s how deep this recession hit the state of Alabama.” State unemployment has declined as well but is still well below recession figures. The latest figure was 6.9 percent in August, and nearly 20,000 jobs had been added in the state between August 2013 and August 2014.
Canfield said personal income is also on the rise, with Alabama outperforming all its southeastern neighbors in the first quarter of 2014 over the last quarter of 2013. Canfield believes the key to economic growth for the state going forward lies in partnering with educational forces. Since 2012, Accelerate Alabama, a strategic plan for economic development, has paired tradition economical development efforts with complementary education efforts. Working with the state education superintendent and chancellors of the community college and university systems, Accelerate has focused on creating a skilled and educated workforce to meet future job demands in the state. “Alabama is a force, but we have to keep our workforce prepared,” Canfield said
Terry Oden
Thursday, Nov. 13 The Mountain Brook City Council and Mayor Terry Oden will speak on the state of the city at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Doors open at 11 a.m., and the luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $25 for members or $30 for nonmembers. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com to purchase tickets.
One-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry. Handmade in Alabama. 2402 Canterbury Road / Mtn Brook Village(behind gilchrist) 205-538-7301
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VillageLivingOnline.com
For the girls
November 2014 • A15
Kampakis releases new book of truths for tweens and teens By MADOLINE MARKHAM Getting a book deal was a lesson in itself for Kari Kampakis. In fact, she includes its back story in 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, which releases Nov. 4. It all started with a talk she gave to seventh-grade girls at Liberty Park Middle School. At the time, Kampakis had been writing columns for Village Living, crafting her prose for moms and composing novels in hopes of finding a book deal. She just thought the talk for girls would be a favor for her friend who was a counselor at the school. But when she shared the talk in blog post form last summer, it got shared more than 65,000 times on Facebook, which led to the eyes of an editor at Thomas Nelson. Before receiving any confirmation of the book deal, Kampakis had already started expanding her list of 10 truths for girls ages 12-16. At that point, she knew it needed to become a book. A year later, it is one. “I didn’t know why I was doing it then, but two years later I can see how it played out,” she said. Likewise, the hardest part of writing for Kampakis was learning to write for girls, not their moms. Her editor had told her to channel her inner teenage self and speak as a wise big sister or best friend. If she sounded like a mom, girls would stop reading it, her editor warned. “It forced me to dig into my past and
Kari and her daughters hold her new book, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know. Photo courtesy of the Kampakis family.
deal with my own insecurities,” Kampakis said. “It also gave me more of a heart for girls. It’s so easy to get angry with them, but the better approach is love. We often forget how we felt at that age.” Through the writing process, Kampakis drew not only on her own experience as a girl, teenager, mom of four girls and sister but also on advice she has received from people in the community
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over the years and stories she has heard from moms. A chapter on perfectionism drew both on her own focus on it and the number of times she has seen girls use the word “perfect” on Instagram. She also takes into account the power of social media. “With social media, it is so easy to be snarky and mean, and the quest for popularity is taken to a new
level,” Kampakis said. “Today’s girls have a bigger problem giving each other grace.” In a later chapter she expounds upon what she has heard from moms of boys about girls being assertive with boys. Moms have told her stories of girls calling their sons all the time and the boys not liking that. There is much about the book’s
release that excites Kampakis. She hopes girls read it not just for themselves, but also use it to offer advice to their friends in the future. She envisions mothers and daughters discussing it together and hopes it triggers moms’ memories about their own insecurities and mistakes to share with their daughters. “The more I share my struggles [with my daughters], the more it helps them to open up to me,” she said. “It helps them know I am not perfect.” Now a couple of years after first requesting advice from moms of girls on a Facebook post to prepare for a talk at a middle school, Kampakis thinks differently about what it means to write for girls. “I know I am meant to write for them,” she said. “Readers help me learn and grow and find what to write next.” Starting Nov. 4, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know will be available in stores nationwide. To learn more, visit karikampakis.com or email her at kari@ karikampakis.com. Locally you can find it at Please Reply, Snoozy’s, Stella Blu, The Pants Store, Alabama Booksmith, Sugar, A Little Something, Church Street Coffee & Books, Soca Girl and Crestline Pharmacy. Kampakis is holding book signings Thursday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m. at Alabama Booksmith; Sunday, Nov. 9, from 3-5 p.m. at the Emmet O’Neal Library with a book sale by Church Street Coffee & Books; and Sunday, Nov. 23, at 4 p.m. at Sugar.
A16 • November 2014
Village Living
Spreading the tradition St. Francis Xavier to hold annual tamale sale By MADOLINE MARKHAM Brenda Bullock’s grocery list will be extra long this month. She’ll need at least 160 pounds of pork and 160 pounds of chicken, along with multiple large sacks of cornmeal. That’s what it took to make 2,500 tamales last year for St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church’s tamale sale the weekend before Thanksgiving. This year they are planning to make as many or more to benefit the Hispanic ministries of the church. The sale began within the church four years ago but later expanded to other Catholic parishes and the community at large. Last year, yard signs drew in new people and organizers extended a special invitation to the staff at Trinity Medical Center across the street and the fire department just down the road in Crestline. “I had no idea it would evolve into this,” Bullock said. “It’s a fun way we can learn about our community and meet people from different places.” Tamale varieties include pork, chicken and cheese, and this year they are adding a beef version. The pork is always the most popular, Bullock said, and by request, they make sure to put plenty of meat in them. Tres leches cake and flan are also on sale, as well as quesadillas and flautas. Tamales come with a side of mole sauce, red salsa or green salsa to serve on top.
Brenda Bullock, second from left, organizes a group of women from St. Francis Xavier to make tamales for a fundraising sale the weekend before Thanksgiving. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
Some people who buy the tamales freeze them to pull out after Thanksgiving or for other occasions. Bullock said the average person eats about three tamales for a meal. Preparations for the tamales start
in the St. Francis Xavier kitchen at 5 a.m. on the Wednesday before the sale to ensure the tamales are fresh to order on Friday and Saturday. Bullock said they wouldn’t want to have to freeze them first.
A group of about 10 ladies, originally from Mexico, who grew up making tamales bring their skills to St. Francis Xavier’s kitchen. Each of their mothers taught them a slightly different way but for the sake of the
sale, Bullock appointed one woman to take charge. Her recipe, Bullock said, is not too spicy yet not too simple. In fact, it was her red sauce that made Bullock like the red flavor for the first time. The process begins with meat seasoned with salt, onion and garlic, which they then shred. Next, they peel and seed green and red peppers from the Alabama Farmers Market on Finley Avenue. Those peppers go under the broiler and then in a blender to create salsas. The red salsa goes in the pork tamales, and the green goes in the chicken. To create its casing, cornmeal is mixed with the right proportion of oil and water, and then the outer cornhusks are cleaned and soaked in water to make them soft enough to fold. One part meal and one part salsa goes inside, and then the final product is cooked in a watertight double boiler until the lid moves to make way for steam to emit. Now in their fourth year, the women have learned how to avoid overfilling the pot with tamales, which would slow the cooking. “It’s a long process,” Bullock said. “Some would rather buy them than make at home.” The sale started, and still acts, as a fundraiser for St. Francis Xavier’s Hispanic ministries. For the nine days leading up to Christmas, church members
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • A17
Tamale Sale Friday, Nov. 21, 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Parish Hall, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Dine-in or take-out Tamales $8 for a half dozen Flautas or quesadilla plates $5 For more information, contact Brenda Bullock at 803-5421 or hispanicministry@sfxbirmingham.com.
Volunteers from St. Francis Xavier unwrap corn husks in which the tamales are cooked. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
participate in the tradition of Las Posadas, knocking on doors of people they know to ask for a place to stay, just as Mary and Joseph did in Bethlehem in the Biblical account. Another day of festivities features a party for kids where they all receive gifts.
On Dec. 12, their Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration marks the day Mary appeared dressed as an Aztec princess in Mexico before a man named Juan Diego, which inspired the start of a movement of Mexican conversion to Christianity. As a part of
the day, a parade processes from the Irondale Walmart to the church with dancers, drummers and costuming. A reception then follows the 12:30 p.m. mass, held 30 minutes earlier than the Hispanic mass at the church is regularly scheduled.
St. Francis Xavier was the first Catholic church in the area to offer a Hispanic mass back in 1988, and today people drive from all over Birmingham to attend mass there, many because it was the church where they grew up.
Today, they have extra motivation to come out to the church on a Friday and Saturday in November too, and to bring friends, for a taste that reminds them of their mothers’ kitchens.
A18 • November 2014
Village Living
Local author releases first apocalyptic thriller By OLIVIA BURTON At 4 a.m., Stephen Duncan gets up, makes a pot of coffee and writes until his two-year-old son wakes up at 6:30. Sometimes he sneaks in some writing time late at night. Despite his busy schedule, Duncan released The Revelation of Gabriel Adam, the first of a trilogy of young adult (YA) books published by Medallion Press in August. Some of Duncan’s first writing experiences were with screenplays, which he would try to sell at Sundance Film Festival. While he was working with Rocky director John Avildsen, who was teaching a class at UAB, Avildsen suggested that Duncan go to law school. Duncan graduated from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and began practicing. Law, however, lacked the creative experience that Duncan desired. That’s where the novel came into play. “The story popped into my head after studying hours and hours of boring case law,” he said. Duncan wrote about 50 pages, which he sent to a friend in Scotland. “He told me in a very Scottish way that it was terrible, and it was,” said Duncan. About a year later, the story reignited in Duncan’s head. The Revelation of Gabriel Adam took about six months of writing and another
six months of editing before it was ready for publication. In the book, a boy is born as the archangel Gabriel. As Armageddon draws near, an assassin sent from another realm attempts to destroy him. Gabe must let go of his dream of attending NYU in order to protect humanity. “This apocalyptic adventure delves deep into biblical lore without being dogmatically religious, delivering a fairly satisfying battle between good and evil,” said Kirkus Reviews of the upcoming book. Duncan’s agent described the book as “Harry Potter meets Indiana Jones,” while Duncan himself explained it as “more of a thriller-esque type book with paranormal tones to it.” Duncan, who graduated Mountain Brook High School in 1994, found inspiration for the story in his travels as well as in non-canonical religious texts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls. “They read like ancient bestsellers,” he said. Many of the texts he read were apocalyptic in nature, telling of the births of angels and demons and their interactions with the world. “The idea came to me that what if it was a cyclical thing,” he said, “and that the war between the realms is going to happen again at some point.” Duncan acknowledged that while the religious aspects of his book could cause controversy, at its core the book is simply about a kid trying to
S.L. Duncan’s thriller The Revelation of Gabriel Adam is now in stores. Duncan can often be found writing at Church Street Coffee. Photo by Olivia Burton.
believe in himself. Young adult (YA) books themselves have generated a lot of controversy with the soaring popularity of series such as Harry Potter, Twilight and The Hunger Games. Duncan addressed a recent article by Ruth Graham for the Slate Book Review that claimed that adults should feel embarrassed if they read YA literature. “That’s ridiculous because there are so many profoundly brilliant YA books,” said Duncan, naming The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and anything by John Green as examples. “If YA had
existed 50 or 100 years ago, some of the classics would be considered YA.” Duncan said since YA refers to an age group and not a genre, readers can look for a sci-fi book on the YA shelf and possibly discover something completely different next to it that they might not otherwise have found. To find out more about S.L. Duncan and his writing, visit his blog, Ink Rock, at slduncan. blogspot.com or find his profile at medallionmediagroup.com.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • A19
A waltz through the years Sixth-grade ballroom dancing at Steeple Arts By OLIVIA BURTON As the humid summer swelter morphs into crisp autumn, hundreds of sixth-grade students pull on their white gloves, strap on their dancing shoes and swing the night away at Steeple Arts Academy of Dance. Generations of residents of Mountain Brook and surrounding areas have taken part in this local tradition that has endured for more than 50 years. While countless things have changed in the past half century, manners have not. Neither has the class itself, said Deanny Coates Hardy, third-generation owner and director of Steeple Arts. “I think my first pair of shoes were ballet shoes, so all I’ve ever known was dance,” she said. Hardy’s grandmother, Lola Mae Jones, started the Lola Mae Jones School of Dance in 1935. It became the Steeple Arts Academy of Dance in 1958 when Jones and her daughter, Lola Mae Coates, moved their school of dance into the iconic red church building on Church Street. Hardy carries on the legacy of her mother and grandmother by focusing on classic techniques and timeless social graces in sixth-grade ballroom classes. “Everything I do I’ve learned from [my mother],” she said. Students learn the fox-trot, waltz and swing as well as proper etiquette and good manners in their 10 weekly lessons. “A lot of times, this is boys’ and
Sixth graders practice the dances they are learning in Deanny Hardy’s Thursday night classes at Steeple Arts. Photo by Madoline Markham.
girls’ first interaction with each other in a formal setting,” said Hardy, who believes that the class helps students make new friends and become more comfortable with each other before making the transition to junior high. If the students do well in their first lessons, ballroom instructors teach the students how to adapt the dances they have learned to popular music.
The typical class starts out with roll call. Timeliness is important. Next, the first half of the class is spent on instruction. Afterward, the students practice separately, then partner up, spread around the room and practice. “Towards the end of the course, we’ll teach the boys how to properly ask the girls to dance,” said Hardy. At the end of each lesson, the boys
escort the girls down the steps to the crowd of waiting parents. More than just a dance class, sixthgrade ballroom dancing stresses proper etiquette and social skills, including how to make proper introductions and hold a conversation. Instructors maintain a strict dress code of coats and ties for the boys and “Sunday best” for the girls, meaning
dresses and skirts below the knee as well as white gloves and specific dance shoes. Any of the second- or third-generation families in which grandparents, parents and now children have taken the same class will affirm how it has not changed. Mary Ann Jones took the class when she was in sixth grade. Both her daughter and her granddaughter have taken the class as well. She remembers the lessons in etiquette taught in the class and hopes that today’s children are getting those same lessons from their parents. “You always walk with your shoulders back, and you always hold your head up,” she said. Hardy said that people sometimes ask her why she feels it is important for students to learn classic dance styles and manners. “It’s fun to watch the boys and girls become more comfortable with each other and gain self-confidence,” she said. “Through the program we’ve seen our students grow into charming, self-confident teenagers. The lasting training of our ballroom students is reflected in and always remembered by our students and their parents and grandparents.” In order to have an even number of boys and girls, classes are by invitation only. To learn more about Steeple Arts or their sixth-grade ballroom dancing classes, visit steepleartsdance. com.
A20 • November 2014
Village Living
A Spanglish exchange By MADOLINE MARKHAM When Peyton McDougal met Luis Desvalls at camp in 2012, he didn’t know he’d one day be like a brother. Two years later, Peyton has spent a month in Barcelona visiting Luis and his family, and now Luis is spending the year with Peyton’s family as an exchange student at Mountain Brook High School A friend of Luis’ family sends his kids to Camp Mac in eastern Alabama, and Luis’ family sent him in 2012 to help his English skills, since the language acts as a commonality among European countries. After Peyton and Luis’ month at camp together ended in 2012, the boys kept in touch with Skype and made plans for Peyton to visit Barcelona during the World Cup this summer. While there, Peyton was a bit skeptical of the jamon, a popular type of cured ham that he tried, but raved about tasting the paella and potatoes brava. Luis took him to his first bullfight, and they spent time at his family’s vineyard, Finca Viladellops. Eventually, the idea of Luis studying in the U.S. came to reality in August after a sea of paperwork had been approved. The McDougals welcomed Luis with a party before school started and invited high school students to meet him. He will spend the remainder of his sophomore year at Mountain Brook, where Peyton is now a senior. What struck Luis most about MBHS on the first day was how much he said it is just like American high schools on TV and movies, with cheerleaders, football players and lockers. He quickly adapted to the local culture with a newfound enthusiasm for college football games. He said attending University of Alabama games is “really crazy” and that he was amazed how many people were there.
Peyton McDougal, left, traveled to Barcelona this summer to spend time with Luis Desvalls and his family. This semester Luis is living with Peyton’s family in Mountain Brook.
Within the first several weeks of school, Luis learned what homecoming and dress-up days meant, and spent time on Lake Martin with friends. He made the roster for the soccer team at MBHS and is playing on a travel team this fall. Back in Barcelona, Luis also played soccer and attended school, but some parts of life are quite different. He lives in a metropolitan area near his 25 first cousins, and his school day runs 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. He’s used to nearby cities being closer
— anything over 4 hours seems far — and portion sizes being smaller than what he has found here. On his first trip to Costco, he was amazed by the bigness of everything. Peyton caught him taking a photo of a pack of Skittles. Luis was surprised to drink a milkshake with his burger instead of afterward on a trip to Johnny Rocket’s and also to eat fruit with a main course, not just for dessert. He’s become a fan of peanut butter, Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew, none of which he had tried before coming
to the U.S. Luis has been looking for gazpacho around Birmingham but has decided his best bet will be to make it himself for the McDougals. Layne McDougal, Peyton’s mom, said Luis’ English is great and improves each day. He still, however, thinks everyone talks really fast. “Just be glad you live in the South,” Layne tells him.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • A21
Get to know Beth Wilder
Q A
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family. My husband, Chris, and I moved to Mountain Brook from Forest Park in 1996 when our two sons were toddlers. Neither of us is a native of Birmingham, and we were looking for a walkable community that offered a small-town feel and great schools. I had grown up in a small town (Montevallo) and loved being able to walk and ride my bike everywhere, and Chris wanted a neighborhood similar to the one his father had grown up in on Long Island, N.Y. Crestline was the perfect choice! Not long after we moved, our daughter was born. We lived on Spring Street for 17 years, and it was the greatest place in the world to raise our three children, surrounded by the greatest neighbors in the world. Our boys are away in college now (Will is a junior at Washington University St. Louis and Patrick is a freshman at Auburn) and Hannah is a ninth-grader at MBJH. We recently moved to Old Leeds Road. While I miss the convenience of Crestline, I love sitting on my back porch looking at the sunset over Ruffner Mountain in my new home! What is your day job? I am the president and executive director of The Literacy Council.
Q A Q A
What do you love most about it? I love my job because I get to see firsthand the transformation that reading can make in a person’s life. Most of us take the ability to read for granted, but for thousands of Alabama’s adults, illiteracy is a way of life. I love that I can be a small part of changing someone’s future by giving them the power of words. Is there anyone else from Mountain Brook who is involved in the Literacy Council or is a star volunteer? We are blessed at The Literacy Council to have so many great and wonderful volunteers and patrons from Mountain Brook. This community has been extremely generous to our cause over the years, opening their homes for our Signature Series author events, volunteering as tutors, supporting our fundraisers. Even the school kids have pitched in by hosting book drives at the high school and junior high. Margaret Porter was our very first board
Q A
of Mountain Brook
president in 1991, and she has been followed by some great Mountain Brook residents such as Norman Jetmundsen, Susan Swagler, Leigh Hancock, Cissy Jackson, Jera Stribling, Robin Sparks, Alison Scott, Emily Amberson — they are almost too numerous to name. What is your favorite thing about living in Mountain Brook? The people. Everyone is friendly and everyone knows everyone. I have made so many wonderful friends in the 17 years I’ve been here. True Southern hospitality! What store in our city could you not live without? The Pants Store. I shudder to think how much money my daughter and I have spent in that store since it opened. I think my husband has done his share of damage as well. What do you think makes Mountain Brook so special? I love the sense of community — the feeling of belonging to something bigger than ourselves. It is so true that “it takes a village” to raise a family, and I always feel like I have that village in Mountain Brook. Everyone looks out for everyone’s kids, everyone helps out their neighbors in times of need, and everyone celebrates together in the good times. It is a truly small town buried inside a large metropolis. If you didn’t live in Mountain Brook, where would you most like to live? On a beach somewhere.
Q A Q A Q A
Q A Q A
What is your favorite Mountain Brook tradition? I love the high school fall choir show. I have been taking my daughter, Hannah, since she was in elementary school and I purchased tickets from a neighbor’s child. I was blown away by the talent and the enthusiasm, and I loved that kids of all kinds were on stage singing and dancing — theater kids, football players, track stars. It has become a family tradition every year since, and even a more meaningful one when our son Patrick was in the choir his junior and senior years. What fun to have a family member to cheer for! I have a feeling I will still be attending the show long after Hannah has graduated.
2415 Canterbury Road Mountain Brook, AL 35223 Tues-Sat 10-6 By appointment 205.970.6767
A22 • November 2014
Village Living
Reading rhyme in
By RACHAEL HEADLEY For Reece Sherman, writing books of the Bible in rhyme is more than just a tool to spread Christianity: It is a new translation. Sherman, a former minister at Mountain Brook Baptist Church and current bivocational pastor of Ryan Baptist Church in Maylene, has written several volumes of what he calls Versery Rhymes, where he rhymes the verses of each chapter in each book of the Bible. Sherman was born in Columbiana, one of six children. He discovered early in his life that he preferred to entertain himself with creative activities, books and chemistry sets. In college, he tapped into his natural gift of rhyming by writing poetry to
express what he was experiencing. He also wrote love poetry for his future wife, Anne. The beginning of what is now known as Versery Rhymes began during Sherman’s time serving at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. “I taught a Bible study, and we studied a chapter a week,” Sherman said. “After each of the studies, I would read my Versery Rhymes translation of the text. When I finished the book of John, they said, ‘You should publish that.’” What started as a Bible study aid has grown into a resource that people who might not be familiar with the Bible can use to really understand it in “colloquial and conversational” language, Sherman said. The books are available in
paperback copy exclusively at Smith’s Variety in Mountain Brook Village in addition to online retailers Lulu.com, Kindle and iTunes. Sherman met the owner of Smith’s Variety, Mary Ann Glazner, at Mountain Brook Baptist. After some time, he approached her about potentially selling his books. She now promotes Sherman by hosting book signings during open house nights at the store. “They just make [the Bible] so understandable,” Glazner said. “It makes you think, but it’s so real.” A major part of Sherman’s writing process is translating the original Greek text to English himself. His love for Greek began age 15, and he has continued to study it for the past 30 years. “[The Versery Rhymes] are
Reece Sherman is the bivocational pastor at Ryan Baptist Church in Maylene, as well as the author of Versery Rhymes. Photo by Rachael Headley.
paraphrased, but I also call it a translation because my degree is in Hebrew and Greek. I always have the Greek New Testament when I’m translating,” Sherman said. “I look at the text and say, ‘How can I give the meaning of this verse in a rhyme?’ and it just flows.” Sherman’s main goal and inspiration for this project is helping people
of all ages better understand the Bible. “I’d have people come up to me and ask for a copy, and I’d sell it to them at cost,” Sherman said. “It’s not about profit. It’s just something that I love doing. Rhyming comes easily to me.” Sherman has been married to Anne for more than 33 years and has two sons, Ben and Alex.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • A23
Painting cats and dogs MBHS student creates watercolor pet portraits
By OLIVIA BURTON Where others might see a plain white dog, Emily Bolvig sees streaks of yellow, orange, gray, brown, purple and blue. Using shadows, lines, color and light, Bolvig captures each pet’s personality in her paintings. She occasionally splashes color onto the backgrounds of the canvas to accentuate characteristics of a pet’s personality. Even Bolvig’s glossy business cards show off her natural eye for design and color. On the front, a picture of one of her watercolor pet portraits accompanies her contact information. She fills the back of each card with a humorous, eye-catching close-up of a dog or cat’s nose. Like many kids, Bolvig grew up loving to draw animals. Unlike the majority, however, Bolvig turned her hobby into a business. A 10th-grader at Mountain Brook High School, Bolvig was introduced to watercolors when she took a class at Alabama Art Supply in downtown Birmingham in the summer of 2013. There, she learned the art of watercolor from retired art teachers and artists. When her neighbor saw some of her artwork later that summer, she asked Bolvig if she would paint a picture of her dog. The neighbor liked the final product so much that she paid Bolvig for it, inspiring Bolvig to start a business about a month afterward. “It kind of just took off,” said Bolvig. “It mainly started out as just family and friends.” Since then, Bolvig has completed approximately 30 portraits of dogs, cats and even a parrot. Each takes her one or two weeks from start to finish. Because she sometimes works with uncooperative clients, Bolvig paints all of her portraits from photographs, which she often takes herself.
Portrait Details Small (9x12-inch) portraits: $20 Medium (11x14-inch) portraits: $40 Large (16x24-inch) portraits: $60 Bolvig can paint up to two pets on medium portraits and up to three pets on large portraits. Contact: emilybpetportraits@gmail.com or 370-4594 Art samples: emilybpetportraits.webs.com
Emily Bolvig uses color, light and shadow to capture each pet’s personality with her Emily Bolvig sits with her rescue dog, Jack, a watercolor paintings. Paintings by Emily three-year-old black Lab mix. Photo by Olivia Bolvig. Burton.
One of the most challenging dogs for Bolvig to paint is her very own rescued black Lab mix, Jack. “My godmother actually found him. He was on the side of the road and he had a broken leg,” she said. “They thought he might have gotten hit by a car.” Bolvig had always wanted a dog, so Jack
became a surprise birthday present for her almost three years ago. This summer, Bolvig has also been using her keen eye for style and design with internships at Robins & Morton construction, in the marketing branch, and at Lawler Ballard Van Durand advertising. When she’s not painting, working or spending
time with Jack, Bolvig enjoys swim team and track. She is Mountain Brook’s varsity track team for javelin and discus. In addition to creating art, Bolvig said she is also interested in biology and writing and does not know what she wants to do in the future.
A24 • November 2014
Village Living
Consider the power of the fork Residents consider a focus on color in their diet
Amy’s healthy eating tips
1
By AMY LISCOMB Have you ever considered the power of your fork? What you choose to place on it can bring nourishment, energy and healing to your body or stoke the fire of inflammation associated with many preventable chronic illnesses. Despite the conflicting nutritional information presented in the media, experts do agree fruits and vegetables are extremely beneficial to our health. Real, whole, non-genetically engineered plant foods contain an abundant source of nutrients that support our cardiovascular, immune, endocrine, metabolic and neurological health. Vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals in plant foods provide a synergistic effect that may help prevent and even reverse diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease Kelly Hulsey, a Mountain Brook resident and owner of Hulsey Garden Design, is passionate about feeding her family well. “While the task of incorporating more fruits and vegetables into our family’s daily diet can seem daunting to a mother of two children who love meat and simple carbohydrates, I view their nutrition as a long-term educational goal,” she said. “To keep the idea of a nutritious meal simple, I use the ‘colorful plate’ test and continue to expose them to a variety of fruits, vegetables and legumes.” Likewise, Cora Causey, also a Mountain Brook resident and instructor at UAB School of
2 3
Amy Liscomb, center, and her children, Katy Grace and Bo, prepare a healthy meal including kale chips and stuffed acorn squash. Liscomb often shares interesting nutrition facts with her children and their friends to encourage interest in healthy eating. Photo by Madoline Markham.
Education, uses gardening as an avenue for teaching children about the source of wholesome foods and an avenue to explore the variety of colors, textures and tastes found in plant foods. Our food landscape has changed dramatically over the last 50 years with the increase of processed foods, factory farming and the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Approximately 90 percent of the corn, soybeans, canola and sugar beets in the U.S. are grown from genetically engineered (GE) seeds and more than 70 percent of conventional processed foods in North America
contain GMOs. Many experts believe GMOs pose serious health risks to allergy, immune and reproductive health, and they are banned in more than 60 countries. Locally, Whole Foods has set a 2018 deadline to indicate whether their products contain GMOs in their labeling. Amanda Klein, marketing team leader for the Mountain Brook store, recommends buying USDA organic foods, which do not allow genetically engineered seed and ingredients in growth and production. She also said the Non-GMO Project Verified seal signals that the product has passed a third-party verification
program. Transitioning to a plant-strong diet may seem overwhelming at first, but don’t overthink it. Small changes are better than none at all. Focus on increasing and diversifying plant foods and begin to “crowd out” processed convenience food. Your health will reap the benefits. Amy Liscomb, RDN, LD, is a dietitian and yoga and Pilates instructor with a passion for educating on the benefits of plant-strong diets and mindful eating. A wife and mother of three, she makes a mean vegan cheese and can be reached at amycliscomb@ gmail.com or 542-8687.
Keep pantry staples such as quinoa, whole wheat pasta, lentils and legumes, seeds and nuts in your pantry. Have a designated night for a pizza bar or taco bar and focus on fresh veggie toppings. Keep fresh fruit and vegetables readily available and easily accessible. Keep them at eye level in the refrigerator, not always in the bottom drawer where your family is least likely to look.
4
Make friends with your slow cooker and create soups that can be enjoyed for several meals.
5
Have family members research new recipes to try.
6
Set a goal for trying one new fruit or vegetable each week.
7
Aim to purchase foods with less than five ingredients listed on the package.
8
Stop, sit and savor. Do not let your taste buds be hijacked by food-like substances.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • A25
Elizabeth and Paul Allen hosted a reception for MSNBC producer David Foster the night before his crew filmed a segment for the network. Pictured are Chamber Project Manager Hannon Davidson, Foster, the Allens and Chamber Director Suzan Doidge. Photo courtesy of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.
MSNBC
CONTINUED from page A1 caught footage of a Shop Local sign in Smith’s and a display of local items in the window of Lamb’s Ears. Julie Howell, co-owner of Lamb’s Ears, said she saw the media attention as more important for Crestline Village than her store getting video footage. She talked on camera about what worked with the Mountain Brook Shop Local
campaign that might work well for other cities. “It has brought merchants together with a purpose to work toward,” Howell said. “When you shop local, you are supporting merchants but you are also supporting your community with tax dollars and merchants giving back to schools, clubs and events such as Crestline Rocks.” While touring around Mountain Brook with Chamber Director Suzan Doidge and Project Manager Hannon Davidson, Foster and his camera crew ate at Tracy’s, Vino and Olexa’s.
An MSNBC cameraman films as Lamb’s Ears co-owner Julie Howell helps a customer. Photo courtesy of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.
Friday evening Elizabeth and Paul Allen hosted a reception for the MSNBC crew at their home in English Village. Many small business owners attended the event, and it was actually the first time that Olexa’s owner Diane Olexa met Continental Bakery owner Carole Griffin. Doidge said that after that evening, the chamber plans to host more gatherings for business owners to talk in the future. Doidge doesn’t know what parts of the hours of footage will be featured in the several minutes of air time, but she already sees the
impact of the show. “It was a great opportunity to showcase small businesses in our community, and [Foster] felt that this was exactly what he was looking for to showcase,” Doidge said. Your Business airs on MSNBC Sundays at 6:30 a.m. The episode featuring Mountain Brook will air sometime in November. Check villagelivingonline.com for an update on the exact date once it is released.
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A26 • November 2014
Village Living
Fight on
Cancer foundation funds research in memory of its namesake
Carolyn Reed, left, serves on the board of the cancer foundation named for her husband, Robert, right, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2002. Photo courtesy of the Reed family.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM
Finish the Fight Iron Bowl Tailgate Party Thursday, Nov. 20 6:30 p.m. Old Car Heaven 3501 1st Avenue South $85 per person reedgifoundation.com
The call came at 4 a.m. Robert was awake, the nurse said, and he wanted a cheeseburger. In the days leading up to that news, Carolyn Reed and her sons Randy and Scott had been making arrangements to bring her husband and their dad’s body back to Birmingham. He had gone to Sloan Kettering in New York City for surgery for his pancreatic cancer, but instead, the leading specialist in the country sent him home to die.
But Dr. Marty Heslin, a surgical oncologist, decided to perform surgery that would give Robert another two years of life. Heslin had been a top fellow at Sloan Kettering, but in 2002 when Robert went home, Heslin was at UAB, minutes from the Reeds’ Mountain Brook home. “It turns out we had the best in Birmingham,” Carolyn said. “The care we had at UAB was great, even aside from Marty doing the surgery, with the other doctors and fellows.” During his last two years, Robert would see
his last three grandchildren born and settle business affairs, but his family now sees an additional purpose in that time they had — inspiring a foundation that would enable Heslin to continue research for a gastrointestinal cancer cure. Since 2004, the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation has raised $1.5 million for research at UAB with the support of the community. Heslin identifies needs for research at UAB, and the Reeds and the foundation
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VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • A27
289,610 147,260 Estimated number of new cases of gastrointestinal cancers in 2014*
Estimated number of deaths from gastrointestinal cancers in 2014*
*By contrast there were an estimated 235,030 diagnoses and 40,430 deaths from breast cancer and 233,000 diagnoses and 29,480 deaths from prostate cancer in 2014.
53%
Number of patients who are diagnosed at a distant stage of pancreatic cancer
2%
5-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer
Less than 20%
Number of patients who are candidates for pancreatic surgery, because pancreatic cancer is usually detected after it has spread beyond the pancreas
“There are a lot of brilliant doctors out there, but what separates the good from the great is talking to patients and families in the hospital room and giving you hope, going the extra mile to check on how you are doing,”
-Randy Reed
Source: American Cancer Society
board help fund them. Their primary goal is to recruit more top medical talent to the hospital both for research and patient care, something that Heslin exemplified to the Reeds. They recall him not only being personable at the hospital but also making visits to check on Robert at home. “There are a lot of brilliant doctors out there, but what separates the good from the great is talking to patients and families in the hospital room and giving you hope, going the extra mile to check on how you are doing,”
Randy said. “[Marty] is very unique in his personal interaction with his patients,” Scott agreed, explaining Heslin’s emphasis on taking what he learned in research to a patient’s bedside for what he calls “translational medicine.” The Reeds now know that typically when you have symptoms for pancreatic cancer, it’s too late for treatment. But they hope the foundation and Heslin’s lab can help change that. “[Marty] tells us there is much that has
been accomplished that he couldn’t have done without the support of the foundation,” Carolyn said. The foundation has used an apt saying of Robert’s for its annual Iron Bowl party and spring tennis tournament, the Love-Love Finish the Fight Magic City Challenge. Robert always told the boys not to start fights, but if they found themselves in one, they should finish it. “It’s not only our brand, it’s personal and sentimental,” Carolyn said.
For the 10th year, the Finish the Fight party, held two Thursdays before the Iron Bowl, will ride the crest of the pre-game spirit. The casual event, scheduled for Nov. 20 at Old Car Heaven, will feature a silent auction, food, live music and more. In the past, both university presidents have attended, as well as cheerleaders and mascots. “We walk in with a passion for our team, but at the end of the day, we are all there trying to make a difference,” Randy said.
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Village Living
SECTION B Community B4 School House B13 Sports B20 Calendar B26
Remember when
By MADOLINE MARKHAM
New pictorial history book debuts this month
Catherine Pittman Smith, left, looks through a Kobe Fraternity Social Directory from Mountain Brook High School in the late 1940s with Kitty Robinson, right. Smith spent many hours this year going through photos with Robinson for her new Images of America book. Photo by Madoline Markham.
Imagine you are standing in front of City Hall in Crestline. Close your eyes, and visualize an old farmhouse and pasture land. Not long ago, this is what the land in Crestline looked like, Catherine Pittman Smith told Crestline Elementary first-graders on a recent visit. She wants kids to know what was here before they were, but that’s just one of the inspirations behind her new book from Arcadia Publishing, Images of America: Mountain Brook. It’s far from being a history textbook, Smith said. Its 254 photos and captions give it heart, soul and personality. Smith doesn’t remember the pasture land herself, but she grew up on Dexter Avenue and has vivid memories of going to Ariail’s Drug Store, the A&P, and Mitzi’s 2nd Place, as well as seeing Santa at the Canterbury Shop. “I have learned so much [writing this book], and I want to share that,” Smith said. “I hope this book shares a love and a passion for this community.” The book begins with early years in Mountain Brook’s history with a chapter on the years through the end of World War II and one on the 1950s to the present, but it was the third one on “leisurely living” that Smith found the most fun to compile and the fourth on “visionary leadership” that she found the most meaningful. The last follows a plethora of residents, from Zipp Newman, who started the Crippled Children’s Clinic, which became Children’s Hospital, to
See HISTORY | page B2
B2 • November 2014
Village Living
The Mountain Brook Fire Department stands in front of the city’s original firehouse in the 1940s. Historic photos courtesy of Catherine Pittman Smith.
HISTORY
CONTINUED from page B1
Catherine Pittman Smith remembers going to Ariail’s Drug Store growing up in Crestline. She holds an old photo of its interior in the location where it stood before La Paz opened. Photo by Madoline Markham.
Drayton Nabers’ founding of Cornerstone School, to Helene Elkus’ championing the sidewalk initiative in Mountain Brook. Traditions including the Junior League, Red Cross, scouts, high school sororities and fraternities and Alabama and Auburn football all find a place in the book, as well as highlights of the countless individuals whom Smith said “stepped
up and did things that took true courage.” Before starting the book project in January, Smith only knew Robert Jemison as the founder of Mountain Brook, but she discovered the depth of his legacy in her research. In fact, she opens the book by discussing Jemison and closes it with a photo of his three great-granddaughters who still live in the area. “It’s important to know Jemison’s vision and that he didn’t compromise on quality,” she said. “He hired the best of the best to design, plan and lay out this city.”
VillageLivingOnline.com
Louise and Sharp Gillespy rode on a motorcycle into the 1963 German Club “Wild Ones” costume party at the Birmingham Country Club.
For Smith, meeting with the parents, aunts and uncles of her childhood peers to compile their photos and stories was a meaningful journey in itself. She said it was thrilling to get to know them and what their lives were like. “I think it’s honoring them to share their stories,” she said. “People have told me, ‘You don’t know what it has meant for my mother or father to talk with you.’” In fact, Smith kept the photos she collected under such close care that she carried them with her when tornado warnings sent her to seek shelter last spring. After giving birth to the book she
November 2014 • B3
Cars park at the Western shopping center in Mountain Brook Village in the 1950s. Western would later move to the right side of the center, but Little Hardware has remained in the same location.
refers to as her second child, Smith’s wealth of local history knowledge bubbles over. As she and her daughter walk around the villages, she points out where landmarks of bygone days like a riding academy once were, and she can’t help but tell those around her how she learned that Wayne Rogers went by William to those who knew him growing up and how they once tried to put a theater where the library is now in Crestline. Images of America: Mountain Brook, $21.99, will be available at Smith’s Variety and other local retailers, as well as at upcoming book signing events.
Book Signing Events Launch Party
Barnes & Noble at The Summit
Gallery 1930 Friday, Nov. 7, 5:30-8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 23, 1-3 p.m.
Smith’s Variety Holiday Market
Brown Bag Lunch Series
Thursday, Nov. 13, 5:30-8 p.m.
Emmet O’Neal Library Wednesday, Dec. 3, 12:30 p.m.
Alabama Booksmith
Pepper Place Market
Monday, Nov. 10, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 a.m.-noon
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B4 • November 2014
Village Living
Community Sales of medical thriller to benefit diabetes research The release of Mountain Brook author Stephen Russell’s second medical thriller this month is set to coincide with National Diabetes Month. Russell’s sixth-grade daughter, Molly, has juvenile (Type 1) diabetes, and Russell is donating all of the author proceeds for Command and Control’s first three months of sales to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, an organization for which he has served on the board of directors for the past six years. “I know that the money raised will directly benefit Molly and kids and adults like her with T1D,” Russell said. “Seven years into this journey, I
am more hopeful than ever that we can stop the accelerating spread of T1D — and then cure it for those who have it — before she has children of her own.” The first novel in Russell’s Cooper McKay series, Blood Money, reached No. 8 on the Amazon Best Sellers list for medical thrillers three days after its release. Russell, an associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics at UAB, uses his medical expertise and insider knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry to develop the series. Command and Control follows Dr. McKay as he saves the life of a man with flu-like symptoms, which leads
him to be caught up in a government cover-up regarding the Ebola virus. “Command and Control deals with themes of personal safety and individual greed; it explores how the public health system protects us from heath risks beyond our collective ability to treat them, and what could happen when personal ambition pushes back against public health,” Russell said. “The West African Ebola outbreak revisits these themes on a frightening world stage. Fortunately, in fiction I get to change the outcome and choose the ending.” Command and Control will be available starting Nov. 14.
Author Stephen Russell is actively involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to help benefit his daughter Molly, pictured, and others with juvenile diabetes.
Jack Ferguson earns Eagle rank Jack Ferguson of Troop 63 at Canterbury United Methodist Church recently earned the highest rank in Boy Scouts, the Eagle Scout. In addition to Eagle, Ferguson also completed the requirements for the Bronze Palm by participating in the troop six more months and earning 5ive additional Merit Badges. As a member of the troop, Ferguson was elected to the Order of the Arrow Scouting Honor Society. He
held the positions of librarian, historian and assistant patrol leader. Ferguson also earned the Triple Crown Award by attending three Boy Scout High Adventure camps: Northern Tier, where he canoed the boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada; Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where he backpacked more than 75 miles; and Seabase in the Florida Keys, which he attended after being certified in scuba diving.
Ferguson’s Eagle Service Project involved designing and overseeing the construction of an outdoor classroom for Girl’s Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides after-school classes and enrichment activities for school-aged girls in the community. Ferguson is a senior at Mountain Brook High School, where he is a member of the National Honor Society and the Latin Honor Society. He
attends St. Peter’s Anglican Church, where he is an active member of the youth group. He is also active in Young Life and served in its Work Crew program at Crooked Creek Ranch in Colorado this past summer. He is the son of Tod and Ashley Ferguson and the grandson of Robert and Suzanne Parsons of Mountain Brook and Dale and Diane Ferguson of Auckland, New Zealand.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B5
Dashing through the dirt Dirt Dash Birmingham Botanical Gardens Saturday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m. $25 before Nov. 14 $35 after Nov. 14 bbgardens.org/funrun.php
By MADISON MILLER When runners take to the trail at this year’s Dirt Dash, they will be helping to provide local schools with a curriculum-based science education. Now entering its third year, the dash began after the Junior Board of Birmingham Botanical Gardens saw growing popularity in 5Ks around the Birmingham area and realized they had an opportunity. “[The board] felt like it had something to offer that audience,” Public Relations Coordinator Blake Ells said. “[The gardens have] one of Birmingham’s most scenic locations and Alabama’s largest living museum.” The Gardens began the race in order to raise money for its educational mission. Discovery Field Trips, the Gardens’ flagship program, has provided a free science-based education to more than 100,000 Birmingham students. The dash assists by raising a few thousand dollars, which helps the Gardens host educational field trips for local schools. “Beyond that, we’re proud to get several hundred people to come to the Gardens who might not otherwise visit,” Junior Board President Robert MacArthur said. Approximately 250 runners and their families attended last year’s dash, which features a hilly course that is shaded by the Gardens’ local and exotic trees. Although it has the feel of a trail run,
The Dirt Dash 5K and fun run course winds around Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Photos courtesy of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
most of the course is paved. All runners will receive a dry-blend T-shirt and a swag bag filled items from local businesses at the Nov. 15 race. Along with a 5K and fun run, the Gardens will have free snacks and other family-friendly activities. As a new addition to this year’s events, a local rock band will perform in the family fun area. Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers from each 10-year age bracket. “The most rewarding part of the Dirt Dash for me is watching runners from older ages groups get medals despite finishing in the middle of the pack overall,” MacArthur said.
Fall and winter activities in the Gardens Take a class: Learn photography, yoga or build artistic skills with the Gardens’ variety of classes. Visit the art gallery: Artist Charlotte Holder will be featured through November and December. Shop for winter plants: The Red Mountain Garden Club Greenery Sale will be held on Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
B6 • November 2014
Village Living
Former NFL player to speak about ‘transformational’ coaching
Student donates hair
By MADOLINE MARKHAM Former NFL star Joe Ehrmann’s coaching style still resonates with Zach Skipper, just as it did when he first read about the coach a decade ago. For Ehrmann, sports are a vehicle to build young men and women into people of character and conviction, Skipper said, and that’s a message he’s excited for Ehrmann to share with Birmingham on Nov. 6. Ehrmann will speak on “Building Men and Women for Others” at Samford University’s Wright Center starting at 7 p.m. that evening. “We need more coaches who coach like this guy, who are worried not as much about wins and losses as much as the people [the athletes] are becoming,” said Skipper, who coaches football, basketball and tennis at Mountain Brook Junior High School. “Coaches are one of the loudest voices in the life of an athlete.” Skipper emphasized that he would like to see school and recreational coaches, as well as what he calls “parent-coaches,” come out to the Wright Center on Nov. 6. “Every parent in a lot of ways is a coach,” he said. “[Ehrmann] will speak not just to sports fanatics but also to anyone who works with students and children. They have a platform to shape a [youth’s] life into a person that shapes others.” Coach Pat Sullivan is planning to bring his football players from Samford to hear Ehrmann that evening. Ehrmann was an All-American football player at Syracuse University before playing for the Baltimore Colts in the NFL for 13 years. Since his football career ended, he
Emma Peller
Joe Ehrmann
has dedicated his time to coaching young people, earning the title of “The Most Important Coach in America” by Parade magazine and becoming the subject of a New York Times best-seller on team building and coaching called Season of Life — the book that first introduced Skipper to Ehrmann. Ehrmann has also written a book of his own, InSideOut Coaching: How Sports Can Transform Lives.
The speaking event is sponsored by BigTime Ministries, which holds community interdenominational Bible studies in Mountain Brook and Chelsea. Skipper, who leads the organization, said its Bible study leaders are also involved in coaching in the community. Tickets for the Ehrmann event are $10. For tickets, visit tickets.samford.edu or call 726-2853.
Sixth-grader Emma Peller recently straightened, cut and donated her hair so it could be used to make wigs. Altogether she has donated 30 inches since age 7. The first two times she donated her hair to an organization that makes wigs for women with cancer, but this time she chose to give it to Children With Hair Loss. The organization gives human hair replacements to children with cancer, Alopecia, burns, Trichotillomania, and other rare diseases and disorders at no cost. Peller is a student at N.E. Miles Jewish Day School and is the daughter of Kerri and Efram Peller.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B7
New game-day pajama business among Market Noel vendors
Jane Emanuelsen and Martha Ann Livingston, owners of marthie & jane, pose with their children, all wearing organic cotton game-day pajamas from their collection. The marthie & jane apparel will be on sale at Market Noel this year.
Martha Ann Livingston and Jane Emanuelsen’s game-day pajamas for children will be making their Market Noel debut this year. The annual Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) holiday market will return to the Cahaba Grand for the sixth year the weekend before Thanksgiving, Nov. 20-22. The event features more than 100 vendors. All proceeds from Market Noel support more than 30 community projects of the JLB. Livingston and Emanuelsen, stepsisters and Mountain Brook residents, started their pajama line, marthie & jane, after they had trouble finding cute Auburn and Alabama pajamas for their kids to wear when they stayed up for latenight games. They now sell the organic cotton products from facebook.com/marthieandjane. “I can’t say enough about how supportive everyone was last year [at Market Noel],” Leasure said. “It really is one of the best shows. As a small business owner, I appreciated the
opportunity to reach so many Birmingham shoppers.” The festivities begin Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. with the Preview Noel party. General admission shopping takes place Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Highlights of the week include a book signing by John Croyle of the Big Oak Ranch, a holiday floral arranging class by Lindsay Kessler Designs, a cooking demonstration with Whitney Wright of Southern Living, a book signing and cooking demonstration by the Cake Mix Doctor Anne Byrn, as well as photos with Santa. The first-ever Market Bliss, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21, from 6-8 p.m., will feature a beauty bar, live music from Trey Lewis and giveaways. Visit marketnoel.net to purchase tickets and to view a complete listing of participating merchants.
Red Mountain Garden Club to hold greenery sale
Kate Newton of Landscape Services, chairman Cary Wahlheim, co-chairman Kimberly Bean, and Pratt Brown of Pratt Brown Landscapes.
The Red Mountain Garden Club will host its annual Greenery Sale on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Museum of Art and other civic endeavors throughout the city. Fresh-cut greenery such as hemlock, pine, Fraser fir and magnolia can be purchased as well as beautiful wreaths in different sizes. Members also construct handmade kissing balls, topiary trees and table arrangements that will be sold.
For a special treat, club members create arrangements for mailboxes. Unusual ribbon, bows and unique gift items are available to complete holiday decorating and gift-giving orders. Garden club members as well as Pratt Brown of Pratt Brown Landscapes and Bob Newton of Landscape Services donate much of the greenery. Presale order forms for some of the items can be found on the Red Mountain Garden Club website, redmountaingardenclub.com. This year’s greenery sale chairmen are Cary Wahlheim and Kimberly Bean.
B8 • November 2014
Village Living
Held Evans to address the relationship between millennials and faith Statistics show that people in their 20s and 30s are leaving the church, which leaves many people asking why. New York Times best-selling author Rachel Held Evans will offer her perspective on this question at Canterbury United Methodist on Sunday, Nov. 16. She will speak at 9:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. At the evening session, she will focus on her book Faith Unraveled, which explores her own relationship between faith and doubt growing up in the Bible Belt. In it, she recounts the challenges of asking her own tough questions about Christianity, many of which she is still wrestling with today. In the morning she will focus on another of her books, A Year of Biblical Womanhood, which documents a yearlong experiment
Rachel Held Evans
in which she attempted to follow all of the Bible’s instructions for women as literally as possible. Evans has been featured on
ABC’s The View, The Huffington Post, NPR, Slate, The BBC, The Washington Post, The Guardian (UK), The Times London and Oprah. com. She was also recently named one of Christianity Today’s “50 Women to Watch.” “The unique part of Rachel’s speaking and writing is that she does not shy away from the real issues and questions that millennials have with and about the church,” said Stephen Ingram, director of student ministries at Canterbury. “She understands that the problems they have with the institution are not only relevant, but can actually help the church grow into its next incarnation — a hopefully better version of itself.” This speaking engagement is free and open to the public. For more information, visit canterburyumc. org/fallseries. -Submitted by Doug Black
Tynes becomes scoutmaster
Boy Scout Troop 320 scoutmasters Walter Rush (1994-2006), Russell Byrne (2010-2014), Frank Tynes (August 2014-present) and Dr. Howard Day (2006-2010).
Starting this fall, Boy Scout Troop 320 has a new Scoutmaster, Frank Tynes. Russell Byrne retired from this position in August. Frank became an Eagle Scout at age 16 while a member of Troop 86 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. He joined
Troop 320 as an assistant scoutmaster in April 2013 when his son Wilson joined the troop. As scoutmaster he is now the adult leader responsible for the program of the troop, which is based out of Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church.
Sam Lapidus Run to take place on Thanksgiving For the six years Sam Lapidus battled bone cancer, he always made sure his treatments were scheduled around his workouts at the Levite Jewish Community Center. Sam loved to work out and became a fixture in the LJCC fitness center. When Sam passed away in 2008
Sam Lapidus
at age 14, Bruce Sokol, one of Sam’s friends from the LJCC, wanted to honor Sam’s life. He asked the LJCC to rename its annual Montclair Run, which had been held for more than 30 years, in Sam’s memory. Now in its sixth year, the Sam Lapidus Montclair Run raises money for cancer
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research through the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama. This year’s race will be on Thursday, Nov. 27. The 10K will start at 8:30 a.m., and the Fun Run will begin at 10 a.m. Entrants can register through the mail or online at bhamjcc.org. The entry fees
are $18 for the Fun Run, $30 for online 10K registration, $36 for mailed 10K registration and $36 for registration after Nov. 21. All 10K runners will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt, and Fun Run participants will receive a short-sleeve T-shirt as part of their entry fee. For more information, visit bhamjcc.org.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B9
Order a Christmas tree, help Preschool Partners
PreSchool Partners benefits program for children who will enter Birmingham City Schools.
Just before the start of December, Fraser fir trees from a farm in North Carolina will be cut and delivered to Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church for the PreSchool Partners Tree Sale. Prices for the firs begin at $65. Trees are available in three sizes: 7-8 foot, 8-9 foot and 9-10 foot. This year they have also added 5-6foot trees. In addition, they sell traditional round wreaths for sale in two sizes, 25-foot strands of garland and cross wreaths that have been popular in the past. All profits from the sale of Christmas trees and greenery go directly to PreSchool Partners, a nonprofit preschool preparing 3- and 4-year-old children for kindergarten in the Birmingham City School System. A portion of each sale is tax deductible. Buying your Christmas tree from PreSchool Partners means giving back, Director of Development Allene Neighbors said.
“Year after year, we have been selling trees that are absolutely gorgeous,” Neighbors said. “Our tree and greenery sale is a win-win for everyone. Get a beautiful tree, and help the children and families of PreSchool Partners.” All Christmas trees and greenery are presold Oct. 12-Nov. 9; you can order your tree size at preschool-partners.org or by calling 951-5151 and select your specific tree on-site. Trees can be picked up in the back parking lot of Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3736 Montrose Road. Pickup times are Sunday, Nov. 30 from noon-4 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 1 from 4-6 p.m. PreSchool Partners volunteers will be on-site to help load trees, or delivery is offered for an additional $40. Deliveries will be made Dec. 1 from noon-5 p.m. For additional information, questions or special requests, contact Allene Neighbors at 936-3754 or allene.neighbors@gmail.com.
Zoo to offer half-priced admission with a canned food item By KATIE TURPEN This month, residents can enjoy a visit to the Birmingham Zoo while also fighting hunger. During the weekend of Nov. 22-23, all visitors who bring a nonperishable food item to the zoo will receive half-price admission as part of the United Way Canned Food Drive. Donations will go toward the United Way Community Food Bank in Homewood. “This food drive comes at a good time, because it’s getting colder and gas starts getting higher,” said Brooke McKinley, development and community engagement coordinator for the United Way Community Food Bank. “We are getting busier for the holidays.”
The food bank secures and stores surplus food and distributes it to 220 partnering service agencies throughout 12 counties in Alabama. The bank distributes a total of 7.5 million pounds of food a year. The zoo invites residents to experience its elephants at the Boma Encounter, visit the animals at the Junior League-Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo Barn, experience a pelican feeding and more. There is a limit of one discounted ticket per guest for this offer. To learn more about the United Way Community Food Bank, visit feedingal.org. For more information on Birmingham Zoo events and exhibits, visit birminghamzoo.com.
Village holiday open houses to start this month By MADOLINE MARKHAM The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will welcome the holiday season with its annual holiday open houses in each of the villages. Merchants will offer specials during the day and will extend their normal business hours into the evening. “Each village has its own personality, so each will do its own thing,” said Suzan Doidge, executive director of Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a great way to come out and participate in a gathering of all
the members of our community and keep our tax dollars here in Mountain Brook.” Doidge said each year the open houses have grown into bigger events, and she hopes everyone comes out to participate in some way. The schedule for each village is: êêThursday, Nov. 20: Crestline Village êêWednesday, Dec. 3: English Village êêThursday, Dec. 4: Mountain Brook Village, 5-8 p.m. êêTuesday Dec. 9: Cahaba Village
B10 • November 2014
Village Living
Giving thanks Residents share where their gratitude lies this season I’m so very thankful for all that God has given me: a wonderful family, amazing friends and this great community that we live in. I am truly blessed! Marci Grant
I am thankful for so much. I am most thankful for Jesus, my Savior; my husband, Robert; and my three boys, Bo, John and Thomas. Being a wife and mother is the biggest blessing of my life. Kim Luttrell
I am thankful for good health, the privilege of being a parent, a husband with a great sense of humor, and friends and family. I am also thankful for small things like the first cup of coffee in the morning, a long list of books to read, and sunshine year round. Mostly, I am thankful for God from whom all blessings flow. Meredith Spencer
I am thankful for family that walks through life by my side, friends who make the world feel rich, and a job that allows me to experience God’s grace and presence every day. Allyson Mouron
I am thankful for the gift of family, friends and my mother-in-law’s cornbread dressing. Lyda Burnette
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B11
Rethinking familiar spaces Students plan redesign for high school lunchroom and mall By MADOLINE MARKHAM Mountain Brook High School’s interior should look different in the future, thanks to a group of students. The Leadership Mountain Brook class is conducting a redesign analysis of the high school lunchroom and student mall area, as requested by Principal Amanda Hood. Students in the class say they are excited that they will be able to see their ideas used to make lasting change at the school. “Being a senior this year, I have enjoyed getting to make changes that I have noticed over the past few years that need to be made in order to create a better learning environment,” class member Katie Littleton said. “My favorite part has been shopping online for ideas for the new furniture and planning out potential designs.” After creating a survey and brainstorming solutions based on needs, the class met with architects to receive further direction for their ideas. Steven Smith, vice president of Williams Blackstock Architects, lent his expertise in interior design, while Emily Coe, a graduate architect with the firm, brought both her professional expertise and her experience in the school as a 2001 graduate. Smith said he was impressed by the students’ level of engagement with the school and their genuine interest in making the environment better not
Steven Smith of Williams Blackstock Architects discusses design possibilities with Katherine Grace Moore, Anna Matthews and the rest of the Leadership Mountain Brook class. Photo by Madoline Markham.
just for themselves, but for the entire student body. In the mall, the students are envisioning tables that are easier to write
on than the current outdoor pieces, a new food kiosk for students who don’t have time to eat lunch, additional seating, a digital clock on school time,
device charging stations and water bottle refilling stations. Smith and Coe helped them think through how to add color and
interest to the area by adding carpet tiles underneath furniture groupings to define the space, as well as practical issues such as power and water hookups. In the lunchroom, students want to be able to better utilize the space with seating. They are trying to add square tables in place of round ones to allow more flexibility in seating group sizes and add artwork from the AP art class to a section of the walls. Both spaces are multipurpose in function, as students use them to eat, study and socialize, Smith pointed out. “It was a very pleasant experience, a lively discussion with plenty of interaction, and I certainly hope the students found it helpful in moving the project closer toward the desired result,” Smith said. The project will culminate in December when the students present their proposal to administrators, the superintendent, the school building facilitator, the PTO board and the Student Government Association. “The architects taught me there is a lot more to redesigning this space than most of us thought there was,” Littleton said. “I expected it to be a quick project, but they reminded us of many constructional points to think about.” Leadership Mountain Brook is led by teacher Amber Benson and Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce staff member Hannon Davidson.
B12 • November 2014
Village Living
Muse samples Each year, Mountain Brook High School students compile student-made poetry and prose into the Muse literary magazine. Below are excerpts from its 2014 magazine. Muse can be found online at mtnbrook.k12.al.us/mbhs. Adelaide Dunn
Muse Editor-in-Chief 2013-2014
Barrett Potter His face looked so much older than I had ever remembered. I hadn’t seen him up close in a long time. He had apologized multiple times to me, and I had heard some of them, but most of them I spent analyzing his face. He had wrinkle lines around his face and a prominent one around the left corner of his mouth. At this point, tears were welling in my eyes, half from what he was saying, and the other half realizing that he had aged and I didn’t get to watch.
Robin McDaniel
Mary Shelton Hornsby
Flooded Silence*
Father
White Noise*
Work in Progress
What if the whole world flooded, up to the very tippy top? But instead of drowning, we all grew gills, and swam around all day, swinging from the stoplights and splashing up next to the stars. I’d swim to Spain with my newly webbed fingers, laughing at the swordfish poking at the moose, full of curiosity at his newfound friend. Schools of fish become schools of humans, traveling in packs to find food or shelter; sticking together in this newfound world. But fear of the unknown doesn’t ebb their curiosity. They seek until they fall asleep, curled up in the soft ocean arms. I sit up here with the stars, and smile down below, because there are no words, no shouts, laughs, or songs. Only silence. The water takes voice, but leaves us bubbling with empathy. And I find that silence is the saving grace in my underworld world *Alabama High School Literary Arts Award Winner
A Ministry of Independent Presbyterian Church Birmingham, Al
A callous hand can shape the world it holds the tool and shapes the curl it understands anatomy and forms the very man I see. This man is cold and still and rock— he cannot soothe, he cannot mock were he to speak one word to me would it cruel or caring be? The artist thinks his work’s alive, similar to a silent hive, until it bursts with effusive force, as bees all hasten to end their course. I—the Viewer— know he is by watching closely his irises, and noticed that, if I look thrice— he’ll shift his gaze from Paradise. I see the rivers of gray and beige begin to swirl in this stone of age, the wrinkles stretch and fluctuate and shape the waves, earth, and slate. His curls begin to twist in wind and his pointing finger a signal sends— a curse, a boast, I know not which is he poor, famished, greedy, rich? I hope, I wish that he would speak his words, however bitter or sweet. then he could tell me the men he’s seen and the countless ages that have been Since man first chiseled him from the pebble of a mountain.
Three rings. Sitting. Listening. Waiting. Reaching for the phone, then pulling away. And for what? How have you been? How’s school? Are you still dating that boy? When are we going to get together? How is your mom? I don’t want to answer. It’s all meaningless anyway. Nothing has changed. Nothing will change. I know you’ve tried to fix yourself. But not hard enough. I’ve tried to forgive you. But not hard enough. I don’t remember the last time we talked. But I don’t want to remember. I don’t know how to finish this… …Hello? *Alabama High School Literary Arts Award Winner: Special Recognition in Poetry
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B13
School House
Boosterthon returns to Crestline By COLLINS CLEGG The Eighth Annual Boosterthon Fun Run kicked off with a pep rally in the gymnasium at Crestline Elementary in September. The “Rock’n Town Live” music festival theme was all about community. Students learned to “plug in to serve,” “play hard,” “amplify others,” “listen for feedback” and “thank your crowd.” The funds raised from this year’s
Boosterthon will be used for the renovation of the school’s media center. According to principal Laurie King, the goal of the project is to create a collaborative, 21st century learning environment for students of all ages to use. The plan is to provide class, small group and individual workspaces for the students. Crestline students get ready for Boosterthon.
Family picnic time at BWF
2020 Club gets advice for entering MBJH The 2020 Spartan Club, parents of current seventhgraders who will graduate MBHS in 2020, recently held a Meet and Greet event at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Alice Churnock with Covenant Counseling provided the group advice on how to raise successful children. Pictured are Julia King, Natalie Sansom, Lori Smith, Gina Thomas, Stacy White, Liz Lee, Allie Black, Heidi Hallman and Janet Krueger. Bridget Sikora, Annie Butrus and Donna Nathan also helped organize the event.
Emma Craig, Julia Butrus, Lilly Witcher and Katherine Dean.
By KATHLEEN WOODRY Students and families of BWF came out on a Sunday
in September to celebrate the new school year and have fun on the Brookwood Forest Elementary fields and playground.
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B14 • November 2014
Village Living
MBE Boosterthon gets colorful By HILARY ROSS “Rock’n Town Live” was the theme of the 2014 Boosterthon fundraiser held recently at Mountain Brook Elementary. In addition to teaching fitness and character, the program allows students to raise money for the school by receiving pledges for laps run on two courses decorated with cones and flags on the school’s field. MBE students first attended a pep rally and decorated their homeroom classroom door to motivate them to obtain pledges. Added incentives this year included a promise by Principal Belinda Treadwell to kiss a pig and another for a squad of top fundraisers in each grade to slime Coach Matt Cain if MBE
reached its goal. Additionally, fifth- and sixth-grade students were treated to a lawn party with the Boosterthon team complete with prizes and treats from an ice cream truck. The older students were also the first to learn that MBE decided to get colorful this year at Boosterthon by incorporating a Color Run. Boosterthon raised a record setting amount, and the event was a success. Ellie Ingram, Mary Cooper, Madeline Mitchell, Ann Hollis Burson, Olivia Burgess, Ava Bailey, Elizabeth Kohn, Frances Vandevelde, Lawsie Jolly, Greer Golden and Ellie Shelfer. Photo by Lauren Burgess.
MBE invites community to help collect Box Tops It may be warm right now, but the children of Mountain Brook Elementary are predicting a blizzard — a Box Tops blizzard. Every year, Mountain Brook Elementary students clip and collect Box Tops 4 Education from more than 250 participating products in 42 food and non-food categories. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents to the school, which adds up quickly. Once you start looking, they are everywhere! This year, the children have more incentive than ever to clip and collect. MBE has a goal to collect 25,000 Box Tops by Dec. 16. Each child who collects 100 Box Tops will be rewarded MBE students gather Box Tops 4 Education.
with a ticket to the Box Tops Blizzard complete with snow-making machines to turn the playground into a winter wonderland. Mountain Brook Elementary is asking for the community to help us reach its goal. There is a collection box inside the Western Supermarket in Mountain Brook Village to collect the Box Tops for the school. Ziploc bags, Cheerios, Chex Mix, Land O’Lakes butter, Hefty bags, Progresso soups and Betty Crocker cake mix are a few examples of products that participate in the Box Top for Education program. For a complete list of participating products, visit btfe.com.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B15
MBJH leads the way in robotics
Lennon Groover, Ethan Gonzalez, Caleb Summitt and John Shows test a robot.
By DENA BERTE An innovative engineering programs has captured the attention of a number of students at Mountain Brook Junior High. Project Lead the Way is an activity and problem solving curriculum designed to challenge students in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) world. A combination of engaged educators and corporate partners help students develop skills to succeed in our global economy. James Salvant leads both the classroom and Robotics Club for more than 170 students by implementing this new curriculum at MBJH. There are two levels of competition that the students will be working on over the next eight months. The VEX IQ and VEX Robotics competitions will bring together students from elementary through high school in a team-based skills challenge using programming, robots and animation. The concepts that students learn in the classroom are put to the test in this competition developing teamwork, communication and leadership skills.
Teammates Caleb Summitt, an eighth grader, and John Shows, a seventh grader, said they are excited about working together. “We can build robots to solve problems,” Summitt said. MBJH has created a design lab that contains equipment for the students to build their prototype in 3D form. It isn’t just a paper printout of their concept, but a real working model they can test and rebuild to their liking. Lennon Groover, an eighth grader, is anticipating what he can create with his hands and equipment. Being able to see the solution to a problem come to life gives these students an opportunity to understand their lessons in action and build critical thinking skills. Seventh grader Ethan Gonzalez said he thinks that “robotics is really fun and a way to enjoy something that I’ve already been doing.” By the time Ethan and his fellow team members graduate from high school, the need for people in this field will be growing by leaps and bounds. MBJH is strategically providing the opportunity and resources to develop these students to be leaders in technology.
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Team teaching introduced to Crestline’s fourth grade
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By COLLINS CLEGG The fourth grade teachers at Crestline Elementary are changing things up with team teaching. This year, one teacher covers math and science while the other teacher covers language arts and Alabama history. Bradley O’Neill said she and the other five fourth-grade teachers were eager to try something new. According to O’Neill, the teachers are able to concentrate on two subject areas in this new
system, which allows them to become more of an “expert” in their field. It also allows them the opportunity to form relationships with two classes of students. Team teaching provides students a change in environment, which helps them learn the importance of staying organized and meeting expectations for two teachers. In fifth-grade, the students will have four teachers, so team teaching the year before makes the transition that much easier.
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B16 • November 2014
Parenting and Family with Dr. Dale Wisely
Local psychologist does not know the answer I have always argued that pronearly around-the-clock coverage of fessionals should acknowledge the first single case of Ebola with the more often that they don’t have the tag “Ebola in America,” and not when a Fox News ex-Survivor contestant — answers. Here I go. I don’t have the answer. now somehow qualified to interview In the last two days, I have had infectious disease experts on television three parents tell me that their — practically begs the doctors to panic. children — in these cases elemenAnd what are we to say to children tary-age and younger adolescents to calm their fears about ISIS? How Dr. Dale Wisely — are experiencing marked anxiety are we to explain how people get to the about world events. These parents mentioned point in life that they imagine it is somehow pertwo matters in the recent news, the rise of ISIS missible to slaughter aid workers and journalists and the current West African outbreak of Ebola, and produce a slick video to celebrate? How including the appearance, at this writing, of a do we handle this question from a 7-year-old: confirmed case and a fatality in the United “What’s decapitation?” States. These parents want to know how to In Alabama, we’re never much removed from soothe their children, and I don’t have a satis- the devastation of tornadoes. We’re never more fying answer. than a couple of years or maybe one county Sometimes children worry about completely over. How do we respond to a child’s fear that unrealistic things. There are no monsters under a tornado will destroy her home? We can say it the bed, at least not literally. Sometimes they won’t happen, but we know we can’t be sure. worry about precisely the same things we worry Probably our children know we can’t be sure. about as adults, just in different ways. So, how We can say it is unlikely, but odds don’t mean do we answer our children’s anxious questions much to children. about the world? Will terrorists come here? Will I don’t know enough about what to say to I get Ebola? Will a tornado destroy our home children about these things. It just reminds me and carry us away? we have all the more reason to spend a lot of Should we provide more information? Or time playing with them and just hanging out maybe less information? I’m not sure. Some- with them. It is a good time, as always, to model times in the absence of information, people, for them calm and not panic. Since we don’t including children, imagine things are worse know what to say to some questions, let us than they are. They make up things to fill in spend more time saying other things to chilthe gaps in knowledge. So, an argument can dren, things we do know how to say. Let’s say be made for providing more information. At things like “I love you very much,” “I really the same time, one wonders if the problem is enjoy being with you,” “You are a nice person too much information, particularly information and a smart one, too,” and “I will always do all being spun by media outlets. I’m pretty sure I I can to keep you safe.” don’t want to see children getting their informaPsychologist Dale Wisely is the director of tion from TV, especially not when CNN does student services for Mountain Brook Schools.
Village Living
Students named National Merit Semifinalists
Mountain Brook High School National Merit Semifinalists were recognized at the Oct. 20 Board of Education Meeting. These students are Madeline Mitchell, Ellie Naff, Lindsey Kirk, Casey Fan, Claire Davis, Lewis Fitzpatrick, Richard Rice, Thatcher Rickertsen and Cole Messina.
BWF brings back Brown Bag Series By KATHLEEN WOODRY Brookwood Forest’s Ranger PTO held its first Brown Bag Series event in September. Principal Nathan Pitner and Assistant Principal Christy Christian spoke to the audience about what the evolution of the learning process looks like at BWF. They shared the importance of building relationships, student engagement and teachers acting as learners. Pitner also led the group on a tour of the school and highlighted updates and projects completed over the summer. One of the areas Pitner showed them was the newly updated and
Nathan Pitner, Ben Hill and Christy Christian talk in the updated library at Brookwood Forest.
remodeled library. Efforts by the Brookwood Forest PTO provided funds for the space, which allows
students and teachers to learn and use new technology.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B17
Holiday Open Houses A’Mano 2707 Culver Road, Mountain Brook Nov. 13, 5-8 p.m. Antiquities 2421 Canterbury Road, Mountain Brook Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Birmingham Bake & Cook Company 3112 Heights Village, Vestavia Hills Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cahaba Crawl Various merchants in Heights Village and Dolly Ridge Road, Cahaba HeightsNov. 13, 4-7 p.m. Collage Homewood 1802 29th Ave. South, Homewood Nov. 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Collage Vestavia Hills 700 Montgomery Highway, Suite 106, Vestavia Hills Nov. 20, 6-8 p.m. Festivity 2852 18th St. South, Homewood Nov. 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Greystone Antiques & Marketplace 5475 U.S. 280
Nov. 6, Noon shopping 5 p.m. food and live entertainment
3930 Crosshaven Drive, Vestavia Hills Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Hoover Florist 1905 Hoover Court Nov. 6, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Cuckoo’s Nest 4222 Old Highway 280, Westover Nov. 1, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monkee’s of Mountain Brook 2006 Cahaba Road Dec. 3, Evening
The Ditsy Daisy 16618 U.S. 280, Suite 100, Chelsea Dec. 4, 5-8 p.m.
Oli.O Specialty Oils & Balsamics 2411 Montevallo Road, Mountain Brook Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m.
The Scribbler & Studio on Linden 2919 Linden Ave., Homewood Nov. 6, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Cocktails and crudités starting at 4:30 p.m.
Rosegate Design 6801 Cahaba Valley Road Wine and cheese, Nov. 6, 5-9 p.m. Chocolate and cookies with Santa, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Sikes Children’s Shoes Jack n’ Jill Shop 2918 and 2920 18th St. South, Homewood Nov. 6, 5-8 p.m. Smith’s Variety 2715 Culver Road, Mountain Brook Nov. 13, 5-8 p.m. The Blue Willow
The Urban Barn 601 Doug Baker Blvd., Hoover/Greystone Dec. 1, 6-9 p.m. Village Dermatology 2900 Cahaba Road, Mountain Brook Dec. 4, 6-8:30 p.m. Vitalogy Wellness Center 2704 20th St. South, Homewood Nov. 20, 4-8 p.m. Wrapsody 161 Main St., Suite 127, Hoover Nov. 6, 4-7 p.m.
B18 • November 2014
Village Living
Servants behind the scenes Leadership Mountain Brook students at MBHS explore the leadership style of city officials Parks and Recreation
Jimi Layne (skilled laborer), Dean Brazier (laborer supervisor – route crew), Shanda Williams (superintendent of Parks and Recreation) and Don Lowe (labor supervisor - complex group).
As superintendent of the Parks and Recreation department, Shanda Williams exemplifies servant leadership through her tireless efforts to make Mountain Brook’s parks beautiful, functional and enjoyable. Williams cares deeply about not only about the people around her but also about Mountain Brook as a whole. As a result of her work, many people, both Mountain Brook residents and visitors, are able to enjoy the beautiful park environments she has helped develop and maintain. Area parks embody the greatness of the community, and without Williams serving the background role and placing others before herself, our small town just would not feel like Mountain Brook. -Written by Adele Bird, Jim Crosswhite and Maggie Hightower
Fire Department According to Mountain Brook Fire Chief Robert “Zeke” Ezekiel, servant leadership is embodied by much more than holding a coveted title and having access to certain privileges. Being a true servant leader means putting those you lead first, taking on a demanding amount of responsibility and work and always considering fellow coworkers as equals. The department brings this definition to life every day it serves the community. Its firefighters do not answer calls strictly for fires;
they assist citizens in any capacity necessary. Chief Ezekiel continuously reminds his firefighters that one of the most important principles is to put others before yourself. Ezekiel practices this by letting his “family eat first,” meaning he cares for his firefighters’ needs before his own. -Written by Anna Matthews, Hailey Smith, Katherine Grace Moore and Sophie Brint Mountain Brook Fire Chief Robert “Zeke” Ezekiel
Emmet O’Neal Library
Sue DeBrecht
Emmet O’Neal librarian Sue J. DeBrecht is a perfect example of servant leadership. DeBrecht has led accomplishments such as expanding the library by 23,500 feet, creating programs for all ages and creating a studious but fun library environment. DeBrecht did these things by working closely with community leaders and library sponsors. As a result of her work, in 2012 she received the Eminent Librarian Award, which is the highest award given by the Alabama Library Association. Outside of the library, DeBrecht is a volunteer coach for the Wenonah girl’s basketball team. When the team won the state championship, its members awarded her with a trophy. She also volunteers her free time at the Barber Motorsports Park. -Written by Robert Waudby, Mary Lee Livingston, Julia Bell Pope
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B19
City Officials As city manager, Sam Gaston’s job is to make sure that each and every member of the departments is doing their job to the best of their ability. However, Gaston goes above and beyond just his job description. Everyone we have talked to has nothing but positive things to say about him. His secretary, Doris Kenny, told us that Gaston expects her to be in her office from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. every day in order to answer calls from the citizens of Mountain Brook. Steve Boone says that he wears many hats as the Mountain Brook city clerk and CFO. He told us that with a community as small as Mountain Brook, finding full time staff is a
difficult task, so he is focused on many different jobs including, budgeting, employee benefits and investment management. He is able to take any job that is asked of him and is able to complete it, no questions asked. After talking to his daughter, we gathered that she really has a lot of respect for him as a father in how he is able to motivate her and that same motivation and determination shines through in his job. Dana Hazen, Mountain Brook’s city planner, takes on the role to beautify our community. From street signs to trash cans to the placement of our city’s parks, nothing is too big or too small for her to handle. Talking to her, we
Steve Boone
Dana Hazen
Sam Gaston
gathered that she really values leadership. She said that her most important characteristic a leader should have is to be inspirational and considerate of
others’ time. Since starting her job here, she has done this by becoming aware that in order for other people to do their jobs better, she needs to
get back to them as soon as she can. -Written by Tara Henderson, Annie Leonelli, Sophie Bluestein and George Keller
Police Department
Public Works
The Mountain Brook Police department strives to bring a feeling of safety and comfort to our community, and who better to lead it than Police Chief Ted Cook? He has had FBI training, experience as an officer and experience as the chief of police at a previous station. Chief Cook teaches his force to be the best that they can be and to help our city whenever possible. His officers keep the streets safe so that Mountain Brook children can walk to school as early as their first year of kindergarten. Last year, the city had no vehicular deaths from car accidents. Our favorite story Chief Cook told when we interviewed him was about an officer going to a house to help a woman unlock her car only to find that the woman living there had a pipe burst. He spent his time using what he knew about plumbing to do a patch-up job for her so her basement wouldn’t flood until someone came to fix it. -Written by Benjamin Rosenthal, Katie Littleton, Lucy Gardner and Charlie Lewis
Ronnie Vaughn, the head official for the Public Works department in Mountain Brook, leads by example. One quality that he likes most about his employees is how they pick up trash around our city even if it’s not theirs. He prides himself and his employees on doing that, and he only hires those in whom he sees as a positive contribution to the Public Works department and who show qualities of a leader. Vaughn’s work is mostly behind the scenes, and he does not ask for recognition. He leads his employees in keeping Mountain Brook a safe and clean place. -Written by Carter Hancock, Courtney Niemann and Wells Thomas
Police Chief Ted Cook
Ronnie Vaughn
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B20 • November 2014
Village Living
Sports Seventh-grade volleyball finishes first
How Region 3 stacks up for MBHS Spartans football How does Mountain Brook High School football rank in its new 7A, Region 3 division? With one region game remaining, here’s how the teams stacked up.
Grace Carr (24), Courtney Clark (2), Clay Hollis (16), Sarah Catherine Cooper (18), Ellie Dayhuff (5), Mary Katherine Fowlkes (15), Kathryn Garrison (7), Elizabeth Gray (4), Alice Monk (1), Lily Rowe (21), Hannon Tatarek (14), Ann Vandevelde (10), Liz Vandevelde (20), Florie Vogtle (8), Lauren Walston (12). Manager: Lindsay Davis (24). Head coach: Brook Gibbons. Assistant Coach: Karly Miller
The Mountain Brook Junior High seventh-grade volleyball team finished its season as metro champs with a record of 28-4. The team placed first in the Homewood
Round Robin, Bumpus Tournament, Thompson Tournament and Oak Mountain Tournament. Lauren Walston and Liz Vandevelde were named All Tournament. Ann
Vandevelde was named Most Valuable Player of the Metro Tournament. Lauren Walston and Ann Vandevelde were also named All-Metro Players of the year.
School
Overall
Region
Hoover
6-0
6-2
Oak Mountain
5-1
7-1
Hewitt-Trussville
3-3
5-3
Mountain Brook
3-3
3-5
Tuscaloosa County 3-3
4-4
Spain Park
2-4
4-4
Vestavia Hills
2-4
3-5
Thompson
0-6
0-8
Mountain Brook was not ranked in the top ten 7A teams in the state in an Oct. 23 Alabama Sports Writers Association poll. Those ranked were, in order, Hoover, Fairhope, Central-Phenix City, Gadsden City, Oak Mountain, Bake, Bob Jones, Foley, Prattville and Murphy. For updates on final games of the season, visit villagelivingonline.com.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B21
Mountain Brook Gymnastics athlete to sign with Missouri By DAVID KNOX Alabama is known as a fertile hunting ground for high school football and basketball players. Gymnastics, not so much. But if the state keeps turning out gymnasts like Brooke Kelly, that could change. Kelly, who trains at Mountain Brook Gymnastics, will sign with the University of Missouri this month to begin her college career. Kelly picked a full-ride offer from Missouri over offers from Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Kentucky, Arizona State, Penn and several others, about 15 in all. She’s the first from Mountain Brook Gymnastics in at least some time to get a scholarship. The 17-year-old senior trains with Helen Nabors and Michelle Dent. How does one get that kind of attention from big-time gymnastics programs? Winning the Women’s Junior Olympic Nationals in uneven bars is one way. In the Senior B category in
May in Jackson, Miss., she posted a 9.70 to win the event. She finished tied for seventh in both the vault and balance beam and finished 10th in the all-around. Why Missouri, when both in-state schools had interest? “Missouri was a full-ride offer, and now they’re in the SEC,” Kelly said. “They have a new coach, great new facilities, and I really liked the campus. They also have a tutoring system that’s really great. A big thing was in what I want to major in physical therapy, they have a 100 percent passing rate. “I was kind of hesitant at first [at going away for college], but I looked at the big picture. With the full scholarship, there’s no college debt, free out-of-state tuition, room, food, everything. I know these days people who are still paying off their college debt in their 30s and 40s. My mom and coaches gave me really good advice and pointed me in the right direction.” That’s a gymnast keeping her
balance. “We’re so excited,” said her mother, Karen. “And [Missouri] is excited to get a girl from Alabama. The coach, Shannon Welker, calls her his ‘Bama girl.’” Brooke’s participated in gymnastics for eight years in all, taking a couple of years off for cheerleading before she vaulted back into gymnastics. She began competing at Level 10 in 2012. The 5-foot-1, 110-pound athlete won all five gold medals at the 2014 Magic City Classic. She placed fourth all-around at the Sand Dollar Invitational. She won all five gold medals at the GymStar Classic. She placed first on beam and second all-around at the National Gymnastics Challenge. And she captured bars, beam, floor and the all-around at the Alabama State Championships. It may sounds like it comes easy … “It’s a lot of dedication and hard work,” she said. “Four and a half hours, five days a week. You have to be really dedicated.”
Brooke Kelly is signing to be a part of the gymnastics team at the University of Missouri on Nov. 12.
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B22 • November 2014
Village Living
Mountain Brook Football Recap Vestavia Hills 12 - 11 Mountain Brook quarterback Jacob Carroll passed 28 yards to Drew Odum for one touchdown and scored himself on a 2-yard run to lead the Spartans (2-2, 2-1 Class 7A, Region 3) to the win over their rivals from Vestavia Hills. Both Spartans scores came in the first
quarter, and they managed to grind out enough offense and hold off the Rebels (2-2, 1-2). Carroll rushed for 71 yards on 18 carries and went 17-of-23 passing for 152 yards. Odum had 11 catches for 119 yards.
James Clemens 26 - 29 The Spartans rallied to tie the game at 26, but the visitors from Madison got a field goal as time expired to win the nonregion game. Mountain Brook (2-3) had rallied from a 26-10 deficit on Jacob Carroll’s touchdown passes of 47 yards to John Eagan and 22 yards to Drew Odum and two successful two-point
conversions to tie the score with 2:44 left. But the Jets (4-1) put together a drive to set up the 23-yard field goal by Will Grochowski. Carroll, who also ran for a touchdown, was 21-of-34 passing for 258 yards. Odum hauled in 11 of those passes for 153 yards.
Oak Mountain 24 - 27 The Spartans suffered yet another last-minute loss when Oak Mountain’s Harold Shader scored on a 1-yard run with 34 seconds left. Jacob Carroll’s last-chance pass was picked off to end the game. The Spartans (3-4, 3-2 Class 7A, Region 3) saw their playoff chances take a bit of a hit. The game was halted for an hour and 20 minutes when lightning was in the immediate area. Oak Mountain (6-1, 4-1) led 20-17 at
that point with 11:16 left in the game, but Carroll scored on a 15-yard run with 5:59 to go. But the Eagles put together one last drive to hand the Spartans another bitter defeat. Drew Odum had seven catches for 105 yards. Carroll was 19-of-28 for 191 yards and touchdown passes to John Eagan and Hill Kirkland, but the Spartans couldn’t get much on the ground against the tough Oak Mountain defense.
Hewitt-Trussville 10 - 28 The Spartans (3-5, 3-3 Class 7A, Region 7) continued their downward slide, losing to the Huskies (5-3, 3-3) in a crucial region game at Spartan Stadium. Jacob Carroll went 20-of27 for 181 yards and rushed for another 56 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough. Carroll’s fumble as he was going in for a
game-tying touchdown in the second quarter was scooped up by a Huskies defender and returned 100 yards for a TD. Trailing 14-10 at the half, the Spartans couldn’t get anything going and couldn’t stop the running of Huskies quarterback Zac Thomas, who rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
Mountain Brook’s John Eagan (3) caught a touchdown pass against Oak Mountain. Photo by Hank Spencer/Image Arts.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B23
Mountain Brook Spartans Basketball Preview Spartans girls looking to reload By WILL DAVIS Coming off a Sweet Sixteen finish in 2013-2014, the Mountain Brook girls basketball team is hoping to build on that this season. But they’ll have to do that without Mary Katherine Pinson and Collier Ogilvie, key players and leaders over the past five seasons who have graduated. Pinson and Ogilvie averaged a combined 25 points a game for the Lady Spartans last season. And while Mountain Brook coach Mark Cornelius is aware of their contributions, he does not expect his team to lose too much ground. “I think we’ll be as good as we have been in the past,” Cornelius said. “I think we have a legit chance of getting to Birmingham and playing in the Final Four.” Mountain Brook’s leading returning scorer is Sara Carr. Carr She expected to lead the team on the floor with the departures of Ogilvie and Pinson. Sara ended last season on a high note, scoring 32, 29 and 24 points in each of her last three games. Seniors Abigail Garrett and Neely Francis are also expected to be major contributors for the Lady Spartans. “I think we know we all have to step up a bit,” Carr said in the wake
MOUNTAIN BROOK GIRLS
2014SCHEDULE Date 11/11 11/13 11/18 11/21 11/22-11/25
Opponent Oxford Northridge Shades Valley Ramsay Spartan Classic
of the departure of Ogilvie and Pinson. If the Spartans are to get to the BJCC this spring, the road will not be easy. They open their season on Nov. 11 at home against Oxford. Other tough tests for Mountain Brook include games against Shades Valley, Spain Park and Vestavia Hills. The Lady Spartans also have a tournament in Charleston, S.C., and a game against St. Pius in Atlanta. In that contest, Mountain Brook will face the top-ranked recruit in the country in Asia Durr. The point guard played for the U.S. National Team last year and currently holds college choices of Connecticut, Baylor, Notre Dame and Tennessee. “It’s a very good schedule,”
Location Home Home Away Away Home
Time 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. TBD
Cornelius said of his team’s slate. Cornelius has an unprecedented background as a head coach. He was the head coach of the Spartans boys basketball team from 1998 to 2008 before leaving to be the head boys coach at Gardendale until 2011. He then decided to come back to Mountain Brook and coach the girls team. While that may seem like a major adjustment to some, Cornelius has not had to reform his coaching style. “I’ve always thought things were relative as long as it is fundamentally sound, “ Cornelius said. “The speed of the game may be slower, but the Xs and Os have not changed at all.” Cornelius and Mountain Brook are confident in their ability to continue
Sara Carr takes a shot in a stat playoff game against Huntsville. Photo courtesy Mountain Brook High School.
their success this year. “I think we’ll be as good as we have been in the past,” Cornelius said. “I think our team chemistry is really good,” Carr said.
Despite the loss of some key star power, the Lady Spartans have made it clear they are looking to reload, not rebuild, and recent history shows that is exactly what fans should expect.
B24 • November 2014
Village Living
Mountain Brook boys aim for unprecedented threepeat MOUNTAIN BROOK BOYS
2014SCHEDULE Date 11/11 11/13 11/18 11/21
Opponent Oxford Northridge Shades Valley Ramsay
By WILL DAVIS Count on it: death, taxes and hundreds of Mountain Brook residents decked out in neon at the BJCC in February. That may be a slight exaggeration, but the Mountain Brook basketball program has been making deep playoff runs and championships look easy as of late. The past two seasons have ended with Mountain Brook claiming the state championship, but Spartans head coach Bucky McMillan said his team does not concern itself with the final result. “We couldn’t care less about our chances of a championship,” McMillan said. “We care about reaching our potential.” If Mountain Brook is to win a third consecutive state championship, the team will have to do so in the new
Location Home Home Away Away
Time 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Class 7A, as well as replace three key departing seniors. McMillan understands the Spartans will miss their leadership. “Patrick Keim, Ben Shearer and Alex Peters were champions and great leaders on and off the court,” McMillan said. “The work ethic, confidence and unselfishness of these three leaders were easily identifiable by our younger players, and therefore the younger players fell in line. We must have players this year be leaders in the same manner.” Seniors Terell Guy and Jared Henderson should be able to make up for some of what Mountain Brook lost in Keim, Shearer and Peters. Jack Kline, who is a returning starter, could be someone who takes over a major leadership role. “With the departure of a couple key guys from last year, the main thing I
Rising junior Jack Kline takes a shot in the state playoffs last season. Photo courtesy of Image Arts.
have had to change is just being more of a leader with this new team,” Kline said. While Mountain Brook has the target on its back as the state’s current top program, the Spartans insist they are not feeling the pressure. “[There is] no pressure to threepeat,” McMillan said. “[The] only pressure we have is to do the best we are capable of doing.” Kline agreed. “I don’t feel as if there is any pressure on us to ‘threepeat,’” Kline said.
“As long as we achieve all of our goals, we will be successful.” Of course, when any team dominates its competition over a significant period of time, one word comes to mind: dynasty. It is the most debated word in sports and the ultimate compliment to a program’s long run of success. A third straight championship would put the Spartans in that category, if they are not already. “I would imagine that a dynasty is defined by unequaled team success relative to the competition during a
certain time frame,” McMillan said. “In the past five years, Mountain Brook has won more games than any other 6A team. Mountain Brook is the only team during that time frame to win two state championships. I would think [that] qualifies for unequaled success relative to the competition.” One thing is for sure. While this team may face some more unique challenges replacing star players, it would be unwise to count out Mountain Brook in its quest for another state title.
VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B25
Faith
Life Actually By Kari Kampakis
The kindness challenge Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post about kind girls that went crazy viral. While I was very grateful for the response, I secretly wondered if maybe, just maybe, it shouldn’t have been such a sensation. I wrote “Raising a Kind Daughter” because I get so tired sometimes of hearing mean girl stories. Don’t get me wrong; I know mean girls exist, and the problem undoubtedly needs to be addressed. All the venom in the girl world today truly frightens me for my daughters. But there are also a lot of really sweet girls out there, girls who love their friends and understand what friendship means. But since their stories hold no shock factor, they tend to not make headline news. So in my article, I talked about the kindness my daughter’s friend showed her when they competed for a class election, and my daughter won. I then noted the correlation I’ve seen, time and time again, as the mom of four girls: That the kind friends my girls bring home always have kind mothers. Kindness among girls doesn’t start on the playground or in the locker room — it starts at home. It starts with mothers showing their daughters how to love other females like sisters, not threats and competitors.
I believed in my story and felt good about publishing it. However, I never expected it to be shared 165,000 times on Facebook and pinned 85,000 times on Pinterest. I had no idea it would make The Huffington Post, become a top trending story and lead to a live interview. The whole thing was exhilarating and nerve-wracking, and while I couldn’t thank God enough for the opportunity, I felt a little sad when I thought about why people found this story so special. Because a story about kind girls should be normal, not exceptional. It should make us smile and feel good as we move onto the next story. One thing I learned from this story’s success is how rare kindness must be among young friends. There’s so much meanness among kids today (adults, too) that we’re hungry for hope that things can be different and thus eagerly share reminders that kindness does exist. This month I release my first book for teen and tween girls. 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know covers all the relevant issues, and in the first chapter, I kick off with one of the most important truths: Kindness is more important than popularity. The quest for popularity often leads girls to meanness. It’s the
desire to impress others — particularly the cool crowd — that can make a girl compromise her values and what she knows is right to achieve social status. If we, as parents, really want kind daughters, we need think long and hard about how important popularity is to our daughters and how important our child’s popularity is to us, because our attitude shapes their attitude. Chapter 1 of my book ends with The Kindness Challenge: Every morning when you wake up, you have a choice. You can use your day to spread kindness or chase popularity. You can either ask, “How can others help me?” or “How can I help others?” Because here is the deal: You can’t choose both. It really is one or the other. If your motive is popularity, you’ll only have eyes for the cool crowd. Only their circle will do. If you’re rejected, it will devastate you because there is no Plan B. But if your motive is kindness, your options open up. You have eyes for everyone and will go wherever you’re needed. Some people think you can’t get ahead by being kind, that the only way to achieve your dreams is to connect with movers and shakers, but that’s wrong. When you are kind, people try extra-hard to help
you. They want you to succeed and somehow, they’ll lead you to the connections and opportunities you need. In the end, love reigns. The most popular girls now may be mean and brave, but ultimately, it’s the kind and brave girls who rise to the top and make a real difference in this world. Make it your goal to love everyone, then surround yourself with those who do the same. Despite the mean girl stories flooding the news, I know many girls on the right track. Already they’re living lives that honor God and practicing virtues like kindness, compassion, humility and forgiveness. They may be young, but they understand how the quality of one’s heart matters more than the quantity of one’s friends. What our world needs is more of this mindset. We need kindness to be more popular, not some antiquated concept that some people believe is gone forever. Kindness doesn’t catch on overnight. And it won’t be because of me or anyone else that real change occurs because only God can open hearts and orchestrate movements. But what all of us can do is notice the kindness around us — and then talk about it. We can encourage kindness at home, applauding our
kids louder for their beautiful heart than we do for a perfect report card or extracurricular success because these things, while certainly worthy of celebration, will not determine the fate of their soul. One of my most popular blog posts should not have been so popular. It should have been yet another example of how kids today “get it” and can follow the golden rule. I know I’m dreaming big and that we have a long way to go, but I hope that one day, stories about kindness and true friendship will be common and normal, something that makes us smile and lifts our spirits as we move onto the next story about what’s right in our world and what miracles can take place when we point our lives to God. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, columnist and blogger for The Huffington Post. Join her Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer,” visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@karikampakis. com. Kari’s first book, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, releases this month through Thomas Nelson. Find it everywhere books are sold and online at Amazon, Books-A-Million, Barnes & Noble and Christianbook.com.
B26 • November 2014
Village Living
Calendar Mountain Brook Events Nov. 1-9: PreSchool Partners Christmas Tree Sale Pre-Order. Trees can be picked up Nov. 30, noon-4 p.m. and on Dec. 1, 4-6 p.m. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Visit preschool-partners.org or call 951-5151. Nov. 2: First Edition Book Festival of the Levite JCC Kickoff Event. 2 p.m. Author Chervis Isom will discuss his book, The Newspaper Boy, and there will be a dessert reception. Visit bhamjcc.org. Nov. 6: 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know Book Signing. 4 p.m. Alabama Booksmith. Author Kari Kampakis will sign copies of her book. Nov. 7: Images of America: Mountain Brook Launch Party. 5:30-8 p.m. Gallery 1930. Call 8701930. Nov. 8-9: Alabama Designer Craftsmen 42nd Fine Craft Show and Sale. 10-5 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. $3 admission. Free for children under 12. Visit alabamadesignercraftsmen.com. Nov. 9: 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know Book Signing. 3-5 p.m. Emmet O’Neal Library. Author Kari Kampakis will sign copies of her book. Nov. 13: Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Luncheon will feature
the Mountain Brook City Council and mayor. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com.
Village. Visit welcometomountainbrook. com.
Nov. 13: Images of America: Mountain Brook Book Signing. 5:30-8 p.m. Smith’s Variety. Call 8710841.
Nov. 21-22: St. Francis Xavier Annual Tamale Sale. Friday 4-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Email sfxparishsecretary@gmail.com or call 871-1153.
Nov. 13: Holiday Pottery Sale. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Gallery 1930, English Village. The sale benefits the new Pottery and Ceramics Program at King’s Home. Visit kingshome.com. Nov. 15: Dirt Dash 5K and Fun Run. 8:30 a.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Visit bbgardens.org/funrun.php. Nov. 16: Rachel Held Evans. 9:15 a.m., 6 p.m. Canterbury United Methodist Church. Held Evans, author of A Year of Biblical Womanhood, will speak. Free. Call 874-1546. Nov. 18: Wine and Olive Oil Tasting. 6-7:30 p.m. Oli.O, 2411 Montevallo Road. Scott Jones with Jones is Thirsty and Oli.O will host the holidaythemed event. Visit oliooilsandbalsamics. com. Nov. 19: Is My Child Crazy? Understanding the Brain of a Child. 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., Cathedral Church of the Advent Cranmer House, Mountain Brook Village. Gil Kracke will speak. Call 251-2324 or visit adventbirmingham.org. Nov. 20: Crestline Village Holiday Open House. Crestline
Nov. 23: 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know Book Signing. 4 p.m. Sugar. Author Kari Kampakis will sign copies of her book. Nov. 22-23: United Way Canned Food Drive. Birmingham Zoo. Bring any canned or non-perishable food item and receive half-price admission. Visit birminghamzoo.com. Nov. 27: Sam Lapidus Montclair Run. 8:30 a.m. Levite Jewish Community Center. 10K and 1-mile fun run. Visit bhamjcc.org. Dec. 3: Red Mountain Garden Club Greenery Sale. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Visit redmountaingardenclub.com. Dec. 3: English Village Holiday Open House. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com. Dec. 4: Mountain Brook Village Holiday Open House. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com. Dec. 9: Cahaba Village Holiday Open House. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com.
Emmet O’Neal Library Call 445-1121, Visit eolib.org.
Adults All month: Tech Classes. Small, one-hour, free classes. Registration required. Call Marylyn at 445-1115. Wednesdays: Brown Bag Lunch Series. 12:30 p.m. Nov 4: The Bookies Book Group. 10 a.m. Discussing The House Girl by Tara Conklin. Nov. 4: Documentaries After Dark. 6:30 p.m. A film about boxing in China. Nov. 6: Church & Oak Book Group. 6:30 p.m. Church Street Coffee & Books. Discussing This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Trooper. Nov. 10: Great Books Book Group. 6:30 p.m. Discussing short story “The House with the Mezzanine” by Anton Chekov. Nov. 11: Library closed in observance of Veterans’ Day. Nov. 21: Spiced: Fall Cocktails Mixology Class. 7 p.m. Presented by Standing Room Only. Registration required. Ages 21 and up. Email amandaw@bham.lib.al.us or call 445-1121. Nov. 25: Genre Reading Group. 6:30 p.m. Discussing books on Native and early Americans. Nov. 27-28: Library closed in observance of Thanksgiving. Nov. 29: Crafternoon. 2:30-4 p.m. Jewelry-making class for adults 18 and up. Call 445-1121.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
November 2014 • B27
Calendar Emmet O’Neal Library (continued)
Teens Nov. 1: Game On Tournament. 1-3 p.m. Nov. 3: TAB. 5-6 p.m. The monthly meeting of the Teen Advisory Board. Nov. 15: International Gaming Day. Noon-5 p.m. Games of all kinds.
Children’s Mondays: *Toddler Tales Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Together Time Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Evenings at EOL. 6 p.m. Wednesdays: *Mother Goose Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: *Patty Cake Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: SNaP. 3:30 p.m. Saturdays: Family Story Time with Mr. Mac. 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12: After-School Special: Eric Litwin, author of Pete the Cat. 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19: Family Night: Birmingham Children’s Theatre’s Rumpelstiltskin. 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20: *Bookmania: Blood of Olympus. 6 p.m. *Space is limited. Call 879-0497 or visit eolib.org to register.
Area Events Nov. 1-2: Moss Rock Festival. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Moss Rock Preserve. Free admission. Visit mossrockfestival.com or call 595-6306. Nov. 1-2: St. Nicholas Russian/Slavic Food Festival. Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday Noon-5 p.m. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Brookside, Ala. Visit stnicholasbrookside.org. Nov. 1-2: A Southern Christmas Bazaar. Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m.. Pelham Civic Complex. More than 50 merchants from Alabama and surrounding states will participate in this shopping event. Visit rotarysouthernchristmas.com. Nov. 3: Arabesque. 8 p.m. Leslie Stephen Wright Center, Samford University. Arabesque is the only independent contemporary dance company based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Visit samford.edu. Nov. 5-9: Christmas Village Festival. Wednesday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday Noon-5 p.m. BJCC. Wednesday is a private shopping event. Tickets must be purchased in advance. $12 adults, $5 ages 6-12, free for children under age 6. Visit christmasvillagefestival.com. Nov. 6: A Night with Joe Ehrmann: Building Men and Women for Others. 7 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. $10. Visit tickets.samford.edu or call 726-2853. Nov. 6-22: Ghost-writer. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Birmingham Festival Theatre, 1901 11th Ave. S. Novelist Franklin Woolsey dies mid-sentence, but his secretary Myra continues to take dictation. Visit bftonline.org. Nov. 10: Magic City Toastmasters Open House. 6 p.m. Trinity Medical Center, 820 Montclair Road. Call 913-8303 or visit 572.toastmastersclubs.org. Nov. 10: New Orleans Legends. 7:30 p.m. Leslie Stephen Wright Center, Samford University. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is joined in a double bill with Allen Touissant. Visit
samford.edu. Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day Parade. 1:30 p.m. Starts on 18th Street and 8th Ave. S. in downtown Birmingham. Free. Visit nationalveteransday.org. Nov. 13: Reel Paddling Film Festival. 6 p.m. Avondale Brewing Company, 2014 41st Street S. $15 at the door, $12 in advance. Presented by the Birmingham Canoe Club. Visit reelpaddlingfilmfestival.com. Nov. 12-15, 19-22: Women of War. 7:30 p.m. except Nov. 22 show at 2 p.m. UAB Alys Stephens Center Odess Theatre. General admission $15, students $6, UAB employees and senior citizens $10. Visit uab.edu/cas/theatre. Nov. 15: Straight No Chaser. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. Ticket prices range. Visit alabamatheatre.com or call 252-2262. Nov. 20: Finish the Fight Tailgate Party. 6:30 p.m. Old Car Heaven. Benefits the Robert E. Reed Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Foundation. $85. Visit reedgifoundation.com. Nov. 20-23: Bridge Tournament. 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Birmingham Bridge Club, 144 Business Center Drive. Visit bridgewebs.com/birmingham. Nov. 21: Fourth Annual Fall FestiveAle. 7-11 p.m. Regions Field. $29 in advance, $39 at the door. Local beer, food and more. Visit fallfestivale.com. Nov. 21-23: Wiley and the Hairy Man. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 2:30 p.m. Virginia Samford Theatre Main Stage. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org. Nov. 21: Old Crow Medicine Show. 8 p.m. Alabama Theatre. Call 800-745-3000 or visit alabamatheatre.com Nov. 20-22: Market Noel. Friday 9 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grand Cahaba Conference Center. Benefits the programs of the Junior League of Birmingham. $12 general admission. Visit marketnoel.net.
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