Village Living February 2016

Village Living Volume 6 | Issue 11 | February 2016

Regaining control

neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook

AROUND THE WORLD

FOR RYAN

By SYDNEY CROMWELL

Grand Jete Fitness owner, who overcame a lifelong battle with an eating disorder, teaches others how to safely accept themselves.

See page A20

Appreciating life

From Thailand and Russia to South Africa and Croatia, the five-member Hirn family each carried a backpack with everything they needed for a trip around the world. The sixth backpack was most important — it represented the son who couldn’t be there.

“He would love this trip around the world with his brothers,” said Dawn Hirn of her son Ryan, who died at 7 years old in a car crash that left Dawn, her husband Ron and son Tyler badly burned.

After Ryan’s death, Dawn said her family moved forward on autopilot for nearly a decade. They moved from Texas to Lake Martin, where Dawn home-schooled Tyler and his younger brothers, Trenton and Colton.

“We had lost control, losing a child. And we needed to gain some control back in our life. So it was kind of a subconscious need to helicopter, to keep our little guys safe because we didn’t do that for one of our children,” Dawn said.

See RYAN | page A23

Sara Carr is the two-time reigning Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year on the volleyball court. Photo

by Frank Couch.

Sara Carr a leader on and off the court

By KYLE PARMLEY Sara Carr has earned more than enough accolades on the volleyball and basketball courts throughout her career.

The senior at Mountain Brook High School is the two-time reigning Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year in volleyball, as the Lady Spartans have captured the Class 7A state championship each of the last two seasons. She was also named the state tournament Most Valuable Player both years.

On the basketball floor, she is productive in many areas. She averaged 20.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game as a junior, and set a school record with 544 points in a single season. The only thing keeping her from shattering many other records is the fact that she will have four years of varsity action under her belt, while many of the program record holders accumulated five seasons worth of statistics.

Despite those statistics, Carr’s on-the-court dominance is not the headliner when her name is mentioned. The intangible attributes she possesses that enable her to lead on and off the courts begin to pop up in conversations.

“She’s always been such a unique and special individual,” said Mark Cornelius, coach of the Lady Spartans

Megan Gagliardi welcomes a fresh start and all that life has to offer after heart transplant at the age of 19.

See page B10

INSIDE Sponsors ......... A4 City ................... A6 Business ..........A8 Chamber ........A10 Community ..... A11

Sports ..............A21 School House .. B3 Opinion ............ B13 Calendar ..........B14

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The Hirns took their son Ryan’s backpack around the world and photographed it in different locations, including Africa. Photo courtesy of Dawn Hirn.

See CARR | page A22

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A2 • February 2016

Village Living

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February 2016 • A3

A4 • February 2016

Village Living

About Us Editor’s Note By Jennifer Gray People tend to associate February with Valentine’s Day — love, hearts, candy and flowers — in short, romantic love. But there are all types of love. The love of a true friend, the love that never ends even when a life does, a love of oneself, a love of family and a love of one’s country and service to others.

In this month’s issue we profile some stories that speak of these kinds of love.

Our zoo love article shows that love comes in many different forms. Read all about the remarkable story of friendship and love the flamingos at the zoo show a fellow blind flamingo named Pink Beard or a group of monkeys that in every way acts like a family.

We also have a few stories this month that will tug at your heartstrings. The Hirn family experienced the tragic loss of one of their sons. As part of their journey to deal with the tragedy and to move forward, the Hirns and their three other children, along with a videographer, traveled around the world with a backpack honoring their son Ryan. Find out why they chose to honor him this way and how the experience changed their lives.

Whitney Owenby, the owner of English Village’s Grand Jete and Mountain Brook native, has dealt with her own challenges. She has fought hard to overcome anorexia and regain her life.

Learn about the special atmosphere

she works to create at Grand Jete, her journey, and an event she is hosting to help inform and educate the community about eating disorders.

Mayor Terry Oden has served our city as mayor for 20 years, but service to others has been a part of his life long before he ran for office. Oden served in the Secret Service for 25 years. Read all about his experiences — he has some great stories and has met some historic figures. Find out what this international man of mystery’s thoughts are on running for another term.

We hope you enjoy this issue.

BEHIND THE LENS

By Frank Couch

Firefighters at Mountain Brook’s Fire Station 1 recently completed an American flag made of fire hoses and connectors. All shifts contributed to the project that was unveiled at the annual Christmas party.

Hung proudly in Station 1’S equipment bay, it offers a view from the street visible to passersby

thanks to its large glass doors. Learn more about the flag from Erica Techo’s story inside and at villagelivingonline.com.

Technical data: NIKON D300, Lens (mm): 80, ISO: 1250, Aperture: 3.5, Shutter: 1/250 Got questions or ideas for another Behind The Lens? Email me at fcouch@starnespublishing.com.

Village Living Publisher: Editor: Managing Editor: Design Editor: Director of Photography: Video Editor: Page Designers: Community Reporters: Staff Writers: Sports Reporter: Associate Editor: Copy Editor:

Dan Starnes Jennifer Gray Sydney Cromwell Kristin Williams Frank Couch Cherie Olivier Cameron Tipton Emily VanderMey Ana Good Erica Techo Jon Anderson Emily Featherston Sam Chandler Kyle Parmley Lucy Ridolphi Louisa Jeffries

Advertising Manager: Matthew Allen Sales and Distribution: Warren Caldwell Don Harris Michelle Salem Haynes Brittany Joffrion Rhonda Smith James Plunkett

Contributing Kari Kampakis Writers: Rick Watson Leah Ingram Eagle Marienne Thomas Ogle Steve Irvine

Rachel Burchfield Chris Megginson Jesse Chambers Grace Thornton

For advertising contact: dan@starnespublishing.com Contact Information: Village Living PO Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnespublishing.com

Please submit all articles, information and photos to: sydney@starnespublishing.com P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253

Published by: Village Living LLC 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, 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) 313-1780 or by email.

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Please Support Our Community Partners Advanced Turf Care (A6) Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center (A17) Alabama Goods (A8) Alabama Outdoors (A10) Alabama Power (B7) Amy Marziarz, Red Hills Realty (B8) Amy Smith (A23) ARC Realty (A3) Bedzzz Express (A1, A24) Birmingham Bicycle Company (A23) Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club (A22) Birmingham Speech and Hearing Associates (A22) Bromberg & Company, Inc. (A10, A20) Brookdale University Park (B4) California Closets (B4) Canterbury Gardens (A12) Cardiovascular Associates of the Southeast (B15) Children’s of Alabama (A18) Christine’s + bagatelle (B10) Club Pilates (A21) Copy & Photo Cafe (B13) Dish’n It Out (A8) DSLD Land Management (A14) Ex Voto Vintage (B12) EZ Roof & EZ Restoration (A7) Gardner Landscaping (A6) Granger Thagard Associates (A23) Hufham Orthodontics (B2) Hutchinson Automotive (B13) Issis & Sons / O Advertising (B9) Jacqueline DeMarco (A20) JJ Eyes (B5) John-William Jeweller (A12) Jordan Alexander Jewelry (A9) Judith Bright (A17) Kirkwood by the River (A19) Lane Parke - Evson Inc. (B3) Med-I-Fit Enterprises 1 LLC (A11) Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce (A2) OB/GYN Associates of Alabama (A13) Otey’s (B12) Over the Mountain Glass (B8) Planet Fitness (B11) Rare Transportation - Apex (A2) RealtySouth (B16) Resolute Running Training Center (A19) Savage’s Bakery (A16) Sunrise Lawn Service LLC (A13) Swoop (A20) Table Matters (B10) Taco Mama (A16) The Maids (A18) TherapySouth Crestline (A5) Tom Williams BMW (A15) Village Dermatology (B14) Weigh To Wellness (B1)

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • A5

A6 • February 2016

Village Living

City

Officials take on cells, safety City Council forms group to discuss potential ordinance during carpool times Due to distracted driving, the City Council is considering a new ordinance limiting cellphone use in school zones, such as at Cherokee Bend Elementary, during dropoff and pickup times.

Staff photo.

By ERICA TECHO A group has formed to discuss a potential ordinance regarding cellphone usage in school zones during carpool times.

Dale Wisely, director of student services for Mountain Brook City Schools, brought the ordinance request before the City Council, and it was discussed during the Jan. 11 pre-council meeting. He said there is a growing issue with individuals — including parents and those driving through the area — talking on their cellphones while driving and becoming distracted in car pool lines.

While there are state laws against texting while driving, he said some parents continue to talk on their cellphones during carpool times and thereby pose a safety risk to the children in the area.

“We’re just seeing more and more of it,” Wisely said.

The restriction would be for carpool times, from 7:30-8 a.m. and 2:30-3:15 p.m.

Council Pro Tem Billy Pritchard said the act of defining what constitutes a school zone could pose an issue. He gave the example of the future Piggly Wiggly location being nearby Crestline Elementary and said restricting cellphone use there might be difficult.

Mountain Brook Police Chief Ted Cook said he saw some enforcement issues. He said some drivers might not take note of signs prohibiting cellphone use, especially if they are on a road they do not travel frequently.

After some discussion, the council decided to form a group to further discuss a potential ordinance. The group includes Wisely, Cook, Pritchard, City Attorney Whit Colvin and council member Jack Carl.

During the regular council meeting, the

council approved a resolution for the installation and rental of four fire hydrants on Rock Hill Road and Riverbend Road. The payment for installation and rental was $10,804.

The need for these fire hydrants was recognized during the city’s recent ISO evaluation.

These locations did not meet the ISO standard of having a hydrant within 1,000 feet, and the city had budgeted for these new hydrants.

See COUNCIL | page A7

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VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • A7

ROOFER'S CORNER

Workers continue construction inside the Crestline Piggly Wiggly in this photo taken prior to a January fire inside. Photo by Frank Couch.

Fire delays Crestline Pig opening

By ANA GOOD The Mountain Brook Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying four suspects believed to have intentionally set fire to the still-under-construction Crestline Piggly Wiggly.

During his Jemison Award acceptance speech at the Mountain Brook Chamber Luncheon Thursday, Jan. 14, Brassfield & Gorrie Chairman Miller Gorrie said the fire has put construction back by approximately a month. Gorrie’s firm heads up the project’s construction. Though the store was expected to open in April, Gorrie said that timeline is now unlikely. The fire he said, caused damage to the store’s light fixtures among other things.

“We will eventually get there,” he said.

According to surveillance footage shared on the Mountain Brook Police Department’s Facebook page, the fire appears to have been intentionally set on the evening of Monday, Jan. 11 around 9:25 p.m. Surveillance footage captures four suspects in the store’s vicinity and entering the building.

As of press time, police said they had identified and questioned four juvenile male and will be seeking petitions with the Jefferson County Family Court.

The new, 28,250-square-foot urban-style Piggly Wiggly store is located on Vine Street and is neighbors with the Crestline Elementary field and the Mountain Brook Board of Education building.

‘Miss Mountain Brook’ to retire

By ERICA TECHO After 15 years with the city of Mountain Brook, Doris Kenny retired at the end of January.

“It’s been great. I love the work, and I love the people,” Kenny said. “This is my element.

In fact, it’s hard to be able to now just step away because I feel like this is my thing, but you have to move on.”

Kenny has been City Manager Sam Gaston’s executive assistant for 15 years, but she has also been the one to answer the phone at city hall, connect Mountain Brook residents with the right departments and answer any questions that come her way.

“I feel very close to this job because I do feel like I am Miss Mountain Brook to the city of Mountain Brook,” Kenny said. “This is the go-to place, and most of the time I can forward calls and get them to the right person.”

Gaston said Kenny’s professionalism and knowledge of the city has made her an asset to Mountain Brook.

“She goes the extra mile and certainly takes a lot of responsibilities off my shoulders by the number of calls or requests for services or walkins we get here,” Gaston said.

Even though she is retiring, Kenny said she plans to remain involved with the city. She will substitute in if the new executive assistant is taking vacation time or calls in sick. She will also be involved with the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.

“She’s also my seamstress. Every so often if I order some clothes, she’ll alter them for me,”

COUNCIL

CONTINUED from page A6 The council also approved two ordinances and one resolution in relation to the installation of small cell antennae in public right-of-way.

The installation includes laying fiber optic cables as well, and the installation is expected to be completed before the end of 2016.

Also at the meeting, the council: ► Formed a committee to discuss the public assembly ordinance. ► Discussed a pedestrian bridge to go over Highway 280 on Hollywood Boulevard. Council President Virginia Smith said she would look further into the project. ► Reappointed Keehn Berry to the Park and Recreation Board. He will serve without

Kenny

Forbes

Gaston said. “… I’ve told her that even though she retires, she’ll still have to come back and be my seamstress.”

Kenny said her advice to the next executive assistant is to be professional and have a positive demeanor.

Kenny’s replacement, Janet Forbes, started on Jan. 25 and trained with Kenny until Feb. 1.

Forbes most recently worked with Advance Central Services Alabama as an HR assistant, but filled in for Kenny on two occasions for several weeks at a time. She has also worked with the city’s Parks/Recreation Department and the Chamber of Commerce.

Forbes is a graduate of Mountain Brook High School and Auburn University. She is married to Billy Forbes and they have two sons, Will and Charlie. They are members of Canterbury United Methodist Church.

For more on Kenny’s retirement, see the full article on villagelivingonline.com.

compensation, and his term will end Jan. 9, 2021. ► Reappointed Lynn Ritchie to the Villages Design Review Committee. He will serve without compensation, and his term will end Feb. 12, 2019. ► Rejected all bids with respect to removing and managing invasive plants and noxious weeds in Jemison Park. ► Authorized an agreement between the city and the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (MAX) for the fiscal year ending Sept.

30, 2016. ► Approved a conditional use application for Meta Fitness at 3150 Overton Road. The gym is based on one-on-one training rather than group fitness and will employ three personal trainers to start. ► Approved a resolution to issue a purchase order for telecommunication services with AT&T.

WINTER TIME ROOFING

As winter approaches, I am always asked the same question – Should shingles be installed in cold weather? The short answer is yes.

However, with some precautions and a lot of experience. Here’s why.

The asphalt material in the shingle loses its flexibility and resistance in colder temperatures. The shingles become harder to bend and more difficult to cut. Because the shingles are more brittle, using the same roofing techniques one would use during the warmer months will be detrimental. If your roofer uses the same nail gun pressure he uses during the summer months, the nails will be overdriven into the shingles. As the temperature drops, the “sweet spot” pressure point becomes smaller and smaller. Only an experienced roofer will know how to adjust for this in the colder months, to avoid damaging your shingles, and to insure proper installation.

Installing a roof during colder months also increases the chance of shingles blowing off or not sealing properly.

However, by hiring a roofing company with knowledge of the manufacturer’s guidelines and proper installation methods, there are ways to ensure a successful installation year-round. All shingles are equipped with a self-sealant strip- a line of glue that activates with the heat of the sun and holds the shingles together, preventing blow off in high winds. This glue activates at different temperatures depending on the manufacturer. As a general rule, we can see bonding happening between 45°F and 60°F, and a full bond when temperatures exceed 75°F for 48 hours.

The manufacturer specifies that if the shingles are NOT bonding properly because of temperature, they should be hand-sealed. That means the crew should apply four dabs (quarter size) of roofing cement underneath each shingle with a caulking gun and then press the shingles into the cement. This will prevent the wind from lifting them before there is sufficient heat for them to self-seal.

My best advice for your winter roofing project is to hire an experienced contractor. Ask questions. Make sure he can tell you HOW he can successfully install a roof in colder temperatures. You do not have to delay your home improvement; just do your research.

Call for a FREE QUOTE today

205-968-1034

A8 • February 2016

Village Living

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Overton Rd

VillageLivingOnline.com

Now Open Edmonson Youngblood is now open at 1903 Cahaba Road in English Village.

The store carries a unique collection of home furnishings, fine apparel, art and accessories that reflect a traditional style. The store is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

900-8243, finetraditions.net

1

Gallery Bar is now open in English Village at 1930 Cahaba Road. The cocktail and oyster bar was opened by the owners of Vino. The bar is housed at Gallery 1930; hours are 4pm - 10:30pm, Monday through Thursday, and 4pm - 11pm, Friday and Saturday.

870-8404

2

Relocations and Renovations Oakworth Capital Bank has purchased the building at 850 Shades Creek Parkway. The plans are to move its headquarters into the building, which is currently occupied by ServisFirst Bank. The timetable for the move will depend on when ServisFirst moves into its new headquarters,

3

February 2016 • A9 located at Woodcrest Place in Homewood.

263-4700, oakworthcapital.com Fairway Investments, formerly located in Mountain Brook Village, has relocated to 728 Shades Creek Parkway, Suite 210.

802-7202, fairwayinvestments.com

4

Hirings and Promotions RealtySouth’s Crestline office, 105 Euclid Ave., has hired Jennifer Tarr as a Realtor.

879-6330, realtysouth.com

5

RealtySouth’s Mountain Brook Village office, 2807 Cahaba Road, has hired Farrar Murray as a Realtor.

870-5420, realtysouth.com

6

Chris Pfefferkorn has been hired as senior VP of the Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Road. He will be responsible for many areas of administration, with a focus on conservation and animal welfare.

879-0409, birminghamzoo.com

7

Business news

to share?

Now Open Coming Soon

Relocation Expansion Anniversary

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

Village Living iving Email dan@starnespublishing.com

A10 • February 2016

Village Living

Chamber

Sue DeBrecht presents the Tynes Award to Larry Faulkner during the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce’s sixth annual Luncheon on Jan. 14 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Photos by Frank Couch.

Chamber President Dan Bundy, left, and Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Steve Boone, right, present the Employee of the Year Award to Amy Stephens.

Bundy presents Jemison Visionary Award winner Miller Gorrie with his award. Gorrie is founder of the multibillion dollar Brasfield & Gorrie construction firm and is its current chairman.

Gorrie, Faulkner, Stephens honored at chamber luncheon

By ANA GOOD Miller Gorrie said he was surprised to receive the Jemison Visionary Award at the annual Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Jan. 14, but was still delighted to accept it.

“The first thing I said when I was told about it was ‘why me?’ All I do in Mountain Brook is pay my taxes. I’ve also kept the patrol busy on Montclair Road,” Gorrie said with a laugh.

While Gorrie might have been unprepared for the nomination, his legacy needs little explanation.

Gorrie, founder of the multibillion dollar Brasfield & Gorrie construction firm and its current chairman, has helped spearhead the construction

of some of the biggest projects in Alabama and beyond. In Mountain Brook, Brasfield and Gorrie left its footprint in its renovation work at Mountain Brook High School and Fine Arts Center, the Mountain Brook Municipal Complex and Mountain Brook Community Church. Today, his company is overseeing the return of Crestline Village’s beloved Piggly Wiggly Supermarket.

“Everyone was in love with the Pig, and so was I,” Gorrie said.

So when it closed, Gorrie said he was among those trying to find a way to bring it back. “It was an all-around community effort,” he said. “It’s going to be a great project when it is completed.”

Although the plan had initially been for the grocery store to open in April, Gorrie said it

will likely open in May. Gorrie opened up about his beginnings in construction on the heels of his firm’s 50th anniversary in the January issue of Village Living, where he spoke about his lifelong love of building.

The luncheon’s keynote speaker, CEO Emeritus of Royal Cup Coffee Hatton Smith, said it was Gorrie’s attitude and vision that led to his success. It was those same qualities, he said, that were at the heart of Mountain Brook’s founding and continued success.

“Mr. Robert Jemison had vision and a great attitude as well,” Smith said of the city’s founder.

“Vision and a winning attitude breeds success.”

The celebration of that success continued throughout the luncheon, as city leaders

recognized the people who help the city run.

Finance Director Steve Boone presented the Employee of the Year Award to Amy Stephens, in charge of the city’s payroll.

“She’s conscientious, dependable, organized and always striving for excellence,” Boone said of Stephens, a 20-year employee of the city.

“Her engine runs a little differently than everyone else’s.”

Emmet O’Neal Library Director Susan DeBrecht awarded Larry Faulkner with the Tynes Award, for his service. Faulkner, said DeBrecht, was instrumental in development of the Library Foundation. Faulkner’s contributions to the library, said DeBrecht, will serve its patrons for generations to come.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • A11

Community Burning, Tingling, Painful or Numb Feet?

Don’t Suffer Any Longer!

Neuropathy Treatment with an 87% Success Rate Now Available in Hoover Mountain Brook Community Church will host the sale Friday, Feb. 5 through Saturday, Feb. 6 in the church’s gym. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Jones.

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Many patients report being pain-free for the first time in years!

MBCC to host spring Sweet Repeats sale

Can you imagine that for yourself?

By EMILY FEATHERSTON

If you suffer from:

Parents looking for good prices on children’s clothing will find plenty of options at this spring’s Sweet Repeats Consignment Sale.

Mountain Brook Community Church will host the sale Friday, Feb. 5 through Saturday, Feb. 6 in the church’s gym.

The sale, which is in its fifth year, helps fund and support the mission projects at MBCC, particularly short-term mission trips to locations around the world. This spring’s sale quickly filled with consignors in early January.

The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Strollers are not allowed from 9–11 a.m. on Friday, but can be used at any other time. On Saturday, many items are expected to be reduced to as much as half-price.

Mountain Brook Community Church is located at 3001 Highway 280, and news and additional information about the sale can be found at mbccsweetrepeats.blogspot.com.

For more information about Mountain Brook Community Church and its mission projects, visit mbcc.us.

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• Are tired of not getting any answers Participants in the 2016 Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County Program, including second alternate Andrea Burris, Distinguished Young Woman 2016 Abigail Albritton, Distinguished Young Woman 2015 Hannah Walter and first alternate Lian Remley.

Photo courtesy of Miranda Wesley.

DYW of Jefferson County accepting applications High school juniors interested in participating in this year’s Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County Program can begin submitting their applications.

The program, formerly Jefferson County’s Junior Miss, is accepting applications from high school girls graduating in 2017 who live in Jefferson County. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2016.

There is no entry fee to participate, and girls will compete in the categories of fitness, self expression, interview, scholastics and talent.

Participants are eligible for various scholarships, ranging from $12,000 to $60,000. During

last year’s program, participants were awarded more than $14,000 in cash-tuition scholarships in addition to college granted scholarships from Troy University, Auburn University, the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

The Distinguished Young Women of Jefferson County Program will be held on July 29 and July 30 at Mountain Brook High School.

For more information, visit distinguishedYW. org and click the “apply now” icon to receive an application. Potential participants can also contact Chairman Eddie Macksoud at Jefferson@ distinguishedYW.org or 907-0210.

• Are tired of taking medications that aren’t working • Are afraid their neuropathy is getting worse • Who want results, but aren’t getting any • Are looking for an effective solution Contact Neurogenx at: 1849 Data Drive, Suite 1 (Northwestern Mutual Building), Hoover, AL 35244, 205-483-3888, www.neurogenx.com/hoover

Please have the code # from the bottom right of the article ready when you call.

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*87% reduction in symptoms is based on an April 2012 published medical study. Offices following these protocols have seen similar results. Results may vary depending on age, condition, treatment compliance, genetics, diagnosis and other factors. Not all patients are candidates for treatment or are accepted for care.

HV-16

A12 • February 2016

Village Living

Participants pedal side by side while “virtual riders” and spectators cheer them on during the 2014 event. Photo courtesy of the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

Volunteers at Canterbury United Methodist Church pack meals. Photo courtesy of Canterbury UMC.

Ovarian Cycle for research adds registration for teens

By EMILY FEATHERSTON There will be something different about this year’s Ovarian Cycle Birmingham.

The event, put on by the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation and Cancer Research Fund, is a three-hour indoor cycling event and will take place on Sunday, Feb. 27.

This year, the age range has been expanded to include teenage riders.

Riders are not required to be a cyclist, athlete, cancer survivor or family member—all members of the community are invited to participate.

Participants can pedal as individuals for one to three hours, or as part of a team that divides the time.

“If you don’t feel up to riding three whole hours, you can do it as a team,” foundation executive director Jenny McInerney said.

The event will begin at 9 a.m.

and will take place at the Levite Jewish Community Center, where the cyclists will pedal side by side while “virtual riders” and spectators cheer them on.

Registration for riders 26 years old and up is $50, and $25 for riders 12 to 25 years old. Registration for ovarian cancer survivors is free. Those ages 12 to 25 should use “UNDER25” as their promotional code, and survivors should use “SURVIVOR.” All registration fees are also tax-deductible.

“What we’re hoping to do is raise as much money as possible to fund ovarian cancer research” McInerney said. Last year, the event raised over $40,000, and she said they hope to surpass that amount this year.

The majority of the funds raised will come from the personal fundraising efforts participants are encouraged to do prior to the event. Of the

total funds raised, 30 percent will go to the national Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, 20 percent will go to the Woman to Woman program at the University of Alabama Birmingham and the remaining 50 percent will go to UAB’s Division of Gynecologic Oncology.

“It’s not just to raise money, but to raise awareness of the early signs of ovarian cancer,” McInerney said, adding that most cases of ovarian cancer are not caught until the later stages of the disease.

Registered participants can take advantage of free spin classes at the LJCC, as well as group practice classes on Feb. 14 and Feb. 17.

“It’s a really fun, uplifting event,” McInerney said, “the atmosphere is just really positive.”

For more information about the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation, visit nlovca.org.

Canterbury helps hungry through meal packing event

By EMILY FEATHERSTON Canterbury United Methodist Church is continuing its mission to help the hungry with its annual Stop Hunger Now program.

In its sixth year, the program packs meals for distribution in developing countries around the world and will take place from Sunday, Jan. 31 through Tuesday, Feb. 2.

To date, the church has packed over 2.1 million meals, and last year had more than 2,500 volunteers participate.

The church partners with the greater Stop Hunger Now organization that has been in operation since 1998 and distributes meals in 65 countries.

Volunteers for Canterbury’s event work 1-2 hour shifts, which begin after church services on Sunday and continue until 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Adults are welcome as early as 6:30 a.m. if they wish to volunteer before work. Those interested are asked to register online.

Sunday and Monday evenings will be designated “Power Hours” for youth high school age and older.

Those interested in helping out, but who are unable to volunteer, can donate to the $145,000 cost of 500,000 meals.

For more information and to register or donate, visit events. stophungernow.org/Birmingham.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • A13

Committee members of the Friends of the Emmet O’Neal Library group prepare for annual book sale. Photo courtesy of The Lollar Group.

Friends of Emmet O’Neal to host annual book sale The Friends of the Emmet O’Neal Library group will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year in part, by gearing up to host its annual book sale fundraiser.

The sale will kick off Thursday, Feb. 18 from 6-8 p.m. with the Friends of the Library Preview Party. The event will be open to Friends members as well as those willing to make a $25 donation at the door.

Patrons at the Preview Party will be given access to rare and first edition publications.

The official book sale will be open to the public Friday Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, Feb. 21 from 1-4 p.m.

“The book sale is my favorite time of year at the library,” said Sue DeBrecht, Emmet O’Neal Library Director. “It’s wonderful to see people connect with our Friends – and books.”

Various items will be available during the weekend book sale such as first editions, collector’s book hardbacks, and paperbacks from a wide range of genres.

The Friends of the Emmet O’Neal Library accept book donations throughout the year in preparation for the annual book sale. The group is an organization of individuals and families who support the enrichment of the library through an assortment of programs. Those interested in donating books to the library can drop off gently-used books at the back door of the library and ask for a receipt.

“The Emmet O’Neal Library is extremely fortunate to have a community that continues to support our local library through fun activities such as the book sale,” said Kaci Chesebro, Chair of the 2016 Book Sale. “We are really excited about the different collector’s books and first editions that will be available for purchase this year. Since this year is our organization’s 50th anniversary, we encourage those that haven’t yet attended a book sale or donated to the group to become involved this year.”

For more information about the 2016 Emmet O’Neal Library Book Sale, call 879-0459 or visit eolib.org.

- Submitted by The Lollar Group

The 67th annual Birmingham Camellia Show will take place at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, working around recent renovations. Photo by Emily Featherston.

Camellia Show returns to gardens for 67th year

By EMILY FEATHERSTON The annual display of Birmingham’s best camellias is returning to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, despite recent renovations.

The Birmingham Camellia Society’s 67th annual Camellia Show will be held at the Gardens on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Club liaison Bill Dodson said if the renovations are complete by the time of the show, the displays will be placed in the auditorium. However, if work on the auditorium has not been finished in time, the show will be moved to the educational wing.

The show will take place from 2–5 p.m., and admission is free.

Dodson said everyone is encouraged to enter his or her best camellia blooms, also free of charge, for judging. Entries will be taken from 8–11 a.m., and club members will help judge the blooms.

Though visitors will not be able to purchase camellias at the show, Dodson said they will be available at the Gardens’ spring sale in April.

For more information about the event and the Birmingham Camellia Society, contact Dodson at 871-2827 or wdodson4311@ charter.net, or contact Dave Glass at 408-5756 or glasswd@ gmail.com.

Call Today

205-849-9229

A14 • February 2016

Village Living

The 40 Holiday Assembly presentees were escorted by their fathers during a presentation in the 73rd annual Holiday Assembly on Dec. 18.

Photo courtesy of Dee Moore Photography.

73rd annual Holiday Assembly held The 73rd annual Holiday Assembly was held on Friday, Dec. 18, at The Country Club of Birmingham.

The 40 presentees and their dates enjoyed a seated dinner in the East Room before being escorted by their fathers in the presentation. A dance followed for the honorees and their friends.

Juniors girls presented at the Holiday Assembly were Edith King Amason, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gilbert Amason III, Virginia Bowron Beasley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Martin Beasley, Jr., Mary Frances Bloodworth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lucian Ferris Bloodworth, Jr., Emily Lynne Bolvig, daughter of Mr. Axel Bolvig III and Dr. Lori Lynne Davis, Isabel Browning Boyd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Howard Boyd, Jr., Anne Coleman Bradford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Wade Bradford, Mary Johnson Bradford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Wade Bradford, Frances Hardy Bromberg, daughter of Mr. Frank Hardy Bromberg III and Ms. Anne McMillan Bromberg, Kate McCarroll Bumgarner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen James Bumgarner, Mary Margaret Bromberg Byrne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Russell Byrne, Virginia Grace Carmichael,

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Troy Carmichael, Lucile Fitzpatrick Collins, daughter of Mr. Allen Dunn Collins III and the late Ms. Caroline Ivy Collins, Sarah Brasfield Cooper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Lawrence Cooper, Jr., Gunter Moren Crommelin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Claiborne Crommelin, Elise Louise Doss, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Coates Doss, Marion Shook Dukes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carter Hurd Dukes and Hannah Marie Elliott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Atwood Elliott III. Also enjoying the evening and being presented were Grace Sinclair Evans, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Parker Evans II, Elizabeth Rose Gillespy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Palfery Gillespy, Ansley Caldwell Gross, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Arenz Gross III, Frances Elizabeth Hand, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Edward Woods and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Gibson Hand, Ann Chapman Haynes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Wayne Haynes, Margaret Jean Holloway, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wilkinson Holloway, Mary Marcella Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Leroy Jones, Ruth Evelyne Wynne Kirkland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Burnham Kirkland,

Memory Anne Littleton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Winfield Littleton, Jr., Elizabeth Renneker McMillan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Murphy McMillan III, Sarah Scott McPherson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hood McPherson III, Carol Ann Sandner Phillips, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hardy Phillips, Mary Walker Poe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hoke Poe, Helen Katherine Schanbacher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orville William Schanbacher III, Caroline Carlisle Sims, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George William Sims II, Jane Perry Starling, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Jefferson Starling III, Barbara Grace Tortorici, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Michael Tortorici, Anna Craig Tucker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Craig Tucker, Mary Adelaide Vandevelde, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Harrison Vandevelde IV, Carolyn Dickinson Wahlheim, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bernhart Wahlheim, Jr., Catherine Elizabeth Walthall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kennon Dade Walthall, Nicole Broatch Waudby, daughter of Ms. Sally Broatch Waudby and Mr. and Mrs. William Leroy Waudby, and Ann McQueen Whatley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Forest Woods Whatley, Jr. – Submitted by Adelaide Vandevelde

Woodlawn High School’s football team chaplain, Hank Erwin, poses with Crestline fifth-grader Thomas Luttrell.

Photo courtesy of Kim Luttrell.

Hank Erwin visits Crestline boys Bible Club Hank Erwin of the movie “Woodlawn” spoke Dec. 7 to Crestline fifth- and sixth-grade boys Bible Club.

He spoke about the movie and that it was a true story. He told them how important it was to follow Jesus. He also shared with them a story that was not in the movie. He shared how the Woodlawn team first decided to follow Jesus.

They had played a football game against Banks High School, and Woodlawn lost the game. Hank told the boys how quiet it was on the bus ride home and how the coach encouraged him to say something to the team.

He spoke to the team about being “all in” when you decide to follow Jesus. You can't follow him only part time. He said you had to follow Jesus in the good and the bad times — all the time. He then asked the boys if they were “all in” or not.

He had all the boys chanting, “All in!”

Erwin took the time to speak to every boy as they walked through the door.

– Submitted by Kim Luttrell

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • A15

Krewe Ball returns, to present 30 princesses

By EMILY FEATHERSTON Mountain Brook’s annual Mardi Gras ball hosted by the Beaux Arts Krewe will return this month for its 49th year.

On Friday, Feb. 5, the festivities will once again feature a King and attending court, as well as the announcement of the 2016 Queen and her ladies-in-waiting. This year, the ball’s theme is “Aladdin” and the Krewe plans to welcome many guests of the court.

The ball will also include the presentation of this year’s 30 Krewe Princesses. Following tradition, the Princesses will wear ball gowns and handmade Mardi Gras masks, and will be escorted by a Krewe sponsor.

This year’s Princesses: ►Frances Boston Blount, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Winton Malcolm Blount IV ►Sarah St. Clair Bowron, daughter of Mr. Thomas Whitwell Bowron II and Ms. Leah Harper Bowron ►Margaret Russell Bromberg, daughter of Mr. Frank Hardy Bromberg III and Mrs. Ann McMillan Bromberg ►Sarah Church Cassady, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Edward Cassady III ►Lee Ellison Chapman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Edward Chapman III ►Adrienne Lange Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lange Clark ►Rebecca Katharine Cooper, daughter of The Drs. Katharine and George Nelson Cooper, Jr. ►Elizabeth Miller Damrich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Reynolds Ireland, Jr. and Dr. David Brown Damrich ►Mary Eleanor DeRamus, daughter of Capt. and Mrs. Sterling Lanier DeRamus ►Patricia McGee Dodson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. and William Selden Dodson, Jr. ►Margaret Stabler Greene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Keller Greene ►Carolyn Youmans Grenier, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Beaulieu Grenier and Mrs. Celeste Crowe Grenier

Top left photo, from left: Carolyn Grenier, Caroline Holbrook, Sarah Cassady, Elizabeth Marks, Virginia Haas, Mallie Robinson and Claudia Styslinger. Top right photo, from left: Margaret Pritchard, Mallie Bromberg, Elizabeth Damrich, Addie Clark, Anne Matthews and Sarah Bowron. Bottom left photo, from left: Laura Lou Patrick, Margaret Greene, Virginia Wright, Carolyn McCauley, Elizabeth Livingston and Mary Eleanor DeRamus. Bottom right photo, from left: Dorothy Moore, Ann Ellard Turner, Catherine Smith, Lee Chapman, Frances Blount and Sarah Reed. Photos by Frank Couch.

►Virginia Ann Haas, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Gunter Haas ►Caroline Ashcraft Holbrook, daughter of Mrs. Ashley Miller Brown and Mr. William Knight Holbrook ►Patricia Elizabeth Livingston, daughter of Mr. James Archibald Livingston III and the late Susan Bevill Livingston ►Elizabeth Carter Marks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Amos Marks, Jr. ►Anne Stabler Matthews, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren C. Matthews ►Carolyn Davis McCalley, daughter of Mr. and

Mrs. Winston Tilley McCalley ►Dorothy Nix Moore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Russell Moore ►Laura Elizabeth Patrick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Benjamin Patrick ►Margaret Louise Pritchard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Camp Pritchard ►Sarah Lawrence Reed, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Lawrence Reed, Jr. ►Mallie Moughon Robinson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Gordon Robinson III ►Catherine Treadwell Smith, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Roger Smith

►Emerson Monteray Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Delano Smith III ►Cathryn Carter Speck, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Leo Speck, Jr. ►Claudia Overstreet Styslinger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Styslinger ►Ann Ellard Turner, daughter of Mrs. Jon M. Turner, Jr. and the late Mr. Turner ►Isabelle O’Neal White, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Hart White, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. John Trygve Hoff ►Virginia Carol Wright, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Wright III

A16 • February 2016

valentine’s day

Village Living

For the

COOK

gift guide

Valentine Dish Towels $10 Brighten up your kitchen for Valentine’s with flour sack dish towels. these great fl The Cook Store 2841 Cahaba Road 879-5277

For the

HOME DECORATOR 8” Ruffle Heart Bowl by Annieglass $76 This dishwasher safe, handmade and hand-painted sweetheart bowl adds a touch of elegance to any table.

For the

BUNDLE OF JOY “every day is love day” Top $62 A favorite pullover with an irresistibly soft fabric, the comfy top lives up to its name, available in sizes s-xl.

Swoop 2721 Cahaba Road Mountain Brook Village 803-0886

For the

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Table Matters 2402 Montevallo Road 879-0125

For the

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Swiss Army Ladies Small Alliance Watch $595 The Swiss Army Ladies Watch with twotone stainless steel bracelet features a subtle and elegant design. This watch fi fits any woman’s style.

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Bromberg’s Mountain Brook 871-3276

Plaques by Kay Sasser Jacoby $34 Brighten any home with this colorful plaque, which is the perfect Valentine.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • A17

For the

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OTBT Bushnell Platform Wedge $125 The popular Bushnell wedge comes in several fabulous colors and has just enough stretch to keep you comfortable no matter where your day may take you.

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Judith Bright 2415 Montevallo Road 918-3600

A18 • February 2016

Village Living

Every mile a memory Mountain Brook couple prepares for Mercedes Half

By EMILY FEATHERSTON This year, Erica and Preston Neel won’t be celebrating Valentine’s Day with chocolate and champagne.

Instead, the Mountain Brook couple will likely start their day with a slice of bread topped with peanut butter and a waffle with scrambled eggs. This Valentine’s Day, the couple will be running the Mercedes Half-Marathon together.

Erica, a local business owner, has run the half-marathon before, and the couple ran the Magic City Half Marathon together in November.

“We’re doing as many runs as we can,” Erica said.

For the Neels, preparation for the Mercedes Half has been a little more intense than other runners may have experienced.

The couple ran the full Miami Marathon on Jan. 24, and the Mercedes Half will be one of the first long runs the couple does after recovering.

“This is the first time we’ve really kind of done it together, so that’s been kind of fun. It’s definitely a topic of conversation — we talk about it all the time,” Preston said.

While the couple has been running together sporadically over the last six years, including when they helped each other train five years ago for a Mercedes Half that only Erica eventually ran, they first began officially training together in September to get ready for the Magic City.

“I got started a little too quick,” Preston, who is an attorney for Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, said. Running 18 miles in three days was rough on his knees.

Erica and Preston Neel will run the Mercedes HalfMarathon together this month.. Photos by Emily Featherston

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VillageLivingOnline.com

“

February 2016 • A19

There’s no way I could do it if I didn’t have someone with me.

However, Preston said by the time the race arrived, he and Erica were prepared enough to beat their personal goals.

As their training progressed, the couple eventually worked up to doing half-marathon distances nearly every weekend, moving to longer and longer runs as the Miami race approached.

Preston said while they tried to do individual running and interval training throughout the week, most of their long runs take place on the weekend when Erica’s mother could watch their two children.

It’s during this time that the couple would run together — encouraging one another and talking through the miles.

“There’s no way I could do it if I didn’t have someone with me,” Erica said. She added there were times when, without the other, dehydration or mental fatigue would have put an end to a long run.

Other than the time of day, most runs look the same: They wear the same gear, drink the same amount of coffee and water and run pretty much the same routes.

The couple said they usually place drinking water along their routes through Mountain Brook and Homewood and try to eat energy gel every hour.

Routes averaged 13, 15 and 18 miles throughout the fall and early winter, and the couple added longer, 21-mile runs to prepare for the full marathon.

Most weekends, however, runs would be around three hours in length.

“It’s been a good calming exercise,” Preston said.

“With kids and work you get busy, and the exercise has

”

ERICA NEEL

certainly helped with just adding balance.”

Erica added that the long runs on the weekend allow the couple to plan and schedule the week ahead.

“It’s been beneficial for everybody involved,” she said.

Everybody — including the couple’s 4-year-old daughter, who Erica said often begs to go running.

“It would be a dream come true if in high school she went running with me in the mornings,” she said.

More than encouraging the family to exercise, Preston said he thinks training for the races has improved his and the family’s health as a whole.

“Doing the long runs has forced me to drink more water during the day, be cognizant of what I eat,” he said.

“It’s not just ‘get off the couch and go run a marathon.’”

For other couples thinking about running a halfmarathon or other major race together, the Neels have a few suggestions.

“I would definitely do a lot of during-the-week runs and not just run on the weekend,” Erica said.

Preston added that the biggest challenge is time management and scheduling, especially if a couple has children.

“A lot of couples, the wife runs or the husband runs, but both don’t get a chance — especially if they’re working spouses,” he said.

Despite the challenges, such as trying to schedule runs around the holidays and finding child care, the Neels plan to continue running together.

“I think we both love running, so I think we’ll continue to run,” Erica said. “We’ll definitely do halves.”

Erica and Preston Neel cool down after a quick morning run as they prepare to run the Mercedes Half-Marathon this month.

A20 • February 2016

Village Living

Regaining control

By GRACE THORNTON Autumn 2001 and all its details are seared in Whitney Owenby’s mind. Life had nearly broken her, and she realized it when the campus nurse threatened to call the police if she didn’t take herself to the emergency room.

“At that point, they were worried that I might not make it,” Owenby said.

As a college student, she weighed probably what a second or third grader would. She’d been fighting anorexia since early high school in Mountain Brook and it had taken its toll.

“My mom later said the doctor called from the hospital to say she was ‘going to do everything she could’ to save me,” Owenby said.

“In those moments, you just trust what the doctor is saying. Rationale and reason literally go out the door because you’re so scared,” she continued.

How Owenby, who now owns Grand Jete Fitness on Cahaba Road, got to that point is still a little bit of a mystery to her.

“Weight was never a conversation in our house, and food was never a struggle,” she said. “We all loved food. I didn’t have body image issues.”

But one thing that creeped up on

Owenby and she never saw coming was a need for control.

It was a need birthed out of tragedy.

“When I was 8, my father was killed in a plane crash in Ensley,” she said. From there, some other issues in her life snowballed, and it was “just loss, loss, loss.”

So without realizing why, she began to try some things to get control.

“Growing up, I used to give myself little challenges, like trying to get through high school without ever wearing jeans to school,” she said.

And one day she found a new challenge : to make it through the school year without going through the lunch line.

“I remember one day thinking, ‘Wow, I haven’t done it yet, I wonder if I can do it for the whole year?’”

She did.

Then, she decided to give up sweets for Lent, and after that she decided to see if she could become vegetarian. She succeeded.

“Somewhere during that time, the spark ignited the fire,” Owenby said.

She lost 30 pounds in four months.

“I knew something had happened, something that wasn’t good. There was a part of me that enjoyed it, enjoyed that control. But there was another part of me that was really scared and knew

Whitney Owenby, the owner of Grand Jete Fitness, struggled for years with anorexia.

She is holding an event this month for those who think they may be struggling with eating disorders or know someone who is.

Photo by Frank Couch.

something wasn’t right, but I didn’t know what it was, and I was afraid of asking for help,” she said.

That began to take its toll. Soon Owenby had to give up dancing. At one point, her doctor took away her driving privileges. The fall of her senior year, she was hospitalized for the first, then the second time.

She gained a few pounds, but the cycle started again at college in Texas. Soon she was giving up things she never meant to — like her ability to function and maintain a social life.

“I was wearing kids’ clothes and having to safety pin them,” Owenby said. “It was really bad. And when I went into the hospital that last time, they gave me a feeding tube.”

It was a month before she could leave the hospital.

With her feeding tube still in place, she went straight from the hospital to a treatment center.

“Slowly but surely, I gained weight,” Owenby said.

It’s still a struggle for Owenby. Since being discharged from treatment in 2007, she’s gotten married, recovered from osteoporosis and slowly rebuilt her life.

Part of that is teaching classes at Grand Jete Fitness in Mountain Brook, which she calls her “safe place.”

“It’s connected me with the most inspiring, encouraging, genuine group of women,” Owenby said. “You rarely hear a woman say, ‘OK, this is who God created

me to be, and I’m going to love my body for what it is.’ Being at Grand Jete is being with women who are fighting for that joy with me.”

And she encourages others to join her.

On Feb. 23, in the middle of Eating Disorder Awareness Month, Owenby and others will be speaking to women at Grand Jete about body image issues. It’s open to the public and meant for those who think they or someone they love might have an eating disorder.

“Eating disorders are the number one most lethal mental illness,” said Suzanne Pirkle, a certified eating disorder registered dietitian and owner of Nutrifocus. “It’s very life threatening and contagious — it can affect a whole culture in a city. And it can totally change who you are.”

Pirkle was one of the people who helped Owenby recover. She will speak at Grand Jete on Feb. 23 at 12:30 p.m. Caroline Sasser, a clinical social worker, will speak on Feb. 24 at 12:30 p.m.

Owenby said she finds purpose in helping others walking through the same struggle.

“It’s part of my duty and purpose to share this with others and bring light to eating disorders, to make others aware,” she said. “I ache for what I put my family and friends through, but I feel like my experience has made me the woman I am today and put me where I am today.”

For more information, visit grandjetefitness.com.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • A21

Sports SEASON PREVIEW: BASEBALL

MBHS after postseason berth in rugged Area 6

By KYLE PARMLEY Having lost 13 seniors to graduation, Mountain Brook High’s Spartan baseball team has a lot of holes to fill in the starting nine. The coaching staff hopes competition for those starting spots will bring out the best in its players.

“There’s not a whole lot of experience outside of just a couple of guys,” head coach Lee Gann said. “There are a lot of empty spots out there and it’s going to be a challenge for a lot of guys.”

The Spartans concluded last season as the second-ranked team in Class 7A, falling to Thompson in a three-game first round playoff series.

Four of the players from last year’s team have moved on to the collegiate level, notably Andrew Autrey and Jack McPherson, who are now on the baseball team at Auburn.

Those departures leave Luke Hartman, Burt Bellande and Carter Byrd the opportunity to rise to the occasion and lead the team.

Hartman hit in the cleanup spot in the order last year, and the Spartans will count on the senior outfielder to produce in the middle of the lineup once again, as he led the team in what Gann calls quality at-bats.

“He’s a great leader for us,” Gann said. “He played every day for us last year. We’re looking for a great year out of him.”

Bellande brings a plethora of experience to the top end of the pitching rotation, as he enters his

third season as a varsity pitcher.

“He ate up a lot of innings two years ago in the playoffs and had a really good year last year,” Gann said.

Byrd, who split time at first base and designated hitter last season, will be counted on as a run-producer as well.

“Those three are the three that we really have to lean on. Hopefully those guys will rally the guys around them and make them better,” said Gann.

Playing in Area 6 is no easy task, as Vestavia Hills, Hewitt-Trussville and Spain Park provide competition against the top teams in the state, with only two of the four programs able to qualify for the postseason.

“A lot of people thought we had the toughest area [last year],” Gann said. “I see it being very difficult again. You can have one of the best teams in the state and not get in the playoffs.

That’s tough.”

A bad 10-day stretch in area play is enough to send a team home for the postseason, making it critical for a team to be playing its best baseball of the season when that time comes.

“The last three weeks, you really get down to seeing who’s going to get in the playoffs. That’s when you need to be playing your best baseball,” Gann said.

Mountain Brook opens up its season Feb. 15, when they will host Gardendale.

Mountain Brook relies on Luke Hartman for production in the middle of the lineup. Photo

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A22 • February 2016 CARR

CONTINUED from page A1 basketball team.

Selflessness, humility and leadership are some other words batted around, as each of her coaches’ faces lit up when speaking about her.

For example, Carr willingly does what Cornelius considers the most selfless act possible for a basketball player: stepping in front of an offensive player, absorbing contact, and taking a charging foul.

“You don’t get to shoot free throws, it hurts a little bit, and sometimes you don’t even get the call,” he said. “But it can totally affect the outcome of a game.”

No matter which sport she is playing, the Dec. 14 recipient of the Birmingham Tip-Off Club Player of the Week is the same person no matter the circumstance.

She displays a personal drive to get better at everything she does.

“She’s one of those players that completely will dominate a match and be a leader in all statistical categories on Tuesday night, and Wednesday she’s the one saying, ‘I want to improve on this. I want to work on this and get better at this.’ She was never satisfied,” said Haven O’Quinn, the volleyball coach at Mountain Brook.

That motivation extends to her academics, as she boasts a grade point average (GPA) over 4.2. Somehow she makes time for excellence in the athletic and academic arenas, while attempting to live a balanced life.

“A lot of my friends do play the sports I play, which is nice, because you get built-in friend time,” Carr said.

O’Quinn does not know Mountain Brook volleyball without Carr; O’Quinn arrived the same year Carr began her varsity career as a freshman.

“She has made me a better coach,” O’Quinn said.

“When you get a player like that, it’s just the best thing.”

Physical talent is obviously required to achieve the amount of success, especially on the volleyball court — that, Carr has — but when asked how she was able to win the Gatorade Player of the Year award, Carr deflected personal responsibility entirely.

“My setter, Sara Chandler Mitchell, she’s one of my very best friends,” Carr said. “I give a lot of my credit to her because she is the best setter in the state, hands down. She’s just amazing.”

Village Living While her high school volleyball career has ended, there is still work to be done with the basketball team.

Before the season, the team held a players-only dinner, a regular Sunday evening event, to discuss the goals for the upcoming slate.

“We all wrote down our goals for the season,” Carr said. “We want to try to get to the Elite Eight this year.”

After playing on the perimeter her previous three years with the basketball team, Carr has been asked to fill a need and play in the painted area more often than not this season. Even for someone who does not get the head start in the preseason because of volleyball, she has managed to be a standout in both sports.

“She doesn’t play a ton of basketball, which is amazing because she’s a freak in basketball,” Cornelius said.

“But her basketball IQ has really improved. I’m really proud of her for how she’s developed that part of her game.”

Both Mountain Brook programs are going to miss Carr, to say the least. Cornelius thinks that people will truly realize just how much of an impact she had once she graduates.

Carr has determined that she will pursue volleyball in college. As the top player in the state, she had multiple offers from several high-major, Division 1 programs. Instead of going that route, though, she found a school in Emory University that best suited her as an all-around school. With Emory being a Division 3 school, she will not receive an athletic scholarship, further proving that she chose the university for reasons extending far beyond athletics.

“It shows how mature she is,” O’Quinn said. “She could’ve gotten a full ride somewhere. For Sara to decline those offers from some different places, it just shows that she gets it. She realizes that college is not just about playing volleyball.”

“I went to visit and I loved it,” Carr said. “It was beautiful. It was perfect. There was something about them that was special, and the academics sold it.”

Carr plans on getting a chemical engineering degree from Emory, which also has a partnership with Georgia Tech.

She admits she will miss the game of basketball, but has every intention of making the most of her final season.

Don’t expect her to linger around after practices, though.

“I’m really studying a lot, to be honest. It takes up so much time,” she said.

Cynthia Serota Director

Sara Carr shoots a free throw. She is a four-year member of the varsity team.

Photo courtesy of Tom Bartels.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • A23

there’s malls and there’s kids that want ice cream.”

Ron and Tyler agreed that it was awkCONTINUED from page A1 ward at first to have a stranger traveling with them and pointing It was Tyler’s desire to a camera at them, but everyone return to public school for got along well and it became high school that changed easier. things. The Hirns decided to The trip took them to some move to Mountain Brook in recognizable places, and some they 2013, but they also recalled never expected. They stayed in a dream from before the hostels, except for two months renting children were born. Ron a camper to travel across Europe, and Dawn had both travbut Dawn said the family never felt Trento n eled much of the world and temple , Tyler and unsafe. The family rode elephants, Co as par t h t of th lton Hirn v had promised themselves to e wor visited monuments, saw St. Petersburg, is e ld. Ph otos c ir seven-mo it a Buddh do the same with their kids.

Russia, in a fresh layer of snow and is ourtes n t t h tr y of D awn H ip around As they woke up from visited classrooms in different countries irn. their “stupor,” as Dawn described it, they to talk to the local kids. realized the best time for a big family trip was before Ron said his favorite place was Angkor Tyler returned to the public school schedule. They planned a Wat, Cambodia, which was awe-inseven-month trip circling the globe, and Dawn, a longtime artist, spiring to see in person. Dawn, who had feared traveling in felt her creativity return. She wanted to capture the whole expe- Russia and Southeast Asia, said the two spots were among rience on video, both the highs and the lows. her favorite parts of the trip. Tyler, now a sophomore at One trip to Los Angeles later, Dawn had a videographer MBHS, said he loved Japan, Russia and South Africa “just prepared to accompany them on the journey through over 30 because they were different and Europe’s kind of the same.” countries.

“The trip was like an eye-opener. It was a learning experiThe Hirns took off, videographer in tow, in November 2013. ence where you finally know how lucky you are to be here in They brought with them a small Pokemon backpack — a a first world country,” Tyler said. seventh birthday gift that Along the way, they photographed the had been given to Ryan, Pokemon backpack in front of famous sites the only 10 days before the car Hirns wish Ryan could have seen. Dawn wants to crash. It would represent his use the pictures to create a book about the world, presence on the trip around with proceeds benefiting the foundation they the world. He would have created, Ryan’s Light, for burn victims. been 19 years old.

When they returned to the U.S. in May 2014, They traveled westward the videographer also came back with about 300 around the world, starting hours of footage. That footage included both the with Japan. They encountered highs and lows that come with seven months language, culture and transof close quarters, jet lag, getting lost and the other portation barriers, but they challenges of travel. Dawn originally wanted to discovered a lot of similarities turn it into a film to take to festivals. no matter where they traveled.

As she worked with an editor on the footage, “I think the kids got an the story began to take the shape of a television appreciation of what’s out series. Dawn said they just finished editing the there,” Ron said. “There are pilot and they believe the series could be 10-13 differences, but more than the episodes. This month, Dawn and the director and differences there are a lot of writer she is working with are attempting to sell of ck sits in front similarities. The similarities pa ck the series to a TV network. ba ’s an Ry edral.

I think is what draws it all “It’s not meant to sensationalize our tragedy…

St. Basil’s Cath together. Everywhere you go My goal is to inspire, and it comes at a good

RYAN

Trenton, Col ton and Tyle r Hirn visite countries ar d over 30 ound the w orld, includ ing Myanm ar.

The Hirn family in Rome.

timing because people have canceled all their overseas travel.

My effort is to inspire people to not only travel,` but also we all have bumps in the road. It’s what you do after you’ve gone over that bump,” Dawn said. “What I want to be an example of — we faced something really bad and we decided to embrace life again.”

If the series gets picked up, Dawn has a name in mind: “Our Backpack.” It represents not only the Pokemon backpack the Hirns took around the world, but also the weight her family has carried since Ryan’s death.

“Everybody has their own backpack. Ours was our child, our sadness, our recovery,” Dawn said. “We had a lot of things in that backpack.”

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Village Living

School House B3 Opinion B13 Calendar B14

SECTION

B FEBRUARY 2016

Terry Oden reflec s on life before being

‘Mr. Mayor’

By ANA GOOD Mountain Brook Mayor Terry Oden might not be the first to speak up in a crowded room, but if he does, it’s wise to listen. Soft-spoken and seemingly always contemplative, Oden is one who studies a room more than he is at the center of it.

Have a conversation with him, however, and you’ll quickly understand the reason. Oden served as a United States Secret Service agent for 25 years.

As the anniversary of his 20th year in the mayoral office approaches, Oden’s memories of the years remain crisp.

Long before he served the residents of Mountain Brook, Oden served presidents, dignitaries and was among the very first Air Marshals in

what was then a top-secret operation.

To this day, Oden remembers the exact address of one of his very first assignments, providing personal protection to former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis following the assassination of her husband, President John F. Kennedy.

“1040 5th Ave.,” Oden recalled, while sitting inside his office at Mountain Brook City Hall more than 50 years after he was assigned to protect her.

“Her apartment was on the 17th floor.”

Oden said he first came into contact with Secret Service agents while serving in the U.S. Army in Japan during the 1950s, and was instantly intrigued.

“The Secret Service was a big secret back then,” said Oden. “There was a lot of mystery associated with

Terry Oden has served as Mountain Brook’s mayor for 20 years, but before that he had a long career in the Secret Service. Photo by Frank Couch.

agents and I liked that. I was a young man then and the idea of airplanes, guns and secrecy was exciting.”

Rather than being recruited as most agents are nowadays, Oden sought out employment with the agency himself. Following his graduation from Auburn University and a yearlong background screening process, the

Secret Service commissioned Oden.

In Jan. 1964, he headed to the Secret Service’s Atlanta field office for his first posting. It wasn’t long before he was asked to pack his bags and move to New York City, where he worked alongside Jackie—Ms. Kennedy, as he still refers to her—and her children.

“An agent would always be

assigned to each child and Ms. Kennedy if they left the apartment,” said Oden. “An agent drove the car, another rode in the car with her and yet another went ahead of the group to scout her destination.

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Village Living

ODEN

CONTINUED from page B1 Ms. Kennedy, he said, was “very nice and very proper.”

“She always called us ‘Mr.,”’ said Oden, “and she was never demanding. She was always good about telling us what she planned to do each day.”

The assignment, explained Oden, was among the first of its kind. Following the assassination of President Kennedy, the government passed a law mandating that widows of former presidents and their children receive the protection of the Secret Service.

The driving force behind the law, he said, was the uncertainty left behind in the wake of Kennedy’s assassination.

“We didn’t know what was behind Oswald,” Oden said of Kennedy’s assassin. “No one knew if there was a big plot to assassinate the whole family or what else was planned.”

Despite the tension and around-the-clock requirements, Oden said the job was still enjoyable.

“Back then, New York was a great place,” he said. “It was truly a glamorous job.”

A handful of times, Oden even had the distinct honor of being Jackie’s “walker.”

“If a woman was unmarried at that time and didn’t have a boyfriend, it was custom that a man escort her to evening activities,” said Oden. “The man was referred to as the ‘walker.”’

For the first year following Kennedy’s death, Oden said Jackie adhered to mourning etiquette pretty religiously. For that reason, he often accompanied her during the evenings to places like Carnegie Hall.

It wasn’t until Jackie met her second husband, Aristotle Onassis, that she turned down the Secret Service protection, though it continued for her children.

Oden then received orders that he was reassigned to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s detail at the White House. Eventually, Oden became part of the president’s personal detail, traveling with him to more countries than Oden can remember. Along with the formal gatherings, he was there for much of the president’s personal memories.

“I was there for his daughter Luci’s wedding,

Terry Oden stands next to President Ronald Reagan. Photo courtesy of Terry Oden.

honeymoon and delivery of her first child,” said Oden.

Following the presidency, Oden relocated to the LBJ Ranch in Texas along with the family, providing the lifelong security that former presidents are guaranteed. After two years there, and with his own family to think about, Oden applied to a job posting in the Birmingham field office.

Along with his wife, Sandra, Oden moved back to the Magic City where he worked an assortment of assignments, including protection supplement, counterfeit and theft of government check investigations. All throughout, Oden traveled constantly, filling roles around the country when agents were needed to provide foreign dignitary protection.

Just as he was adjusting to his new routine, Oden received the teletype of a lifetime.

“Sept. 11, 1970,” recalled Oden. “All it said was ‘be in New York Sunday morning.”’

Questions flooded his mind. Oden made a call in search of some clarity, but got little more.

“Catch ‘such and such’ an airplane,’ they said.

‘Someone will meet you at the airport,’” said Oden of his instructions.

“What do I pack? Warm clothes or

cold-weather clothes?” Oden asked. “Both,” they said.

“Will I need money?” he asked. “Bring a lot,” they said.

“What do I tell my wife?” Oden implored.

“Tell her goodbye,” they said.

It wasn’t until he arrived that the mission became clear.

“You are here to become sky marshals,” he was told.

During a time when airplanes were being hijacked and flown to Cuba, the United States was desperate for a solution, said Oden. After a day of training, Oden boarded a TWA aircraft and began flying around the world. He had to remain awake the whole time, he said, even on flights across the ocean. He couldn’t allow himself to get too caught up in conversation, but had a cover story anytime someone asked where he was headed.

“My cover story was that I was an international photographer,” said Oden.

That story worked for quite some time, he said, until he was on a plane to Africa and sat down next to an actual professional photographer.

“He started asking me what type of film I used,

r o f t h g i a r t s Aim a great smile!

what types of lenses,” said Oden with a laugh.

“Thankfully, I knew just enough to avoid suspicion.”

Oden flew countless hours for five months while the government organized its air marshal program.

“We were very successful at it,” said Oden.

“Nothing happened.”

After he returned to Birmingham, Oden followed the opportunity to open a field office in Montgomery and a later move to Kansas City.

Oden, his wife and daughters returned to Birmingham a few years later, only to immediately be called to San Francisco to act as campaign protection during Ronald Reagan’s presidential run.

“My wife, Sandra, made all of this possible,” said Oden. “If she hadn’t been so understanding of all my travel and all the moves we made as a family, it would have been a miserable existence.”

Reagan, Oden recalled, called him “Terry Boy.” Oden worked with Reagan throughout his campaign. Several pictures with the former president are still scattered around his office.

Oden’s job took his family to the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco and four years in Paris to serve as special agent in charge of international operations and attaché.

“We liked living over there,” said Oden, recalling memories of his wife taking classes at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, and becoming a “great cook.”

When Oden neared 51, known as the unofficial retirement age of Secret Service agents, he knew he’d be in need of a job. The opportunity to return to Birmingham presented itself during an International Bankers Conference, where Oden met former AmSouth chairman and CEO John Woods.

“He told me if I found him a scotch and soda I’d have a job,” said Oden.

Oden served 10 years as senior vice president and director of corporate security for AmSouth.

He was on the Mountain Brook City Council at that time, before filling his current role as mayor in 1996.

As a new election cycle looms in November, Oden admits he has thought about whether or not he will retire.

“But I’m not going to tell you,” he said with a wink, still a man of mystery.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • B3

School House

Lilly Martin, Hughes Thomas, Hannon Taterek and Wills Black pose during competitions at Auburn University.

MBJH swim, dive teams compete in state meet The Alabama High School Athletic Association state swim and dive meet was held Dec. 3-4 at Auburn University. The boys came in second in the state competition.

The swim and dive meet was held at the Auburn athletic pool on campus.

In the boys category, Hughes Thomas finished sixth overall with a score of 261.30.

Wills Black finished ninth overall with a score of 240.85.

In the girls category, Hannon Taterek and Lilly Martin finished 18th and 19th, respectively, overall.

For the swimming category, the girls 200 medley relay finished 17th (Emily Bolvig, Liz Vandevelde [ninth grade], Hannah Elliott and Frances Conner). Lauren Crabtree finished

eighth in the 200 freestyle and 10th in the 500 freestyle. Hannah Elliott finished 12th in the 100 butterfly and 17th in the 500 freestyle.

William Bloodworth finished 17th in the 100 backstroke. Emily Bolvig finished 18th in the 100 backstroke. Gaston Petznick (ninth grade) finished 15th in the 200 IM and 14th in the 100 breaststroke.

The boys 400 freestyle relay finished 15th (Gaston Petznick [ninth grade], Jack Martin, Jack Tucker and Ryan Kirk).

The girls 400 freestyle relay finished 12th and dropped 4 seconds from the preliminaries to finals (Hannah Elliott, Elizabeth Hamilton [ninth grade], Sarah Petznick [seventh grade] and Lauren Crabtree).

This year’s Crestline Spelling Bee winner, Kate Ryan (left), and runner-up, Jane Morgan Sauls (right), enjoy refreshments at a reception in the media center for spelling bee participants. Photo courtesy of Trish Hand.

6th-graders champions of spelling bee Crestline Elementary School recently held its annual spelling bee.

Each homeroom in grades four through six conducted a classroom bee that yielded two winners from each homeroom.

These classroom representatives then went on to compete in the annual school spelling

bee held in the auditorium.

Parents of the spelling bee participants and all students in grades four through six attended the bee.

Sixth-grader Kate Ryan won the spelling bee, and sixth-grader Jane Morgan Sauls was the runner-up. - Submitted by Trish Hand.

LANEPARKE.INFO

B4 • February 2016

Village Living

MBJH tries fun approach to math Geometry students at Mountain Brook Junior High are applying their knowledge of special quadrilaterals by creatively incorporating the various properties into children’s books, short stories, comic strips and mysteries.

According to teachers Sara Anne Thomas and Brittany Wilson, the students did not even realize they were studying and preparing for their test while writing because they were having so much fun. Denson Camp said the project “was fun putting geometrical shapes into a murder mystery based on the movie ‘Clue.’

Team USA, from left: Sarah Margaret Currie, Matt Holloway, Lev Berman, Evelyn King, John Curtis Gray, Calvin Wilbanks, Michael Brogan, Caldwell Flake, Leila Horsley, Kamp McMinn, Charles Crommelin and James Noles.

Photo courtesy of Collins Clegg.

Jimmy McGowan wins Middle School Art Teacher of the Year. Photo courtesy of Collins Clegg.

Visual arts educator wins Teacher of Year Visual arts teacher Jimmy McGowan was presented with the Middle School Art Teacher of the Year award at the Alabama Education Association State Conference. He was nominated by Lauren Fowler from Crestline Elementary.

McGowan was surprised to be the recipient of this award as many of the fellow nominees had more years of experience. He said this award was possible with the support of the students, community, administration and his co-workers.

McGowan is a native of Birmingham and is in his second year of teaching visual arts at Mountain Brook Junior High. McGowan said he has found his dream job and loves MBJH. He graduated from the University of Alabama in Birmingham with a bachelor’s degree in art studio, a minor in art history and a masters in art education.

He is the arts coordinator for the Academy of the Arts at Samford University.

– Submitted by Collins Clegg.

Jack Steinmetz based his short story off of the popular story Jack and the Beanstalk. Lucy Woodke based her story on one of her childhood favorites, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear.”

Hannah Straughn wrote a poem based on Dr. Seuss’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” in which the characters were introduced to different shapes to discover their properties.

Louise Knight wrote a mystery about quadrilaterals in which the square was the guilty party.

– Submitted by Collins Clegg.

KICK MS fundraiser a success More than 250 Mountain Brook Junior High School students participated Nov. 1 in KICK MS, a biannual fundraiser to benefit the MS Society of Alabama and Mississippi.

Led by students from the MBJH Spartan Council, this seventh- and eighth-grade KICK MS event raised more than $22,700 to fight multiple sclerosis.

Coupled with the money raised in the August

tournament that was hosted by ninth-graders, students at MBJH have raised $41,301.78 in 2015 to fight MS. The “No MS’ing Around” team raised the most money in eighth grade, and “Team USA” raised the most money and won the kickball tournament for seventh grade. The eighth-grade tournament winner was the “Straight Outta Recess” team.

– Submitted by Collins Clegg.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • B5

Crestline celebrates veterans Fifth-grade students led the Crestline community in celebrating the service of our veterans.

Veterans started the day with a breakfast served by the Crestline PTO before moving to the auditorium for the program honoring them. There were multiple videos of students expressing their thoughts to the veterans.

The script for the videos was drawn from student writing addressing such prompts as “what makes a person a hero,” “challenges that veterans likely faced” and “how my life is better because of veterans.”

Under the direction of music teachers Laura Butler and Janet Nelson, students performed choral music honoring the branches of the service as well as leading veterans and parents in the singing of “God Bless America” and “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The featured speaker this year was Mrs. Ginny Bugg, daughter of a WWII pilot whose plane crashed when she was an infant. She talked with students and veterans about the sacrifices that veterans and their families have made so that we may enjoy freedom.

Students were enthralled with her stories about her search to know her father and the connections that she has created with his squadron.

In her letter to veterans, fifthgrader Audrey Schelske wrote, “You give us hope that there may still be some good left in the world. I hope you know that you are heroes.”

In discussing positive changes accomplished by veterans, Mia Dunlap said, “They have gone to dangerous areas and helped Americans keep their freedom and rights.” Spence Morano summed it up well when he wrote, “You are true heroes for risking your lives for our safety

Authors to visit elementary schools in Mountain Brook

By ANA GOOD Mountain Brook’s elementary students will once again have the opportunity to meet and interact with several children’s book authors as part of the annual Writers’ Festival Feb. 23-25.

Cherokee Bend Elementary is hosting the event this year and chose the authors to invite. Participating authors include Bruce Hale, Candace Fleming and Helen Lester.

All three authors will visit Cherokee

Bend, Brookwood Forest and Mountain Brook Elementary during the three days in February, spending an entire day at each school. Each author will visit one school per day.

Beth Shea, Cherokee Bend elementary media specialist, said the event has been running for at least 23 years, the amount of time she has been at the school.

“Writers’ Festival is an event funded by each of the three schools’ PTOs and has been for many, many years,” Shea said.

Students win 1st in state robotics competition

By ERICA TECHO

Veteran John Acken was honored by his three children, Colley, Allie and Marshall, at the Crestline Veterans Day program. Photo courtesy of Trish Hand.

and independence.”

Students were moved by the experience of performing for the veterans and especially liked the moments when the veterans joined them in singing the patriotic songs.

In her reflection after the performance, Lilly Papapietro noted: “It was a very powerful experience for everyone. Even though this performance was for the veterans, it really affected us all.”

– Submitted by Trish Hand.

A team of three Altamont students recently won the Alabama State Championship in First Lego League (FLL) Robotics.

The team, including Hoover residents Jaye Conn and Toby Conn and Mountain Brook resident Noah Warren, participated in the World Class FLL Robotics Alabama State Tournament in Huntsville on Dec. 12. Their team name is The Variables, and they competed against 35 other teams and more than 300 participants.

The students received the first place Champions Award, which recognizes the team that embodies the FLL’s core values as well as exhibits excellence in innovation during the competition’s

robot game and project.

By receiving the Champions Award, the students will move on to the FLL World Festival in April. More than 233,000 individuals from 80 countries compete in the FLL, and The Variables will be one of 85 teams moving on to the World Festival.

The theme for this year’s competition is “The Trash Trek Challenge,” which presents teams with the challenge of exploring the collection, sorting, production and reuse of trash.

The Variables’ project mission looked at K-Cups, which are not biodegradable, and the problems they can present to landfills.

For more information about FLL and next year’s competition, visit firstlegoleague.org.

B6 • February 2016

Village Living

Mountain Brook recognizes track athletes

Francie and John Morris from Mrs. Strange’s third-grade class work during the Hour of Code. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Woodry.

BWF holds Hour of Code Brookwood Forest held an Hour of Code week the week of Dec. 7-11 under the direction of Sharon Mumm, the Brookwood Forest technology coordinator.

Students started the day listening to broadcasts of topics such as the Hour of Code Worldwide, Why Computer Science Matters, and Change the World forGirls. Individual teachers worked with unplugged activities throughout the week.

Meg Sims used Tech Time to introduce students to the Hour of Code website and made sure kids could log in. Kelly

Hargrove introduced activities to the first-graders. One of the first-grade classes then became teachers and helped another class get started.

The week allowed students to work on various devices during Tech Time and classroom time including grade level laptops, Chromebooks and iPads. Parent Bryan Horner from Daxko came and talked to the third grade about exciting opportunities in coding. The week was such a success, the students did not want to stop!

– Submitted by Kathleen Woodry.

William Irons (center) with Frances Patrick and Marshall Smith, the 2015 winners of the Irons Distance Trophy. Photo courtesy of William Irons.

Two Mountain Brook High School athletes recently received the Colonel George V. Irons Distance Trophy.

Frances Patrick and Marshall Smith were selected for the award given in honor of Irons, who was a distance runner for the University of Alabama in the 1920s and broke several distance running records. The award is given to athletes who excel not only in running, but in

scholarship and citizenship.

In addition to his running records, Irons was a Rhodes Scholar nominee and earned his doctorate at Duke University. He taught at Samford University for over 40 years and served in World War II. Irons has been inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Alabama Men’s Hall of Fame.

– Submitted by William Irons.

Students charter new service club

Officers from the newly chartered Mountain Brook High School Junior Civitan Club. Photo courtesy of Amy Kampakis.

Mountain Brook High School students have chartered a new service club, Junior Civitan. The club was officially chartered in October, and students currently involved plan to hold a spring membership drive to continue the club’s growth.

Junior Civitan’s parent organization, Civitan Club, is an international organization represented in 42 countries.

The club’s motto is “Building volunteer leaders in clubs around the world.”

Junior Civitan officers include Carter Kampakis (president and founder), Dailey Nichols (vice president), Stav Pappas (secretary), Ryan Kirk (treasurer), Butler Hartley (public relations).

- Submitted by Amy Kampakis.

MBJH football players selected for All Metro South 2015

BWF celebrates holidays with musical program Brookwood Forest held its annual holiday program under the direction of Debbie Rakes on Dec. 17.

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

Chloe Bridgers, Millie Blair, Anna Williamson and Athon Faulkner pose for a picture during the holiday program.

Seventh-graders Strother Gibbs, Ethan Shunnarah, Michael Brogan, Braxton Wetzler and eighth-graders Will Baynes, Sam Higgins, Crawford Golden and Clark Griffin were chosen for All Metro South 2015. Submitted

by Tricia Golden.

VillageLivingOnline.com APSA-1007_2.pdf 1 8/18/15

11:28 AM

February 2016 • B7

A PUBLIC NOTICE FROM ALABAMA POWER

TREE CREWS WORKING IN MOUNTAIN BROOK THROUGH EARLY 2016 Alabama Power crews are working in several Mountain Brook neighborhoods, removing trees and other vegetation that threaten the safety and reliability of our electrical system.

As part of this process, Alabama Power goes to great lengths to talk with individual property owners. Company representatives are going door to door, leaving notices at locations where work is needed.

If you have any questions before crews come by your home, please call Alabama Power at 205-257-2155 and ask for someone in the Vegetation Management Group to contact you. Or you can email us at apcvm@southernco.com. Work in Mountain Brook and nearby areas is expected to continue through early 2016.

Also, you can go online to alpwr.co/vm for more information about these safety and reliability measures, as well as resources for property owners who would like recommendations about planting the right tree in the right place.

Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate your business.

Vegetation Management Group 205-257-2155 | apcvm@southernco.com

Š 2015 Alabama Power Company.

B8 • February 2016

Village Living Co-chair Emily Dunn enjoys the fall festival with MBE students Adah Schilleci, Maddie Still, Lauren Clark, Mae Helen Toranto, Carolyn Dunn and Mary Carleton Baynes. Photo courtesy of Lynn Moorer.

Fifth-graders Howell Fell and Andrew Kohler stand with their honored guests, from left: Air Force Col. Charles H. Milian, great-uncle of Howell, veteran of Korean and Vietnam wars; Navy Seaman Lowell Hill, great-uncle of Howell; Army Lt. Col. Gregory H. Dean, grandfather of Andrew, Germany 1970-72. Photo courtesy of Kari Kampakis.

MBE salutes veterans during annual program Mountain Brook Elementary proudly held its annual Veterans Day Program on Nov. 5 to honor the military men and women of our community.

The fifth-grade students and faculty gathered with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends to salute the veterans.

A slide presentation welcomed guests with pictures of the veterans during their service. Patriotic songs, the Pledge of Allegiance and narrative by the students were all part of the program.

In a touching moment, the veterans were invited to join their student on stage as the theme song for their branch of service played in the background.

The students then pinned an American flag on each guest. The program concluded with “God Bless America” and “Taps.” The chairs of the event were Kim Kohler and Amy Fell. – Submitted by Shaun Flynn.

MBE holds first annual fall festival fundraiser Mountain Brook Elementary held its first annual fall festival in November.

The event boasted bouncy houses for the students, a candy walk, live music by the Old Smugglers, self-portraits by students that were offered for sale, and a silent auction.

The auction baskets were filled with prizes including a weekend at the Grand Bohemian, skybox tickets to an Alabama football game, fabulous local gift certificates, Ripstik and electric scooter,

and a spring break trip to the Gulf Coast, just to name a few.

The evening concluded with pizza for all and a showing of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on the big screen.

Chairs Emily Dunn and Melanie Toronto worked tirelessly to ensure the event was a success. The funds raised will be allocated to the school’s new playground. – Submitted by Shaun Flynn.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • B9

CBS ‘Rocks the Holly’ in program

MB’s Dale Wisely to host 3-part series on ADHD

Cherokee Bend’s annual Holiday Program took place Dec. 15.

Under the guidance of music teacher Marsha Alexander, students in kindergarten through third grades performed songs such as “Candlelight Song,” “Sing for Joy” and “Rock the Holly,” where the children were singing gleefully while dancing along.

The children were attired in holiday outfits and enjoyed singing the sounds of the season.

– Submitted by Catherine Gasque.

By ANA GOOD Mountain Brook’s director of student services, Dale Wisely, Ph.D., will host a threepart series on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on Wednesday mornings in February.

The disorder has “always been a somewhat controversial diag- Wisely nosis,” said Wisely, a child and adolescent clinical psychologist.

Wisely will discuss several aspects of ADHD, beginning with a talk titled “The Disorders,” on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Wisely will then follow up with a discussion on “The Treatments,” on Feb. 10 and “Managing Home & Family” on Feb. 17. All talks will be held from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Mountain Brook Board of Education Building, 32 Vine Street.

“ADHD is a complex problem,” said Wisely, “much more than just a problem with focus and attention, which may or may not be accompanied by hyperactivity.”

An ADHD diagnosis, said Wisely, comes with a host of questions. Among them: “Is it really a disorder or it is just made up by doctors and teachers? Are the medications safe and effective? Is the disorder over-diagnosed? Are the medications over-prescribed?”

For Wisely, education on the disorder is key.

“I have always believed that one of the key components to helping children with the disorder is that the adults in their lives have a solid understanding of the disorder,” he said. “I think very few parents of children diagnosed with ADHD get that kind of education. That’s what we try to do with this series: help parents understand the disorder and dispel some of the myths.”

Although the event is free, those interested in attending are required to register by either calling 877-8349 or emailing studentservices@mtnbrook.k12.al.us.

Cherokee Bend third-graders strike a pose as a finale to their Holiday Program. Photo courtesy of Catherine Gasque.

Guidelines for kindergarten enrollment

By ERICA TECHO Parents or guardians looking to enroll their children in Mountain Brook City Schools kindergarten this year can begin the process on Jan. 25.

Jan. 25 is the first day parents or guardians can create their child’s online student account on the Mountain Brook Schools district website. Parents or guardians will fill out their child’s demographic information on that website and be able to pay for kindergarten items including supplies and field trips.

This online step should be completed before attending on-site enrollment.

On-site enrollment takes place throughout February, depending on the elementary school. ►► Mountain Brook Elementary: Feb. 3 ►► Brookwood Forest Elementary: Feb. 10 ►► Cherokee Bend Elementary: Feb. 17 ►► Crestline Elementary: Feb. 24 On-site enrollment takes place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the designated days.

When attending on-site enrollment, bring the following items: Proof of residency, such as a property deed, title insurance or current lease agreement (Note: If siblings are

currently enrolled in Mountain Brook Schools and the family residence has not changed, proof of residency is not required.)

Child’s Social Security card (voluntary). If a Social Security number is not available or not provided, an internal number will be assigned.

Birth certificate or other proof of age.

Certificate of immunization. The original blue form can be provided if a child is not 5 years old at the time of enrollment, and an updated form can be turned in after the child turns 5.

More information can be found at mtnbrook.k12.al.us.

B10 • February 2016

Village Living

A FRESH START WITH

A NEW HEART

By ERICA TECHO Megan Gagliardi is down to three doctor visits a year. But when she’s there, people are surprised that she is the patient who received a heart transplant and underwent cancer treatments just a few years ago.

“When she has to have a biopsy done, there’s a lot of doctors [at the hospital] who have never met her or seen her, and when they’re told what she’s been through, they’re like ‘No way,’” said Lynne Gagliardi, Megan’s mother. “I think it’s kind of cute that they’re even kind of amazed at her spirit.”

When Megan Gagliardi was a senior at Mountain Brook High School in 2011, she was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy — an enlarged heart. The doctors put her on medication, and that fall she started school at Samford University, but her health did not improve.

“October hit and I just kind of hit a wall where I was struggling with keeping up with school and keeping up with friends and trying to do everything all at once while still having this new health problem,” Gagliardi said.

She got a pacemaker that October, and in November she was put on the transplant list.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • B11

Mountain Brook resident Megan Gagliardi underwent a heart transplant, followed by chemotherapy for lymphoma, at 19 years old. Now, she relishes the chance to be healthy, including regular running. Photos by Frank Couch.

“On my 19th birthday, in March [2012], I got the phone call for the heart,” Gagliardi said. “My mom always jokes, ‘That’s the best birthday present you’re going to get.’”

Before she needed a transplant, Gagliardi did not know much about organ donation and she was not registered as an organ donor. There were around 20 people in Alabama waiting on a heart when she received a transplant. At the end of 2015, there were 34, according to the Alabama Organ Center.

“You don’t realize what big of a need there is for organ donation, but there’s definitely a lot of people waiting,” Gagliardi said.

“There are so many people waiting for so many things, and people shouldn’t feel like, ‘Oh I don’t have good enough organs,’ because they can really help so many people,” her mother said. “It’s just the most beautiful gift.”

Following the transplant, Gagliardi was put on immunosuppressive medication to prevent her body’s rejection of the new heart. That medication, however, made her more vulnerable to other health problems.

Nine months after she received her transplant, she was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

“I think hitting that rough patch again was really hard because that kind of knocked me down a little bit, and I had to figure out not only how to handle a new heart but how to handle going through chemo,” Gagliardi said.

A few things helped her through that period of recovery —

a lot.” friends, family and her faith. Her favorite Watch a video of Megan Gagliardi Once she was back to full health, verse is Psalm 73:26.

Gagliardi started running. She had always “This is one that people would always send to me in a text as a reminder while I been healthy, she said, but not very active.

Last February, Gagliardi ran the Mercedes was going through all of this. ‘My flesh and Half-Marathon — her first half-marathon my heart may fail, but God is the strength 280living.com/topics/video http://www.villagelivingonline.com/ — and she hopes to complete a full of my heart and my portion forever,’” a-fresh-start-with-a-new-heart/ marathon as well.

Gagliardi said. “Not only has our faith strengthened, but I think our family has She keeps as busy as she can with school and internships to the point “even her internships have become so much closer.” internships,” her mother joked.

The community also rallied around their family, bringing Even though she does not have an exact plan for after her meals and giving notes of encouragement. After only living in graduation this year, Gagliardi said she knows she will continue Mountain Brook for a year, they were touched by the immense to take advantage of her health. She wants to move away from support.

“They just have no idea what that means when you’re at Birmingham and one day write a book, something her mother has encouraged. the hospital until 6:00, to come back to a meal,” said Lynne As she moved through life post-transplant, she said Gagliardi. “Just really precious new friends that took it and ran friendships with other transplant patients helped her. She hopes to meet our needs.” to do the same for others with a book about her life.

After six chemotherapy treatments in five months, the cancer was gone and Gagliardi was back on the road to full health.

“I definitely want to try and write a book sometime,” Since then, Gagliardi said her goal is to live life to the fullest.

Gagliardi said. “I feel like with such an interesting story, I would love to reach out to other people and just kind of “When you’re healthy all the time, you don’t really think encourage them, especially the younger kids who are going about it,” Gagliardi said, “but when you’ve been on the other through this.” side of spending a good chunk of your 18-year-old, 19-year-old For more information about organ donation, visit life in the hospital, the days where you can go for a run and spend time with friends, you value them and appreciate them alabamaorgancenter.org.

B12 • February 2016

By ANA GOOD

Village Living

ZOO ANIMALS SHOW THE ‘WILD SIDE’ OF LOVE

As the chocolate, flowers and champagne flow this Valentine’s Day, you won’t have to look far to find a wilder, yet simpler, type of love.

At the Birmingham Zoo, animals of different species provide everyday proof that love doesn’t need to be reserved for one day, or be measured in sparkly gifts.

“There are lots of different types of love,” said Cindy Pinger, a curator of birds at the zoo.

For 19 years, Pinger has witnessed firsthand how love can also come in the form of friendship. Since she arrived at the zoo, Pinger has watched a group of American flamingos care for and protect Pink Beard, a Chilean flamingo. Pinger said that despite not being the same species, the group works together to keep the nearly 36-year-old, blind bird fed, bathed and healthy.

“It’s really nice to watch them,” said Pinger.

Visitors can easily spot Pink Beard, she said. He is stockier and less pink than the American flamingos, said Pinger, and you can often spot him in the middle of the others.

On average, she said, flamingos live to be about 40 years old. Pink Beard’s sight impairment, which the zoo believes was caused by an injury years ago, has only gotten worse with age.

“The rest know he is blind and old,” said Pinger, “so they put him in the middle of the group to help guide him to his food, to make sure he takes a daily bath.”

Pink Beard was the only Chilean flamingo the zoo kept when it transferred the others to the Atlanta Zoo in 2003. There were more of them there, said Pinger, so they had a better chance of reproducing.

“We decided to keep Pink Beard here because he was already familiar with his surroundings,” she said. “Since he already had difficulty seeing, we didn’t think it would be fair to transfer him to unfamiliar settings.”

Pinger said that although it’s quite obvious the birds aren’t necessarily “family,” none seem to mind.

“They work together,” she said, “taking care of one another.”

Just around the corner from the flamingos, another group of animals is also busy taking care of one another.

Inside the primate building, a family of four De Brazza’s monkeys swing from ropes, lounge on the rocks and groom each other.

The Birmingham Zoo is home to a family of De Brazza’s monkeys: mom Brittany, dad Huey, daughter Poppy and a baby not yet named.

Photo by Ana Good.

“This is a pretty special group,” said primate keeper Dane Jorgensen.

The young family, made up of 15-year-old mom Brittany, 8-yearold dad Huey, daughter Poppy and the not-yet-named baby, are getting along better than expected, said Jorgensen.

As he spoke, Poppy, born on Memorial Day in 2014, swooped up her baby sister and took her for a climb on the ropes.

“She loves being a big sister,” said Jorgenson. “Poppy had to grow up a bit faster when the baby arrived, but she’s handled it really well.”

The sisters climb, chase each other and wrestle for hours on end, said Jorgenson. Now that this is her second baby, Brittany has relaxed a bit as a mom, he said.

“She lets the girls figure things out on their own,” said Jorgenson.

Although Huey is usually off doing his own thing and is a typical

hands-off primate-world father, it doesn’t stop Poppy from trying to get in some snuggles with him too.

“Poppy is definitely a daddy’s girl,” said Jorgenson. “She is constantly trying to interact with him and get his approval.”

Huey doesn’t seem to mind, said Jorgenson.

“Huey will sit back and watch as his girls groom each other, combing through each other’s hair,” he said.

De Brazza’s monkeys do live in groups in the wild, said Jorgenson, but because there are so few in zoos, the staff wasn’t quite sure how mom and dad would react to one baby, and then two.

“So far,” said Jorgenson, “it has been great.”

In the coming months, the zoo will host a naming contest to help name Poppy’s baby sister.

“They’re a family,” said Jorgenson. “Figuring it out together.”

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February 2016 • B13

Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

Setting the fi st tracks: How to have hard conversations with your kids Imagine your child at the top of a ski slope.

They’re about to ski down for their first time, but for now, they’re relishing the view.

A blanket of snow just fell, so the view is fresh and pure. The fluffy white snow is completely blemish-free. It’s a wondrous sight, but it’s temporary. Because pretty soon, skiers will start sailing down this hill. Each one will set tracks in the snow that impact your child’s perspective.

Whoever skis down first, setting the first tracks in the snow, will leave a particularly deep impression because chances are, your child will remember it.

This ski slope is a lot like your child’s mind.

And as parents, we instinctively protect their mind. We keep our kids in safe environments and guard their innocence to the best of our ability.

And though this is a great instinct, we must remember that our kids will be exposed to things sooner than we like to believe. In mere seconds, their pristine view of the world can be interrupted by a peer, a Google search, or some random event that leaves a negative mark.

“Setting the first tracks” is a term that Gil Kracke, a counselor at Covenant Counseling and the Church of the Advent in Birmingham, uses to encourage parents to have those uncomfortable yet necessary conversations. As parents, we want to set the first tracks. We want to ski down first and impress the truth in our kids’ minds so that when other skiers come behind us, our kids know which tracks to trust.

Establishing ourselves upfront as the authority helps us become our child’s go-to person. It lets them know they can come to us with questions to help them discern which tracks in the snow are healthy and right – and which ones aren’t.

But how do we begin these awkward

conversations? How do we talk about those hard realities we’d rather not talk about?

According to David Thomas, a counselor with DayStar Counseling in Nashville, and author of the book “Wild Things”, parents should get in front of the issues. We should have these discussions before an event ever happens.

Gone are the days of a single “birds and the bees” talk. Instead of a one-time conversation, there should be ongoing dialogue. We should create a safe space where our kids feel comfortable opening up and asking the questions they’ll inevitably take somewhere – if not to us, then to a friend or Google.

Here are eight guidelines Thomas offers to help parents create a safe environment that encourages openness and honesty: ►► Start early. Between ages 3-5, we can begin conversations with our kids about their bodies. The goal is to familiarize kids with the language and get them comfortable talking about it on an age-appropriate level. ►► Be the first and best source of information. To be our child’s go-to person, we should communicate a sense of safety so they instinctively come to us when they want information. Our kids can read us, and if we look or act awkward, they’ll quit talking. For this reason, we need to be familiar with the realities of their world (current and what’s to come) and comfortable talking about them. ►► Always use anatomically correct words when talking about the body. ►► Invite questions. One way to encourage conversation is to tell our kids, “I’m so glad

you asked me that. Anything else you want to ask?” Or, we can ask them questions like, “What were you thinking when you heard that?” Oftentimes, helping our kids think through a situation helps them form their own conclusions. ►► Revisit the conversation often. Upfront our kids should hear, “We’re going to come in and out of this conversation your whole life. It’s not a one-time thing, but rather an ongoing healthy discussion.” To keep the talks informal and nonthreatening, Thomas suggests an occasional “Dude’s Weekend” or “Girl’s Night.” We can spend the night at a hotel, for instance, and weave the dialogue into fun experiences like letting our child swim, eat pizza and watch a movie. ►► Stay a step ahead of his/her development. We shouldn’t wait until our child hits puberty to discuss puberty. Kids need to hear “You are normal,” and when we prepare them for what’s to come, they don’t panic over the changes they experience because they know what to expect. ►► Put it in a physical and spiritual context. It’s important for kids to know their bodies are holy and good, and their journey to manhood/womanhood is part of God’s plan. It’s when we use our bodies and minds in ways that God never intended that problems occur. ►► Find books to read together. Books can be helpful in opening the door to hard conversations. Remember, however, that books should be used to facilitate conversation, not replace it.

And what if you aren’t your child’s first memory? What if that kid from school who likes

to educate all the other kids on nitty-gritty topics beats you in setting the first tracks?

If that’s the case, don’t worry, because it’s never too late to start talking. Even if you aren’t your child’s first memory, you can be most of their memories.

Hard conversations take courage, and I know how uncomfortable they can be. What helps me stay brave is remembering what a school counselor once told me about parents who have open dialogue versus parents who think they’re “protecting” their kids by not addressing hard realities.

“Parents who have the hard conversations are much more likely to have their kids open up and tell them what’s really going on,” she said. “Parents who don’t have those conversations are less likely to have their kids open up because the kids know their parents will freak out.”

In short, our kids need us speaking truth into their lives. They need guidance to help them discern which tracks in the snow are worth paying attention to.

By making hard conversations a normal part of family life, we can get past the awkwardness.

We can develop stronger relationships that allow us access into their world and open up our eyes, minds and hearts to the realities they’ll face in the winding road ahead.

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, columnist, and blogger for The Huffington Post. Her first book, 10 ULTIMATE TRUTHS GIRLS SHOULD KNOW, is available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Join her Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer,” visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@karikampakis.

B14 • February 2016

Village Living

Calendar Mountain Brook Events Feb. 4: American Girl: Girls Just Like Me- Baking from the Heart. 3:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham. Explore the story of Grace Thomas and bake a treat. $20 members, $25 non-members. Visit bbgardens.org.

Feb. 5: Financial Advice for Seniors.

10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Levite Jewish Community Center, 3980 Montclair Road, Birmingham. Financial planning advice for seniors. Visit bhamjcc.org.

Feb. 5-6: Sweet Repeats Consignment Sale. Mountain Brook Community Church, 3001 Hwy. 280 East, Birmingham. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-12p.m. Sunday. Visit mbcc.us.

MBHS Athletics Feb. 1: Varsity basketball v. Thompson. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5: Varsity basketball v. Winfield. Girls 6 p.m. Boys 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6: Girls varsity basketball v. Midfield.

6 p.m. Boys varsity basketball v. Hoover 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 6: Our Native Lichens Curious Life Partners. 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham. $40 members, $45 non-members. Visit bbgardens. org.

Feb. 7: American Girl: Girls Just Like Me- Baking from the Heart. 2 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham. Explore the story of Grace Thomas and bake a treat. $20 members, $25 non-members. Visit bbgardens.org.

Feb. 8: Architecture and the History of Birmingham. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Levite Jewish Community Center, 3980 Montclair Road, Birmingham. Rebecca Dobrinski will lead the four-part

Feb. 20: Kick Out Cancer Kickball Tournament. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Vestavia Central Elementary School Field. $200 per team. 1st-12th grade. Help aTeam Ministries help support children and families in Alabama through the journey of pediatric cancer.

Visit ateamministries.org/kickballtournament.

program about Birmingham’s architectural history.

Will also take place on Feb. 15, 22 and 29. Visit bhamjcc.org.

Feb. 13: Spring Cleansing. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham. Learn to jump start your body with a spring cleansing. $15 members, $20 non-members. Visit bbgardens.org.

Feb. 20: What’s That Plant? A Workshop for Learning How to Identify Plants. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham. Full-day workshop begins at a basic level and progress to use of more complex methods. $80 members/$90 non-members.

Visit bbgardens.org.

Feb. 26: Mountain Brook Junior High Art Forms. Reception at 5 p.m., showcase at 6 p.m. Tickets will be $10 at the door.

Feb. 27: 9th Annual Ovarian Cycle Birmingham. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Levite Jewish Community Center, 3960 Montclair Road. Three-hour indoor cycling event to support ovarian cancer research. Registration fee for riders 26 & older: $50; Riders 12-25: $25; Survivors: Free. Visit http://nlovca.org/ovarian-cycle.

Emmet O’Neal Library Events Children

Wednesdays: Movers & Makers. 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 1: READ Club (MBHS book club). 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Mondays: Toddler Tales Story Time. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Thursdays: Patty Cake Story Time. 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

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

Thursdays: SNaP. 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 5: Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Student Debt. 5:30pm-9:30pm. Watch the second HP film and continue the Hogwarts Challenge game.

Tuesdays: Library Out Loud. 3:30 p.m.

Saturdays: Family Story Time with Mr. Mac. 10:30 a.m.

Feb. 6: Game On! SMASH! Games & glory. 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Tuesdays: Evenings at EOL. 6 p.m.

Teens (Grades 7-12)

Adults

Wednesdays: Mother Goose Story Time.

9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Feb. 1: TAB/Book Club. Monthly meeting of our Teen Advisory Board, 5 p.m.-6 p.m.

Feb. 2: The Bookies book group. 10 a.m. Discussing The Witches: Salem 1692, by Stacy Schiff.

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VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2016 • B15

Emmet O’Neal Library Events Cont.

Feb. 4: $mart Directions @ Your Library 6:30pm (doors open at 6pm, light dinner served). Call 205-445-1118 for registration and details.

Feb. 8: Great Books discussion group.

6:30 p.m. “My Wife is a White Russian” by Rose Tremain.

Feb. 19-21: Friends of the Library Annual Sale. 6-8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Open to Friends members and those willing to make $25 donation at the door.

Feb. 23: Genre Reading Group. 6:30 p.m.

Discussing books/documentaries about Hollywood.

Special Events Feb. 2: Family Night: Juggler Tom Foolery. 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 3: Etc.: Valentine Crafting. Create cards for Children’s Hospital. 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 25: Bookmania: Charlie & the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

6 p.m.

Call 445-1121 or visit.eolib.org.

Area Events Feb. 4: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. 113 22nd Street North, Birmingham. Meet local artists and performers, buy their work and be a part of the Birmingham art scene. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com.

Feb. 5: Diana Ross. 8 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North. $63$128. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Feb. 10: Hearts of Hope. Cahaba Grand Conference Center, 3660 Grandview Parkway, Birmingham. Event provides resources necessary to continue the work of The Foundry Women’s Recovery Program. Free. Visit foundryminstries.com.

Feb. 12-14: Mercedes Marathon Weekend. Boutwell Auditorium, 1930 8th Avenue North, Birmingham. Friday, 12 p.m. -7 p.m.

Saturday, 8 a.m.- 6p.m. Sunday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit mercedesmarathon.com.

Feb. 14: I Do with a View. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham. Valentine’s Day wedding packages.

Visit visitvulcan.com.

Feb. 18: Next to Normal. Red Mountain Theatre Company, 301 19th Street North, Birmingham. Pop musical exploring how a suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness.

Tickets start at $30. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit redmountaintheatre.org.

Feb. 18-21: Birmingham Home and Garden Show. BJCC Exhibition Halls, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North. Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m. -6 p.m. $3 children 6-12, $11 adults. Visit birminghamhomeandgardenshow.com.

Feb. 19-21: Chicago: The Musical. BJCC Concert Hall, 200 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North.

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $35-$85. Visit theaterleague.com.

LJCC Events Feb. 5: OLLI Financial Advice for Seniors. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Contact Mindy Cohen at mcohen@bhamjcc.org or 510-9024. Led by instructor Vaughn Sparks, Certified Financial Planner with Jeff Roberts & Associates.

Book Fair for children of all ages in the LJCC Main Lobby and Library. All proceeds benefit the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center, and provide new books for the preschool classrooms.

Feb. 8, 15, 22 & 29: OLLI Architecture and History of Birmingham. 10:30 a.m.noon. Free. Contact Mindy Cohen at mcohen@ bhamjcc.org or 510-9024. Architecture and History of Birmingham: Using Architecture to highlight the history of Birmingham and using history to identify the city’s architecture. Taught by instructor Rebecca Dobrinski, Birmingham Architecture and Design Program.

Feb. 8-March 25: Diabetes Wellness program. Free. Contact Kreston Collins at kcollins@bhamjcc.org or 510-9020. This program will provide two weekly 60-minute exercise sessions under the supervision of a fitness professional in the fitness cente . In addition, the fitness professional will give each participant exercises to do independently throughout the week. Participants will progress gradually during the 8 weeks until they reach the target of 60 minutes 5 days/week

Feb. 8-12: Scholastic Book Fair. Book Fair returns to the LJCC. Take the opportunity to visit the

Feb. 12: School’s Out Camp. $35.00 Member /$45.00 Non-member. Contact Tina

Weldon at Tweldon@bhamjcc.org. We’re celebrating a day off from school with Camp LJCC. School’s Out Camp is structured like our summer camp, meaning you will get a full day of fun activities such as sports, crafts, games, swimming, and more. New campers, it’s the perfect way to be introduced to the J and get ready for camp next summer. Veteran campers, you’ll get to see your old camp friends and have a great time meeting new ones too. Camp is for kids grades K-6.

Feb. 14: Valentines “ Sweetheart” Mixed Doubles. 2-5 p.m. $40 couple/$36 mvp couple.

Bring your sweetheart, and let’s play some fun mixed doubles. All levels are invited to play and there will be a handicapped-scoring system to make all the matches competitive. Refreshments, snacks and prizes for the winners.

Feb. 15: School’s Out Camp. $35.00 Member/$45.00 Non-member. Contact Tina Weldon at Tweldon@bhamjcc.org. We’re celebrating a day off from school with Camp LJCC. School’s Out Camp is structured like our summer camp, meaning you will get a full day of fun activities such as sports, crafts, games, swimming, and more. New campers, it’s the perfect way to be introduced to the J and get ready for camp next summer. Veteran campers, you’ll get to see your old camp friends and have a great time meeting new ones too. Camp is for kids grades K-6.

Feb. 19: ASO Coffee Concert TripSchubert’s Fourth Symphony. $18.00/ Members only. RSVP to Mindy Cohen mcohen@ bhamjcc.org or 510-9024. We depart the main lobby at 9:30 a.m. and travel to Alys Stephens Center by Buzz a Bus and return by 12:30 p.m.

s, d n a h e k a e sh w e r o f e B s. d n a h d l o we h

At RealtySouth, real estate doesn’t simply equate to hard negotiation and paper work.

For us, it’s more than a transaction. It’s the relationship that matters most. For nearly 60 years, we’ve been supporting the same charities you support. From the gardens to Big Oak Ranch, the animal shelter and everything in between, what has mattered to you, matters to us. For us, it’s not just about the walls, but the people inside.

Your community is our community. We are proud to be your neighbor.

It’s Who We Are.

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