Village Living Volume 6 | Issue 1 | April 2015
Award winner
neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook
An artful affair
Learn who you voted as this year’s Community Member of the Year and how he is making a difference in the lives around him.
See page A14
Purple and gold
Local artists to participate in festival Sid Ortis, a Mountain Brook Junior High student who is being treated for cancer, found several surprises in March. Read the full story inside.
See page A24
INSIDE Sponsors ........A6 City ..................A7 Business .........A12 Community ....A18
School House...B12 Sports ...............B17 Faith .................B20 Calendar ........ B22
By MADOLINE MARKHAM Eddie Powell attends fewer art shows than he used to. The recession hit two years after he stepped out of advertising to work in art full time in 2006, and he found he had to attend many
Mountain Brook resident Eddie Powell creates a “happy interpretation of the world’s beauty.” He will show his work at the Mountain Brook Art Association Spring Art Festival in Crestline on April 18. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
shows and often work on commission. But in the past few years, his business has picked up, making those trips less necessary. Still, he wouldn’t think twice about being in the art show at Crestline Field on April 18. “Because I live in Mountain Brook, it’s one of my favorite shows because it’s close and
you get to say hello to everyone, and you don’t have to travel across the country,” Powell said. Each year the Mountain Brook Art Association Spring Art Festival at Crestline Elementary’s field draws around 70 artists
See ART | page A26
Smith’s to find new home in Crestline By ROY L. WILLIAMS and MADOLINE MARKHAM
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Smith’s Variety owner Mary Anne Glazner said she has been overwhelmed at the positive reaction she has received from customers since announcing plans to relocate the business early next year to a more visible location in nearby Crestline Village. “Our customers have been coming in constantly telling me how excited they are about the move,” said Glazner, who is moving Smith’s Variety into the former CVS location in Crestline Village. The store announced its move in early March, touting that it will be neighbors with the new Piggly Wiggly grocery in 2016. Glazner said Smith’s Variety will
See SMITH’S | page A27
Mary Anne Glazner has owned Smith’s Variety since 1976. Photo by Keith McCoy.
Village Living
A2 • April 2015
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About Us Meet our new staff members Don Harris
Marketing Consultant Don Harris, a graduate of LSU, has been in the newspaper advertising business since 1981, working in sales and management at Shreveport Times, The Town Talk and most recently 14 years at The Birmingham News-Alabama Media Group. His specialty is working with small to medium businesses and tailoring creative and ad targeting to give them the most for their advertising dollars.
Roy L. Williams
Community Reporter Roy L. Williams spent nearly 23 years as a reporter for The Birmingham News covering personal finance, business, tourism and Birmingham City Hall. Since 2013, he has been the host of Biz Talk With Roy Williams on WAGG Heaven 610 AM, and he is the author of 911, God Help Us: A Journalist’s Tale of Faith, a memoir about his faith walk after his oldest brother was killed in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.
Editor’s Note By Jennifer Gray In every issue, we try to recognize members of our community, whether it be businesses and their owners, those who have the most Mountain Brook spirit or artists in our community. One constant theme we come across during the year is service. We see our school-age children serving others through projects such as Relay for Life, Magic Moments, or class adoptions of angel tree recipients at Christmas time and adults serving others both within Mountain Brook and beyond. This year, we specifically wanted to recognize community servants through our new annual awards, Community Member of the Year and Community Cause of the Year. Each one of the organizations and individuals nominated seek to improve
the lives of others through the work they do and the services they offer. Mountain Brook is one of the most generous communities that I know, and I have heard Birmingham often ranks nationally as one of the most philanthropic communities in the nation. But residents aren’t only generous with their financial resources. They use their talents and gifts to create opportunities for others or to bring communities together. Whether it is Alabama Forever aiding those in need or building playgrounds, or Angel Pillowcases bringing a touch of love to those suffering with an illness, or All In Mountain Brook trying to educate and protect our youth, or Mountain Brook Trading creating a marketplace not only to sell items but to link
others together, or the Junior League of Birmingham and the thousands of volunteer hours and dollars they spend to impact the lives of women and children in Birmingham. While there are countless examples of individuals and organizations, in this issue we feature a few that the community voted on after our last issue’s list of nominees. Please join me in congratulating Mike Mouron as our Community Member of the Year and PreSchool Partners for our Community Cause. Mountain Brook residents have always been leaders for change and action, and what we learned about both of them, and everyone nominated, testifies to this continuing legacy.
Village Living Publisher: Creative Director: Editor: Managing Editor: Sports Editor: Staff Writers: Community Reporter: Editorial Assistant: Copy Editor: Graphic Designer: Advertising Manager: Sales and Distribution:
Contributing Writer: Published by:
Dan Starnes Keith McCoy Jennifer Gray Madoline Markham David Knox Katie Turpen Jessa Pease Sydney Cromwell Roy L. Williams Madison Miller Louisa Jeffries Emily VanderMey Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Kari Kampakis Village Living LLC
School House Contributors: Catherine Gasque - Cherokee Bend, Collins Clegg - Crestline, Kathleen Woodry - Brookwood Forest, Elizabeth Farrar - Mountain Brook High School, Hilary Ross- Mountain Brook Elementary, Dena Berte - Mountain Brook Junior High Contributing Photographers: Karim Shamsi-Basha, 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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Please Support our Community Partners A Little Something (B22) Alabama Acura Dealers (B1) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (A13) Alabama Foot Institute (A23) Alabama Gaslight & Grill (B9) Alabama Outdoors (B17) Alabama Pediatric Dentistry (A8) Alabama Power (B20) ALL IN Mountain Brook (A4) Amy Smith (A20) Bahama Bucks (A26) Bates, Roberts, Fowlkes & Jackson Insurance (A7) Batts’ Chimney Services (B4) Bedzzz Express (B24) Birmingham Bicycle Company (B17) Birmingham Botanical Gardens (A13) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (A25) Birmingham Wholesale Furniture (B8) Bo Johnson Charitable Foundation (A18) Brandino Brass (A26) Breakaway Books - Red Dirt (B22) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (A27) California Closets (A19) Children’s of Alabama (A27) Christopher Glenn (B9) Classic Gardens (B2) Dermatology and Laser of Alabama (A3) Diamond Golf Cars (B10) Dish’n It Out (B13) DSLD Land Management (B3) Ecoview (B10) Ex Voto Vintage (B18) Eye Do (A23) Family Share Massage (B18) Fi-Plan Partners (A22) flip-flops & what nots (A12) Four Corners Gallery (B2) Garage Experts (B12) Granite Transformations (B12) Hanna’s Garden Shop (B5) Hollywood Feed (A1) Hufham Orthodontics (A24) Issis & Sons (B7) Jacqueline DeMarco (A18) John-William Jeweller (A21) Junior League of Birmingham (A8) King’s House Oriental Rugs (B4) Kirkwood by the River (B15) La Catrina Mexican Cantina (A15) Lane Parke - Evson Inc. (A9) Leaf & Petal (A11) Liberty Park (A17) MD Wellness & Aesthetics (A25) Morningside at Riverchase (B23) Mountain Brook Art Association (B11) Mountain Brook Baptist Church (A12) Mountain Brook Trading on Dexter (B21) Otey’s (A27) Over the Mountain Glass (B11) Pars Gallery of Fine Oriental Rugs (A17) PreSchool Partners (A20) RealtySouth (A28) Red Mountain Theatre Company (A10) Renasant Bank (B16) Sew Sheri Designs (B5) St. Peter’s Anglican Church (B21) Stephanie Steinmetz DDS (A18) Swoop (A20) Taco Mama (A10) Taylor Burton Company (B6) The Blue Willow (A21) The Clothes Tree (A11) The Fitness Center (A15) The Maids (A19) TherapySouth Crestline (A2) Trinity Medical Center (B14) TRX Fitness - TrainSmarter (B13) UAB Division of Geriatrics and Gerentology (A13) UAB Vein Clinic (B19) Urban Home Market (A5) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A25, B15) Weigh To Wellness (B21)
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A7
City
By MADOLINE MARKHAM
Mountain Brook was listed as the fourth safest city in Alabama on Feb. 18 according to SafeWise. com. Ahead of it on the list were Margaret, Helena and Southside. To compile this report, SafeWise used the most recent FBI crime data from 2012 to analyze and rank these cities, which all have a minimum population of 5,000 people. “Crime prevention is a very serious topic in the city, and the police emphasize citizen involvement to help prevent crime in order to keep this exclusive city safe for those who live, work and visit here,” said Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden. SafeWise analyzed crimes from Part 1 of the FBI Unified Crime Report (UCR), which focuses on violent crimes (aggravated assault, forcible rape, murder and robbery) as well as property crimes (arson, burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft). From there, SafeWise calculated the chances of these crimes happening out of one thousand in order to level the playing field for cities of varying populations. From all of the cities in Alabama, SafeWise narrowed the list down to 30 and assigned rankings according to data provided by the FBI’s UCR report. “The Safest Cities Report is used by many firsttime homebuyers, apartment hunters and travelers to determine the safest places to buy, rent and stay in Alabama,” said Elli Bishop, SafeWise press liaison. “These cities deserve recognition for the efforts of their citizens, police department and local and state government to make Alabama a great place to live.” SafeWise.com is a community-focused security organization made up of home security experts with more than 75 years of combined industry experience.
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Two roundabouts could be coming to Mountain Brook Village. The Mountain Brook City Council approved a request for federal funding for this project at its Feb. 23 meeting. A study from April 2013 by Sain Associates found that adding a large roundabout at Cahaba Road, 280 and Lane Parke Road and a mini roundabout on Cahaba Road would create the highest traffic efficiency and pedestrian and bike safety at the intersections. An environmental phase that requires public involvement must be conducted before this option can be selected, and after that the city can decide whether or not to pursue the project. The city of Birmingham was originally the lead for the project, but now Mountain Brook is considering sponsoring it and committing to provide 20 percent of the funding that will be matched with 80 percent from federal funds. Birmingham is already requesting federal funds for about 23 intersections, so Mountain Brook might have more success obtaining the funds, City Manager Sam Gaston said.
Lane Park Rd.
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Sain Associates suggested these roundabout designs for Mountain Brook Village based on a study in 2013.
Mountain Brook’s project request through the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham states that there are no pedestrian accommodations at the intersection and bicyclists have a difficult time mixing with traffic in the large intersection conflict area.
It also notes that the intersection connects the Birmingham Zoo and Birmingham Botanical Gardens to Mountain Brook Village, and these attractions spike traffic seasonally in addition to morning and afternoon commuter traffic. Traffic volume is also expected
to increase with the opening of new Lane Parke development beginning later this year. The total project would cost about $3.5 million, but for now the city is just applying for federal funds. Notice on the funding will be delivered by September.
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Village Living
A8 • April 2015
City selects intersections for traffic improvements By MADOLINE MARKHAM Traffic improvements are one step closer to starting throughout Mountain Brook. The city has selected nine intersections for future improvements using a federal APPLE grant following a period of public comments and a public involvement meeting. The council received recommendations from Sain Associates regarding the intersections at its Feb. 23 meeting. Sain had reviewed public comments and discussed the matter with city staff before finalizing its list of recommendations. Intersections recommended for the APPLE study in order of importance, with the scope of their future study, are:
(two intersections): Develop traffic control regulations. }} Montevallo Road at Norman Drive/Country Club Boulevard: Evaluate for proper signal timing and phasing and investigate possible widening solutions. }} Old Leeds Road at Pine Ridge Road: Review signal timing. }} South Brookwood Road at Overton Road: Review signal timing. }} Oakdale Road at Oakdale Drive: Review signs and marking at intersection. The Montevallo Road-Church Street intersection is among those that will be studied for traffic improvements.
}} Montevallo Road at Church Street/Montrose Road: Evaluate widening and non-widening solution.
Fairway Drive (two intersections): Evaluate
Road/Pine Ridge Road: Evaluate for proper
}} Montevallo Road at Overbrook Road: Evaluate widening and non-widening solution.
treatments for Little Hardware driveway and
signal timing and phasing and investigate pos-
left turn phasing.
sible widening solutions.
}} Cahaba Road at 21st Avenue South and
}} Mountain Brook Parkway at Overbrook
}} Brookwood Road at Crosshill Road
The last four intersections do not require detailed studies unlike the first five, Caudle said. Sain also offered comments on these intersections although they did not recommend them for study as a part of this grant: Montevallo Road at Euclid Road/Leach Drive, Country Club Road at Salisbury Road and Country Club Road at Ridge Drive.
CRIME REPORT Real estate scam
A woman searching for a rental home online in Mountain Brook was scammed out of $2,000, according to Mountain Brook Police. The victim used Trulia.com to find a home on the 3600 block of Westchester Circle. She contacted the person who listed the home online and was told to send $2,000 via Moneygram to Houston to receive the keys to the listed home by overnight mail. The woman sent the $2,000 but
never received the keys. She went to the house and spoke to the owner of the home who knew nothing about the Trulia listing. The listing has been removed, and the phone numbers used by the suspect are unregistered prepaid numbers. That same week, Mountain Brook Police Department crime report also listed a possible attempted burglary between Feb. 14 and 15. An unknown suspect damaged the door of a home on the 3200 block of Rockledge Road.
Crestline thefts
Two thefts occurred in Crestline area businesses on Feb. 23. The first occurred in the 40 block of Church Street. A wallet and several credit cards were stolen from a business. The victim said that two black females came into the business, and that one of them might have taken the wallet while she was assisting the other. One of the females was described as five-foot-seven and slightly overweight, wearing a black
sweater and a black hat. The other suspect was described as the same height and average weight, was wearing a maroon jacket. The females were driving a small white four-door vehicle. Also on Feb. 23, a theft occurred in the 3900 block of Montclair Road. Unknown suspect(s) stole a purse and credit cards from an office. In both cases, there has been some activity on the stolen cards and MBPD Detectives are pursuing leads in the case.
Miscellaneous incidents
Two criminal incidents occurred in Mountain Brook March 6-12. Between March 8 and March 9, currency was stolen from a business in the 2700 block of U.S. 280. Also, between March 6 and March 7, an unknown suspect(s) damaged a mailbox in the 4200 block of Shiloh Drive. -Submitted by Mountain Brook Police Departmetnt
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A9
Irondale Furnace history on display at City Hall
City employees Donna Nix and Dorris Kenny look at the new history display at City Hall.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM Pieces of Irondale Furnace history are now on display at City Hall. A display case holding artifacts from the furnace was installed in the lobby area outside the City Council chambers this week. The furnace was the second in Jefferson County and was built in 1963 to supply pig iron to the arsenal in Selma to make cannons
during the Civil War. The 2,246-acre site was burned in 1865 and rebuilt after the war. It was in operation until 1873. The display features photos, cast iron pieces and script used to pay ironworkers and miners due to currency shortages The collection from Birmingham History Center will rotate every four months for a year and can be viewed whenever City Hall is open.
Emmet O’Neal Library assessed as exemplary By HANNAH JONES and MADOLINE MARKHAM The Emmet O’Neal Library performed well in a recent assessment done by The Mercer Group. Ninety-eight percent of survey respondents said they were very satisfied or satisfied with the quality of library services. The average rate in other communities is 52 percent. The library compared more closely to national libraries it was compared to than local libraries in regard to circulation per capita, budget, staffing and other matters, Steve Egan of The Mercer Group said during a presentation at the Feb. 23 city council meeting. “It’s good to know we are exemplary. We try to do the best we can with the city’s resources,” Library Director Sue DeBrecht said. “I think it should be encouraging to you that our comparatives are in Connecticut.” The assessment lists the strengths of the library as: }} Valuable, high-quality and diverse library programs }} Community gathering place }} Skills, experience and teamwork of library staff }} Breadth and depth of the collection
The group also looked for future opportunities and believes that the library should try to keep up with technology and expand outreach and communications to better inform the community. Egan suggested the library look into self-checkout stations and emphasized that they need some sort of personnel board or human resources staff person to be up to a standard for the public sector. Some major threats for the library could be the loss of funding and support from the city and the recession affecting the local economy. “A lot of the weaknesses are really procedural or operational,” Egan said. The most notable place of concern Egan said he saw was a funding loss from the Jefferson County Library Cooperative. However, DeBrecht said she has been working on new alternatives for funding and resources to replace the cooperative’s if it goes “belly up.” She has been in negotiations with Innovative, which runs the library system’s database, so the library can contract with them independently if needed. From here, Egan will work with the library on its implementation plan based on the results.
Mountain Brook ranked one of America’s highest earning cities By BETHANY HARRIS A recent financial analysis by the site NerdWallet reveals that Mountain Brook is one of the highest earning cities in the United States. The analysis looked at household incomes for 1,601 cities across the nation and found that only 57 of those cities had populations where 50 percent or more of the residents made $100,000 or above a year. Mountain Brook came in at number 15 on
the list, with more than half of the incomes showing a significant jump from the annual U.S. median household income of $52,250. Sixty percent of Mountain Brook residents make $100,000 or more per year, placing them in the top 20 percent of all earners in the U.S. In addition, 28.7 percent of the residents make over $200,000 a year. Analysts found that higher-earning areas, like Mountain Brook, are typically clustered around the outskirts of larger cities.
Village Living
A10 • April 2015
City Council Update The Mountain Brook City Council recently recognized city Employees of the Year. The Fire Department awardee was Richard Haywood, who directed a team addressing the needs of someone who had suffered a heart attack. The Police Department awarded Dispatcher Phillip Cholsser and Officer John Hodges for their service, and the Public Works Department award went to Cynthia Baldwin, who has worked for the city for 29 years. The Parks and Recreation awardee is Allen Jones, who supervises turf grass at the city’s sports parks. At recent meetings the council also: } Approved the removal of some of the green modular newspaper racks in the villages. Because The Birmingham News is no longer using them, the city will remove two racks from Crestline Village in front of Tracy’s, three from Mountain Brook Village in front of Realty South and Sneaky Pete’s, and one from English Village. One rack will be left in each village for real estate flyers and other publications. } Approved an access easement agreement through the former CVS property in Crestline for the new Piggly Wiggly. It will allow for access but not parking, and the Piggly Wiggly owners will repave the parking lot and maintain it.
Richard Haywood
City recognizes employees of the year
Phillip Cholsser
} Discussed a contract with Walter Schoel Engineering, Inc. to review and advise the city regarding Park View Townhomes Subdivision. The development calls for six detached town homes on a steep hill in Mountain Brook Village behind the new Lane Parke apartments. The development will go before the Planning Commission on April 6. Council members expressed concerns about the potential development. } Authorized the establishment of a custodial investment account and the transfer of the retiree medical (Section 115) trust investments from the existing corporate trust to the newly established custodial investment account. } Approved the installation of two fire hydrants
Cynthia Baldwin
John Hodges
to serve the Lane Parke development. } Awarded a bid to purchase 15 unites of tactical body armor for the police department from Gulf States Distributors. } Announced an appointment of Jamie Gregory by the mayor to the Mountain Brook Planning Commission. } Approved a conditional use application for Family Share Massage in the Mountain Brook Mall in Mountain Brook Village. The business has been in operation for one year and was not previously aware of the need for a conditional use application. } Change the Board of Zoning and Adjustments meeting date to the third Monday of the month.
} Set a public hearing for March 23 to amend the plan for the Park at Overton. } Proclaimed March 16-22 as Arbor Week. } Held a public hearing regarding amending Chapter 129 of the City Code with respect to the Vine Street Transitional District. The amendment requires the front setback be measured from the property line instead of the back of the sidewalk. } Held a public hearing regarding rezoning the property located at 30 Dexter Avenue from Residence D to Vine Street Transitional District. The owners plan to use the property as a one to two-suite office.
Village to Church Street } Country Club Road from English Village to Memory Triangle } Montrose Road and Old Leeds Road from Montevallo Road to Forest Glen Drive } Overton Road from Knollwood Drive to the city limits near Publix } Mountain Park Drive (all)
} Overbrook Road from Montevallo Road to Mountain Brook Parkway } Cahaba Road from the Protective Life building to Mountain Brook Village } Antietam Drive (all) } The asphalt portion of the alley off Park Lane next to Little Hardware in English Village
Major roads on city’s 2015 paving list By MADOLINE MARKHAM Plans call for portions of Montevallo Road, Country Club Road, Overton Road and Cahaba Road to be repaved by year’s end. The city council approved a list of roads to pave for 2015 at its March 9 meeting. The full list of road segments to be paved
is subject to the specifics of funding arrangements. Portions of these major roads were repaved in the past couple of years, Public Works Director Ronnie Vaughn said, and this should complete many of those. The projects will likely begin after the school year ends. The roads currently on the list are: } Montevallo Road from Mountain Brook
Red Mountain Theatre Company Presents
BAND Geeks Apr. 16–Apr. 19, 2015 at the Red Mountain Theatre Company Cabaret
Voted
BEST OF MOUNTAIN BROOK Village Living 2013
In the spirit of Glee and High School Musical, comes the hilarious and heartwarming Band Geeks, the triumphant story of high school misfits fighting to save their beloved Marching Beavers.
Best Mexican Food
Purchase tickets at RedMountainTheatre.org or by calling 205-324-2424. THIS SHOW IS RATED PG
RMTC-143 Band Geeks-Starnes.indd 1
3/13/15 2:05 PM
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A11
Burgers, ice cream coming to Lane Parke By MADOLINE MARKHAM A new slew of shops and restaurants are on track to opening the Lane Parke development next year. John Evans, principal of developer Evson Inc., announced that Phase I of the development’s retail space is 90 percent preleased at the Feb. 23 city council premeeting. Eighty percent of the space must be preleased before receiving financing. “We have approached the lenders that are very interested to say, ‘Sharpen your pencils, we are ready to go,’” Evans said. Evans said he anticipates selecting a lender soon and releasing a list of tenants afterward. “We are very excited,” Evans said. “I know it’s taken and long time and there are a lot of naysayers, but we have stayed true to our desire to have a boutique retail to match the apartments and Kessler’s [Grand Bohemian Hotel].” Robert Jolly of Retail Specialists said he cannot release the names of specific tenants yet but did share descriptions of them. Restaurants include a concept similar to Houston’s that specializes in hand-cut steaks, an organic burger concept, a Nashville-based concept that blends Tex Mex and Southern food, and one other. There will also be an ice cream shop that uses grass grazed dairy products, a New Orleans-based coffee shop, an outdoors outfitter and a high end furnishings and décor store. “It sounds like granola village to me,” Mayor Oden said, joking, at the meeting. All these occupants will create sales tax for the city, Jolly noted. Out of all of the new tenants, only one is based in Alabama. Two are out of Nashville, two out of Atlanta, one out of Charlotte, one out of New Orleans and out of Auburn. Western Supermarket and A’mano will also be relocating from the current shopping center to the new development. Together those existing stores will occupy 31,000 of the 66,640 square
This rendering shows the plans for the retail phases of Lane Parke in Mountain Brook Village. Developers say the first phase is on track to open in 2016.
feet in Phase I. Only 6,000 square feet remains to be leased at the moment. Once the Western has moved locations, the existing shopping center will be torn down up until Rite-Aid’s wall. Jolly said they are still trying to make an offer with Rite-Aid, but that as things stand, the pharmacy can remain in its spot until 2019. The post office plans to remain as long as the Rite-Aid does. Regarding the other businesses, Jolly said he is not sure about The Dande Lion and that they
have not made deal with them, and that he knows Ollie Irene’s owners are looking all over Mountain Brook and other Over the Mountain areas for a new space. “We tried to accommodate them, but that didn’t work out,” Jolly said of the restaurant. The building that houses Treadwell’s barbershop will remain as-is even after Lane Parke is complete. Jolly said they will wait a while before preleasing Phase II of the retail area, which will
mostly feature boutique retailers and not many, if any, restaurants. He said they have long list of prospects for that phase and that he thinks Phase I’s completion will be a good catalyst to recruit them. Elsewhere in the development, construction on the development’s apartments is complete, and they are at 50 percent occupancy and anticipate being at 90 percent by October. The Grand Bohemian Hotel anticipates opening by late summer of this year.
Village Living
A12 • April 2015
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VillageLivingOnline.com
Now Open CVS/Pharmacy, 93 Euclid Avenue, is now open. 871-2151, cvs.com
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Relocations and Renovations Smith’s Variety has announced that it will move from Mountain Brook Village to the former CVS space in Crestline Village in January 2016. 871-0841
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April 2015 • A13 Beard Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields. 769-6034, ollieirene.com Las Vegas-based Techwise
4 International has announced
plans to convert the former Alta Vista Hotel, 260 Goodwin Crest Drive, into an apartment facility for senior citizens. No timeline has been set for the project, but it could be complete and open by 2016.
Business Business news news
to to share? share?
News and Accomplishments
Chris Newsome of Ollie Irene, 2713 Culver Road, has been named a semifinalist for a James Beard Best Chef in the South award. Established in 1990, the James
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Hirings and Promotions
Longleaf Realty Partners, 3928 Montclair Road, Suite 232, has hired David Baylot as director of healthcare real estate. 879-3733, longleafrealestate.com
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Coming Soon Coming Soon
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to share? Anniversary If you are in a brick and mortar business Mountain andmortar want to share If in you are in a Brook brick and business your event with the community, in Mountain Brook and want to share us know. your eventletwith the community, let us know.
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If you are in a brick and mortar business in Mountain Brook and want to share your event with the community, let us know.
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Village Living
A14 • April 2015
C OMMUNITY
M EMBER OF THE YEAR
Mike C O M MMouron UNITY C AUSE Mobilizing the community to
createOFdifference-making structures THE YEAR
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By MADOLINE MARKHAM Ten cottages off Lakeshore Drive look somewhat like real estate projects Mike Mouron has developed for students, but they didn’t make him any money. Instead, they brought an even greater satisfaction. Injured veterans and their families stay in the cottages when they come to the Lakeshore Foundation for fitness programs. Prior to their existence, the veterans stayed in dorms while their families were in hotels off site. It’s just as important for the families to be with the injured veteran to ski or meet another fitness challenge as it is for the vet to do it, Mouron said. Mouron and his company, Capstone Real Estate Investments, spearheaded the Cottages at Lakeshore project, which was completed in 2010, and recruited around 100 companies to donate materials and services for it. His wife, Kathy, originally pointed him to the Lakeshore Foundation and has worked with him on other projects. “I was never in the military and neither were my sons, so I feel like it’s the least we can do for those who served and those who have been injured,” Mouron said. “It’s the smallest development Capstone has done, but it’s the most rewarding.” Mouron said after the Lakeshore project, several people who had donated their time or services thanked him for allowing them to work on the project. “It gives them a good feeling about themselves, their company and their community,” Mouron said. “You think people would donate their second-best product, but it was just the opposite. People were giving away the top of the line.” A few years later, Mouron heard that the old McElwain Elementary School property was for sale and knew that PreSchool Partners was in need of a new home for its school near Mountain Brook. Mouron’s daughter-in-law Allyson Mouron works there. “The more I learned [about PreSchool Partners], the more I was interested in the way they approach education,” Mouron said, noting how important he thinks it is that parents are required to be a part of the program as well. Mouron negotiated purchasing the
Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
McElwain property from Birmingham City Schools, and a new building for the organization is scheduled for completion in May. The remainder of the property, about 6.5 acres, he sold to a developer who is building about 60 townhomes there. Like with the Lakeshore project, Mouron helped recruit other material suppliers to donate or reduce the costs of their services for the school building as well as businesses to purchase naming rights for parts of the building. Pete Pritchard volunteered his architectural services and Hoar its construction services. “It’s almost a magical feeling seeing things come together, and when you do that for a good cause, it’s [even more] satisfying,” Mouron said.
Another of Mouron’s recent projects is also familiar to the community. Growing up in Mountain Brook, his family had shopped at Park Lane Grocery in English Village and ate at its successor Arman’s, and his company had held Christmas parties at the Park Lane event venue. When its property became available last year, he purchased it from the families who owned the original grocery store and had leased it to the other businesses. He was originally thinking about working with a restaurant to locate there, but city council members noted that Little Hardware was looking for a place to relocate since the new Lane Parke development plans would not allow it to have the outside storage it needed.
“Everyone was so fearful that Little Hardware was going to move outside the city,” Mouron said. “I think everyone in Mountain Brook has shopped there.” It wasn’t long before Little Hardware had moved up Cahaba Road to the site. “It’s an iconic location,” Mouron said. “After growing up in Mountain Brook, it’s fun to own that property.” Mouron said he enjoys doing things in his own community and would never do a project like this in another state. “Whenever I ask people to get involved, a large number are willing to pitch in even though there is never a lack of good causes,” Mouron said.
Runner Up Alison Scott President of the Junior League of Birmingham For Alison Scott, leading the Junior League of Birmingham has made her fall even more in love with her city. “I get to see every corner and every good thing in the city,” Scott said. “It’s an exciting time to be in Birmingham. I love that the Junior League has its fingerprints on everything good in the city.” She and her husband, Stephen, met in Birmingham and moved back six years ago after spending 11 years in New Orleans. Two of their children, Georgia
Kate and Grayson, attend Cherokee Bend Elementary, and the oldest, Brennan is at Mountain Brook Junior High. Scott is particularly passionate about literacy and serves on the board of the Literacy Council of Alabama, which was started by Junior League members. “I heard a speaker talk about how the formula for how many jail cells would be needed was based on the third grade illiteracy rate,” Scott said. “That was what spurred my passion for literacy efforts.”
Another program that stands out to her is the League’s Youth Leadership Forum, which teaches high school students, no more than two from each school, about their city to inspire them to come back to be community leaders themselves. The same goes with the Junior League’s scholarships, Scott said. They look for women who they think will come back and be community leaders here in Birmingham, and she loves being a part of that.
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A15
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Village Living
A16 • April 2015
PreSchool Partners Changing lives, one family at a time
PreSchool Partners Executive Director Lella Hamiter, center, works with preschool students and their parents to prepare them for kindergarten. Photo by Madoline Markham.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM After 20 years working with preschoolage children, PreSchool Partners is starting to see the long-term fruit of its labor. This year one program graduate is attending the Naval Academy and another is attending the University of Alabama. There are countless other success stories. The organization runs a preschool program for 3 and 4 year olds and their parents, targeting families in Norwood and Woodlawn as well as other areas that are zoned for Birmingham City Schools. Their ultimate goal is to get students to graduate from high school, but that starts years earlier preparing the children for a successful start to kindergarten and giving them confidence in their ability to learn. As a result, many of their students are reading and writing before they start kindergarten. Each year about 93 percent of the children in the program test as ready for kindergarten, and many become peer models
when they enter elementary school. Often a student who enters the program scoring 0 percent in letter, number, shape and color recognition end the year scoring 100 percent in each and able to write his or her name. Each classroom at PreSchool Partners has two teachers with education degrees. “Having qualified teachers makes a different,” Executive Director Lella Hamiter said. “They are in the trenches going above and beyond, and they have a heart for this.” Still, Hamiter said what sets their program apart is that they require parents to attend sessions every Monday morning. “If you are going to affect real change, you have to reach the parents,” Hamiter said. “We want to empower families.” Speakers come in to address stress management, nutrition, how to deal with temper tantrums and other topics, and volunteers from Iberia Bank and Compass Bank work with parents on budgets. “It’s about enhancing parenting skills,”
Hamiter said. “It’s stuff we all need to learn.” The parents also attend a Families Reading Together class. Each week the parents receive a new book, and teachers talk through how to read it interactively and work on pre-reading skills with their children. Each week they also go home with a homework assignment to reinforce what they learn. This exercise doubles as preparation for working with their children on homework in the future, too. “We are not only telling them it’s important,” Hamiter said. “We are showing them how to read with their children.” After nine years at Trinity Presbyterian and 10 before that at Southside Baptist, PreSchool Partners will have its own home this summer. Their new building on Montevallo Road across from McElwain Baptist Church will allow their capacity to expand from 70 students to 112, which can help accommodate the more than 70 families that are on their waiting list.
Still, they plan for that growth to occur slowly while maintaining low teacher-tostudent ratios in classes. The building will also feature a parent classroom that seats up to 200 people. Hamiter said they hope to share the space with the community to be used for other programs. The space will allow them to remain close to Mountain Brook, as more than 80 percent of the PreSchool Partners staff are Mountain Brook residents, including Hamiter, and many volunteers are from Mountain Brook as well. Additionally, Mountain Brook residents Bill Black and Jeannette Hancock started PreSchool Partners as an outreach out of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church after tutoring in Birmingham City Schools and realizing how far behind students were. “I have always known how generous our community is, but I get to see it first hand every day,” Hamiter said. To learn more, visit preschool-partners. org.
Runner Up Junior League of Birmingham Each year the Junior League of Birmingham pours more than $1 million and 40,000 volunteer hours into the community. “About 80 percent of our membership works, about 50 percent have children, and they still find time to get their volunteer hours in,” President Alison Scott said. The league’s 2,400 members work with 40 projects in the city, so there is an area of interest for most any member. Often members find a particular cause they care about and become involved with it long term, which fits their mission to train women community leaders.
“I think you would be hard pressed to find a nonprofit organization in Birmingham that doesn’t have a Junior League member on its board,” Scott said. Whatever project they take on, the Junior League wants their members to take a leadership role and also to help grow the mission of an organization without burdening them. It’s for that reason that Scott sad the most fulfilling moments are when an organization doesn’t need their help any more and they can move on to help someone else.
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A17
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Village Living
A18 • April 2015
Community Gardens’ Plant Sale moves to Brookwood Village
The public can peruse more than 100,000 plants available for sale during the Spring Plant Sale April 10-12. Photo courtesy of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
By HANNAH JONES The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is moving its annual Spring Plant Sale from the Botanical Gardens to Brookwood Village this year. The event will be held April 10-12. The event will feature more than 100,000 plants for sale. Last year it attracted more than 7,000 people. “[The] Spring Plant Sale is the largest annual plant sale fundraiser for Birmingham Botanical Gardens,” said Blake Ells, public relations coordinator for the Botanical Gardens. “Shoppers at the sale can
take advantage of expert planting advice from our volunteers [who] have raised and nurtured the plants they will be purchasing.” The public sale will be held Friday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission to the public sale is free. A Preview Party will also be held Thursday, April 9 from 5-6:30 p.m. along with a Members-Only sale from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 at the door. For more information about the Spring Plant Sale or to purchase tickets to the Preview Party, call 4143950 or visit bbgardens.org/springplantsale.
Bradley Haynes achieves Eagle Bradley Wayne Haynes Jr., a member of Troop 63 at Canterbury United Methodist Church, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout in a formal Court of Honor ceremony on Feb. 15 in the Canterbury chapel. He earned 23 merit badges; attended three Boy Scout camps including Camp Comer, Camp Sequoyah and Camp Rainey Mountain; and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. Haynes also earned the Triple Crown of Scouting by going on all three high adventure trips with Troop 63. He attended the Florida Sea Base in 2010 accompanied by his father; backpacked at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, which was his favorite, in 2011; and canoed the Boundary Waters between the U.S. and Canada at the Northern Tier in 2012, again accompanied by his father. Haynes spent 57 nights camping as a Boy Scout, including his favorite trips to Walls of Jericho, Grimes Canoe Base, Nantahala and Ocoee, Raccoon Mountain, Oak Mountain and Chief Ladiga Trail on a cycling trip. His most memorable trip was when he earned his Polar Bear Badge after camping overnight in 18-degree weather at the Standing Indian on the Appalachian Trail, also an event he shared with his father. He attended the leadership weekend, Preparing for Life’s Journey: Living the Scout Oath at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, with the troop in 2010. For Haynes’ Eagle service project, he built two cabinets for the
Bradley Haynes
Exceptional Foundation in Homewood: one wall cabinet for the art room to house art supplies and one tall floor cabinet for the rec room to house games. He also made 64 large picture frames for the organization to use to frame the participants’ artwork to be sold at its largest annual fundraiser, the art show and auction. He is currently a freshman at Texas Christian University with a Faculty Scholarship in the Neeley School of Business and is a member of Financial Management Association and Phi Delta Theta social fraternity. Haynes is the son of Brad and Lucie Haynes and is the grandson of Sandra Haynes and the late Dr. Russ Haynes and Ann and Jimmy Cox and the late Lonnie Lee.
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A19
Take a taste of Mountain Brook inaugural event set for April 26 Taste of Mountain Brook Benefitting All In Mountain Brook 101 Hoyt Street Crestline Village Sunday, April 26 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. allinmountainbrook.com $10 ALL IN members $20 nonmembers
Participating Restaurants*
Agustin Alcantara of Bongiorno, Al Rabee of Vino, Amanda Thames of Davenport’s Pizza, Will Haver of Otey’s Tavern and Taco Mama (also the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce president), Stephanie Brown of Olexa’s and Suzan Doidge of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce will all be participating in Taste of Mountain Brook. Photo by Ralph Anderson.
By MADOLINE MARKHAM On April 26 you can eat your way through Mountain Brook without leaving one street. Area restaurants will convene to offer a taste of their food at an inaugural Taste of Mountain Brook event on Hoyt Street in Crestline Village. The event will be held during lunch time, and organizers hope that people will come to eat after church.
Ticket sales will benefit All In Mountain Brook, a new nonprofit organization that formed last year to enhance and protect the lives of Mountain Brook youth. “We think it will be a good thing for our community and for a good cause,” Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Director Suzan Doidge said. “All In is bringing in national speakers who are making a difference in our community.” All In addresses a wider set of issues than its
Bongiorno Davenport’s Pizza Palace Dyron’s Lowcountry La Catrina La Paz Maki Fresh Newk’s Eatery
Nothing But Noodles Olexa’s Otey’s Tavern Taco Mama Tracy’s Vino
*List created as of March 20. Check villagelivingonline.com for an updated list.
predecessor, Mountain Brook Anti-Drug Coalition. By involving parents, businesses, religious leaders and schools, the organization’s board hopes to model behavior to students and support them. In October, All In brought John Beede, a mountain climber, to speak to both parents and students in assemblies, and in January it brought Renee Napier, whose daughter lost her life due to a drunk driver, to speak at Canterbury United
Methodist Church. Also this year, police officers from Orange Beach and Panama City Beach addressed parents about how to stay safe over spring break thanks to All In. The organization plans to hold more similar events and other programming, thanks in part to a grant of $10,000 from the city this year and funds raised at Taste of Mountain Brook. To learn more about All In Mountain Brook, go to allinmountainbrook.org.
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Village Living
A20 • April 2015
Weekend garage sale features large selection Birmingham’s largest garage sale is Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26. The Junior League of Birmingham’s (JLB) Bargain Carousel will be held in the old Princeton-Hoover location at 2467 John Hawkins Parkway (Highway 150). There will be over 100,000 items for sale including adult clothing, appliances, art, books, music, children’s clothing, electronics, furniture, heirloom items, holiday decorations, home décor, infant furniture and accessories, kitchen items, lighting, linens, office equipment and furniture, outdoors and sporting goods, rugs and toys. Proceeds support community projects with the Junior League’s partner agencies. “Uncovering art work at Bargain Carousel is like being on a treasure hunt,” said Ragan Cain of Mountain Brook. “Beautiful sketches, water color drawings and oil paintings as well as old
and new frames can be found at unbelievable prices.” The weekend kicks off with a Bargain Bash on Thursday, April 23. For $40 a ticket, VIP admission gets you in the door at 6 p.m. for early bird shopping privileges. General admission (7 p.m.-10 p.m.) is $30. This year tickets will be pre-sold on Friday, April 24 from 3 p.m.-7 p.m., and shoppers may purchase up to four tickets at $10 each for the Saturday sale. Bargain Carousel will run Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with $10 tickets for 8 a.m.-10 a.m. or $5 tickets from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. On Sunday it will run from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. with free admission and half-price merchandise. For more information, call 879-9861, visit bargaincarousel.net or “like” the event on Facebook.
Junior League members volunteer at last year’s Bargain Carousel event.
Churches to hold events Easter week Mountain Brook Community Church
April 2: Maundy Thursday Service. 6:30 p.m. April 3: Chapel Open. 12 p.m. Chapel will be open for prayer and meditation. April 5: Worship Services. 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.
St. Stephens Episcopal Church
March 29: Palm Sunday. 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 5p.m. March 30: Evening Prayer. 6 p.m. March 31: Evening Prayer. 6 p.m.
April 1: Stations of the Cross. 6:30 p.m. April 2: Maundy Thursday. 6:30 p.m. Service and children’s chapel.
March 29: Palm Sunday. Doug Dortch speaks on “Giving It Up for Jesus,” Luke 19:29-40. 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
April 4: Easter Vigil. 7:30 p.m.
March 30: Bo Adams, reference and systems librarian at the Pitts Theology Library at Emory University, speaks.
April 5: Easter Day Service. 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 5 p.m. “Flowering of the Cross” at 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. services.
March 31: Bo Adams, reference and systems librarian at the Pitts Theology Library at Emory University, speaks.
Mountain Brook Baptist
April 1: Bo Adams, reference and systems librarian at the Pitts Theology Library at Emory University, speaks.
April 3: Good Friday Service. 6:30 p.m.
March 22. Easter Egg Hunt. 4-6 p.m. Crestline Park. Join us for pizza, games and an egg hunt.
speaks on “How Much Do I Owe?” Psalm 116:12, 12-19. April 3: Good Friday. Doug Dortch speaks on “His Pain, Our Gain,” Isaiah 53:4-5. April 5: Easter Sunday. Doug Dortch speaks on “No Need to Be Alarmed,” Mark 16: 1-8. 9 a.m., 11 a.m.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
April 4: Easter Egg Hunt. 10 a.m. St. Luke’s Playground. April 5: Sunday Services. 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 5 p.m.
April 2: Maundy Thursday. Doug Dortch
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VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A21
Tenth annual Bo Johnson events to be a final round By MADOLINE MARKHAM For the past 10 years, Bo Johnson’s fun-loving spirit has lived on at the golf course and as his friends gather, especially on one Sunday in April. Johnson was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in September 2005 and passed away just three months later at age 45. Johnson started playing golf in his mid-20s and got hooked, so a golf tournament in his memory seemed a perfect fit to his family and friends. On his birthday of that first year, May 9, 2006, his friends and family pulled together what would become the First Annual Bo Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament. This year will be the event’s 10th, and also
its final, year. The annual Bo Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament Celebration Party will be held Sunday, April 12, from 5-9 p.m. at the Birmingham Children’s Zoo. It will feature dinner, a silent auction and children’s activities. Golfers and non-golfers alike are welcome to attend. Since 2006, the events have raised more than $500,000 for cancer research. Currently, the Bo Johnson Charitable Foundation is funding one of five research pilot projects in conjunction with UAB’s $5.5-million Gastrointestinal Oncology Initiative that benefits the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. Johnson’s friends and family also hope to raise awareness of esophageal cancer and encourage people to see a doctor about subtle
symptoms such as heartburn and sore throats. Johnson complained about a sore throat for at least six weeks before he saw a doctor. Early esophageal cancer may not cause symptoms, but symptoms include pain when swallowing, chest or back pain, weight loss, heartburn, chronic cough or hoarse voice. The scramble format golf tournament will be held Monday, April 13, at Highlands Golf Course with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. The entry fee includes lunch. The zoo party costs $45 per person in advance or $50 at the door, and children younger than age 10 are admitted free. For more information about the events, visit facebook.com/thebojohnsoncharitablefoundation or call 335-7100.
Bo Johnson was an avid golfer.
Food trucks to gather for PreSchool Partners event
Area residents sample food and enjoy festivities at last year’s Food Truck Round Up.
Food trucks around Birmingham will reconvene at Brookwood Village on Saturday, May 2 for the fourth annual Food Truck Round Up. The Round Up, sponsored by Protective Life, will benefit PreSchool Partners, which prepares at-risk preschool children and their parents for kindergarten in Birmingham City Schools. The event will feature live music, gourmet food, a bounce house, face painting and an art show with works from local artists and PreSchool Partners students.
The organization is hoping to beat the $62,000 raised and 1,000 attendees from last year. Some of the beverage companies featured will be Good People Brewery and Supreme Beverage. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and are available at preschool-partners.org. Kids under 10 get in free. Tickets include four tokens redeemable at any food trucks or beverage stations. The event will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the upper Macy’s parking lot.
Village Living
A22 • April 2015
Never stop fighting
Bobby Luckie and his daughter, Mary Katherine Cabaniss. Photo by Rob Culpepper.
By KATIE TURPEN Parkinson’s disease impacts an estimated one million people in the United States. A progressive neurological disorder associated with a loss of dopamine-generating cells in the brain, it can take a heavy toll on the patient’s loved ones. Locally, the Parkinson Association of Alabama (PAA) aims to increase awareness and support research for new treatments by working closely with the UAB Neurology Department. This month, PAA will host a special fundraising event called Taste for the Cure at Old Car Heaven. Three Mountain Brook residents on the PAA Board each have a father living with Parkinson’s disease. Below, they share their stories of
Residents affected by Parkinson’s disease share their stories
Bill, Alice, Barbara, Alexander Major and Mimi Major Bittick. Photo by Catherine Mayo.
the effects of the disease and their thankfulness for finding a support group. For more, visit parkinsonalabama. com.
have come leaps and bounds. It seems more people are aware of the disease and more and more I meet people who are closely related to someone affected by it.”
Mimi Bittick When Mimi Bittick’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1993, the future became a cloud of uncertainty. She watched as a simple tremor in her father’s thumb progressed into something that robbed him of his mind and body. “I am sad to say at 71 my father is well advanced in the stages of Parkinson’s and is facing a very bleak future,” she said. “However, I am pleased to report that since his diagnosis the treatments, therapies and support for Parkinson’s patients
Dan Thomasson Dan Thomasson’s father, Albert, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 15 years ago. Soon after Dan became involved with the PAA and eventually joined its board. “Parkinson’s is an insidious disease,” he said. “In some ways the slow progression is good because it gives you time to prepare for its consequences, but it is also very hard emotionally on not only those diagnosed with the disease but also their family members and other caregivers.”
Albert Thomasson with his son, Dan Thomasson, and grandson, Flynn Thomasson at a recent birthday celebration. Photo courtesy of Dan Thomasson.
Mary Katherine Cabaniss When Mary Katherine Cabaniss’ father was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, her whole family fell into shock. After years of stressfully working, her father had no choice but to face retirement. “As we have learned, Parkinson’s is not only difficult for the patient, but also for those who love and care for him,” she said. “I have no doubt that he would have never retired had it not been for a Parkinson’s diagnosis. The silver lining is that he now has time to spend with family and friends and the energy to take better care of himself.” Despite lifestyle changes, Cabaniss said her father is doing well and has retained his sense of humor. She credits PAA for being an incredible resource during this difficult time.
Taste for a Cure Presented by Parkinson Association of Alabama Thursday, April 23, 6:30 p.m. Old Car Heaven $75 per person parkinsonalabama.com “I’ve raised money for many nonprofits in the past, but the passionate and caring members of PAA make it special,” she said. “Dan and Mimi have been a great resource for me. I hate that others are facing the same struggles, but I’m glad to have found a kind, caring group of people willing to work together to make a real difference.”
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A23
Relay for Life, Color Run coming to Mountain Brook High School Relay for Life will be held at Mountain Brook High School on May 1 at 4 p.m. The event has ranked as the No. 1 youth Relay for Life event per capita and No. 2 overall event among all those raising funds for the American Cancer Society. During the relay, each team will have at least one member walking around the track at all times. This year, for every lap a participant does, they will receive a lap bead as a keepsake. Participants can walk the track in memory of someone lost to cancer or in honor of someone currently
battling cancer or who has survived cancer. There will also be a survivor’s dinner and a luminaria ceremony. Teams can sign up for their campsite and bring in their offsite money on April 28. They can register at http://relay.acsevents. org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=63771. In addition to the relay, there will also be a PowerBuff Volleyball game in the Spartan Arena on April 28 at 5:30 p.m. and a Color Run for Relay 5K on April 19. The race fee is $30 plus a $2.50 sign-up fee and begins at 8 a.m.
Kids’ leadership learning event to be held in Crestline On Sunday, April 26, older elementary students will have the opportunity to participate in Little Leader Day. The event is sponsored by Leadership Mountain Brook, the City of Mountain Brook and the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. Fourth through sixth grade students can learn about their community and build
leadership skills with the help of city leaders. The event will take place from 12:302:30 p.m. at Mountain Brook City Hall. The event will run simultaneously to Taste of Mountain Brook, which begins at 11:30 a.m. on Hoyt Street. Registration is $25 per student and can be filled out online at welcometomountainbrook.com.
Wellhouse founder to speak at MBBC Tajaun McCarty will discuss her own escape from sex-trafficking slavery and the ministry she now runs at an event at Mountain Brook Baptist this month. The ladies spring dinner will be held Sunday, April 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the church’s Heritage Hall. McCarty’s ministry, Wellhouse, now
houses 20 women who have been rescued from human trafficking in Birmingham. Her story has also been featured in Good Housekeeping magazine. She will also answer questions and address how others can help make a difference. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the door and include a light dinner.
Celebrations Fall-Funderburg Amy Elizabeth Fall and Corey David Funderburg were married June 21, 2014 at Canterbury United Methodist Church. The Rev. Samuel Lee Williamson and The Rev. Monsignor Michael F. Sexton officiated the ceremony. A reception followed at Inverness Country Club. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt Franklin Fall of Mountain Brook. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Ray Osborne Welborn and the late Mr. Welborn of Laurel, Mississippi, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ira Veltus Fall Jr. of Ellisville, Mississippi. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Bernard Funderburg of Pell City. He is the grandson of Mrs. William Turner Funderburg and the late Mr. Funderdurg of Pell City and the late Mr. and Mrs. John Francis Brady Jr. of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore an ivory silk shantung gown by New York designer Steven Birnbaum. The strapless sweetheart neckline bodice was fitted at her natural waist and accented with a silk satin waistband. The full A-line skirt swept to a chapel-length train. Tiny satin covered buttons trimmed the gown from the back neckline to the
end of the train. Completing her ensemble was an ivory illusion chapel-length veil edged in a narrow ivory satin ribbon. The bride was attended by Lauren Breshears of Columbia, Missouri, as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Haley Funderburg, sister of the groom, of Pell City, and Anna Catherine Roberson, Mary Elizabeth Roberson and Katie Rushing, all of
Birmingham. The groom’s brother, Jared Funderburg of Birmingham, served at his best man. Groomsmen were Wesley Fall, brother of the bride, of Mountain Brook; Peter Everett of Calera; and Jonathan Spann of Brandon, Mississippi. After a honeymoon trip to Costa Rica, the couple lives in Birmingham.
Have an engagement, wedding or anniversary announcement? Email jennifer@villagelivingonline.com to have it included in an upcoming issue!
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Village Living
A24 • April 2015
Sid Ortis to be granted Walking Dead Magic Moments experience By ROY L. WILLIAMS Sid Ortis, a Mountain Brook teenager battling cancer, will soon get to experience his own “magic moment” by meeting the cast of his favorite television show. The 15 year old, whose love of the LSU Tigers inspired Mountain Brook residents to display purple and gold in tribute to him, found out March 19 during a ceremony at Mountain Brook Junior High School that Magic Moments’ Alabama chapter will pay for him to travel to Atlanta for “A Walking Dead Experience.” Magic Moments is a Birmingham-based nonprofit organization that provides non-medical wishes to critically ill children aged 4 to 18 across Alabama. “I was totally shocked,” Sid Ortis said after finding out that he will get to meet cast members and observe filming of The Walking Dead. “I love the show and to now get to meet the cast — wow.” Sid was excited as he got to meet Kendall Johnson, a cast member from The Walking Dead. Before the ceremony, she transformed members of Mountain Brook Junior High’s Magic Moments Club into zombies. They walked up in zombie makeup for the ceremony. Hundreds of his classmates cheered for Sid when he heard the news. Students from the school’s Magic Moments Club have been holding fundraisers all year to provide a Magic
Sid Ortis met The Walking Dead cast member Kendall Johnson on March 19. Here they are surrounded by MBJH Magic Moments club members who dressed up as zombies. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
Moment and found the perfect recipient in Sid, said Courtney Carson, associate director of Magic Moments. “I know this moment will be inspirational and encouraging for Sid,” she said. Mountain Brook Junior High Principal Donald Clayton and State Rep. David Faulkner, who represents Mountain Brook, said the ceremony
is typical of how city residents rally behind neighbors going through turmoil. Clayton said since Sid got the news about his cancer students have gone out of their way to show him loving support. “We are a close-knit community,” Clayton said. The Magic Moments announcement capped a whirlwind week for Sid, who
arrived home from the hospital after lung surgery related to his cancer to find Mountain Brook residents hanging purple and gold LSU colored balloons and bows outside their homes and businesses in his honor. News of the community setting aside allegiances to the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers led LSU Football Coach Les Miles to call Sid last Friday
and pray for him. Sid said he is still in disbelief at the call from Miles, who offered Sid and his family box seats to view an LSU home game with his wife. “I’m like the only LSU fan here, and to see Alabama and Auburn fans putting out LSU colors was awesome,” Sid said. “I am just overwhelmed at how the community is supporting me.” In August 2014 after complaining of pain in his knee during basketball camp, doctors discovered that Sid had osteosarcoma, or bone cancer. Sid began chemotherapy at the end of August and by November had undergone numerous surgeries. Sid’s parents, Lynn and Scott Ortis, said they too were shocked to find out Sid will get to meet the cast of The Walking Dead. Scott said the timing couldn’t be more perfect as Sid was scheduled to return to the hospital for more treatment in the weeks to follow. “We had no idea they were doing this for Sid,” Lynn Ortis said. “This is so wonderful for Magic Moments to do this for our son.” Since 1984, Magic Moments has provided magic moments to over 4,300 children in every county of Alabama. It is the only wish-granting organization dedicated exclusively to children in Alabama. For more information visit magicmoments.org.
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A25
Village Living
A26 • April 2015
34th Annual Spring Art Festival
Hosted by the Mountain Brook Art Association Saturday, April 18 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Crestline Elementary Sports Field mountainbrookartassociation.com
The Spring Art Festival in Crestline welcomes people of all ages for a day of outdoor art exhibits. Photos by Madoline Markham.
ART
CONTINUED from page A1 within a 25-mile radius of City Hall, but many are from just a few miles away. Other Mountain Brook artists participating in this year’s event include Lynn Briggs, Mary Mellen and her daughter Katherine Trammell, Sara Crook, Janet Sanders, Jan Grant, Sam Chiarella and Wellon Bridgers. For Powell, it’s also meaningful that the event is representative of how the artists there are the opposite of competitive. “The [artist] community, Mountain Brook and Birmingham, are well supported by each other, and that’s extremely important,” Powell said.
Powell works with pastels and cream acrylics on wood and also carves into the pieces. His pieces showcase flowers, birds’ nests, horses, churches, fish and other natural scenes in which he sees “some sense of spiritualness of optimism.” “I am a Southern artist and I love the South, and I will always be at home painting what’s in this area because I am inspired by it and I grew up in it,” Powell said. The goal of the art festival is to highlight members of the Mountain Brook Art Association’s work, to raise awareness of buying local art, and to create a venue for the work to be sold. There will also be live jazz music by the Choko Aiken band, food vendors including Iz Café, and a floral competition
sponsored by Norton’s Florist. Member volunteers in the hospitality tent may also hang a few pieces of their work to sell, providing a way the entire membership can participate. “Older artists who no longer have the energy to set up a tent of their own and do all the work can still show their art and visit with long-term customers,” show chair Janet Sanders said, “and newer members or artists who are just starting out can get their feet wet.” Each artist will have his or her own 10-foot by 10-foot tent to fill with his or her artwork with prices of their choosing. The sale started when students of Ron Lewis at Mountain Brook Community Education decided to sell paintings from his class on a
Saturday in April 35 years ago. “They must have done well, because the club and the show were born,” Sanders said, noting that it has attracted about 5,000 visitors in recent years. Two years ago the event became known as the Spring Art Festival instead of the Spring Art Show to draw a wider audience. Today, all artwork showcased is twodimensional and may be hung on a wall. Artwork ranges in size from miniature pieces to extra-large canvases. Visa, MasterCard, checks and cash will be accepted. If it rains, the event will be April 19 from noon5 p.m. Visit mountainbrookartassociation.com for more information.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • A27
Smith’s owner Mary Anne Glazner celebrates signing a lease for a new location in Crestline Village. Photo by Keith McCoy.
SMITH’S
CONTINUED from page A1 remain in its current location near the Western Supermarket through the Christmas season and anticipates moving into the new space for a soft opening on Jan. 2, 2016. “I’m so excited about this,” Glazner said. “We will update and change, but it will be all the good ol’ stuff we’ve always had.” Smith’s Variety has been open for over 65 years, and Glazner and her husband have owned and operated it in its Mountain Brook Village location since 1976. Glazner said she had been seeking a place within close proximity to its current home due to the changes coming to Mountain Brook Village with the new Lane Parke development. The announced move to Crestline Village has eased fears from many customers who thought
Smith’s Variety was closing, she said. “When Austin Blair of LAH Commercial Realtors presented us with the opportunity to stay in Mountain Brook and be right next to a much loved new local grocery store, we jumped at the chance,” Glazner’s store release said. “He, along with Tim Blair of Shannon Waltchack, who represents the landlord, worked together to make this happen.” Glazner said customers had been telling them they should move to the Crestline CVS location and that it was a “godsend” when the real estate agents approached them about the space. Negotiations had been ongoing for a while. Glazner said CVS’s main concern was that the location would not be used for another drugstore. Smith’s, currently located at 2715 Culver Road, will be located at 49 Church Street once it moves. The store can be reached at 8710841.
Pediatric
ENT
Associates
From left: Brian Kulbersh, MD; Audie L. Woolley, MD, FACS; Brian J. Wiatrak, MD, FACS, FAAP; J. Scott Hill, MD, FACS, FAAP; and Nicholas Smith, MD
Our five physicians have more than 60 years of combined Pediatric ENT experience with additional fellowship training in Pediatric ENT surgery. We provide assessment, treatment and management for children with conditions such as: o Complex sinus problems o Ear infections (ear tubes) o Hearing loss o Tonsil and adenoid problems o Facial and neck masses o Sinus infections o Airway obstruction and breathing disorders o Cosmetic issues such as prominent ears (otoplasty) and birthmarks of the face and neck
Appointments 205.638.4949
FAX 205.638.4983
Two Convenient Locations CHiLDreN’S ruSSeLL CAMPuS CLiNiC 4, MCWANe BuiLDiNg 1600 7tH AveNue SoutH BirMiNgHAM, AL 35233
CHiLDreN’S SoutH CLiNiC F, 2ND FLoor 1940 eLMer J. BiSSeLL roAD BirMiNgHAM, AL 35243
Healt hcar e as am a zing as t heir po t ent ial
Making People Happy For 25 Years,
It’s An Institution!
224 Country Club Park 871-8435
Follow us on Facebook or on the web Oteystavern.com
Live music every Fri. and Sat. night starting @ 9pm.
Village Living
SECTION B School House B12 Sports B17 Calendar B22
Spring
Home Guide Spring is in bloom, and it’s the perfect time to plant a garden, do some cleaning or start a home renovation. Find tips and tricks from area businesses to jump start any project in our guide.
Alabama Acura Dealers
299
$
per month for 39 months
lease The 2015 TLX 8-Speed $2,899 Total Due At Signing Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes tax, title, license and dealer fees. For well-qualified lessees
King Acura 1687 Montgomery Hwy Hoover, al 35216 (205) 979-8888
Closed-end lease for 2015 TLX 2.4 8-Speed Dual-Clutch P-AWS vehicles subject to availability through 5/11/15 on approved credit through Acura Financial Services, DBA American Honda Finance Corp. for well-qualified lessees. MSRP $32,365 (includes destination, excludes tax, license, title fees, registration, documentation fees, options, insurance and the like). Actual net capitalized cost $29,557.56. Total monthly payments $11,661.00. Option to purchase at lease end $20,389.95. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and 20¢/mile. Dealer sets actual prices. See Acura dealer for complete details.
Spring Home Guide
B2 • April 2015
Village Living
Special advertising section
Find what to plant this spring
Spring is bursting forth at Classic Gardens & Landscape. Serving greater Birmingham for over 25 years, Classic Gardens has in fresh shipments of blueberries, fruiting trees, early planting vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, and even a few early bedding plants. After a long cold torturous winter I’m sure we are all happy to feel spring in the air. They have so many plants to choose from that your hardest decisions will be which ones to take home. Still, their friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you decide what to plant. Classic Gardens has plants for sun and plants for shade. Some of their favorite plants require very little care yet give an abundance of color and provide for wildlife like the butterfly bush. Blueberries are a favorite to plant because they are so easy to grow and will
make a crop the very first year. Are you familiar with their tomato program? Their staff can tell you how to grow 300 pounds of tomatoes in a container. The ease of growing in a container means anyone can do it and can have so many tomatoes that you have to give some away. The biggest secret to growing pretty bedding plants is to mix in Fertilome potting soil. Classic Gardens recommends mixing Fertilome Start-N-Gro fertilizer into the soil. Come in and they will show you how to have the prettiest yard on the block. Need a beautiful lawn? Nobody does it better than Classic Gardens. They can treat your lawn for you or tell you how to do it yourself. For more information on Classic Gardens, visit classicgardens.com.
Buy what you love
Carla Hamilton knows that both art and framing offer opportunities for self-expression. At Four Corners Gallery, she and her staff help customers explore their creative potential. “You change your furniture three to four times before you change your art,” Hamilton says. “Therefore, buy what you love. Invest in it. You’re going to have it a long time. You are even likely to pass the art onto your children or down for generations. Frame properly to ensure their preservation.” With fine art, custom framing, custom display cases, restoration services, art consultation and installation services, Four Corners Gallery helps customers reach their desired look. Spring is the season for freshening up and Hamilton has several tips for those who want to create a new look in their home or office: }} Buy a new piece of art or two to liven them up.
}} Reframe existing artworks for a fresh, updated look. Maybe you never liked the frame it came in or maybe your tastes have changed or your sense of style has evolved. It may be as simple and cost-effective as replacing the mats. }} Frame items you’ve discovered after cleaning out your closets. If you put them back, they’ll never get on your walls and you’ll never enjoy them. }} Rearrange your artworks. Different locations will help you see them again. Gallery Director Karen Clanton is a Certified Picture Framer with 27 years in art and framing. The gallery has over 3,500 frames to select from and the staff is knowledgeable of historically appropriate frame styles. Visit fourcornersgalleryonline.com or call 980-2600 for more information on Four Corners Gallery.
It’s what we do... Complete Landscaping Installation
More Than Your Framing Source
Retaining Walls • Pathways • Patios Trees and shrubs • Sod • Irrigation Fertilization & Weed Control of Lawns
We’ve got you covered! (205) 854-8001 • classicgardens.com
fine art • custom framing • art, photo & framing restoration • installation
Four Corners Gallery 4700 Hwy 280 East • 205 980 2600 • fourcornersgalleryonline.com
Spring Home Guide
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • B3
Special advertising section
Design your dream landscape DSLD Land Management is a full service design/build landscape contractor firm. We are a family owned and operated company with our earliest roots in Mountain Brook and surrounding villages. We strive to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients. During our initial consultation all on site factors are considered from function to form, with special emphasis given to economy and value added work. DSLD Land Management, Inc. opened its doors in 1983. Today DSLD has built an excellent reputation in landscape construction as a prominent design/build company that services Mountain Brook and its surrounding areas. Over the past 30 years DSLD has been recognized and featured multiple times in publications such as Southern Living Magazine and Builder’s Architect Magazine. DSLD welcomes projects of any scope and size, and stands ready to serve our clients with a full staff of licensed and degreed designers, a full time administrative assistant, and one of the most experienced field service teams in the business.
The team
David H. Sharp
Pursing his life-long interest in horticulture and business, coupled with a background in drainage and soil erosion, David Sharp was inspired to create the ideal landscape construction company specializing in residential design and installation. This inspiration is now DSLD Land Management, a full service design/build landscape contractor firm founded in 1983.
David H. Sharp
Soon after graduating from Samford University, David became interested in applying his background in Geotechnical Engineering and Business Administration to a new course of study in Ornamental Horticulture. After obtaining the requisite education in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design, DSLD Land Management Co. Inc., was launched. Over the years David has been a speaker at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Public Library’s Lecture Series, and at various garden clubs throughout the Birmingham area. In addition to learning
Megan A. McNair
J. Cole Sharp
from the environment around him, David has developed a more thorough understanding of various cultural landscape design applications from his travels throughout Europe and Asia visiting gardens and landscapes in over 20 countries. David firmly believes in the value of family. Not only does he enjoy his family, but also works to improve the lives of families with at risk children. David volunteers on behalf of foster and adopted children across the country.
Megan A. McNair
Megan McNair is DSLD’s newest team member serving as a Landscape
Designer. She is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Landscape Horticulture with an emphasis in Landscape Design. While obtaining her degree from Auburn University Megan was able to develop a strong foundation in landscape design. She has advanced training and specializes in software such as Dynascape and ProLandscape. Megan forward to continuing her career with DSLD Land Management and creating spaces that reflect the lifestyle, purpose and attitude of our projects as well as injecting it with her personal flair.
J. Cole Sharp
Growing up alongside his father, Cole Sharp learned the family business from the ground up. Cole attended Jefferson State Community College where he studied Computer Information Systems Technology and Mathematics. In addition to his major courses he took Horticulture courses to enhance his knowledge of the family business. Today Cole is fully engaged in the day-to-day operations of DSLD; from sales to installation as well as providing technical support. To learn more, visit dsld.net.
Beautiful Landscape Solutions
Unique and Functional Call now and put our staff of landscape designers and field service personnel on your team. We specialize in drainage and erosion work, driveways, retaining walls, steep banks and water features! Please visit our website for more information. We have been bringing quality and value to Birmingham’s homes since 1983. David Sharp, Owner
205-437-1012
www.dsld.net
Spring Home Guide
B4 • April 2015
Village Living
Special advertising section
The perfect time for chimney repairs
Find your perfect rug
Why is it smart to have your chimney checked/serviced come spring? If the chimney is checked/cleaned/repaired at the close of season: }} The soot is cleaned out, reducing the acrid smell that lingers throughout the humid summer. }} The fireplace will be ready for the first cold spell with no waiting for an appointment. }} If repairs are needed, spring/summer time are the best time to do masonry and chimney repairs as opposed to cold weather and they can be done without the worrying about the impending cold weather needs of the fireplace. “Time is critical to everyone,” Phillip Batts said. “Do what is necessary when it can be conveniently and with low stress. How unnerving is it when James Spann tells us it
Christin Terrell
is going to be cold. You call and find that the next appointment is so far off that it makes using your fireplace not so attractive, or to finally get an appointment to find something is structurally wrong and you can’t use it until repairs need to be done next spring?” Tell us a little bit about Batts’ Chimney We are a small business that will only send out certified technicians. We refuse to send out “flue-jockeys” that only clean and have no knowledge of safety inspection/ remediation. We know our customers want their service when they want it but we cannot compromise prudent practices. To learn more about Batts’ Chimney Services, visit battschimneyservices.com or call 956-8207. Visit csia.org/Homeowner-Resources/index.aspx for more FAQs on chimney service.
The staff at King’s House Oriental Rugs enjoys getting to know their clients. To get the full King’s House buying experience, they recommend making an appointment. Owners Christin Terrell and Claire Drummond can talk with clients one-on-one to discover what they are looking for in a rug and prepare a personal selection of rugs ahead of time for viewing. Make an appointment and find your perfect rug over wine and cheese. Appointment times are usually scheduled between Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. However, King’s House can accommodate other times if a client’s schedule requires it. After making an appointment, plan to bring ideas on what sizes and styles of rugs will work in your home. Snapshots
Claire Drummond of current rugs, furniture, décor, approximate budget, floor plan and knowledge of the type of rug will help clients and the staff work together to find the rug that works best. If clients are moving or looking to upgrade a rug that they currently own, King’s House offers a trade in program. Customers can trade in antique King’s House rugs for a credit towards the purchase of another at any time. If the rug is in the same condition as when it was purchased, a credit will be added for the full original purchase price. That’s what King’s House calls protecting your investment. To learn more about King’s House Oriental Rugs, visit kinsgshouseorientalrugs.com or call 244-1933.
Spring Home Guide
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • B5
Special advertising section
Find selection and expertise at Hanna’s
When it comes to gardening, you may think you’re all thumbs. And that’s okay – because Hanna’s has the expertise to turn them green. Now that Spring has arrived, it’s time to get outside – not just for your garden, but for your soul! Nothing quite satisfies like planting beautiful things and seeing them blossom. Hanna’s Garden Shop has everything you need to make gardening a great experience – and transform the appearance of your yard, deck or patio. Their vast selection of annuals, perennials, fruit trees and shrubs is unparalleled. From Encore azaleas, hydrangeas, flowering cherries, dogwoods and crape myrtles, to Japanese maples and shade trees – oaks, elms, river birch and more – Hanna’s offers Birmingham’s best selection, spread over four acres. And their experts can guide you to perfect choices for your landscape.
The shop carries everything you need for a lush lawn, including sod by the piece or pallet, plus soil testing kits and Fertilome applications – to control pests and weeds, and nurture your yard year round! Hanna’s also offers a wide selection of seeds and ground covers. If Hanna’s sells it, they can deliver it – including landscape rocks! Everything comes straight to your door – healthy and ready to enrich your home and garden. Hanna’s, the plant savvy garden shop, has a passion for growing things – and they love sharing their expertise. If you’ve got a question, just email them at support@hannasgardenshop.com or call 991-2939. Better yet, come on down! Come for the healthy plants. Come back for the expertise. Hanna’s Garden Shop is located at 5485 U.S. 280 East. For more, call 991-2939 or visit hannasgardenshop.com
A one-stop shop for fabric, interiors and dorms
Sew Sheri is not just a store lined with bolts of fabric. It is a contemporary fabric, notions, hardware, trim and sewing essentials showroom with an open workroom, which also features Dorm Suite Dorm’s custom dorm bedding. Clients can choose or custom order fabrics for their home design projects. They may also schedule a consultation with a designer who can build on their design ideas and help them create exclusive pieces from our trend setting fabrics. The store works with clients at every stage of designing. Some are very savvy and already have specific ideas about their projects when they come in, and others are home design novices and feel more intimidated
YOUR LOCAL FABRIC RETAILER
by the process. Sew Sheri’s designers get to know the client, their personality and their specific project needs. In addition, Dorm Suite Dorm offers custom bedding solutions for college students. Pillows, duvets, bed skirts and curtains are custom made to order and can be personalized with monograms or Greek letters. The store requires three to four weeks lead time for projects, so the staff recommend placing your order early. Dorm Suite Dorm custom bedding also makes a fabulous graduation gift come May. Sew Sheri is located at 2832 Culver Road. For more information, visit sewsheri.com or call 879-8278.
&
2832 Culver Rd • 879.8278 • Mon. - Fri
Spring Home Guide
B6 • April 2015
Village Living
Special advertising section
Building quality homes Taylor Burton Company stands by a philosophy to build quality homes, renovations and additions that are designed to meet the demands of today’s markets and those of the foreseeable future. For the last four generations, the Burton family has been building a reputation for quality and excellence in home construction and remodeling in the Birmingham and Over-TheMountain areas. Their individual artistry is what sets them apart from the rest. “We help create what the customer describes,” Owner Taylor Burton said. “We understand the importance of family needs and function and let customers enjoy creativity.” The arrival of spring brings the busiest and the best time for remodeling. Customers are often looking for something fresh and new. One of the most popular redesign requests currently is for kitchen space. Customers want spaces that will accommodate their growing family needs. Though some families are not necessarily growing in size, they still need changes as a family gets older. The living room is another popular common for remodeling to create an appropriate space for families. “It’s important to create a usable
space in a house,” Burton said. In the spring and summer months, families are looking to spend more time outdoors. Taylor Burton Company frequently receives requests for outdoor projects and focuses on creating a usable space according to what the customer envisions. This season, Taylor Burton Company has noticed a trend of reclaimed wood. The company has a shipment of reclaimed wood in stock that will make beautiful flooring or ceiling beams. It could also be used to create a beautiful outdoor space. If customers are thinking about building or remodeling this season, Burton recommends checking references and getting to know builders personally before deciding. “Pick your builder like you’re going to be living with him for 20 years because you are,” Burton said. “All of your memories will be made in what you create together.” After many years in the business, Burton knows that above everything else, customers want a personalized space. Customers want their home, kitchen, bath, outdoor spaces and more to be unique and not a copy of what their neighbors or other family members have. Taylor Burton, Blake Pittman and
Cris Speegle can not only update your home, but they can also make the process enjoyable. “At Taylor Burton Company, that is what we pride ourselves in,” Burton said. “Giving each customer out eye to detail and creating a unique and personalized space that they will be proud of.” Taylor Burton Company is dedicated to being the most responsive and service-oriented home remodeler in this market. Through detailed planning, professional project management and outstanding service to clients, the company is able to accomplish just that. Taylor Burton is known as the home of quality and excellence and it is also its pledge to customers and their homes. The company has earned membership into the Master Builder and Master Remodeler programs. Companies that hold this title must have a reputation of providing exceptional quality and service which involves satisfied customers, a reputable history, a state license, worker compensation, liability insurance, professionalism, offering alternative dispute resolutions, providing a warranty agreement and participating in continuing education. To learn more, visit taylorburton. com or call 822-7936.
Custom Home Builders and Remodelers Taylor Burton, Blake Pittman, and Chris Speegle pride themselves on being “builders of homes, dreams and relationships.”
TAYLOR BURTON COMPANY, INC.
822-7936 www.taylorburton.com
Since 1986
VillageLivingOnline.com
Spring Home Guide Special advertising section
Taking care of the customer
Issis started in Pelham, Ala. in only a 2000 square foot showroom offering carpet and rugs. From the beginning in 1984 to today the philosophy is the same, “always take care of the customer,” as stated firmly by owner Steve Issis. The foundation of this business is founded on that simple, yet strong principle. With that in the foundation, Issis has grown leaps and bounds to expand the main showroom to 100,000 square feet. The showroom on Highway 280 was opened in 1999 and is 20,000 square feet. The location is a full service store offering beautiful carpets, rugs, tiles, stone and hardwoods. A wonderful and exciting addition was added in 2007 to help our customers even more. That addition was Issis & Sons Furniture Gallery in Pelham with a 22,000 square foot showroom. Managed by Nancy Gowens and a staff of talented professional decorators, the showroom offers all of the above plus a full line of quality fine furniture along with custom bedding & drapery services, accessories and lighting. This led to the opening of Issis at Greenbrier in 2013 that is managed by Anne Borland and Moeen Chadury, again offering a full line of
quality fine furniture along with customer bedding, drapery services, accessories, lighting, rug, carpet, wood and tile. The ultimate goal of all Issis stores is to make our customers happy by providing excellent service, amazing selections and quality products at affordable prices. For the spring season, Gowens and her staff have noticed several trends making their way into home décor. Most prominently, bold colors that have not been seen in a long time are coming back. Usually mixed with a gray neutral color, many shades of blue and red are adding interesting elements to spaces. Gowens has seen deep lapis, wineberry and marsala, a deep red, making come backs in pieces. Many customers also choose to mix their décor with a touch of gold or silver for more visual interest. Along with bold colors, strong patterns have also been used in interesting ways to give a unique look to spaces. Though Issis & Sons is adding new lines and is stocked with the latest trends, the store always keeps traditional spaces in mind. Issis & Sons will work with customers to achieve the look that works best for them. To learn more about Issis & Sons, visit issisandsons.com.
April 2015 • B7
B8 • April 2015
Spring Home Guide
Village Living
Special advertising section
How to bring your living spaces to life Birmingham Wholesale Furniture is much more than just a furniture store. It’s a unique business with the potential to bring your living space to life. Undoubtedly the largest furniture showroom in this area, Birmingham Wholesale Furniture still offers a hands-on, global shopping experience without having to leave town. When stepping into their 65,000-square-foot showroom, your imagination is sure to run wild. One visit will transform your mind and inspire you to create a living space seen only in magazines. With their staff of helpful interior design professionals guiding you every step of the way, the only real question you’ll find yourself asking is which room of your home to transform first. Some like to start in the dining room. The dining room is a place of gathering, and whether your home decor is casual or traditional, you’ll find it easy to improve and refine your dining space with Birmingham Wholesale Furniture. Creating a dining area that everyone can appreciate is all about quality, and with names like Bernhardt and Habersham, obtaining the perfect dining room is simple and easy. The living room is a place to wind down and entertain, and with Birmingham Wholesale Furniture your living room can become a work of art. Make your living room the toast of any party with a space that is both luxurious and relaxing. Birmingham Wholesale Furniture even offers custom upholstered and leather furniture by brands like Stickley and Theodore Alexander that can enhance any style space. From glamorous to modern, Birmingham Wholesale Furniture’s personal designers can transform your living room into the ideal balance of style and comfort. The bedroom is place to withdraw and relax, and the experts at Birmingham Wholesale Furniture have the tools to create your perfect oasis. Using creative color combinations, distinctly luxurious materials and an expansive variety
of fine furnishings, the Birmingham Wholesale Furniture design team can devise a bedroom for your home that is picture perfect. Birmingham Wholesale Furniture’s in-house buyers show a strong commitment to providing clients with beautiful, value-driven product. Their knowledgeable and friendly design consultants have access to all the resources needed to create the setting of your dreams, and their exquisite showroom exudes the luxury of buying
local while allowing us to peruse the best furniture the world has to offer. Alas, with one visit Birmingham Wholesale Furniture can completely transform your home, business or any interior space you are furnishing. A landmark on the south side of town, Birmingham Wholesale Furniture has been locally owned and operated since its founding. Their rich history spans 60 years with unwavering commitment to quality and style and their
sprawling showroom boasts every style imaginable. From rich and traditional to sleek and modern, the options are indeed limitless at Birmingham Wholesale Furniture. Stop by for a visit today and let your imagination run wild. Birmingham Wholesale Furniture is located at 2200 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham, 35223. For more visit birminghamwholesale.com or call 588-1362.
VillageLivingOnline.com
Spring Home Guide
April 2015 • B9
Special advertising section
How to select antiques for the home and garden
When you visit Christopher Glenn, you’ll find collectible items from another era. With beautifully aged antiques and a large selection of decorative items, Christopher Glenn has everything you need to create the perfect atmosphere. To help you navigate the many options available, Chris Carter of Christopher Glenn has answered some questions. How can you tell the quality of an antique? Look at the overall proportions of the piece. Do the lines flow well? Are the legs and drawers as they should be? Check for the integrity and the construction methods, used such as the thickness of the wood or veneer. Has it been repaired or refinished? Are the pulls original? Is there discoloration/ oxidation where it should be? Many older pieces will have some cracks where there has been shrinkage through the years.
What are your most popular garden items? We sell a lot of cast stone, terra-cotta, glazed pottery and cast iron. Large containers have always been a big seller. How can you use antiques to create the perfect atmosphere in a room? I try to keep a large selection of chests because this is a good start for designing a room from scratch. One of the most important aspects is the accessories. We offer a large selection of one-of-a-kind paintings, mirrors and vintage Murano glass and lamps. My mantra has always been “stick with the classics.” You can tweak any look with fabric, paint and wallpaper, but you should purchase the best quality pieces. Things of quality have no fear of time. To learn more about Christopher Glenn, visit christopherglenninc.com or call 870-1236.
Grilling supplies and tips from the experts
Alabama Gas Light and Grill has been serving the Mountain Brook area since 1972, and Mike and Linda Barnett have owned the specialty outdoor living store for over a decade. The store specializes in grills, smokers, gas logs and gas lanterns to improve the outdoor living experience. Since its opening, Alabama Gas Light and Grill has carried the oldest gas grill line made in America, Modern Home Product or MHP, and the Barnetts still maintain that tradition. The Barnetts value knowledge of their products and the ability to answer the questions that customers may have. The store also hosts grilling classes for beginners and classes that teach how to get the most use out of a smoker. Grilling Tips }} Grills are not just for meat. You can cook
vegetables, sides and even desserts on the grill. }} Anything you do on your cooktop or in the oven, you can do on a grill. Barnett bakes cakes, cookies, s’mores and pizzas on her grill with the assistance of the temperature gauge. }} Don’t be afraid to try anything. New techniques, new foods and new spices will always lead to new discoveries. }} Grill with bacon. Try making bacon on the grill to add to dishes, or wrap it around a veggie such as asparagus. }} Cook outdoors to keep your kitchen cool. In warmer months, grilling outside keeps the extra heat out of your house. Alabama Gas Light is located at 2828 Linden Ave. in Homewood. For more information, call 870-4060 or visit alabamagaslightandgrill.com
Spring Home Guide
B10 • April 2015
Village Living
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VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • B11
Bound for Brazil By SYDNEY CROMWELL At 23 years old, Caroline Hiott has a well worn passport. She’s studied abroad in Australia, traveled through Argentina and Brazil and lived with a host family in southern Spain. Before she goes to graduate school, Hiott is returning to Brazil to teach English for four months. A Mountain Brook resident since kindergarten, Hiott began indulging her desire to travel while a student at the University of Alabama. Her studies in anthropology incited a “desire to experience the people and the cultures of the world.” “Everyone says, ‘I wish I had done it,’” Hiott said. “This is the only time I can do it, so I scrounge up the money and buy a plane ticket.” After making friends with a Brazilian student in Australia, Hiott spent a month traveling his home country and Argentina. That’s when she fell in love with the people and the community-focused culture. “Brazil has a stereotype of being a really fun, really lively, beautiful place for a reason,” Hiott said.
While in Spain, Hiott had the chance to teach English to her host family. She said she likes the way English can connect people to an increasingly globalized world, and she wanted to continue teaching it. This led her to apply to schools in Brazil, and she accepted a teaching job in São Carlos in January. Hiott left on March 7 and will teach until July. She said the most difficult part of her preparations has been learning Portuguese. While she is already fluent in Spanish, Portuguese is the most common language in Brazil and, Hiott said, much more challenging. “All my friends make fun because I speak half-Portuguese, half-Spanish,” Hiott said. When she returns to the U.S., Hiott plans to go to graduate school in the fall to study social entrepreneurship. She wants to someday earn a doctorate in cultural anthropology so she can continue to study and visit the different cultures of the world. “People see traveling on Pinterest, but these places are real and when you see it, you’re never the same,” Hiott said.
Caroline Hiott and her Brazilian friend Lucas Lucchesi traveled through Brazil and Argentina for a month after meeting in Australia. This photo is from their visit to Rio de Janeiro. Photo courtesy of Caroline Hiott.
Village Living
B12 • April 2015
School House Circle of Friends at CES By COLLINS CLEGG Circle of Friends Week at Crestline Elementary was dedicated to fun, educational activities designed to promote understanding, encouragement and inclusion of students with special needs and to focus on abilities and strengths. The Special Education team was honored as well. Chairs Melissa Oliver and Emily Pruet organized events that were effective in engaging all students at Crestline to have a better understanding of their friends and to encourage more friendships. K-3 students participated in several hands-on stations where they had to experience an activity that would be difficult to do with a physical or learning challenge and
then try it again with an adaptation that makes it possible. Fourth-graders attended a program presented by Lakeshore Foundation athletes where wheelchair Olympian Mary Allison Mitford and her teammates discussed adapted sports equipment and challenged five faculty members to a game of wheelchair basketball. Fifth-graders attended an assembly presented by the Red Barn, and Crestline students to learn about service/therapy animals. Sixth-graders attended a presentation by Ashley DeRamus, who is an entrepreneur, traveler, adventurer and advocate for people with special needs. She lives out all these roles with Down Syndrome.
Students pictured at the Red Barn as part of Circle of Friends week.
CBS takes flight to support technology By CATHERINE GASQUE Cherokee Bend School held its first Winter Flight Auction on Feb. 7 at a local airplane hangar. The goal was of this fundraiser was to raise money for a media room for students. Plans are underway to create a collaborative space at school so the children can learn in a more creative environment that is up-to-date with new technology and equipment. Parents and teachers spent an evening together while enjoying great food by Shindigs and listening to music by trumpet player Bo Berry. The evening grossed more than $58,000 toward this technology project.
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PTO President Elect Amy Littleton, Food Chair Emily Amberson, Food Chair Jennifer Ware, Accounting Chair Temple Alexander, Children’s Art Chair Amy Scofield, Winter Flight Co-Chair Betsy Byars, Winter Flight Chair Dena Berte, Assistant Principal Jennifer Galloway, Principal Betsy Bell, PTO President Mary Margaret Hendry, Live/Silent Auction Chair Natalie Mussafer, PTO Treasurer Kelly Robicheaux and Live/Silent Auction Chair Leigh Haver.
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • B13
MBE in the community
Sixth-grade students package meals for Stop Hunger Now. Photo courtesy of Dina Grubbs.
By HILARY ROSS Recently, Mountain Brook Elementary students participated in a number of charitable events in our community: Stop Hunger Now, Jump Rope for Heart, and Operation School Bell. Every year, MBE sixth-grade students participate in a local charity project as a way to give back to the community as a group. This year, the students chose to spend an hour one morning before school volunteering to package meals at Canterbury Methodist Church with the Stop Hunger Now project. In total, the church’s project packaged more than 500,000 meals to provide nutrition to impoverished areas. MBE students also learned new rope jumping skills in connection with the Jump Rope for Heart unit, which promotes healthy habits for
cardiovascular wellness and benefits the American Heart Association. Older grades (3-6) formed jump rope teams and created routines. At the same time, the school raised over $13,000.00 for the American Heart Association to promote heart health in our country. Coach Cherry Thomas said this year, students had better plans, performances and teamwork than she had seen in the more than 25 years she has been an educator. Additionally, the annual Valentine Project sold valentines created by the PTO for students to exchange in class. This year, the project raised $5,000 for Operation School Bell, which serves underprivileged elementary children in metro Birmingham, and Jefferson and Shelby counties by providing clothing, toiletries and school supplies.
Cherokee Bend hosts first TEDx event in state
Chip Porter, Laura Witcher, Meagan Saia and Suzan Brandt
By CATHERINE GASQUE Cherokee Bend Elementary was the first school in the state of Alabama licensed to produce a TEDxYouth Event., which took place recently. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share and to spark deep discussion within a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where “x” signifies an independently organized TED event. Inspired by the experience of TEDxBirmingham 2014, CBS school Counselor Laura Witcher and Enrichment Teacher Meagan Saia teamed up to
offer students the opportunity to participate in a TEDxYouth event with the theme “Value Myself and Others,” the third Cherokee Bend school rule. Their goal was for the events to inspire others to think or act differently about topics such as animal and environmental conservation, fear, the myth of perfection, great teachers, the scientific method, big things kids can do, and to simply share some entertainment. Because the event was limited to 100 ticketed applicants, students at Cherokee Bend who were not able to be in the auditorium during the event will participate in their classrooms through a live-stream.
Village Living
B14 • April 2015
Brookie invasion at MBHS
Mountain Brook High School Debate Team hosts the Betty Gunn Invitational By ELIZABETH FARRAR
MBHS Women’s Choir members Lucy Collins, Lauren Cotten, Murray Brown, Eloise Cotton and Charlotte Farrar pause before taking the stage.
By ELIZABETH FARRAR For four nights in February, the Mountain Brook High School Fine Arts Center was transported back to the height of the British rock and roll invasion. Choir Director John Kinkaid and guest choreographer Todd Underwood shepherded 230 members of the Mountain Brook High School choirs as they
performed a medley of songs from artists such The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Queen and The Kinks. Vibrant backdrops and colorful period costumes added to the magic of the performances. Especially moving was Zachary and Savannah Smith’s rendition of Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion’s “The Prayer,” which brought audiences to their feet.
Members of the Spartan Debate Team.
The Mountain Brook Spartan Debate Team hosted its annual debate tournament, The Betty Gunn Invitational, Feb. 6-7 at the MBHS campus. High school students from Alabama and neighboring states competed in speech and debate events. In lieu of competing at the tournament, current and former members of the MBHS Debate Team, along with their parents, coaches and other school personnel, host the event and ensure a successful tournament, enhancing team camaraderie, character, and problem-based learning. Named for the team’s long-time debate coach, Betty Gunn, the tournament also offers an annual alumni luncheon where Mrs. Gunn’s former debaters regroup, reconnect and reminisce.
BWF Ranger Round Up By KATHLEEN WOODRY Ranger Round Up, an annual winter auction event benefiting Brookwood Forest Elementary’s Ranger PTO, was held on Feb. 6. Supporters packed the Pine Tree Country Club ballroom, which had been transformed with burlap and twinkling lights into an elegant down-home shindig. Attendees bid on items from top quality jewelry to exotic trips. There was even a coop full
of live chicks for those who cotton to keeping yard birds. The live auction was conducted by auctioneer Christie King, while guests enjoyed a barbecue dinner with all the fixings, including desserts donated by area bakeries. The auction this year also featured a special Shop Local spotlight, in tandem with the successful Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce campaign. Local businesses who donated received special recognition at the auction and
will be listed on the event website, rangerroundup.org, for the remainder of this year. The highly anticipated “Principal’s Pick” funds are designated for the cafeteria renovation project at Brookwood Forest, which is expected to be completed this summer. It will feature an open-air dining area for the students to enjoy beginning in the 2015-16 school year. Kim Fasking, auction chair, and Andrea Newell, auction co-chair, along with a committee
of Ranger PTO volunteers, worked year-round to produce a night of friends, celebration and fundraising for the school. This event is only possible because of the generosity and support of the many community families and businesses who donated items and services to benefit the children of Brookwood Forest, and their parents are very grateful.
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • B15
MBE holds Writer’s Festival
Lancer League Squires Caroline Fowlkes, Emily Browning Amason and Christian Glenos join MBE Librarian Margaret Hudson and MBE Library Assistant Libby Kiyak in welcoming Jason Chin to the MBE Writers’ Festival.
By HILARY ROSS Mountain Brook Elementary students recently enjoyed a three-day Writers’ Festival. The an annual event is sponsored jointly with Cherokee Bend and Brookwood Forest elementary schools to showcase authors, illustrators, and other creative fields such as photography or music. Students heard the writers discuss their books, and Lancer League Squires introduced the special guests. Each afternoon, the writers
were available to sign their books for students who had purchased them. Featured this year were: Jason Chin, author and illustrator of award-winning nonfiction such as Gravity, Island: A Story of the Galapagos, Redwoods and Coral Reefs; Lisa Wheeler, author of books such as Boogie Knights, Sixteen Cows and Dino-Football; and Matthew Holm, co-author of graphic novel series Babymouse and the Squish series.
TED-Ed takes shape at MBJH
Front row: Emily Bebenek, Claire Kimberlin, Griffin Darden, Blake Fields, Suzan Brandt. Back row: Andrew Cotten, Robert Goolsby, Mason Hemstreet, Charlie Slaughter, Henry Gaede, Wilson Higgins.
By DENA BERTE A new club has started at Mountain Brook Junior High, and students are getting ready for the chance to share their ideas with the whole community. TED-Ed Club is a flexible, schoolbased program that supports students in discussing, pursuing and presenting their big ideas in the form of short TED-style talks. By the end of the year, students will have brainstormed an idea worth spreading, researched a topic of interest, created a talk to present their findings and delivered this TED-style talk to the community to raise awareness, entertain, influence, or inspire those around them. Lead by Suzan Brandt and Andrew Cotton,
ten club members are outlining and drafting their TED talks. “Each and every time I speak with them about their talks, I am blown away by how amazing and creative these kids are,” Brandt said. “We have talks about bullying, fear, food deserts, identity, police response time, the need to support veterans, language immersion and animal rights. I can’t wait for our club members to share their incredible ideas with everyone.” Once a month, the club meets to watch TED talks, share ideas and work on their individual TED talks. The club members will record their talks at the end of the year and share them with the vast online TED-Ed community.
Village Living
B16 • April 2015
King receives statewide principal award Crestline Elementary Principal Laurie King has been recognized as the 2015 National Distinguished Principal for the state of Alabama. This acknowledgment recognizes principals who “set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for the students, families and staffs in their learning communities.” After being nominated by her peers, King’s application was selected by the review committee for a site visit. During this time, community members, faculty and staff, students, parents and central office staff participated in interviews with committee members.
Based on this, the committee agreed that King’s leadership best exemplified the traits of a highly effective elementary school principal. “We can honestly say that we have never worked with anyone who deserves recognition more than Laurie,” Crestline Assistant Principal Josh Watkins said. “Her humility, empathy, wisdom and compassion make her an excellent principal, and an even better mentor.” Alabama Rep. David Faulkner and Laurie King met in Montgomery the day King was selected as Alabama’s National Distinguished Principal for 2015.
Crestline Elementary students learn about global issues By COLLINS CLEGG The sixth-grade PAGE students at Crestline Elementary attended the annual Junior United Nations Assembly recently at Birmingham-Southern College. Teams represented Switzerland and Belgium. The Switzerland team addressed the problem of child labor in the country, and the Belgium team addressed the problem of Ebola because flights connect through Brussels from Africa to other countries and Belgian native Peter Piot co-discovered the Ebola virus in Crestline’s JUNA team.
the late 1970s. Switzerland team members Matthew Bottcher, Sally Bussian, John Decker, Laurel Hand, Nicholas Miller, Mac Swoger and Samantha Torch won Outstanding Resolution and Outstanding Costume awards. Belgium team members Margo Belden, Emma Kao, Betsy Lambert, Finn McCarthy, Gordon Sargent, Walton Redden and Walker Starling. won Honorable Mention for Best Prepared Team. Walker Starling won Honorable Mention for Outstanding Boy Delegate. The JUNA coach is Julia Peterson.
VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • B17
Sports
No threepeat,
but McMillan proud of Spartans By DAVID KNOX The Mountain Brook Spartans’ quest for three straight state boys basketball championships fell just short. Hoover defeated the Spartans 50-43 in the Class 7A final of the AHSAA State Finals at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on Feb. 28. “[It was a] great game,” Spartans coach Bucky McMillan said. “Hats off to Hoover. They were a very deserving team. I’m happy for Coach [Charles] Burkett to get Hoover High its first state championship in basketball.” Mountain Brook (27-8) had won back-to-back championships in Class 6A, but the shots just didn’t fall on this night. “We executed defensively… but for us to beat a very good basketball team, we’ve got to make 35 percent or higher of our 3-point shots. Tonight we were 1 for 18.” McMillan said that nonetheless he was as proud of this team as the past two champions. “Our players this year overachieved so great. There was a time at practices at the start of the year that I thought we might be a .500 team that would be hoping to get out of the first round of the area. And here
we are, playing on the last game of the last day of the season in the Alabama High School Athletic Association tournament. That says volumes of our team’s will to win.” Jack Kline and Terrell Guy each made the all-tournament team. Hoover’s Austin Cherry was named most valuable player. “We came a long way (from the start of the season),” Kline said. “A lot of people seem to forget that we were without TaWarren Grant, MVP of the state championship last season, all year due to suspension. We just had to band together. I’m very proud of this team.” Guy was very emotional in the postgame conference, thanking his coach for believing in him and giving him a chance. “Coach Bucky was the only one who believed in me. I’m glad I was able to come to Mountain Brook. I’m just happy I’m here with my team. I love them,” he said, choking back tears. Although Hoover built a quick 8-0 lead, Mountain Brook went on an 8-0 run of its own to tie the game. That was the Bucs’ largest lead of the game. The Spartans’ largest lead was three points late in the third period. It was tied at 38 when Hoover’s Maurice Brown made a 3-pointer
from the left corner with 4:30 left. Cherry added two free throws a minute later to push Hoover in front 43-39. Mountain Brook answered with Kline scoring off a nice feed from Guy to cut it back to two with 2:57 to go, and after a turnover, Jared Henderson got inside and drew a foul. He made one of two free throws to slice the deficit to a single point. But Cherry was fouled on a 3-pointer from the corner, and the senior made two of three tosses to push the lead to 45-42 with 2:18 to go. Cherry made another free throw with 50 seconds left for a 46-42 lead. A bad Spartan pass led to a backbreaking lay-in by Sam Bowman and a six-point lead with 30.9 seconds left. The Spartans had to foul, and the Bucs’ Brown made two free throws for the final margin with 19.6 seconds left. Kline led the Spartans with 15 points and seven rebounds and Guy added 15 points. Cherry finished with 14 points and nine rebounds for Hoover (279). The Spartans held Dylan Smith to just four points on 1 of 11 shooting, 1 of 9 from 3-point range. Smith had scored 27 in the Bucs’ semifinal win over Robert E. Lee.
Mountain Brook’s Terrell Guy goes up for a shot against Hoover in the Class 7A state championship game at Legacy Arena at the BJCC. Guy scored 15 points in the loss to the Bucs and was named to the alltournament team along with teammate Jack Kline. Hoover’s Matthew Calhoun (12) defends on the play. Photo by Keith McCoy.
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Village Living
B18 • April 2015
Football without feet
Not a problem for Webb
Spartans senior selected as Bryant-Jordan honoree By DAVID KNOX Ward Webb is an everyday kid. You really wouldn’t notice anything special about him as he runs around the football field for the Mountain Brook Spartans. Oh, he’s probably a little more spirited than most. And the senior linebacker was usually the first one on the field for practices over his time playing football for the Spartans. Of course, there was that time, Spartans coach Chris Yeager said … “Ward was knocked down, and his body rolled in one direction and a leg rolled in the other,” Yeager said. “And the players were shocked because they thought he’d just lost a leg in the game.” “I’ve probably broken 10 to 12 legs,” Webb said. He’s not going to let a little thing like broken legs keep him from playing. It’s always good to have a backup pair of legs. Webb has always insisted he not be treated any differently from anyone else. At 4 years old, Webb lost both of his feet, amputated after a horrible accident involving a downed power line. He wears prosthetic legs made by BioTech Limb and Brace — one type for football made of carbon fiber, Kevlar and titanium, one type for everyday activities. Actually, that’s just one of the special things about Webb. The other is that he has refused to let what some would see as a disability be the defining thing is his life. If anything, he’s drawn inspiration, strength and an amazing attitude from his situation to motivate him. Those qualities have earned Webb the 2015
Ward Webb (55) is a Bryant-Jordan Student Achievement region winner. The senior played football despite having lost the lower part of his legs due to an accident when he was 4. He played with prosthetic legs. Photo by Hank Spencer, Image Arts.
Bryant-Jordan Award for Student Achievement for Class 7A Region 3. He will be honored with all 104 of the student achievement and scholarathlete regional winners from across the state at a banquet and ceremony at the BirminghamSheraton on April 13. Webb is modest. As you talk to him, it’s clear he feels anyone in his position would have responded the same way. He’s not really keen on all the attention he gets. He feels blessed to have been able to play football for Mountain Brook. “Honestly, all my friends really helped me
through everything,” Webb said. “My parents played a big part in it and my coaches did also — I can’t say enough about my coaches. “Through the years, people told me I could do whatever I wanted to. I kind of embraced that and used it to the best of my ability.” But as much inspiration as Webb said he’s drawn from others, Yeager said that’s nothing compared to the inspiration he’s been to the team, and to the coach himself personally. “The first time I ever met Ward was when he and his mom walked into my office and he
said, ‘I want to play football.’ And my mind just started racing, because I’ve coached 30-plus years and there’s very little that comes up that you say, ‘I’ve never had this happen before.’ “What accommodations do we have to make, do we need special equipment? But he and his mom, the whole time it’s been he didn’t want to be treated differently from anybody else.” Webb played in about half the games this past season, and when you consider we’re talking about Class 7A, Region 3, the toughest region in the state, that’s a significant achievement.
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VillageLivingOnline.com “Players get upset sometimes, hurt they don’t get to play the position they want, don’t get as many touches as they want, or the playing time they want,” Yeager said. “And then you see a guy like Ward and he just loves this game, he just loves this team. I think it sends a message about the trivial things that don’t matter. Ward just makes me realize how blessed we all are, and that’s how he sees himself, it just makes those things seem trivial.” Every coach hopes to impart things to his players, inspire them, challenge them, help them become better adults down the road. Sometimes, Yeager agreed, a player teaches a coach something. “I’ve been coaching 30 years and seen some of the most minor obstacles and trivial inconveniences that [made people stop] in their tracks and go the other way. When things don’t go your way, it’s human nature to be a little bitter sometimes, think you’re entitled to a life without obstacles. “Ward has such a grateful spirit, he thinks what
April 2015 • B19 he’s done and what he’s accomplished is no big deal. He really sees himself as blessed.” Yeager recalled an occasion when Webb received an honor and it was mentioned that he’d overcome a loss. Webb said to the interviewer, “I haven’t lost anything. I’m getting to play the great game of football and I’m on a team with a bunch of guys that are as close to me as family.” Yeager said that’s just Webb being the positive, upbeat Webb. “Everybody has tough days,” Yeager said. “And I’ve gone out on the field thinking I’m having a tough day and at the other end of the field I’ll see him out there running around before practice, just throwing the football with a buddy or whatever, and it just makes you think I don’t even know what a tough day is. “It’s been an unbelievable inspiration to coach him.”
Becoming a Bryant-Jordan honoree A committee of school principals chose the Bryant-Jordan area winners. A committee of school administrators in each region then selected the regional winners. The overall winners will be selected by a statewide committee comprised of school administrators and state business leaders. All 104 will be recognized at the 2015 Bryant-Jordan Banquet set for Birmingham’s Sheraton Hotel Ballroom April 13. Each regional winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship with class winners receiving an additional $3,000 scholarship. The overall Larry D. Striplin Jr. Scholar-Athlete and the overall Ken and Betty Joy Blankenship Achievement Award state winners will receive an additional $3,000 each. Regional winners are also eligible to receive several other scholarships that will be awarded by 13 Alabama four-year colleges and 13 Alabama community colleges participating in the program. Several special scholarships are also presented annually including the Dr. Gaylon McCollough Medical Scholarship ($2,500) earmarked for a selected regional winner who plans to go into
the medical field, and the Herman “Bubba” Scott Coach’s Scholarship ($2,500) given to a selected regional winner who plans to go into teaching and coaching. The Auburn Football Lettermen and the University of Alabama “A” Club Educational and Charitable Foundation also present scholarships to selected regional winners who plan to attend either Auburn or Alabama, respectively. The Auburn Lettermen present two $2,500 scholarships while the Alabama “A” Club presents scholarships totaling $12,000. In addition, each school that has an individual classification winner will receive a $2,000 cash award. Approximately $1 million in scholarships are awarded annually in the nationally acclaimed program named for legendary football coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant and Ralph “Shug” Jordan. The program began in 1986 as a project of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Alabama High School Athletic Association and is now in its 30th year.
Ball Hogz go undefeated
The Mountain Brook Ball Hogz were fourth-grade league champions and finished the season undefeated. Picture are Hunter Hinkle, Braxton Dean, Allen Hobbs, Hart James, Jackson Beatty, David Knott and Miller Knott. The team is coached by Jim Beatty and David Hobbs.
Mountain Brook 6U team wins tourney
The Mountain Brook 6U baseball team won the Hewitt-Trussville First Swing Tournament. Back row: Ryan Pugh, Lawson Lyons, Michael Huddleston, John Stephenson, Mason Baynes, Spencer South, Parker Whitten. Front row: Henry Crommelin, Whitmore Smith, John Elliott, Eli Mastin, Luke Carroll. The team coach is Allen Baynes. Photo courtesy of Mary Margaret Stephenson.
Village Living
B20 • April 2015
Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis
We’re only human, and humans make mistakes We’ve all had them, haven’t we? Days we want to disappear. Days we want to stay in bed. Days we beat ourselves up — again and again — because we did or said something that was totally and utterly stupid. Nobody enjoys days like this, but if we’re out there living, taking chances and leaving our house each morning to make a difference in the world, we’re bound to get it wrong sometimes. All of us mess up. All of us sin. All of us come face-to-face with the painful reality that we’re only human, and humans make mistakes. Admitting a mistake is painful, and it seems to me that we commonly respond in one of two ways. We either dwell on our wrongdoings or ignore them. Neither end of the spectrum is healthy because they prevent us from living our best life possible. When we dwell on our mistakes, we stop moving forward. We fixate on what we should have done and could have done as if wishing for a different past could change it. And while it’s crucial to examine our mistakes and learn from them so we don’t repeat them, it’s easy to become frozen by fear. It’s easy to fall into
“paralysis by analysis,” deciding to never take another chance again because we’re scared to make another mistake. The other extreme is to deny our mistakes, to sweep them under the rug and pretend they never happened. This is harmful for obvious reasons, but one of the greatest dangers is what happens over time when we numb our conscience and awareness of right versus wrong. To lose our ability to recognize our mistakes is a tragedy. It’s a slow death to the soul. So what is a human to do? How can we deal bravely with our mistakes — and the consequences that result — without self-condemnation, self-hate or self-delusion? As Christians, we believe the answer is Jesus. Through His death on the cross, even our biggest mistakes can be redeemed and forgiven. We can look ourselves square in the eye to admit our human failings and desperate need for Him. God knows we’re not perfect, and through Jesus he offers freedom: freedom from the past, freedom from lies and freedom from poor choices. If there’s any upside to making mistakes, it lies in their potential to draw us closer to God and
His unconditional love because right now we’re living in an age of mercy. We’re serving a Lord who can bring good from our mistakes once we confess them with a genuinely contrite heart. Even when a situation seems hopeless, God can turn it around. He can rescue us from our predicament so we may then rescue others. There are big mistakes and small mistakes, mistakes we get over quickly and mistakes that keep us awake at night. But regardless of our track record, today is a new day. Today is our second chance to make amends and begin living the way God created us to live, which means: Saying “I’m sorry” to those we hurt. Forgiving those who hurt us. Being honest with ourselves, others, and God so that even hard truths come to light. Admitting we’re not perfect, and how that’s a good thing because if we were, we wouldn’t need a savior. Showing grace and compassion to the mistakes of others. Doing a fearless moral inventory of our habits and weaknesses so we know where we’re likely to slip. Seeking help when we keep repeating the same mistakes.
Letting go of grudges. Facing consequences and paying the price of our mistakes because getting on the right track allows healing and restoration. Our mistakes don’t overwhelm or surprise God. They don’t mess up His plan for the universe and create chaos in heaven. Even if we mess up big-time, He can redeem the mess. He can turn pain from the past into hope for the future. We’re only human, and humans make mistakes. And while there’s no joy in messing up, joy can be found in the divine encounters our mistakes lead to, when the radiance of the cross shines light on our darkest moments, reminding us of this gift called grace that makes our humanity bearable and inspires us to serve God with a grateful, humble and willing heart. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, columnist and blogger for The Huffington Post. Her first book, 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know, is available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Join her Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer”, visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@karikampakis.com.
POWER TO
CONSERVE Charles Yeager Manager and Education Director, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve
© 2015 Alabama Power Company
Safe, affordable, reliable electricity is one form of power we provide, but not the only one. For Turkey Creek Wildlife Preserve, it’s helping preserve our state’s natural wonders. With a little help from Alabama Power to create an efficient home for Charles Yeager and education center for the state, Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is proving that preservation keeps wonder alive. That’s power to preserve. That’s Power to Alabama.
Watch the Turkey Creek story at AlabamaPowerRealTalk.com.
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VillageLivingOnline.com
April 2015 • B21
MBHS fishing team wins third in tournament
Reid Carter and Brother Swagler, members of the MBHS Bass Fishing Team, caught nearly 20 spotted bass on Lake Mitchell during a recent tournament and ended up winning third place.
Reid Carter and Brother Swagler, members of Mountain Brook High School’s Bass Fishing Team, placed third in the Airport Marine High School Team Trail tournament on Lake Mitchell on Feb. 21. The two caught their limit of five fish and had a 14.73-pound bag. Carter, 18, and Swagler, 17, are seniors at Mountain Brook High School. The two launched from Higgins Ferry and fished all day almost within sight of the launch. “We were fishing a school of spotted bass on a bluff wall half a mile from the launch,” Swagler said. “We stayed there pretty much the whole day. We figured that we were on some fish, so we should just stay where we were.” “We caught our limit by 8:30 in the morning,” Carter said, “so we thought we were going to have a very, very good day after that.” “We actually caught four limits,” Swagler said. “We caught 20 fish altogether and kept culling the smallest ones.”
All the fish were spotted bass. They caught one largemouth but ended up throwing that one back. Until the tournament, the two had never fished on Lake Mitchell. “We drove down the night before and fished for about 20 minutes,” Carter said. “We caught a four-pound spot on the bluff, and we decided to fish there the next day.” He added a little ruefully, “Too bad we didn’t catch it again the next day.” Several local businesses and a couple national ones are sponsoring the high school fishing team. These include The Pants Store; Mark’s Outdoor Sports; Drs. McKinnon, Feagin, Carter, Gee and Dahl, P.C.; Reflexion Swimbaits; and Bandit Lures. Carter, the son of Amy and Britton Carter, and Swagler, the son of Susan and Rick Swagler, both say they are looking forward to the team’s next tournament. -Submitted by Susan Swagler
B22 • April 2015
Village Living
Calendar
Mountain Brook Events April 7: Community Passover Dinner. 6 p.m. Temple Beth-El. Free with reservation. A tradition Passover seder and a delicious kosher Passover meal. Call 510-9025. April 10-12: Spring Plant Sale. Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Brookwood Village. Sale will feature more than 100,000 plants. Visit bbgardens.org. April 12: Bo Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament Celebration Party. 5-9 p.m. Birmingham Children’s Zoo. Dinner, silent auction and children’s activities. $45 in advance, $50 at the door. Visit facebook.com/ thebojohnsoncharitablefoundation. April 12: Mountain Brook Baptist Church Spring Ladies Dinner. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tajaun McCarty, founder of the Wellhouse, will speak. $5. Visit mbbc.org. April 13: Bo Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament. 1 p.m. Highlands Golf Course. Visit facebook.com/thebojohnsoncharitablefoundation. April 17-19: Mountain Brook High School Spring Musical. Friday and Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. Mountain Brook High School. April 18: Mountain Brook Art Association Spring Art Show. 9-4 a.m. Crestline Field. Original paintings from local artists for sale. Live jazz band and food vendors. Visit mountainbrookartassociation.com. April 19: Color Run for Relay for Life 5K. 8 a.m. Mountain Brook High School. $30. April 25: Earth Day at the Gardens. 11
a.m.-4 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Annual celebration will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Visit bbgardens.org. April 26: Taste of Mountain Brook. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 101 Hoyt Street. Event benefits All In Mountain Brook. Visit allinmountainbrook.com. April 26: Little Leader Day. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Mountain Brook City Hall. A leadership program for first through third graders. Visit welcometomountainbrook.com. April 26: Birmingham Celebrates Israel. Noon-3 p.m. Levite Jewish Community Center. Free. Celebrate Israel’s 67th birthday with a decorated bike parade, traditional Israeli food for sale, music and more. Call 879-0411. April 26: Kreplach & Dim Sum- Yes, There are Jews in China! 3-5:30 p.m. Levite Jewish Community Center. Event features Robyn Helzner sharing about Jewish communities in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Kaifeng. Free. Visit bic-al.org. April 27: Mountain Brook Junior High Choir Spring Musical. 7 p.m. Canterbury United Methodist Church. Visit mbs.schoolwires.net. April 30: MBHS Spring Band Concert. 7 p.m. Mountain Brook High School. Visit mbs. schoolwires.net. May 1: Relay for Life. 4 p.m.-midnight. Mountain Brook High School. Proceeds will raise funds for cancer research. May 2: Food Truck Round Up. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Upper Macy’s Parking Lot. Proceeds will benefit PreSchool Partners. Visit preschool-partners.org.
Area Events Jan. 30-April 26: Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Their Contemporaries. Birmingham Museum of Art. Features works by the greatest masters of the Dutch Flemish Golden Age. Visit artsbma.org.
snacks provided by Zoe’s Kitchen, Earthfare and Nola-Ice and activities for children such as face painting and arts and crafts. Prior to the walk will be the 5K Race to Solve the Puzzle. Visit walkforautismal.com.
April 4: Art on R Mountain. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. Fine art and craft show. Free admission. Call 2237251.
April 11: Reading, Writing and Rhythms: A Kickoff Event for Birmingham Reads. 3-9 p.m. Avondale Brewery. Raffles and live music featuring Jeremy Moore, Joel Madison Blount, Jordan Teague and The Heavy Hearts.
April 4: Tragic City All Stars vs. Hard Knox Rollers Girls. 7 p.m. Zamora Shrine Temple. Visit tragiccityrollers. com. April 9-12: Alabama Ballet Presents Ovation. Dorothy Jemison Day Theatre, Alabama School of Fine Arts campus. $25-45. Call 975-2787 or visit alabamaballet.org for tickets. April 10-11: Samford A Capella Choir Performance. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. Visit alabamasymphony.org. April 10-11: 17th Annual Lebanese Food and Cultural Festival. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church. Free admission. Band, dancing, silent auction and 5K. Visit stelias.org.
April 11: 2015 Alabama Asian Cultures and Food Festival. 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Zamora Shrine Temple. $8 for adults, $5 teens, and active duty military, veterans, and college students with ID, free for children 12 and under. Call 903-5569. April 11: Tempo: A Family Fun Festival. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Crestwood Park. Free. April 12: Run for a Reason Benefitting Sozo Children. 3:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. Hargis Retreat, Chelsea. Registration is $45. All event proceeds will be used to save or rescue orphans in Uganda, Africa.
April 11: MDA Muscle Walk of Birmingham. 9 a.m. John Carroll Catholic High School. Visit walk.mda.org.
April 12: Magic City Sunday Supper. Fifty suppers available for pick-up or home delivery. Supper costs $500 with two VIP supper packages costing $3,000. Visit magiccitysupper.com.
April 11: Walk for Autism. 7:30 a.m. Veterans Park. There will be a resource fair,
April 16: Chasing Dreams: African Americans and the Perpetual
“An alternately amusing and inspiring trip from the top of the pro tennis barrel to the bottom—and back again.” -Peter Bodo of Tennis magazine
By Joe Samuel Starnes
Appearances on Saturday, April 25 Hoover Public Library 10:30 a.m., reading and discussion
Little Professor Book Center Homewood, 2-4 p.m., signing
www.breakawaybooks.com
VillageLivingOnline.com
Calendar
Area Events
Library Events
(continued)
Pursuit of Voting Rights. 7 p.m. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. A public lecture by Dr. Charles McKinney, associate professor at Rhodes College. April 16: Rivals for Wishes: Foes for a Year, Friends for a Night. 5:30-10 p.m. Regions Field. Make-A-Wish Alabama brings Auburn and Alabama Athletics together for Football Feud. Visit alabama.wish.org. April 17: Birmingham Reads Book Drive. 4 a.m-6:30 p.m. Brookwood Village. Donate new and gently used children’s books that will be distributed to students through Better Basics’ programs. Visit betterbasics.org. April 18-May 3: 2015 Decorator’s Showhouse. The Upton Estate in Vestavia Hills. Visit alabamasymphony.org. April 18: The Episcopal Place Gumbo Gala. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Regions Field. Forty gumbo cook teams will cook and serve gumbo. Live music by Rollin’ in the Hay, children’s activities and vendors selling theme-related Alabama products. $12. Visit gumbogala.com. April 18: Curtain Call Ball. 5-8 p.m. Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Family of Four: $125 Individual, Adult: $50, Individual Child: $25. Visit bct123.org. April 19: H.T. Chen and Dancers. 3 p.m. Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center-Samford
April 2015 • B23
University. $20 reserved, $15 general admission. Visit samford.edu/wrightcenter/. April 24-26: Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama. Barber Motorsports Park. $15. Children 12 and under free with a ticketed adult. Visit barbermotorsports.com. April 24: Tails in the Trails. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Birmingham Zoo. Early bird tickets, $15 through March 31, $20 April 1- April 23, $25 at the door. Visit birminghamzoo.com. April 24-25: Gardendale Magnolia Festival. Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.5 p.m. Gardendale Civic Center. Free admission and parking. Live entertainment, vendor booths, carnival, eating contests and more. Visit magnoliafestival.org. April 24-26: Magic City Art Connection Art Bash. Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.5 p.m. Linn Park. Free festival admission. Corks and Chefs: Food and Wine Tasting Event: $30 advance $35 at the door. Visit magiccityart.com. April 25: Jubilee Joe’s Crawfish Boil. 1:30-10:30 p.m. Venue 31, Pelham Event Center. 3050 Lee Street. Visit jubileejoes.com. April 25-26: Bargain Carousel. Friday 3-7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sunday 15 p.m. Prices vary by day. Call 879-9861 or visit bargaincarousel.net.
50 Oak Street, 879-0459, eolib.org
Adults
April 7: TAB, the monthly meeting of our Teen Advisory Board. 5-6 p.m.
All month: 50x50x15 Contest. Take the EOL 50th anniversary challenge by reading 50 books by Sept. 15. Five readers will win a $50 Village Gold Card.
April 23: Teen Trivia. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 4451121 to register your team. Each can have a maximum of four people.
Wednesdays: Brown Bag Lunch Series. Noon. Bring sack lunch. Beverages and dessert provided. April 5: Library closed in observance of Easter. April 13: Great Books book group. 6:30 p.m. Short story “Fat” by Raymond Carver. April 14: The Bookies book group. 10 a.m. The Invention of Wings by Sue Kidd. April 21: Documentaries After Dark. 6:30 p.m. Film about Allen Ginsberg. April 26: Poet Reading. 2-4 p.m. Acclaimed poets will read and sign their work. Free. April 28: Genre Reading Group. 6:30 p.m. Discuss true crime. April 30: An Evening with the Author. 6:30 p.m. Featuring Chris Bennett, author of Southeast Foraging: 120 Wild and Flavorful Edibles from Angelica to Wild Plums. Free. Tech Classes: Registration is required for all classes. Call Marylyn at 445-1115.
Teens April 4: Game On tournament. 1-3 p.m.
Children No regular programs the week of April 1. Mondays: Toddler Tales Story Time. 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Together Time Story Time. 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Evenings at EOL. 6 p.m. Wednesdays: Mother Goose Story Time. 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Patty Cake Story Time. 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: SNaP. 3:30 p.m. Saturdays: Family Story Time with Mr. Mac. 10:30 a.m. April 14: Family Night. 5:30 p.m. FamJam: Stories and Percussion. April 22: After-School Special. 3:30 p.m. Earth Day Rhythm Show with Funikijam. April 23: Bookmania. 6 p.m. Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key.
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