Village living february 2015 by Starnes Media

Village Living Volume 5 | Issue 11 | February 2015

Hitting home

neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook

Planting a park

The effects of new state-issued autism ID cards are reaching Mountain Brook homes. Read more inside.

Features page B1

Happy trails

Scout project helps complete Cahaba River Walk By SYDNEY CROMWELL

The Village 2 Village Run is moving to March and adding a trail run. Find all the details in this issue.

When 15-year-old Hunt Cochrane heard about the plans for the Cahaba River Walk, he saw an

opportunity. He needed an Eagle Scout project, and the city didn’t have funding for secondary trails on the site. As it turned out, he had an unexpected connection to the

park. The Mountain Brook Junior High student was showing the project plans to his grandparents when his grandfather, Carter Kennedy,

Chamber page A13

suddenly recognized the property. Years before, Kennedy had bought the land as part of his construction

See PARK | page A22

Cherokee Bend’s Corgill named National Teacher of the Year ﬁnalist

INSIDE Sponsors ........A6 City ..................A7 Business .........A9 Community ....B3

Hunt Cochrane led Troop 28 members to plant native vegetation in the new Cahaba River Walk as a part of his Eagle Scout project. The park is scheduled for completion this month. Photo by Madoline Markham.

School House...B8 Sports ...............B13 Faith .................B17 Calendar ........ B18

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By MADOLINE MARKHAM

VillageLivingOnline.com

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Ann Marie Corgill is a celebrity at Cherokee Bend Elementary. As she entered the school’s gym on Jan. 15, students cheered her name and chanted, “CBS, CBS, CBS.” The youngest ones might not have fully understood why, but they knew it was time to hold up posters and scream. The day before, Corgill, a fourth-grade teacher at Cherokee Bend, had been named one of four ﬁnalists for 2015 National Teacher of the Year. Corgill is Mountain Brook’s first-ever National Students surround Ann Marie Corgill at a pep rally held at Cherokee Bend Elementary in her honor. Photo by Madison Miller.

See TEACHER | page A23

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Village Living

A2 • February 2015

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Village Living

A4 • February 2015

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February 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ A5

Village Living

A6 • February 2015

About Us Please Support our Community Partners

Photo of the month

Leadership Mountain Brook students were recognized during the January Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce luncheon at The Club. The group of Mountain Brook High School juniors and seniors has been working on a project to bring improvements to the mall area of the school. Photo by Keith McCoy.

Editor’s Note By Jennifer Gray The Cahaba River Walk is a newer outdoor space in Mountain Brook. Boy Scout Hunt Cochrane has completed a project that has brought plants to the walking trail and other improvements. Enjoy the newest green space in our city this February. This month’s story on Brookwood Forest student, Ella Lee, shows that you can be an entrepreneur at any age. Ella’s Diamonds for Friends bracelets are

carried in several Mountain Brook stores. Find out how she started her business and the lessons she learned along the way. Another Mountain Brook entrepreneur got her inspiration while doing mission work in England. Rebecca Williamson developed a love and appreciation for British chutneys. Learn all about them and how she has created her own line of chutneys that add great ﬂavor and variety to many meats and

dishes. Lastly, a huge congratulations to Cherokee Bend teacher, Ann Marie Corgill on being one of four ﬁnalists for National Teacher of the Year. What an amazing honor for her, Mountain Brook and our state. We have all the details on the process and when the winner will be announced.

Village Living Publisher: Creative Director: Editor: Managing Editor: Sports Editor: Staff Writers: Editorial Assistant: 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 Madison Miller Emily VanderMey Matthew Allen Rhonda Smith Warren Caldwell Michelle Salem Haynes Nathan Pearman 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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Alabama Outdoors (A23) Alabama Power (B17) Amy Smith (A19) Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers (A14) Bates, Roberts, Fowlkes & Jackson Insurance (A9) Bedzzz Express (B20) Birmingham Bicycle Company (A21) Birmingham Festival Theatre (A18) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (A17) Brandino Brass (A17) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (A12, B18) Canterbury Gardens (A18) Children’s of Alabama (A23) Dish’n It Out (A21) Early Arts Preschool (B7) Escape Day Spa (B9) Ex Voto Vintage (A19) Eye Do (B10) Family Share Massage (B14) Fi-Plan Partners (A20) Fred Smith Group (B14) Garage Experts (A8) Granite Transformations (B12) Great Smiles Orthodontics (A10) Hufham Orthodontics (B8) In Shape MD (B19) Issis & Sons (A11) Jacqueline DeMarco (A19) John-William Jeweller (B13) Jordan Alexander Jewelry (B5) Kevin J. Alexander D.M.D., P.C. (A22) King’s House Oriental Rugs (B8) Kirkwood by the River (B10) Klingler’s (B11) La Catrina Mexican Cantina (A2) Lane Parke - Evson Inc. (B3) Monkee’s of Mountain Brook (B4) Morningside at Riverchase (B1) Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce (B11) Mountain Brook Trading on Dexter (B7) Otey’s (A14) Project Share (A13) RealtySouth (A24) Renasant Bank (A3) St. Vincent’s Health Systems (A16) Stephanie Steinmetz DDS (B12) Sweat and Gears (B7) Swoop (B12) Taco Mama (A8) The Maids (A13) The Pantry by Stone Hollow Farmstead (A5, B6) The Sewing Room (B18) TherapySouth Crestline (A4) Total Fitness Consultants (B15) UAB Vein Clinic (B9) Urban Home Market (B2) Village Dermatology (A7) Village Sportswear (A12) Vitalogy Wellness Center (A15, B4, B13) Weigh To Wellness (B16)

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • A7

City Council recognizes Davis, approves CrossFit conditional use By MADOLINE MARKHAM At its Jan. 12 meeting, the city council: }} Presented a resolution to Patrick B. Davis Jr. thanking him for his 13 years of service on the Mountain Brook Planning Commission. }} Approved a conditional use application for the former Little Hardware space at 2703 Culver Road. Mountain Brook CrossFit is now operating in the storefront. }} Authorized an agreement regarding the new Piggly Wiggly to be built in Crestline Village. The Notice of Assignment document confirms the city’s Revenue Sharing and Incentive Agreement with the store’s owners, Ajlouny Investments, LLC, which the city approved Dec. 16, as collateral for its Iberia Bank loan. }} Approved a building code request. The home owners were asking for a waiver of the 2012 International Residential Code for their residence under construction at 405 Club Place. This will allow them to build an exit from their basement. }} Set a public hearing for Feb. 9 regarding an ordinance adopting the 2015 International Building Code, 2015 International Residential Code, 2015 International Fuel Gas Code, 2015 International Mechanical Code, 2015 International Plumbing Code and the 2015 International Fire Code. All would be effective April 1 if approved.

Mayor Terry Oden reads a proclamation to Patrick Davis to thank him for serving 13 years on the planning commission. Photo by Madoline Markham.

}} Awarded the Fire Department uniform bid for pricing guaranteed for one year with up to two annual renewals. }} Approved $10,000 in funding for All In Mountain Brook to promote educational programs, speakers, communications and related activities to raise community awareness regarding substance use and abuse, high risk behavior, preventable accidents,

and mental health issue. }} Approved an agreement with the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (MAX) for public transportation services for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2015. }} Amended Chapter 14 of the City Code with respect to storm water plans review fees and storm water permit fees.

Heroin death rates rise in 2014 By SYDNEY CROMWELL The heroin-related death rate for Jefferson County more than doubled in 2014. According Deputy Coroner Bill Yates of the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, there were 129 confirmed heroin deaths last year, compared to 58 in 2013. Across the county, the number of deaths from heroin overdose has been rising each year since 2010, when there were 12 deaths. The growth between 2013 and 2014 was the largest single increase since that time. Yates had records of one heroin death in Mountain Brook this year, though Captain Greg Hagood of the Mountain Brook Police Department said he did not have confirmation of any heroin-related deaths. He noted that Mountain Brook experienced a spike in heroin use in 2008 and 2009, but usage has since decreased. While Mountain Brook has had a relatively minor impact from heroin, the cities around it have seen much greater effects. Within the city limits of Birmingham, 55 heroin-related deaths occurred in 2014, and Homewood and Vestavia Hills each have seven confirmed deaths. The Coroner’s Office lists six deaths in Hoover for the year, but the Hoover police have 10 deaths in their records. Other towns across the county are also seeing increasing heroin use and fatalities, as the drug is relatively cheap and easy to find. Yates said heroin is suspected as a contributing factor in other 2014 deaths, so the total may rise as more toxicology reports are completed. “Those numbers can change until all our cases are closed out,” Yates said.

Village Living

A8 • February 2015

CRIME REPORT Resident held at gunpoint on West Jackson A Mountain Brook resident was held at gunpoint in his driveway Wednesday morning, Jan. 14. At 6:10 a.m., the resident of the 3700 block of West Jackson Blvd. walked out to his car in his driveway to ﬁnd an unknown black male suspect who held a silver handgun and made him lay on the ground. The suspect then took the victim’s keys and wallet and left driving the victim’s 2004 silver Lexus. During the incident, a small dark vehicle was parked down the street from the victim’s residence and followed the Lexus as it drove away. Both vehicles were last seen driving westbound on Montevallo Road. The suspect was about six feet tall and wearing a baggy red shirt and dark pants. If you have any tips in this case, contact Mountain Brook Police Department at 8022414 or 879-0486.

unlocked vehicle and stole U.S. currency in one, and nothing was taken from other two vehicles. During the same time frame, an UBEV occurred in the 900 block of Sheridan Place where nothing was taken. On Dec. 20, a UBEV occurred in the 3400 block of Overton Road. Unknown suspect(s) entered a vehicle and stole a purse and credit cards.

Girls robbed at Jemison Park Four teenage girls were approached by a 20 to 25-year-old male on the trail at Jemison Park on the afternoon of Dec. 20. The suspect displayed a semi-automatic handgun and demanded the girls give him their property. He stole phones, a purse, a backpack and currency. The suspect was black, between 5-foot10 and 6-feet with a slender build, hair in dreadlocks and a black and red “Alabama” jacket. He left the area in a red four-door vehicle.

Theft of Vehicle On Dec. 29 between 1 and 6 a.m., unknown suspect(s) stole a vehicle in the 3600 block of Brookwood Road.

Other incidents Dec. 16-23 Unlawful Breaking Entering Vehicle Between Dec. 22 -23, three UBEVs occurred in the 100 block of Crestwood Drive. Unknown suspect(s) entered an

Theft of Motor Vehicle Between Dec. 22-23, unknown suspect(s) stole a vehicle from the 900 block of Sheridan Drive.

A residential burglary occurred in the 2000 block of Woodridge Road Jan. 1-5. Unknown suspect(s) forced entry through a basement door. Firearms were stolen. Theft / Motor Vehicle: The theft of a motor vehicle occurred in the 10 block of Clarendon Road between Jan. 5-6. Unknown suspects entered the unlocked vehicle and stole the vehicle. The vehicle was recovered in Birmingham.

Theft of Property Between Dec. 24-25, a theft occurred in the 2800 block of Culver Road. Unknown suspect(s) stole signs from a business.

Jan. 8-14 Eight vehicle break-ins occurred in Mountain Brook on Jan. 9 and 10. In one incident, a 2014 Ford Expedition that was unlocked and had spare keys inside was stolen from the 3400 block of Pine Ridge Road. According to Mountain Brook Police, most vehicle break-ins occur with vehicles that are unlocked and typically happen in early morning hours. The department is encouraging resident to lock doors, not leave valuable items visible in your car and report suspicious persons or activities to reduce these incidents. These other incidents were: Jan 10; 2700 block of Culver Road; cell phone, credit cards and a purse stolen Jan. 9-10; three incidents on 10 block of Peachtree Street; wallet and credit cards stolen in one; DVD player stolen in the second; backpack, currency, books and sunglasses stolen in the third Jan. 9-10; 3400 block of Mountain Park Drive; purse and cell phone stolen Jan. 9-10; 3800 block of Jackson Boulevard; gift cards and currency stolen Jan. 10; 400 block of Meadowbrook Lane; no items stolen

Jan. 1-7 Burglary / Residential:

-Submitted by Mountain Brook Police Department

Dec. 24-31 Unlawful Breaking Entering Vehicle Between Dec. 28-30, three UBEVs occurred in the 3600 block of Brookwood Road. Unknown suspect(s) entered a vehicle and stole an iPhone and credit cards from one vehicle, sunglasses from a second, and eyeglasses and currency from a third.

Burglary / Unlawful Breaking Entering Vehicle Between Dec. 28-29, unknown suspect(s) entered the garage of a residence in the 3600 block of Brookwood Road. While in the garage, the suspect(s) entered a vehicle and stole a wallet and currency.

Voted

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School system to focus on purpose statements Mountain Brook City Schools mailed a new report, An Opportunity to Grow, to all Mountain Brook residents in January. In an effort to further clarify the school system’s purpose, the Mountain Brook Board of Education has discussed the question, “What 10 things would we like people to say about Mountain Brook Schools?” The community, students, teachers, staff and school leaders all participated in the discussion. Eleven themes emerged from the process. “Over the next five years, we will focus on these themes in order to provide an effective, challenging, and engaging education for every one of our students,” Superintendent Dicky Barlow wrote in a letter to parents. The themes are that Mountain Brook School System: } makes decisions that are student-centered. } is committed to every student and customizes learning experiences in order to help all students reach their full potential. } seeks to communicate effectively with all stakeholders. } encourages hiring the best, most talented associates and fosters their continuous growth. } pursues a deep, rigorous, and relevant curriculum. } provides and maintains safe, state of the art facilities that meet students’ needs. } is a wise manager and steward of the system’s finances and other resources. } embraces creativity, innovation, and technology. } is a friendly, welcoming and respectful community that develops caring and well-rounded students. } practices excellence in all areas/aspects. } prepares students to flourish now, in college and in careers. The An Opportunity to Grow report can also be accessed at mtnbrook.k12.al.us.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • A9

Business New spa focuses on massage therapy By MADISON MILLER How do you unwind? Loretta Wendel’s favorite way is with a deep tissue massage. The previous owner of Little Flower Day Spa finds that most of her customers look for the same treatment to relax. At Family Share Massage, she and her therapists aim to provide shareable relaxation for the Mountain Brook community. Wendel received training as an aesthetician before opening Little Flower Day Spa in 2010. The spa was a full-service hair and nail salon and also featured massages. Having all of the treatments in one place began to have its issues, Wendel said. Customers visiting the hair and nail salons often enjoyed talking and laughing with their stylists and friends. The small space was not noise-friendly to guests looking for the quiet rejuvenation of a massage. Seeing this, Wendel decided to create a new business as a branch of Little Flower specifically for massage treatments. Family Share Massage is now up and running as a separate endeavor. Wendel recently sold Little Flower Day Spa and now focuses solely on Family Share Massage. “Little Flower grew so much and so quickly,” she said. “I didn’t realize the demand.”

fill out a diagram of the body and indicate their most troublesome spots. The therapist is then able to focus on those spots during the massage. Although the deep tissue massage is their most requested treatment, several different types are offered, Wendel said. Family Share Massage is now offering one-on-one yoga classes and Thai yoga massage, which is a fully clothed, yoga-like stretching treatment. During this massage, a therapist stretches customers to alleviate pain and stiffness. “You can’t stretch yourself the way that they can get you into these positions,” Wendel said. As the business grows, Wendel hopes to bring both old and new clients into the spa through its shareable membership program. “It’s great [because] you’re exposing a new person to a fabulous place and a great massage,” she said.

Loretta Wendel recently opened Family Share Massage. Photo by Madison Miller.

A shareable massage plan is what separates Family Share Massage from other spas, Wendel said. Members of the Family Share Massage Membership Plan receive a one-hour massage each month for $55 per month. The

massages can be used by the member themselves or given to another family member, spouse or friend with no additional transfer fee. Construction recently completed on the space and it is now in full swing.

It features a couples’ massage room with two beds and three single massage rooms. Members can purchase an additional massage for a double or couple massage at their member rate. For each massage, customers can

Family Share Massage 2816 Culver Road 445-0448 familysharemassage.com Monday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Village Living

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VillageLivingOnline.com

Now Open Mountain Brook CrossFit is now open in the former Little Hardware location at 2703 Culver Road. Owner Rodney Fulmer has taught CrossFit at a studio in the downtown ﬁnancial district for several years and moved his gym to Mountain Brook this month. 458-2210. facebook.com/ mtnbrookcrossﬁt.

Pars Gallery of Fine Rugs, 2834 Culver Road, is now open. The store offers a full selection of indoor and outdoor rugs, rug cleaning, rug repair and rug restoration. 414-8114. parsgallery.net.

Coming Soon Dr. Kevin Alexander is opening a second dentistry office in Mountain Brook Village across from Brick & Tin. This office will be run by his associate. His original office is located at 48 Church Street in Crestline Village. 871-7361. drkevinjalexander.com.

Relocations and Renovations TherapySouth, 205 Country Club Park, is undergoing renovations to improve the patient experience. Work on the renovations should be done by mid-February. 871-0777. therapysouth.net.

February 2015 • A11

News and Accomplishments Vino, 1930 Cahaba Road, now has new thermally insulated, clear plastic Polygal walls on its patio, which seats up to 40 people. 870-8404. vinobirmingham.com.

Hirings and Promotions RealtySouth has hired Mary Chambliss as a Realtor for its Crestline ofﬁce, 105 Euclid Ave. 879-6330. realtysouth.com.

Richard Grimes has been named CEO of RealtySouth. Former President and CEO Ty Dodge will serve as chairman emeritus, and Jim Dye will serve as senior vice president and general sales manager. RealtySouth has ofﬁces in Mountain Brook at 2501 20th Place S., Suite 400; 2807 Cahaba Road; and 105 Euclid Ave. realtysouth.com.

Anniversaries Trocadero Salon, 2839 Cahaba Road, is celebrating its 41st anniversary in February. 870-7650. trocaderosalon.com.

TherapySouth, 205 Country Club Park, is celebrating its sixth anniversary in business on Feb. 2. 871-0777. therapysouth.net.

Crestline CVS to move this month The Crestline CVS has set an opening date for its new location across Church Street. Its ﬁrst day of business in the former Piggly Wiggly space next to La Paz will be Sunday, Feb. 8. The existing location, 49 Church Street, will be open for business through the previous day, Feb. 7, and a grand opening event will be held Monday, Feb. 9. District sales manager Donna Yeatman said the new store will feature expanded organic

lines, locally produced items and more selections in the beauty section. They also plan to place picnic tables in front of the store. Unlike the previous location, the new CVS will also have a drive-through pharmacy. The pharmacy staff, however, will remain the same. Store hours are Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, call the store at 871-2151.

Business news Business news

Business news to share? to share?

to share? Now Open Coming Soon

Coming Relocation Coming Soon Soon

Expansion

Expansion Anniversary Expansion If you are in a brick and mortar business in Mountain Brook and want to share Ifyour you are in awith brickthe andcommunity, mortar business event in Mountain and want to share letBrook us know. your event with the community,

If you are in a brick mortar business let and us know. in Mountain Brook and want to share your event with the community, let us know.

Village Living

Village Living iving

Email dan@villagelivingonline.com

Village Living

A12 • February 2015

Chamber

Library Director Sue DeBrecht, right, presented the Tynes Award to Dr. John Poynor, center. Emily Curran is pictured on the left. Photos by Keith McCoy.

Wilmer Poynor reaches out with a fist bump as he accepts the Jemison Award. His wife, Carol, stands to his left.

Poynor accepts Jemison Award with fist bump By MADOLINE MARKHAM Three hundred and twenty people stood up to honor Wilmer Poynor as he walked up to the podium at The Club on Jan. 15. Poynor isn’t able to speak well after having a stroke, but he was able to state “thank you” to accept the Jemison Visionary Award, followed by his signature fist bump. His wife, Carol, gathered her tears to speak after him.

“This is really an honor, and I can’t thank you enough,” she said. Also at the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Emmet O’Neal Library Director Sue DeBrecht awarded the library’s Tynes Award to Dr. John Poynor, Wilmer’s brother. DeBrecht said Poynor has been a “pillar of support” to the library beginning with serving on the building committee in the late ’90s. She also recognized how his generosity has placed art installments in the building to make it “a destination of art an

culture” and enabled the installation of the arbor outside the building. City Manager Sam Gaston awarded the city Employee of the Year to Steven Gay, a public works supervisor. Gaston recognized his dedication and hard work. “I wouldn’t be up here if it weren’t for the great employees who work for us,” Gay said when he accepted the award. Later, Ben Hudson and Amber Benson of Mountain Brook High School recognized the

students in the Leadership Mountain Brook class. Mike Royer of Alabama’s 13 emceed the event, and Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange addressed the crowd about the importance of leadership and the merits of leadership in Mountain Brook. Incoming Chamber President Will Haver also recognized outgoing President Kaye Emack for her service.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • A13

Village 2 Village adds trail run Village 2 Village Run Saturday, March 7 Mountain Brook Village 10K Road Run 7:30 a.m. start $35 in advance, $40 race day

8-Mile Trail Run 9 a.m. $35 in advance, $40 race day Packet Pick-Up Friday, March 6 Mountain High Outfitters Village 2 Village Run sponsors and organizers Kathleen Hulcher of CVS, Chamber President Will Haver, Jim Dye of Realty South, David Tosch of Southeastern Trail Runs, Chamber Director Suzan Doidge, Alice Womack of First Commercial Bank and Paul Graham of Trinity Medical Center. Photo by Madoline Markham.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM The Village 2 Village run is going off the beaten path this year. The annual event is not just moving months; it is also adding a trail race. “Anyone who can do a road race can do this,” said Trail Run Director David Tosch. The trail run will stretch 8 miles through Mountain Brook. Starting in Mountain Brook Village, the

course will run along the Jemison Trail and then the Irondale Furnace Trail. At that point, runners will turn around retrace the course to the start line. Tosch, who runs the Southeastern Trail Series, said the course is much easier than the other trail runs he organizes. Typically those courses climb significant vertical distance through Moss Rock Preserve, Red Mountain Park, Oak Mountain State Park and other venues. As a result, trail runners

often walk up hills and overall go slower than on road races because of the intensity of the courses. By contrast, the Village 2 Village trail run route includes only a couple of small hills. “It’s very easy,” he said. “For a trail runner, it’s extremely easy because it’s flat.” The trail run starting line is at the same location as the finish line for the event’s traditional 10K road race, so runners can participate in both

if they choose. Mountain High will be the presenting sponsor for the run, which is held each year by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. The traditional post race party will take place in Mountain Brook Village following the races. Organizers encourage participants to register early as there are a limited number of shirts available.

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Village Living

A14 • February 2015

Birmingham lands 2021 World Games By DAVID KNOX The world is coming to Birmingham. Birmingham was awarded the 2021 World Games on Jan. 22, by the International World Games executive committee. A Birmingham contingent that included Mountain Brook residents Edgar Welden, chairman of the board of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, and David Benck, general counsel for Hibbett Sporting Goods and legal counsel to the ASHOF, was in Lausanne, Switzerland, to make its final presentation and hear the decision of the committee. During its meetings on Jan. 21, the IWGA executive committee had made a final assessment of the bids from Birmingham; Lima, Peru; and Ufa, Russia, and evaluated the delegations’ final presentations. The IWGA Executive Board took the final decision on the host city for the 11th edition of this multi-sports event at its meeting the next morning. This announcement is subject to successful negotiation of contractual conditions, and subsequent confirmation by the IWGA‘s Annual General Meeting in April 2015. The agreement with the next host city will be signed right after the AGM. The 10th edition of The World Games will be staged in 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland. The IWGA flag will be handed over to the representatives of Birmingham during the closing ceremony in Wroclaw in July 2017. Giving reasons for the decision in favor of Birmingham, President José

The Birmingham contingent celebrates awarding of 2021 World Games in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Jan. 22. Pictured are Mountain Brook residents David Benck and Edgar Welden with Ron Froehlich, Johnathan Austin, Scott Myers and Steve Mistrot. Photo courtesy of Jodi Benck.

Perurena mentioned the excellent bid presented by the host city. “We are happy to showcase our sports in Birmingham in July 2021, and we are sure that we will be offered optimal conditions for our sportsmen and women there. All the bids we received were of very high quality, and it was not easy for us to reach a decision. We have to deliver nothing less than outstanding World Games. We are convinced that Birmingham will exceed these expectations,” Perurena said. Birmingham offers all prerequisites to stage an event like The World Games, the IWGA president added.

This refers not only to the required sporting venues and infrastructure. The city also meets expectations in terms of organizing skills and the support of the city administration and the National Olympic Committee. The World Games is a multidisciplinary sporting event consisting of non-Olympic sports that has been held every four years since 1981. It includes approximately 36 sports with more than 100 countries and 4,000 athletes participating. The event takes place over 11 days. Among the participating sports are aikido, archery, billiards, bowling, canoeing, dance sport, flying

disc, gymnastics, handball, karate, kickboxing, lacrosse, orienteering, powerlifting, racquetball, rugby and softball. Each city can add up to five “invitational sports,” or sports of local interest. Among the possibilities that have been recommended are three-onthree basketball, cricket and sporting clays, among others. World Games executives toured Birmingham and its sports venues, hotels, restaurants and college campuses in October. The venues Birmingham has to offer was one of the committee’s biggest selling points. “Birmingham is really fortunate to

have the venues we have,” Welden said before leaving for Switzerland. “They’re outstanding, and the important thing is we don’t have to go spend money creating, building and investing in venues. We already have the venues we need.” The estimated cost to host the games is $75 million. A Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau study projected a $256.5 million economic impact from the games. Sam Addy of the University of Alabama Center for Business and Economic Research estimated a low of $230 million and a high of $280 million impact.

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February 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ A15

Call for

NOMINATIONS C OMMUNITY

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villagelivingonline.com/award by Feb. 8 to nominate Voting will take place Feb. 23- March 8

Village Living

A16 • February 2015

A taste of

Britain, Southern-style

Crestline resident markets new line of chutneys By MADOLINE MARKHAM

Rebecca Williamson dishes her chutneys into a tray for tasting inside her Crestline home.

Most people are wary of trying chutney, says Rebecca Williamson. The name conjures up images of a spicy Indian jam, and how Williamson describes it — a British condiment made of fruit, sugar and vinegar — might sound a little strange to Americans. But most who give in to her pleas to taste her Holmsted Fines chutneys end up buying a jar. And when Williamson, a mother of three small children who loves good food but doesn’t have much time, describes how she uses it in the kitchen, the appeal grows, just as it did when she first tried it. After graduating from Auburn University, Williamson moved to England in 2002 to do mission work with Youth With a Mission. She lived in an old manor outside London named

Holmsted that served as a discipleship training school for the organization. The house, she said, was dilapidated, but her experiences inside it were rich. It was during that time that she first discovered green tomato chutney, a staple condiment in the country. “In England you grab butter and chutney at the grocery store, it’s just what you did,” Williamson said. “The closest thing we have is relish, but chutney is more versatile because it has fruit in it. It takes the palate further than relish.” At the end of each summer, the short growing season in England leaves a plethora of green tomatoes, and the English preserve them in chutney, a condiment they Westernized based on spicy chutneys they found complementing meats, cheese and pastries when the British Empire ruled India. After a year at Holmsted, Williamson’s

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • A17

Holmsted Fines’ line features Green Tomato Chutney, Balsamic Red Onion Chutney and Peach Chutney. Photos by Madoline Markham.

path toward mission work was rerouted, and she entered Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in London. When she later came back to the U.S., eventually marrying and settling in Crestline, she couldn’t find authentic English chutney that satisfied her palate. Here, she said, chutneys in stores are red tomato-based and sweeter than what she had found in Europe. And so, she made her own. Last year, Holmsted Fines chutneys were born with labels bearing an image of the manor that first brought her

to England. The chutneys have been for sale in local boutiques and grocery stores since May, and they can now be found in Whole Foods stores around the Southeast. Williamson is an ingredient purist. The English put malt vinegar on almost any food, and likewise, it’s essential to her chutney recipe. Another must-have for her recipe was demerara sugar, a rich, raw sugar produced in England. Food packers would later try to get her to use another kind, but she insisted this was necessary

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no matter the cost. All of Williamson’s chutneys have the same ratio of apples, golden raisins, sugar and vinegar, but additional ingredients distinguish each variety. Peaches and apple cider vinegar create a completely distinct flavor that she thought would be familiar to Southerners. The third variety works in a few of her favorite ingredients, balsamic vinegar and red onions. It has become her biggest seller. Williamson’s friends have enjoyed cooking

with her chutneys, and she encourages them to go beyond putting them over cream cheese for an appetizer. This past summer several friends would pour the green tomato chutney over their barbecued Boston butts. She recommends the red onion-balsamic chutney on burgers and tenderloin, and the green tomato stuffed in pork or chicken breasts. Recently Williamson has been experimenting with other recipes that are featured on her website. The peach chutney stars in a bourbon-ginger beer cocktail and a barbecue sauce, and the balsamic red onion mixes with Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard for a French-onion-like dip for chips, crackers or veggies. At home, Williamson’s husband likes the green tomato chutney on his sandwiches, and her three children like the peach variety best. One night she was serving her kids chicken fingers and ran out of ketchup. Mutiny ensued, she said, but the peach chutney came to the rescue. Williamson mixed it with Greek yogurt, and a new dipping sauce was born. Next to her passion for chutneys and pastries, Williamson’s heart is still set on the mission work. Today she stays involved by giving to causes she believes in, and her business does the same. Each chutney jar is marked by her “committed to give” symbol, signifying that at least 10 percent of her proceeds go to Neverthirst, a Birmingham-based organization that gives resources to provide wells in third-world countries, and to International Justice Mission, an organization that fights human trafficking, both causes close to Williamson’s heart. Most recently, Williamson has been working to get her chutneys in more stores and developing a new fourth flavor she said will be spicier, but not of the Indian variety. Around Birmingham, Holmsted Fines chutneys are sold at Whole Foods, Western Supermarkets, Piggly Wiggly, Oak Street Garden Shop, Please Reply, Oli.O, A Little Something Boutique and Alabama Goods. For more information or to order the product, visit holmstedfines.com.

Village Living

A18 • February 2015

Entrepreneur at 8 Brookwood Forest Elementary student starts bracelet business By MADISON MILLER As a girl, making and trading bracelets is often a sign of close friendship. But for Brookwood Forest Elementary student Ella Lee, the craft is also part of her business model. At 8, Ella is the creator and owner of Diamonds for Friends friendship bracelets. The idea began when a friend started her own website to sell paintings. Ella wanted to contribute to the merchandise, and with the help of her mother Kim Lee, came up with a design to add to the site. Now, Ella’s bracelets have made their way as products into three Mountain Brook stores. “Just this little idea turned into something really fun,” Kim said. “She loves it.” Ella and her mother decided on a design using embroidery floss and a string of eight rhinestones. The floss is wrapped around each rhinestone and held in place with knots on each end. Ella can make the bracelets in a variety of colors, but some of her most popular include sports team colors. She decided on bracelets after thinking about how she could make a product that people could give as a gift. She enjoyed giving her friends gifts and thought making something to give to others would be a good way to give back.

Ella Lee shows off the finished product of her Diamonds for Friends bracelets. Photo by Madison Miller.

“[Giving gifts] makes them feel good, and it makes me feel good, too,” Ella said. Ella started selling bracelets in the

summer. With school out, she was able to create many bracelets to provide to the websites and stores. Now that school is back in session, she has to

balance time, extracurricular activities and bracelet making, but Kim believes her daughter is learning valuable lessons from the experience.

“It’s a lot of responsibility,” Kim said. “You have to work really hard. She had a really hard time understanding when we first went to Learning Express, but now she’s learned how other people can sell your stuff for you.” Kim also said Ella had a hard time understanding that she had to spend her own money to buy more material for bracelets, but now she knows that she also has to make more. Kim encourages Ella to save the money from her business so that she will learn smart money habits from an early age. Each time Ella receives an order, percentages are taken out for savings and for tithing at church. Ella has sold almost 100 bracelets since beginning Diamonds for Friends. She hopes to sell the bracelets at more stores in Mountain Brook soon. While she is enjoying running her own business, Ella’s favorite part of making the bracelets is brightening people’s days. “I like it when my friends are happy,” Ella said. Ella’s bracelets are available for $6 each. Find Diamonds for Friends bracelets at The Pants Store, Mountain Brook Sporting Goods and Learning Express.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • A19

Foots Parnell to reign at Krewe Ball By MADOLINE MARKHAM Foots Parnell’s regalia as king of the 48th Beaux Arts Krewe Ball this month will have a special addition: a mallard patch. Seven of his guards will be wearing it as well. As members of the Smiling Mallards Society, they have been hunting together for 30 years. Parnell’s kingship marks their fourth member to serve as Krewe king. “We are like a band of brothers,” Parnell said. “One of the most fortunate things that has happened to me is having a lot of friends from different backgrounds. That is rewarding.” The club of wing shooters traveled to South Dakota for the opening of pheasant season last year and has been to Mexico, Montana, Argentina and other places over the years. Parnell is passionate about his involvement with the Krewe and various causes in the community, but his face lights up the most talking about being outdoors with the Mallards and spending time with his family — especially grandchildren Carleton and Hugh — at his hunting property in Maplesville. Nestled in the hills of Chilton County, the farm was originally owned by his grandfather, Leighton Calhoun Parnell Sr., who ﬁrst developed the nickname “Foots” that would be passed down three generations. They call the property “Foothills.” A Birmingham native, Parnell was a member of the second graduating class at Mountain Brook High School. He said they call it “the

class that never left” because so many of them stayed in Birmingham. A group of about 25 of their classmates celebrated their 50th and 60th birthdays with “Men in Black” parties where they were the only attendees to wear tuxes. After earning a degree in economics at the University of Alabama, Parnell started in the commercial mortgage business. Today he is the managing member of Interﬁrst Capital LLC, which originates and secures commercial mortgage loans for shopping centers, apartment complexes and other projects. He and his wife, Allene, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on an African safari last year. Parnell has long been active in the community, serving as past president of Mountain Brook Club and Redstone Club and a longtime member of Independent Presbyterian Church, but today he focuses on raising funds for three causes closest to his heart. He played baseball at the University of Alabama and now serves on the steering committee for a new $40 million baseball stadium being built in Tuscaloosa. The school’s previous stadium had been named after Parnell’s grandfather, Joe Sewell. After losing his daughter, Carleton, to a battle with cancer in 2002, Parnell became active with the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, which he counts as a “fabulous state-of-the-art facility.” He served as president of its advisory board and co-chair of fundraising for the Hazelrig-Salter

This year’ Krewe Ball King is Leighton C. “Foots” Parnell. Photo courtesy of Dee Moore.

Radiation Oncology Building that opened two years ago. “A lot of people don’t realize the quality of the care that’s here,” Parnell said. “The best quality care is right here, and the research is incredible.” The center is working to create more afﬁliations with community hospitals in surrounding areas and to build awareness about cancer treatment in the Black Belt region, he noted. Parnell is also looking forward to the opening of another building, the new PreSchool Partners facility scheduled for completion by May, and how it will allow the program to increase its enrollment by 60 percent. He has served as co-chair for its capital campaign, and his

daughter, Allene Neighbors, works as the organization’s development director. “What they do for those at-risk kids is remarkable,” Parnell said. “If they are prepared for kindergarten with parental guidance, they will succeed in school.” Parnell said being asked to serve as king of what he calls “Birmingham’s Mardi Gras”this month is a humbling honor, and he is especially excited to be there with his niece, Mary Virginia Grisham, who will be presented, and her father, James Ernest “Bo” Grisham, who is the Krewe president this year. Parnell’s father was an early member of the Krewe, and his uncle Dr. Joseph Sewell Jr. was the king in 1974.

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Village Living

A20 • February 2015

Valentine’s Gift Guide For the

For the

FASHIONISTA

OUTDOORSWOMAN

Kendra Scott Jewelry $52-80

Hunter Gloss Back Adjustable Rain Boots $158

These gold pieces will add a pop of color to any wardrobe.

This update to the classic rain boot can be adjusted at the back to tighten the fit.

Monkee’s of Mountain Brook 2006 Cahaba Road 783-1240

Alabama Outdoors 3054 Independence Drive 870-1919

For the

COMFORT LOVER B Soft Pajamas $74 This bamboo-cotton flannel set comes in color patterns and, just as its name says, is soft to touch. Marguerite’s Conceits 2401 Canterbury Road 879-2730

For the

ATHLETE Gift Certificates Various prices

For the

GREEN THUMB

Gift certificates provide three or more one-on-one personal training sessions.

Succulents in Small Hypertufa Planters $3-$7 Mini hen and chick succulents are a perfectly atypical way to tell a friend you’re thinking of them.

The Fitness Center 3900 Montclair Road 870-1121

Leaf & Petal 2817 Cahaba Road 871-3832

Join Us for the Samford Business Network Birmingham Quarterly Meeting and Breakfast featuring

Robert Moore President of LPL Financial The #1 independent broker-dealer for 19 straight years*

Robert Moore will present what it takes to lead the largest independent broker-dealer in the nation. Robert will discuss his international business experience and how it shaped his own leadership style. He will also share his expertise on capital markets and the important choices facing our generation for continued prosperity and freedom. When Thursday, February 19, 2015 From 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST

Hosted by:

Where The Harbert Center 2019 4th Ave. North Birmingham, AL 35068

Securities Offered Through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Samford University is not affiliated with LPL Financial. *As reported by Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2014, based on total revenue.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • A21

For the

ANTIQUE LOVER Red Velvet Fainting Sofa $1,250 This unique 19th century red velvet fainting sofa is in excellent used condition. Mountain Brook Trading on Dexter 2 Dexter Avenue varagesale.com

For the

COOK

For the

COLLECTOR

Baked Brie Bowl $40 These Earthborn Pottery pieces by Tena Payne come with a recipe for a party-perfect appetizer inside. The Cook Store 2841 Cahaba Road 879-5277

14 Karat Yellow Gold Necklaces $495 bar shape, $545 eclipse shape Both the diamond bar and eclipse shape will add an extra sparkle for your sweetheart. Bromberg’s 2800 Cahaba Road

For the

GIRLY GIRL Sponge Hair Curlers $10 These heart-shaped curlers are soft enough to sleep in overnight. Swoop 2721 Cahaba Road 803-0886

For the

INDULGENT Couple’s Massage $119 per couple Family Share Massage’s couple’s massage special will run through the month of February for Valentine’s Day. Family Share Massage 2816 Culver Road, inside the Mountain Brook Mall 445-0448

Celebrating over 10 years in the Crestline Area! • Kid’s Bikes • Road Bikes • Mountain Bikes • Comfort Bikes • Trainers • Bike Accessories • Full Service • 24-Hour Turnaround on Repairs • Professional Fitting Service

(205) 870-8330

www.BhamBicycle.com 1105 Dunston Ave • Crestline Park Next to Saw’s Juke Joint on Dunston Ave

Scan for Map & Hours

Village Living

A22 • February 2015 PARK

CONTINUED from page A1 of the River Run subdivision. He donated the leftover land to Brookwood Baptist Church, which eventually sold it to the city to create the park his grandson was now helping to create at the intersection of Overton Road and River Run Road. “What a small world,” Cochrane said. Cochrane finished his Eagle Scout project in January. With the help of about 10 fellow members of Troop 28, he created a 4-foot-wide gravel path across the park and planted native vegetation along the path and in the bioswale, an area designed to naturally remove pollutants from water. Cochrane also installed identification markers for the trees and native plants. There was plenty of research involved in finding the best native plants to grow in the park. Cochrane had to consider which species would grow well in the winter and would filter water in the bioswale without clogging it up. After seeing a deer in the park during one visit, Cochrane had to seek out deer-proof plants as well. The species that made the cut included Ohio buckeyes, oak leaf hydrangeas, bursting hearts and southern shield ferns. Local florist Rebecca Cohn sold them to Cochrane at cost to help make the project more affordable. The bioswale that Cochrane planted is part of a plan to keep the Cahaba River clean. Runoff rainwater from the parking lot will go through the bioswale and the plants will filter out pollutants and harmful chemicals before the water reaches the river. Cochrane had to raise all the funds for his Eagle Scout project. He estimated that the plans would cost around $1,500, but he said his family, friends and fellow Scouts were generous. He raised more than $3,100, and the leftover money will be donated to the city for future improvements to the river walk. “I wanted to help the city and improve upon this park for future use,” Cochrane said. Nimrod Long of Nimrod Long and Associates said he was glad to see Cochrane’s work, which helped to make the park look like he had originally envisioned.

The park’s picnic pavilion was scheduled for completion by the end of January. Photos by Madoline Markham.

“Hunt’s done a good job. He’s been very diligent and worked hard,” Long said. “Adding that [nature trail] back in and adding the picnic shelter really completed the park.” Another Boy Scout completed his Eagle Scout project at the park. Reid Carter, the son of former council member Amy Carter, built a split-rail fence at the front of the park. Amy Carter said she knew the city did not have the funding for the fence, which led Reid to take on the project. The 17-year-old Mountain Brook High School student raised $2,500 and, with the help of six other Scouts, completed the fence in July. He has already had his Eagle Scout ceremony. Aside from Cochrane’s project, the 4.7-acre park includes a 0.3-mile loop walkway, a 20-car parking lot, a path to the natural stone beach at the river edge and more native plants throughout. Long said an existing hardwood forest on the site was preserved for visitors to enjoy. He estimated that some of the magnolias, oaks, beeches and

maple trees were more than 50 years old. Local schools can use the park’s stone seating area adjacent to the river as an outdoor classroom. Long said the Cahaba River Society teaches elementary students about the river’s importance and takes them into the shallow area near the beach to look for fish and mussels. A picnic pavilion overlooking the river will also be available for events. The pavilion was a later addition to the plans for the park. Long said its location gives a great view of the Cahaba River and hills in the background, and he expects it to be popular. “It’s going to be a nice feature, and I’m glad the city and the park board found the money to add that back in,” Long said. With the addition of the pavilion, the total cost of the park was around $450,000. The pavilion was scheduled to be complete at the end of January, and Long estimated that landscaping, drainage and other small details will be finished before Feb. 15. After a final double check of the

Hunt Cochrane holds a tree marker that was placed in the park for his Eagle project.

park, Long expects to hand it over to the city for a grand opening in early or mid-March. There are currently no plans for additions to the Cahaba River Walk, but the long-term vision is to build connecting paths through Mountain Brook and surrounding areas. Long said the full sidewalk master plan will take coordination between the county and several municipalities, but his company contributed by building a 2-mile trail between the park and the Carraway Davie House at 4465 Old Overton Road. Enabling residents to easily walk to the park could make it a more popular spot. The finished Cahaba River Walk will provide opportunities for people to exercise, picnic, fish, canoe and just enjoy nature. Long said the dedicated work of community members like Cochrane and council member Virginia Smith were integral to the project’s success. “Having a park on the river and touching the river is nice,” Long said. “It’s a whole other dimension for citizens.”

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • A23

Cherokee Bend Principal Betsy Bell congratulates Ann Marie Corgill the week she was named a top-four finalist for National Teacher of the Year. Photos by Madison Miller.

TEACHER

CONTINUED from page A1 Teacher of the Year finalist, and Mountain Brook Superintendent Dicky Barlow believes she is the first Alabama Teacher of the Year. “She has mastered the best practices of teaching, but along with that she is also a teacher who sincerely desires to find out how to help a student learn most effectively,” Barlow said. “With those strategies and her care and concern for individual students, she deserves all the accolades she is receiving.” In addition to Corgill, a 20-year veteran in education, the other three finalists are from

Hawaii, Indiana and Texas. The winner will be named in April and then spend a year traveling the nation to represent educators and advocate on behalf of teachers. Corgill submitted a 20-page application for National Teacher of the Year in October but said she had no idea she would be selected until she got a phone call with the news. She had to keep it a secret for five days before the formal announcement, so she said she spent a lot of time talking to her dog and wondering if it was real or not. As she outlined in her application, Corgill said the message she would send the nation as National Teacher of the Year is the same one she is seeking to share this year with her home state.

Students cheer for Ann Marie Corgill at a pep rally held for her at Cherokee Bend Elementary.

“It’s important to not just teach for college and career readiness but civil and progressive democracy,” she said. “We must teach social skills within the academic content of the day so children know how to work together and problem solve and grow to be independent. I want to provide [students] that opportunity from the youngest years so they can be forever learners and change the world for the better.” The National Teacher of the Year is selected by a panel representing 15 education organizations, which collectively represent more than 7 million educators. The panel will conduct a three-day interview of the four candidates in March. During that time, Corgill will give keynote speeches and participate in panel

interviews similar to what the national winner would conduct. In April, President Barack Obama will recognize the National Teacher of the Year in a White House ceremony where all the other state teachers of the year will also be present. Since getting the news in January, Corgill said she has felt honored and has had fun hearing from former students and parents she has known in Alabama and New York. “I am not an award kind of person,” Corgill said. “It’s more for me to be able to be a voice for positive change and public recognition of the good things happening in schools, not just for me but for children in our state and nation.” Madison Miller contributed to this report.

Pediatric

ENT

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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

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Village Living

SECTION B Community B3 School House B8 Sports B13 Calendar B18

State introduces

autism identification cards By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Autism Society of Alabama Executive Director Melanie Jones holds one of the new state-issued autism identification cards. The society also has emergency alert decals to place on vehicles to inform first responders about drivers with autism. Photo courtesy of Autism Society of Alabama.

Bama Hager’s 14-year-old son enjoys movies, computer games, music and jumping on the trampoline. He also has autism and is in school at Mountain Brook Junior High, but Hager expects that he will never be fully independent. His diagnosis comes with a lot of worries for Hager: his education, day-to-day welfare and long-term care, to name a few. “My husband’s and my greatest fear is the same fear of every autism spectrum parent,” Hager said. “‘What will happen when I am not there to help him?’” As the policy and program director at the

Autism Society of Alabama, Hager works to make these worries a little easier for parents like her. The ASA’s most recent successful campaign was the introduction of state-issued identification cards for people with autism. The Alabama legislature’s Act 2014-344, which governs the use and eligibility of these cards, went into effect on Jan. 1. People with autism spectrum disorders can apply for the cards with the Alabama Department of Public Health. The cards have an explanation of autism’s

See CARDS | page B16

B2 â&#x20AC;˘ February 2015

Village Living

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • B3

Community MBCC consignment sale to feature spring and summer clothing

Julia Denson, Caroline Goldasich and Jill Aldridge at last year’s Sweet Repeats sale.

Mountain Brook Community Church will be host its spring and summer children’s consignment Sweet Repeats sale Feb. 6-7. Clothes, toys, books, shoes and baby furniture will be at the sale, which benefits mission trips to Haiti, Dominican Republic, Peru, Hungary and San Diego for the church. Of the sales, 75 percent will go to the seller, and the remaining 25 percent will go toward trips.

The sale runs Friday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 7 from 9 a.m.-Noon. Items marked “discount” will be half-price on Saturday. The sale will take place in Mountain Brook Community Church gym at 3001 U.S. 280. For more information, visit mbccsweetrepeats.blogspot.com.

Annual book sale returns to Emmet O’Neal Library

Library patrons peruse the selection of books at last year’s Friends of EOL Book Sale. Photo courtesy of Emmet O’Neal Library.

Once Santa’s elves clock out after Christmas, the Friends of the Emmet O’Neal Library elves get to work. Each year, the last weekend in February brings the Friends of EOL Book Sale. With a donation of $25 or more to the Emmet O’Neal Library, patrons receive an invitation to the book sale preview party on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 6-8:30 p.m. The sale opens to the public Saturday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 22, from 1-4 p.m. During the sale, residents may drop in, select books and purchase them to support the Library. Organizers encourage stopping by each day of the sale to peruse the collection. Proceeds from the sale fund library programs for all ages throughout the year. The Friends group accepts book donations

throughout the year in preparation for this sale. To do so, ring the doorbell at the back door of the Library and ask for a receipt. Visit the Friends page of the Library’s website at eolib.org/friends.php to make a donation.

Friends of EOL Book Sale Emmet O’Neal Library Preview party for donors Thursday, Feb. 19, 6-8:30 p.m. Open for general public: Friday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 1-4 p.m. eolib.org/friends.php

Village Living

B4 • February 2015

Join the effort to Stop Hunger Now By SANDY PORTER Several Over-the-Mountain churches are committed to packing and sending 500,000 meals to school children in lesser developed countries this month. Working through the hunger relief organization Stop Hunger Now, church members and volunteers from the community will meet at Canterbury United Methodist Church, 350 Overbrook Road, to package the dehydrated meals Feb. 8-10. The program combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packets. Each meal costs only 25 cents, has a shelf-life

Volunteers work to package meals for the hungry.

Honor a teacher, give to the schools foundation Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation is bringing back its “We Love Our Teachers” campaign for the third year. Parents and students can thank their teachers, school staff or administrators by donating to the foundation in their honor. Each time a teacher is honored, he or she will receive a Valentine’s note from the foundation letting him or her know. Boxes will be placed in each school for donation checks and pledge cards throughout February. Participants should list the teacher’s name and the name of the person/ family making the gift on the check if they do not use a pledge card. Families can also make donations at mtnbrookschoolsfoundation.com or through the mail at PO Box 530834, Mountain Brook, AL 35253.

of five years and transports quickly. “At 25 cents a meal, a check for $25 will feed 100 people,” said Rachel Estes, outreach director at Canterbury United Methodist Church. “It’s the cheapest dinner party you can host!” The first year volunteers packed 142,560 meals, and the past three years, with the help of other churches, they prepared more than 500,000 meals. “The enthusiasm for this event is catching on in our community, and each year we have more volunteers and monetary donations,” Estes said. To reach the goal of 500,000 meals, the churches need volunteers from the community in addition to their own members. There

are roles for all ages and skill levels, and organizers encourage area businesses, Boy Scouts, garden clubs, classrooms, sports teams, Bible clubs, book clubs, supper clubs, families and anyone wanting to participate in a meaningful outreach project to participate. Jobs involve everything from scooping dried food to lifting heavy boxes to sorting containers. Shifts are from one to two hours, and childcare is offered. To volunteer or make a donation, visit canterburyumc.org or email Ellen Thomas at Ellen.Thomas@canterburyumc.org.

MBJH to host TEDx events

Last year the campaign raised more than $10,000, and organizers hope to surpass that number this year. The Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation, an independent non-profit corporation, secures resources from individuals, corporations and foundations to support technological advances and professional development for the staff of the school system. Gifts to the foundation are tax deductible. Foundation Director Anne Womack said she encourages gifts to “bring some mid-winter cheer to someone who has made a difference in your life or the life of your child.” For more visit mtnbrookschoolsfoundation.com.

TEDx is coming to Mountain Brook. Mountain Brook Junior High School will host a live stream of the Tedx Birmingham conference open to the public on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tickets for the main event at UAB’s Alys Stephens center have already been closed, but the event at the school will allow for another group to witness it and build community with other attendees as well. TEDx hosts a combination of live presenters and TED Talks videos to sparks deep conversation and connections at the local level. TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics. The Ted-Ed club at MBJH is planning the live stream event as a fundraiser for its own TED event later this year. The group meets regularly to study TED Talks and learn how

to be a great speaker, said MBJH technology coordinator Suzan Brandt. During the lunch break on Feb. 28, the students are planning a special TEDx VIP lunch event. The $50 lunch ticket price will include the meal, a T-shirt and additional presentations by former Ted speakers. Those who attend the luncheon will also be the first given the opportunity for the live stream tickets. Students who are a part of TEDx Youth at Cherokee Bend Elementary will be a part of a meet and greet at the lunch as well. Tickets are limited for both the live stream and the lunch. There is no cost for the live stream event. For MBJH event tickets, visit mtnbrook. k12.al.us/mbjh. For more TEDx information, visit tedxbirmingham.org.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • B5

Ovarian cancer cycle now in three-hour format

Participants in last year’s Ride to Change the Future ride spinning bikes at the Levite Jewish Community Center. Photos courtesy of the Norma Livingston Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

By MADOLINE MARKHAM Birmingham’s Ride to Change the Future has changed to a three-hour cycle format in hopes of welcoming more participants. The spin bike ride, which raises funds for UAB’s gynecological oncology department, was six hours in previous years. This year’s event is set for March 1. “It’s an inspirational event for a good cause,” said Susan Greene, executive director of the Norma Livingston Brown Ovarian Cancer Foundation. “During the training rides, you build community, so when you get to the [main] ride, you know people. We say it’s not just a fundraiser, it’s a friend-raiser.” Greene said if you can do a regular spin bike, you can ride for three hours. Participants can also join for one or two-hour segments instead of the full three. You can also ride one hour each with a team of three. In order to be a part of the event, participants pay a $50 registration fee; for riders 25 and younger the fee is $25; and survivors are free.

They can register as individuals or as part of a team and ride for one to six hours. The registration fee includes an event t-shirt, gift bag of goodies, and refreshments and entertainment on the day of the event. Registered participants can also come for free spin classes prior to the March 1 event, and optional free group rides will be offered Feb. 15 and 22.

Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation

Ride to Change the Future Sunday, March 1 Levite Jewish Community Center 9 a.m.-noon nlovca.org ovariancycle.kintera.org

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Kiwanis Club members cook sausage at a previous year’s Pancake Breakfast.

You can start your Valentine’s Day off by eating pancakes for a good cause. The annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14, from 7 a.m.noon at The Exceptional Foundation, 1616 Oxmoor Road. In addition to the breakfast, the event will feature children’s activities, face painting,

clowns, live music and a silent auction that ends at 11 a.m. Breakfast costs $5 per person. The event is held by the Kiwanis Club of Homewood-Mountain Brook and supports the organization’s work with Children’s of Alabama, The Exceptional Foundation, Reading is Fundamental, local high school clubs, and other services benefiting children.

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Village Living

B6 • February 2015

Family event to support McWane programs Area families are invited to test their brain power and problem-solving skills at McWane Science Center’s 14th annual Beaker Bash: Unlock the Puzzle on Feb. 7. The family-friendly fundraising event directly supports statewide science education programs and makes ﬁeld trips affordable for thousands of students. Co-chaired by Kelley R. Caine and Hill R. Weathers, the 2015 Beaker Bash committee members include Bethy Allen, Beth Bailey, Ashley Bazemore, Ragan Cain, Margaret Cobbs, Erica Cone, Stephanie Davis, Jessica Donald, Bridget Drennen, Marchelle Falkner, Mary Catherine Ferguson, Burgin Franks, Mary Frances Graves, Ashley Greer, Dee Grisham, Melissa Goggins, Hebard Haugseth, Leigh Haver, Katie Hoffman, Ashley Inscoe, Betts Johnson, Carlie McMillan, Elizabeth Miles, Casey Moore, Rebecca Moore, Catherine Pringle, Mary Screws, Carolyn Thagard, Ginger Thuston, Ashley Todd, Clayton Trotter, Catherine Tucker, Dawn Turnbull, Sarah Warburton, Mallie Whatley, Meg Wilson, Caroline Woods and Bevelle Worthen. Visit mcwane.org/join/give/beaker-bash/ for more information or to buy tickets.

Members of the Beaker Bash planning committee. Front row: Erica Cone, Melissa Goggans, Stephanie Davis, Katie Hoffman, Marchelle Falkner, Caroline Woods, Mary Catherine Ferguson. Back row: Hill Weathers, Sarah Warburton, Meg Wilson, Mary Screws, Margaret Cobbs, Ashley Todd, Kelley Caine, Betts Johnson, Rebecca Moore, Ragan Cain and Ashley Greer.

Big Top event to beneﬁt Glenwood Mountain Brook residents on the Junior Board of Glenwood are currently planning the 11th annual A Night Under the Big Top to be held Friday, Feb. 13. The event will be held at The Club beginning at 8 p.m. and feature live music, food and drinks, casino games, and a silent auction. All proceeds beneﬁt programs and services for children with autism. Glenwood works in 103

school systems and 58 counties, with more than 8,000 individuals total. One out of every 68 children born today will be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (CDC, 2014). Last year’s Big Top event raised $215,000 and had more than 700 people in attendance. Tickets cost $60 per person or $110 per pair in advance may be purchased at glenwood.org.

Glenwood Junior Board Executive Committee members Andy Parker, Erin Clark, Vice President Noah Oliphant, President Will Thuston and Glenn Drennen. Not pictured: John Goldasich and Katie Gulas.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • B7

Young women presented at Redstone Club ball

Elizabeth Douglas Corey, Patricia Lawrence Stutts, Caroline Addison Drew and Eugenia Maddox Watkins. Photo courtesy of Dee Moore Photography.

The Redstone Club’s 107th annual Christmas Ball was held recently at the Country Club of Birmingham. More than 800 members of the Redstone Club and their guests attended the group’s annual Christmas celebration. The president of this year’s ball was William E. Matthews V, who attended with his wife, Lizy. The ball chairman was Gregory S. Curran, who attended with his wife, Emily. The floor committee chairman was J. Murphy McMillan III, who was at the ball with his wife, Beth. The East Room of the Country Club was decorated by Sybil Brooke Sylvester of Wildflower Designs. Christmas trees were adorned with lights and “snow clouds” of white flowers while holiday garlands were draped throughout the room. Under a ceiling of seeming star lights, a full moon shone bearing the Redstone Club official emblem. This year’s presentation class included 17 college seniors who wore traditional

long white dresses and gloves: Elizabeth Douglass Corey; Caroline Addison Drew, Elizabeth Lyons Durkee, Caroline Carter Given, Margaret Ruffner White Page, Elizabeth Fields Perry, Ann Popwell Anthony, Margaret Elizabeth Caffey, Caroline Carney Donald, Dorothy Jane Estes, Catherine Bower Winifred Hughes, Virginia Addision Sewell, Elizabeth Sellers Shook, Patricia Lawrence Stutts, Katherine Sheilds Tynes, Lillie Belle Wentz Cannon Viebranz and Eugenia Maddox Watkins. Overseeing the class were Ladies Committee members Mrs. William B. Walheim Jr. (Cary), Henry Claiborne Crommelin (Jane Houston) and Mrs. John Parker Evans II (Jennifer). One of the highlights of the luncheon was the reintroduction of the presentee class from 1964, of which 21 of 45 women were in attendance to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Mrs. Frederick Renneker, III (Mimi), a member of that class, was the 1964 presentee chairman.

Celebrations Mayer-Erickson Katherine Walker Mayer and Kyle David Erickson were married on Oct. 4, 2014, at the Mayer family home at Lake Martin near Alexander City. The late afternoon ceremony was officiated by the Reverend Richmond R. Webster and was followed by dinner and dancing. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Charles Mayer III of Birmingham. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Stanley Walker and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Charles Mayer Jr., all of Birmingham. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Erickson of Altona, Illinois. He is the grandson of Mrs. Priscilla Mae Craft and the late Morgan Curtis Craft of Streator, Illinois, and Mr. and Mrs. Scott Donald Erickson of Altona, Illinois. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an A-line duchess satin gown by Winnie Couture of Beverly Hills. Her fitted bodice was adorned with ivory silk rosette appliqués and Swarovski beading, and the waistline was accentuated with a custom made crystal-encrusted Swarovski belt. The dress was finished with three layers of ivory-colored French tulle. French-braided with ivory ribbon and tied with a family handkerchief from the groom’s grandmother, the bridal bouquet featured an array of roses, dahlias and ranunculus in brilliant fall colors. The bride was attended by her sister, Jane Mayer Andino, of Santa Monica, California, as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Janiece Anne Erickson, sister of the groom, of Louisville, Kentucky; Jessica Jackson Sasser of Birmingham; and Kira Grace Foy and Bianca Louise Rodriguez of Santa Monica. David Michael Nelson, of Savoy, Illinois, served as the best man. Groomsmen were Jorge Enrique Andino II and Adam Robert Beattie

Dixon of Santa Monica; Michael Norman Baker of Columbus, Ohio; and Bradley Michael Bizjack of Louisville. Readers were Elizabeth Mercer Jackson of Wetumpka, Alabama, and Michael Philip Reginelli of Bloomington, Illinois. After a honeymoon trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, the couple resides in Santa Monica.

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

B8 • February 2015

School House Indian Springs senior earns perfect ACT score Tristan Trechsel has earned a perfect score on the ACT college entrance exam. Trechsel is a senior at Indian Springs School and a Mountain Brook resident. The odds of achieving a perfect score are extremely low. Of the 1.8 million students who took the standardized test nationally as members of the graduating class of 2014, about 1,400 — less than 0.08 percent—scored a perfect 36, according to data provided by ACT, Inc. “Earning a perfect score on this nationwide test is no easy feat,” ISS Director Gareth Vaughan said. “We are extremely proud of Tristan and this exciting accomplishment and believe that it speaks volumes about his aptitude, talent and work ethic. It also represents well our students’ commitment to excellence in the classroom and beyond.” Trechsel earned his perfect score on his first time to take the ACT, which was Oct. 25. He didn’t use practice exams or guides to prepare but instead believes that staying relaxed during the test helped him do his best. “I’ve never had any kind of test anxiety, so before the test I remember looking up at the painted ceiling tiles in my test room, feeling nostalgic about Freshman English,” he said.

CES honors veterans

Tristan Trechsel

A stop by Starbucks on the way to the test might not have hurt, either. “I got up early enough to get a double shot and a breakfast sandwich!” he said. Trechsel, who is also a 2015 National Merit Semifinalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction, comes from a long line of Indian Springs graduates, including Dr. Frank Trechsel ’69, Hayden Trechsel ’72, Mary

Trechsel Smyer ’82, Julia Trechsel Davis ’03 and Lake Trechsel ’04. A singer/songwriter and member of the Indian Springs School Choir, Trechsel plans to study physics in college and is currently applying to some of the most selective schools across the country. -Submitted by Indian Springs School

Luke Evins with his three grandsons Laurence, Weston and Luke Barringer.

By COLLINS CLEGG The Veterans Day Program at Crestline Elementary is truly a highlight of the school year. The fifth-grade students perform a musical tribute to veterans, and all Crestline students are invited to honor a special veteran in their life. This year, more than 80 veterans attended the program.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ B9

Village Living

B10 • February 2015

CBS hosts beekeeper By CATHERINE GASQUE Beekeeper Frank Little recently visited third graders at Cherokee Bend School to discuss bees. He spoke about the lifecycle of the honeybee, how the queen becomes the leader of the hive and its hierarchy, the process of making honey and, most importantly, the importance of bees in our lives. Ava Gillis, Ashley Courington, Paige Parant, Harrison Parker, Beekeeper Frank Little, Camp Forbus, Drew Bodnar, Collin Hamilton and Livy Holt.

Top spellers at Brookwood Forest

Celebrating the holidays at BWF

Spelling bee participants in grades four to six.

Third grade students from Jennifer Hunt’s class.

By KATHLEEN WOODRY

Brookwood Forest Elementary School recently hosted a spelling bee for students

in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. The overall winners were Catie Pitard, first place; Emily Keplinger, second place; and Cam Taylor, third place.

EYE

WE ARE COMMITTED TO YOUR EYE CARE.

In December, Brookwood Forest Elementary hosted its annual holiday program

under the direction of Debbie Rakes. There were two different performances showcasing the talents of students in kindergarten through third grade.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • B11

Ben Standaert wins District Spelling Bee Highlands Day student Ben Standaert spelled the winning word, doctrinaire, at the Mountain Brook District Spelling Bee on Jan. 8. Winners from each of the local elementary schools, Mountain Brook Junior High and Highlands Day competed for the district award. Ben will go on to compete in the Jefferson

County Spelling Bee. Other contestants were Kennedy Stewart, Mountain Brook Elementary; Laurel Hand, Crestline Elementary; Ethan Gonzalez, Mountain Brook Junior High; Catie Pitard, Brookwood Forest Elementary; and Ethan Shunnarah, Cherokee Bend Elementary.

Contestants Kennedy Stewart, Laurel Hand, Ben Standaert, Ethan Gonzalez, Catie Pitard and Ethan Shunnarah.

CES holds toy drive

MBE makes holiday music

By COLLINS CLEGG Crestline Elementary held its annual toy drive for Brookville Elementary School in December. Students collected 25 boxes of new toys and 12 boxes of books to donate. The CES Student Council along with Counselor Bonnie Lorino loaded the toys and books in the school bus and delivered them to Brookville to be distributed to the families in their community.

MBE third-grade “reindeer” with music teacher Shari Dorsett.

By HILARY ROSS Mountain Brook Elementary students in kindergarten through third grade recently presented a holiday program to parents and friends. Under the direction of music

Laurel Hand, Grace Knight and Margo Belden.

teacher Shari Dorsett, the whimsical musical featured reindeer on bouncy balls, hula hoops, solos, instruments, and Mary and Joseph. MBE looks forward to the event each year and how it gets everyone into the holiday spirit.

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Village Living

B12 • February 2015

Teachers of the year announced

Alumni return to MBHS to talk college

MBHS graduates Nicholas Barnette and Daniel Bolus talk to Nancy Hollis’s Algebra 2 class. Photo by Claire Davis.

Teachers of the Year Cathy Ivey, Geri Shadeed, Jennifer Jinnette, Diane Waud, Hannah Peters. Photo by Madison Miller.

By MADISON MILLER Principals from each Mountain Brook school announced their selections for teachers of the year at the board of education meeting on Jan. 12. The following teachers were recognized: }} Brookwood Forest: Diane Waud, kindergarten }} Cherokee Bend: Hannah Peters, fifth-grade }} Crestline Elementary: Laura Butler, music }} Mountain Brook Elementary: Jennifer Jinnette, kindergarten }} Mountain Brook Junior High: Geri Shadeed, ninth-grade English }} Mountain Brook High School: Cathy Ivey, chemistry

The Mountain Brook Board of Education also selected a committee to choose two teachers from this group as elementary and secondary representatives to be considered for Alabama Teacher of the Year. The board selected Jennifer Jinnette as its elementary representative and Geri Shadeed as its secondary representative. Both will go on to be considered for Alabama Teacher of the Year for the 2015-2016 school year. “We want to spotlight these fabulous teachers for all of their accomplishments,” Superintendent Dicky Barlow said. The next board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 9 at 3:30 p.m. at Brookwood Forest Elementary School. Visit mtnbrook.k12.al.us for more information.

By THOMAS COONEY AND MATHILDE SHARMAN Mountain Brook High School students returned from holiday break to a surprise. On the first day back, more than 20 alumni visited the school to talk to students about the opportunities MBHS offers and ways to prepare for the college application process. “So many memories flooded my mind as I walked through the high school for the first time in years,” said Nick Barnette, a sophomore at TCU. Alumni spoke to the students about topics such as preparing for college, taking advantages of opportunities at MBHS, AP classes, SAT, ACT and the application process. “I wanted to speak about how well Mountain Brook prepared us for college and gave us the tools to succeed,” said Kate Causey, a student at Furman. The idea for an alumni visit was proposed by Dr. Sue Davis, an AP Physics teacher, as well as parents Tricia Pugh and Honey Taylor.

“It was fascinating to sit in on a classroom, hearing alumni talk about the impact of their high school course selection on their college life. They all talked about how they learned how to write here,” Taylor said. “My oldest went to Sewanee, and he loved to be able to give tours and show his school. He was thrilled to be able to come back and talk to students.” Tulane University freshman Bedell shared how life beyond the classroom at Mountain Brook prepared her for success in college. “High school is the perfect time to figure out how much academic work you can handle and how much you can do socially and in terms of extracurriculars,” she said. “The more you do in high school, the more you’re going to learn to manage your time,” she explained. Organizers hope that event becomes a regular one. “I’m sure we’ll have seniors who will reach out to us in the future to come back and share their college experience,” Pugh said.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • B13

Sports Top-ranked Spartans on target for threepeat By DAVID KNOX

Mountain Brook’s Terrell Guy drives for a layup. Photo by Image Arts.

After a brief slip to No. 2 in the Class 7A poll, Alabama Sports Writer Association poll voters came to their senses and moved the Mountain Brook Spartans back to the top spot in the poll released Jan. 14. Still playing without star TaWarren Grant, who has been suspended due to unannounced school violations, the Spartans played some of their best basketball of the season in beating Spain Park and Hewitt-Trussville in area games to improve to 18-4, 3-0. In a game televised by WABM My68, the Spartans used their ferocious pressing defense and a sharp offensive attack to overwhelm then-No. 4 Spain Park 64-44. The Spartans benefited from the absence of Jaguar big man Austin Wiley, who was sick and didn’t play. The Jaguars fell to 17-3, 1-1 in the Area 6 game. The homestanding Spartans, seeking their third straight state championship come March, were never headed. They led 20-10 at the quarter, 36-19 at the half and 50-31 after three periods. Jack Kline led the Spartans, doing much of the damage inside without Wiley to contend with, scoring 18 points and pulling down seven rebounds. Terrell Guy came off the bench to score 15 points. Jamal Johnson scored 12 points to go with five

rebounds and two blocked shots, and A.J. Smiley scored 12 points. Spartans coach Bucky McMillan said he thought his team did a better job of not turning the ball over than they had been. “And what a great atmosphere for high school basketball,” he said of the full-house crowd in Spartan Arena. “This was a battle tonight, and I think our team handled it pretty well.” The Spartans followed that by hammering host Hewitt-Trussville 70-38. The Spartans forced 26 turnovers, including 16 steals, and had 16 assists in the victory. Terrell Guy led the Spartans with 13 points. Jack Kline and Jared Henderson added nine points apiece and Henderson added seven rebounds. Mountain Brook’s boys were to close out January with challenging games. A rematch with Spain Park, this time at Spain Park, a game against improving Hoover and a Border War match with Blackman of Murfreesboro, Tenn., are among those games that should be tests for the Spartans. Area tournaments will be held Jan. 31-Feb. 7 and sub-regionals are Feb. 9-10. Regionals will be Feb. 11-19. The newly christened State Finals for all seven classes will be held Feb. 23-28 at Legacy Arena at the BJCC.

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Village Living

B14 • February 2015

Bowl season Mountain Brook High starts bowling program as AHSAA declares it an emerging sport By WILL DAVIS Mountain Brook is home to the winningest athletic department in the state of Alabama with 150 state championships, and now the school has added another sport it can shoot for a championship in. The Spartans introduced a bowling program earlier this year by advertising tryouts to the student body and eventually selecting a group of boys and girls to make up each team. “My friends and I were initially surprised Mountain Brook had a bowling team but thought it’d be a good thing to do for our senior year,” said Anna LaRussa, a senior on the girls team. “It’s been a good way to hang out with my friends and meet some new ones.” “I wanted to join the bowling team to have a good time with my friends and get to play a timeless sport that everyone loves,” Bill Perry,

a senior on the boys team said. The Alabama High School Athletic Association declared this season that boys and girls bowling be designated an “emerging sport” – that is, one to be tried as a non-championship sport for a period of time to see if enough interest exists to make it a full-fledged state championship sport. Denise Ainsworth, director of programs for the AHSAA and who oversees the sport, said bowling was declared an emerging sport after a survey of schools indicated enough interest. “Over the past few years, it’s been the fastest growing sport nationally at the high school level,” Ainsworth said. “We are always looking for ways to include more kids in athletics. Bowling is a way to reach a different group of kids who might not be interested in football, basketball or baseball.” A major boost to the effort has been the

A Spartan bowler shows good form during a recent match with Spain Park.

cooperation from the bowling centers, which have agreed to provide lane space free of charge for two years, at least, plus free house bowling balls and shoes. “The bowling centers have been just wonderful to work with,” Ainsworth said. The Spartans will play all of their home games at Brunswick Riverview lanes, which is located on U.S. 280. Along with LaRussa, Madalyn Rosenthal, Mary Keller Greene, Lizzie French, Ella McAtee, Margaret Murray and Haley Fenn are a few of the players on the girls team. The girls team has split

its first two games. It competed against Spain Park on Jan. 13 and Vestavia on Jan. 21. Boys team members include Brother Fitzpatrick, Gaines Hartley, John Null and Perry. The boys team is off to a tough start, having dropped both of its first two games. Both teams are led by Shane Stearns, who has been a longtime assistant coach for the Mountain Brook football and baseball teams. If at least 10 percent of AHSAA member schools field teams next year, it can become a championship sport once the association’s Central Board of Control approves it.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • B15

Members of the Mountain Brook girls bowling team say they’ve had fun and met new friends through the school’s bowling team.

“We have 40 schools declared to participate right now, and we have right about 400 schools (in the AHSAA),” Ainsworth said. “So we’re right there. We think next year it should be a championship sport. We’re excited.” Many people don’t realize bowling is a collegiate sport. The NCAA sponsors women’s bowling as a championship sport, and the NAIA sponsors both men’s and women’s bowling as an emerging sport. There are no NAIA men’s teams in Alabama, but there are several in Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky.

Most of the NCAA’s emerging sports are for women, prompted by the need to meet Title IX laws to provide scholarships to women. In Alabama, Alabama A&M and Alabama State have NCAA Division I bowling teams. UAB had one for several years until UAB President Ray Watts killed the program along with rifle and football in December. According to latest figures provided by the NCAA, there are 33 NCAA Division I women’s programs, 18 more at Division II and 10 at non-athletic-scholarship Division III. That was not the primary focus for instituting bowling at the prep level, but if students can find

Photos by Keith McCoy.

yet another means to help pay for a college education, “that’s always a bonus,” Ainsworth said. Gail Dent, a spokeswoman for the NCAA, said that its research group shows that in Division I in 2013-14, there were a total of 127 total equivalencies (scholarships) for bowling with 226 student-athletes receiving aid (at more than $3.2 million). In Division II, there were a total of 34 equivalencies with 131 student-athletes receiving aid (at more than $719,000). So there may be some opportunities for Spartan bowlers to get scholarships, and if all goes well, next season they could be competing for a

state championship. “This season has been a hard one, considering this is our first year for a bowling team,” Perry said. “But even if our team hasn’t won all of our matches right off the bat, we have more ambition to be the best than I have ever seen. “This season the team’s goal is to have a good time and maybe beat a few rivals here and there [Vestavia, Hoover] for the bragging rights,” Perry said. And next season, just maybe a state title will be coming down the alley. David Knox contributed to this report.

Village Living

B16 • February 2015

Alabama is now issuing identification cards for people with autism.

CARDS

CONTINUED from page B1 effects and a place for emergency contact information. Hager said she believes these cards could be crucial for drivers with autism in interacting with police or other first responders. Communication issues and delays in processing language are central to autism, and stressful or fearful situations can exacerbate these problems. Hager said that during a traffic stop, a police officer might interpret the behavior of a person with autism as noncompliant, flustered or even resistant, when in reality the person is struggling to handle the situation. “Many interactions with first responders will often occur during events that might provoke frustration, fear and anxiety,” Hager said. “That experience is often heightened for those on the spectrum. In other words, a teen or adult with autism may function very effectively and independently in the community. When faced with a stressful event, the same teen or adult may have a very difficult time communicating their thoughts and feelings.”

Hager said that for some individuals, these high-stress situations can produce behaviors similar to people under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. She met a man through the ASA who has never had an alcoholic drink but has had a sobriety test every time he’s pulled over because of his reaction to anxiety. With the introduction of these cards, drivers with autism can keep the cards next to their licenses and hand them both to police if they’re pulled over. This would help officers understand how to interact and be patient with the driver. A sample card on the ASA website says, in part, “I may have difficulty understanding your directions, and I may not be able to respond to your questions. I may also become physically agitated if you touch me... Please do not interpret my behavior as refusal to cooperate.” The card will be equally useful in other emergency situations, such as dealing with firefighters and paramedics. Remy Cron, a 12-year-old with

high-functioning autism, will be getting a card. His mother, Tracy, said her son is in accelerated math classes and plays soccer, but his autism only becomes apparent in social situations. The Brookwood Forest student does not understand social cues about personal space, which Cron said could be misinterpreted as awkward or even threatening to strangers. “I think the card is something that will help with tolerance and understanding, especially for these quirky behaviors,” Cron said. She also hopes Remy can get a driver’s license in the future, when the card will again become useful in giving her peace of mind and her son more independence. “I think it’s going to give him a lot of freedom,” Cron said. “Without it I’d imagine he’d have to have supervision at all times.” The creation of these cards was truly a grassroots effort, Hager said. Parents and other advocates in Huntsville and Decatur began encouraging a special note on drivers’ licenses

for people with autism. Because of health confidentiality reasons, this idea was changed into the optional identification cards. The ASA and parents across the state got involved in the effort, as did 3rd District Senator Arthur Orr, and the bill was enacted into law during the spring 2014 legislative session. “People all over the state of Alabama are saying ‘Yes, this is something we like,’” Hager said. “That’s a really neat thing to see a law go into effect that obviously meets a need.” The ASA and the state autism coordinator at the Department of Mental Health helped in the creation of the identification cards and informing first responders across the state. To apply for a card, contact the ASA at 951-1364 or email Hager at bamah@autism-alabama.org. “My hope for all families living with ASD is that our communities, our government and our culture will continue to develop supports and assistance for those on the autism spectrum,” Hager said.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • B17

Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

What’s so great about marriage? When my sister got engaged years ago, she made an observation that I’ve since realized is very true. “So many people are negative about marriage,” she said. “When I say I’m engaged, they want to tell me how terrible it is.” Now, I know marriage is hard. I understand there’s a vast difference in the mindset of a new bride and a couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. I’m aware that some people have a reason to be down on marriage because their spouse put them through the wringer and when their marriage ended it was a blessing. But oftentimes, the negative mindset prominent in our culture is caused by looking at marriage the wrong way. Magnifying the bad instead of the good. Listening to people complain about their spouse and deciding we should complain, too. Blaming our spouses for everything that goes wrong and unloading frustration on them because the promise of “till death do us part” makes us feel safe enough to do so. What gets lost in all this negativity is the spiritual aspect, the understanding of how marriage — as the deepest, most intimate relationship possible with another human — is meant to draw us closer to God. How marriage is a vehicle to discover not only earthly joy, but also heavenly joy, a taste of what’s to come. How the real goal is to help each other become better people and grow into God’s image. The most helpful marriage advice I’ve ever heard, in fact, came during a church service two years ago. During a liturgy, a priest said: “The

purpose of marriage is to help each other get to heaven. The reason marriage doesn’t exist in heaven is because you don’t need it once you’re there.” Wow. If only someone had told me that when I was young bride who thought it was my husband’s job to keep me happy (because frankly, he’s great at that). If only I’d thought more about our salvation and less about my wants, I could have asked myself all along whether my words and actions might help or hinder my husband’s spiritual journey. At the heart of every marriage are two sinners. Each person has weaknesses and flaws. But each person also has strengths and talents. And when you pool your strengths together, you can help compensate for the weaknesses. You can find a solidarity that isn’t possible alone. Still, it’s easy to be skeptical of marriage. It’s easy to listen to the naysayers and divorce rate that warn against it and wonder what’s so great about marriage anyway. I’ve been married 16 years, and while I still have a lot to learn, I see clearly why marriage exists. And if a bride-to-be asked for my advice, I’d tell her this: }} Marriage is awesome and so fun. But keep realistic expectations and know upfront that you’ll have ups and downs. Expect some hard times, and they won’t shock you. You’ll work through them and emerge stronger on the other side. }} It’s really cool when you react to someone’s

story, and they tell you, “That’s exactly what your husband said!” After this happens four or five times, you realize you’re thinking with a common mind. You two have become one. }} Pray with your spouse. Read the Bible. Go to church and bow your heads before the Lord, humbly worshiping side-by-side. There are a 1,000 ways to build intimacy, but a spiritual connection makes every other connection deeper and richer. It’s the glue that keeps you together. }} Get ready to laugh a lot. Because in your private world, minor incidents become inside jokes that remain funny 20 years later. Other people won’t get them, and that’s the point. They’re only funny to the two of you. }} It’s okay to argue, but don’t be hateful or mean. When you disagree, look for a compromise. Meet in the middle or go with whomever holds a stronger opinion. }} Let your husband’s love teach you about Christ’s love. When he says you’re beautiful without makeup, when he hears your biggest secrets and loves you the same, when he forgives you or shows grace, when he goes to work every morning to provide for the family, when he lights up at the sight of you, when he holds you tight in bed at night because you’re crying over a bad day, this is how God reveals Himself through your marriage. Take the love your husband gives you, and share it back with him and others. This is how God’s kingdom grows. }} Kids definitely add stress to a marriage. Kids

also bring you closer together because you’re constantly bonding and marveling over the beautiful creatures you created. Like your spouse, God will use your children to reveal Himself. And through all these intimate relationships, He seeks to make you a better person. In short, there’s a major upside to marriage. But only with God at the center does it work. Only when marriage is used as God intends, as a means to heal, restore and redeem the two lives joined as one, can the benefits be realized. “The purpose of marriage is to help each other get to heaven. The reason marriage doesn’t exist in heaven is because you don’t need it once you’re there.” When I reflect on these words, I want to be a better person and a better wife. I want heaven as much for my husband as I do myself. And in that divine framework, I hear the negativity of our culture drowned out by the call of God, a God who created the gift of marriage so we can bring our partner home with us, and spend eternity with the one who taught us how to love and be loved, how to know Christ and how to be like Christ to everyone we encounter. 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 now 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.

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Village Living

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Calendar Mountain Brook Events Feb. 4: Mountain Brook Elementary Kindergarten Student Enrollment. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Mountain Brook Elementary. Visit mtnbrook.k12.al.us. Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: Beginner Computer Classes – How to Navigate the Internet. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Levite Jewish Community Center. Members $50. Non-members $65. Visit bhamjcc.org. Feb. 6-7: Sweet Repeats Consignment Sale. Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. Mountain Brook Community Church. Visit mbccsweetrepeats.blogspot.com. Feb. 7: Plant-Soil Relationships. 8:30 a.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Visit bbgardens.org. Feb. 8: Stop Hunger Now. Noon. Canterbury United Methodist Church. Volunteers will pack and sending 500,000 meals to school children in lesser developed countries. Visit canteburyumc.org. Feb. 11: Brookwood Forest Elementary Kindergarten Student Enrollment. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Brookwood Forest Elementary School. Visit mtnbrook.k12.al.us. Feb. 11: Mountain Brook Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Briarwood. 5 p.m. Mountain Brook High School. Feb. 14: Homewood-Mountain Brook

Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. 7 a.m.-noon. The Exceptional Foundation. Visit kcohmb.org. Feb. 14: Herbs: From the Ground to Medicine Cabinet Part I. 2 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Visit bbgardens. org. Feb. 17: Mountain Brook Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Chelsea. 7:30 p.m. Mountain Brook High School. Feb. 18: Cherokee Bend Elementary Kindergarten Student Enrollment. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Cherokee Bend Elementary School. Visit mtnbrook.k12.al.us. Feb. 19: Mountain Brook Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Hoover. 7 p.m. Mountain Brook High School. Feb. 25: Crestline Elementary Kindergarten Student Enrollment. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Crestline Elementary School. Visit mtnbrook.k12.al.us.

Emmet O’Neal Library Events 50 Oak St. 879-0459, eolib.org

Adults

Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Feb. 3: The Bookies Book Group. 10 a.m. Discussing The Mockingbird Next Door by Marja Mills.

Tuesdays: Together Time Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Feb. 4, 25: Brown Bag Lunch Series. 12:30 p.m. Feb. 9: Great Books Book Group. 6:30 p.m. Discussing short story “Hairball” by Carol Schulz. Feb. 20-22: Annual Book Sale. Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Feb. 24: Genre Reading Group. 6:30 p.m. Discussing books about grammar and linguistics.

Teens

March 1: Ride to Change the Future. 9 a.m.-noon. Levite Jewish Community Center. Ride will benefit the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Under 25 $25. Over 25 $50. Visit http://ovariancycle.kintera.org/

Feb. 5: TAB. 5-6 p.m. The monthly meeting of our Teen Advisory Board.

March 7: Village 2 Village 10K Run and Trail Run. 7:30 a.m. Lane Park Road at Park Lane Court South. Visit welcometomountainbrook. com.

Children

Feb. 7: Game On Tournament. 1-3 p.m.

Mondays: *Toddler Tales Story

Tuesdays: Evenings at EOL. 6 p.m. Wednesdays: *Mother Goose Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: *Patty Cake Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: SNaP. 3:30 p.m. Saturdays: Family Story Time with Mr. Mac. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 1-11: Make a Valentine for children at Children’s of Alabama. Feb. 3: Family Night: Lew-E’s Circus. 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4: After-School Special: Tom Foolery. 3:30 p.m. Feb. 12: *Bookmania: The Fourteenth Goldfish. 6 p.m. *Space is limited. Please call 879-0497 or visit eolib.org.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2015 • B19

Calendar Area Events All month: Small Treasures: Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals and Their Contemporaries. Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. Birmingham Museum of Art. The exhibition will feature works of the greatest masters of the Dutch and Flemish Golden Age. Visit artsbma. org. Feb. 5: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5-9 p.m. Birmingham Historic Loft District. A monthly happening showcasing Birmingham’s pool of creative talent. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com. Feb. 6: Sybarite5. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Samford University. The string quartet will perform at Brock Recital Hall. $20. Call 726-2853. Feb. 7: Heart 2 HeART. 6-9 p.m. BridgeStreet Gallery and Loft. aTeam’s Heart 2 HeART program supports children with pediatric cancer by pairing them will well known and talented professional artists in an effort to celebrate and inspire them. Visit

ateamministries.org. Feb. 7-8: Miranda Sings. 2 p.m. Comedy Club StarDome. YouTube sensation Miranda Sings will bring a night filled with comedy, songs, magic tricks, dramatic readings of hate mail and never-beforeseen videos. $28 general admission, $53 premier seating. Visit stardome.com. Feb. 12: The Roots of Alabama Gospel, with Bobby Horton and the Birmingham Sunlights. 5:30-7 p.m. Vulcan Park and Museum. $10 non-members, $8 members. Visit visitvulcan. com. Feb. 12-15: Birmingham Home and Garden Show. Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.6 p.m.. $11 at the door, $8 online for adults, $3 children 6-12, free for children 5 and under. Visit homeshowbirmingham.com.

Feb. 12-28: Completeness. ThursdaysSaturdays 8 p.m. Birmingham Festival Theatre, 1901 1/2 11th Ave. S. Visit bftonline.org. Feb. 13: A Night Under the Big Top. 8 p.m. The Club. Event benefits the Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health Center. $60 per person in advance, $110 per couple, in advance, $75 per person at the door. Visit glenwood.org. Feb. 14: Woo at the Zoo. 6-8 p.m. Birmingham Zoo. The zoo will discuss love in the animal kingdom. Animal greetings, wine and desserts provided. Must be 21 years or older. $50 zoo member, $75 zoo member couple, $65 non-member, $90 non-member couple. Visit birminghamzoo.com. Feb. 15: Come, Sing and Be Joyful. 4 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Church, 733 Valley Street, Hoover. Choral concert presented by the Over the Mountain Festival of Sacred Music Chorus. Visit otmfestivals.org/festival/festival15.htm.

Feb. 15: Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. 8 p.m.-midnight. Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. $59.50, $79.50, $97. Visit ringostarr.com. Feb. 19-21: The Last Five Years. 7:30 p.m. RMTC Cabaret Theatre. 301 19th Street North. This modern musical chronicles the five-year life of a marriage. $40-$50. Visit redmountaintheatre.org. Feb. 20-22: Cinderella. Friday and Saturday 7:30-9:30 p.m.,. Saturday and Sunday 2:30-4:30 p.m. Dorothy Jemison Day Theater. Presented by Alabama Ballet. $20-$55. Visit alabamaballet.org. Feb. 20-22: Mercedes Marathon. Check website for times. Boutwell Municipal Auditorium. The event will raise funds for local charities. Visit mercedesmarathon.com.

Area Consignment Sales Feb. 6-7: Sweet Repeats. Friday 9 a.m.6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. Mountain Brook Community Church. Visit mbccsweetrepeats.blogspot. com. Feb. 20-21: Bargains on the Bluff. Friday

9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Bluff Park United Methodist Church. Visit bargainsonthebluff. com. Feb. 13-14: Giggles and Grace. Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Asbury United

Methodist Church. Visit asburygigglesandgrace.com. Feb 27-28: Lil’ Lambs. Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. Trinity United Methodist Church. Visit trinitybirmingham.com.

March 6-7: T-N-T Consignment Sale. Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Riverchase United Methodist Church. Visit riverchasetnt.com.

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