Village Living January 2023

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

of Mountain Brook. They include infrastructure and recreation improvements, along with drainage, sidewalk and bridge projects. Here is a more in-depth look at each of them:

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

According to Mountain Brook City Manager Sam Gaston, there will be plenty of infrastructure improvements in the city in 2023, much like in 2022.

“We have a lot of infrastructure projects that we are doing and are looking forward to a lot of them being completed in the next fiscal year of the following year,” Gaston said.

Gaston said he hopes by late summer or early fall of 2023 to start the roundabout projects in Mountain Brook Village that have been discussed for a while. This will be a 12- to 16-month project, and the work may be done at night.

Jefferson County has two big sewer projects, one in Mountain Brook Village, which is set to take place May through July. The other is on the west side of Crestline and should take place June through November, Gaston said.

RECREATION IMPROVEMENTS

Shanda Williams, parks and recreation superintendent for the city of Mountain Brook, said a renovation was recently completed at the athletic complex at Mountain Brook High School, which was originally built over 30 years ago and

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Each year, the O’Neal Library selects an individual or group to recognize for their meaningful and devoted service to the city of Mountain Brook, and especially the library.

The Friends of the O’Neal Library will be presented with the Tynes Award for 2023.

The award is presented by the O’Neal Library Board and the Mountain Brook Library Foundation.

This award was named in honor of William “Bill” Tynes Jr., who served on the Mountain Brook Library Board from 2000 to 2008, as chairman from 2003 to 2008, and on the Mountain Brook City Council from 1988 to 1996. In each position, Tynes strongly advocated for the O’Neal Library and acknowledged the importance of a love of reading and learning.

The city is partnering with the nonprofit Friends of Jemison Park to help fund projects for Jemison Park including re-routing the concrete trail to higher ground as well as widening it and paving it with asphalt.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

Ginger Hopper, the intake coordinator for the Friends of the Library group with Mountain Brook’s O’Neal Library, shelves a selection of donated history books in the basement at the library. The Friends of the Library group is the recipient of the 2022 Tynes Award. Photo by Erin Nelson.

healthy new year!

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About Us

Publisher’s Note By Dan Starnes

The start of a new year for many of us means new resolutions. We sit down, and we think about all the ways that we want to get better this year.

We might want to lose weight. We might want to eat better. We might want to exercise more.

Maybe we want to watch less TV. Maybe we want to spend less time on our phones, stop smoking. The list goes on.

One thing that I've discovered over the last few years is instead of just deciding the thing that I want to start or stop doing, I can assign a target number to the goal for the year to create a roadmap.

I started this after a friend of mine told me that he set his annual workout goal by the number of workouts for the year, not by saying, “I will workout x times per week.” For example, working out 200 times in a year might be more achievable than saying, “I

will work out four days per week.”

Once I started this technique about four years ago, I was able to make progress in my workout goals like I never had before. The reason for this is that when I “fall off the wagon” for a short time, I’m still in the game. Instead of quitting on the annual goal, like many times in the past, I know where I stand in reference to the big goal, and I can pick up and still try to hit it.

When I start out the year with vigor and determination, I can usually set a pace that puts me ahead of target for a while. This makes it a lot easier to hit the number for the year.

I also have had several of the same activities as goals for about five years in a row, and I continue to make progress. Some have taken root more than others, but I have made progress with all of them.

If you have had trouble setting and achieving personal goals, a.k.a. resolutions, try this technique and see if it works as well for you as it has for me.

Please Support Our Community Partners

Advanced Turf Care - Gardner (A7)

Alabama Power (A19)

Alabama Vision Center (A10)

Always Best Care: ABC Senior Services (A13, A29)

Amy Smith Gardner, State Farm (A7)

Ascension St. Vincent’s Health Systems (A23)

Barringer CPA (A25)

Bates, Roberts, Fowlkes & Jackson Insurance (A18)

Bedzzz Express (A2)

Bromberg’s (A26)

Camp Mondamin & Camp Green Cove (A32)

Campfire Woodfuel (A1)

Canterbury Gardens (A28)

Elle (A22)

Floss Family Dentistry Crestline (A25)

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Gardner Landscaping (A5)

Guin Service (A1)

Gunn Dermatology (A14)

Harbin Discount Pharmacy (A7)

Homewood Carpet & Flooring (A10)

Issis & Sons (A5)

Katie Crommelin, Ray & Poynor (A27)

Linscomb & Williams (A11)

Mr. Handyman of Birmingham (A12)

Oakworth Capital Bank (A15)

OLLI - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (A9)

One Man & A Toolbox (A8)

Opera Birmingham (A28)

Parrot Structural Services LLC (A29)

Piggly Wiggly (A17)

Publix (A31)

Ritch’s Pharmacy (A24)

ROME Study, UAB Division of Preventative Medicine (A22)

Southern Home Structural Repair Specialists (A8)

Southern States Bank (A12)

SouthState Bank (A9)

The Altamont School (A27)

The Fitness Center (A6)

TherapySouth Corporate (A3)

Vapor Ministries/Thrift Store (A16)

Virginia Samford Theatre (A26)

Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (A24)

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Contact Information: Village Living P.O. Box 530341 Birmingham, AL 35253 (205) 313-1780 dan@starnesmedia.com

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

Published by: Village Living LLC

Legals: Village Living is published monthly. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited. Village Living is designed to inform the Mountain Brook community of area school, family and community events. Information in Village Living is gathered from sources considered reliable but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. All articles/photos submitted become the property of Village Living. We reserve the right to edit articles/photos as deemed necessary and are under no obligation to publish or return photos submitted. Inaccuracies or errors should be brought to the attention of the publisher at (205) 313-1780 or by email.

Please recycle this paper.

Window World of Central Alabama (A17)

The Spartan cheerleaders lead the Mountain Brook football team during the Spartan Walk as they make their way into Jordan-Hare Stadium for the Class 6A state championship game against Saraland in Auburn on Dec. 1.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

CityCouncil discusses report on a first responders foundation

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.

Calling them Mountain Brook’s “insurance policy,” Councilman Gerald Garner said he wants to make sure an organization designed to support police and firefighters doesn’t ever have the opposite impact.

Vince Schilleci gave a report during the pre-council meeting of the Mountain Brook City Council on Dec. 12 about efforts to create a first responders foundation. He said a foundation would “lessen the burden of government” when it comes to supporting first responders who have a need.

Garner expressed concern that someday, someone could opt not to provide appropriate support for the police and fire departments, choosing instead to rely on the foundation.

“Let’s help the first responders that have a medical emergency, a family emergency, something like that,” Garner said. “What I want to make sure it stays away from is … all of a sudden somebody 15, 20, 30 years from now may say, ‘Listen, we don’t need to give the police and the fire this piece of equipment. Let’s push it to the foundation.’

“Let’s help them in emergencies. Let’s help them in dire situations. Let’s set up scholarships for their children,” the councilman continued. “But what I don’t want is to have a couple of people come down the road and say, ‘We don’t need to budget

this much for the police and fire. Just let the foundation do it.’ I don’t want that at all. We should definitely continue as a city to support these guys as much as we can.”

Schilleci, an attorney, said language in the organizing document should prevent Garner’s fear from coming to fruition. The foundation was described as a means to support individual police and firefighters, not the departments as a whole.

The council received an update

from William Thomas of Schoel Engineering on several drainage projects in the city. Council members repeated their wish to be holistic in their approach to the situation and not simply push the problem downstream. Thomas said Mountain Brook is not alone on this matter.

“Vestavia Hills is doing the same thing. Homewood is doing the same thing. Everybody’s kind of in the same situation,” he said. “We’re

trying to increase the lifespan of that existing infrastructure. You can’t do this chasing your tail by continuing to upgrade pipes and things like that.”

In other matters:

► Dean Nix was reappointed to the Parks/Recreation Board.

► Nathan Currie of Sain Associates gave an update on design funding options for the Montclair Road sidewalk project.

► A proposal with Brasher Design Studio for the Brookwood

Field improvements on the conceptual master plan were approved, subject to possible modifications. Approval was also given for the Crestline Tot Lot design and construction documents.

► Mayor Stewart H. Welch III presented a resolution recognizing Mike Mouron for his service on the planning commission. Welch also presented a proclamation declaring Mountain Brook a human trafficking -free zone.

► Senior Planner Tyler Slaten presented a proposal for a revised and updated tree protection ordinance. The proposal will be considered as the city gets set to make its application to Tree City USA.

► Municipal Judge KC Hairston administered the oath of office to Magistrate Supervisor Breanna Dunn.

► The council adopted a resolution approving the sidewalk café and hold harmless agreement for Lady Bird Taco at 300 Rele St.

► The council approved executing a service contract with ETC Institute for the city’s resident survey. The survey will be done later than normal to allow more time to assess garbage pickup by AmWaste.

► Conditional use was granted for Family Expeditions, LLC and Anglers Worldwide, LLC, at 129 Oak St.

The next regular meeting of the council will be 7 p.m. on Jan. 9.

Council members Gerald Garner and Lloyd Shelton discuss a first responders organization during the Dec. 12 council meeting. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Mayor’s Minute By Stewart Welch III

Even in tragedies, you can find blessings if you look hard enough. In November, one of Mountain Brook’s iconic buildings was destroyed by fire. I have known Henry Ray for decades. I remember when he started his real estate business in the seventies. Later he was joined by Wilmer Poynor and in 1991. They built the Ray & Poynor building, which became an iconic landmark that welcomed residents and visitors as they entered Mountain Brook Village from U.S. 280.

Henry called me and spoke of how appreciative he was of our community’s support. I asked him if he would share his story:

“For everyone associated with Ray & Poynor, the loss of our building has been devastating. We lost “things” and “some memories” and a “place to conduct business.” However, the best thing about all this is that no one was hurt — Realtors with Ray & Poynor and all the people that made efforts to save the building.

“We are most grateful to have had this place to conduct business — a place for which we built an identity with the community. We have watched thousands of cars go by for decades — some folks would wave or blow their horns to say hello.

“We are overwhelmed by the amount of

community support — emails, letters (to our homes), phone calls, texts, visits; all offering prayer, thoughts, support, and appreciation of the building and its location.

“The Mountain Brook Fire Department, Mountain Brook Police Department, the City, and the Evans Group have all been more than accommodating. Also, the Vestavia and Homewood Fire Departments came to help save the building.

“I personally have been involved with the Mountain Brook Fire Department most significantly — Fire Chief Mullins and Chief Battalion Rhudy and all of the firemen associated with this fire. They not only tried desperately to save our building — they have continued to care about us after the fire. Certainly, they know their job and do it thoroughly; they are true professionals. But, the care element is an added benefit to all of us knowing they are daily looking after our safety.

“We are all so blessed to live in this community.”

Chamber of Commerce announces

2022 Diamond Award recipients

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Junior League of Birmingham President Martina Winston, who was the chamber’s Diamond Award recipient for Citizen of the Year in 2021, was the guest speaker at this year’s awards presentation on Dec. 1.

Winston shared about volunteerism and the importance of giving back to the community. Growing up in the South Side of Chicago, she said her greatest mentor was her grandfather. She admired him from a very young age and said he was always doing service for others.

“I never know why he'd drag me to events,” Winston said. “All I wanted to do was stay home and play, but he would say there were other kids who needed help. That instilled in me the power of giving. You never know how one small moment will impact someone else. I saw the beauty and compassion and care my grandfather was able to provide to others.”

She said the reason she finds it's so important to give back is because there were men and women and community leaders that supported her growing up and she wants to do the same for others.

Winston said her grandfather told her before he passed away that whatever you do, make sure you do the things that are most important–the things that truly add value and have an impact.

“You never know what other people are going through, or what someone else’s story is,” Winston said.

Winston said she isn’t involved in so many volunteer efforts for recognition or awards, but simply because God has asked her to ensure she gives of herself as he did for us.

“As you are doing things within your community, make sure that it's intentional; that you're doing it with purpose and have an impact,” she said.

The chamber presented the Diamond Awards during the luncheon, honoring those organizations and individuals who help make Shelby County the best place to live and do business in the state.

A total of 17 individuals or groups received nominations based on:

► How they have made a positive difference in the county or a specific municipality

► Significant accomplishments achieved by them

► How the organization or individual has improved the county or a specific municipality

2022 DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS

► Citizen of the Year: Lisa Strickland Davis, chair of Columbiana Beautification Board

► Nonprofit org of the year: Alabama Wildlife Center

► Public servant of the Year (two winners): Lewis Brooks, superintendent of Shelby County Schools, and Ali Payne, manager of community and senior services for the city of Columbiana

What if you want to talk to a real person?

What if you’re not sure you have the right coverage for your car? What if you want to talk to a real person about it? I’ll answer your questions and help you make sure your coverage is just what you need. Call, click or stop in for a quote today.

Stewart Welch III

NOW OPEN

homeRN, a concierge caregiving service, is excited to announce the opening of their office in Crestline providing services to Mountain Brook, Vestavia and Homewood. homeRN cares for clients in the comfort of their homes and offers a wide range of caregiver and nursing services including helping with daily living activities, sitting services and communication between physicians and family members.

205-644-2906, homeRNcare.com

Gunn Dermatology recently opened their second location in Mountain Brook. The new location is in the Lane Parke shopping center and offers care for all ages and specializes in medical, surgical, cosmetic, and laser dermatology.

(205) 415-7536, gunndermatology.com

RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS

Rheumatology Associates, P.C. has relocated their offices to 12 Office Circle in Mountain Brook. They are specialists in auto-immune and inflammatory diseases. They have 13 providers and offer on-site infusion services. 205-933-0320, alrheumatology.com

Business news to share? If you have news to share with the community about a business in Mountain Brook, let us know at villagelivingonline.com/about-us

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Regions, with offices at 2721 Culver Road, 35 Church St. and 1642 Montclair Road, has been designated as a 2023 Military Friendly Employer and 2023 Military Spouse Friendly Employer by Military Friendly, an organization that measures the commitment of companies to create professional opportunities that leverage military experience. Regions established a career transition program called BRAVE — Building Regions Associate Veteran Experience — specifically for the purpose of supporting veterans and military spouses during their transitions to the civilian workforce. The bank is also a member of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, a Department of Defense career program connecting military spouses with hundreds of member employers who commit to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses. Further, Regions works with the national program Hiring Our Heroes, which helps connect transitioning service members and their families with career opportunities. regions.com

Waverly Advisors, formerly WA Asset Management, recently announced the acquisition of Sandifer Wealth Management of Mobile, marking its fourth location in the state. This will be Waverly’s ninth office in the southeast, as the firm looks to continue its expansion moving into the new year. Waverly Advisors Birmingham firm serves Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Hoover, and other surrounding areas. 205-871-3334, waverly-advisors.com

Earlier this month, Avadian Credit Union announced the formation of the Avadian Foundation and awarded the first grants to organizations in the state of Alabama that are addressing needs in four key areas identified as the focus for the Foundation. Avadian has 12 locations throughout the Birmingham-metro area. 205-437-3696, avadiancu.com

PERSONNEL MOVES

Dr. Kelsey McCluskey, an optometrist, and Dr. Jessica Duddleston, an ophthalmologist, have joined the staff of the Alabama Vision Center, which operates at 7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Suite 203, in Hoover and 3928 Montclair Road in Mountain Brook. McCluskey’s clinical services include: comprehensive routine eye care, treatment and management of ocular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, dry eyes, glaucoma, and binocular vision disorders. McCluskey also fits specialty contact lenses, including scleral lenses and orthokeratology lenses for myopia control. Duddleston is a comprehensive ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, laser eye procedures, medical and surgical glaucoma, diabetic eye exams, and macular degeneration, among other things. 205-991-2021, alabamavisioncenter.com

Birmingham Region President Brian Ethridge is pleased to announce that Lee Riley has joined River Bank & Trust as Senior Vice President. Riley, a past baseball commissioner for Mountain Brook Athletics, will serve as a private banker and relationship manager, providing tailored financial solutions to high-net-worth individuals and professionals throughout the area.

riverbankandtrust.com

ANNIVERSARIES

Paige Albright Orientals is celebrating 15 years in business.

205-877-3232, paigealbrightorientals.com

Crestline Dentistry is celebrating 15 years in business. 205-870-5700, crestlinedentistry.com

Ashford Hill for Henhouse Antiques in English Village is celebrating 25 years in business.

205-918-0505, henhouseantiques.com

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Alabama

wide variety of intellectually stimulating, non-credit courses

learning opportunities designed for adults “50 and better”. A year-round, member-centered and member-led program, OLLI provides opportunities to learn new things, make friends, travel, and embrace life. Offering educational courses as well as entertainment through classes, bonus sessions, field trips, socials, special events, and travel, OLLI courses cover a wide range of topics and are taught by volunteers who share their knowledge and passions. You’ll find no homework, no grades and no required degrees - just learning for fun! Classes offered in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Gadsden. For questions or information about joining OLLI, call the OLLI Office at 205-348-6482 or email us at olli@ccs.ua.edu

By SARAH GILLILAND

Tonya Jones’s love for the people and the community of Mountain Brook prompted her to become an “accidental restaurateur.”

“When I was approached to buy this restaurant, it was like, ‘Do I really want to get into the restaurant business?,’ but then a bigger part of me was like, ‘I have to. I have to save a restaurant that is a staple in this community,’” Jones told Village Living.

The restaurant in question has been known by many names. Most recently, it was Bobby Carl’s Table and Evelyn’s Southern Fare. After the purchase of the space by Jones and her husband, the restaurant is now called “Civitas.”

“Within my core, I love leadership,” Jones said. “I love helping people reach their full potential. It’s about great food. It’s serving people. It’s really just business 101. Civitas means ‘for the citizens.’ I bought the restaurant for the citizens. I bought it to keep a staple restaurant here. I wasn’t brought up in the restaurant industry. I’m not a trained chef, but if I can run a hair salon, I can run a restaurant.”

Jones said that the team started their endeavor by looking at the menu from Bobby Carl’s and Evelyn’s to find inspiration for their new menu of “contemporary, southern cuisine.”

“We have everything from a Conecuh sausage corn dog to pimento cheese to a great snapper dish and a filet mignon,” said Jones. “We’re going to start adding more salads, more sandwiches and adding some really cool things that people remember from the places that were here before.”

Saturday brunch features Jones’s own homemade buttermilk biscuit recipe. She believes that by creating dishes that people really want, the citizens of Mountain Brook will get excited to return to a space that holds nostalgic memories.

“We have committed to this corner space in front of us, and we want to start serving coffee

and small pastries and giving people a place to come and work during the day. You’ll also be able to get sandwiches and salads and soups and a cocktail or glass of wine during lunch, before rolling right on into happy hour specials and tapas and the restaurant for evening dining and event space,” Jones said.

“I would describe Civitas as contemporary American. We’re going to have a little bit of everything on our menu. You’re going to see pasta come up on the menu. You’ll see tacos

show up on the menu. It’ll just be a little bit for everyone,” she said.

Jones tells Village Living that their team and restaurant are available for private events and catering.

“With our space and technology, you can have [anything from] a breakfast meeting or a lunch meeting to a bridal shower or a baby shower. We rent it by the room or you can rent the whole space. We want to make it easy for everyone,” she said.

She said the beauty of her work is seeing people’s excitement when they leave the salon after a haircut or a facial, but now she also gets to see the excitement from customers when they eat great food.

“The joy of that fills my cup,” she said.

Civitas is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., happy hour from 2:30 to 6 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information and the most current menu, visit civitasbham.com.

Above: Guests dine for lunch at Civitas in Mountain Brook’s English Village on Dec. 6. Inset: The pimento cheese appetizer. Photos by Erin Nelson.

A tool to put families back together

By CANDICE N. HALE

Mountain Brook native Liz Read knows all about being in the trenches and fighting to support her own family post substance-abuse treatment. Now, she’s created a Birmingham-based company, clearMINDnow, to help put trust back in other families.

According to The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 4 million people in the U.S. suffered with substance use disorders in 2019, which includes abuse of alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, opioids or any other drugs.

Read explained that with drug-related deaths on the rise, communities have to come together and take an all-in approach.

“It starts by realizing behavioral health is connected to mental health and the truth is, you never know when a physical or emotional trauma could put you or a loved one at risk for an unintended dependency,” Read said. “Mental health and well-being affect all families, directly or indirectly. It is one of the great equalizers.”

With the aid of Read’s clearMINDnow, families can offer their loved ones a way to monitor drug use through dignified drug testing that is quick, easy and digital, and to share results in convenient steps. In addition, individuals can link their therapist, counselor, case manager or loved ones to the app, but soon they will have other resources that provide peer support in 2023. As long as the individual has a smartphone and access to Wi-Fi, then they can subscribe to the program.

Read recognizes that often it’s inconvenient (and expensive) to have lab testing, and it can be uncomfortable to ask a loved one to take a drug test.

“There is an easier way to have accountability when loved ones are trying to put their life back together,” Read said. “The family can gain trust in their loved one and the individual can trust the test.”

The test is a 99% accurate saliva test. In the

“ ”

12-test panel, the individual will be screened for alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, buprenorphine, cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana (THC), methadone, methamphetamine, opiates and oxycodone.

ClearMINDnow has processed 300 tests since

LIZ READ

company because families need to understand that they are not alone and substance use disorders are more common than they realize.

“We want to help uncover reuse earlier so they can get help earlier, because oftentimes relapse happens in silence,” she said. “This app is important for families and individuals because it provides balanced and innovative accountability while also rebuilding trust and relationships.”

Addiction affects families in so many ways, but there are solutions available. Read has provided one approach to solving the problem.

October 2022 in and around Birmingham. As the product launches across the state, Read mentioned partnering with Foundry Ministries and The Lovelady Center in an effort to help even more people stay in recovery.

She is excited about the launch of her

“We want people to get the right help—we are not the magic solution,” she said. “We are a tool and you monitor the symptoms. We want people to get therapeutic help for their recovery.”

Visit clearmindnow.com for more information.

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Left, Mountain Brook native Liz Read is the founder of clearMINDnow. Right, an example of someone using the drug testing kit and showing their results via a smartphone. Photos courtesy of Direct Communications.

This app is important for families and individuals because it provides balanced and innovative accountability while also rebuilding trust and relationships.

A game changer in pregnancy care

By CANDICE N. HALE

Dr. Andrew Housholder, an emergency physician from Mountain Brook, is changing the face of pregnancy in Birmingham with the opening of his new practice, The Morning Sickness Clinic.

With a team of registered nurses, Housholder treats patients for morning sickness and other pregnancy-related issues, including nausea, vomiting, dehydration, vitamin replacement, electrolyte replacement and nutritional status. The clinic only takes care of the patients’ nausea and vomiting, while their obstetrician or midwife continues to handle the pregnancy.

While morning sickness is common in pregnancies across the U.S., pregnant women can experience moments that are uncomfortable and traumatizing. Householder explained, “80% of pregnant patients experience nausea, 50% experience vomiting and 20% have to be put on medications for hyperemesis gravidarum (HG).”

According to the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation, “HG is defined as a potentially life-threatening pregnancy disease that may cause weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration and debility due to severe nausea and/ or vomiting, and may cause long-term health issues for mother and baby(ies).”

Housholder added that many pregnant patients are not fully aware if they are experiencing severe morning sickness or HG. However, his clinic can provide a HELP (HyperEmesis Level Prediction) Score to determine a patient’s symptom severity.

“As an ER physician, I see some of the most difficult hyperemesis cases,” he said. “They get so bad off and wait until it worsens and come to the emergency room. I did this to fill in the gap so pregnant patients don’t have to suffer at home any longer.”

The Morning Sickness Clinic provides IV fluid infusions and medications that pregnant patients cannot receive from an Ob-gyn clinic

or midwife. Patients should expect to stay for two hours for a full treatment plan. With a spalike atmosphere, comfortable chairs, a relaxing vibe and Wi-Fi, patients can feel at ease.

“Some pregnant patients need the services until they deliver the baby — 18-20 weeks is common — but some may need it throughout the entire pregnancy,” Housholder said.

Housholder said the benefits of this clinic are long overdue. The narrative in society is that morning sickness is something that naturally occurs during pregnancy and that “you should just deal with it.” However, the problems that arise include pregnant patients who vomit 15 to 30 times a day and cannot get out of bed, go to work or cope with life.

“We can get them on a regularly scheduled nausea medicine, to a place where they can cope, and get them back to work. It’s very

Amber Lee sits in a chair as she receives an IV transfusion while speaking with Dr. Andrew Housholder about her symptoms during a visit at the Morning Sickness Clinic of Birmingham on Dec. 8. Housholder works with women who have hyperemesis gravidarum, a genetic disorder that contributes to severe morning sickness and weight loss during pregnancy. Photo by Erin Nelson.

life-changing,” Housholder said.

Currently, The Morning Sickness Clinic has 12 patients. They seek treatment once to twice a week. Housholder is here to let pregnant patients know that they can call the clinic and see a physician “to feel better and feel functional.”

Housholder said that pregnancy patients shouldn’t be suffering.

“This isn’t normal — we should treat morning sickness and HG aggressively,” he said. “These patients need our attention.”

The Morning Sickness Clinic is the only clinic in the nation that offers these services. For more information visit morningsickness clinic.com.

Helping provide seniors and disabled

with ‘an excellent quality of life’

JENNIFER

When family members must provide care for their aging or disabled loved ones, the choices they face can be overwhelming.

Fortunately, there’s a trusted home-care company in Mountain Brook that can help.

Always Best Care delivers high-quality caregiving services to seniors and disabled people in the home, as well as in senior living communities or other facilities.

“I understand what families go through in this type of situation, and I’m very passionate that seniors and disabled people have an excellent quality of life,” said Jennifer Mancuso, Always Best Care owner and president.

“I love getting to know the families and helping to provide solutions to their needs,” she said.

The employees at Always Best Care provide a wide array of services, such as bathing, vital sign monitoring, medication reminders, meal preparation, companionship, transportation and incontinence care.

The company seeks to provide the best in-home care services in the area, and it sets “a very high bar” for its employees, Mancuso said.

“We work hard to identify and recruit the most qualified and experienced caregivers in Birmingham,” she said.

A Nashville native, Mancuso attended Duke University and Millsaps College earning an undergraduate degree in business. She opened the local franchise of Always Best Care in 2013 after working as a senior manager with leading clinical and health management service companies.

The company takes a “concierge approach” to working with clients, Mancuso said. Upon being contacted by a potential client, the Clinical Services Director (who is also a Registered Nurse) and the company’s Sales and Services Director work together to create a customized client care plan.

When Always Best Care begins providing care to a client, one of the company’s office staff professionals goes to the client’s home to introduce them to each new caregiver. “I don’t think another agency in town does caregiver introductions, but we take this extra step to smooth the entrance of the caregiver into the family’s home,” Mancuso said. “The warm introduction also ensures that the caregiver fully understands all aspects of the care plan.”

individuals,

MANCUSO, ALWAYS BEST CARE

► WHERE: 6 Office Park Circle, Suite 315, Mountain Brook, AL 35223

► CALL: 205-874-9730

► WEBSITE: alwaysbestcare.com/al/birmingham

“At the beginning of the first shift, the staff member introduces the caregiver to the client, reviews the care plan and answers any questions and makes sure we get off to a good start,” Mancuso said. “If it doesn’t look like it’s going to be a great match between the client and the caregiver, then we know that immediately and can change things around.”

The members of the company’s clinical team continue to make regular home visits to ensure the client is healthy and happy and that the care plan is being followed, and the care plan is typically updated at least every 90 days, Mancuso said.

“We also engage with family members and other health care providers to keep them informed about a client’s health and well-being,” she said.

“Many of our clients have family members in other states who are not able monitor the daily activities of their loved ones. We can provide another set of eyes and ears about the wellbeing of the client,” Mancuso said. “Even in-town family members who are very involved with their parents appreciate that we will let them know should we notice something amiss in the home.”

For example, Always Best Care employees will notice if a patient’s feet are swelling or if he or she is not eating properly or bathing regularly.

“We have a hard-working team who cares about our clients. We are very involved in our clients’ lives and we also are engaged with the client’s family members,” Mancuso said.

In early 2023, the company plans to roll out an in-home, artificial intelligence monitoring system. The product will allow Always Best Care to combine top-quality, in-person service and virtual remote support providing 24/7 services and client monitoring by the world’s first virtual care agent. The system is an exciting project for the company and their clients who are interested in participating as it will allow clients who are not able to afford around-the-clock care to still receive 24/7 monitoring.

“The system is designed to flag anomalies before they become

serious problems, allow clients to age in place and avoid frequent hospital visits,” Mancuso said.

In addition, Always Best Care provides more than just caregiving services. The company helps its clients identify “other valuable resources in the community that can help families,” Mancuso said.

These resources include companies or organizations that provide hospice care, skilled nursing, case management, senior placement services, estate planning and other financial services. There are also organizations that will send nurses or nurse practitioners to a home so that an elderly person can get a checkup without going to the doctor's office, Mancuso said.

Unlike many other local homecare companies, Always Best Care is fully accredited and is the only company in Alabama to be accredited by both the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare and the National Association for Homecare and Hospice, according to Mancuso.

Always Best Care, with 180 employees, is also “one of our franchise company’s fastest-growing agencies in the United States,” she said.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Always Best Care has broadened its range of services by providing staffing work in area hospitals, “There is a workplace shortage of employees, and we will fill the gaps so that they will have sufficient staff,” Mancuso said.

Always Best Care continually strives to provide the highest quality of service. “We routinely survey our clients, as well as our employees, to ensure that they are extremely satisfied with Always Best Care,” Mancuso said. “Any identified issues are swiftly remedied. We are constantly working to improve our protocols.”

Her work at Always Best Care is very gratifying for Mancuso.

“I feel like we are doing something good every day,” she said. “In this field, you can make a positive contribution to another person’s life. I sold software and consulting services in the past. You don’t get the same sense of accomplishment from selling software.”

Mancuso stays active in her community by supporting Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, the Parkinson’s Association, the Tanner Foundation, Encore Community Respite Ministry and the Mountain Brook Police Department.

Supporting patients every step of the way in their skin journey

DR. HOLLY GUNN, GUNN DERMATOLOGY

Even as a young child, Dr. Holly Gunn longed to help people. Gunn’s interest in healthcare started in high school when she worked in an emergency room and helped save lives. “I really felt like I was a big part of the team,” Gunn said. “Helping people made me feel better about myself and gave me purpose.”

Her high school dreams transformed into her lifelong calling. As a board-certified dermatologist, Gunn has more than 13 years of experience diagnosing and treating skin conditions. She is the founder and CEO of Gunn Dermatology, a fullservice dermatology office treating all skin ailments and growths and offering many dynamic services including pediatric, medical, surgical, cosmetic and aesthetic services.

Gunn Dermatology has a location in Crestline Village and recently celebrated the opening of its second location in Lane Park with a ribbon cutting Nov. 8.

Gunn worked in a level one trauma center in Washington D.C. around the time that she was accepted into medical school and was working toward her goal of becoming a pediatric trauma surgeon so she could save little kids’ lives. Gunn spoke with a plastic surgeon at the trauma center about her plans for the future, but the plastic surgeon said she looked and acted like a dermatologist and advised her to look into that field. “I was intrigued,” Gunn said. “I went to John Hopkins Department of Dermatology after that and knew that this surgeon was absolutely right.”

Gunn attended medical school at University of South Alabama and completed most of her dermatology training in Pennsylvania. She completed an internal medicine internship, skin care prevention research fellowship and dermatology residency at Pennsylvania State University Hershey Medical Center, and because of her time there Hershey kisses always make their way to the office at Gunn Dermatology. She worked in private practice for several years and most recently served as the assistant professor of Dermatology and the director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Dermatology Cosmetic and Laser Clinic.

Gunn and her team at Gunn Dermatology are expanding services to be less traditional and more innovative. Included in their services are skin radiation treatment, cryotherapy, cosmetic and surgical procedures, skin cancer removals, headto-toe skin exams, acne treatments and much more. Whether it’s a rash, infection, skin cancer or irritation, they can treat any skin care need. They are also a cosmetic and laser center and perform treatments to make the skin healthier and stronger while removing signs of aging and discoloration.

Cassie Patton didn’t know her scars could be fixed until she came to Gunn Dermatology. The moment Patton walked through the doors of Gunn Dermatology, Gunn knew she was the perfect candidate for the Aegle Fund. Gunn and her team created the Aegle Fund to alleviate the financial burden for patients who need scar or disfigurement treatment. They provide free scar treatment using the abilities they have learned throughout the years to decrease scarring, improve appearance and instill more confidence in patients throughout their daily lives. Patients who have any kind of scarring, ranging from acne, skin cancers, trauma or genetic diseases are eligible for this fund.

“My family and I have always wanted to give back to our community,” Gunn said. “I feel like this fund was a really good way to do that.”

Patton originally came to Gunn Dermatology for acne problems, but Gunn examined her face and noticed a trachea scar on her neck. In 2011, a deadly tornado flattened Patton and her family’s house, killing her parents and leaving her and her sisters with serious injuries. Patton broke 26 bones and was

► WHERE: 32 Church St. and 391 Rele St. in Lane Parke

► CALL: 205-415-7536

► WEBSITE: gunndermatology.com

airlifted to UAB Hospital. She was under sedation for a month as she underwent surgeries.

The tragedy not only left behind emotional scars, but also physical reminders of the turmoil that her and family had experienced. Patton’s halo scars from breaking her neck were the most noticeable along with her trachea scar, but she never thought improving the appearance of the scars was a possibility.

“I am truly thankful,” Patton said. “No one has offered to do something like that for me.”

“You technically can’t take away scars and can’t make them forget where the scars are from, but you can take away the constant reminder of where they came from just by improving the appearance of them,” Gunn said. “I have seen that build confidence in so many people, and that’s why it’s my passion.”

Gunn is glad Patton walked through those doors, that they were able to support her through the Aegle Fund.

The team at Gunn Dermatology strives to

empower and instill confidence in every patient they treat. They believe in enhancing and affirming natural beauty. Gunn and her team’s goal is to make patients confident and comfortable in the natural beauty they already possess, and equip them with continual education and support to look and feel their best. The patient-focused and family-oriented approach fostered at Gunn Dermatology provides for a welcoming and comfortable experience when patients walk through the doors.

Gunn also fosters a family-centric environment among staff members. “Dr. Gunn is like our mom and our coworkers are like our sisters,” an employee said. “We all truly love and care about each other.”

Gunn equips her team to provide quality care prioritizing transparency, respect, compassion, professionalism and excellence with each encounter.

Gunn Dermatology is committed to supporting patients every step of the way in their skin journey. They are inspired by their patients’ stories, and are proud to give back to their community through the Aegle Fund. Gunn said opening Gunn Dermatology has been the best adventure she could have imagined. They are doing their work in a way that they feel is the right way — treating every patient with the most cutting-edge technologies and individualized approach.

“Gunn Dermatology has truly been my pursuit of happiness,” Gunn said.

Empowering women and reinventing financial services through DEPTH

n the Baby Boomer era, financial advice was often spoken about on the golf course or in men’s clubs — places women were not frequently found. As a result, women were typically on the outside looking in when it came to wealth-growing opportunities.

This can be hard to imagine in today’s world, as just decades later women have become a financial force to reckon with. Given the increase in women who have careers, head corporations, run their own household and invest, Oakworth Capital Bank has formed their advisory and talent model to meet women’s needs. Between their wealth advisors and private bankers, 50% are female.

According to a recent study by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave, only 52% of women say they feel confident managing their investments, compared to 68% of men. According to research by Accenture Consulting, women are more likely to use dedicated advisors than men, but are less likely to say they are satisfied with their advisors or find them trustworthy. As a result, only 61% of women reported having a good understanding of their investments and holdings.

“At Oakworth Capital Bank, we are proud to celebrate initiatives that support the women we serve, helping them succeed,” said Alice Womack, Associate Managing Director, “We’re focused on adding value to our female clientele through our DEPTH program. You’re not just our client, you’re our partner.”

► WHERE: 850 Shades Creek Parkway, Birmingham

► CALL: 205-263-4700

► WEBSITE: oakworth.com

“We developed a program called DEPTH, which is dedicated to Women, Wealth and Wellness,” said Womack. “We want to help women succeed by offering services that target their needs. Many desire to gain a much deeper understanding of financial matters, from business planning, networking, death of a spouse, estate planning, divorce and budgeting to family finances or caring for aging parents. DEPTH serves the unique needs of our female clients in the form of programming, conversation circles and individualized consulting.”

Oakworth has combined many years of experience to build a better client approach from the ground up. Clients with Oakworth say that what makes Oakworth unique is the “people and service,” plus they make banking “easy.” This is not something you hear clients say often about their banking experience. No wonder Oakworth has a Net Promoter Score of 90 and a client retention rate of 99%.

Scott Reed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, shares that the approach not only offers a more personalized experience but also challenges the status quo–including how female clients’ needs are met. This

is one way Oakworth is reimagining how financial services are delivered. Reed puts more emphasis on the human connection to create a deeper understanding of a clients’ needs in order to help them achieve their financial aspirations.

“Within the walls of Oakworth, there’s a culture that fosters our client’s goals through a cultivated relationship with a client advisor,” said Reed. “Our culture fosters an environment where our associates focus on relationships with not only our clients, but also with each other.”

Oakworth’s core values include:

► The Golden Rule: Treat others the way we wish to be treated.

► Character: Conduct ourselves with the highest level of honesty and integrity.

► Innovate/Creative Spirit: Employ ideas that create value for both the clients and the organization.

► Professionalism: Attract and retain the brightest, most motivated talent.

► Work Ethic: We recognize that hard work is required to achieve our objectives.

Throughout the company’s mission of helping their clients succeed, Oakworth Capital Bank uses the strategy of renewing the art of personal service combined with the benefits of modern technology, providing a more personable experience and solutions for more growth. For more information, visit oakworth.cc/depth.

Left to right seated: Jenifer Kimbrough, Chief Financial Officer; Janet Ball, Managing Director, Wealth Management; Amelia Ricks, Treasury Advisor, Jennifer Shaw, Managing Director, Talent and Leadership Development. Left to right standing: Kate Meriweather, Client Advisor, Alice Womack, Associate Managing Director, Private Banking; Lindsey Branyon, Senior Credit Analyst, Jennifer Wilson, Associate Managing Director, Private Banking.

A year ‘under the mountain’

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

The O’Neal Library’s horror genre programming, Under the Mountain, is celebrating its first anniversary this month.

The series was created to be the community’s source for exclusive author events and movie screenings that celebrate the horror genre in literature and films.

Anthony Vacca, the librarian who came up with the idea for Under the Mountain, said he did so because of his interest in horror and the variety of different media that’s worthwhile, from movies to creative writing and art.

“It isn’t just a movie screening series as much as it is a celebration of all things eerie and macabre,” he said.

In the last year, Under the Mountain programming has brought multiple movie screenings and events to the library. Guests have included award-winning authors like Stephen Graham Jones and Jeff VanderMeer and Birmingham-based artist and author Bri Tippetts. Last month, award-winning voice actor Matt Godfrey performed a live reading of a classic Christmas ghost story.

For a long-lasting and far-reaching genre, Vacca said that horror is one that is often dismissed.

“We want to excite fans, but it’s as important to welcome those who think the genre has nothing for them,” he said. “... What people don't realize

about the horror genre is there is a pretty rich community and it's very big on the idea of inclusivity and a welcoming atmosphere, creating something a celebration of that for like-minded people.”

Events take place each month and Vacca shared the three coming up at

the start of 2023.

On January 8, there will be an Under the Mountain birthday screening of “Arrebato” (Rapture), a Spanish horror movie from 1979 that has been long unavailable in the U.S. that Vacca describes as “a lost gem.”

After the screening, there will be a panel discussion featuring Nick

Campbell, Gareth Jones and Sarah Valentín-Sánchez. There will also be music, a free spooky short story featuring illustrations by a local artist, raffle prizes, birthday cake, snacks and complimentary adult beverages.

On February 5, Under the Mountain will have a screening of the original “Fright Night” from 1985. On March

18, UTM will welcome best-selling author Grady Hendrix. He is known for his 2014 novel “Horrorstör” and “My Best Friend's Exorcism,” which was recently made into a movie on Hulu. His focus will be on his most recent book that will be released in January, “How To Sell a Haunted House.”

Vacca said he is always looking to create something unique that will draw people in and bring them back. The program started small but has continued to grow throughout its first year.

UTM also works in affiliation with the “TVs of Terror” series held at Saturn Birmingham.

“We both bring in talented people and want to make sure everyone knows about it,” Vacca said.

Guests do not have to be members of the library or even residents of Mountain Brook to attend the events. Those who RSVP in advance through the website earn more chances to win raffle prizes.

“The idea is to continue to do author events and movie screenings,” Vacca said. “We are always open to something unique to do for our events. We keep on our toes and are able to always look for creating something that will be a unique experience and they’ll come and have fun and come again.

For more information on Under the Mountain, find @undrmtn on social media or visit oneallibrary.org/utm.

life to communities dying from extreme poverty.

Matt Godfrey performed a live reading of Walter de la Mare’s ghost story “Seaton’s Aunt” on Dec. 4 as part of the Under the Mountain series. Photo courtesy of Anthony Vacca.

Sports

Spartans’ magical season culminates in runner-up trophy

By KYLE PARMLEY

Mountain Brook High School’s return to the football state championship didn’t go according to plan, but the moment was the realization of a long-held dream for the Spartans’ seniors.

Those seniors fell to Saraland 38-17 on Dec. 2 in the Class 6A state championship game, the final game during the Super 7 championships at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn.

The state title was the first in Saraland’s program history, following runner-up finishes in 2015 and 2018.

Mountain Brook was in its first state championship appearance since 1996, meaning none of the players on the current roster were alive the last time their program was on the biggest stage. But there was a deep-rooted belief from childhood that they could take their community to the pinnacle of high school football.

“I’ve dreamed about something like this since I was 5 or 6 years old,” senior linebacker Vaughn Frost said. “I played at Jordan-Hare Stadium and not a lot of people can say that.”

Senior quarterback John Colvin added, “It’s a lot of fun when you know you’ve put the work in to be there.”

That was certainly the case for this Mountain Brook team. The Spartans had an incredible run over the final month of the season, following a tough loss to Gardendale on Oct. 21. Mountain Brook put together an impressive stretch after that, blowing out Baker in the regular season finale and beating Pinson Valley, Gadsden City, Hartselle and Muscle Shoals in the playoffs.

“The big thing we challenged our players to all year was to play the game with joy and with love for the game and with one another,” Mountain Brook head coach Chris Yeager said. “It’s been heartwarming. It’s been an incredible year.”

Saraland’s Ryan Williams was the star of the

show that night. He scored all four of his touchdowns in a dominant first half. Williams finished the night with 272 offensive yards, 188 receiving and 84 rushing.

Mountain Brook (12-3) got its offense going in the second quarter, with Jack Heaps kicking a 33-yard field goal and Cole Gamble scoring a 1-yard touchdown run. But Saraland got a big momentum shift just before the half, with Williams scoring his fourth touchdown on the final play after a replay review put two seconds back on the clock.

Even though Mountain Brook went into the half down 28-10, Yeager said his team never quit.

“I’m proud that we played better in the second

half than we played in the first half,” Yeager said. “I didn’t know how much gas we had in the tank, but the kids gave every ounce they had in the tank.”

Frost led the Mountain Brook defense with 15 tackles on the night, while fellow senior Trent Wright, who exited the game in the final minutes with an injury, had 10 tackles.

Colvin had a solid evening for the Spartans, completing 16-of-27 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown. His top target was Clark Sanderson, who caught 10 balls for 153 yards and a 26-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter.

Saraland limited the dominant rushing attack of Mountain Brook to 67 yards on the night. Cole Gamble carried 20 times for 75 yards, after

going for over 200 yards in three of the team’s five playoff games.

But at the end of a tough night for the Spartans, Rob Gillespie ran up to Yeager to make good on an old promise. Gillespie attended a youth football camp nearly a decade ago. At the end of it, he took a picture with Yeager and told him they would recreate the moment at the state championship once Gillespie was on the high school team.

“Tonight, Rob came and found me, and it all came rushing back to me,” Yeager said.

Even after defeat, it was clear the season meant a great deal to the team and the program.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Tucker Crawford said.

Mountain Brook’s John Colvin (12) fights off a defender during the Class 6A championship game at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium on Dec. 2. Photo by Erin Nelson.

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To learn more about how we safely maintain our system or for recommendations on planting the right trees in the right place, visit AlabamaPower.com/trees.

All-South Metro Football Team

Gamble, Yeager earn postseason awards

By KYLE PARMLEY

The 2022 high school football season featured plenty of standout moments and highlight reel performances. Now, it’s time to release the annual Starnes Media All-South Metro Football Team.

Homewood senior quarterback Woods Ray is this year’s overall Player of the Year, leading Homewood to a 10-win season and to the quarterfinals of the Class 6A playoffs. Mountain Brook running back Cole Gamble is this year’s Offensive Player of the Year, as he torched opposing defenses as the leader of the Spartans’ dominant rushing attack.

It was nearly impossible to name a singular Defensive Player of the Year, considering how dominant Hoover’s defense was much of the year. Linebackers Kaleb Jackson and Bradley Shaw and defensive back DJ Estes share the honor as the top defensive players this season.

Chris Yeager is named Coach of the Year, as he took the Spartans to the state championship game for the first time since 1996.

► Player of the Year: Woods Ray, Homewood

► Offensive Player of the Year: Cole Gamble, Mountain Brook

► Defensive Players of the Year: Kaleb Jackson, Bradley Shaw and DJ Estes, Hoover

► Coach of the Year: Chris Yeager, Mountain Brook

1ST TEAM OFFENSE

► QB: Woods Ray, Homewood –The Player of the Year put together a tremendous season, totaling 38 touchdowns (27 passing, 11 rushing). Ray threw for 2,677 yards and rushed for 812 yards, as the Patriots advanced to the Class 6A quarterfinals.

► QB: Peyton Floyd, Hewitt-Trussville – was one of the top passers in the state, throwing for 2,413 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed for 726 yards and 16 scores.

► RB: Cole Gamble, Mountain Brook – The Offensive Player of the Year ran for over 200 yards in three straight playoff games and finished the season with more than 1,900 yards and 35 touchdowns on the year.

► RB: Emerson Russell, Chelsea – was a major bright spot for the Hornets, rushing for 1,130 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year.

► WR: Jackson Parris, Homewood – served as Woods Ray’s top target, snagging 80 passes for 1,288 yards and 13 touchdowns.

► WR: Amare Thomas, Pinson Valley – played both ways for the Indians at times but caught 50 passes for 964 yards and 11 scores.

► WR: Keown Richardson, Vestavia Hills – led the Rebels’ prolific offense on the receiving end, grabbing 45 passes for 602 yards and 5 touchdowns.

► WR: Jadon Loving, Hewitt-Trussville – caught 54 passes for 613 yards and 5 touchdowns as the top receiver in the Huskies’ offense.

► TE: Tucker Smitha, Vestavia Hills – caught 44 passes from the tight end position after playing in the backfield much of his career.

► OL: Kade Martin,

► OL: Walker Williams, Chelsea – only allowed 2 sacks the entire season, grading out at 88% while playing against many of the top defensive lineman in the state in Region 3.

► OL: Ethan Hubbard, Hoover –The Duke commit was a stalwart on the line for the Bucs.

► OL: Davis Peterson, Mountain Brook – finished the year with more than 60 knockdowns and 40 pancakes for a Spartans team that advanced to the state championship game.

► OL: Luke Oswalt, Oak Mountain – The senior was one of the leaders for the Eagles.

► ATH: Jaylen Mbakwe, ClayChalkville – The Alabama commit did a little bit of everything for the Cougars. He finished with 615 yards and nine receiving touchdowns and ran for two more scores.

► ATH: John Paul Head, Vestavia Hills – accounted for over

3,000 total yards and 38 touchdowns leading the Rebels offense.

► K/P: Peyton Argent, Hoover –connected on 34-of-35 extra points and 8-of-9 field goals, with a long of 47 yards. He also averaged 43.8 yards per punt.

1ST TEAM DEFENSE

► DL: Tyrell Averhart, Hewitt-Trussville – led his team with 80 total tackles and 23 tackles for loss. He also racked up 6 sacks and intercepted a pass.

► DL: Jordan Ross, Vestavia Hills – scored a pair of defensive touchdowns and racked up 16 TFLs on the year.

► DL: Hunter Osborne, Hewitt-Trussville – The Alabama commit finished the year with 21 quarterback hurries and seven TFLs.

► DL: Jordan Norman, Hoover –The senior racked up 68 tackles and 10 sacks on the year.

► LB: Trent Wright, Mountain Brook – The senior accumulated over 140 tackles and 10 TFLs in a standout season.

► LB: DJ Barber, ClayChalkville – The junior has established himself as one of the top linebackers in the state, racking up 145 tackles and eight sacks on the year.

► LB: Kaleb Jackson, Hoover – finished a stellar year with 118 tackles, 10 TFLs and five sacks for the Bucs.

► LB: Bradley Shaw, Hoover – had a strong season, getting 106 tackles with 15 TFLs and five sacks.

► DB: Grant Downey, Vestavia Hills – intercepted eight passes and punted for the Rebels.

► DB: Parker Sansing, Homewood – As one of the top defensive backs in the area, he finished with 90 tackles on the year.

► DB: Rickey Gibson, Hewitt-Trussville – The Tennessee commit led the team with four interceptions, finished with 41 tackles and scored an offensive touchdown.

► DB: Jay Avery, Hoover –racked up six picks and made 52 tackles on the year.

► ATH: Garrett Murphy, Oak

Left: Mountain Brook head coach Chris Yeager talks with the Spartans following the team’s 28-7 win over Muscle Shoals in a Class 6A state semifinal game at James F. Moore Stadium at Muscle Shoals High School on Nov. 25

Mountain

► ATH: DJ Estes, Hoover –racked up 71 tackles, 15 TFLs and six sacks

2ND TEAM OFFENSE

► QB: Christopher Vizzina, Briarwood – The Clemson commit threw for 1,828 yards and 16 touchdowns, and rushed for 11 touchdowns to cap off a phenomenal high school career.

► QB: John Colvin, Mountain Brook – threw for over 2,000 yards, as the Spartans played in the state championship game.

► RB: Aaron Osley, ClayChalkville – picked up 773 yards and eight touchdowns as the Cougars’ primary back.

► RB: LaMarion McCammon, Hoover – The senior gained 858 yards and 11 touchdowns this year.

► WR: Jordan Woolen, Hoover – caught 43 passes for 736 yards and five touchdowns in a standout year.

► WR: MJ Conrad, Chelsea –A big target in the Hornets passing game, he racked up 621 yards and five scores on 44 grabs.

► WR: Charlie Reeves, Homewood – caught 51 passes for 685 yards and 11 scores for the explosive Patriots’ attack.

► WR: Clark Sanderson, Mountain Brook – came on strong down

Hewitt-Trussville – The junior with SEC offers has started for three years along the Huskies line.

– made 166 total tackles and handled the kicking duties for the Eagles.

playing multiple positions for the Bucs.

Above: Mountain Brook running back Cole Gamble (19) runs the ball during the Class 6A state championship game against Saraland at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium on Dec. 2 Photos by Erin Nelson.

the stretch, piling up over 800 receiving yards on the year.

► TE: Donovan Price, Hewitt-Trussville – In addition to his blocking prowess, he caught 27 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns.

► OL: Mac Smith, Mountain Brook – finished the year with over 50 knockdowns and 30 pancakes.

► OL: Sawyer Hutto, Oak Mountain – a senior that has led the Eagles line for a few years.

► OL: AJ Franklin, Hoover –The Alabama all-star selection was a key factor to the Bucs’ offensive success.

► OL: Harrison Clemmer, Briarwood – the anchor to the Lions’ offensive line, known for his run blocking.

► OL: Henry Boehme, Mountain Brook – allowed no sacks all season at right tackle.

► ATH: Carson McFadden, John Carroll – accounted for over 2,300 total yards leading the Cavs offense from the quarterback position.

► ATH: Brady Waugh, Briarwood – The Lions’ top target snagged 53 passes, gaining 624 yards and eight touchdowns on the year.

► K/P: Jack Seymour, Chelsea – averaged 41.5 yards per punt and connected on all but one of his extra points.

2ND TEAM DEFENSE

► DL: Caldwell Bussey, Spain Park – racked up 5.5 sacks and 46

tackles to lead the Jags’ defense.

► DL: Jamon Smith, ClayChalkville – A North-South AllStar Game selection, he finished up with nine TFLs and eight sacks on the year.

► DL: Andrew Sykes, Vestavia Hills – The two-year starter had 42 tackles and five TFLs for the Rebels.

► DL: Chaleb Powell, Hoover

– finished with 60 tackles and 10 TFLs to go along with six sacks.

► LB: Braylon Chatman, Hewitt-Trussville – racked up 119 tackles with 14 TFLs in a big season.

► LB: Hunter Jones, Hewitt-Trussville – racked up 124 tackles and nine TFLs in a strong season for the Huskies.

► LB: Vaughn Frost, Mountain

Brook – accumulated over 100 tackles on the year.

► LB: Talton Thomas, Homewood – led the Patriots with 130 tackles with 16 TFLs on the year.

► DB: Keith Christein, Hoover –recorded two safeties, blocked four punts and returned an interception for a score.

► DB: Clay Burdeshaw,

Top

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Left:

Homewood –, finished up with 108 tackles on the year.

► DB: Mac Palmer, Mountain Brook – had over 60 tackles and two interceptions on the year.

► DB: Chris McNeill, Chelsea – covered the top receiver on each team and intercepted four passes.

► ATH: Grey Reebals, Briarwood – finished with 87 tackles and six TFLs as the key cog to the Lions’ defense.

► ATH: Jack Kendrick, Spain Park – had 69 tackles and seven TFLs for the Jags.

HONORABLE MENTION

► QB: Will O’Dell, Oak Mountain; Carter Dotson, Chelsea; Evan Smallwood, Spain Park

► RB: Jaqson Melton, Hewitt-Trussville; Taurus Chambers, Pinson Valley

► WR: Jaxon Shuttlesworth, Chelsea; Jonathan Bibbs, Spain Park; Clark Sanderson, Mountain Brook; Fred Dunson, Hoover; KJ Law, Hoover; Sawyer Smith, Oak Mountain

► OL: Jaxon Brooks, Homewood; Walker Chambless, Briarwood

► ATH: Devan Moss, Oak Mountain; Zach Archer, John Carroll

► DL: Emmanuel Waller, Oak Mountain; Lane Whisenhunt, Vestavia Hills; Preston King, Briarwood; Brian Alston, Spain Park; Zi’Keith Springfield, Pinson Valley; Jevonta Williams, Pinson Valley; Parker Avery, Mountain Brook; Randall Cole, Clay-Chalkville; Luke Dickinson, Briarwood; Andrew Parrish, Hoover

► LB: Jonas Harrelson, Spain Park; Matthew Yafonda, ClayChalkville; Houston Owen, Vestavia Hills; Jack Cornish, Briarwood; Devin Finley, Clay-Chalkville

► DB: Riggs Dunn, Hewitt-Trussville; Braxton Urquhart, Hoover

► K/P: Riley Rigg, Hewitt-Trussville

left: Mountain Brook defensive back Mac Palmer (16) tackles Saraland quarterback/ wide receiver Brooks Womble (15).

right: Mountain Brook linebacker Trent Wright (33) tackles Saraland quarterback KJ Lacey (9).

Mountain Brook linebacker Vaughn Frost (36) tackles Saraland wide receiver/ quarterback Ryan Williams (1).

Mountain Brook offensive linemen Mac Smith (56) and Henry Boehme (54) move in to block Minor defensive lineman Brandon Woodard (10) in a game at Mountain Brook High School’s Spartan Stadium on Sept. 1.

All-South Metro Volleyball

By KYLE PARMLEY

The 2022 high school volleyball season is in the books, with many teams in the Starnes Media coverage area putting together strong seasons. Hoover and Mountain Brook advanced to the state tournament, while several others qualified for regionals.

Here is this year’s rendition of the All-South Metro Team, as we attempt to recognize the standout players throughout the area.

► Player of the Year: Emma Pohlmann, Chelsea

► Offensive Player of the Year: Savannah Gann, Vestavia Hills

► Defensive Player of the Year: Brooklyn Allison, Spain Park

► Coach of the Year: Grace Burgess, Oak Mountain

1ST TEAM

► Outside hitter: Savannah Gann, Vestavia Hills — named the Offensive Player of the Year after a stellar senior season. She amassed 537 kills, putting her over 1,000 for her career. She also had 265 digs as a six-rotation player.

► Outside hitter: Emma Pohlmann, Chelsea — the University of North Florida commit is this year’s Player of the Year after capping off a tremendous high school career. This season, she surpassed 1,000 career kills and digs, posting 412 kills and 457 digs in her final campaign with the Hornets.

► Outside hitter: Emily Breazeale, Spain Park — went for 470 kills and 219 digs in another stellar season.

► Outside hitter: Lauren Buchanan, Chelsea — has quickly established herself as one of the area’s top players as a sophomore. This season, she posted 416 kills and already has

more than 650 in her career.

► Setter: Maggie Harris, Hoover — ran the offense with precision, piling up 1,264 assists in addition to 176 kills and 336 digs.

► Setter: Hannah Parant, Mountain Brook — had another monster season, tallying 1,168 assists, 324 digs and 255 kills.

► Setter: Lilly Johnson, Spain Park — one of the top setters in the area, she put together 529 assists and 125 digs this season.

► Libero: Brooklyn Allison, Spain Park — the East Tennessee State signee concluded her high school career as Defensive Player of the Year, compiling 431 digs, 60 assists, 38 aces and 2.34 passing average for the Jags.

► Libero: Audrey Vielguth, Vestavia Hills — the junior had nearly 500 digs on the season, as several opposing coaches raved about her ability.

► Libero: Bella Guenster, Hoover — missed 10 games but still led the team with 490 digs for the season. She played her best in the most important matches, notching 50 digs in the regional final and 48 in the state quarterfinals.

► Middle hitter: Alanah Pooler, Hoover — held down the middle for the Bucs, finishing with 200 kills and 117 blocks.

► Middle hitter: Alice Garzon, Mountain Brook — compiled 343 kills, 87 blocks and 48 digs this season.

► Right side: Annie Lacey, Mountain Brook — finished the year with 210 kills and 30 blocks for the Spartans.

► Utility: Lauren Schuessler, Oak Mountain — a do-it-all player for the Eagles, racking up 424 assists, 238 digs and 152 kills on the year.

2ND TEAM

► Outside hitter: Stella Helms, Briarwood — had 361 kills for the year for an ascending

Lions team.

► Outside hitter: Kendyl Mitchell, Hoover — one of the Bucs’ offensive weapons, racking up 361 kills.

► Outside hitter: Raegan James, Hoover

— came back to the team and posted 322 kills and 396 digs this season.

► Outside hitter: Paige Parant, Mountain Brook — posted a solid all-around season, going for 220 kills and 281 digs.

Mountain Brook’s Paige Parant (21) hits the ball at the net in a semifinal game against Bayside Academy in the Class 6A state volleyball tournament at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Oct. 26 Photos by Erin Nelson.

► Setter: Jolee Giadrosich, Briarwood — piled up more than 1,000 assists on the year.

► Setter: Helen Macher, John Carroll — surpassed 2,000 career assists with a strong senior season, piling up 851 on the year.

► Setter: Madison Moore, Chelsea — wrapped up her career with 815 assists on the season.

► Libero: Anna Frances Adams, Mountain Brook — finished up her career with 544 digs on the season.

► Libero: Sydney Humes, Homewood — the Florida A&M commit led the Patriots defense to the regional tournament.

► Libero: Makayla Ragland, Oak Mountain — finished with 357 digs in her final season with the Eagles.

► Middle hitter: Mira McCool, Homewood — helped the Patriots to another strong season in the middle of the team’s attack.

► Middle hitter: Mae Mae Lacey, Mountain Brook — racked up 289 kills and 86 blocks.

► Right side: Adair Byars, Hoover — capped off her career with a solid season,

posting 250 kills and 198 digs.

► Utility: Jordan Madsen, Vestavia Hills — the sophomore played every set this season, registering 256 kills and 28 blocks.

HONORABLE MENTION

► Outside: Mabrey Whitehead, Oak Mountain; Maria Groover, John Carroll; Marley Carmichael, Hewitt-Trussville.

► Setter: Haley Thompson, Spain Park.

► Libero/DS: Peyton David, Hoover; Stella Yester, John Carroll; Caroline Jones, Briarwood.

► Middle: Megan Ingersoll, Spain Park; Kenzie Richards, Hoover; Reese Hawks, Hoover

► Right side: Sydney Laye, Chelsea.

Starnes Media's publications cover several communities throughout the Birmingham metro area. Schools included for consideration on this team were Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain, Hoover, Spain Park, Homewood, John Carroll, Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills and Hewitt-Trussville.

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From left: Mountain Brook’s Hannah Parant (1) sets up the ball in a semifinal game against Bayside Academy; Mountain Brook’s Anna Frances Adams (2) passes the ball net in a match against Northridge; Mountain Brook’s Alice Garzon (9) hits the ball at the net.

Left: Mountain Brook’s Mae Mae Lacey (10) hits the ball at the net in a match against Northridge. Right: Mountain Brook’s Annie Lacey (22) hits the ball at the net in a semifinal game against Bayside Academy.

Spartans sweep cross-country state titles

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Mountain Brook High School boys and girls cross-country teams swept the Class 6A state meet Nov. 5 at Oakville Indian Mounds Park.

The girls team scored 33 points, well clear of second-place Homewood’s 88 points. Mountain Brook and Homewood finished 1-2 in the boys race as well, although the scores were a little tighter. The Spartans scored 47 points to 65 for the Patriots.

It is the first time since 2011 that the Spartans swept the boys and girls state titles in the same year.

Mountain Brook was the favorite heading into both races, but with sloppy course conditions and a strong challenge from Homewood, the Spartans knew they would need to step up and have a strong day.

“We were happy with the way it turned out,” Mountain Brook head coach Michael McGovern said.

In the girls race, three Spartans finished in the top 10. Reagan Riley completed the cross-country season with another dominant performance, winning the race with a 5k time of 17 minutes, 57 seconds. It was the senior’s sixth state meet to compete in and her second straight state title.

Mary Katherine Malone and Virginia Averyt finished fifth and sixth, running in 19:13 and 19:22, respectively. It was a terrific day for Averyt, as she improved from finishing in the 20s in last season’s state race and is now looking to run at the college level.

Gracie Walker (11th) and Kennedy Hamilton (14th) each finished in the top 15 to earn all-state status as well. Callie Kent (16th), Holland Finch (19th) and Lucy Benton (20th) all ran in the top 20 as well. Ellie Fooshee and Reese Thomas rounded out the Mountain Brook roster.

The girls were able to show their dominance and depth, performing the way they did without an injured Clark Stewart, one of the top runners on the team and in the state. The Spartans are

hoping to get her back on the track in the next few months.

The boys team broke a string of consecutive years finishing as the runner-up with its first title since 2017.

“They wanted to get the job done this year,” McGovern said.

For the boys, Clayton Collins was the top performer, finishing second by running his race in 15:56. Braden Little also posted a top 10,

running in ninth. Harry Clark and George Pelekis finished 12th and 13th, giving the Spartans four all-state runners. Jack Chapman (16th), Denton Russell (18th) and Branum Lloyd (19th) all posted top 20 finishes. Tate Hoffman, Joseph Spencer and Gann Trucks ran for the Spartans as well.

Mountain Brook has begun the indoor track and field season as well, with plans to compete in a few events in January. The Ice Breaker

Invitational on Jan. 7, the Hump Day Octameet on Jan. 11 and the Last Chance Invitational on Jan. 27 will all be held at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

The Class 6A state meet will be held the first weekend of February at the Birmingham CrossPlex as well. The Mountain Brook girls will go for their first indoor state title since 2017, while the boys are aiming for a similarly strong campaign behind a big senior class.

The Mountain Brook boys and girls cross-country teams hold the Class 6A championship trophies on Nov. 5 at Oakville Indian Mounds. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Athletics.

Varsity Sports

WRESTLING

Jan. 6: Regional Duals. TBD.

Jan. 13: State Duals. TBD.

Jan. 19: vs. Pelham. 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 20: State Duals. TBD.

Jan. 24: Tri-match vs. Clay-Chalkville, Mortimer Jordan. Clay-Chalkville High School. TBD.

Jan. 28: Mountain Brook Invitational. Mountain Brook High School.

Jan. 31: Tri-match vs. Chelsea, Fort Payne. Chelsea High School. 5:30 p.m.

BASKETBALL

Jan. 3: Girls vs. Calera. 6 p.m.

Jan. 3: Boys vs. Stanhope Elmore. 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5: Girls @ Jasper. 6 p.m.

Jan. 6: Boys vs. McAdory. 6 p.m.

Jan. 10: @ Woodlawn. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 13: @ Shades Valley. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 17: vs. Pell City. Girls at 6 p.m., boys

at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 20: vs. Woodlawn. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 24: vs. Shades Valley. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 27: @ Pell City. Girls at 6 p.m., boys at 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28: vs. Baylor (Tenn.). Girls at 4:30 p.m., boys at 6 p.m.

Jan. 31: Girls vs. Spain Park. 6 p.m.

Jan. 31: Boys vs. Hewitt-Trussville. 7:30 p.m.

BOWLING

Jan. 5: @ Oak Mountain. 4 p.m.

Jan. 9: @ Parker. Vestavia Bowl. 4 p.m.

Jan. 10: vs. Pelham. 4 p.m.

INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

Jan. 7: Ice Breaker Invitational. Birmingham CrossPlex.

Jan. 11: Hump Day Octameet. Birmingham CrossPlex.

Jan. 27: Last Chance Invitational. Birmingham CrossPlex.

Opinion

Sean of the South By Sean Dietrich

Telling stories

I am backstage, about to tell stories onstage. A man with a name tag and a clipboard announces, “Ten minutes to showtime.”

I am tuning my guitar, hoping I won’t stink tonight.

This is what all performers think about before they go onstage. They say silent prayers that all go, more or less, the same way.

“Dear God, don’t let me suck.”

It’s easy to stink at storytelling because there is no school for such things, so you don’t know if you’re getting it right. Which leads me to ask: “What am I doing with my life?”

I am still unclear on how I started telling stories for a living. The only education I have in storytelling came from elderly men who wore Velcro shoes and wore their slacks up to their armpits.

I have always had a soft spot for old men. From childhood, I believed that I was an old man trapped inside a kid’s body. I never fit in with peers, and I never wanted to. This was only made worse by the fact that I was raised as a tee-totaling fundamentalist who was forbidden from touching NyQuil.

As a young man, I would find myself in a crowd of teenagers who were smoking cigarettes, sipping longnecks, far from parental eyes, and for some reason, nobody ever offered me any real chances at sinning.

I would have appreciated the opportunity, but they viewed me as different. It was as though I were elderly.

Once, as a joke, my friend Jordan handed me a lit cigarette in front of everybody. I

didn’t want anyone to think I was a wimp, so I took the biggest drag I could. I almost died from a coughing fit. My friends howled until they peed.

Thus, I was blacklisted from social situations. I was the old man of the group. During social scenarios, I would generally hang in the corner, drinking prune juice, adjusting my Velcro footwear, holding everyone’s car keys.

People called me “D.B.,” which was short for “Designated Baptist.”

Ah, but my truest friends were elderly men. What I liked about them most was that they had already gotten their petty teenage sins out of the way. They were more interested in major sins. For example, weekend trips to Biloxi. Or scratch-off lotto tickets.

After my father died, I looked for anyone with white hair to pay attention to me. I just wanted someone to be proud of me. I wanted to piece together a father figure. When I found the right person, I would follow him around like a labrador until he took me home.

There was Ben. Bless him. He has Alzheimer’s now. He was a Mississippian who talked like Rhett Butler. We spent nearly every afternoon together.

He was retired and had nothing to do but tell stories. And he told some doozies. Some I can’t repeat here. Some I have told on stages.

When Ben came down with dementia, the world lost a library.

And there was the retired Auburn University professor. He was a man who chain-smoked Winstons and read Wordsworth. He would loan these books to me and encourage me to read them. He would ask me to summarize them.

I don’t know if you’ve ever read British Romantic poetry, but back in those days everybody was always saying things like “heretofore” and “whithersoever” to each other just for kicks. The poems were miles above me, but I loved them.

So the good professor would help me. In his ratty apartment, he taught a high-school dropout to appreciate literature.

Maybe this is how I started telling stories. Because my life has been spent in the company of old men who loved to tell them; who could not restrain themselves from telling stories.

Old men are not like boys. They don’t have big ambitions—if any. They’re past ambition, and they have only experience left. They are ready to integrate what they know into the world around them. And if you listen, they will help you.

After all, old men have seen their mistakes get worse over time and watched their qualities get better with age. They’ve lost those they care about and discovered that success is nothing.

Sometimes they are grumpy, sure. Sometimes their joints get stoved up. Sometimes they can’t help telling it like it is. But other times, they will say something so profound, so incredibly put, that you have to write it down.

They are filled to the hairline with stories. And if you listen to them carefully, they will tell you one while they whittle a stick on the porch.

And when they are gone, you will miss the sound of Rhett’s voice.

“Five more minutes,” the man with the clipboard says.

I hurry to the bathroom one last time. When I am at the sink, there is an old man beside me. White hair, thick glasses.

He dries his hands with paper towels and says, “You ever heard of this storyteller guy, Sean Dietrich?”

I keep my head down. “No sir. Can’t say that I have.”

“Me neither. My dang wife dragged me here tonight; I sure as heck didn’t wanna come. I ain’t never heard of this joker before. All I can say is, I hope this guy doesn’t stink.”

He tosses his paper towel into the garbage and leaves the bathroom.

He was wearing white Velcro shoes.

I sincerely hope I don’t let that old man down.

Sean Dietrich is a columnist and novelist known for his commentary on life in the American South. He has authored nine books and is the creator of the “Sean of the South” blog and podcast.

Dietrich

Life Actually By Kari Kampakis

4 ways to start parenting from a place of calm

My friend’s 16-year-old daughter called her from school, panicked and stressed.

“Mom, you’ve got to check me out! Everybody is saying how hard this history test is. I know I’ll fail it. Please come get me so I don’t have to take it today!”

Immediately my friend knew that her daughter had spent time in the Mall. The Mall is our high school’s common area where the students congregate. Often, they make each other panic as they discuss the difficulty of their classes.

My friend often warned her daughter to beware of the “Mall Mentality,” and this was exactly why.

“I’m not going to check you out,” her mom calmly replied, “because you’re ready for this test. Get out of the Mall and go to the library to clear your head. You have studied, and you know the material. I promise you’ll do fine.”

Her daughter wasn’t convinced, but she listened to her mom. She made an A on that history test, and 2 years later, this straight-A student was named a National Merit Finalist. She won a full scholarship to the college of her choice. She graduated with top honors.

Clearly, she is an intelligent student who prepared for this test, so why did she suddenly doubt herself? And what does it say for the rest of us when even the brightest people lose sight of their ability to handle challenges?

In some way, we all relate. We all have “Malls” in our life that trigger self-doubt or panic. Even when we’ve done the work, even when we leave home feeling confident, it only takes a voice or two to stir up worry, stress, or anxiety.

Maybe it’s the Mall of Motherhood, the Mall of Social Media, the Mall of College Admissions, or the Mall of Your Child Making the Team that makes you fear you’re doing it wrong or getting left behind.

In any case, the Malls in our life can make us overreact, panic or despair. They can make us catastrophize events — assume the worst and believe our future rides on a singular event (“If my son doesn’t make this team, he won’t play college ball or have the right friends,” “If my daughter doesn’t get a homecoming date, she’ll never get a date in high school.”)

Mindsets like these can lead parents to do crazy things. They focus attention on our temporary circumstances rather than God’s almighty power.

Nashville counselor Sissy Goff says that anxiety is an overestimation of the problem and an underestimation of our ability to handle that problem. She has written amazing books to help girls (and their moms) develop healthy mindsets to work through it. Since we live in anxious times, her messages are super-relevant. It’s now estimated that one out of every three kids struggles with anxiety, and girls are twice as likely as boys to suffer.

So how can we, as moms, help? Here are four ways to get started:

► Address our anxiety. We can only take our children as far as we’ve come, and raising healthy kids begins with them seeing a healthy mom. We want to parent out of our wisdom, not our wounds, yet to do this, we have to work through the anxieties that spill into our family.

Taking my friend’s story, imagine if she’d panicked and checked her daughter out. Besides removing a challenge her daughter was ready for, she might have created a new dynamic of rescuing her before every scary test. Today, her daughter is thriving in college with a rigorous major, yet I doubt that’d be the case if her mother guided her differently. If her mother lacked the skills to manage her own panic, she might have fueled her daughter’s worries and deprived her of opportunities to

build self-confidence.

The work we do for ourselves, as moms, benefits our family. Addressing our anxiety helps us better lead our children.

► Seek help when needed. My friend Kim Anderson is another fantastic Nashville counselor. She helps moms get “unstuck” from unhealthy thought loops, shame, and the stories (or lies) we tell ourselves.

Kim says it is amazing how quickly a mom’s mindset/perspective can change as she begins the process of healing herself. Sometimes we need professional help to replace unhealthy thoughts with healthy ones and work through trauma from our past that is negatively impacting us and our family. If we’re not careful, our stuck places will become our kids’ stuck places.

► Aim to be bigger, stronger, wiser, and kinder than our kids. One of Kim’s favorite counseling concepts is the Circle of Security — which helps parents grow healthy, intimate attachments with their children by being the bigger, stronger, wiser, and kinder one. Through this relationship, children draw strength and enjoy life.

The opposite of this is the ET Syndrome, where the parent/child attachment grows symbiotic. In the movie ET, Elliott gets sick as ET gets sick, and in parenting, this may look like us being more upset than our child over an event in their life or being so distraught over a trial our child faces that we can’t provide love and emotional support.

It’s a sign of growth when our child’s emotions blow out of proportion, yet we can lovingly tell them, “I won’t get on that emotional roller coaster with you, but I will be here at the gate, waiting for you with my arms wide open when you’re ready to get off it.” It’s also a good sign when we say, “Yes, this is a chal-

lenge, but you’ve got this — and I believe in you.”

► Give ourselves grace. Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

As parents, we need grace because we all make mistakes. We change, grow, and evolve. After parenting for 20 years, I can look back and see plenty of things I did wrong. While this self-awareness has made me better, it also can trigger regret or guilt.

It’s easy to dwell there, but God doesn’t want us to stay stuck. He created us to parent with a spirit of strength, not defeat, and to receive new mercies each morning. Who we are today matters more than who we’ve been in the past, and rather than beat ourselves up, we can move forward more wisely by asking God to bring good from our missteps.

Our children are growing up in a world full of loud Malls. They’re surrounded by voices that make them doubt themselves and want to check out. As moms, we can’t control the noise, but we can be a voice of reason. We can wisely guide them through difficult moments that build their confidence, character, and ability to meet a challenge.

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, author, speaker and blogger. Kari’s newest book, “More Than a Mom: How Prioritizing Your Wellness Helps You (and Your Family) Thrive,” is now available on Amazon, Audible and everywhere books are sold. Kari’s bestselling other books — “Love Her Well,” “Liked” and “10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know” have been used widely across the country for small group studies. Join Kari on Facebook and Instagram, visit her blog at karikampakis.com, or find her on the Girl Mom Podcast.

For 56 years, the Friends of the O’Neal Library group has supported the library through its annual book sale, with proceeds supporting the library’s adult and teen programs that make the library a more exciting and fun place to visit.

Barbara Blair, the immediate past president of the Friends, was asked to be the spokesperson for the group. She said the award is not just for the current members, but also for the people who had the foresight to start the group over 50 years ago, the hundreds of members since and those who will be members in the future.

“The library means a lot to everybody in this group,” Blair said. “It is special to all of us. All of the members recognize the importance the library places on our community. It's more than just the books.”

HELPFUL VOLUNTEERS

While the Friends do a variety of things for the library, they are best known for their yearly book sale.

Everything in the sale comes into the library as a donation, with books ranging from children's books to first edition treasures.

“We never know what we’re gonna get,” Blair said. “We have a team that works year-round to sort the books and price the treasures. There are a lot of unsung heroes behind the scenes — people who really make it work.”

The sale in February gives patrons the opportunity to share books they love but don't need anymore with someone else, and those shopping the sale have the opportunity to purchase books at a reasonable price, Blair said.

After the public sale, it is opened

up to nonprofits to come and pick up books for their clients. Sometimes it’s other libraries, teachers or child care workers, so the sale finds a purpose for all the books that are donated, Blair said.

Blair said the number of Friends fluctuates based on level of interest and people's own circumstances, and there are currently around 60 to 70 members.

“We are always looking for new members,” she said. “Anybody who likes books and loves the library and wants to support it. It's a fun group of people. Some people have been doing it for 20 years, and some are brand new. Members can participate on whatever level they want to.”

Blair said many people join after attending the book sales, which is how she decided to join almost nine years ago.

“I spent a lot of time at the library and heard more about the group,” she said. “I think it’s how everybody is. A lot of new members attend the book sales and find out more about what we do and get interested.”

Jobs include sorting and shelving

books throughout the year, assisting with pop-up sales throughout the year, running the Amazon store, book sale set up, cashier, publicity and more.

“There is a lot of opportunity within the Friends,” Blair said. “If someone has an idea and the interest and initiative, they can make it happen.”

While the Friends president typically serves a one-year term, Blair’s term was longer due to the pandemic. The Friends of the Library group is currently under the leadership of Lauren Hayes, president; LaVonda Keel, book sale chair; Sue Davis, book sale co-chair; Elizabeth Ezell, first vice president; and Margaret Troiano, treasurer.

RAISING MONEY TO FUND PROGRAMS

The money raised by the Friends supports programs like book clubs, an American Sign Language course, a Sustainable Style Series for adults, theater programs, college financing workshops, exam support for teens and much more.

Over the past decade, the group has raised over $350,000 for the library and shared the surplus of donated books with various charities throughout Alabama, said library Director Lindsy Gardner. She described the Friends as an exceptional group who are dedicated to making the O’Neal Library shine.

During the 2022 sale, over $29,000 worth of books were sold. In addition, the Friends sell books through Amazon and Ebay throughout the year.

“The Friends are hard-working, resourceful and passionate about the library,” Gardner said. “Our outstanding teen and adult programming is due in large part to donations from the Friends of the Library. Our Friends are true library champions!”

“The Friends sort through thousands of books each year,” Gardner said. “They spot the treasures — signed first editions, rare books or collectible books — research each book to find the best price, and then create a lovely display of those books upstairs in the meeting room during the sale. The bulk of the book

Friends of the Library stats

► 56th year of book sales that support the library

► Over $35,000 raised for the library

► Over 1,920 volunteer hours worked

► Over 1,125 community members donated books

► 212 teen and adult programs funded by the book sale proceeds

donations are sorted and organized in the basement. Our Friends spend hundreds of hours to make sure that the sale is an event the whole community can enjoy.”

The Friends group is currently working to organize the 2023 book sale, which will be Feb. 24-26. A preview party will be Feb. 23 for patrons who have made donations of $25 or more.

Book donations are accepted during regular library hours through the back alley entrance to the library. Materials that are not accepted include books that are falling apart or moldy, magazines, encyclopedias and books over five years old on topics that date rapidly.

For those interested in becoming a Friend of the Library, there is a form on the library’s website.

The Friends will be honored at the Mountain Brook Chamber luncheon at the Country Club of Birmingham on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m. along with the Jemison Visionary Award Winner, Alice Womack, and the city of Mountain Brook’s Employee of the Year.

Scott and Cameron Vowell

The Friends of the Library group with Mountain Brook’s O’Neal Library stand outside the library. The Friends of the Library group is the recipient of the 2022 Tynes Award. Photo by Erin Nelson.

included six dirt baseball and softball fields.

“Although we kept the fields maintained at an acceptable level, the youth programs have continually grown and increased the demand for field space that we could not provide with natural fields,” Williams said.

Rainouts could shut down games and practices for days, which impacted the season for many teams. The city decided to turn the fields into artificial turf to maximize their use, which would allow practices and games to continue on despite the rain, she said.

According to Williams, the complex also received new covered and lighted batting cages, a new playground, new concession stand and new restroom facilities.

Paved walkways and paths around the fields have improved pedestrian traffic flow, and space above a new retaining wall allows for more access around the complex and provides a different viewing opportunity for fields three and four.

“We had the grand opening ceremony this past spring, and I think everyone is very pleased with the results,” Williams said.

She added that the transformation of field one is in the final stages and will be converted to artificial turf. It will allow the older kids a place to play as before, but it can host two games or practices for younger kids. A restroom and concession stand was added to this field, which Williams said was desperately needed. The batting cages were also upgraded to provide three lanes under one roof, and the netting can be configured in different ways to accommodate multiple uses if the need arises.

There are plans to do some renovations and expansions at the Crestline Tot Lot, the small park located two blocks from Mountain Brook City Hall across from Crestline Elementary School. Gaston said the city is looking to expand on the existing property.

“We are trying to improve access to the playground with better entrances to the park, ramps to the playground and better surfacing around the park,” Williams said. “We also hope to expand the play area some and add a small restroom. We have a lot of ideas and are trying to see how we can make them all work together to provide the best experiences for kids and adults.”

The design for this is in the works, with plans to bid it out in the spring and begin the improvements in summer of 2023.

The city is also partnering with the nonprofit Friends of Jemison Park to help fund projects for Jemison Park.

“We are teaming together to completely redo the walkways and add additional walkways in the park,” Gaston said. “Instead of concrete, it will be asphalt, which is more durable and not as hurtful to the knees and joints as concrete. The walkways will be totally redone to be 7 to 8 feet wide. We’ll add some additional spurs for loops in the park and are going to do a lot of drainage work, so we’re very excited.”

According to Williams, the Friends group has raised half the funds that will go toward this project, and the city has committed $1.4 million over a three-year period.

All of the concrete trail will be moved and rerouted in places to take advantage of higher ground to help avoid the flood-prone areas of the park and provide better views of the creek. The trail will be widened and paved with asphalt, which is both friendlier to runners and will withstand the flooding better than the gravel.

Additional parking spaces, including some designated for people with disabilities, will be added along Mountain Brook Parkway to provide paved walkways to the trail.

A new woodland trail will be added on the far side of Shades Creek, Williams said. This trail will take visitors on a completely new adventure. Another pedestrian bridge will be added across the creek and will create a loop when the whole project is completed.

“Work has already begun on this new scenic trail,” Williams said. “The goal is to have it complete before we have to close other sections of the trail, so visitors will have a place to walk. We plan to work on the trail in sections to keep as much of it open as possible. The whole project should be completed by the spring of 2024.”

Another recreation project includes redoing and adding features to Canterbury

Park that will include landscaping, a new sign, additional playground equipment and irrigation.

DRAINAGE

The city also has around eight or nine drainage projects planned. Gaston said several of them should be completed in fiscal 2023. The largest one is around Mountain Brook Junior High School and will include expanding the existing detention pipe just north of the school and putting in a 42-inch pipe around the back of the school at Overbrook Road. This project should begin in January.

Williams said the MBJH field is one of the city’s most used fields, and turfing it has been in discussions for a while now. The drainage project will affect the field, and the goal is to have the turf project ready to go when the drainage project wraps up, Williams said.

The turf project will consist of turning the field so the end zone is closer to Overbrook Road, which will increase its size. It will also be lined for football and lacrosse. The tennis courts will be moved closer to the school, a

restroom and storage facility will be added, along with LED lights and more parking. Plans are to start the project in May and have it completed before school starts in August.

“We are excited because these improvements will give more space and flexibility to our community's sports programs,” Williams said.

SIDEWALKS AND BRIDGES

There are at least four sidewalk projects that should be started this year:

► Locksley Road from Dunbarton Drive to Westbury. City employees are going to do that project, which will create a long block connecting to existing sidewalks.

► Sidewalk work will be contracted out on North Brookwood Road.

► A sidewalk project on Old Leeds Road from the bridge to Old Leeds Lane should be started in the next couple of months.

► A big project on Pine Ridge Road, from Old Leeds Road to Mountain Brook Parkway, will be federally funded over several years. It may start work near the end of 2023.

Except for Pine Ridge Road, these

sidewalk projects should be done by the end of this fiscal year, Gaston said. While Mountain Brook is already a walkable city, these projects are to connect or extend existing sidewalks, he said.

The city is also working on some bridge projects, such as replacing the Caldwell Mill Road bridge, which Gaston hopes will be done by January. In the summer, the city expects to start work on replacing the Old Brook Trail bridge and do some work underneath the historic bridge on Canterbury Road at the edge of Mountain Brook Village.

Businesses continue to open in Lane Park, and Gaston said it is expected to be at full capacity in early 2023.

POSSIBLE REDEVELOPMENT

The old Shades Valley Presbyterian Church has been rezoned for condos and a few garden homes. This passed the planning commission and should be coming before the Mountain Brook City Council in January for the first public hearing.

Just down the street at Brookwood Village, Gaston said the city is working with Homewood to come up with development standards for the existing mall building, which is about 25% in Mountain Brook and 75% in Homewood. However, the land area is closer to 60% in Homewood and 40% in Mountain Brook.

Gaston said a development plan is expected in early 2023 to be submitted to both cities’ planning commissions and city councils.

SCHOOL PROJECTS

According to Tommy Prewitt, director of facilities for Mountain Brook Schools, there are projects taking place at every campus. These are the projects to be completed in 2023:

► All four of the elementary schools will have renovation work done during the summer.

► At Mountain Brook Elementary, the old historic windows will be replaced, and some of the bathrooms will get a refresh.

► Cherokee Bend Elementary will also see some bathroom renovations, along with a renovation for the kitchen and new flooring in some classrooms.

► At Crestline Elementary, the existing gym will be getting a new roof, the administration area will be renovated, and work will be done on some of the bathrooms.

► At Brookwood Forest, some of the classroom flooring will be replaced throughout the building.

► Mountain Brook Junior High’s 18 new classroom additions should be completed in February, along with the aforementioned stormwater improvement work.

► The contractor is finishing up the second phase of the additions at Mountain Brook High School that includes a counseling suite and bandroom expansion that is set to be completed in March.

Village Living will keep you up to date with these projects and more throughout the year.

Motorists travel past Brookwood Village along Shades Creek Parkway toward U.S. 280. The cities of Mountain Brook and Homewood are in discussion on development plans for the area. Photos by Erin Nelson.

Shades Valley Presbyterian Church located on Hollywood Boulevard in Mountain Brook. The church has been rezoned for condos and garden homes.

People play on the grass field at Mountain Brook Junior High School. The MBJH field is slated to be redone as a turf field in 2023 after a drainage project is completed.