Village Living February 2017 by Starnes Media

Village Living neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook

Volume 7 | Issue 11 | February 2017

love

A LIFELONG

In roles of student, parent and employee, Stewart Sevier the glue behind MBE family By ERICA TECHO

tewart Sevier’s first day at Mountain Brook Elementary was in 1954, when she entered first grade. She then worked in the front office as an office helper in the sixth grade. Now, with grown children who have also passed through Mountain Brook Elementary’s doors, Sevier finds herself back in the front office. “It’s kind of like this was just where I was supposed to have been,” Sevier said. “I almost went back to nursing school, but I just decided not to, that I really liked it [at MBE].” Sevier gets up at 4 a.m. each day before starting the morning shift at

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Stewart Sevier ﬁrst came to Mountain Brook Elementary as a student, then as a parent. Now, she’s the ﬁrst face that greets most visitors at the front desk. Photo by Erica Techo.

At her side, (wo)man’s best friend Mountain Brook resident ﬁnds support system with the help of her rescue-turned-service dog By LEXI COON

Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Tupelo, MS Permit #54

Molly Palmer with Harley, a 4-month-old beagle/bulldog cross who has trained as an owner-assisted service dog at Roverchase in Pelham. Photo by Lexi Coon.

Molly MacFarlane Palmer’s mixedbreed dog, Harley, isn’t just a pet. She’s also a guardian that helps her owner avoid and recover from panic attacks. Palmer adopted Harley, who she guesses is a beagle/bulldog cross, from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society last summer as a puppy after her former ﬁancé brought her home as a surprise. It didn’t take long

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for her to realize the beneﬁts of having Harley around. Each person experiences panic attacks differently, but for Palmer, they are a “non-reality.” “It’s like being in one of Salvador Dali’s pictures,” she said. “A lot of people think they’re having a heart attack or something like that, but in fact they’re having a panic attack or an anxiety attack.” While normally her panic attacks would

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Community .........A16 School House ...... B4

occur only every few weeks, a car accident in June 2014 left Palmer with severe brain injuries and signiﬁcantly more frequent panic attacks. “The severity of [the attacks] was tenfold afterwards,” she said, adding that sometimes she would have as many as ﬁve a week. A few months after getting Harley, Palmer noticed she stopped feeling as anxious, and her panic attacks had decreased. It was clear Harley was more than just a pet. “Originally, she was supposed to be the family dog, and ... we were going to do

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Faith .................... B20 Calendar ............. B22 facebook.com/villageliving

Refusing to Lose

Success on Screen

Mountain Brook sharpshooter Sean Elmore has the ability to bring the crowd to its feet on any given possession.

Former Spartan Christina Xing finds her niche in films, has latest piece screened at a film festival in New York City.

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About Us Editor’s Note By Jennifer Gray If you’ve ever stopped by Mountain Brook Elementary or attended MBE, chances are you’ve encountered Stewart Sevier. Stewart is the longtime administrative assistant at MBE and one of its most beloved and recognized faces. Stewart seems to know every parent and every child at the school, and as my fourth-grader said, “I would love to have Ms. Sevier’s job one day. She makes everyone smile.” Whether you attended MBE with Stewart or had kids the same age as hers, you’ll enjoy reading about this special lady who has served her community for so many years. It just so happens that some great ladies are featured in this month’s issue. That they are all women is a coincidence, but they each have a unique story worth sharing. There is

Molly Palmer, who suffers from panic attacks, but thanks to her service dog, they have greatly diminished. Nancy North is a ninthgrader at MBJH who did not like her unit on poetry in seventh-grade English class. But several years later, not only has she found a creative way of dealing with stress and difﬁculties in her life, she has discovered a passion and a gift for crafting words into beautiful poems. She has recently published a book of her poetry, “Worth Saying.” Another talented lady is Kathryn Sours, who recently competed in Birmingham Fashion Week and whose efforts helped earn her a scholarship to the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design. Creative lady and MBHS alumna Christina Xing is a talented ﬁlmmaker

pursing her passion and dreams of reaching bigger audiences. Read about her films, what inspires her and her recent fi lm, “Goldfi sh,” which was screened at the 2016 All American High School Film Festival in New York City. As basketball season wraps up this month, you will want to read about all of the latest success of the Spartans. We also have updates on some of our rec league teams and a service project that the junior high teams worked on over the holidays. Lastly, you will find a roundup of some great events you might want to put on your calendar such as Woo at the Zoo, the Camellia Show at the Botanical Gardens and new restaurants to try out as well, such as Local Taco.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Footprints remain from an early January snowfall at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The greater Birmingham area, along with many parts of the Southeast, experienced snow and sleet as well as below-freezing temperatures, making for a long weekend of school and business closings. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.

Village Living Publisher: Editor: Managing Editor: Design Editor: Director of Digital Media: Director of Photography: Sports Editor: Page Designers: Community Editor: Community Reporters: Staff Writers: Copy Editor:

Dan Starnes Jennifer Gray Sydney Cromwell Kristin Williams Heather VacLav-Hooper Sarah Finnegan Kyle Parmley Cameron Tipton Emily VanderMey Erica Techo Jon Anderson Jesse Chambers Lexi Coon Emily Featherston Sam Chandler Louisa Jeffries

Contributing Writers: Kari Kampakis Sarah Tuttle

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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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City Council hears updates on Shades Creek bridge By LEXI COON The City Council met Jan. 10 for its ﬁrst meeting of 2017, and, in addition to approving numerous building limitations in residential zoning districts after a public hearing, it heard from a variety of community members and organizations. At the meeting, representatives from Schoel Engineering updated the council on the status of the pedestrian bridge that is to cross Shades Creek. The original placement of the bridge was on top of the concrete stepping stones along the creek bed, but because that is also the site of a sanitary sewer, Schoel Engineering opted to adjust the alignment of the bridge to be slightly further upstream. Andrew Phillips from Schoel Engineering also mentioned that the plan for the foundation needed to be altered because soil testing done by Bhate Geoscience Corporation found that the closest hard rock, which is needed to secure the bridge’s foundation, was located 10 feet below surface level. The original proposal brought to the council hoped for rock to be closer to the surface of the soil to allow for only minor digging and dirt removal. Phillips, together with other representatives from Schoel Engineering, told the council there are two options for the bridge: either dig to the level of hard rock and lay the foundation for the bridge in that manner or drill concrete shafts into the ground and

Members of the Mountain Brook City Council on Jan. 10 approved building limitations in residential zoning districts and heard from a variety of community members and organizations. Photo by Lexi Coon.

embed them into the rock. Schoel Engineering did not have an estimate for the cost of an altered foundation, but mentioned that it would be different from the originally proposed amount. Portions of the concrete stepping stones will be pulled out for the bridge as well. “The good news is that the bridge hasn’t gotten any longer or any wider, so that’s a big

win,” Phillips said. Also during the meeting, council members: ► Approved the minutes of the Dec. 12 meeting. ► Approved the resolution appointing William H. (Bill) Wyatt to the Parks and Recreation Board, to serve without compensation through Jan. 23, 2022. ► Approved the resolution

ratifying the previous administrative authorization to proceed with the installation of two additional 8-inch water mail loops on Brookwood Road (residences 3553 and 3537) required for the Phase 9 sidewalk construction project at an estimated additional cost of $65,000. It is anticipated that the city will pay $2,500. ► Accepted a resolution authorizing the execution of a Pro Tanto

Settlement Agreement between the city and NJK, LLC with respect to the vacation of Third Street. This amount of this settlement is expected to be $57,500, paid toward the city of Mountain Brook. ► Accepted a resolution approving the conditional service use application submitted by Ryder Hollis for a fitness center operation at 2830 Culver Road in Mountain Brook Village, with the limitations of no group classes between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. ► Approved the request from the Emmet O’Neal Library to combine two part-time positions into one fulltime position. This position will work closely with the schools of Mountain Brook. ► Approved a contract for a parttime employee of the city. ► Approved a resolution accepting the professional service proposal submitted by Rob Walker for the library moisture abatement, window replacement and related building repairs. Councilman Lloyd Shelton noted that any construction done should be done so as to not interfere with the library’s schedule. ► Approved a resolution amending the city’s traffic island beautification policy. ► Approved a resolution accepting the Finance Committee’s recommendations regarding excess pension contribution. ► Approved an ordinance to authorize merit pay increases for part-time employees.

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Residential building limitations updated at Jan. 10 session By LEXI COON In addition to discussing the regular items on the agenda on Jan. 10, city council discussed amendments to the municipal code with regard to building limitations in residential zoning districts as proposed by Dana Hazen the Director of Planning, Building and Sustainability. These amendments were approved after a public hearing. Hazen noted that before bringing these amendments to council, input form local architects was taken into account, and the amendments were reviewed by the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee, which consisted of Phil Black, the Board of Zoning Adjustments Chairman and Co-Chairman. The first amendment, which affects the different zoning districts in articles III, IV, V, VII and VIII, addresses the lack of impervious surface area allowed on a given lot. Currently there are limitations on the size of a building on any given lot, but the limitations do not include any regulation in reference to the storm water ordinance. Staff have noticed it is difficult for designers to locate the storm water ordinance limitations that deal with impervious areas such as the building footprint, the driveway, any walkways or patios and this amendment will make them easier to find. “So basically what this is going to do is link those two [regulations] together,” said Dillon Wood, senior administrative intern. Through this amendment, impervious surfaces are restricted to 5 percent more than the permitted building coverage. The second amendment affects article XVIII. The article, which focuses on the installation of utility equipment and minor structures, underwent nearly no changes, save the addition of solar panels. “That technology probably wasn’t around when this was drafted,” Wood said. The committee opted to leave out specific regulations surrounding the solar panels since their use is so new and Hazen said that for now, persons wanting to incorporate them on their

The Mountain Brook City Council discussed amendments to the municipal code during its Jan. 10 meeting. Photo by Lexi Coon.

property would ﬁrst have to get them approved by the planning commission. The third amendment of the evening was added under article XX and allows for architectural enhancements without a variance. These enhancements are described as minor architectural features, such as bay windows, cornices, awnings and chimneys, all with their own particular parameters. “What we’re really striving to do is to allow people to have some architectural interests,” Hazen said. Bay windows must not project more than two feet and extend more than 8 feet wide, cornices must not project more than 1 foot, awnings must be cantilevered and can not project more than 3 feet and chimneys can not project more than two feet or extend more than 8 feet wide.

Finally, amendment XIX addressed accessory buildings on residential lots. Previously, buildings were defined as attached based solely on whether or not they had heating and cooling, but the first segment of this amendment adds that the buildings can be connected to the principal structure via a breezeway, as long as it is not wider than eight feet. The second segment of the amendment redetermined the acceptable size and height of detached accessory buildings. Hazen said that because cars are getting larger, it is harder to fit two in a garage that also holds some storage capacity for a family, and that many local architects said a common garage size is 625 square feet, a full 225 square feet larger than what is currently permitted in Mountain Brook.

Under this new amendment, the dimensions of a garage increase to 25 by 25 feet for the footprint and 25 feet for the height. Councilman Lloyd Shelton mentioned that the height doesn’t necessarily need to be increased, but Hazen said sometimes garages appear disproportionate to the houses they are next to, and by increasing the height they may appear more cohesive. Mayor Welch also asked about the regulation of living spaces in detached buildings, and Hazen said the definition of a living space would be addressed in another meeting. “I’m gonna call this the first session, or the first briefing of amendments, and we’ve got probably three or four other [sessions],” Hazen said. Building limitation amendment meetings may continue into April.

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” SANDWICH CENTENNIAL I would not change a thing. ... I don’t think the town of Mountain Brook would forgive me.

LEANN ELMORE WOOD

Ousler’s Sandwiches celebrates 102 years feeding metro-area patrons By ERICA TECHO

F LeAnn Elmore Wood and her parents, Becky and Bill Elmore, stand by a photo of Christine Elmore at Ousler’s Sandwiches in Mountain Brook Village. Photo by Erica Techo.

or husband and wife team Bill and Becky Elmore, hearing fond memories about Ousler’s Sandwiches is a daily occurrence. “We had someone come in the other day who said they had the sandwiches at their wedding, and now they’re celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and they wanted the sandwiches,” said Becky Elmore, adding they heard of another woman who speciﬁed in her funeral arrangements, “‘for the funeral reception, I want Ousler’s sandwiches.’ So it’s just every day. Every day there’s something sweet like that.” Ousler’s ﬁrst opened in Five Points South in 1915 and celebrated 102 years in business in January. Bill Elmore’s mother, then Christine Campbell, started working for owner Dana Ousler at age 16 and eventually bought the business when Ousler planned to retire. To this day, they use her recipes for pimento cheese, egg salad, ham salad and their most popular item, chicken salad. “We try things, and people tell us, ‘Don’t do that no more,’” Bill Elmore said, who helped run the store with his mother and sister, Jayne, before taking over. “Mother, she had been around a long time, so she had tried everything, and she said, ‘This is the way that turned out to be the best,’ so we just stay there.” They also follow some of her advice, including: “Always give our customers a quality product at a reasonable price,” Becky Elmore said.

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Ousler’s once had trucks that went all over Birmingham to distribute their sandwiches. Ousler’s ﬁrst opened in Five Points South in 1915 and celebrated 102 years in business in January. Bill Elmore’s mother, then Christine Campbell, started working for owner Dana Ousler at age 16 and eventually bought the business when Ousler planned to retire. Photo courtesy of Ousler’s.

And: “If you make a mistake, don’t let it hinder you,” Bill Elmore said. The decision to take over the shop after Jayne chose to retire and Christine Elmore got older came from a desire to continue her legacy, Bill and Becky Elmore said. “We needed an income, and this is what we knew, so that’s why we came here to continue it on,” Becky Elmore said. “And also, Bill’s mother, when we were trying to decide what we needed to do, she said if we closed the business, she would consider herself not successful. And if there was ever a little lady in this whole world [who was successful], it was Mrs. Elmore.” The shop moved from Five Points South to Avondale in 1971, and then to its location in Mountain Brook Village in 2005. When looking for a new location, the spot in Mountain Brook Village opened up and proved to be a perfect fit. “It was honestly like God said, ‘bloop — right there,’” said LeAnn Elmore Wood, Bill and Becky’s daughter. The shop had the right coolers and prep space, and all that needed to be changed was the location of the counter, Wood said. The location was also good for their customer base, Becky Elmore said. “It’s such a sweet village. It’s fun to be here because it’s so friendly and family-like. We had so many customers from this area, and this is also centrally located, so it’s not hard for anyone within the area to find us,” she said. “We had a sign when we first moved over here that said, ‘Ousler’s opens soon,’ and LeAnn was sitting there [inside] and a woman walked by and started clapping,” Bill Elmore said. “So we knew this was in the right place.” Since moving to Mountain Brook,

Ousler’s has seen an increase in foot trafﬁc, with individuals stopping in to pick up a quick lunch, Bill Elmore said, and they have also seen continued support. “It’s hard to put into words,” he said. “It’s just a great place. They look after us, and we look after them.” “We know we have the support of the community,” Becky Elmore said. Now in their 70s, Bill and Becky Elmore plan to pass the store to Wood. Besides, Bill Elmore said, they do not think closing up shop would go over well. “We put a lot of years into this, and I’m sure we’d have an uprising if we [closed],” he said. Wood works in the front of the store, greeting people and managing orders, and she jokes about hearing herself say the same things her parents used to. When her parents were in their 40s, around Wood’s age now, they would come home and say, “I don’t know how your grandmother can work us under the table at her age,” Wood said. Now, she comes home and says the same thing to her sons — her parents keep her busy and sometimes she wonders how they still can work her under the table. “We’re looking to pass the torch soon,” Wood said. “I don’t want them to quit working, but I’d like for them to have some retirement time.” Christine Elmore worked into her 90s, and remained “sharp as a tack,” Wood said. She credits her grandmother’s spirit and quick mind to the fact that she continued to work, and she would like to see her parents the same way in their 90s. And once she takes over, will Wood change anything? “I would not change a thing. No. Oh, my gosh,” she said. “I don’t think the town of Mountain Brook would forgive me. I don’t think my parents would forgive me.”

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Taking tacos to the next level

By LEXI COON Local Taco, a locally owned restaurant that opened in Lane Parke in early November, brings a lot of things to its tables. But its anchor is something other restaurants in the area don’t have: a menu dedicated to tacos. “The truth is, if you go to other cities, there will be six or seven taco-specific restaurants,” said Sam Haskell, Mountain Brook native and Local Taco partner. “But … in Birmingham, there are very few.” Haskell and his business partner, Craig Perry, both of whom work for the Halo Restaurant Group, took over the taco restaurant about a year ago from John Ko, who had opened the original location in Nashville. “[John] wanted to be like a neighborhood place, which it was,” Haskell said. “A place that had a patio, where people could have a margarita in the spring and fall and relax.” At the time they took over Local Taco, Ko already had signed the lease with Lane Parke when the development was still in the design phases. But, Haskell said, it was a great fit for the taco-centered restaurant, especially with the Grand Bohemian Hotel, the apartments and Western Market all within walking distance. The location in the Lane Parke shopping center was the second Local Taco that Haskell and Perry opened during their first year, and they worked to continue Ko’s values by using

Along with business partner Craig Perry, Mountain Brook native Sam Haskell took over Local Taco and opened the family-friendly tacocentric restaurant in the Lane Parke development in early November. Photo by Lexi Coon.

fresh, local ingredients and making their own tortillas. “We try to get as much as possible from scratch,” Haskell said, describing their menu as “Southern taco.” “We don’t use any canned food.” Much of the menu, which focuses on fresh, creative cuisine, was created with the help of Dave Story, who has worked on food research and development for a number of other concepts. “The Nashville Hot Chicken taco is easily the most popular,” Haskell said. Runners-up include the Mexi-Tater Tots, which are hush puppies covered in a creamy sauce, the Spicy

Baja Shrimp tacos and the Al Pastor tacos. The menus at all the locations are not exact replicas of one another, but Haskell said they do plan to take the favorites from each location to compile a new menu in 2017. They didn’t forget about the kids, either, and have a children’s menu that features mac and cheese made in-house. Haskell said that together with the patios and the relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant will be welcoming to families and the community. “We have oversized tables at each end of the restaurant for family corners, too” he added. Not to be outdone by the food, the drinks are

a large focus of the restaurant as well. “[Local Taco] has to be relaxed around the margarita, and that’s why we have a special drink menu,” he said. Those community favorites have been the Skinny Mocking J, a low-calorie margarita, and the Strawberry Pickin’, a botanical gin drink. “We see there’s nothing like Local Taco in Birmingham,” Haskell said. “And, we’re locally owned.” Local Taco is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Find more information, go to localtaco.com.

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Village Living

Events Volunteers pack meals of rice, dehydrated vegetables and vitamin packs during Canterbury UMC’s annual Stop Hunger Now program. Photo courtesy of Canterbury UMC/Kim Gagnon. Visitors will be able to enjoy camellia ﬂowers in person at this year’s Birmingham Camellia Show. Photo courtesy of Birmingham Camellia Society/Dave Glass.

Gardens to host 67th Camellia Show By LEXI COON The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are home to all things plants, and on Feb. 25, the center will be home to the 67th annual Birmingham Camellia Show. “[The show] is to promote appreciation and enjoyment of camellias in this area,” said Birmingham Camellia Society liaison Bill Dodson. The Birmingham Camellia Society is a club within the American Camellia Society, which works to educate people of the camellia plant genus. There are more than 200 species of camellia, all of which are native to Asia. The flower was thought to have been brought to America on a boat from the East India Company, according to the American Camellia Society. Now, local camellia blooms will be put on display during the annual show to be viewed by the public. Dodson said while no plants will be available for purchase, community members are welcome to submit their blooms from 8-11 a.m. the day of the show to be judged by certified American Camellia Society judges at no charge. Bloom judging will be from 11 a.m. to noon, and the show will be open to the public from 1-5 p.m.. Admission is free. To find out more about the camellia, go to the Birmingham Camellia Society’s Facebook page or americancamellias.com.

Meal packing returns for 7th year By LEXI COON Beginning Feb. 12, semitrucks ﬁlled with various food items such as rice, dehydrated vegetables and vitamin packs will crowd the Canterbury United Methodist Church parking lot, only to be unloaded and individually packaged to make 300,000 meals for the Stop Hunger Now program. The program commits to feeding a community in need with packaged meals for four to ﬁve months through schools and community centers as a way to relieve stress and help people focus on their education. “If you’re hungry, and you’re at school, you’re not paying attention,” said Rachel Estes of Canterbury UMC. “You’re stressed out because you don’t know where your next meal is going to come from.” With more education, the hope is to break the cycle of poverty, she said.

“An exciting thing about this meal packing event is really a lot of organizations and schools have come to count on this as an activity they can engage in,” Estes said. Volunteers from all over the community — including families, schools and local businesses — spend their lunches and free time packing meals. Shifts to package meals run from 6:30 a.m.to 9 p.m. from Feb. 12 through Feb. 14 at Canterbury UMC and typically last two hours, with the early morning and late evening shifts needing the most help. Because of the popularity of the event, Estes suggests that prospective volunteers register at canterburyumc.org/stophunger2017 as soon as possible and check social media for calls for extra help. For those who can’t volunteer, Canterbury UMC welcomes monetary donations to help offset the costs of meals and prayers for both volunteers and recipients of the meals.

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Woo at the Zoo revamps format, adds food, spirits By LEXI COON Zoo patrons are usually greeted by kid-friendly attractions and events, but this Valentine’s Day, the Birmingham Zoo is opening its doors to adults only the evening of Feb. 14 for its fourth annual Woo at the Zoo event. In past years, Woo at the Zoo had a lecture format where guests sat in an auditorium and listened to a variety of presentations about different mating rituals in the animal kingdom, but this year, marketing coordinator Kiki Nolen-Schmidt said they are changing things up. “This year that [the event] is getting totally ﬂipped.” Running from 6 to 9 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, couples are greeted with a glass of Champagne to sip as they walk back to the predator building, where they can interact with a variety animals and ask zookeepers differnt questions, Nolen-Schmidt said. There will also be a variety of “keeper chats,” during which zoo keepers will have shorter presentations about their animals. The event is more “at your own pace” in this format, which allows guests to still make any special dinner reservations. Hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine will be available, along with a DJ and a photo booth. Lindsey Renfro, special events coordinator, said participating animals will be introduced as if in a

4th annual Woo at the Zoo • WHERE: Birmingham Zoo • WHEN: 6-9 p.m., Feb. 14 • TICKETS: $80 a pair for zoo members; $100 a pair for nonmembers (available only in advance) • WEB: birminghamzoo.com

The Birmingham Zoo’s Woo at the Zoo event allows adults to get more involved in zoo activities, providing an “adults only” education night about mating rituals in the animal kingdom. Photo by Lexi Coon.

“dating proﬁle,” which will include fun facts, likes, dislikes and common mating rituals. “That’s how we’ve done it in the past, which is kinda cute,” she said. The zoo began this event in 2013 to offer an unconventional way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and as a way for couples to have something different to do on the special holiday

other than the standard dinner and drinks. “It’s just a fun event for people to come out and kinda mix up Valentine’s Day,” Nolen-Schmidt said. “It’s unique more than anything else,” Renfro said. Through Woo at the Zoo, which typically sees anywhere from 50 to 100 guests, the zoo is hoping to

continue its mission to inspire passion for animals and conservation in the community. “It gets more adults involved in the zoo,” Nolen-Schmidt said, adding that in this format, many adults may be learning things that aren’t typically readily available to the public when they bring their kids to the zoo. “I think this year is just going to

be a really fun change up to how it’s been in prior years,” Nolen-Schmidt said. “You deﬁnitely learn something new each year.” In addition to the event, the zoo is offering an “Adopt an Animal” program for a special valentine. Guests are able to choose from three animals: a sloth, to say “Hang in there” to your single friend; a hissing cockroach to “Seal it with a hiss” for your ex; and an otter “For your signiﬁcant otter.” Adoptions are available online and start at $25 each. Each adoption comes with a special rubber cockroach or plush sloth or otter to send to your special someone. Tickets for Woo at the Zoo are on sale at birminghamzoo.com and are available in advance only. Member’s pricing for a pair of tickets is $80, while nonmember couples tickets are $100.

A14 • February 2017

Village Living

Beaux Arts Krewe Ball returns, to mark 50th year The 2016 Beaux Arts Krewe Ball court. This year’s Krewe Ball will be Feb. 24 at Boutwell Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Hank Spencer, Image Arts.

By EMILY FEATHERSTON It’s a scene out of a 16th-century fairy tale. The king, in an immense train, welcomes revelers to the annual ball while the community, dressed in brilliant reds and deep purples with gold accents, watches as young ladies in bright white gowns are presented to society by their fathers. And while it sounds like fantasy, it is the scene that has both brought the community together to celebrate and support a cause for 50 years. The annual Beaux Arts Krewe Ball has its origins in 1966, when Anne Kidd, who was in charge of the annual Jewel Ball, which raised money for the Birmingham Museum of Art, was dismayed to ﬁnd that after the event, the decorations were discarded. It was then former ball aid and correspondence secretary Winston Carl said that Kidd decided the event needed a formal support group. That way, she said the group could continue to regularly support the BMA, while not wasting the intricate costumes and decorations. Carl said Kidd pulled together 125 local men who were highly involved in the community and in their support of the BMA, and the Beaux Arts Krewe was founded. Inspired by the history of royalty, Westminster Abbey and Mardi Gras, Carl said the theme going forward was set. “In the early years, the costumes were hysterical,” Carl said, describing how the wives of the founding members set to making the decadent costumes and banners, cutting, sewing and gluing each by hand. Originally, each banner and costume cape corresponded to a particular name or family, but Carl said a leak in the warehouse where the items were kept caused many of the originals to be ruined, and now the banners are generic. As to the reason the theme was chosen, Carl said most agree it came out of Birmingham’s

lack of a formal Mardi Gras celebration. Where Mobile and the coastal communities have parades and there are some small celebrations by civic clubs, Carl said it was always too cold or the weather to inclement for the city to set up anything that was continuously attended. And besides, she said, Birmingham is more about partying for a cause. “Birmingham seems to always have organizations that support something,” she said. “When they do an organization, it has a purpose.”

Proceeds of the Ball were set up in a fund, so that whenever enough was accumulated, the museum could purchase a piece, rather than each event trying to fund an item. Over the last 50 years, the Krewe has raised over $1 million for art aquisitions. And while things have certainly grown since 1966, Carl said the heart of the event remains unchanged. “The whole idea is basically the same,” she said. The young women are presented by their fathers or sponsors, a queen and

ladies-in-waiting are chosen from the year’s princesses, and members gather to celebrate in their opulent attire. “It’s a very pretty presentation,” she said. “There’s a lot of movement.” While the 2017 Krewe Ball will be no different, Carl said the Krewe does plan to recognize former kings and queens at the presentation in honor of the 50th anniversary, which was formally celebrated in November. The 2017 Krewe Ball is Feb. 24 at Boutwell Auditorium.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ A15

THE ART OF TRADITION: 2017 KREWE BALL PRINCESSES

From left: Mary Virginia Adams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Seth Adams; Sarah Sims Parker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Stanley Parker; Herron Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Barton Taylor; Anna Katherine Healey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Seale Healey; Frances Elizabeth Kenan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Kenan II.

From left: Margaret Meador Troiano, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Meador Troiano; Sarah Elizabeth Cain, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Edward Lyle Cain Jr.; Mary Stewart Beasley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Martin Beasley Jr.; Teresa James Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Orr Walker Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Allan Rexford Wheeler; Elise Faircloth Nesbitt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mills Nesbitt IV.

From left: Caraway Mims Bruhn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glover Mitchell Bruhn and Mr. and Mrs. John Calhoun Morrow; Elizabeth Harris Forsyth Donald, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Marion Donald III; Turner Nicholson Hull, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hewes Turner Hull; Alice Elisabeth Martin Bradford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Aubrey Bradford; Elizabeth Baylee Edwards, daughter of Julianna Trammell Edwards and the late Sterling William Edwards.

From left: Mary Maude Crenshaw, daughter of Dr. James Hill Crenshaw and the late Victoria Darby Crenshaw; Alice Adelaide Bromberg, daughter of Mr. William Gregory Bromberg II and Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cummings Randle; Mae Rose Tyson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marc Bryant Tyson; Caroline Frances Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Crawford Clark III; Collier Morris Ogilvie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Oslin Ogilvie Jr.; Allison Murray Manley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Young Manley Jr.

Not pictured: Ella Carson Carter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Williams Mackin and Dr. and Mrs. Lee Carson Carter; Sarah Elliott Darnall, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Darnall; Kathleen Merrell Dunn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Evans Johnson Dunn; Mary Martha Grizzle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Louie Grizzle Jr.; Lottice Howell Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Malcolm Taylor III. Photos by Sarah Finnegan.

A16 • February 2017

Village Living

Community JLB scholarships available for Mountain Brook women Smack out Cancer The Junior League of Birmingham will grant several one-year college and graduate school scholarships to qualified female applicants, and residents of Mountain Brook are encouraged to apply. The scholarships will be awarded in the minimum amount of $1,000 each. The Academic Scholarship program was originally established in the 1950s to open the doors of opportunity for teachers in the area of speech and language development, and hopefully provide future leaders for the Junior League School of Speech Correction. Through the years, this program has expanded, providing scholarships to women in all areas of study, both in undergraduate and graduate studies. For 95 years, the Junior League of Birmingham’s mission has been to develop the potential of women in our community. The Junior League strives to improve the lives of women and children in our community, specifically in the areas of education and financial stability. Scholarships will be announced at the Junior

Recipients of Junior League of Birmingham scholarships at the 2016 awards. Photo courtesy of the Junior League of Birmingham.

League of Birmingham’s Community Circle breakfast on March 22, 2017, and will be awarded to qualiﬁed women who demonstrate a true willingness to better themselves and their community. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must enroll as a full- or part-time student in any private or public accredited two-year or

four-year undergraduate or graduate college or vocational-technical school for the 2017-18 school year. Scholarships are restricted to eligible women who fall into one of the following categories: ► Graduating high school seniors ► Currently enrolled college and graduate students ► Graduating college seniors ► Non-traditional students The completed application form and supporting documents must be submitted online at jlbonline.com no later than Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Since 2012-13, the Junior League of Birmingham has given out 42 scholarships, totaling $96,000 for young women attending 20 different colleges. For more information about the Junior League of Birmingham’s academic scholarships, visit jlbonline.com/scholarships or call 879-9861. – Submitted by the Junior League of Birmingham.

Robert Dorsey Krauss of Troop 53 becomes Eagle Scout Robert Dorsey Krauss achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on Oct. 15, 2016, and was honored Dec. 18 at a Court of Honor ceremony at St. Peter’s Anglican Church. He is a member of Troop 53 under Scoutmaster George Elliott. For his Eagle Service Project, Robert built a can-crushing recycling station and refurbished a storage trailer for St. Francis Xavier School. Robert began scouting as a Tiger Cub and earned the Arrow of Light Award through Cub Scouts. As a Boy Scout, he earned 22 merit badges and served in leadership positions including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He worked on a sailing vessel at the Ciganka High Adventure Camp in the Bahamas and hiked an 81-mile trek in the Philmont High Adventure Scout Ranch in New Mexico and acted as the crew chaplain. Robert is a senior at Mountain Brook High School, where he is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, band captain of the marching band, ﬁrst chair baritone in the symphonic band, a member of the MBHS swim team and attends St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Robert is the son of Drs. William and Erin Krauss of Mountain Brook. He is the grandson of Mary Ann Krauss and the late Dr. William Krauss of Columbus, Ohio, and Thomas and Mary Lorsung of Columbia, Maryland. – Submitted by William Krauss. Krauss

to raise funds for Children’s hospital

Smack out Cancer, a fundraiser for the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama, is returning in 2017. The fundraising campaign, which also aims to increase awareness of the work being done at Children’s of Alabama, will begin Feb. 1. People will “smack” friends’ cars, mailboxes, lockers, etc. with magnets, and those who have been “smacked” will then “smack” two more people. “We hope that at the end of February the entire city will be covered with Smack out Cancer magnets,” said a press release from Smack out Cancer. Smack kits will be sold at Birmingham businesses including Gus Mayer at The Summit, Bkids in Mountain Brook Village, B. Bayer gifts and monogramming in Homewood and the Pants Store in Crestline. Along with the magnets, the smack kits will include a slip that students can bring back to their teachers to keep track of which classes and schools have purchased the most magnets. Those who have purchased the most will be eligible for prizes. All money raised during the campaign will go toward the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. – Submitted by the Smack out Cancer Committee.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 • A17

Back row, from left: Gala Committee members Stephanie Lynch, Julie Harris, Raegan Bellenger, Kari Powell, Amy Bickell, Lindsay Mullins, Louisa Jeffries, Lyndsey Mooney, Amanda Dwyer, Brandi Lowery, Laurie Shanks, Hannah Johnson and Alisha Johnson. Front row, from left: Courtney Truss, Jennifer Jackson, Rachel Waters (auction chair), Blaire Middleton (gala chair), Rachael Swatek, Karen Roberson and Cameron Hicks. Photo courtesy of the Service Guild of Birmingham.

Guild Gala set for March 18 The Service Guild of Birmingham is pleased to announce the 29th annual Guild Gala beneﬁting The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. This year’s event is presented by Medical

Properties Trust and will be March 18 at The Club. For more information, visit theserviceguild.org. – Submitted by the Service Guild of Birmingham.

Holiday Assembly presentees. Photo courtesy of Dee Moore Photography.

Holiday Assembly celebrates 74th year The 74th annual Holiday Assembly was Dec. 16 at The Country Club of Birmingham. Thirty-ﬁve presentees and their dates enjoyed a seated dinner in the East Room before being escorted by their fathers in the presentation. A dance with music by Familiar Faces followed for the honorees and their friends. The members of the 2016 Holiday Assembly: Miss Adele Tydings Bloodworth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Courtenay Renneker Bloodworth; Miss Mary Lauren Burdeshaw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Acree Burdeshaw Jr.; Miss Victoria Jean Carmichael, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Donald Carmichael Jr.; Miss Lucille Grace Christian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rosamond Christian; Miss Sophia Drew Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Brown Clark Jr.; Miss Anne Clayton Cole, daughter of The Honorable John William Cole and Mrs. Cole; Miss Isabel Brownlee Coleman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bibb Coleman; Miss Sally Reed Creveling, daughter of Mr. Clay Wilburn Creveling and Mrs. Suzanna Reed Townsend; Miss Madeline Ennis Everette, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Smith Everette III; Miss Mary Tynes Flake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jared Gray Flake; Miss Lillian Ashley Fowler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Samuel Fowler; Miss Caroline Henderson Goings, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Eugene Goings; Miss Mary Inzer Hagan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Cobb Hagan III; Miss Elizabeth Alline Vogtle Hale, daughter of Dr. James Alan Hale and Ms. Elizabeth Vogtle Hale; Miss Sarah Randall Hydinger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elbridge Thornton Hydinger Jr.; Miss Elizabeth Lacey Jeffcoat, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Jeffcoat; Miss Mary Steele Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth

Steele Johnson Jr.; Miss Caroline Judith Knight, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Bailey Knight III; Miss Ann Armstrong Lashley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Christopher Lashley; Miss Kathryn Chapple Lummis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Kessler Lummis; Miss Eleanor Claire Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Higgins Martin, Jr.; Miss Caroline Scott Monaghan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Jackson Monaghan Jr.; Miss Farley Southland Morris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Norwood Morris II; Miss Margot Grace Naff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Blevins Naff; Miss Caroline Lee Pope, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee McWhorter Pope; Miss Anne Heaton Dearborn Sanders, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Columbus Sanders Jr.; Miss Katherine Lee Seibels, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kelly Seibels Jr.; Miss Sallie Evans Simpson, daughter of Mr. John Rembert Simpson and Mrs. Jonathan Hugh Register; Miss Lucy Jordan Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henley Jordan Smith III; Miss Mary McLaurine Trammell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Monroe Trammell III; Miss Helen Claire Tynes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wilson Tynes; Miss Rebecca Fairbanks Hart White, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Hart White Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. John Trygve Hoff; Miss Miriam Worthington Willis, daughter of Mr. John Perry Willis IV and Ms. Miriam Simmons Willis and escorted by her godfather, Mr. Harold Fougner Lassen; Miss Kathleen Connolly Wilson, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Alexander Symington Wilson Jr.; Miss Virginia Cobb Witherington, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Edward Witherington Jr.; and Miss Sarah Shepard Yates, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dustin Blake Yates. – Submitted by Lucie Haynes.

A18 • February 2017

Village Living

16 presented at the Redstone Club’s annual ball The Redstone Club’s 109th year annual Christmas Ball was Dec. 17 at the Country Club of Birmingham. More than 160 members of the Redstone Club and their guests attended the group’s annual Christmas celebration. President of this year’s ball was James Henry Emack Jr., who attended with his wife, Kaye. Ball chairman was Richard Murray IV, who attended with his wife, Norita. The ﬂoor committee chairman was J. Murphy McMillan III, at the ball with his wife, Beth. The East Room of the Country Club was decorated by Sybil Brooke Sylvester of Wildﬂower Designs to serve as a romantically elegant backdrop for the white-gowned debutantes. This year’s presentation class included 16 young women, all college seniors, from a wide range of schools around the South, East Coast and Northeast. The women wore traditional long white dresses and gloves, a complement to their chosen escorts in black tuxedo tails. Overseeing the class were Ladies Committee members Mrs. William B. Walheim Jr. (Cary), Mrs. Henry Claiborne Crommelin (Jane Houston) and Mrs. Arthur Key Foster, IV (Walton). Those presented at the 2016 ball: Miss Margaret Russell Bromberg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hardy Bromberg III, sponsored by Mr. Frank Hardy Bromberg Jr.; Miss Sarah Elizabeth Colvin, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Peyton Colvin, sponsored by Dr. Charles Henry Colvin III; Miss Laura Katherine Crum, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Eric Crum, sponsored by Judge James Hughes Hancock; Miss Mary Eleanor DeRamus, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Lanier DeRamus, sponsored by Mr. William David Sellers Crommelin; Miss Marguerite MacRae Edmonds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bryson Glass Edmonds, sponsored by Mr. Thomas Michael Goodrich; Miss Margaret Stabler Greene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Keller Greene, sponsored by Mr. Philip Howard Boyd; Miss Carolyn Youmans

From left: Chairman Richard Murray IV and wife, Norita; Club President James Henry Emack Jr. and wife, Kaye. Photo courtesy of Dee Moore Photography.

Grenier, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Beaulieu Grenier and Ms. Celeste Crowe Grenier; Miss Helen Thomas Hinds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Martin Hinds, sponsored by Mr. William Lyle Hinds Jr.; Miss Patricia Elizabeth Livingston, daughter of Mr. James Archibald Livingston III and the late Mrs. Livingston, sponsored by Mr. Henry Sharpe Lynn Jr.; Miss Sydney McClure Newton, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robins Jeffrey Newton, sponsored by Mr. Frederick Weyman Renneker III; Miss Ann Catherine Perry, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Payne Perry; Miss Margaret Louise Pritchard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Camp Pritchard, sponsored by Mr. Maclin Ferdinand Smith III; Miss Lane Jennings Proctor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Wooten Proctor; Miss Philippa Bainbridge Straus, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Samuel Straus, sponsored by Mr. Frank Mims Bainbridge; Miss Claudia Overstreet Styslinger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Joseph Styslinger, sponsored by Mr. Lee Joseph Styslinger III; Miss Virginia Carol Wright,

daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Wright III, sponsored by Mr. Lee Joseph Styslinger III. At the ball luncheon, held at the Mountain Brook Club on Dec. 16, the presentees were introduced to the club membership and received some background on the long history of the event and the club itself. Also remembered were the nine members of the 1966 presentee class, whose 50th anniversary was celebrated. The “golden girls” from that year: Ellen Terry Beaumont; Grace Lanier Brewer; Shelley Shook Gearhart (Mrs. Frank E. Lindstrom); Margaret Hipp (Mrs. Robert E. Morris); Sally Rainer Lamar (Mrs. William D. Jameson); Margaret Rushton Monaghan; Virginia Celeste Montgomery; Virginia Ellicot Simpson; Elizabeth Leath Stigler (Mrs. Neil A. Pearce); Paula Stringfellow; Mary Emily Thurlow; and Mary Woodward. The ball followed a members-only cocktail party and dinner, spread between Birmingham Country Club’s East Room and dining rooms. Music Chairman John R. Simpson arranged the evening's accompaniment. For the cocktail party and the presentation, the Sonny Harris Trio Band set the musical atmosphere. Following the presentation, Pure Party Band entertained the crowd and attracted more than just the debutantes and their young contemporaries to the dance floor. A testament to the band’s sway was the sighting of several club members and their wives still in the thick of the throng in the late hours. The 2016 Redstone Club officers and board of governors members: James Henry Emack Jr., president; James Arthur Smith IV, vice president; Gregory Stockton Curran, secretary-treasurer; William B. Wahlheim Jr., traditions chairman; Francis Minor S. Ager; Nelson Straub Bean; Francis H. Crockard III; C. Duncan Hulsey II; William Spencer South; George Clinton Thompson; J. Reese Murray III, finance chairman; and James Mallory Dixon, camp chairman. – Submitted by John Cobbs.

Flowers

Flowers named trendsetter by national magazine Of the thousands of luxury travel advisers in the United States, Birmingham-based Beth Flowers, a Mountain Brook resident, was named an industry trendsetter by Luxury Travel Advisor magazine. “At [a] time when people thought travel agents were a thing of the past, Beth embraced the challenges and changes in our industry and has soared to the top,” said Haisley Smith, Brownell Vice President of Marketing and Development. After a career in marketing, Flowers joined Brownell Travel and has since become the Director of Leisure Sales. Because there is a surplus of information on the internet, Flowers uses firsthand experience to edit the world for travelers, Smith said. “There is so much information at our fingertips, and people simply don’t have the time to sift through it all,” Smith said. “Beth first gets to know the client as a person and then suggests destinations, properties and activities based on their preferences and needs, unlike a search algorithm.” – Submitted by Brownell Travel.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 • A19

Robert Randolph earns designation of Eagle Scout Robert Carter Randolph, a member of Boy Scout Troop 53, was presented with his Eagle Scout Award at his Court of Honor ceremony Dec. 18 at St Peter’s Church. As part of his requirements to reach the rank of Eagle, Robert completed all requirements for the top scouting honor earning 23 merit badges — 12 of which were required and the others electives and his Eagle project. During his time in Scouts, Robert has served in several leadership roles including Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader. He also received the Order of the Arrow Award, which is the honor society of Boy Scouts. But it wasn’t all work; he also got to go on many campouts, ski trips and even a sailing trip

MBHS senior Robert Carter Randolph received his Eagle Scout rank in December. Photo courtesy of Patti Ann Randolph.

to the Bahamas. For his Eagle project, Robert built a retaining wall and planter for St Peter’s Anglican Church. Robert, the son of Patti Ann and Rich Randolph, joined Boy Scouts in the spring of his ﬁfth-grade year and is now a senior at Mountain Brook High School. – Submitted by Patti Ann Randolph.

Basketball teams take on holiday project The seventh-grade basketball teams at MBJH recently participated in a Holiday Service Project beneﬁting The Sugar Plum Shop at Children’s of Alabama hospital. Players raised more than $500 and shopped for toys to donate to Children’s. Parents of patients who spent the holidays in the hospital were Photo courtesy of Wendy Barze. also able to shop in the Sugar Plum Shop free of charge. Seventh-grade girls basketball team memMembers of the boys team include: Edward bers: Harriet Adams, Nelle Bashinsky, Ava Barze, Sims Brown, George Cain, Carson Darden, Callie Davis, Greer Golden, Hannah Camper, Patch Lyman, Mac McCowan, Will Hitson, Wels Holman, Alden Johnson, Kate McIlvaine, Charlie McKimmon, Dive Rowe, Methvin, Lucy Redden, Emma Cate Rutledge George Scofield, Evan Shiflet and Jake and Maggie Windle. Thompson. – Submitted by Wendy Barze.

A20 • February 2017

Village Living

Simmons releases his 7th book, ‘Wisdom: Life’s Great Treasure’ By SARAH TUTTLE Richard E. Simmons III, the founder and executive director of the Center for Executive Leadership, started his ministry in 2000 to assist men in the development of their faith. The center began with Simmons conducting public speaking, teaching and counseling, and now the ministry offers marital and premarital counseling for men. Recently, a prison ministry has begun as well. Simmons, a Homewood resident and active member of the Mountain Brook community, has turned his years of public speaking into books. His seventh book, “Wisdom: Life’s Great Treasure,” was released in November. The book is a collection of short essays about the 12 most strategic issues in life. It is Simmons’ guide to try and help all people walk in wisdom towards a meaningful life. “If you ask a person what wisdom is, they don’t have a clue,” Simmons said. “If it is more valuable than jewels and nothing desirable compares with it, then this is something that we should all be on a lifelong quest for.” Simmons said when a person’s life changes, particularly someone who is really struggling, they become better spouses, parents and people.

“

One of the things I pray is that God will really use us and this book to impact people’s lives and their marriages because one of the things I recognize is that so many men in life struggle, but they hide their struggles.

”

RICHARD E. SIMMONS III

“This is what ﬁres me up and keeps me going,” Simmons said. “I pinch myself to think that this is what I am doing, and this is how I am making a living.” He said the book was written for everybody in mind: men and women, young and old. Parents can use it for teaching and raising their children,

Richard Simmons recently released his latest book, “Wisdom: Life’s Greatest Treasure.” Photo by Sarah Tuttle.

he said. “What I have found is that modern life is very complicated, and for many people life is not working for them, and they do not know what to do,” Simmons said. “Wisdom” was inspired by the literal meaning of the Hebrew word, “chokmah.” It means to have a skill or expertise in living. Simmons said this is something people lack in today’s world. “When I was about 12, I heard for the ﬁrst time what Solomon said about wisdom. He says that wisdom

is more valuable than jewels, and nothing you desire compares with it. That has intrigued me ever since,” he said. “Over the years, I really thought that I needed to attempt to put together all that I have learned as it is, understanding how life works and somehow be able to articulate that to others to help them.” Simmons said wisdom is about being able to discern which ideas in this life are true and which are false and being able to live in harmony with those laws. He sees many

people struggle in life because they have false ideas about reality. Simmons said the most important decisions in life are not just moral issues, but judgment and wisdom issues as well. “One of the things I pray is that God will really use us and this book to impact people’s lives and their marriages, because one of the things I recognize is that so many men in life struggle, but they hide their struggles,” Simmons said. For more information, go to thecenterbham.org.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 â&#x20AC;¢ A21

A22 • February 2017

Village Living

LOVE

CONTINUED from page A1 MBE’s front desk, where she said she aims to always be pleasant and understanding and “to make everybody feel welcome and safe.” Others who work at MBE recognize Sevier’s dedication to the position, as well as how her ability to multitask helps the school run smoothly. Adam Craiger, bookkeeper for MBE, works in the office next to Sevier’s desk and said she is a critical asset to the front office. “She is as consistent as the sunrise, and everyone who works here or comes to know her quickly earns a heartfelt respect for her attitude, dedication and character,” Craiger said. “We call her our air traffic controller, because her attention to detail and ability to manage many tasks and people at the same time really saves our school community from epic fail on a daily basis.” Sevier’s detailed knowledge of students, parents and teachers at the school is irreplaceable, said MBE Principal Ashley McCombs, and her strong work ethic and organizational skills are remarkable. “Being part of the history of MBE as a student and engaging in its development over time makes Ms. Sevier’s position more than work — it makes it personal,” McCombs said. “She is able to continue her story and leave her mark here while at the same time helping guide others in the writings of their own stories of MBE.” Sevier started her job as administrative assistant in 1989, after her kids had graduated Mountain Brook High School and left for college, and she hasn’t looked back. “I just had one student out here looking at the old yearbooks and go, ‘Ms. Sevier, look how young you are,’” she said with a laugh. One of the best parts of the job, Sevier said, is hearing the completely candid things students will say and seeing how literally they sometimes take instruction. One day, Sevier said, she stopped to talk with a teacher in the hallway. The teacher had two young boys with her who had just been fighting. While she talked with Sevier, the

teacher instructed the boys to “put their heads together” and ﬁgure out what the story behind their ﬁghting was. “I could tell she was getting tickled and trying not to laugh watching them, so I turned around, and their foreheads were literally touching, and their hands were on their hips, and they were fussing about who did what,” Sevier recalled. Another time, Sevier remembers relieving a teacher for a few minutes and going over multiplication with students. When asked to solve 7 times 7, one girl responded “42.” After Sevier said, “No, higher,” the student repeated her same answer — just in a higher pitched voice. “I wish from Day 1 that I had started a little notebook of all the cute things that had happened, because when you try to think back, they come sporadically,” she said. “But there’s some really great stories.” These fun moments with students, in addition to the love felt by the MBE community, are some of the reasons why Sevier has remained. “It’s kind of like a big family, extended,” she said. “The staff’s great, and everybody is treated — the custodians, the lunchroom

Stewart Sevier first came to Mountain Brook Elementary as a student, then as a parent. Now, she’s the first face that greets most visitors at the front desk. Above: Sevier on her first day of first grade at MBE. Left: Sevier’s two children, Tynes and Lauren Viar, also attended Mountain Brook Elementary. Photos courtesy of Stewart Sevier.

workers, the support group, the faculty — everybody is always included. I like that part, and of course the kids are adorable and make the day go by really fast.” That family is something Sevier ﬁts perfectly into, Craiger said. On any given day, she can serve wherever she is needed — PR agent, director of substitutes and visitors, ofﬁce equipment technician, receptionist or any other necessary role, he said. “In reality, Ms. Sevier is in many ways a matriarch of this school,” he said. “School administrators and teachers come and go, but Ms. Sevier has served here with a consistency and resolve that would make any organization wish they had a Stewart Sevier managing the day-to-day operations.” Looking back on her time as an MBE student, then a parent and now an employee, Sevier said she has seen the community involvement grow. Sevier’s connection to the school and community has also cemented over time, Craiger said. “It is so cute to see some of the grandparents come in who also attended school here

with Stewart, the parents who came through the school here when she worked here, and their children who know Ms. Sevier as the ‘leader in the ofﬁce,’” Craiger said. “She has seen the transformation of this school and community into the ﬁrst-class institution that it is today, and in some ways, can be accredited for her part in it.” Her work has helped add value to the school’s history and brings continuity to the campus, McCombs said. “She is at the center of what keeps the family here at MBE thriving,” McCombs said. “Period.” When it comes to retirement, Craiger said they discourage or refute any talk of Sevier leaving “in fear of the worst when she may seriously entertain that kind of thing.” But Sevier said that’s not part of her plan at this time. “Everybody says, ‘When are you going to retire?’ and I say, ‘Three years ago,’” Sevier said, laughing. “Because that was my plan. At 65, I thought it was time, but here I am, still here.”

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 • A23 Harley helps her owner, Molly MacFarlane Palmer, as she shops through the Western Market in Mountain Brook. Palmer has had her service dog, Harley, for less than a year, but has already noticed a significant decrease in panic attacks. Photos by Lexi Coon.

FRIEND

CONTINUED from page A1 a service dog later. But she was being so good and listening to me,” she said. “I’m stubborn, so I was like, ‘No, this is going to happen.’” Just as she enrolled 4-month-old Harley in an owner-assisted service dog program at Roverchase, Palmer was grocery shopping when she began experiencing a panic attack. Without hesitation, Harley sat down in front of her and began barking to help distract her from the episode. “That was the moment [I knew],” she said. “After that, it was like, this needs to happen.” As a service dog, Harley will be trained to perform tasks to benefit an individual with a legal disability, which she learns from spending up to 10 hours a day, three days a week learning at Roverchase. “I like to say that any dog can learn the skill set … but what’s difficult is to find a dog that really loves and wants to spend their whole life working for another person,” said Roverchase’s Abigail Witthauer. The connection between dog and owner helps, she said. “Harley is really well bonded to Molly,” Witthauer said. Right now the team at Roverchase is working with Harley to help teach her tactical distraction, which involves initiating petting or playing with Palmer when she senses the early stages of a panic attack. “She can tell when I start shaking and breathing hard,” Palmer said. “She brings you back to reality.” Since her accident, Palmer has recovered from and is able live life with fewer panic attacks with Harley by her side. “She’s my fur baby,” Palmer said. With her help, Palmer has overcome her difficulties and earned a degree in accounting from UAB, is working as a contract accountant and is raising her daughter. “One of the only ways of doing that is having a great support system,” she said. “And Harley is a part of that support system.”

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SECTION

B FEBRUARY 2017

School House B4 Sports B14 Gift Guide B18 Faith B20 Calendar B22

REFUSING LOSE to

Sharpshooter Elmore an ‘ultimate competitor,’ says Coach McMillan By KYLE PARMLEY

ean Elmore has the ability to bring the crowd to its feet on any given possession. Normally camped out on the perimeter, the junior guard from Mountain Brook High School usually has no trouble ﬁnding an open 3-point shot. When he gets one, chances are he will knock it down. He is the Spartans’ most accurate sharpshooter, making his 3-pointers at a 43-percent clip midway through the season. The crowd goes wild when he strips the nets and extends a Mountain Brook lead, but that is not his favorite part of the game. What is the thing he most enjoys? “Locking down a defender and getting stops,” Elmore said. He is pretty good at that, too. “Sean is our best defender and most accurate 3-point shooter,” said Mountain Brook head coach Bucky McMillan. “When you can defend, you’re as competitive as he is, and you can knock down 3s, that’s a good combo.” According to McMillan, Elmore is the ultimate competitor. Whether it is a game, an offcourt competition or just a drill in practice, Elmore displays a refuse-to-lose attitude. And that is what separates him from others. “The players that I have coached that have gone on to ﬂourish are guys like Alex Peters,

Sean Elmore is Mountain Brook’s top defender and 3-point shooter. Photo by Todd Lester.

See ELMORE | page B17

B2 â&#x20AC;¢ February 2017

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February 2017 â&#x20AC;¢ B3

B4 • February 2017

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School House BOE opts to table adjustments on student policies By LEXI COON Mountain Brook officials gathered Jan. 9 at Cherokee Bend Elementary for the monthly Board of Education meeting. In addition to recognitions and standard business, the board discussed three policy updates that affect the well-being of Spartan students. The first update addresses the J-52 Jason Flatt Act Policy. Designed as a suicide awareness and prevention policy, this act amends a portion of the Code of Alabama 1975, and now includes ways to prevent harassment and violence. “Most of the things on this list that are required are things that we have already been doing,” Dr. Dale Wisely said. The only change, he said, was that the new law requires all faculty to be trained in suicide prevention annually. The two remaining policies deal with children who may be in foster care within the city of Mountain Brook. Formerly named Policy J-6a, Homeless, Migrant, Immigrant and Language Minority Student Attendance Policy will now also potentially include students who are in foster care and has been aptly renamed to reflect so. The other policy that was discussed, named Policy J-6c School Placement of Children in Foster Care, is aimed at working with foster care families to provide choices of educational stability that are in the best interest of the student.

The Mountain Brook Board of Education discussed policy updates that relate to student well-being during its January meeting but decided to postpone a decision to allow for community feedback. Photo by Lexi Coon.

According to the proposed policy: “A child in foster care will remain in his or her school of origin, unless it is determined that remaining in the school of origin is not in that child’s best interest.” If, for some reason it is not recommended that the child stay at his or her original school, the student “will be immediately enrolled in the appropriate Mountain Brook school even if records normally required for enrollment are not immediately available.” While all three policies were presented, the board decided that they remain tabled for one month to allow for community input. In addition, board members recognized the success of the high school students who competed in the State Trumbauer Theatre Festival Competition: Kate Edmonds, who earned third place in the Varsity Solo Acting Female Contemporary Dramatic; Tess Levine, who earned second place in the Novice Solo

Female Musical Dramatic; Anne Noris, who earned first place in Varsity Female Musical Comedic; Ricky Feig, who earned first place in Varsity Set Design; and Thomas Jernigan, who earned first place in Novice Lighting Design. Also during the meeting, members of the board: ► Approved the meeting minutes from Dec. 12. ► Recognized that January is National School Board recognition month. ► Presented this month’s financial statements and bank reconciliations. ► Approved the addition of four courses to the MBHS curriculum: AP Music Theory; AP Psychology; Math 112 Precalculus Trigonometry - Math 113 Precalculus Trigonometry; and Algebra II with Trigonometry. ► Approved personnel recommendations. ► Approved the disposal of surplus items within the district.

► Approved the renewal of the Compass Line of Credit for $3 million as a protected measure for the district. ► Approved the bid from Fruhauf Uniforms Inc. for new marching band uniforms. ► Approved a resolution pertaining to tax renewal, which states that the superintendent of Mountain Brook should inform the community of the election of the citywide education tax on March 7 and the tax’s importance. The resolution also allowed for a small amount of spending to be used toward communication and community outreach regarding the tax. ► Tabled the purchase of new textbooks for recently added classes for one month to allow for community input. ► Announced that from Feb. 9-11 at 7 p.m., the MBHS Choir will be performing “Around the World” at the Fine Arts Center. The next Board of Education meeting will be Feb. 13 at Brookwood Forest Elementary.

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February 2017 • B5

Cougars give back through bake sales, lemonade stands Crestline Elementary School’s PTO Treasurer Meg Krawczyk continues to ﬁnd ziplock bags stuffed with dollars and coins in her box at the school. These bags are from fourth-grade neighbors and students, Lizzie and

Catherine Meadows and Tempie Stokes. The girls have bake sales and lemonade stands and donate the proceeds to their school. When asked why the girls give to Crestline, Lizzie Meadows said, “We heard

that someone destroyed the equipment shed at the ﬁeld, so we want to help rebuild it.” The girls’ unexpected kindness is exemplary. – Submitted by Mary Evans.

Catherine Meadows, Tempie Stokes and Lizzie Meadows helped Crestline Elementary School give back. Photo courtesy of Mary Evans.

Christian Glenos, Cowan Moorer finish MBE’s spelling bee on top Twenty-five MBE students competed in the local spelling bee Nov. 29. Congratulations to sixth-grader Christian Glenos, first-place winner, and fifthgrader Cowan Moorer, first runner-up. Christian and Cowan competed together for several impressive rounds with Christian finally winning with the word “engineering.” Christian will go on to represent MBE at the district tournament and hopefully onto the state competition. – Submitted by Shaun Flynn.

MBE spelling bee ﬁrst runner-up, Cowan Moorer and winner, Christian Glenos. Photo courtesy of Shaun Flynn.

Spelling bee winners at the Board of Education. Photo courtesy of Mary Evans.

Kenneth Robinson wins CES spelling bee The Crestline Elementary School spelling bee took place Dec. 7. Two representatives from each homeroom in fourth through sixth grades competed in the schoolwide spelling bee. These representatives were the winners of their individual classroom competitions. The winners of Crestline’s annual contest were ﬁfth-grader Kenneth Robinson and runner-up sixth-grader Margaret Krawczyk. Kenneth will move on to the Mountain Brook Schools district bee. – Submitted by Mary Evans.

B6 • February 2017

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The Bend takes pride in spelling bee and geography bee winners On Dec. 7, 2016, sixth-grader Moira Dowling won the spelling bee at Cherokee Bend Elementary by correctly spelling the word “economist.” The second-place winner was Nate Holden. Moira ﬁrst won her classroom level spelling bee in order to progress to the school level competition. Two winners from each classroom in grades 4-6 were selected, resulting in 20 total competitors for the school spelling bee. Fifth-grader Connor Hughes won the National Geographic Bee on Dec. 1, 2016.

Charlie Zitella was ﬁrst runner-up, with Lilly Bea Dyson and Alex Roberts tying for third. As the CBS winner, Connor qualiﬁes for the next round of the national competition, the state qualifying test. Up to 100 of the top scorers on that test in each state will then be eligible to compete in the state bee in March 2017. The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state winners to compete in the National Geographic Bee on May 15-17. – Submitted by Christina Smith.

Far left: 2016 CBS spelling bee winner Moira Dowling with Principal Betsy Bell. Left: 2016 CBS Geography Bee Winner Connor Hughes. Photos courtesy of Christina Smith.

Spartan Council holds annual kickball tourney Since 2012, the Spartan Council, Mountain Brook Junior High School's student leadership group, has raised more than $100,000.00 to ﬁght multiple sclerosis. The Kick MS Kickball tournaments, which have become annual events, involve students in having fun while raising money to ﬁght a disease that affects so many. What began as a singular fundraiser has now grown into an annual event that involves several hundred students each year. The MS Society of Alabama/Mississippi helps to sponsor the events, which are held in August and November of each year. – Submitted by Hayley Young.

Ninth-grade Kick MS Team One Kick Wonder: Parker Tamucci, Riley Smith, Adam Tamucci, Edward Berry, David Stone, Cooper Cashio, Lillie Young, Margie Cashio, Frances Lyon and Emma Sanders. Photo courtesy of Hayley Young.

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February 2017 • B7

Standing, from left: Fourth-grader Rebecca Stewart; fourth-grader Syla Steinman; sixthgrader Davis Gray; and sixth-grader Andrew Robertson. Photo courtesy of Shaun Flynn.

Robotics team earns 3rd place ﬁnish The MBE Robotics Team participated in the VEX Oak Mountain School Qualifying Competition on Nov. 15. A total of 29 teams competed. MBE teams 31337K and 31337H worked together for a score of 32 points to earn a thirdplace ﬁnish. Teams built and programmed their robots and had to complete a challenge using the

robots to move blocks and balance on a platform in under a minute. Both elementary and junior high teams competed against each other. Robotics is taught at MBE by Ms. Shannon Millhouse and Ms. Jennifer Jinnette. MBE is beyond proud of these critical thinkers! – Submitted by Shaun Flynn.

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B8 • February 2017

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BWF sixthgraders participated in a food collection during December. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Woodry.

6th-graders hold food collection Sixth-graders at BWF held a schoolwide food collection in the month of December. On Thursday, Dec. 15, all sixth-graders eagerly and cheerfully helped organize all of the food and pack all of the bags for PreSchool Partners. The sixth-graders at BWF completed the sixth-grade service project making snack sacks for each student. Students and teachers ﬁlled 80 bags. Teachers were also given extra bags for when the children need them and extras that PreSchool Partners will use to provide snacks needed when they return in January. The sixth-grade students were very thankful for the thoughtful and generous donations. The best of all may have been the exchange of smiles and hugs between the 3- and 4-year-old PreSchool Partners kids with the sixth-grade boys who helped deliver the snack sacks. On the ride back to Brookwood Forest, one of the boys said, “I think the best part was when we went to that ﬁrst 3-year-old classroom and all of the kids got up and came and gave us hugs.” With big smiles, they all immediately agreed. It was lesson of kindness and helping one another. Those who made bags were actually the ones who received an overwhelming amount of joy and love in return. – Submitted by Kathleen Woodry.

In-person kindergarten enrollment at Cherokee Bend Elementary will take place Feb. 15. File photo.

Mountain Brook kindergarten enrollment starting Feb. 8 Kindergarten enrollment for the 2017-18 school year is set to begin at the end of the month. To enroll a child in kindergarten, ﬁrst create an online student account. Beginning Jan. 30, an account can be created at mtnbrook.k12. al.us. There, parents can enter their child’s demographic information as instructed, and they can pay for kindergarten items such as supplies and ﬁeld trips. The online process must be completed prior to on-site enrollment. On-site enrollment takes place at the different Mountain Brook elementary schools on the following dates: ► Mountain Brook Elementary: Feb. 8 ► Cherokee Bend Elementary: Feb. 15

► Brookwood Forest Elementary: Feb. 22 ► Crestline Elementary: March 1 At on-site enrollment, parents will verify residency and complete the enrollment process. Parents should bring proof of residency, a certified birth certificate and a certificate of immunization. If siblings are already enrolled in Mountain Brook Schools and the family residence has not changed, proof of residency is not required. Bringing a child’s social security card is voluntary, and if there is not a social security number or parents elect not to provide it, an internal number will be assigned. Kindergarten students must be 5 years old before Sept. 1, 2017. For more information, call your child’s school office.

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February 2017 • B9

Writers’ Fest bringing authors to elementary schools By LEXI COON

Bruce Hale signs one of his books for students during last year’s Writer’s Fest. Photo courtesy of Margaret Hudson.

Writing can be a great form of self-expression and can hold considerable value in someone’s life, which is why from Feb. 28 through March 2, ﬁve authors will visit Mountain Brook Elementary, Brookwood Forest Elementary and Cherokee Bend Elementary to speak to students during their annual Writers’ Fest. This year’s authors include Margaret Peterson Haddix and Henry Cole as well as local authors Lou Anders, Lori Nichols and Susan Carothers. Both Nichols and

Cole are also illustrators. The authors will rotate between the three schools, which share hosting the event each year, over the course of three days. Margaret Hudson, Mountain Brook Elementary’s librarian, said they try to include a variety of speakers each year to connect with children across all grades, and the schools offer book signings for each author. Hudson said the guests usually discuss their personal writing process, share their experiences as an author and talk about

their books. “It’s mainly to encourage writing and for them to have the real experience of meeting an author,” she said, adding that they are grateful for the efforts of the PTO members who sponsor the event for the schools. In addition to sharing their stories about writing, the authors are able to talk about the publishing process and the persistence that goes into writing a book. “It’s always an exciting event, and everyone, especially the students, look forward to it each year,” Hudson said.

Celebrate Writing Festival coming to Crestline Elementary Author Carmen Agra Deedy sits with Crestline and Brookville students during the 2016 Celebrate Writing Festival at Crestline Elementary. Photo courtesy of Nancy Dillard.

By LEXI COON The month of February may be the month of love, but with the help of the Crestline Elementary PTO, on Feb. 24 Crestline students will be dedicating a special day to celebrate writing. Crestline previously highlighted writing through the Writers’ Fest hosted by Brookwood Forest, Cherokee Bend and Mountain Brook Elementary, but due to their size, branched off to hold their own celebration, Crestline librarian Nancy Dillard said. Sidney Clapp, Crestline PTO chairman, added that Crestline is now partnered with Brookville Elementary School in Birmingham, and the students from both schools come together for the day. The festival features ﬁve authors who are either local, regional or national, and one who is a musical author. This year’s authors include Jeff Anderson, Sheila Booth-Alberstadt, Charles Ghigna, Carole Marsh and César Alvarez. Both Booth-Alberstadt and Ghigna are Alabama residents — Ghigna lives in Homewood. Alvarez is a musical author who works with RockaLingua, a company that specializes

in music-based Spanish learning. Clapp said the authors will spend time with the grades throughout the day and talk about their experiences as writers, what they like about writing and how they create their characters. She also said the authors sometimes

tell stories, too. “The students love it because it’s essentially spending a day listening to stories,” Clapp said. “I think it encourages creative writing and to think outside the box.” This year, members of the Desert Island

Supply Company, or DISCO, will also be joining the celebrations to work through a writing mini-workshop with the sixth-graders. “It kind of brings to life the art of writing a book,” Clapp said. “It just makes it more real and more [tangible] for them.”

B10 • February 2017

Village Living

A poetic expression

MBJH 9th-grader Nancy North publishes 1st poetry book By LEXI COON Everyone has their own form of self-expression, but not everyone’s musings become a published book. “Worth Saying,” a collection of poems written by Mountain Brook Junior High School ninth-grade student Nancy North, was published in October and features about 20 of her pieces. She started keeping all of the poems she has written within the past year and created a small collection. “I have the ﬁrst actual poems from scratch that I completed in my book and [one of] my most recent poems,” she said. Nancy started writing poems when she had to in seventh grade English class. “The only unit I didn’t do well in in English was poetry, and I hated it,” she said. “Then, somewhere in eighth grade, I started writing it, and it was just something that was really fun for me.” As she grew to love writing poetry, she began appreciating the work of other writers, who in turn inspired her to write more. Poetry became a way to make her thoughts

and emotions more tangible, and it soon grew to be her main form of self-expression. “I write a lot to help deal with my feelings,” she said. “Anything that kinda has some sort of meaning to me is what I usually write about.” Now, poetry as self-expression helps her. “Once I started putting it out there, it was so much easier to move on with things and build and learn from everything that has happened,” Nancy said. “As I write it out, I usually start to go over it in my mind and realize how it’s not that big of a deal.” She decided to turn her collection into a book because she was proud of what she had accomplished with her poems, but didn’t have a published work in mind as a goal. “I didn’t really think the end result would be a book,” she said, also mentioning that it came to a surprise to even her parents. Nancy admitted that she often worked on her book during school, quickly switching screens on her computer when teachers walked by. “I wanted it to be a surprise in some sort of way.” Although it was difﬁcult to ﬁnd

Nancy North, a ninth-grade Mountain Brook student, has published a collection of her poetry under the title “Worth Saying.” Photo by Lexi Coon.

a publishing company who would work with poems, Nancy still doesn’t let that hold her back from her future as an author. “I’ve always wanted to publish a book,” she said. “Now, I’ve published a book, and I still want to publish a book.” Dr. Ruth Beenken, who teaches creative writing at Mountain Brook

Junior High, has watched Nancy’s poetry grow. “She has written a beautiful book. I’m really, really impressed,” she said. “For a 14-yearold, that’s a lot.” Through her writings, Nancy has been able to express herself more, and she hopes that her book will help others deal with whatever they

are going through, too. “There’s a quote, I’m not sure who said it, that everything you write should be worth saying,” Nancy said. “Everything that I had written I had found worth saying, and I want to inspire others to share parts of their stories, too.” Readers can ﬁnd Nancy’s book, “Worth Saying,” on amazon.com.

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February 2017 • B11

Former Spartan ﬁnds success in ﬁlms Christina Xing’s latest work screened at national festival By LEXI COON

ometimes, it takes a few tries to find something you truly enjoy doing or something you’re good at. Film student Christina Xing, a former Mountain Brook resident, has been there. “I’ve tried a lot of things,” she said. “Growing up in Mountain Brook, they offer you a lot of things to do. I felt like I wasn’t good at anything.” Then she found filmmaking. Xing made her first movie in elementary school, and by age 13, she was selected to screen one of her films at the Hollywood Film Festival. “Naturally I thought [the festivals] were really cool,” she said. Despite her success at such a young age, Xing was hesitant to pursue directing, simply because of the other voices in her life who were telling her it wasn’t possible to have a career in film. “Finally I just realized, out of everything in my life … the only thing that was a constant was movies,” she said. “You only get one lifetime, presumably. Why would you want to spend it doing something you don’t care about?” For high school, Xing made the decision to attend the Interlochen Center for the Arts, a boarding school in Interlochen, Michigan. Now a senior, she takes standard core classes as well as classes that focus on filmmaking, much like a college major would. “It was crazy because in Mountain Brook, I was known as the film kid. And then here, everyone is the film kid,” Xing said. By being surrounded by other film students,

Xing has learned more about herself and her film style. Her central theme, she said, tends to revolve around loneliness. Although unintentional, she credits the theme to her parents’ divorce. “It really impacted my world and how I viewed things,” she said. “My films tend to compensate for the loss of that father figure.” Xing said she is also able to collaborate with other students at Interlochen to bring her films to life. In fact, her most recent film, “Goldfish,” was so successful that it was chosen to be screened at the 2016 All American High School Film Festival in New York City. “Goldfish” follows a girl struggling to fit in as she works on a class project with the class clown. Eventually, she comes to terms with who she is and realizes she isn’t that different from her peers after all. “It was so crazy hearing it [my movie] in surround sound and on the big screen,” Xing said. “It was just a really cool experience overall.” Her film went on to earn Best Drama of the festival, which she explained is similar to a sports team winning an award. “It’s such a team effort [to create a movie] that it’s not fair for me to say I won this award by myself,” she said. After she graduates from Interlochen, Xing said she is hoping continue her education by earning a degree in film or in history, so she can incorporate stories of the past in her films. Eventually, she’d like to end up in Hollywood, but not for the glitz and glamour. “For me, it’s about the idea that Hollywood films reach an audience,” she said. “When you make films, I think it’s so important to make people think. I hope I can accomplish that.”

Former Mountain Brook resident Christina Xing chose to pursue her career in ﬁlm by moving out of state for ﬁlm school. Photo courtesy of Christina Xing.

B12 • February 2017

Village Living

FASHION FORWARD

Far left: Kathryn Sours, a senior at Mountain Brook High School, received a partial scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design. Photo by Lexi Coon. Left: Sours won Birmingham Fashion Week 2016 with her “futuristic” outﬁt made out of cellophane. Photo by Erica Techo.

By LEXI COON

Not everyone “gets” fashion, and certainly not everyone can keep up with the latest trends. But that isn’t a problem for Spartan senior and this year’s Birmingham Fashion Week winner Kathryn Sours — she just creates her own. “I’m so bad at following trends because I really just do [wear] whatever I want,” Sours said while donning a cobalt-blue fur coat. After growing up using legal pads from her mother as sketchbooks for her designs, Sours’ love for fashion followed her to high school where she entered the 2015 Birmingham Fashion Week her sophomore year. It was then she said she knew fashion was her calling. “In 10th grade, when I got the opportunity to be in Birmingham Fashion Week, that was my ﬁrst experience that made me realize this is what I should do,” she said. While she didn’t win that year, she was determined to come out on top in her next fashion week in the fall of 2016. Sours was invited to participate the spring before and created designs to prepare for the event, which required her to make a garment out of untraditional materials. Not long after, she left for the summer to participate in a program at the Rhode Island School of Design, and upon her return, she redid everything she had previously done to prepare for the fashion week. “I just learned so much while I was away

that I scrapped the entire thing and started over,” Sours said. Her ﬁnal entry into the show featured an outﬁt made of holographic cellophane that had a sophisticated and futuristic feel. “It was sort of like the ’70s meets a future galaxy,” she said. Her design won the 2016 Birmingham Fashion Week Rising Star Design Challenge and spurred her into the world of fashion. “Birmingham Fashion Week just opened so many doors for me to be able to go and study art,” she said. Previously, she said she thought she would study engineering. In winning the challenge, Sours was introduced to the Savannah College of Art and Design, which offered a $1,500 scholarship and a free one-week seminar at the college to high school seniors participating in the event. “That’s when SCAD became an option for

me,” Sours said. After applying to attend SCAD, Sours was at school when she was introduced to SCAD President Paula Wallace. “I just thought I was going to meet with the adviser or representative from SCAD … and I was introduced to Paula,” she said. Sours also was able to greet Heidi Elnora, local designer and co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week, which Sours described as “a huge deal.” Wallace soon announced she wanted to recognize and congratulate a student and personally gave Sours her acceptance letter to SCAD. Sours also was awarded a scholarship to SCAD.

“I felt like I was being celebrated, and it was so weird and so cool,” she said. “It was like, the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.” According to a 2016 article in Fashionista, SCAD is ranked as one of the top 12 fashion schools in the world, and “The Business of Fashion” places it in the top 20. With a “very detailed life plan” to guide her through SCAD and beyond, Sours said she hopes to eventually move to a unique city and start her own fashion line. “I put a lot of pressure on myself, and I always have since I was younger,” she said. “[My younger self,] she would be very proud of me.”

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February 2017 • B13 Will Twiford’s memorial bench, similar to the one seen here, is set to be placed along the nature trail close to Beechwood Road, not far from a memorial bench honoring one of Will’s childhood friends who died a few years ago in a car accident. Twiford suddenly died in October of a drug overdose. Photo by Lexi Coon.

IN LOVING MEMORY

Family establishing memorial to honor son, share his story By LEXI COON Will Twiford felt at ease when he was in nature, and had ever since he was a child. Growing up on Overbook Road, his parents, Marsha and Rainer Twiford, regularly found him and his friends playing in a creek nearby in Jemison Park. “He used to play in the creek, wade in the creek and look for golf balls and take them and sell them back to the pro shop,” Marsha Twiford said. “Or [he and his friends would] stand on our front porch and hit them back into the creek,” Rainer Twiford said. Now, many years after his childhood adventures, a memorial bench will be taking Will Twiford’s place in Jemison Park after he suddenly died of a drug overdose. “The memorials are a way for families to have a physical destination to visit to remember loved ones,” said superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department Shanda Williams. “With most of our memorials being benches within our parks, it gives them a tranquil place to sit in an area that is an important part of their memories with their loved ones.” The added signiﬁcance of the area for Will Twiford’s bench is that it will be placed not far from his childhood home, where his family so often found him playing outside, Rainer

Twiford said. “We love the area; we love the trail. He lived just a few hundred yards from where the bench is going to be,” he said. “We wanted [something] that would remember him in a way that would last in the community that’s been so gracious to us.” One of the things that he is remembered for is his love for the outdoors. Because Will Twiford felt more at ease outside than in a classroom when he was younger, he loved outdoor activities and became an avid sportsman and golfer. “Will really excelled at golf,” Marsha Twiford said. “That was his outlet. That’s how he got to shine.” As Will Twiford was entering eighth grade, however, his parents noticed a drastic change in his personality, and he began showing signs of depression. “He was one of the happiest young children you would ever see,” Rainer Twiford said. “And then he sorta hit a wall.” Later in his life, soft drugs led to hard drugs. “Soft drugs” are thought to have only minor effects on health but are often referred to as a “gateway” to hard drugs, such as heroin, which Will Twiford eventually struggled with. He continued to struggle with his addiction, but worked toward being clean by attending various rehabilitation facilities to get the help he needed.

Recently, after getting help and taking steps toward recovery, he was convicted of a charge that would remain on his record. The conviction sent him back to the drugs he had been working so hard to avoid, and the drugs that soon claimed his life. Will died Oct. 5, 2016, after inhaling heroin laced with fentanyl, just weeks before his 29th birthday. “He lasted until Oct. 5, and I was on my way to pick him up to take him to detox,” his father said. “And he really wanted to go.” His death affected his family greatly, his mother said, leaving grieving parents and a devastated brother and sister. “It rips the heart out of a family,” Rainer Twiford said. Both parents agree that drug addiction, which is classiﬁed as a disease by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and crosses every socioeconomic level, is a national epidemic. “It’s so rampant,” Marsha Twiford said. “There are more people who die his age, from the exact same thing, than die in automobile accidents,” Rainer Twiford said. According to the 2014 National Vital Statistics reports published in June 2016, car accidents were the cause of around 6,000 deaths, while there were 10,462 drug-induced deaths. Although there is no easy way for parents to deal with the death of one of their children, Marsha and Rainer Twiford have agreed there are two consolations for the death of their son:

One of the things for which Twiford is remembered is his love for the outdoors. Photo courtesy of the Twiford family.

Will Twiford’s suffering is over, and the entire community has come together in his memory. “We saw how many people had loved Will at one time or another,” he said. “It’s been very humbling,” Marsha Twiford added. Will Twiford’s memorial bench is set to be placed along the nature trail close to Beechwood Road, not far from a memorial bench honoring one of Will’s childhood friends who died a few years ago in a car accident. It is with their son’s memorial bench that the Twifords are hoping to pass on their family’s story, so others may learn of the dangers of drugs and their powerful addictions. “The day before he died … he said when he ﬁrst started experimenting with heroin, he said that was a choice, but that after a very short period of time, it wasn’t a choice anymore,” Rainer Twiford said. “[We hope] that one person might get the message to steer clear.”

B14 • February 2017

Village Living

Sports

DOING IT ALL

There’s nothing Ben McCool can’t do, according to head coach Bucky McMillan. Even when he goes up against bigger opponents, McCool’s ability to position himself and desire help him get rebounds. Photo by Todd Lester.

Senior Ben McCool has ‘contagious’ effect on Mountain Brook squad By KYLE PARMLEY Ben McCool is the basketball equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. He can shoot. He can slash. He can finish around the rim. He can defend the perimeter. He can defend in the paint. “He’s one of the few guys where there’s nothing he can’t do,” said Bucky McMillan, his head coach at Mountain Brook High School. McCool, now a senior for the Spartans, has assumed a starting role in his final season at Mountain Brook, his second year on the varsity team. He developed his guard skills at an early age, but by the time he got to high school, he began to notice that he was frequently one of the tallest players on the floor. Last year, he was a shooting guard for the Spartans. At 6-foot-1, he towered over many of his matchups. This season, he has transitioned to the center position. Now standing 6-foot3, he is normally the one surrendering a few inches to his opposition.

He counteracts that with his energy and quickness. “I try to be really active in the post,” McCool said. “Some people get put in the post and just kind of sit there and screen people. I try to be as active as I possibly can, just going for rebounds and trying to set a screen for my teammates to get a shot.” McCool said he ﬁrmly believes his ability and comfort in handling the basketball is a major asset as well. Having ﬁve players with the ability to step outside makes defending the Spartans challenging. “I really think that’s an advantage,” he said. “I’m not scared to go get the ball. If there’s another big man guarding me, it’s tough for him to guard me out on the perimeter.” Giving up any size amongst its forwards could give Mountain Brook a disadvantage on

the rebounding front, but McCool is conscious of that and focuses on his technique and desire to secure missed shots. “It’s a skill where you have to put yourself in positions where you can get the ball, but I really think if you really want it bad enough, you go up and get it at its highest peak,” McCool said. McCool is the only starting senior for the Spartans, and won the Birmingham Tip-Off Club player of the week in early January. McMillan lauded McCool’s humility. “Ben is never about Ben. As our captain, his selﬂess, humble attitude has become contagious to the rest of our team and is one of the primary reasons our team has been such a joy to coach and be the true team that they are,” McMillan said. McMillan recalls telling McCool of his plans for the player’s junior season, instructing the

student-athlete on facets of his game to improve and hone and predicting that he could be one of the team’s best players. McCool was not even aware that he would likely make the varsity team for his junior campaign. “That’s kind of how he is. It rubs off on the team, and that helps you have a very unselﬁsh team,” McMillan said. McCool remembers sitting in the stands as a middle school student, as Mountain Brook won back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014, and dreaming of the moment he would be able to achieve that on his own. Last season, the Spartans faltered in the opening game at regionals, but McCool is hoping this year is different and that it ends with the program’s third blue map. “It would mean the whole world to me,” he said. “We’re all focused on getting there.”

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 • B15

Leading scorer Trendon Watford helped guide the Spartans to their best start in program history. Photo by Todd Lester.

Spartans achieve record start By KYLE PARMLEY Achieving school records is not an uncommon thing, considering the current state of the Mountain Brook High School boys basketball program. The Spartans won the program’s ﬁrst two state championships in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014 and advanced to the ﬁnal once

again the following year. The program has achieved new heights under head coach Bucky McMillan, now in his ninth season leading the way. This year may prove to have another shot at a state title, if the year ends anywhere close to how it started. Mountain Brook reeled off 17 consecutive wins to kick off the 2016-2017 campaign, a

school record for wins to begin a season. “It says that they can play to a standard,” McMillan said. It is extremely difﬁcult to pull off long winning streaks, because the odds of having an off night at least once in that 17-game stretch are great. But McMillan has been impressed to this point in the season by how well his group has played together as a unit, making it easier

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to overcome when an individual has a rough game. “We weren’t the most talented team in all 17 of those games, but we were the best team in those 17 games,” he said. “(The streak) also says you can find different ways to be successful. It may not be my night, but they say, ‘You know what, it’s not my night, so I’m going to give the ball up and get some other guys some shots.’ You can tell how important it is with players.” McMillan also emphasized the importance of each role on the team, expanding on his idea that the Spartans’ cohesion on the court has been a rather important factor in the success so far. Lior Berman is normally one of the Spartans’ first players off the bench, and he was forced to miss a handful of games around the holidays. “We felt that loss just as much as (leading scorer) Trendon (Watford), because of his defense,” McMillan said. “Everyone’s a part of it.” At the end of the day, though, early season wins and losses are not the ultimate defining factor of a season. For Mountain Brook, it all goes back to that standard that is set long before the games begin. “I just care how we’re playing,” McMillan said. “Whatever will grab guys’ attention when we don’t play well, I’m all for. If that means we win a game and we don’t play to our potential, and our players understand and correct the errors, then that’s fine. “If a loss will get their attention better than a win, I’m all for a loss. What you hope for is that your players take on your philosophy, and they want to play to your standard and that they are just as mad when they win and don’t play well. I think we’re close to that.” Notable wins during the 17-game run to start the season included tight games against Ramsay, Wenonah and new Class 7A, Area 6 foe Huffman. The victory over the Vikings lifted the Spartans to the Steel City Invitational title. Mountain Brook’s first loss did not come until late December, as the top 5A team, Mae Jemison, took home the win at the AL.com Classic in Huntsville.

B16 • February 2017

Village Living

Griffin Riley Rebel bound Mountain Brook senior signs to run track and field at Ole Miss In November, Mountain Brook High School senior Griffin Riley, center, signed a National Letter of Intent to continue to his track-andfield career at Ole Miss. His parents, Shannon, left, and Richard, right, also ran at Mountain Brook. Photo courtesy of Griffin Riley.

By SAM CHANDLER Griffin Riley’s recruiting stock had been trending upward entering the 2016 outdoor track season. Then one day, it broke wide open. At April’s Mountain Brook Invitational, Riley, then a junior, outkicked a talent-laden field to take first place in his signature event, the 800 meters. His head-turning time of 1 minute, 52.17 seconds represented a 4-second personal best. It also signified a career milestone. “The shock of the 1:52 was crazy, but the shock of winning and then turning around and seeing everyone else behind me was probably [crazier],” Riley said. “That was my first win. Ever.” To put his performance in perspective, the two guys Riley edged out for first place now run in the notoriously strong Southeastern Conference. Spain Park alumnus Daniel Nixon, who took second, is at Mississippi State. Mountain Brook alumnus Drew Williams, who took third, is now at Alabama. College coaches took notice of Riley’s triumph. “That was the race when it was kind of the mudslide,” Riley said in regard to the wave of recruiting that ensued after the victory. At first, he was contacted by coaches from the Ivy League and mid-major Division I schools. Eventually, his suitors hailed from some of the country’s top track-and-field programs. He said he received phone calls from Tennessee and Ole Miss. A visit to Oxford, Mississippi, sold him on the Rebels, and in November he signed his National Letter of Intent to join their revered distance program. “When I went there, I was just like, ‘This is where I should be,’” Riley said. What ultimately persuaded him to commit to Ole Miss? Riley identified his compatibility

with the team as the pivotal factor in his decision. “I love being goofy,” he said. “Running is a hard sport, and it’s not always as much fun as you want it to be, so if you have guys who will make it fun when it’s not fun, then the love of running comes in.” At Ole Miss, Riley will have the opportunity to add another chapter to his standout career, which ﬁrst started in early elementary school. Speaking with a hint of hyperbole, he said he’s been running summer track since he could walk. Mountain Brook coach Greg Echols has been there almost every step of the way. A longtime

friend of the family, Echols coached Riley’s parents, Richard and Shannon, when they ran for Mountain Brook. Richard Riley then ran collegiately at Furman and Auburn. Echols has had a hand in coaching Griffin from the beginning. Over the years, he said he’s seen Griffin take increased ownership of his natural ability. The results have followed. “It’s just heredity and God-given talent,” Echols said. “He’s always loved running, always been good at it.” A product of the Spartans’ illustrious, team-oriented program, Griffin credits those around him for his success. Without the encouragement of coaches and teammates, he said he

wouldn’t have made it to where he is now. “It’s just incredible what the coaches do for me, and it’s also incredible what my teammates do for me,” he said. “They probably will never know how much they mean to me.” Currently sidelined by a stress fracture in his shin, Griffin is training on the bike and in the pool in preparation for the upcoming outdoor track season. Once healthy, he’ll look to put a defining stamp on his prep career. The goal, he said, is simple. “To win. That’s all I’m worried about, just win,” Griffin said. “I’m not necessarily worried about the time. I think a fast time will come with competition and attitude.”

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 • B17

ELMORE

CONTINUED from page B1 Jack Kline, Patrick Keim,” McMillan said. “All three of those guys, they couldn’t stand to lose.” All three of the aforementioned are playing in college after moving on from the Mountain Brook program, somewhere Elmore hopes to be in the future. Elmore’s goal of playing college basketball is certainly a far cry from where his athletic exploits began. As a child, football was the sport Elmore knew and loved. But during his time at Pizitz Middle School, his dad convinced him to give basketball a try. He started playing on the AAU circuit as a means of staying in shape outside of football. At that age, Elmore admits he was not a good shooter. He was wildly inconsistent and sought help from a few of his coaches. “They told me I had good form, but it was my touch,” Elmore said. “I worked on my touch all summer (following eighth grade).” A move to Trussville coincided with his ninth-grade year, and before Elmore knew it, he was a starter on Hewitt-Trussville High’s varsity basketball team. He rapidly ascended into the role of leading scorer for the Huskies. “It was pretty shocking,” he said. “I was kind of nervous because of how fast the game was.” The Huskies struggled in Elmore’s lone year there, but the minutes he played at the varsity level gave him an eye-opening view of his skill set relative to his peers. “It was a great experience to start, play a lot of minutes, see all the competition that’s around and see where I was personally compared to the people that could be going to college,” Elmore said. “Ever since then, I’ve just loved the sport.” Joining Mountain Brook’s basketball team as a sophomore required Elmore to think of the game a little differently. No longer was he the primary scoring threat, thanks to rising star Trendon Watford. Whether Elmore scored no points or 20 points was no longer a primary indicator of the team’s success. Defense became his top priority. “I’ve had games that I scored double ﬁgures, and I go in to watch ﬁlm, and the coaches are chewing me out,” Elmore said. “It’s about the

Basketball did not start out as Elmore’s ﬁrst love, but now his dream is to play at the college level. Photo by Todd Lester.

little details. I scored 20 points, but I gave up 20 points (defensively).” The devil is in the details, as the saying goes. When Elmore speaks of the things the Spartans need to improve, the obvious answers of “execution” or “making shots” are not what he refers to. He searches deeper than that. Gap control on defense and spacing on offense are the things he notices that the coaches are trying to get the team to improve upon. “One on one, you have to guard the person on the ball,” Elmore said of the defense. “You can’t go out and help because the more you help, the more the other team can just pass the

ball around and have everyone running around, getting tired, and get wide open shots.” Those details will make the difference in how far this year’s Mountain Brook team goes. Following three straight state title appearances — wins in 2013 and 2014 and a loss in 2015 — the Spartans were stunned by Gadsden City at regionals last year. Elmore thinks the team may have taken that game for granted. “They wanted to beat us very badly, probably more than we wanted to beat them. We thought it was going to be a cruise and a walk in the park. We looked up in the fourth quarter, and

we were down. After that, it was a little too late,” he said. Despite Mountain Brook’s impressive start in the season’s ﬁrst two months, the Spartans still have plenty to work on. “With this team being young and not that many being on varsity last year, it’s kind of a slow progress, but we’re getting there,” Elmore said. While young, the Spartans are extremely talented and possess the ability to play well together. If that progress continues, last year will not repeat itself. “We just don’t want that feeling again,” Elmore said. “We’ve got to keep working.”

B18 • February 2017

Village Living

valentine’s day gift guide

For the

DECORATOR Baccarat Crystal Oval Eye Vase $510 This vase features a wavelike design that creates a dazzling visual effect.

For the

Bromberg’s 2800 Cahaba Road 871-3276

For the

LOOK OF LOVE

PAINTER

OYOBox $135-300 Mini (up to 4 frames) or maxi (up to 8 frames). Store and organize eyeware in this luxury box. Schaeffer Eye Center 2000 Cahaba Road, Suite 100; and 2737 U.S. 280 870-3937; and 802-2020

Martin Senour Paints 15% off in February Give the person who loves to improve their space a can of quality paint to get started.

For the

Huffstutler’s 2732 Central Ave., Homewood 871-2121

14-carat Gold Diamond Arrow Necklace $400 Give someone special this elegant and striking necklace.

JEWELRY LOVER

Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers 2408 Canterbury Road 982-4888

For the

FRAGRANCE FANATIC Deluxe Scented Body Brush $32 “Lady Primrose” scent Village Poodle 2410 Canterbury Road 423-5443

For the

STYLISH VALENTINE

For the

ORGANIZED DIVA

Krewe “Orleans” Rose Gold Sunglasses $295 Let your valentine see la vie en rose.

Alison Evans Ceramics Small Oyster Plate $56 Hand molded and handmade in Maine. Use for stashing rings and earrings or at the table for salad, bread or tapas. Shown here in mint and charcoal. Available in other colors and sizes.

JJ Eyes 2814 18th St. S. 703-8596

Table Matters 2402 Montevallo Road 879-0125

For the For the

SILVER COLLECTOR Antique Silver Wine Holder $285 From England; many unique styles to choose from. Henhouse Antiques 1900 Cahaba Road 918-0505

BOHO BEAUTY Authentic Tapestry Carpet Bag $325 Various sizes and styles available. Paige Albright Orientals 2814 Petticoat Lane 877-3232

For your

HIDDEN GEM Riley and Marley Multi-Stone and Fringe Necklaces Starting at $38 In a variety of colors. Town and Country Clothes 74 Church St. 871-7909

For your

SWEETHEART Gold Heart Earrings $8 Gold plated; lead/nickel/cadmium free. Swoop 2721 Cahaba Road 803-0886

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 • B19

For the

SUITOR OF SCENTS

PERFECT PARAMOUR

Decorative Scented Drawer Liners $19 Make someone’s day every time they open a drawer.

Lilla Cuff Valentine’s gift event: With a minimum purchase of $100, receive the Lilla Cuff for $36 (60 percent off original price).

Christine’s on Canterbury 2423 Canterbury Road 871-6611

Ex Voto Vintage 2402 Canterbury Road 538-7301

For the

SPA LOVER Pink Himalayan Salt Bath Soak and Soak Gift Assortments and Baskets $7 to $30 Indulge your loved one with a spa-like treat. Spiro Salt Room 2828 Culver Road 445-0448

For the

KEY TO YOUR HEART Lucy Farmer - Sophie Necklace $26 This is one of a wide variety you can ﬁnd at Alabama Goods. Pick your favorite, long or short in length. Alabama Goods 2933 18th St. S., Homewood 803-3900

For the

SNUGGLER Faceplant Bamboo Long Sleeve Nightshirt $68 Shown in blush pink. Marguerite’s Conceits 2406 Canterbury Road 879-2730

For the

NATURAL DARLING Earthborn Pottery Vase Filled With Sprigs of Rosemary $24 to $36 Rosemary is a sign of remembrance for your loved one. Three sizes available. The Cook Store 2841 Cahaba Road 879-5277

B20 • February 2017

Village Living

Faith Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

Want to like other parents? Presume positive intent It happened when my daughter was 9, and I knew immediately by the look on her face that something was wrong. While the kids around her were all smiling and running — thrilled that school had ended early — she was trudging toward me with her shoulders slumped and a defeated expression. Before I could ask, my daughter told me that a girl in her class had invited all her friends except her to eat lunch down the street. Pointing over my shoulder, she showed me the pack, and my heart ached as I turned around and indeed saw all her friends giggling and huddled tight as they waltzed away together. As my daughter tried not to cry, the Mama Bear in me woke up. I was angry at this girl and her mom, and when my daughter said, “This makes me want to plan something and not include her,” part of me agreed. Deep down, however, I knew that was an immature reaction. And since I was the adult, I needed to think like one. So I took a deep breath and tried not to assume the worst. I didn’t know how this lunch had transpired, and trying to guess would be speculation. Rather than go there, I focused on comforting my daughter. I told her we’d do something special too, and maybe this was an oversight, not an intentional act of meanness. Maybe we should give this girl and her mom the beneﬁt of the doubt. My daughter can’t keep things in, so the next day at school, she told this girl that it hurt her feelings being left out. That afternoon, the girl’s mom texted me to ask if my daughter could

play at their house on Friday. At ﬁrst my daughter was hesitant, but as we talked about how this might be a peace offering, she agreed to go. When I texted the mom yes, saying my child could come, I got a long text back. The mom said she and her daughter felt awful about hurting my child’s feelings, and it honestly slipped her mind to include us when sending out a quick text the night before. I thanked her for letting me know, and on Friday my daughter went to their house and had a great time. The incident was put behind them. It occurred to me as I picked my daughter up ― and she came sprinting down the driveway laughing like old friends with this girl — how differently the situation could have played if I’d followed my knee-jerk reaction and let Mama Bear take over. It could have started a dynamic where the other mom and I started intentionally leaving each other’s daughters out. It could have stirred up division, anger and suspicion. It could have ruined any chance we had of ever really liking each other. Sadly, this dynamic happens often these days, and the ones who pay the biggest price are our kids, who learn to trust their worst assumptions and never develop the skills they need to resolve relationship conﬂict. I once asked a principal whom I met through my work with teenagers what advice he had for parents. After thinking a few seconds, he said this: Presume positive intent. One thing he often sees is people jumping to conclusions about the intentions of others without knowing the facts. He believes the media fosters this mindset by

constantly feeding us stories of incidents gone wrong that make us naturally suspicious. To presume positive intent, we have to retrain our minds to 1) not automatically assume the worst and 2) presume that people go into situations with positive intent. Do some parents act deliberately mean and malicious? Of course. I’m sure everyone has encountered some parents who intentionally target victims (children and adults), stir up suspicion and craft sneaky schemes. But in my opinion, parents like that are not the norm. They’re a small part of the population who make life harder than it has to be. Sometimes it’s hard to think clearly when our emotions get involved. Sometimes our imaginations run loose and head straight into UMSU mode. UMSU is shorthand for the University of Making Stuff Up. In my daughter’s case, the UMSU story could sound like this, “You know, I once saw that girl’s mom scowl at my daughter. Come to think of it, she’s scowled at me before too. I bet she’s still mad about that time in ﬁrst grade when our kids exchanged words on the playground. She’s probably trying to steal my daughter’s friends and make her feel all alone.” That is how a mind presumes negative intent. Here is how a mind presumes positive intent. “Maybe my daughter was left out by accident. I know I’ve certainly done that before. Maybe the mom is busy and tired like the rest of us, or she’s driving the girls somewhere and only has six seats in her car. Whatever the case, I won’t let it rufﬂe my feathers. I have bigger

things to worry about, and I can use this event to teach my daughter empathy for people who get left out on a regular basis.” Yes, some parents are untrustworthy, but many are not. Many parents just want to raise good kids and be good parents, not intentionally harm others. As parents we have a choice. We can let the bad apples we know (or hear about) taint our view of every parent, or we can presume the best until the evidence proves otherwise. We can parent with skepticism or parent with joy, seeking truth and not revenge when conﬂict does arise. That incident with my daughter turned out to be a blessing. She and I both learned invaluable lessons that have helped us in other relationships. There is always more to a story than what we see or hear, and the key to liking other parents is to parent with that in mind, replacing knee-jerk reactions with honest conversations that allow issues to be resolved, relationships to be saved, and kids to develop the social skills they need to succeed throughout their lives. Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, columnist and blogger for The Hufﬁngton Post. She has written two books for teen and tween girls, “LIKED: Whose Approval Are You Living For?” and “10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know,” that are available online and everywhere books are sold. You can join Kari’s Facebook community at “Kari Kampakis, Writer,” visit her blog at karikampakis.com or contact her at kari@karikampakis.com.

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 â&#x20AC;¢ B21

B22 • February 2017

Village Living

Calendar Emmet O’Neal Library Mondays: Toddler Tales. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. 24-36 months. Tuesdays: Together Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Kindergarten-second grade.

Feb. 16: Hot Off the Press. 6 p.m. Young Adults (seventh-12th grades) Feb. 4: Game On! 1-4 p.m.

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

Feb. 8: Teen Advisory Board. 5 p.m.

Wednesdays: Mother Goose Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. 12-24 months.

Feb. 8: MBHS Read Club. 6 p.m.

Wednesdays: Movers & Makers. 1:30 p.m. 3-5 years. Thursdays: Patty Cake Story Time. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. 0-12 months. Thursdays: SNaP. 3:30 p.m. Grades 3-6. Saturdays: Family Story Time with Mr. Mac. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 7: Family Night: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo. 5:30 p.m.

Adults Wednesdays: Brown Bag Lunch Series. Programs begin at 12:30 pm. Bring a sack lunch; beverages and dessert provided. Feb. 5: EOL and Birmingham Holocaust Education Center: Holocaust in Film series presents: The People vs. Fritz Bauer. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 13: Great Books discussion group. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14: The Bookies book group. 10 a.m.

Feb. 8: Etc.: Make Valentines for Children’s Hospital. 3 p.m.

Feb. 21: Genre Reading Group. Biographical Fiction. 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 13: STEAM Powered: Dissecting Frogs. 4 p.m.

Feb. 24-26: Annual Friends of the Library book sale.

Mountain Brook Athletics Feb. 3: Girls varsity basketball vs. ClayChalkville. 6 p.m. Feb. 4: Boys varsity basketball vs. ClayChalkville. 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 18: Girls softball vs. Walker. 5 p.m. Feb. 23: Girls softball @ Hayden. 5 p.m. Feb. 26-27: Girls softball - Homewood Round Robin. TBA.

Mountain Brook Events Feb. 4: Ecology of Alabama’s Native Plants. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Members $90, nonmembers, $100. Visit bbgardens.org. Feb. 11: Introduction to Plant Taxonomy/Classiﬁcation. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Members $90, nonmembers, $100. Visit bbgardens.org. Feb. 11 and 18: Memorable Images. 9 a.m. to noon. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. $100 members, $120 nonmembers. Visit bbgardens.org. Feb. 15: “How to Send Your Child to College Without Going Bankrupt.” 6 p.m. Brookwood Baptist Church. Presented by Philip Wilson of Wilson Financial Group. Sign up at churchrsvp.com. Feb. 15: “Mistakes 99% of Retirees Make When Applying for Social Security.” 6 p.m. Brookwood Baptist Church. Presented by Philip Wilson of Wilson Financial Group. Sign up at churchrsvp.com. Feb. 25: Introduction to the Study of Native Plants. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Members $90, nonmembers, $100. Visit bbgardens.org.

Area Events Feb. 2: Birmingham Art Crawl. 5-9 p.m. 113 22nd St. N. Meet local artists and performers and buy their work. Visit birminghamartcrawl.com. Feb. 2: UAB women’s basketball vs. UTEP. 7 p.m. Bartow Arena. $5, $3 ages 3-17, UAB students free with student ID. Visit uabsports.com. Feb. 2-4 “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” 7:30 p.m. RMTC Cabaret Theatre. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $19. Visit redmountaintheatre.org. Feb. 2-5, 9-10: Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. Virginia

VillageLivingOnline.com

February 2017 • B23

Area Events (cont.) Samford Theatre. $15-$35. Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Visit virginiasamfordtheatre.org. Feb. 3: Birmingham-Southern College basketball vs. Rhodes. Bill Battle Coliseum. $5 person. 18 and under free. Women at 6 p.m. Men at 8 p.m. Visit bscsports.net. Feb. 3: Dancing with the Stars: Live! BJCC Concert Hall. $49-$75. Visit dwtstour. com. Feb. 3-4: Alabama Symphony Orchestra EBSCO Masterworks Series. 8 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $25-$74. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Feb. 3-4 AHSAA Indoor Track & Field State Championships. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Birmingham CrossPlex. Visit ahsaa.com. Feb. 3-5 Davis Cup Tie. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Legacy Arena at the BJCC. Best of five match series. Tickets start at $30. Visit usta.com/daviscup. Feb. 4: Southeastern Outings Dayhike. Three-mile hike along the Locust Fork River from Swann Covered Bridge to Powell Falls. Meet at 9 a.m. Kmart Greensprings or 10 a.m. at Cleveland Chevron. Contact Francis Rushton at 290-5557. Feb. 4: Miles College vs. Tuskegee University basketball. Miles College. $10. Women at 1 p.m. Men at 3 p.m. Visit milesgoldenbears.com. Feb. 4: UAB women’s basketball vs. UTSA. 2 p.m. Bartow Arena. $5, $3 ages 3-17, UAB students free with student ID. Visit uabsports.com. Feb. 4 & 11: Einstein is a Dummy. 2:30 p.m. Birmingham Children’s Theatre. $15 children, $20 adults. Visit bct123.org. Feb. 4: Birmingham Winter Beer Festival. 3 p.m. BJCC Exhibition Halls. $40-$85. Visit bhambeerfest.com. Feb. 4: Beaker Bash: Are We There Yet? McWane Science Center. 5 p.m. $50-$150. Visit mcwane.org. Feb. 5: Birmingham-Southern College basketball vs. Hendrix. Bill Battle Coliseum. $5 person. 18 and under free. Women at 1 p.m. Men at 3 p.m. Visit bscsports.net. Feb. 5: Southeastern Outings Dayhike. 1 p.m. Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. 3.4 mile hike. Depart from the Ruffner Road Ballfields Trail Head. Contact David Shepherd at 205-240-4681. Feb. 9: Vocalosity. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $28-$48. Visit alysstephens.org. Feb. 9: UAB men’s basketball vs. Charlotte. 7 p.m. Bartow Arena. $5, $3 ages 3-17, UAB students free with student ID. Visit uabsports.com. Feb. 9-11: The Miss Firecracker Contest. 8 p.m. Theatre Downtown. $12-$18. Visit theatredowntown.org. Feb. 10: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Sound Edge Festival. 7:30 p.m. Iron City Birmingham. $16. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Feb. 10-12: O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. BJCC Exhibition Halls. 3-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. $18 adult, $5 ages 6-11, 5 and under: free. Visit worldofwheels.net. Feb. 11: Alabama Wildlife Center’s Wild About Chocolate. The Harbert Center. 6 p.m.13th annual Valentine gala benefiting the Alabama Wildlife Center. Live music and live and silent auctions. $75 per person in advance, $100 at door. Visit awrc.org. Feb. 11-12: Mercedes Marathon. 9 a.m. Saturday, Regions Superhero 5K, 10 a.m. The Bell Center EIP Children’s Run, 11 a.m. Kids Marathon. Sunday, 7:03 a.m. Marathon, half marathon and marathon relay begin. Visit mercedesmarathon.com. Feb. 11: UAB men’s basketball vs. Old Dominion. 7 p.m. Bartow Arena. $5, $3 ages 3-17, UAB students free with student ID. Visit uabsports.com.

Feb. 12: The Warblers: Love at the Lyric. 2:30 p.m. Lyric Theatre. $15-$25. Visit etix.com. Feb. 14: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster & Friends Series. 7:30 p.m. WorkPlay. $16. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Feb. 16-17: SWAC Indoor Track & Field Championship. Birmingham CrossPlex. 8 a.m.5 p.m. Visit swac.org. Feb. 16: UAB women’s basketball vs. Marshall. 7 p.m. Bartow Arena. $5, $3 ages 3-17, UAB students free with student ID. Visit uabsports.com. Feb. 16: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Sound Edge Festival. 7:30 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $16. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Feb. 16-19: The Green Book. RMTC Cabaret Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $15. Visit redmountaintheatre.org. Feb. 16-19: Birmingham Home and Garden Show. BJCC Exhibition Halls. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. $3-$11, kids 5 and younger, free. Visit birminghamhomeandgardenshow.com. Feb. 18-19: Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championship. Birmingham CrossPlex. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit conferenceusa.com. Feb. 18: Southeastern Outings Dayhike. 10 a.m. Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. 5.8 mile hike. Depart 10 a.m. from Publix at Lee Branch. Feb. 18: Birmingham-Southern College basketball vs. Millsaps. Bill Battle Coliseum. $5 person. 18 and under free. Women at 1 p.m. Men at 3 p.m. Visit bscsports.net. Feb. 18: UAB women’s basketball vs. WKU. 2 p.m. Bartow Arena. $5, $3 ages 3-17, UAB students free with student ID. Visit uabsports. com. Feb. 18: Alabama Symphony Orchestra Sound Edge Festival. 7:30 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $16. Visit alabamasymphony.org. Feb. 20-21: Sun Belt Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship. Birmingham CrossPlex. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit conferenceusa.com. Feb. 20: Wild Kratts Live! 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Alabama Theatre. $43-$98. Visit facebook. com/wildkrattsofﬁcial. Feb. 21-22: STOMP. 7:30 p.m. BJCC Concert Hall. $30-$60. Visit theatreleague.com/Birmingham. Feb. 22: Southeastern Outings Weekday Hike. 9 a.m. Cahaba-Irondale River Walk. Depart from Sam’s Club in Irondale. Contact 205529-2253. Feb. 22-23: Southland Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship. Birmingham CrossPlex. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit conferenceusa.com. Feb. 22-26 Theatre UAB presents “The Real Inspector Hound.” Alys Stephens Center. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $12-$15, $6 students, $10 UAB employees and senior citizens. Visit alysstephens.org. Feb. 23: Yellowjackets. 7 p.m. Alys Stephens Center. $42.50. Visit alysstephenscenter.org. Feb. 24-25: American Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship. Birmingham CrossPlex. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit conferenceusa.com. Feb. 24-26: “Once: The Musical.” BJCC Concert Hall. 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. $30-$60. Visit theatreleague. com/Birmingham. Feb. 24-26: Birmingham RV Super Show. BJCC Exhibition Halls. Friday, 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $10, children 2 and under, free. Visit bkproductions.biz.