Village Living
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March 2012 |
neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook
Mountain Brook Gymnastics -pg 11
Coach Baynes-pg 6
Volume 2 | Issue 12 | March 2012
New Lane Parke plan presented to city By MADOLINE MARKHAM Evson Inc. has presented a new, scaled back plan for the 27-acre Lane Parke development to the city. The plan has reduced retail and commercial space by 22 percent from the most recent plan and added a plan for residential area on the north end of the property. “We have shown the plan to a number of parties that had concerns in the past, and they think it’s a much more appropriate plan for the site,” said John Evans, principal at Evson, which owns the property. “We want everyone to embrace this project because it is at the center of the community.” The city’s planning commission is set to hear a presentation on the plan on March 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Mountain Brook Junior High School. All parties involved in the planning, including Evson; Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood; Walker Parking; Skipper Consulting; Historical Concepts; and Daniel Corporation, will present. The developers encourage interested citizens to come to the presentation. This is the third plan for the space currently occupied by Mountain Brook Shopping Center and Park Lane apartments to come before the City Council. Evson
March Features City Council 100 for Adama Slade Blackwell Kari Kampakis Village Sports Best of Mountain Brook School House Dale Wisley Birmingham Fashion Week Business Spotlight Restaurant Showcase Calendar of Events Around the Villages
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A view of the proposed retail space at the intersection of Lane Park Road and Jemison Lane. Image courtesy of Evson, Inc.
announced in August 2011 that they were partnering with Daniel Corporation as they created a smaller plan. “Most of the issues raised with the previous plans have now been addressed,” said Steve Bradley, spokesperson for the developer. “We believe people are very familiar with the plans now and are ready to see them happen. It is our intent to move
forward as quickly as possible.” “We are optimistic we will get approval and start construction later this year,” Evans said. The north half of the property where the Park Lane apartments currently are, was not a part of the initial development; now 276 apartments will be built with the initial phase.
The new development will have the same number of units as the existing apartments, but the new, larger units will be housed in three to four story buildings with generous green space. None of these buildings will be visible from the other parts of the village. Unlike the previous plan, there will be no residential space over
See LANE PARKE | page 14
Sharing the fight of Lilly Ledbetter By ANNE WOOD It took 19 years on the job for Lilly Ledbetter to learn that the Goodyear plant in Gadsden had been paying her less than men doing the same job as she. It took 10 years of fighting for equal rights in the workforce before she saw any results. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, inspired by Ledbetter’s historic discrimination case. A new book telling Ledbetter’s story, Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond, was not just years in the making for Ledbetter though. Mountain Brook resident Lanier Scott Isom had been writing throughout her career before she partnered with Ledbetter to share this story with the world. Grace and Grit is Isom’s first book. “Writing the memoir of an Alabama woman seeking social justice was a dream project for me because it involved many elements close to my heart,” Isom said. “Lilly’s memoir also involved using the eye of a reporter and the heart of a novelist.” Random House published the book with a Feb. 28 release date. It is now available at Barnes and Noble, Books-aMillion, Amazon and other major retailers
See LILLY | page 22
Lanier Isom worked on her first book, Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond, from the Crestline farmhouse where she lives with her family. Photo by Madoline Markham.
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March 2012 |
Village Living
Have you seen...
Rosewood Hall?
Rosewood Hall at SoHo Square, located at Homewood City Hall, was completed in the fall of 2005. It encompasses a contemporary design and is the perfect destination for your perfect event. It features three separate meeting rooms, which can be combined along with the Terrazo area to accommodate up to 600 guests. The rooms are equipped with state of the art audio and visual equipment, as well as an entertainment stage and over-sized dance floor. Conveniently located off Highway 31 in downtown Homewood, Rosewood Hall is a unique addition to the local community, providing an upscale contemporary location for events of any kind. Rosewood Hall hosts such events as wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, non-profit fundraisers, anniversary parties, bat/bar mitzvahs, reunions, corporate events/seminars, Holiday parties and sorority/fraternity formals. 2850 19th Street South, Homewood AL. 35209 PHONE: 205.332.6119
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March 2012 |
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March 2012 | Welcome Friends
Village Living
Mountain Brook Police officers, “Copsicles,” participated in a Polar Bear Plunge on Jan. 28 at Oak Mountain State Park. The event raised money for Special Olympics. Photo courtesy of Scott Stephens, Mountain Brook Police Department.
Staff & Friends Contributing Writers
Editor’s Note We are unofficially calling telling her story, and you will this month’s issue “The Best of want to read about how she Mountain Brook.” Not only do became involved in this project. we have all of the winners from On the lighter side, Ron our first ever “Best of Mountain Baynes may be familiar to Brook” contest, but we also many of you. Having coached feature some of what makes Mountain Brook baseball Mountain Brook so special and for many years, he is known unique. and loved by many in our First, the contest. We were community. But there was so thrilled to have so many of another passion of Coach you nominate and then vote for Baynes- officiating NFL football your favorites. You will find the games. Read his story and how Jennifer Gray winners and the runners up on he was most recently honored at pages 10 and 11. Each winner will also be this year’s NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii for his recognized with a sticker they can display years of service and dedication to the sport in their store window that designates them and officiating. as one of the best this year. Congratulations In November, we sat down with to all our winners and runners up. Their state Representative Paul DeMarco and presence in our community brings discussed issues facing our city. This something special to Mountain Brook. month we continue with state Senator Besides these great businesses in our Slade Blackwell. Get to know him better, community, we also have some special find out what projects he is working on and people we feature this month. If you are his perspective on some issues facing the looking for a great non fiction read for greater Birmingham area. spring break, try Mountain Brook resident Spring seems to get to be busy with Lanier Isom’s Grit and Grace. This is the true lots going on. We would love to cover any story of Alabama’s Lilly Ledbetter and her local events or news you know of. Please fight for equal pay in the workplace. This email me at Jennifer@villagelivingonline. important case that went all the way to the com. Supreme Court was also the first bill that President Barack Obama signed into law in the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. Ledbetter worked at the Goodyear plant in Gadsden. Isom does a great job of
Check out the new
Susan Matthews | Christiana Roussel | Kari Kampakis Rick Watson | Will Hightower | Anne Wood Holley Wesley | Maggie Carter O’Connor
VillageLivingOnline.com
School House Contributors
This month find
Frances Watts -Cherokee Bend Alyssa Monson - Crestline Bama Hager -Brookwood Forest Sherrie Futch- Mountain Brook High School Hilary Ross - Mountain Brook Elem. & Mountain Brook Jr High
Contributing Photographers Image Arts | Alison Gault | Catherine Pittman Smith Photography
Editor at Large
Publisher Dan Starnes
Joe Samuel Starnes
Published by
Editor Jennifer Gray
Village Living LLC
Managing Editor
Sales and Distribution
Madoline Markham
Creative Director Keith McCoy
Copy Editors
-more Lane Parke plan renderings - a forum to share your thoughts on Lane Parke -weekly crime reports -more school news -all of our past restaurant showcases
Meet our interns A New York native, Brittney Harrison is a senior at Samford University. While finishing up her degree in journalism and Spanish, her hands remain full nannying, training for a marathon and maintaining a social life. Brittney craves adventures, is passionate about photography and enjoys doing anything that involves being outdoors.
Dan Starnes | Angela Morris Rhonda Smith | Jennifer Ogilvie
Interns Virginia Duffee Brittney Harrison | Allie Klaubert
Anna Cate Little|Erica Midkiff
Contact Information: Village Living #3 Office Park Circle, Suite 316 Birmingham, AL 35223 313-1780 dan@VillageLivingOnline.com
Please submit all articles, information and photos to: Jennifer@VillageLivingOnline.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 Legals: Village Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. Village Living is designed to inform the Mountain Brook community of area school, faith, family and community events. Information in Village Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of Village Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 370-0732 or by email. Please recycle this paper
Virginia Duffee is from Birmingham and is a senior at the University of Montevallo. Apart from majoring in graphic design, she enjoys studying art history, drawing, yoga, watching movies, and reading books.
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March 2012 |
City council updates Police, firefighter, employee awards given
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New three way stop at Pine Ridge A new three-way stop sign will be installed at the intersection between Pine Ridge Road and Pine Ridge Trail. The
council approved the new signs 3-2 as a result of the Pine Ridge traffic study presented at the Jan. 10 council meeting.
Traffic lights moved by request City Council has approved Iberia Bank’s request to modify traffic signals on Euclid Avenue. The traffic signals block the view of Iberia’s new bank branch, and Iberia requested to move the light back in
order to open up the intersection. Iberia Bank will pay for all costs associated with their requested changes as well as any additional damage made to public sidewalks and right-of-ways.
City employees able to receive free medical tests Each year more than half of the city’s employees come out to the annual medical tests and laboratory services conducted by the Industrial Health Council. Services will be held at Fire Station #1 at Office
Park Circle in February and March from 7 a.m. – 11a.m. Several tests will be available including x-rays, hearing tests and blood work.
New paving plans A contract has been made with Glen Contracting & Paving Co., Inc. to the pave the cracked alleyway at 105 Montevallo Lane. The paving will cover no more than 100 feet in length and will help with the drainage at the end of the alley as well.
Police officer Jason Rhodes and firefighter David Drew Jason Rhodes, David Drew and Cathy Boyd were awarded the Police Officer, Firefighter and Employee of the Year awards, respectively. These are awards given out annually to an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Each nominee was voted on by their peers in their department. Rhodes and Drew were recognized for valiant efforts in helping with the fatal car crash on Highway 280 back in November.
The council is also looking to repave Lane Park Road in the near future. Rast Construction, Inc. will be paving both lanes of Lane Park once Birmingham Waterworks has completed the restoration of driveways along Lane Park road.
New website coming soon An agreement has been made with Ingenuity to redesign and host the city’s
website, and a kick off meeting was held Feb. 21. The project is due to start in April.
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March 2012 |
Village Living
Coach Baynes honored at Pro Bowl By MAGGIE CARTER O’CONNOR Ronnie Baynes is a legend at Mountain Brook High School. As the head baseball coach and assistant principal, he encouraged his players and students to work hard. And he set quite an example. On Sundays, Coach Baynes would officiate as line judge at an NFL game, and on Monday he would be at school and ready for baseball practice. Around here, Baynes’ name is associated with his 50 years as a baseball coach, but to the outside world, he is known for football. He has participated in every aspect of every level of the game: player, coach and official; high school, collegiate and professional. On Jan. 29, the NFL presented the 2011 Art McNally Award to Coach Baynes at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii’s Aloha Stadium. A Talladega native, Baynes played basketball, baseball and football for Auburn. At 24, he was named Selma High School’s head football coach, jumpstarting his career in high schools across the state. The success of baseball teams he coached also earned him high praise. When he came to Mountain Brook High School in the 1990s, he took the varsity baseball team to three state playoff games. Throughout these coaching years, Baynes was also officiating. In fact, one season he was coaching Friday night high school football games, then racing off across the southeast to officiate for the SEC. In the early 1980s, Baynes ran himself ragged on this hectic schedule. “One weekend I coached a Friday night game in Tallassee. As soon as the game was over, I jumped in a private plane and flew to Atlanta, and barely made the last flight to Dallas. I got there about one in the morning and slept in the Dallas airport. The next morning, I caught the first flight to Oklahoma City. From there, I took a shuttle bus to Norman. I walked into the hotel at
Former MBHS coach and NLF official Ronnie Baynes gathers with the officiating crew of the NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii before being award the Art McNally Award. Photo courtesy of Baynes.
nine a.m., just as the other officials were walking in for breakfast.” That was the morning of the 1981 Kentucky game at Oklahoma. Baynes’ stunt would not have passed current officiating guidelines, and with today’s airport security, he would have never made those flights. After two years, keeping up with this work schedule and six children pushed Baynes out of high school football, although he continued to coach baseball for 18 years. In 1987, Baynes interviewed with Art McNally for a position officiating in the National Football League. McNally, whom Baynes refers to as the “godfather of officiating,” welcomed the seasoned SEC official into the hallowed organization. In early September, Baynes was off to Cleveland, where the Browns were taking on the St. Louis Cardinals. He recalls the officials cramming into a car headed for
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Cleveland Municipal Stadium and the shoddy conditions upon arriving there in stark contrast to the police escort and plush accommodations he had grown accustomed to in the SEC. When he first set foot on the field, Baynes “was very intimidated and very nervous.” In time, he called the first foul of his NFL career a short-lived decision. Following the call, Baynes said he was talked into picking up his flag. As a result Cardinals’ head coach Gene Stallings “went ballistic and let me have an ear full.” That evening, Baynes called his wife, Marie, to report that he wasn’t suited for NFL. Twenty-six action-packed years later, the NFL named Baynes the 2011 Art McNally Award winner, which recognizes an official for his contributions on and off the field in the spirit of the legendary referee. McNally officiated in the NFL for ten years before accepting the position of
Director of Officiating. In this role, he hired officials like Ronnie Baynes. With great admiration, Baynes describes McNally as “a courageous ex-military person, and the most dedicated and honest person with impeccable moral character. He embodies absolutely the right combination of toughness without using profanity or intimidation to lead people.” McNally’s devotion to officiating is the example that Baynes has tried to emulate throughout his work with the NFL. That first NFL foul call taught Baynes a valuable lesson: stand by your call. That lesson was tested in an unforgettable divisional playoff game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers. When a San Francisco player dropped a backward pass, he immediately fell on the ball but in doing so forced the ball up in the air. An Atlanta player caught it and ran for a touchdown. Amid the roar of 80,000 exuberant Atlanta fans, Baynes ruled that another Atlanta player had touched the San Francisco player trying to recover the ball. San Francisco ball. No touchdown. After the game, official reviews proved Baynes’ ruling correct. Controversial calls come with the territory, but making the right call takes refined skill. The NFL recognized Baynes’ highly trained eye and complex understanding of the game. To show their appreciation, the NFL invited Baynes to officiate Super Bowl XXIX. He also officiated as line judge for Super Bowl XXXIII. In 2001, he stepped off of the field to serve as the NFL’s Supervisor of Officials, which required Marie and him to live in New York City for five years – an experience they cherish. Football, and especially the NFL, has been one of the biggest blessings in Baynes’ life and his children are living proof: Baynes’ three sons now officiate in collegiate and professional football.
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March 2012 |
100 for Adama The Doctor will see you Now!
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Caroline White and Anna Cate Peeples started a non-profit organization to help young women in Adama, Ethiopia. Photo by Jennifer Gray.
By JENNIFER GRAY Many of us have read moving articles in the paper or books that really affect us. Stories of other’s hardships or plights that make us stop and think that we should do something to help. But how many of us actually do? After reading the book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn, eleventh graders Caroline White and Anna Cate Peeples were motivated to act on what they had read about fighting oppression against women worldwide. “I was glad they read the book and saw that many women in the world are faced with so many challenges, and we are so fortunate here in the United States,” said Jorja White, Caroline’s mother. Shortly after the girls had finished reading the book, the Peeples family heard of an opportunity to help girls in Ethiopia. Anna Cate’s family has sponsored two girls in Adama, a city in central Ethiopia, for years through Hope Ranch. Like many children growing too old for orphanages, they were being targeted by people involved in sex trafficking. Members of Hope Ranch who are on the ground in Adama were hoping to save these girls from such a fate. Over the course of a weekend, Caroline and Anna Cate made a video explaining what they wanted to do, planned a fundraiser, and invited friends to a Christmas party where they were asked to bring a donation of $100 to be collected for the girls in Adama. The girls had discovered that a safe house situation for four children for a year would cost $6000.
“The ultimate goal would be to provide permanent safe housing for them,” Jorja White said. “$200,000 is enough to create a dedicated building, home and school for girls.” In addition to their Christmas party fundraiser, the girls also sent out letters to friends in the community asking for their support for 100 for Adama through a $100 donation. They have also created a website, www.100foradama.com, to provide information and collect donations. For the month of the December, 100 for Adama partnered with Church Street Coffee and Books for the month of December. Carrie Rollwagon and Cal Morris, owners of the coffee and bookstore, committed to donate 10 percent of any sale during the month when the customer mentioned 100 for Adama. So far, Anna Cate and Caroline have raised $13,600. “We just couldn’t sit back and know that kids our age, all the way across the world, didn’t have a safe place to go home to each night,” said Anna Cate and Caroline. “We wanted to do what we could to change that reality for them.” Along with their parents, Jorja and Andy White and Nancy and Mark Peeples, the girls met with Hope Manifest over the holiday break. This firm specializes in advising non-profits in how to be successful. “We are incredibly blessed girls and live in a community that has been blessed as well. We really do believe that this is our injustice to fight,” said Anna Cate and Caroline. To learn more about 100 for Adama or to donate, visit www.100foradama.com.
Emmet O'Neal Library
March 1st - Stocks & Bonds
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Learn how to determine which stocks and bonds are right for you, and how to calculate return on your investments.
March 8th-Paying for College
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Parents and high school students, please join us tonight for a discussion on paying for college! We’ll talk about various loans, scholarships and grants and learn what steps to take to make college is affordable!
These programs are free, but registration is required. Register online at www.eolib.org or call 445-1118 The Smart investing@your library series is a grant-funded program developed collaboratively by the American Library Association and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation.
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March 2012 | Village Living
Catching up with State Senator Slade Blackwell How do you feel about the Jefferson County bankruptcy filing? I was disappointed in the county’s decision to file for bankruptcy. I had been encouraged by the progress that was being made in the weeks before the bankruptcy decision and had hoped that the county could have reached a settlement. I think bankruptcy will be devastating to our city, county and state in terms of economic development, job growth and recruitment of industry. It is truly a black eye for our region.
By MAGGIE CARTER O’CONNOR I sat down with State Senator Slade Blackwell in his office outside of Mountain Brook Village to talk about issues related to the state and our city. Blackwell grew up just down the road in Montevallo. He played basketball for the University of Montevallo while working toward his Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, he moved to Birmingham and began a career in real estate development. Blackwell married his high school sweetheart, Sally Salter, a general surgeon at St. Vincent’s, and became a partner with Inkana Development. The Blackwells reside in Mountain Brook with their three children: Colby, 9; Grant, 9; and Hagan, 7. What current projects are you working on that affect Mountain Brook? The Department of Transportation approved plans to implement the “Sidewalks to Schools” program. Soon, Mountain Brook Elementary School will be accessible by sidewalk from the Watkins Rd-Cambridge and Heathermoor routes. Mountain Brook City Schools received $5,000 for professional development purposes. I am also working with the Crestline Elementary School PTO on funding a handicap accessible playground, which would be the first in the city. What do you love about Birmingham and the communities you represent? I love the sense of community that Birmingham and the other surrounding areas have. Everyone wants to better their community and the state as a whole, which is encouraging. It’s nice to represent people who are proud of where they come from and are willing to work hard for what they believe, so that we leave these communities in better shape for future generations than we found them. How would you describe your job? Engaging, challenging, rewarding… tiring! I soon discovered that I had been naïve about the time this position requires. It is an all-encompassing job. Without my legislative director, Anna Catherine Roberson, I would not be able to attend to as many projects and constituent requests. Your district stretches from Pinson to the town of
Photo courtesy of Senator Blackwell’s office.
Shelby, through both Jefferson and Shelby counties. Are there some things in common that you hear from your constituents when you speak with them? There are a lot of things I hear from constituents that resonate throughout my district. Some of the main issues I hear about are jobs, economic development and the Jefferson County sewer crisis. No matter where you live right now, jobs, or lack thereof, are a major issue that must be addressed. We need to continue working on how we can bring businesses and jobs into the state to relieve the unemployed. The Jefferson County sewer crisis continues to be a major issue right now. Since the county commission filed bankruptcy, I’ve heard a lot from constituents who are worried about the direction of our county and state. We must make economic development and job creation a top priority. The bankruptcy filing doesn’t make our job any easier.
Along with your elected responsibilities, you are also a small business owner. How does that help you relate to your constituents? How has your schedule changed since taking office? Being a small business owner has only helped me be a better senator for my district. Not only has it taught me the value of hard work and dedication, but also I feel like I can better relate to my constituents because of my conservative business roots. A lot of my district is made of small businesses, so it’s easier to know what those guys are going through and find a way to give them all the opportunities they deserve. My schedule changed quite drastically since taking office. In addition to being in Montgomery for the legislative session four months out of the year, I am constantly meeting with elected officials and constituents throughout the district. I find that it is important to stay connected to those in your district. It helps me get a better understanding of the wants and needs of the people in my district and how I can best help. For me, being a senator is not just something I do four months out of the year. I am always working to see first-hand how we can improve district 15 and the entire state of Alabama. Over the past six months, I have held town hall meetings in Trussville, Irondale, Leeds and Chelsea. I hope your readers will join us for an upcoming community meeting in their area. In your rare “spare time,” what do you like to do? I enjoy spending time with my family, hunting, coaching my kids’ basketball teams and spending time at the farm. I currently serve on the board for the Lakeshore Foundation, the Birmingham History Center, the Pinson Education Foundation, the Birmingham Golf Association and the Shelby Arts Council. I am also involved with the Birmingham Business Alliance, the Alabama Republican Party and several chambers of commerce.
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LifeActually By KARI KAMPAKIS
Do kids hinder or inspire our dreams? People often ask me how I write with four children. By now I have a pat answer: It’s not pretty. More often than not, my stories are pieced together, written and edited in a series of stolen moments. If I’m working while the kids are home, I have the added challenge of tuning out their chaos. I’ll write and write until I fall under a spell, catching the groove I’ve long waited for. And just when I hit the brink of inspiration, the inevitable happens: Camille will toddle into my office wearing a big grin...and a foul-smelling diaper. Like I said, it’s not pretty. I wish I had a daily routine, concrete time no one can interrupt, but I don’t. Writers are told to write every day, and while I agree with this, life gets in the way. I may go days or even weeks without writing due to family matters. I hate these breaks, because falling back under the spell is hard, and when I’m not writing I don’t feel right. But as a mom, I have bigger priorities, and as much as I like to believe the world needs my writing, my daughters need me much more. So for now I write when I can, usually in stretches of two to five hours. And while this arrangement works, I wonder sometimes how productive I’d be if my life wasn’t stop-and-go. What if I had no distractions to break the zone? What if I could ride the trance out, working late at night and picking up the next morning? Could I flesh out a manuscript in six weeks, finish a novel in six months? I believe I could. With time on my side I could be a writing machine, accomplishing in spurts what would normally take me months. This leads me to a question I find relevant to all parents: Do kids hinder or inspire our dreams? There’s no question how much time and energy they siphon. Children are needy by nature, and regardless of how much attention we show them, they want more. By the time we tend to them we’re exhausted—and hardly in the mood to pursue a passion. From this standpoint, kids do hold us
back. They push our personal pleasures aside and slow us down, making tortoises out of hares. In a world as fast as ours, it seems impossible that slow and steady could ever win the race. On the other hand, children add a richness to our lives that I believe inspires better work, thus compensating for time we lose. As a writer, I don’t find inspiration sitting at my computer. I find it when I’m out living, and the paths I take because of my children—going to the ball park, school functions, birthday parties, even doctor visits—put me in contact with people who constantly trigger new ideas. Many Aha! moments arise through casual conversation, because an offhand remark a parent makes while waiting for dance to end can hit me like a thunderbolt. Immediately I’ll make a mental note, knowing that someday I’ll use that nugget in a story. Then of course there’s the inspiration I find through my children’s prolific take on life. Their innocence is brilliant, better than anything I could concoct. Thanks to my daughters, I experience life on a deeper level, caring more and loving harder. When my writing taps into the emotions they trigger, it gains a definite intensity. It’s easy to see our children as barriers, obstacles to what we want or feel called to do. But what I’ve learned is to work smarter, not harder, and approach my goal in baby steps. For now I’m in the tortoise stage, and while tortoises are slow, they make progress, and progress is all it takes to reach a destination. It’s my hope that other moms taking the scenic route through parenthood may be encouraged to take baby steps toward their dreams, and remember that the children who consume our life and attention now may also be the muses who influence our best work to come. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mtn. Brook mom of four girls with a background in PR, writing, and photography. Visit her blog at www.karikampakis.com, “friend” her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter. E-mail: kari@karikampakis.com
Emmet O’Neal Library Schedule Adults 3/1- Smart Investing @ EOL with Dr. Andreas Rauterkus, Getting Started with Stocks & Bonds, 6:30 p.m. 3/6- Thyme to Read-EOL Book Group discussing “Four Wings and a Prayer” by Sue Halpern, 6 p.m. at The Library at the Botanical Gardens 3/7- Brown Bag Lunch series, a film about Harper Lee and To Kill a Mockingbird, 12:30 p.m. 3/8- Smart Investing @ EOL with Dr. Andreas Rauterkus, all ages presentation on paying for college, 6:30 p.m. 3/12- Great Books Book Group discussing Margaret Atwood’s “The Man From Mars,” 6:30 p.m. 3/13- The Bookies Book Group discussing “Catherine the Great” by Robert K. Massie, 10 a.m. 3/14- Brown Bag Lunch series, Beth SchererSmokey, a chiropractor with Back On Track Chiropractic, will speak about managing back pain and relieving stress, 12:30p.m. 3/15- Third Thursdays at Dyron’s Lowcountry, a portion of the proceeds benefit the Library, 4:30-10 p.m. 3/17- Knit & Knibble, all crafts and skill levels welcome, 2-3:30 p.m. 3/20- Tech Tuesdays, librarians will be on hand to demo ereaders and other new technologies in the Library lobby, 10 -4 p.m. 3/20- Documentaries After Dark, film about the Kentucky Derby, 6:30 p.m. 3/21- Brown Bag Lunch series, a film on 18th century portraitist Thomas Gainsborough,
12:30 p.m. 3/26- Monday Morning Investment Club, an in-depth discussion of personal finance and investing topics, 10 a.m. 3/27- Genre Reading Group, magical realism, 6:30 p.m. 3/28- Brown Bag Lunch series, a film on the key figures and battles of the Crusades, 12:30 p.m. Teens 3/2- Game On! Super Smash Bros Brawl, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 3/5- TAB, monthly meeting of the members of the Teen Advisory Board, 5-6 p.m. 3/-9 Come learn how to craft poetry and short stories with our writer in residence, George Sawaya, 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Children’s Special Events 3/6- Family Night: Magical March with AtsMagic / 5:30 p.m. 3/7- After-School Special: Seuss-a-paloosa / 3:30 p.m. 3/21- *3rd – 6th Grade Writing Camp / 2:00 p.m. 3/22- Movie and Popcorn / All day 3/23- Savvy Surfing: Homework Helps / 11:30 a.m. 3/27- *Bookmania: Wonderstruck / 6 p.m. 3/29- *Bookmania: Wonderstruck / 6 p.m. *Space is limited; please call 879-0497 or visit www.eolib.org to register. For more information, call 445-1121 or visit www.eolib.org.
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March 2012 |
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“ My robotic surgery patients recover faster, with less pain.” RobeRt A. DeSAntiS, m.D., FACoG boARD-CeRtiFieD ob/GYn member of the medical Staff at trinity medical Center
The last thing a surgical patient needs is more pain. So gynecologic surgeon and Trinity medical staff member, Robert DeSantis, M.D., has become an expert in the use of da Vinci® robotic-assisted women’s surgeries. In fact, Dr. DeSantis is one of the area’s only surgeons performing complex procedures with the da Vinci Surgical System, including hysterectomies, and surgeries for endometriosis, uterine prolapse and uterine fibroids. These procedures may mean less pain, less scarring and less time in the hospital for many patients. And the shorter your recovery, the faster you can get back to your life. Dr. DeSantis is now seeing patients in Birmingham and Chelsea. Call 205-592-5499 for more information. Two LocATIonS: Trinity oB/GYn 860 Montclair Road, Suite 251 • Birmingham Trinity Medical clinics 331 chelsea corners way • chelsea Trinity Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.
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2/6/12 9:59 AM
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March 2012 |
Village Sports
Village Sports Man on a mission By WILL HIGHTOWER
Senior Mario Stramaglia will play basketball for ETSU next year. Photo courtesy of Image Arts.
It is 1 a.m. at Spartan Arena in January. Four hours ago, the place was rocking with the sounds of fans cheering, coaches yelling, and the squeak of basketball shoes as Mountain Brook dueled with Spain Park. All of those people have left. In fact, at this hour, all of them are asleep. Except one. As the reggaeton (a form of Spanish rap originating in Puerto Rico) blares over the arena’s sound system, Mario Stramaglia goes around the arc shooting three-pointers. Then he moves to free throws. The sweat drips off his head while he shoots hundreds from the line. His body is exhausted from the game, but he carries on. After shooting floaters and layups, he moves on to an endless array of dribbling drills. And five hours later, he would be right back in the gym after a restless night, practicing for an hour before school on Wednesday. This is what a poor shooting performance and a close loss to a rival team will do to Stramaglia. Never mind that he was on the brink of becoming Mountain Brook’s all-time leading scorer, or that he was averaging a team-leading 18 points per game. Never mind that he was named a part of the Super 8, the preseason list of the best eight players in the state. And never mind that he had already signed with East Tennessee State University to play division-one college basketball. At this moment, deep into the night, Stramaglia wanted to get better. Stramaglia grew up in Puerto Rico, where his dad met his mother. As a child, he played a lot of volleyball. Serious basketball was not in the picture until his family moved to America when he was in eighth grade. After a short stay at Oak Mountain, Stramaglia came to Mountain Brook for his freshman year of high school.
The transition from Puerto Rico to America was difficult for him. Yet, even while dealing with being new at Mountain Brook from another country, Stramaglia was sure of one thing: he wanted to play college basketball. Head coach Bucky McMillan remembers meeting Stramaglia and his dad: “I said, ‘If you are good enough to play in college I’ll do everything I can to help you.’ I remember walking through the Arena and they just stopped and looked at each other. So I said, ‘That’s only if you have an interest in that.” And they just looked at each other and he said, ‘That’s the only reason I’m here.’” Starting Off “When he first came here, I had him practicing five hours a day with the ninth grade team, JV, and varsity to try to prepare him,” McMillan said. While others might have succumbed to the pressure of a language barrier, Stramaglia persevered and would often practice two more hours after the five hours he had with all three teams. “Out of the thousands of players that I played with – many playing professionally – and all the players that I’ve coached, Mario is the hardest working player I have ever been around,” McMillan said. “He practices over and over to an extreme I have never seen.” “Every hour I get, I want to spend it on getting better at basketball,” Stramaglia said. “Knowing that other guys are out there working makes me work even harder.” According to McMillan, Stramaglia’s work ethic helped him earn the respect of older players. The other thing it got him? A starting spot on the varsity team halfway through his ninth grade year.
See MARIO | page 15
Making People Happy For 22 Years, It’s An Institution!
Live music every Fri. and Sat. night starting @ 9pm.
224 Country Club Park 871-8435
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Live music every Fri. and Sat. night starting @ 9pm.
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Village Sports |
March 2012 |
11
Mountain Brook Gymnastics hosts invitational
Piggly Wiggly has a rich heritage, built over several decades by stores that are locally owned and operated.
Level 7 gymnasts won the first place Team Ward: Amelia Pak, Carolyn Calvert-Grimes, Sophia Rodriguez, Kassey Lundberg, Bethanne Austin, Lane Allen, Carsyn Queen, Iyanna Ray. Photo by Alison Gault.
By ALISON GAULT On Jan. 27 and 28, Mountain Brook Gymnastics hosted the first annual Magic City Invitational gymnastics meet. There were 326 registered athletes representing 20 gyms from all over the state of Alabama, as well as from Georgia and Tennessee. The competitors ranged from the pintsized-but-powerful beginners all the way up to a recent signee to the second-ranked University of Alabama Gymnastics Team, Carley Sims. The crowd was wowed by this top-ranked gymnast as she performed vertical leaps and spins the likes of which few in the crowd had ever witnessed in person. Our own Mountain Brook teams also fired up the crowds and wowed the judges with their stellar performances. The Mountain Brook Gymnastics Level 7 Team finished with top honors as they received the first place team award after Friday night’s competition. The host teams also performed strongly during Saturday’s competition, with the Mountain Brook Gymnastics Level 8 and 9 teams each finishing in third place. Mountain Brook Gymnastics also had several individual award winners over the course of the two-day meet. On Friday
night, Level 7 team member Lane Allen received individual first place medals for her performances on Vault, Uneven Bars, and as the All-Around Champion. Her teammate Kassey Lundberg also had a great night, winning the top medals as Beam Champion and Floor Exercise Champion. The next day also brought lots of medals for our Level 8, Level 9 and Level 10 team members. Most notably, from the Level 8 team, Caiti Queen won the first place award for All-Around Champion, while teammate McKenzi King received the top medal as the Uneven Bars Champion. The awards continued into the last session of the day, when the Level 9 and 10 teams competed. Anna Parrish of the Level 9 team grabbed the top medals for her outstanding performance on the Uneven Bars, and for being the All-Around Champion. Finally, the MB Level 10 team was well represented by Brooke Kelly, who won the first place awards for Vault, Balance Beam and All-Around Champion. The Mountain Brook Gymnastics Optional Team is coached by Helen Nabors, Michelle Dent, Sharon Griffin, Robert Dillard and Phillip Acton.
MBJH Spartanettes shine at state competition
First row: Carter Hancock, Virginia Poynor, Susan McElroy, Anna Howell, Elizabeth Nabors, Austin Trammell, Kaylyn Greene (Co-Captain), Carlton Cooper (Co-Captain), Erin Rector. Middle row: Meredith Stringfellow, Emily Howell, Meghan Beck. Back row: Findlay Shelfer, Olivia Karagas, Maggie Hightower, Annie Somerville, Sally Kale Bussman (Co-Captain), Mary Clark Logan, Emily Owen Mendelsohn (Co-Captain), Caroline Shea, Evalyn Bargeron, Charlotte McRae and Bradford Moore. Not pictured: Mary Rives Drake.
Mountain Brook Junior High Spartanettes recently finished first in the UDA State Competition in the High Kick Division. This event was held on Jan. 21 at Spain Park High School. Spartanette faculty sponsors are Debbie Stump and Lisa Lewis. Spartanettes are eighth and ninth
grade precision dancers who are selected each spring by a panel of outside judges. The group performs at halftime activities such as football and basketball, promotes school spirit, and participates in school service activities.
For more than 30 years Piggly Wiggly stores have been a part of Birmingham and its neighboring cities. We are actively involved in our communities, which allows us to stay connected with you, the customer. At Piggly Wiggly, we all take pride in being a part of this great city and all our neighboring communities we call home. Piggly Wiggly strives to provide the highest quality products with exceptional customer service. We take pride in providing a friendly and welcoming environment. And the Piggly Wiggly reputation is built on quality products and outstanding customer service, while still maintaining low prices.
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New Spring/Summer Hours Mon.-Sat. 10am-4pm Beginning March 1st
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March 2012 | Best of Mountain Brook
BEST of Mountain Brook Village Living would like to thank everyone who voted in our first Best of Mountain Brook competition.
Olexa’s, Best Dessert & Best Ladies’ Lunch Spot. Photos by Brittney Harrison
Snoozy’s Kids, Best Children’s Store & Best Store to Buy a Gift
Best Fitness Center/Gym
YMCA Maybe it’s your spinning or YCross instructor, maybe it’s your favorite cardio machine or pickup basketball with friends, or maybe it’s the pool in the summer—whatever your fitness style, our Y branch keeps you in shape and having fun while you’re at it. 2401 20th Place South, 870-0144 Runner Up: Levite Jewish Community Center
Best Frozen Treats
Mountain Brook Creamery Situated in the heart of Mountain Brook Village, Mountain Brook Creamery has been providing tasty treats to residents for years. You will always find something to satisfy your sweet tooth—yogurt, milkshakes, sundaes and cakes. 2715 Cahaba Road, 870-0092 Runner Up: Yogurt Mountain
Best Casual Dining
Billy’s Bar & Grill If you’re looking for a place with good food, tasty drinks, live music and a comforting atmosphere, Billy’s Bar and Grill is your place. Since 1979 Billy’s has provided a place to kick back and watch a game or drink with friends while listening to some great local artists. 2012 Cahaba Road, 879-2238 Runners Up: Taziki’s Greek Fare, Otey’s Tavern
Best Italian/Pizza
Davenport’s Pizza Palace Making pies for over 45 years, Davenport’s Pizza Palace has been a frequent hot spot for families in our area. Photos of classic movies and old-fashioned video game machines give Davenports a rather vintage feel. Whether you’re dining in or taking out, the fresh taste of Davenport’s is unbeatable. 2837 Cahaba Road, 879-8603 Runner Up: Mafiaoza’s Pizzeria
Best After School Activity
Emmet O’Neal Library The library is the places to be after school lets out not just to study but to learn something new, hear a good story, talk about a book or have some fun. We also love their friendly librarians with their literary expertise to help us find our next favorite read. 50 Oak Street, 879-0459 Runner Up: Dance with Lauren
Emmet O’Neal Library, Best After School Activity
Best Dessert Best Ladies’ Lunch Spot
Olexa’s With their soups and salads, European village décor, and the cake—oh, that warm buttercream cake— Olexa’s won both our Best Dessert and Best Ladies’ Lunch Spot by far. 2838 Culver Road, 871-2060 Best Dessert Runner Up: Mountain Brook Creamery Best Ladies Lunch Spot Runner Up: Chez Lulu
Best Cup of Coffee
Starbucks Offering more than just a hot coffee, latte or Tazo tea, Starbucks has it all. From smoothies and breakfast sandwiches to tasty pastries, it’s a great stop at any time of the day. Free wifi and a soothing atmosphere make Starbucks a perfect place to read, study or catch up with a friend. 2738 Cahaba Rd, 868-9130 Runner Up: Church Street Coffee and Books
Best Special Occasion Dining
Daniel George One of the best upscale dining experiences in Birmingham is found right here in Mountain Brook. Daniel George offers a diverse and creative menu in the perfect atmosphere for a romantic evening or special celebration. It is cozy and intimate and you are always made to feel special and welcome. Whether it’s steaks or seafood, dishes inspired by seasonal local ingredients, you can’t make a bad choice at Daniel George. You won’t want to miss their lunch either. 2837 Culver Road, 871-3266 Runner Up: Dyron’s Lowcountry
Best Outdoor Patio
Avo/Dram The spacious patio behind this Mountain Brook Village establishment is the best place to mingle and catch up with friends on warm spring and crisp fall evenings. One of Dram’s signature whiskey cocktails, or a glass of beer or wine, complete the better-than-your-back deck experience. 2721 Cahaba Road, 871-8212 Runner Up: Otey’s Tavern
Best Children’s Store Best Store to Buy a Gift
Snoozy’s Kids Snoozy’s is every child’s dream come true. A variety of unique and different books, toys, games and all sorts of other items created for fun and laughter can be found inside. They offer products that you won’t find at other big box toy stores. But young and old enjoy a trip to Snoozy’s; they also carry great jewelry and handbags for the grown ups. But what makes any trip to Snoozy’s most memorable is the staff. Owner George Jones and his employees offer service that is part of the charm of this store. They can assist you in finding any gift for any age in any price range. They know what is hot, and their picks never disappoint. 228 Country Club Park, 871-2662 Children’s Store Runner Up: Smith’s Variety Gift Runner Up: A’mano
Best Mexican
La Paz This Crestline favorite offers all the standard Mexican fare with love, prepared extra fresh, with a variety of special authentic entrees you can’t find just anywhere: fish tacos, black angus quesadillas, and blue-corn-stuffed burrito topped with an egg. 99 Euclid Avenue, 879-2225 Runner Up: Mexico Lindo
Best Mountain Brook Event
Christmas Parade The annual Christmas parade kicks off the season for us each year. The parade takes place the first weekend in December and involves many from the community including cheerleaders, Dorians, Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops, choral performances and local celebrities. Runner Up: Market Days
Best Business for Your Hobby
Smith’s Variety Many of us who enjoyed trips to Smith’s as a child now enjoy that same experience with their own children. They have everything from sewing novelties, crafts and scrapbooking, or doll or remote control car colletables. You can find just about anything at Smith. 2715 Culver Road, 871-0841 Runner Up: Mountain High Outfitters
Smith’s Variety, Best Business for Your Hobby
Village Living neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook
www.VillageLivingOnline.com
Best of Mountain Brook |
March 2012 |
13
Western Supermarket, Best Wine Selection/Specialty Drinks
Best Wine Selection/ Specialty Drinks
Western Supermarket When you are looking for that perfect bottle of wine for that special occasion, entertaining friends, or just a dinner at home, Western will have just what you are looking for. A knowledgeable team of experts is always there to help you find the right bottle at any price point. 2717 Culver Road, 879-1746 Runner Up: Avo/Dram
Best Outdoor Spot
Birmingham Botanical Gardens When the weather’s nice, it’s wonderful to have Birmingham’s gardens in our backyard, however you like to experience it. You can take a walk with a friend, take photos for fun, sit on a bench with a good book, show the blooms to your kids or grab a picnic lunch from the Gardens Café by Kathy G. They also host events yearround, including the spring and fall Plant Sales, Cocktails in the Gardens and Antiques in the Gardens. 2612 Lane Park Road, 414-3950 Runner Up: Birmingham Zoo
Best Store for Men Best Women’s Clothing Store
Taco Mama A choose-your-own-burrito adventures is at its finest with Taco Mama’s freshly made meats and toppings—not to mention their diverse drink menu. Otey’s Taven owner Will Haver opened the Crestline restaurant in November 2011. 63 Church Street, 414-9314 Runner Up: Church Street Coffee and Books
Taco Mama, Best New Business
Richard Joseph If you’re looking for more than just a haircut, Richard Joseph SalonSpa does it all. In addition to a stylish haircut and color services, the SalonSpa offers cosmetic consultations, waxing, manicures and pedicures, facials and several different therapy services. They even have an at-home spa option that allows you to customize your spa treatment and enjoy a four-course menu. 2410 Fairway Drive, 871-6001 Runners Up: Angel Hair, Oak Street Hair Group
Best Place for Home Décor
Pants Store, Best Store for Men & Best Women’s Clothing Store
Lamb’s Ears, Ltd. Lamb’s Ears isn’t a new store, but it is new to Mountain Brook. The store relocated in 2011 from Cahaba Heights to Crestline and has quickly become a go-to for any home décor needs. They have a lovely selection of furniture, lamps and other items to create an atmosphere unique to your home. They also have a wide variety of items that make great gifts. 70 Church Street, 802-5700 Runner Up: Table Matters
Best Brunch or Breakfast Spot
Pants Store Pants Store has quickly become part of the fabric of our community. Popular with all ages, they offer a wide variety of men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. Children will also find favorites ranging from apparel to shoes and even hair bows and accessories. Clothes are stylish yet affordable, and the Pants Store staff is always friendly and helpful; many of them live right here in our community. Not only can you expect to find the perfect outfit at the store, but you are sure to run into friends as well. 233 Country Club Park, 868-1616 Men’s Store Runner Up: Mobley & Sons Women’s Clothing Store Runner Up: Laura Kathryn
Best New Business
Best Salon
Another Broken Egg The hardest part about eating at Another Broken Egg is choosing what to order: the Chez B’s Omelet with red peppers and portobellos, the Smoked Salmon Benny, Bananas Foster French Toast, Biscuit Beignets, or any of the other items that makes our mouth water. It’s a good thing it’s in such a convenient Mountain Brook Village location to stop by as often as we can. 2418 Montevallo Road, 8717849 Runner Up: Over Easy
Best Place for Plants or Flowers
Leaf n Petal Leaf n Petal in Mountain Brook Village is always full of beautiful plants, flowers and containers. Not only do their plants beautify any yard, they create beautiful baskets and containers of plantings to give as gifts or to add color in your home. The knowledgeable and helpful staff even offer a frequent purchase card where you can earn stamps toward a $20 gift certificate. 2817 Cahaba Road, 871-3832 Runner Up: Oak Street Garden Shop
Lamb’s Ears Ltd., Best Places for Home Decor
Leaf n Petal, Best Places for Plants or Flowers
Village Living neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook
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March 2012 | Village Living
LANE PARKE from pg 1
retail space. Only commercial space will be housed on the second floor of retail buildings. Also as a part of scaling back the plan, there will be one parking structure instead of three, and it will be within the interior of the development. The plan calls for 1,201 parking spaces. Based on a parking survey by Walker Parking, that should provide 150 surplus spaces on a typical day and 60 surplus spaces during the most busy times of the year, like a Saturday evening in December. The vision for the development remains to be an extension of historic Mountain Brook Village. “The goal is for Lane Parke to feel like it was developed over a long period of time,” said Jeffrey Brewer, senior vice president of Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood. “The architecture should be a varied collection of small buildings and styles reminiscent of the existing village. “ The pattern book for all but the residential areas remains the same as the previous plans. A new Jemison Lane will connect what is now Regions Bank with Lane Park Road, and a new Main Street (name is pending) will run north and south to allow pedestrian and vehicular access to all parts of the Village. The Henry Ray building, which currently houses Ray & Poynor Properties, will remain standing but will be renovated. All retail and office space will be located closest to the existing Village and will be one or two stories high. To the North, the residential space will be three to four stories high. According to Brewer, the four-story inn in the plan could be built in a later phase. Regardless, the inn will now be located across the street from the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Lane Park Road, set back with a green space in front. It will be
Woodland Park
Inn
Residential Area
Grocery Store Retail/Commercial
A map of the new plan for Lane Parke in Mountain Brook Village. Image courtesy of Evson, Inc.
roughly the same size as the previous plan. There will be no added traffic signals, only added internal stop signs. “It’s all a reflection of the reduced size and scale of the plan,” Bradley said. Traffic in Mountain Brook Village would also be alleviated with the plan, according to the developers. Designated turn lanes would be added to both Culver Road and Lane Park Road, and a left turn signal would be added for those driving
into the Village from the Highway 280 off ramp. As a part of the city’s Flood Mitigation Project, the culvert running behind the existing Mountain Brook Shopping Center will be increased in size to rechannel waters from the zoo area downstream. Currently, they tend to flow into the shopping center parking lot. “We used the city’s master plan as a guide,” Brewer said. “Many of the
We Now Carry Lampshades Bring your lamp in for a new look!
components (of the new plan) come from the recommendations of the master plan.” For instance, the master plan calls for a street running north to south to create a pedestrian connection from residential to retail space. The master plan also called for an extension of Jemison Trail into Mountain Brook Village. Under the new Lane Parke plan, Jemison Trail will connect to the Woodland Park located on the northeast end of the development. The park will be an extension of Jemison with walking paths. There will also be a Village Green civic lawn space adjacent to the retail space. “When the project is finished, people will be able to park and stroll around the village in a much more pedestrian friendly manner,” Bradley said. The northern half of the development would be built during the first phase. During this time, existing Mountain Brook Shopping Center retailers could remain in business. Then, when phase two starts, those businesses, including the grocery store, could move to the new buildings, never having to close business for an extended period of time. Both phases are to be completed in three to four years. Following the March 5 presentation, the Lane Parke plans will have to be passed by both the Planning Commission and City Council. Bradley said they hope for all current tenants to move to the new space. “We will not start construction until we have adequate preleasing in order to go to a lending institution or institutions,” Evans said. “There are a lot of different financial institutions interested in the project.”
GO ONLINE On the new VillageLivingOnline.com
-tell us your thoughts on the new plan -find a link to the Lane Parke website -see more renderings of Lane Parke plan
en han c in g lif e with plan ts
S pring p lant S ale M ore t han 100,000
plantS
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New for 2012
The Gardens’ Junior Board presents
Wine/Beer, Food & Live Music
Former Mazer’s on Greensprings in Homewood, AL
Friday, April 13 6 - 8 p.m.
p r e v i e w p a r t y : April 12 | 5 - 6:30 p.m. M e M b e r S -o n l y S a l e : April 12 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
1829 29th Ave. South • Homewood • 870-8110 Find us on
& on www.shophomewood.com
205.414.3950 bb ga r d e n s.o r g
public plant Sale Friday, April 13 | 9 - 5 p.m. Saturday, April 14 | 9 - 5 p.m. Sunday, April 15 | 11 - 3 p.m.
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Village Living
finals to a tough Pizitz Middle School team. Players Jack Kline and Drew Smith were named to the All Tournament team. Other team honors included placing second in the Oak Mountain Tip-Off Tournament with Jack Kline and Drew Smith named to the All Tournament team and winning the War on the Wood Tournament at North Jefferson Middle School with Charlie Fell named to the all tournament team and Jack Kline selected as tournament MVP. The seventh grade girls, coached by John Phillips, finished runner up in the Metro South Tournament, losing a close, nail-biting, 29-27 game to Berry in the championship final. Walker Poe and Carlee Dawkins were named to the Metro AllTournament team. The team finished their season with a 16-3 overall record and won the Metro South - North Division regular season title with a flawless 10-0 record. The seventh grade boys, coached by Bruce Henricks and assisted by Zach Skipper, played to a second place finish in the Metro South Tournament, losing to a scrappy Bumpus Middle School in the championship game. Named to the All Tournament team were Spartans Brian Schmidt and Will Wetzler. Clay Collins and Will Wetzler were also selected to the regular season All Metro team. The seventh grade boys finished their season with a 13-6 overall record.
MBJH Eighth Grade Lady Spartans celebrate their Metro South Tournament Championship with MBJH cheerleaders. Photo courtesy of Hannon Davidson.
MARIO from pg 10
Four-Year Starter That first year, Stramaglia was named all-area. The next year, he would help the team make it to Jacksonville in the playoffs, once again making the all-area team. Before his junior year, the Birmingham News named him to the All-South Metro Team, and he got to play in the AHSAA North/ South All-Star Game. During his time at Mountain Brook, the Spartans have consistently been a top ten team. McMillan said, “Not only has he done a lot for himself, he has done a lot for Mountain Brook basketball.” His career, filled with memorable shots and dunks, came to a close on February 22 in a loss to Hewitt-Trussville in the playoffs in which he contributed 22 points. Stramaglia signed with East Tennessee State a few months ago to play under Murry Bartow, Gene’s son. Other schools began recruiting him but were inconsistent in their contact with him. ETSU, on the other hand, would call and come to practices consistently, making an impression on Stramaglia. “ETSU has showed me the most love,” Stramaglia said. “They have the highest attendance in their conference; I love the coaches; their dorms are extremely nice; and they have good facilities.” McMillan compared playing at ETSU
in basketball to playing at Vanderbilt for football. “People don’t realize that ETSU was top-100 in RPI last year, which was better than Auburn or Alabama. It’s the equivalent of playing at Vanderbilt for football.” All-Time Leading Scorer The night of the Spain Park game was a long one for Stramaglia. But three days later, in a home game against Vestavia, everyone saw the results. He went off for 28 points, in the process becoming Mountain Brook’s all-time leading scorer with 1,557 points. And yet the next day, even after one of his best games, Stramaglia was back in the gym for hours. While his friends were enjoying the weekend, he was focused on completing his mission to become a division-one basketball player. “People can’t comprehend how he works so hard,” McMillan said. “That’s what separates him – he’s a relentless worker regardless of prior results.” The man on the mission is close to achieving all of his goals until he moves on to the next level. For now, he is trying to lead his team to a deep playoff run, improving one practice, one hour, and one shot at a time.
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Basketball season recently concluded with all four MBJH teams advancing in each division to play in the Metro South Championship Finals. The eighth Grade Mountain Brook Lady Spartans, coached by Kelli Moore, defeated the Bumpus Bucs with a thrilling 36-35 win for the Metro South Eighth Grade Basketball Championship. “Bumpus had beaten us twice during the regular season in close games, and last year we lost to Bumpus by one point in the championship game. But this year, we were able to come back and win Metro!” Coach Moore said. Sara Carr was named Metro Tournament MVP while Nicole Strahl and Kathryn Wason were named to the All Tournament Team. In addition to being 2012 Metro Champions, the team won the Metro South - North Division regular season with a stellar record of 14-1 and an overall record of 18-3. Other honors included Kathryn Wason and Sara Carr being named to the regular season All Metro team and Margaret Davidson and Sara Carr being named to the All Tournament team at the Pre-Season Tip-Off Tournament at Bumpus Middle School. The eighth grade boys team, coached by Greg Morrow and assisted by Zach Skipper, finished with an outstanding 21-4 overall record. The team finished as Metro South Tournament runner up, losing in the
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Donald Pliner • Ectetera • Ed Hardy • Ferragamo • Free People J Crew Johnson • Burberry • Carlisle • Chip & Pepper • Christian Louboutin • Citizens of Humanity • Coach • Cole Haan • Cynthia Steefe •
MBJH basketball: Another great season
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March 2012 | School House
Integrity
Commitment
Experience
BWF celebrates annual auction
Parents enjoyed dinner, live music and shopping for auction items at the BWF silent and live auctions to raise funds for classroom projects and technology equipment.
By BAMA HAGER Brookwood Forest Elementary School celebrated the annual Brookwood Forest Elementary Auction on Friday, Feb. 10. Parents and faculty gathered at Pinetree Country Club to enjoy dinner and raise funds for the Brookwood Forest PTO. The funds raised at the annual silent and live auctions are used to support teacher-requested special projects and to support technology enhancement for the school. This year, Principal Nathan Pitner appealed to parents to support the auction to supply iPad technology to each classroom
at BWF. The evening was successful and parents and faculty enjoyed spending the time together. Auctioneer Jack Granger from Granger and Thagard and Associates Auction Events entertained the crowd with lively presentations of live auction items. Live music was provided by Jimmy and Laine. The BWF PTO chairperson was Kelly Putman, who worked with PTO committee auction chairs Molly Baker, Margaret Mullen, Elise Frohsin, Amanda Black, Bridget Sikora, Dabney Blum, Gwen Blackwell and Rachel Barton.
100th day of school celebrations at CBS
Front row: Hannah Parant, Aaron King, Georgia Hairston, Livy Holt, Reid Ramsbacher, Rachel White and Mary Catherine Michie. Back row: Edward Davidson, Henry Hufham, James Ward, Jonah Kipp, Elizabeth Faulkner, Charlie Elliott, Brendan Pierce, Mastin Gagliano and Frances Hodges.
By THERESA GREGORY The kindergarteners of Cherokee Bend Elementary celebrated their 100th day of school. In recognition of this milestone
Weily Soong, MD Kay Knight, MD Maxcie Sikora, MD James Bonner, MD John Anderson, MD Patricia Luthin, CRNP
kindergarteners dressed as centenarians, learned to count to 100 and participated in special activities.
BWF helps with Centerpoint tornado clean up
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Harris Jeffords, Mason Knowles, Connor Sorrells, Clay Stearns, Thomas Robinson, Hudson Dorough, Mills Lowman wear their T-shirts from the cleanup event.
By JULIA KING On Feb. 4, a group from the sixth grade Bible club from Brookwood Forest helped our Centerpoint neighbors clean up from the tornados that affected our area on Jan. 24. Nineteen boys and 16 adults gathered to help their neighbors in need by distributing
Salvation Army bins of emergency supplies as well as picking up debris from the storm. The group thanked First Baptist Church in Centerpoint for organizing and distributing rakes, gloves, food and water to our volunteers.
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School House
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March 2012 |
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Expressions 2012 at MBE
Sixth grade MBE girls Mary Carrington Gullage, Adele Bloodworth, Ellie Toranto, Catherine Conner and Remy Garrison were contest winners.
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MBE Winners Andy Hanaway, Adele Bloodworth, Evan Jack, Alex Pitts, Ashley Pitts, Biana Loglisci and Lydia Loglisci at the reception.
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By HILARY ROSS Expressions is the annual writing and arts contest held by the four elementary schools in Mountain Brook. Winners selected from each school compete with each other in the district competition. Participation in the Expression Program is open to any student attending a Mountain Brook elementary school. This year’s theme was “If I Ruled the World...” This year, Mountain Brook Elementary had its highest number of entries in the history of the competition. Virginia Phillips and Janice Pitts were the PTO parents who co-chaired the contest for MBE. The MBE winners who were honored at a recent reception and advanced to compete at the district level are as follows: In the Visual Arts category K-2nd division: Miller Drummond won, Hunter Keller received second and Lydia Loglisci placed third. Ashley Pitts and Chase Miller were awarded Honorable Mention. In the 3rd-4th division: Jane Margaret Turner was first, Alex Pitts was second, while Bianca Loglisci finished third. Cami Fowler and Chloe Kinderman received Honorable Mention. In the 5th-6th division: Elle Martin finished first, Harrison Gorham was second, and Nan Hollis placed third. Remy Garrison and Catherine Conner won Honorable Mention.
For Musical Composition, Alex Pitts of fourth grade won. In Video Production, first place went to Mary Carrington Gullage, while Jackson Sharman placed second. Andy Hanaway was third with Adele Bloodworth and Caroline Pugh receiving honorable mention. All these students are from 6th grade. In Literature 5th-6th grade: Ellie Toranto won first, Daniel Wilbanks second and Sam Somerville third. Eliza Gauldin, Hamp Sisson and Andrew Sink received Honorable Mention. 3rd-4th grade winners were: Bianca Loglisci, first, Mary Katherine Fowlkes second and Ann Carlton Keller third. Maggie Doyle and Fletcher Nunnelley received Honorable Mention. In the K-2 category: Evan Jack won first, while Ashley Pitts placed second and Woodson Canterbury was third. For Photography, in the 3rd-4th grade category, Luke Close won and Alex Pitts finished second. In the 5th-6th division, Adele Bloodworth won first, Truman Evans was second and Ethan Harradine finished third. Honorable Mention went to Wills Taylor and Charley Byers. Congratulations to these creative and artistic children.
Cherokee Bend student wins district Spelling Bee By FRANCES WATTS After winning the school-wide spelling bee at Cherokee Bend Elementary, fifth grader Zachary Shunnarah represented the school in the Mountain Brook District Spelling Bee, where he competed against students from five other public and private schools in the city. He went on to win that competition also, so Zachary will represent the City of Mountain Brook in the Jefferson County Spelling Bee. This is Zachary’s second year to win the school-wide bee and his first year to win the district bee. Zachary is the son of Debby and George Shunnarah.
Spelling Bee winner Zachary Shunnarah.
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March 2012 | School House
Crestline, other teams compete at Junior United Nations By SUSAN DULIN
At the end of January, nearly 300 students from across Alabama gathered at Birmingham-Southern College dressed as natives of nations including Zimbabwe, Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Brazil. The event was the 21st annual Junior United Nations Assembly (JUNA), a tradition that Mountain Brook students have enjoyed for 21 years. The students didn’t just dress as citizens of different nations; they discussed the problems faced by each nation and how other countries might work together to solve them. What compels sixth, seventh and eighth graders to discuss water sanitation, counterfeit drugs, refugee camps and drought prevention in Africa? “Students go in to JUNA with a thirst for knowledge and go out with the same, but also with a new storehouse of valuable knowledge and a profound sense of leadership. The experience transforms the students and prepares them as leaders of our country,” said Katy Kiser, PAGE teacher and JUNA sponsor at Brookwood Forest Elementary. And some kids get hooked on JUNA and return year after year, serving as committee chairs, officers and other leadership positions. “I have been involved in JUNA for the past six years,” said Carson Jones, a junior at MBHS and employee of JUNA. “I have yet to see another program that does as much as JUNA. We bring kids from across the state together to solve the world’s problems. They engage each other in intelligent conversation and debate in order to find the best solutions. They learn about the world, they meet people from many different walks of life, and they experience something that will stay with them forever. It is truly one of the best experiences one can have at their age.” Carson Jones, a junior at Mountain
Crestline Students representing Columbia at JUNA won awards for Outstanding Native Dress and team member Ann Douglas Lott won Outstanding Girl Delegate and Bascombe Traywick won Honorable Mention as Outstanding Boy Delegate. The team was Ann Douglas, Lott, Bascombe Traywick, Hughes Mitchell, Banks Walston and Lucie Christian. CES’s Zimbabwe team won Outstanding Resolution, Honorable Mention for Outstanding Native Dress, and team member Avery Schelske won Outstanding Boy Delegate. The team was Avery Schelske, Elizabeth Leitner, Katherine Grace McMinn, Elizabeth Kinsaul and Harrison Clark.
JUNA officers for 2012. Front row: Lucy Kornegay; Mary Keller Greene, MBJH; Sarah Grace McDuff. Back row: Cameron Humphrey; George Keller, MBJH; Arman Niknafs, MBJH; Sam Thomas.
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Brook High School and JUNA’s Director of Technology, created a comprehensive website for the organization. Live feeds via reJUNA and Twitter kept parents and teachers updated on the latest events at JUNA. “Carson is a perfect example of following a passion and channeling talent and hard work into something that benefits hundreds of people,” said Melinda Story, member of JUNA and former sponsor. “It’s a million times better thanks to his innovations over the years.” Other Mountain Brook students serving as officers at JUNA include Mary Keller Greene, George Keller and Arman Niknafs. Security Council Monitors included Benjamin Honan, Margaret Koopman, Dailey Nichols and Marc Straus. Committee chairmen and ambassadors included Jack Martin, Emily McLean, Annie Somerville, Patrick Trammell and Madalyn Rosenthal. “JUNA was a wonderful process for my students and myself as an educator. In just a few months my students went from smart kids to students of the world. JUNA has exposed my kids to both the wonders and hurts of the world,” said Mandi Lybrand, Mountain Brook Elementary’s PAGE teacher and JUNA sponsor. Hearing students discuss and debate Syria’s situation, shark finning, child labor and human rights is impressive. “It is young people leading young people in very advanced worldwide decisions. At times the conclusions are not always the most rational, but the children arrived at the decisions themselves which it the beauty of it!” said Sandy Martin, mother of delegate Jack Martin. For more information, visit www. junaofalabama.com.
Village Living |
My sixth grader is nagging me to buy her an iPhone. This seems ridiculous to me, but she insists that “everybody” else in her grade has a cell phone. What’s your opinion about this?
contend that when we give children these devices and fail to provide appropriate controls and supervision, these abuses are completely predictable. Here are some things to consider. First, what is the real reason for giving our kids phones? Is it really about safety, or as your question implies, is it about yielding to the pressure of what “everybody else” is doing? Second, if we decide to provide a child a cell phone, is a “smart phone,” complete with video camera, texting and all kinds of other sophisticated features, really the best choice as a first phone? Third, is there an alternative to having your child go overnight from not having a cell phone to “owning” a smart phone? I’ve suggested an alternative approach on a free website, Cell Phone Sanity (cellphonesanity.com. I don’t sell anything there and don’t make money from the site.) Here’s the short version. When the time is approaching to allow your child to start using a cell phone, consider starting with a low-end basic cell phone (if you can find one!) and allow your child to carry that phone only when he or she is away from home. Don’t let your child “own” the phone. Give it to her when she gets out of your car and take it back when she is back with you. Do that for a year or two. Then, when your child is old enough that you think it makes sense for her to carry a phone with her at all times, enter into a written contract with your child. The contract should make clear your rules and expectations for the use of the phone. I provide a sample contract at cellphonesanity.com. Be prepared to follow through and to take that phone away for intervals when you have evidence your child has misused the phone. Dale Wisely, Ph.D. is Director of Student Services at Mountain Brook Schools and has been a child and adolescent psychologist for nearly 30 years. Dr. Wisely welcomes your questions for future columns; email jennifer@ villagelivingonline.com to submit yours.
MBJH student places in Fashion Week competition By MADOLINE MARKHAM Whenever seventh grader Gracie Carmichael is bored, she sketches fashion designs or dance routine outfits—a skill that she put to good use to design a dress made of playing cards and duct tape in just one day. Her design not only landed her a place to compete in Birmingham Fashion Week’s Rising Star Design Challenge; the finished product, modeled live by her friend Clare Friday, also won third place in the competition. The Rising Star Challenge judged high school and junior high students on garments made of nontraditional items, and the top 20 designers showed their designs in the Saturday night fashion finale. Gracie was awarded a $200 scholarship from Mercedes-Benz for her third place finish. Gracie had made jewelry and flip flops out of duct tape for fun before. For her design for the competition, she created the top of the dress out of red and black tape, laced up in the back with a shoelace. For the skirt, she superglued two decks of playing cards to a sheet of plastic. Gracie completed the dress in one week, spending about three hours on it a day, before the big runway event, where she got to meet models backstage as well as the other Rising Start contestants. “People told me they liked how the cards and duct tape all went together,” she said. “They said it looked like something
Clare Friday models Gracie Carmichael’s design. Photo courtesy of Chuck St. John Photography.
they would actually wear in real life.” Gracie hopes to compete in the Rising Star competition again next year. In the meantime, the Mountain Brook Junior High student stays busy dancing at Linda Dobbins Dance and working on sketches.
tyle
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There is no doubt that parents are providing increasingly sophisticated cell phones to younger and younger children. According to surveys by the Pew Research Center, in 2006, 18 percent of 12-year-olds carried personal cell phones. By 2009, 58 percent of the same age group had cell phones. Of course, we would expect that to be considerably higher now, more than two years later. (Also quite striking is the rise of text messaging among teenagers. In the third quarter of 2011, according to a Nielsen survey, teenagers 13-17 years of age on average were sending or receiving 3,417 text messages a month, which amounts to seven messages per waking hour.) So, your daughter may not be that far from being right when she says that “everybody” else in her grade has a cell phone. I’m confident not everyone else does, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the majority do. Frankly, I don’t think that’s the same as saying that it’s a good idea. In my conversations with parents on this topic, they cite safety concerns as the most common reason they provided their children with cell phones. They want their kids to be able to reach them, and they want to be able to reach their children. This is understandable. Ironically, once they give their kids cell phones because of safety concerns, their new concern is often safety—how do they help their children stay safe on their phones? It isn’t for me to judge at what age a child ought to have a cell phone. I generally believe we are providing them to our kids when they are too young. More to the point, I am concerned that we are allowing younger and younger kids to have these devices without thinking through the implications. The saturation of our society with cell phones has happened really quickly, and the technology has gotten ahead of the developmental considerations. We all are hearing about cyber bullying and sexting and other abuses of cell phones. I
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Parenting with Dr. Dale Wisely What about the iPhone?
March 2012 |
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March 2012 | Village Living
Business Spotlight 81 Church Street 870-1889
Hayden Boutique
BY BRITTNEY HARRISON
Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Price tags and accessories have replaced menus and utensils in Crestline Village. The former Golden Rule BBQ has transformed into Hayden Boutique last year. The store carries trendy tops and jeans coupled with endless accessories, from scarves and headbands to watches and jewelry. They also periodically offer classy cocktail dresses and college spirited apparel. Popular brands at Hayden include Theme, Jenny Hann, My Tribe, James and Joy, Yoana Baraschi and Tracy Reese. Since leasing the location in May 2011, owners Hayden and Linda Carter have hit the ground running. “Entrepreneurial skills are in our genes,” Hayden said referring to her parents’ 26-year electrical business endeavor and her brother’s success in running his own personal training business. Turning a barbecue-smoked space into a boutique was quite an experience for Hayden and her mother. “It was truly a labor of love,” Hayden said. The doors of Hayden have been opened to the public since October, but the idea of opening a trendy boutique was first a decade-long discussion between the mother-daughter duo. Born and raised in Vestavia, Hayden completed nursing school at UAB in 1997. She was a nurse in a private practice for a few years before giving birth to her daughter, Emma, in 2003. After Emma’s birth, Hayden went into medical sales and traveled all over the state of Alabama. For years the Carter women kept their eyes open for a place to lease but it
Linda and Hayden Carter opened Hayden Boutique in 2011. Photo by Brittney Harrison.
wasn’t until recently that “life seemed to slow down,” said Hayden. And just as it did, they spotted a suitable and affordable space. It was at 81 Church Street that Hayden and Linda Carter’s vision became a reality. When asked about how family ties into the store both Hayden and her mother shared a smirk and genuinely admitted, “We’re a typical family and families fight, but we get over it.” But Hayden also expresses how wonderful it has been to have her mother
with her especially when traveling to various markets in New York, Atlanta and Las Vegas to purchase items for the store. “It’s always good to have a second opinion,” Hayden said. Although still too young to travel with her mother and grandmother, Emma, now 9, still plays a part in Hayden’s Tween collection located upstairs. Marketing to ages 7-14, the Tween section showcases brands such as 3 Pommes and Miss Me. From 8 year olds to 80 year olds, Hayden Carter has dressed them all. Paying
close attention to what her customers wear and listening to what they want, she constantly strives to fill her store with the styles and tastes of her clientele. It’s all about learning how to read people. “We want people to feel comfortable and play dress up,” she said. As the year continues to unfold, be on the lookout for Hayden’s special events for Spring Break, Easter and college sorority rush. Find their latest updates on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hayden.Boutique. Mt.Brook.
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Restaurant Showcase
Village Living
Newk’s Express Cafe
2800 Cahaba Village Plaza 969-5584
Sun.-Thurs., 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 10:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. There is no shortage of great restaurants in Mountain Brook. From fine dining to fast food and everything in between, residents can choose to eat pretty much anything at anytime. But factor in time, traffic and money, and your choices might be whittled down. One restaurant that fits the bill almost any time is Newk’s Express Cafe in Cahaba Village Plaza, adjacent to Whole Foods Market. With three Birmingham locations, UAB, Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook, this eatery is feeding a whole lot of people. Headquartered in Jackson, Miss., CKJ Eateries owns the restaurant chain. The name comes from one of the company’s founders, Chris Newcomb, who describes the concept as fast-casual, one of the fastest growing segments of the
Condiment bar at Newk’s in Cahaba Village.
Newk’s Favorite salad. Photos by Madoline Markham.
restaurant industry. I recently sat down with Birmingham-based Marketing and Catering Director Paige Gilliland to see what makes this place such a success in our own community. “Newk’s really appeals to so many different types of diners. At lunch time, we see tons of folks from nearby Office Park, moms with small kids, ladies in tennis skirts—you name it!” While the meals are made to order, customers fill those famous large black Newk’s go-cups from a self-serve beverage station. Gilliland mentioned how much people love those cups, “I am sure some of our regulars have a cabinet full of them at home. They are just a great solid big cup, not something flimsy you’d throw away.” Unique to Newk’s is the large glass table in the center of the restaurant, filled with all those extras that regular customers have come to count on for adding a little oomph to a salad or sandwich: glass jars
full of capers, pickles, fresh Parmesan cheese, croutons, banana peppers and jalapenos. They can also find breadsticks and other flavors to spice up their meals: Sriracha sauce, Tabasco, dried basil leaves and crushed red pepper flakes. Sandwich orders arrive on lowmaintenance metal plates topped with waxed paper. Salads and sides are served in pretty, brightly colored bowls. And because the servings are so ample, you’ll need to know where they keep the extra togo boxes: just under that center glass table. My personal Newk’s favorite is the Italian: cappicola, mortadella, pepperoni, salami and provolone cheese piled on a toasted submarine roll, garnished with spicy Creole mustard, mayo, hot cherry peppers and Italian sauce. Gilliland said that the Newk’s “Q” is a very popular choice: white BBQ sauce on top of a grilled chicken breast with Applewood smoked bacon and Swiss cheese. Yum!
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BY CHRISTIANA ROUSSEL
But there are plenty of healthier choices too like the Newk’s Favorite Salad made with grilled chicken, gorgonzola cheese, dried cranberries, grapes, artichoke hearts and pecans, topped with a sherry vinaigrette. Other traditional salad choices abound, and pizzas, soups and dessert round out the diverse menu. “We see a lot of customers here on Sundays, after church. Mom and dad get what they want and the kids are always happy,” Gilliland said. “We’re also real close to a lot of the soccer and lacrosse fields. That’s when the ‘Express’ part of our name comes in handy. People can phone their order in and eat it on the way to practice or a game.” Gilliland is quick to note that Newk’s Express Cafe loves being a part of this community and she feels privileged to oversee those opportunities. Last fall, customers knew something was up when those famous black go-cups turned bright pink. Gilliland spearheaded the Cahaba Village for the Cure event devoted to getting folks registered for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure run held in October. Neighboring businesses like Whole Foods Market and Yogurt Mountain offered specials too. “I can’t tell you how much it meant to us at Newk’s to be able to donate $7,500 to this effort. We raised awareness for an important cause and got a lot of folks registered to run. It was terrific.” Newk’s Express Cafe is a proud Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce member, and Gilliland has just joined the Chamber Board, representing the retailers of Cahaba Village Plaza. Christiana Roussel lives in Crestline and is a lover of all things food-related. You can follow her culinary musings on-line at ChristianasKitchen.com or on Facebook (ChristianasKitchen) or Twitter (Christiana40).
Mountain Brook Community Education Summer Programs SHIP at Crestline Elementary
S.H.I.P. provides a wonderful summer program for children who are age 4 by September 1 through rising 2nd graders. Sarah Creveling directs this highly popular pro- gram. This year there will be three one- week sessions. Each week is a different theme. Fee is $150 per student per session. Session 1 June 11-15 Session 2 June 18-22 Session 3 June 25-29 Sessions are from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Chess Camp at CES
The Knight School is Birmingham’s premiere chess program. Dr. David Brooks will host two sessions at Crestline Elementary. Choose the week of June 18-22 or July 9-13. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. To register, contact David Brooks at 205-823-5715 or dbrooksphd@hotmail. com. Fee is $200.
Summer Day Program at CES
Mrs. Jayne Euwer, Crestline Elementary kindergarten teacher, is planning another fun-filled summer of activities for Mountain Brook students entering grades 1-6. Pro- gram runs from June 4 through July 27. Daily hours are 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Required registration fee is $50 per student. Weekly fee is $160 per student.
Summer Safari at Brookwood All Star Sports Camp at BWF Forest Join coaches Kyle Ritter and Kirk
Babysitting
Rush Workshop
Summer Tennis
Fine arts camp at Brookwood Forest with Debbie Rakes and Leslie Wingo emphasizing art and music June 18-22. Times are 9:00 a.m. until noon. Cost is $225 per student. Two day workshop, April 15-16, for those mothers and daughters interested in learning more about the sorority recruitment process and how to be better prepared. To register, email rushbiddies@aol.com.
Driving Lessons
Need to know the basics? Individual driving instruction is available. Larry Wilson is a state certified driving instructor. Dates are arranged by the instructor. Cost is $60 per hour. Call 969-0109.
McClendon for another great summer of sports! Students bring sack lunch. For students ages 4 years through 6th grade. Choose from these sessions. #1 June 4– 8 #2 June 11-15 #3 June 18-22 #4 June 25-29 #5 July 9-13 Camp fee is $175 per child per session.
Reading Round Up -Brookwood Forest
Become a Red Cross certified babysitter. Our course directs basic child care, diapering, feeding, emergency situations and first aid. Fee is $105 per student. One day classes are offered Saturdays, April 14, May 19, June 9 and August 11. Leslie Bashinsky will offer tennis at the courts at Mountain Brook Junior High on May 29-June 1. Kindergarten through 4th grade meet at 9:00 a.m. for an hour and half. The cost is $70. Grades 5-9 meet at 9:00 a.m. for three hours. The cost is $140.
National Board Certified teachers offer reading camp for incoming kindergartners though rising 2nd graders July 9- 13. SMART at MBE Students are divided by grades. Hours are Spanish, music, and art...now that’s 9:00 a.m. till noon for incoming kinder- SMART! Mountain Brook Elementary gartners and 2:00 p.m. for all others. teachers direct this fun filled week of June 25-29. Times are 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Fee is $225 per student.
To Register visit our website or call 969-0109
www.mtnbrook.k12.al.us/mbce
SOS
Knox Bricken will offer three 2-week sessions www.mtnbrook.k12.al.us/ mbce for students who need help with their study and organizational skills. Fees are $325 per student. Sessions, at MB Board of Ed, are June 18-29, July 9-20, and July 23 August 3.
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March 2012 |
Mountain Brook Events
3/4 – LJCC Camp Fair & Palooza. N.E. Miles Jewish Day School Gym, Levite Jewish Community Center. 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. More information: www.bhamjcc.org. 3/6– MBHS Theatre Arts department presents Androcles and the Lion. MBHS Performing Arts Center. 5:30 p.m. This one act pay won Best of Show and was chosen to represent the state of Alabama at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga. Admission: free of charge, donations welcomed and appreciated. More information: http://www.mtnbrook. k12.al.us/MBHS/. 3/8– Paying for College. Junior League of Birmingham. 6:30 p.m. Parents and high school students, please join us tonight for a discussion on paying for college. We’ll talk about various loans, scholarships and grants and learn what steps to take to make college is affordable. More information: www.jlbonline.com or 879-9861. 3/9 – LJCC Bridge Club. Levite Jewish
Village Living Calendar Community Center. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The new instructor, Abe Zanayed, will offer The Play of the Hand book from 9 -11 a.m., and The ACBL series book, Bidding in the 21st Century. Admission: $15. AMore information: contact Mindy Cohen at 8790411 ext. 233 or mcohen@bhamjcc.org. 3/19-3/23 – Spring Break Camp. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Grades K-4. Cooking, hiking, crafts, games, sports, and swimming. TAdmission: Members, $25; non-members, $35. More information: www.bhamjcc.org. 3/31 - Funky Fish Fry. Crestline lawn across from Emmet O’Neal Library, 50 Oak Street. 12:30-8 p.m. Listen to funky music, hang out with friends and eat some catfish. Food will be provided by Ezell’s Fish Camp. There will also be stuff for the kids to do and amazing prizes up for grabs. Proceeds benefit the Autism Society of Alabama and Mitchell’s Place. Admission: $20, in advance; $25, at the door; Free, children 12 and under. More information: 951-1364.
Special Events
Sign up for a year of lawn treatments and the first month is on us! 942.5200 • www.curbappealonline.com
Music & Arts
3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24 – Hikes for Tykes. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Children engage with nature through hands-on biology, storytelling, and movement. More information: 401-0245 or email events@freshairfamily.org.
3/1-3/11 – Theatre LJCC Presents Its Production of Disney’s Aladdin Jr. Levite Jewish Community Center. 3960 Montclair Road. March 1, 3, 8 & 10, 7:30 p.m.; March 4 & 11, 2 p.m. Admission: adults, $15; students, $12. More information: www. bhamjcc.org.
3/6-3/7 - Babes in the Zoo: Swimming Animal. Birmingham Zoo. 9 a.m. Admission: $6, Members; $12, Nonmembers. More information: 879-0409.
3/9 - TAO: The Art of the Drum. Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center. 8 p.m. Admission: $28-$50; $20, students. More information: 975-ARTS.
3/10 – The Early Bird African Violet Club presents “Hybridization.” Birmingham Botanical Gardens, main level Conference Room. 10 a.m. More information: (256) 3787398 or www.ebafricanvioletclub.com.
3/9-3/11 - The Pablo Cruise Incident. Virginia Samford Theatre. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Admission: $20, Adults; $15, Students and Seniors. More information: 251-1206.
3/10 – Birmingham Roller Derby. Zamora Shrine Temple. 3521 Ratliff Road, Irondale, AL 35210. 4 p.m. Birmingham’s Tragic City Rollers will take on the Rolling Arsenal of Derby (RAD) of Huntsville, AL in a doubleheader feature. Admission: $10 in advance, $15 at the door; children 8 and under are free. More information: eiffelpower16@ yahoo.com or www.tragiccityrollers.com.
3/9-3/11 - Birmingham Ballet Presents: Sleeping Beauty. BJCC. 3/9 at 10 a.m. 3/10 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. 3/11 at 2 p.m. Admission: $25-$38, Adults, $17.50-$27.50. More information: www.bjcc.org.
3/14 – Pi Day. McWane Science Center. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. More information: www. mcwane.org/events.
Dedicated to Making a Difference Landscape Installation and Construction, Irrigation and Lighting, Maintenance and Hardscapes
kleban@gmail.com.
3/16, 3/18 - Opera Birmingham Presents: Carmen. Samford University’s Wright Center Concert Hall. Mar. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Mar.18, 2:30 p.m. Admission: $35- $90. More information: 322-6737 or http://www. operabirmingham.org/performances.html.
3/17 – St. Patrick’s Day Activities. Ruffner Mountian Nature Center. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission: Free. More information: 8338264.
3/27. Peking Acrobats. Samford University’s Wright Center Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. Admission: $15- $33. More information: 726-2853 or www.samford. edu/wrightcenter.
3/29 – Melinda Rainey Thompson – I’ve Had It Up to Here with Teenagers. Alabama Booksmith. 2626 19th Place South, Birmingham. 4 p.m. Book purchasing and signing event. More information: 870-4242.
3/30. Ballet Hispanico. Samford University’s Wright Center Concert Hall. 7:30 p.m. Admission: $18- $43. More information: 726-2853 or www.samford. edu/wrightcenter.
3/31 - Rumpshaker 5k. Sloss Furnaces. 5k, 8 a.m.; 1 Mile Fun Run, 9 a.m. Registration opens at 6 a.m. More information: 933-8911.
Save the Date
3/31 – Free Tennis Festival. Birmingham Southern Tennis Complex. 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Open to children of all ages 10 and under. Admission: Free. More information: sarah.
4/7- Easter Egg Hunt. Field across from the Emmet O’Neal Library in Crestline. 10 a.m. More information: 870-7772.
LILLY from pg 1
Join us for lunch every month...
THIRD THURSDAYS "tips from the trade" with Dana Holcombe
Techniques of Timeless Custom Finishes Over the course of her 34 year career in Birmingham, Dana has designed homes for local clients as well as residences and vacation homes from Florida to Ohio and west to Montana and Colorado. She has a passion for beautiful fabrics, antiques, details and creating homes of comfort and beauty with a timeless quality for generation to generation. Dana believes in living graciously and always enjoying being at home!
Bring a friend, 11:30 March 15th call or email for your complimentary reservation
The King's House Oriental Rugs and Antiques 2807 2nd Ave S, The Pepper Place 205.244.1933 kingshouseorientals@gmail.com
across the country. Isom is traveling with Ledbetter to New York where Ledbetter will be on CBS This Morning and The Rachel Maddow Show on March 5 to talk about the book. The book project started as a single article Isom was writing about Ledbetter for Thicket magazine. Birmingham photographer Jason Wallis took the book’s cover photograph for the original article, bringing the book’s Alabama ties full circle. “[Lilly and I] had a great rapport, and she wanted an Alabama writer for her book,” Isom said. “We hit it off, and she chose me of all people.” Isom had long been passionate about both about writing about Alabama people and about social justice. Ledbetter’s project was the perfect marriage of the two. “Lilly is a pistol,” Isom said. “She is charming, tough and smart. She is the most determined person I have ever met and frankly very inspiring to me.” Isom wrote the book proposal over the course of a year, the usual amount of time for a good proposal. It sold in a matter of weeks. Grace and Grit remains one of Isom’s proudest accomplishments. “[In] nine months, I had fleshed out the book; nine months after that, Grace and Grit will be published,” she said. “I like to say writing and publishing the book are akin to the gestation cycle of an elephant, except longer.” Isom is quick to emphasize the importance of another person in Ledbetter’s life, her attorney and Mountain Brook resident Jon Goldfarb. He fought her case for six years and stood by her until the legislation in her name was passed. “I am not sure who else would do that,” Isom said. Isom and Ledbetter will speak on March 2 as a part of Altamont Alumni Author Series at the Altamont School, where
Lilly Ledbetter and Lanier Isom pose for a picture when Lilly spoke at Tulane, Isom’s alma mater, in 2010. Photo courtesy of Hugo Isom.
she attended high school and returned to teach literature and writing after receiving her master’s degree in English. Isom also taught at Mountain Brook High School. While teaching, she had become a literary jack-of-all-trades by writing editorials, book reviews and articles as a freelancer. She later became a publicist and served as the editor of Birmingham Home and Garden magazine for several years. “I say the whole [Lilly Ledbetter] thing came about because I wrote for years and years—and with a little serendipity,” she said. While teaching, Isom wrote her first novel. She is currently seeking a publisher while she writes her second novel. Born and raised in Mountain Brook, Isom lives with her husband, Hugo, and her kids in a Crestline farmhouse her grandfather bought in 1918. Her son Clint is in the eighth grade at Altamont and daughter Frances is in third grade at Crestline Elementary. For more information on Isom and the book, visit www.lanierisom.com.
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Around the Villages
Around the Villages
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March 2012 |
23
Awards given at Chamber Luncheon Iron Tribe Fitness coming to Crestline Iron Tribe Fitness, a CrossFit affiliate, is opening a new location in Crestline in the former Gravlee Fitness space. They anticipate opening in late March. Those new to Iron Tribe start with a 12-session, month-long Iron Tribe 101 class that teaches fundamental CrossFit workouts and the terminology used in the classes. The first Iron Tribe 101 session is set
to begin March 26. Iron Tribe will be located at 15 Dexter Avenue. For more information about the Crestline location, call co-manager and coach Michael Collins at 874-6300. For more information about Iron Tribe, visit www.IronTribeFitness.com.
New orthodontics practice in Crestline Greg King of luncheon sponsor Iberia Bank, Master of Ceremonies Mike Royer, Mayor Terry Oden, keynote speaker Don Logan, and outgoing Chamber of Commerce President Steven Hydinger.
The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon Feb. 9 at The Club. City Manager Sam Gaston presented Director of Finance Steve Boone with the city Employee of the Year award, crediting Boone as the reason that the city has the best paid employees and the lowest bond rate. Mayor Terry Oden presented Pleasant Grove Mayor Jerry Brasseale with a check for $1,000. The amount was from the proceeds of the Village2Village Run and was what Oden called a “down payment” on the future funds they will raise to assist Pleasant Grove with its recovery
efforts from the April 27, 2011 tornadoes. The Pleasant Grove donation was a part of Mountain Brook’s Spartans Helping Spartans campaign. George Ladd was presented the John Jemison Award, and his grandson accepted it on his behalf. Former Time Inc. executive and current owner of the Birmingham Barons, BASS and Seek Publishing Don Logan spoke about his experiences and hopes for the new baseball park downtown. For more information about the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, visit welcometomountainbrook.com.
The Pink Tulip now open in Cahaba Village The Pink Tulip clothing store has opened a second location in Cahaba Village on Highway 280 between Whole Foods and Diamonds Direct. The store sells women’s clothing and accessories for all ages. They are located at 2800 Cahaba
Village, #175 and can be reached at 6375390. Their hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.thepinktu. com or find “The Pink Tulip Clothing” on Facebook.
Orthodontists Dr. Christy Jebeles Savage Dr. Sherri Weissman are opening a new Great Smiles practice in Crestline. The orthodontics practice will be located in the Steeple Academy of Dance Building and specialize in braces for children, teens and adults. Together the two doctors have
a total of 38 years of experience. Great Smiles plans to open for business at 36 Church Street at the end of March and is now taking appointments. To make an appointment, call 803-1115. For more information, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/greatsmilesal.
New office & retail space in English Village Kahn Properties Management is constructing a new office and retail space in the former Briarcliff Shop location on Cahaba Road in English Village. The first floor will house one or two retail shops and the second floor will house one to two office spaces. The building is expected to be completed in June. “We would like to see a decorator,
dress shop, antiques store or another upscale nice retail business on first floor,” said owner Gayle Kahn. “We have already received lot of inquiries about the space.” According to Kahn, there will be additional parking for the property once when the new building opens. To contact Kahn Properties Management, call 933-7788.
Crestline Easter Egg Hunt set for April 7 The merchants of Crestline Village are organizing the annual Easter Egg Hunt for April 7 at 10 a.m. The hunt will take place in the field across from the Emmet O’Neal
Library, 50 Oak Street. The Easter Bunny will be available for photos after the egg hunt. For more information, call 870-7772.
Welcome New Board Members 2012
q Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce r
32 Vine Street Mountain Brook, AL 35213 (205) 871-3779 www.welcometomountainbrook.com
MOUNTAIN BROOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 32 Vine Street Mountain Brook, Alabama 35213 205-871-3779 www.welcometomountainbrook.com
This is a green we have used before for their ads, might be a good color for the boarder
Amy Jackson
Terry Chapman Executive Vice President
V.P. Governmental Affairs
V.P. Community Affairs
Will Haver
Kathryn Keith
Seth Adams
Jalona Patterson
Annie Damsky
Kaye Emack
John Montgomery Director at Large
Director at Large
Amy Carter
Steven Hydinger
President
Co-V.P. Retail Crestline Village
Jean Clayton
Co-V.P. Retail English Village
Tricia Drew
Paul DeMarco
Co-V.P. Retail Mtn. Brook Village
Director at Large
Director at Large
Director at Large
Martha Gorham
John Wilson
David Faulkner
Secretary
Treasurer
General Counsel
Lee Perry
Co-V.P. Retail Office Park
City Council Liaison
Derick Belden Christiana Roussel V.P. Business Development
Co-V.P. Retail Overton Village
Dyron Powell
Past President
V.P. Marketing & Communications
Ann Sanders Co-V.P. Retail 280 Plaza
Suzan Craig Martin, DVM Smith-Doidge Co-V.P. Retail Executive Director River Run
Bob Schuler
Lori Smith, M.D.
John Rucker
Sam Gaston
Director at Large
Director at Large
2nd Past President Sustaining Member
Doug Prescott
Co-V.P. Retail Brookwood Village
Hannon
Paige Gilliland Co-V.P. Retail Cahaba Village
Frank Caley
Sharley Davidson Project Manager
Director at Large
Howard Torch
Alice Womack
Director at Large
Craig Fravert
Mtn. Brook Schools Fdn Board Liaison
Director at Large
Doug Centeno
Mtn. Brook Sports Corporation Liaison
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March 2012 |
School House
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