Village Living March 2024

By LEE M. HURLEY

MBy GRACE THORNTON

When Mason Parker transferred to the Mountain Brook Fire Department in November 2023, he found stacks of old photos, and he was pretty sure some of them would mean something to him.

“We found them cleaning up, and I went through probably 2,000 of them trying to find pictures of my dad and ended up finding four or five of them,” he said. “I remember the jacket he was wearing; I remember the old station in the background. I looked at them and started remembering all these things from when I was a kid. It’s neat.”

His dad, Rigg Parker, was a Mountain Brook firefighter for nearly 29 years before retiring from his role as an apparatus operator in 2022.

The elder Parker said he first got interested in fighting fires through the Boy Scouts’ Exploring program, which offered career experiences and mentoring to middle schoolers.

“I grew up in Montevallo, and they had just started that program,” Rigg said. “I was 13, maybe.”

Margi Ingram, founder of Ingram and Associates, talks about the molding during a walkthrough of a condo in English Village. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Mason Parker (left), a firefighter with the Mountain Brook Fire Department, and his father, Rigg Parker, who retired from the department in 2022, stand in front of Truck 1 at Mountain Brook Fire Station No. 1.

Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

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About Us

It seems like every month in this space, I ask you for something. Send me story ideas. Call me if you want to contribute. Support our advertisers. Tell me about events we can cover.

I ask and ask and ask.

Maybe instead of asking for something, I could tell you about something new.

This month, we welcome Lee Hurley to the team. You’ll see Lee’s cover story on the state of the 2024 real estate market. He has done a great job helping us find relevant stories about the community, and you’ll see more of his work in the April issue.

I know that Leah Eagle is happy to have Lee’s help and knowledge of the community. She has done an

amazing job over the last year and a half informing you of all things Mountain Brook. Adding Lee’s talent and familiarity with the city will only improve our coverage.

So there, I told you about something new instead of asking for something.

Oh, and by the way, if you know of a great potential intern from Mountain Brook, you can reach me at dan@ starnesmedia.com.

Thanks!

Publisher:

Community Editors:

Sports Editor: Contributing Editor: Design Editor:

Photo Editor: Page Designer:

Production Assistant:

Operations Specialist:

Dan Starnes

Jon Anderson

Leah Ingram Eagle

Kyle Parmley

Lee M. Hurley

Melanie Viering

Erin Nelson Sweeney

Ted Perry

Simeon Delante

Sarah Villar

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City

Council gets answers on traffic projects, stormwater drainage

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.

At its Jan. 22 meeting, the Mountain Brook City Council got answers to citizen questions about the combined effect that three projects will have on traffic and stormwater drainage in the vicinity of Mountain Brook Village.

Engineers told the council that the three projects would have negligible or no effect on the area. But council members were skeptical about the potential impact on drainage, since not all the information was available.

The three projects include:

► Heathermoor, the redevelopment of 16 condominiums on Cahaba Road.

► The conversion of the former Shades Valley Presbyterian Church property to 43 residential units.

► The conversion of the former Surgical Dermatology building on Cahaba Road to 165 senior housing units.

Jim Meads of Sain Associates said the projects are “a wash in terms of traffic projections. The end result of all that is really a negligible effect on what we had planned for our overall project.”

Meads confirmed that his analysis is for a fully functioning property, not the partially vacant building on Cahaba Road.

“When you add all three sites together,” he said, “it's less than what we had planned for as part of our overall [analysis].”

William Thomas of Schoel Engineering said developers of the proposed senior living facility have not yet provided anything beyond a site plan.

“There's been no design done on the site,” he said. “They don't have the stormwater management scheme or design concepts. We don't even have a hypothetical, so we really can't try

to evaluate the impacts of this site.”

Billy Pritchard said not having a stormwater management plan is putting the cart before the horse.

“They'll never be able to get anything approved,” Pritchard said. “It seems like you'd want to have that known before you got an up and down vote. If you got to a yes vote [and] you couldn't adequately provide a stormwater

management plan, it's not going to ever go forward.”

Craig Ogard appeared at the pre-council meeting, repeating his concern about calming traffic on Halbrook Lane. After approving a $7,000 contract renewal for traffic engineer Richard Caudle, the council asked him to create a design for calming traffic by Feb. 12. The council approved an agreement with the

city of Birmingham to participate in a drainage project on Montclair Road, in conjunction with the planned TAP sidewalk project, at a cost of up to $50,000.

Council members also passed an ordinance making Winthrop Avenue a one-way street between Alden Lane and Overbrook Road and to provide punishment for offenders. The ordinance passed 3-2, with Lloyd Shelton and Graham Smith voting no.

In other action, the council:

► Approved Public Works Director Ronnie Vaughn’s list of 2024 street paving projects.

► Authorized the agreement with The Bridge Builders of Alabama for the Parkway Bridge restoration project.

► Authorized the agreement with JP Painting Company for the Public Works Department painting project.

► Authorized the agreement with B Group Architecture for design and construction documents for the Public Works building.

► Authorized the sale or disposal of certain surplus property.

► Awarded the bid for construction shop supervisor Ford F-150 XLT, for use by the Public Works Department.

► Approved change order No 5 for the Jemison Trail nature trail improvement project.

► Authorized the execution of the MWCF Deductible Addendum 2024, for the $300,000 deductible workers’ compensation insurance coverage and claims administration services for the policy year beginning Feb. 1, 2024.

► Passed an ordinance amending Chapter 117 of the city code regarding flood damage prevention.

► Reappointed Mary Evelyn McKee to the Board of Landscape Design.

Council says speed humps won’t affect traffic detours

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.

The Mountain Brook City Council is considering options to divert vehicle traffic from certain neighborhoods, but speed humps may not be the answer.

During their pre-council meeting on Feb. 12, council members heard from traffic engineer Richard Caudle, who said street humps are designed to slow traffic and thus may not be effective in keeping motorists from cutting through on Halbrook Lane and Arundel Drive.

“He’s been very clear that he doesn’t think it’s going to affect the traffic,” Council President Virginia Smith said. “He said he thought it [traffic] might shift to Cromwell [if speed humps are installed] but to get to Cromwell is not as easy. You’re just going farther.”

When called upon, Police Chief Jaye Loggins and Fire Chief Chris J. Mullins said they would rather the humps not be used.

“My issue is Vestavia is growing around [that] area, causing more traffic and causing more volume,” Loggins said. “That’s a mess. It’s a standstill at certain times of the day.”

“With the speed humps comes noise,” the police chief continued. “You’re going to hear [vehicles as they cross the humps], and it’s going to cause wear and tear on your vehicles as well.”

Mullins said “seconds really do count” when it comes to responding to medical emergencies. “If you’re going to slow down a car, you’re going to slow down a fire apparatus or an ambulance even more. When we get to a speed hump, we have to slow to almost zero miles per hour because … it dislodges the equipment on the truck.”

Some residents talked about the possibility of closing roads to prevent cut-through traffic. City attorney Whit Colvin said that might not be possible, as at least one of the streets in question is in both Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills.

“In this case, the line goes straight through the middle of the road. You would necessarily

be vacating a road that lies, in part, in two jurisdictions. That creates a legal problem as to who has the authority to do that,” Colvin said. “Both cities could do it, together. We’ve done that … near the old John Carroll field. That road is actually in Birmingham and Mountain Brook, and in order to close … we actually had to get permission from Birmingham and from the landowners.”

City Manager Sam Gaston said traffic studies have shown that there is not a speeding issue on those streets.

“It’s just a volume issue,” he said. “Cahaba Heights has changed and you’ve got the Post Office there, and there’s a connection as far as there being more and more traffic.”

Gaston said motorists got used to detouring through that neighborhood when road work was done on Crosshaven Drive.

“Of course,” Gaston said, “Crosshaven has been opened up for over a year, but some people still use it as a cut-through.”

Gaston said that the council will have a public hearing in a few weeks and can then make a decision.

Smith said that while some have been vocal on the subject, a cross section of the residents has not yet been heard.

“I’m not even sure the neighborhood is in agreement with what they want,” she said. “It’ll be interesting to hear.”

In the meantime, Gaston expects to speak with Vestavia Hills City Manager Jeff Downes about the matter, as the neighboring municipality could be impacted by the resulting action.

In other business, the council heard Caudle’s presentation about the Euclid Avenue “curve” at Azalea Road. The city will look into installing

Mountain Brook Fire Chief Chris Mullins speaks to the City Council on Feb. 12 about the challenges that speed humps cause for emergency vehicles.

guardrails at the right-of-way at that location. They also heard a request for a street light at Overton Road and Knollwood Lane. Gaston said he would send letters to residents in that area to alert them of a hearing on the matter on Feb. 26. The council would decide what, if any, action will be taken after that hearing.

During the council meeting, Mayor Stewart Welch III reappointed Carey Hollingsworth to the Planning Commission.

The council also:

► Approved a service agreement with Lexipol, LLC for the Cordico Shield law enforcement wellness app.

► Executed a contractor agreement with Net Connections, LLC, to install the batting cage at Mountain Brook Elementary.

► Passed a resolution authorizing the sale or disposal of certain surplus property.

Billy Pritchard said at the Jan. 22 Mountain Brook City Council that not having a stormwater management plan for the proposed senior living facility on Cahaba Road is putting the cart before the horse. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

By GRACE THORNTON

Home burglaries in Mountain Brook were the lowest in more than a decade in 2023, according to Jaye Loggins, chief of police for Mountain Brook Police Department.

The year saw 15 burglaries of residences, down from 36 in 2022.

“I’m really proud of that one,” Loggins said.

The stats from 2023 also showed other positives, Loggins said, like fewer car breakins, fewer accidents and barely any robberies.

However, it also showed a rise in theft, which includes scams and fraud.

“We only had three robberies last year, and two of those were cell phones taken by force during domestics,” Loggins said.

“Fortunately, we just don’t have violent crime where weapons are used,” he said, noting that he thinks that’s due in part to MBPD’s proactivity in patrolling and being visible in the community.

In addition to a low number of robberies and home burglaries, car break-ins were down to 67 in 2023, from 82 in 2022.

“One of the things we stress, you see this all the time — lock your doors, lock it up, take valuables out of cars, don’t leave anything in plain sight,” he said. “Especially with car breakins, people can keep from being a victim simply by locking their doors.”

Loggins said the reduction in car break-ins suggests that residents and visitors to Mountain Brook are heeding that advice.

Vehicle accidents were also down by almost 200 from the year before, from 1,150 in 2022 to 962 in 2023, although 2023 did have two fatalities while 2022 had none.

“I think that [the general reduction in accidents] goes back to our proactive enforcement,” Loggins said. “Our traffic contacts [traffic stops] were higher. We look to change behavior, and if we can change that behavior to keep you from speeding or running a red light or stop signs, it reduces the number of traffic wrecks.”

Thefts, however, were “up considerably,” he said, from 158 in 2022 to 227 in 2023.

“That category includes fraud, and our residents continue to be harassed by the fraudsters,” Loggins said. “We encourage our residents not to open a link that gets sent to you. If it sounds too good to be true, then it is.”

If there’s a sense of urgency on the part of the caller or email author, that should be a red flag, he said.

The theft statistics also include financial

crime, such as stealing checks from mailboxes.

“We encourage our residents to use a gel pen instead of a ballpoint pen,” Loggins said, explaining that it makes it more difficult for a thief to “wash” a check and change the names or amounts.

Overall, Mountain Brook has low crime stats year after year, he said.

“We’ve typically been at or near the top

across the state every year” in terms of safe places to live, Loggins said. “It’s what the residents have come to know, and it’s the reason they move here or live here.”

He encouraged residents to download the MBPD app, which sends alerts and also offers a way for homeowners to let police know when they will be out of town, so officers can stop by and check on their home.

Mountain Brook Police Department vehicles stationed at the Mountain Brook Police Department in Crestline Village. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

ELECTION PREVIEW

By JON ANDERSON

The Republican race for Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District has shaped up to be a battle about term limits and who can better advance a conservative agenda.

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, a Hoover resident who is nearing the end of his fifth two-year term in Congress, broke an earlier promise not to seek more than 10 years in office and decided to run again.

His two challengers in the March 5 Republican primary, Gerrick Wilkins of Vestavia Hills and Ken McFeeters of the Indian Lake subdivision in north Shelby County, have criticized that decision. Wilkins said Palmer has done more talk than action and made poor decisions that do not adequately represent conservative Alabama values.

Palmer said he makes his decisions based on the right thing to do and doesn’t check to see how groups score politicians before he votes, but he said he has maintained a 95% rating from the American Conservative Union.

Palmer said he struggled greatly with the decision to run for a sixth term, but many people he admires encouraged him to do so, and he prayed about it and felt God leading him in that direction.

He said the country has been headed in the wrong direction under President Biden’s administration, and if Donald Trump is elected as the next president, “we’ve got a chance to really fix some things.”

Palmer said there has been a huge turnover among Republicans in Congress in recent years, and “we’re hemorrhaging in experience and institutional knowledge.”

As chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and a former member of the House Budget Committee, he believes his experience and background in policy matters, the budget and Congressional procedure will be needed.

It’s easy for his opponents to criticize his votes on certain things, but “they don’t know how things work,” Palmer said. “It takes a while to even learn how the process works. We’re having a hard time passing anything right now.”

UKRAINE WAR

Wilkins and McFeeters have criticized Palmer for advocating for spending billions of dollars to aid Ukraine in its war with Russia while the United States faces an “invasion” at its southern border.

“We need a representative to say, ‘No more — no more prioritizing foreign security over

Ken McFeeters

► Party: Republican

► Age: 63

► Residence: Indian Lake in north Shelby County

► Political experience: Unsuccessful bid to replace David Wheeler in Alabama House District 47 in 2022; former president of Mid-Alabama Republican Club

2 Republicans vie to replace Palmer in Congress

American security,’” Wilkins said. “There is a crisis at the southern border, and it has been neglected by this inept administration and allowed to flourish under apathetic Congressional leadership and oversight.”

Wilkins said Palmer seems “mired in the ways of the D.C. swamp.”

“He has been complacent with theorizing about policy and occasionally voting the right way,” Wilkins said. “Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District deserves more. We deserve a tireless advocate — a representative who goes beyond mere words, embodied with action and initiative. … It’s high time we elect a representative who prioritizes action and Alabama values over passive committee attendance and idle policy discussions.”

McFeeters said the U.S. government’s support of the war in Ukraine has baffled him.

“There’s absolutely no reason we should be in Ukraine,” he said. “Ukraine gives us no strategic military or financial advantage. We have no economic ties with Ukraine.”

Palmer said he voted against more recent bills to provide financial support to Ukraine.

Wilkins also faulted Palmer for voting to kill the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act in 2018.

Palmer said he voted against that act because it was a bad bill that would have increased the number of illegal immigrants coming into the country and given amnesty to too many already here.

McFeeters

► Professional experience: Has owned and run PAC Insurance Agency for 42 years (offices in Hoover, Bessemer and Roebuck)

► Civic experience: Legislative chairman for Alabama Independent Insurance Agents for 10 of last 20 years

► Education: Berry High School graduate, 1979

► Main issues: Wants to redirect payments going to Federal Reserve to replenish Social Security; reshape the U.S. Department of Education; eliminate mRNA shots for infants and children; defund and withdraw from the United Nations and World Health Organization; change leadership in federal agencies; end U.S. involvement in Russia-Ukraine war

► Website/social media: Ken4America.com; X: @Ken35216; Facebook: Ken Abe McFeeters

U.S. Rep. Gary

and

Gerrick Wilkins of Vestavia Hills listen to challenger Ken McFeeters of north Shelby County talk during a Mid-Alabama Republican Club forum for Congressional District 6 at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest on Jan. 13.

PALMER

Palmer said the two most important issues to him right now are border security and the cost of living.

The Biden administration has allowed at least 8 million people to enter the country illegally in three years, including 312 known or suspected terrorists who have since been picked up by authorities, Palmer said. It’s a threat to national security when you don’t know who is crossing the borders, he said.

Trump’s “return to Mexico” policy needs to be reinstated as a law, as well as a requirement that people not be allowed in the country until it is verified they are not carrying viruses, Palmer said.

Pressure must be put on Mexico through trade agreements, and the United States must build a wall on its southern border and pay for better surveillance technology, including technology that better detects fentanyl, he said.

The government also has to get control of inflation, Palmer said. Under the Biden administration, inflation soared to 9.7%, and the cumulative impact of inflation was as high as 17%, based on the Consumer Price Index, he said. A family with a median household income had $12,000 less buying power because of the high inflation, and 64% of the increase in fuel costs in the last two years was due to higher energy costs, Palmer said.

WILKINS

Wilkins said government cannot overlook the

Gary Palmer (incumbent)

► Party: Republican

► Age: 69

► Residence: Hoover

► Political experience: Elected to U.S. Congress in 2014 representing Alabama’s 6th District; now in his fifth two-year term

► Professional experience: President of the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years; worked in engineering, as well as with Focus on the Family; chairman of the Republican Policy Committee; serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee; previously served on the House Budget and Oversight Committees

► Civic experience: Rotary Club of Birmingham; member of Briarwood Presbyterian Church

► Education: Bachelor’s degree in operations management from University of Alabama in 1977

► Main issues: Better secure the U.S. border with Mexico; get control of inflation; open access to energy resources such as natural gas, critical minerals and Canadian oil

► Website/social media: palmerforalabama.com; X: @Palmer4Alabama; Facebook: Gary Palmer for Alabama

pressing moral issues of the day.

“Our society faces an urgent call to safeguard the unborn, to counter child exploitation and eradicate the scourge of human trafficking that is pervading our country,” Wilkins said. “My commitment to the intrinsic value of everyone from conception to natural end remains steadfast and unwavering. I pledge to spearhead policies that nurture and protect life and confront the menace of human trafficking at its roots.”

Wilkins also said he will fight for fiscal responsibility in Congress, support a balanced budget amendment and push for significant cuts to the federal bureaucracy. The current national debt is $34.2 trillion, up from $31.7 trillion in 2020, according to the U.S. Treasury.

“At this point, if we don’t make some serious cuts to federal spending, then we’re not going to enjoy the same prosperous country that allowed me to be successful and that’s allowed so many to achieve the American dream. Interest payments on that debt alone will be the single largest budget item within just a few short years, and that’s a problem,” Wilkins said.

MCFEETERS

McFeeters said he was drawn into this race because of the crazy government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war and the false narratives being spun related to the Jan. 6, 2021, protests in Washington, D.C., in which Trump supporters forced

Gerrick Wilkins

► Party: Republican

► Age: 46

► Residence: Vestavia Hills

► Political experience: First run for public office

► Professional experi ence: Has worked in automotive industry more than 24 years; now is broker in sale of dealerships for Dealer Support Network

► Civic experience: Advisory board for Samford University Brock School of Business; on board for Mission Increase Alabama, which provides free counseling to nonprofits on a Biblical approach to fundraising; member of The Gideons International

► Education: Master’s degree in business administration from Samford University in 2016; bachelor’s degree in religion from Liberty University

► Main issues: Conservative representation; secure U.S. borders; safeguard the unborn; counter child exploitation and human trafficking; be fiscally responsible in Congress; balance the budget; support term limits; dismantle the U.S. Department of Education

► Website/social media: WilkinsforAL.com; X:@WilkinsforAL; Facebook: Gerrick Wilkins for Congress

Palmer, R-District 6, left

challenger

Photo by Jon Anderson.

Palmer Wilkins

By GRACE THORNTON

K.C. Hairston says we’re all a product of who we learn from.

Twenty years ago, Hairston — now a Mountain Brook city judge — was trained by another area judge, Raymond Chambliss. It changed the way Hairston runs his courtroom.

“I saw the difference he made in thousands of people’s lives,” Hairston said. “When I saw how he was making a difference, that shaped how I wanted to approach court.”

Now, as president of the Alabama Municipal Judges Association, he’s encouraging others to keep on spreading that idea. He even called in some celebrity help — in November, he invited retired Judge Frank Caprio to be the speaker for the AMJA annual conference.

Caprio, whose courtroom in Providence, Rhode Island, was the set for the TV show “Caught in Providence,” has nearly 7 billion views on social media. Hairston said viewers are captivated because of the compassion the 87-year-old judge showed the people in his courtroom.

The show, which started in 2018, stopped filming after Caprio’s retirement in early 2023.

“I believe Judge Caprio is a very stern judge, who applies strict punishment when that’s what the circumstances warrant,” Hairston said. “However, Judge Caprio also has a lot of grace for defendants when that’s what they need at that point in their lives. And Judge Caprio has managed to capture those points of time when compassion was called for instead of punishment, and he has shared those with the world.”

Hairston said it’s “not a perfect science,” but he sees Caprio’s fame as highlighting the fact that people believe the courtroom should be a place of helping people when they need it most. Caprio has said that he believes “everyone has to be judged with kindness, consideration and

“

When I saw how he was making a difference, that shaped how I wanted to approach court.

K.C. HAIRSTON

common sense.”

Hairston hinks people watch the show because they believe in what Caprio is doing.

“And that’s what they are expecting from us,” he said. “People are yearning for justice, kindness, fairness and an opportunity to be heard. That’s what Judge Caprio represents.”

The AMJA conference in November was the largest in the group’s history, Hairston said. The meeting was just a month before Caprio announced his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

At the conference, Caprio was “overwhelmed by the number of people who waited in line to speak to him and meet him in person and really thank him for helping shine a good light on what a lot of us are trying to do,” Hairston said.

That’s important, he said, because a “few courts taking missteps can give us all a bad name.”

In Alabama, some municipal courts have been shut down because of such missteps, and one court’s performance even triggered the state to implement additional regulations, Hairston said.

“But that’s not us. That’s not what we represent,” he said. “We are all trying to do good in our local communities, and we need to let the world know this. We need a champion, and Judge Caprio is one of those champions.”

Judge Frank Caprio, left, from the TV show “Caught in Providence” and Mountain Brook City Judge K.C. Hairston. Photo courtesy of K.C. Hairston.

Mayor’s Minute By Stewart Welch III

Can one person really make a difference in a community?

For approximately 300 residents at last month’s annual Mountain Brook Chamber awards luncheon, the answer was yes.

What did these winners have in common? Intention, passion and relentless determination.

Nim Long received our city’s highest and most prestigious award, the Jemison Award. Nim is one of those rare people with a talent for big-vision thinking backed by the skills and determination to see that vision become a reality. Nim, perhaps more than any other single person, has been responsible for changing the “look and feel” of our city.

Stewart Welch III

More than 30 years ago, he developed a master plan for our sidewalk system, then figured out how to get more than $15 million in federal matching funds. He and his talented team of landscape architects designed virtually all our parks.

In the 1990s, he reimagined our villages with widened sidewalks, vintage lighting, sidewalk trees, expanded parking and designated employee parking. Recently, he led the design and fundraising for a $4-million-plus renovation of Jemison Park. Intention, passion, relentless determination.

Dana Hazen, our Co-Employee of the Year winner, is director of planning, building and sustainability and has been with the city for 16 years. A consummate professional, Dana loves her job, but her true passion is environmental sustainability. This past year, she spent untold “extra” hours making Mountain Brook the first city in Alabama to become an official Bee City USA city. Add this to her efforts with Tree City

USA, the Monarch Pledge and the American Green Zone Alliance certification, Dana is a remarkable person who has accomplished so much for our city. Intension, passion, relentless determination.

Johnny Franklin, our other Co-Employee of the Year, is the supervisor of public works and manages the teams that keep our city clean and sharp-looking. Johnny, a 26-year employee, is the person who organizes the mass responses when we have a storm come through our city. We have had as many as 80 trees down, and Johnny and his crews have been known to work 24 hours straight to clear roads. Intention, passion, relentless determination.

Our entire fire department received the O’Neal Library’s William Tynes Award.

In a tearful video, Library Director Lindsy Gardner, thanked our fire department for immediately and professionally responding when a water pipe burst and flooded the library. They continued to lead throughout the cleanup and restoration process.

Chief Mullins’s response was, “This is what we train to do every day, … just another day at the office! Our guys are here because they have a servant’s heart.” Intention, passion, relentless determination.

Hearing their stories, I wonder, “Is there a lesson for each of us?”

NOW OPEN

The Rougaroux has recently opened a second location at 2716 Culver Road in Mountain Brook. The restaurant boasts a Cajun theme while providing guests with their fill of po'boys, gumbo and other New Orleans favorites. The new location offers indoor and outdoor seating, and opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

205-518-6677, rougarouxbhm.com

Clean Juice of Lane Parke has recently reopened as the Organic Café. The restaurant at 1081 Jemison Lane will continue to offer the same healthy menu options with many of the same menu items. Smoothies, wraps, wellness shots, smothered toast, acai bowls and salads are all crafted with fresh, organic ingredients. 205-922-9065, organiccafebhm.com

RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS

The Chick-fil-A in Eastwood Village has been newly renovated. The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for the restaurant's 16th year in business and to highlight the renovation. 205-957-2229, chick-fil-a.com

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

HomeRN recently launched a new service option: inhome urgent care visits. These bring all the essential elements of a traditional urgent care experience straight to the client's home, with an overall assessment, testing, diagnosis and treatment provided by a nurse or nurse practitioner. Their Birmingham office at 127 Oak St. services Mountain Brook, Vestavia and Homewood.

205-644-2906, homerncare.com/urgent-care

PERSONNEL MOVES

Susan Billingsley has joined RealtySouth as a real estate agent at the Mountain Brook office at 105 Euclid Ave.

205-223-3928, realtysouth.com

ANNIVERSARIES

Watkins Branch Bourbon and Brasserie has been open at 2708 Culver Road in Mountain Brook for four years. The restaurant menu is inspired by the traditional French brasserie, offering small robust plates paired with concentrated cocktails.

205-593-4403, watkinsbranch.com

TherapySouth has served the community of Mountain Brook and surrounding areas for 16 years. The clinic, with locations at 205 Country Club Park and 3800 River Run Drive, Suite 102, provides orthopedic physical therapy, hand therapy, wellness programs and more.

205-871-0777, 205-970-2350, therapysouth.com

Marguerite's Conceits opened its doors in 1993, making this year number 31. The gift shop at 2406 Canterbury Road is a bed and bath boutique offering linens, candles, bath and body products, pajamas and more.

205-879-2730, margueritesconceits.weebly.com

Sol Y Luna has been specializing in tapas and tequila for over 26 years and is located at 920 Lane Parke Court. The menu offers more than 30 premium tequilas paired with unique and flavorful tapas, or "small plates."

205-407-4797, solylunabham.com

Ladybird Taco has been open at 300 Rele St. in Mountain Brook for just over a year. The restaurant serves house-made tortillas, along with salsa, salads, queso and breakfast tacos.

205-382-8871, ladybirdtaco.com

MELT recently celebrated its one-year anniversary at 1011 Jemison Lane in Lane Parke. The dining establishment is known for toasted sandwiches giving an interesting twist to the traditional grilled cheese.

205-917-5000, ilovemelt.com

By EMILY REED

Lindsay Hackney’s vision for her new business, Cleere, is that no piece of clothing should ever be sitting idle in someone’s closet.

“The idea for Cleere all started because I had clothes that I was not wearing in my own closet that I knew had some value, but there didn’t really seem to be a good option of someone selling them for me, so I started listing some of my own clothes online,” Hackney said. “I then started having people ask if I would be willing to sell some of their clothes, and it really morphed after that because it just started growing and growing based on word of mouth.”

In November 2023, Hackney officially started Cleere, a clothing resale business based out of Office Park in Mountain Brook. She takes customers’ clothing, resells it on online marketplaces and pays customers for the items that sell.

Cleere provides a “one-stop” shop for people to get rid of clothing items they are no longer using. She accepts men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, shoes and accessories.

The only requirement is that each item has a resale value of at least $10.

Any items that do not meet that requirement can be donated by Hackney or given back to the customer, if they choose.

“I think most people that come to me feel a sense of relief because they are clearing out space in their closets, they are making a little bit of money and they are making room for clothing they may want to purchase in the future,” Hackney said. “Interacting with people who are coming to me and recognizing that I am providing a service that they are needing has been a really fun side to the business so far. People just have to drop off any clothes they no longer want, and we take care of the rest.”

For those interested in reselling clothing items through Cleere, the steps are simple. Hackney and her team meet with customers by appointment at their office space; sort through the items and determine which ones have resale

potential; take professional photos; create multiple listings online; and package and sell the items.

“I think what is a good reminder for everyone is there is a buyer out there somewhere for that little something that you have held in your closet you are no longer wearing,” Hackney said.

Employees at Cleere list merchandise for three months. During that time, they periodically refresh the listings to bump them back to the top of search results and drop the prices for items that have not sold.

“We have found that time period allows almost everything to sell that has value in the resale market,” Hackney said.

At the end of the three-month listing period, the customer gets paid a percentage of the selling price of each item, ranging from 50% to 70% depending on its value, minus a $3 inventory fee for each item sold.

Items that do not sell after three months will be donated, unless the customer specifies otherwise.

Hackney, who earned a master’s of business administration degree from Vanderbilt University and has professional experience in consulting and strategy, said it has been fun to apply her experience to build a data-driven and operationally efficient business from the ground up.

“Every day is different and the business has been growing rapidly so I am constantly faced with new challenges,” she said. “Working with numbers is my favorite, so I have particularly enjoyed developing my own proprietary inventory management solution, where I can not only easily track my inventory and sales but also conduct analyses to determine things like the best keywords to use in listing descriptions or the ideal frequency and size of price drops.”

While the majority of Hackney’s sales have

no interpersonal interaction, since they are all done online, she said it is exciting each time a new customer drops off their clothing for her to sell.

“Each person’s style comes through in their clothing, and each person has their own story about why they have sought our service, whether it be because of weight loss, their daughter’s closet has gotten out of control or they just want to free up a little more closet space and make a little bit of money,” she said. “I noticed early on that, for almost every customer, I could figure out if they were an Alabama or Auburn fan, just by the prevalence of red or houndstooth or orange in their wardrobe.”

Cleere is located at 6 Office Park Circle, Suite 116, in Mountain Brook.

For more information about Cleere, go online to cleereselling.com or email info@cleereselling.com.

Lindsay Hackney, owner of Cleere, an online consignment business.

Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

A heart for art

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Elizabeth Hubbard doesn’t just have a love for art — she has a heart for sharing it with others.

After 14 years at The Studio on Linden in Homewood, Hubbard recently relocated to a new space in Office Park in Mountain Brook.

“I found out on June 1 the building was being sold, and I needed more space and had been looking for somewhere with more space,” Hubbard said.

She had a good friend who owned Get Organized in Office Park and informed her about the available space. Hubbard finished up her already-scheduled classes, packed up The Studio on Linden and vacated on Sept. 30.

During the month of October, she worked her birthday parties out of client’s homes. After moving into the new space on Nov. 1, Hubbard had her first art class the following week.

”Basically, I came in with a bang,” she said.

Her new space provides more room and natural light. She renovated it to have one large studio room with painting tables and stools, a second room to serve as her personal painting studio and a third room with a kitchen area and table and chairs.

“Being in Office Park, it’s centrally located between Vestavia, Mountain Brook and Homewood,” she said. “I was lucky to get in this building.”

She’s come a long way from teaching kid’s art camps at Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood and Shades Valley Presbyterian in Mountain Brook. Her Lizzie’s Creative Kids program provides afterschool art classes, summer art camps and birthday parties.

Over Christmas, Hubbard tried something new by offering Cookies and Art with Santa,

and she said it was a huge success. This year’s art classes began in mid-January, and Hubbard hosts five weekly after-school sessions that run until the end of the school year. She also has plans for special events around Valentine’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day.

Hubbard began offering events for women in 2017 with her Makers and Creators series. She has guest artists come to her studio twice per month for special events that bring women together to gather, connect and create.

“It's a place women can come gather and meet and share,” Hubbard said. “I want them to learn something new. You don't have to be an artist to do this. Anyone can do it. Anybody can be creative.”

While hosting classes for children and adults, Hubbard hasn’t had as much time to work on her personal art as she has in the past. She said her favorite art to create is Raku pottery, but she stopped doing it two years ago because of the time commitment it takes. She has plans to dust off her kiln and start back creating pottery in 2024.

Hubbard said she believes it is important for children to be engaged in art. Being in school all day, they only get to take art classes once a week. At her studio, they have one and a half or two hours to just be creative.

“It boosts their self esteem,” she said. “Art is individual and everyone has their own style.”

Although Hubbard has lived in Homewood for years, she grew up in Mountain Brook and spent time when she was younger working at The Cook Store, which was owned by her mother. She and her husband Shane have two adult children, Austin (35) and Lake (33). She also loves participating in art projects with her four grandchildren.

For more information on Hubbard’s art or classes, visit elizabethkhubbard.com.

Elizabeth Hubbard works with one of the students at Lizzie’s Creative Art. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Hubbard.

Rooted in science: Mountain Brook resident uses power of music to heal

By CARMEN SHEA BROWN

Hannah Oakes sits at the bedside of a hospital patient who has been diagnosed with depression. She strums her guitar as she belts out Cyndi Lauper’s classic ballad “True Colors.” Then she throws a curve: she lets the patient change the lyrics to the song to discover what she loves about herself. She begins her serenade:

“I see your true spirit shining through...”

A stroke patient has trouble using his right hand. He’s never played the drums before, but Oakes gives him a drumstick and plays his favorite song. Pretty soon he’s using the drumstick with his hand to bang on the drum to the rhythm of the song.

A Parkinson's patient walks with an uneven gait, susceptible to falls. Using rhythmic auditory stimulation by playing his favorite tune, she helps him decrease his speed and his chances of falling.

Oakes works in the field of music therapy, where she uses researchbacked intervention to improve people’s physical and mental health.

“I work on the same things as a physical therapist or occupational therapist does, but I use music to do it,” she said.

Since graduating from the University of Alabama (the only school in the state that offers a bachelor’s degree in music therapy) in 2018, she has worked with patients at UAB and Encompass Health Lakeshore Rehabilitation. What sets her apart from many music therapists, however, is that she is also board- certified in Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT), which uses evidence-based

treatments to work with people living with a range of conditions, including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, developmental disabilities, and psychiatric conditions.

“My goals for clients are functional-based, not music-based,” she said. “I work with children and adults, and no musical background is required.”

Oakes said several patients at the hospitals asked her how they could continue doing therapy with her once they left. After “so many signs and nudges,” along with encouragement from her husband Logan, she said she decided to start her own practice, Rooted Music Therapy.

“I decided since there’s no one else around doing this, I need to be the one to do it,” she said. “There are other NMTs in the area, but I’m the only one that has a private practice.”

Oakes had always loved music and started taking voice, guitar and piano lessons at Mason Music while in middle school. She said most people don't hear about music therapy until they go to college, but she learned about it as a 10th grader at Mountain Brook High School.

“One day I heard someone say the words ‘music therapy,’ and I was like, what’s that?” she said. “I did a Google search and I found out it’s a legitimate profession, and I knew it was what I wanted to do.”

She said that research shows that music therapy increases neuroplasticity in the brain by increasing dopamine production.

“This is why, in patients with aphasia, they often learn to sing before they can speak, "she said. “For example, if they like ‘Take it Easy’ by the Eagles, they can sing,

‘I have to go to the bathroom’ to the rhythm of the song.”

Oakes said another promising area in music therapy is in assisting

Alzheimer’s patients with memory recall.

“They can put a family member’s name, number or address into a song

and remember it that way,” she said.

She also used NMT while at Lakeshore Rehab, helping pulmonary patients increase the strength in their lungs through playing the harmonica.

“I’ve seen great success with helping patients breathe better,” she said.

She said most therapy sessions last 30 minutes to an hour, and most patients start seeing improvement in two to three sessions.

“I track the intervention and do a re-assessment after a month,” she said. “Even if there isn’t improvement, NMT helps them keep their baseline.”

She works with clients in person and through Telehealth, and she contracts with agencies like UAB Arts in Medicine and Children's Hospital. The patient fills out an intake form and she creates a program based on her assessment.

“Patients can choose their own music, and If there’s something that resonates with them that I don't know, I'll go out and find it and learn it.”

In addition to working with clients privately and with groups, for many years she has worked with the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, where she has led music therapy groups for adults with disabilities. She said her goal is to increase awareness about the benefits of music therapy so that it can be covered by insurance. She also hopes to start a nonprofit to help people who need music therapy but cannot afford it.

“What a gift it is to bring people back from the lowest points in their lives,” she said. “It’s very incredible what music can do for the brain.”

For more information, visit rootedmusictherapy.com or call 205-790-3167.

Hannah Oakes, a board-certified music therapist, is the owner of Rooted Music Therapy and specializes in neurological music therapy, which uses rhythm and music to promote brain and behavioral change.

Photo courtesy of Christina Hontzas Photography.

Chamber president, ambassadors create more opportunities for community involvement

By KATHARINE ARMBRESTER

Since 2019, the Mountain Brook Junior Board has gathered young professionals together to make a positive impact on their community.

The Junior Board is part of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce and serves to promote the city’s businesses, community and quality of life by bringing support and awareness to all things local.

Emily Jensen, the executive director for the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, said that the Junior Board was developed to encourage volunteerism and community involvement among young professionals who live or work in Mountain Brook.

“The group has grown annually and does a great job of supporting our community,” Jensen said. The Junior Board collaborates with the Chamber of Commerce and hosts their annual fall event, Thursday Night Live, which raises funds and awareness for local causes.

Virginia Grisham, a partner with Grisham Tolbert Interiors, recently became the new Junior Board president. A lifelong resident of Mountain Brook, she worked as an interior designer at Ruby Ansley Interiors before founding Grisham Tolbert Interiors with her friend Eleanor Tolbert.

Grisham has many ties to Mountain Brook, and owning a business is apparently a family tradition: her aunt, uncle and cousin also have businesses in the city.

“Working in Mountain Brook for the past eight years has shown me how even more

amazing our community is,” Grisham said. “The support we receive from the citizens, chamber staff, mayor, police department, fire department, is truly amazing. They check on us and in the process make you feel like what you are doing is important to this community and will do anything to help you succeed.”

Grisham said she was honored to be nominated by her fellow chamber board members as president. Other leadership positions she has held include serving for Preschool Partners, Antiques at the Gardens, Ballet Guild of Birmingham, and the Junior League of Birmingham. She also serves as a deacon at Independent

Presbyterian Church.

Some of the responsibilities she will have as president include supervising the general affairs of the Junior Board and serving as the liaison to the Mountain Brook Chamber Board of Directors. She and her fellow board members will generate more opportunities for community involvement, including supporting local businesses and causes.

Their new initiative, the Chamber Ambassadors, held their first meeting in January. Made up of city, civic and business leaders, the group will supplement the work of the chamber each year by serving as representatives in the community.

“We wanted to find a way to engage new volunteers from varied backgrounds who have a passion for service and can bring a fresh perspective to our organization,” Jensen said. “Our Chamber Ambassadors are already proving to be a tremendous asset to our organization, and in the future we would love to expand this program and utilize their vast experiences to help us tailor what we do to serve our members.”

The Junior Board now includes almost 40 members, and the inaugural class of the Chamber Ambassadors consisted of 14 members. Jensen said she is “excited about their ideas, enthusiasm and commitment to the community.”

As the new president, Grisham is also enthusiastic about what the Chamber Ambassadors and the Junior Board will bring to Mountain Brook.

“I am looking forward to this year and seeing what our board can do,” she said.

Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow.

Virginia Grisham, the new Mountain Brook Junior Board president, stands by the window at Grisham Tolbert Interiors. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

FIREFIGHTER

CONTINUED from page A1

And one of the career experiences he got was to train with firefighters — just training, not fighting live fires, he said.

“I didn’t take it really seriously at that point, not until I was in my 20s and doing another job and remembered how much I’d liked what I’d experienced at the fire department,” he said.

Rigg landed not too long after at Mountain Brook Fire Department, which he said was “a great place to work — the best job you’ll ever have.”

“The guys you’re working with, it’s more than just people you work with, it’s family,” he said.

While growing up, Mason knew a lot of his father’s coworkers from when the “family” would get together, and now they’re his coworkers too.

“The guys I’m with are all the guys he was with for a long time,” Mason said. “The older chiefs and stuff, I remember being around them when I was younger they were dad’s friends, not as ‘chief’ or ‘lieutenant.’ Now I see them as, ‘Hey, Chief, how are you, remember that one time we did this when I was a kid?’”

That’s one of the reasons he wanted to transfer to Mountain Brook after his dad retired.

“It had this home feeling,” Mason said. “This is so much fun because it’s kind of like a locker room atmosphere, or a football team atmosphere — all the things you love about being in high school hanging out with your buddies.”

Even though he grew up with a firefighter for a father, Mason said he didn’t immediately know he wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps.

“I never really thought about it,” he said. “I was in college and was trying to figure out what I wanted to do, and Dad said, ‘Hey, why don’t you try some things out?’ and the fire department was one of those.”

In 2009, he decided to give it a shot, and he “absolutely fell in love with it.”

“It was the structure I needed at 19 or 20 years old,” Mason said.

He started in Bessemer, then transferred to Vestavia Hills before ending up in his father’s former station.

And now, as he follows in Rigg’s footsteps, he understands more and more about his dad and the advice he gave over the years.

“As you come up in the fire department, you start to realize this was why my dad was this way. He learned it at the fire station — lessons like how being on time is important,” Mason said. “All these life lessons I learned trickled down through the fire department. You don’t

appreciate that until you get older.”

The Parkers aren’t the only Mountain Brook Fire Department father-son legacies at the moment — Logan Whitehead is now a firefighter in the place where his father, Roger Whitehead, was battalion chief.

A framed photograph of Rigg Parker and his son, Mason, at a wedding in 2013. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

REAL ESTATE

CONTINUED from page A1

DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

It’s no secret that low inventory drives prices up, and 2023 was a prime example of that in Mountain Brook, just as it was in 2022.

This past year saw a single family home in Mountain Brook go over the $6 million mark, and others have sold in the $4-plus million range, something almost unfathomable a few years ago. Poynor said high interest rates and ongoing low inventory have been challenges for the market even as demand drove prices upward.

“So yes, you are seeing very competitive market conditions, and this gets tricky when you start talking about Mountain Brook because you have affluent people who are in a position to act in a way as to be real competitive, which means some properties will sell for very high amounts,” Poynor said.

Margi Ingram, of real estate marketing firm Ingram Associates, agreed: “In the early stages of 2024, it seems that the real estate market in Mountain Brook has taken up where 2023 left off, with low inventory and increased prices. For every home that comes on the market, there are several buyers trying to buy. More demand than supply is still the story today.”

Seventeen homes sold in December 2023, down from 34 last year. According to Mountain Brook city building official Glen Merchant, there were 28 new homes permitted for 2023, out of 84 total construction permits.

On average, homes in Mountain Brook in the last two years have stayed on the market for 20 days, which is way below the state and national average. Due to low inventory, the time from contract to closing has significantly reduced in the last few years, from over 100 days to within a month.

“It’s wild,” Poynor said. “Now, these deals close in a week or two. If you are working with a mortgage company, they need to be ready. Otherwise, you are going to lose out to someone who has cash. We even see buyers letting the seller stay for periods of time after closing. That’s definitely changed.”

Technology has changed the game, too.

“We used to have to go to an agency to pick up a key to the house, and then take it back. Next, we had to write up a contract, give the offer and then drive back and forth to discuss. Today, we have DocuSign and may never even see the other agent,” Poynor said.

RESILIENCE

As interest rates stabilize and look toward a possible decline, Pynor said home buyers and sellers in Mountain Brook are coming to terms with the new market.

“The word I’m going to use about this community is resilient,” he said. “So, if I’m going to buy a new home, the new reality is 6 or 7% interest, and historically this rate is not nearly as high as it’s been at times. So, in Mountain Brook, they are finding a way to buy.”

Stephen Dorsky, of Day Star Construction, Inc., also used the word “resilience” to describe Mountain Brook.

“I would not say any community is recession-proof, but Mountain Brook and nearby areas have resilience when facing challenging financial times,” he said.

Dorsky started Day Star in 1983 and has

Greater Birmingham Area Suburban Home Sales 2023

Suburban new and existing home sales in the greater Birmingham area, listed by city with average price and square footage.

continued his home construction and renovation business through several economic downturns. Day Star survived the 2008 real estate bust and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Right now is a great time for us,” Dorsky said. “Our biggest challenge is to attend to the calls and current projects we have ongoing. Building materials are still very high, but I do not see that genie going back in the bottle. Overall, I anticipate our business to remain at least stable, if not slightly increasing in 2024.”

Poynor said the community of Mountain Brook itself is what keeps its real estate market strong through all the changes in the market.

“This community is phenomenal. When someone says, ‘I want to move out of Mountain Brook because I can pay less taxes,’ I wonder: What happens when you move away from our police protection, our fire department and paramedics? Not to mention our school system and sidewalks and villages. Not me,” Poynor said.

ADVICE FROM THE PROS

Realtor Heather Anthony

I have been getting a lot of questions lately about how the changes in rates are going to affect the housing market, so I wanted to get something out to my family, friends and clients. While we have not seen any significant rate cuts yet, most experts speculate that we will see them in 2024 (and expect rates hovering around the 6% mark at year end), with some pundits expecting as many as six cuts. With the current employment numbers and inflation rates, we will likely start to see movement as early as March.

We have already seen an uptick in buyers over January of 2023, but if the rates do come down, this will likely bring a wave of buyers entering the market. However, it is not expected for the available home inventory to increase at the same pace, since many homeowners are still locked into historically low mortgage rates. A growing buyer pool chasing limited inventory will result in an increase in multiple-offer situations, which is likely to inflate sale prices. It is not expected to reach the same frenzy level that we saw in 2021, but that is the same sort of model that we are looking at.

This trend is likely to extend into the fall, when things tend to slow down right before a presidential election. In short, we are expecting to see a strong market throughout the first three quarters of the year. For buyers willing to get in early, there is likely to be a great deal of opportunity in the next month or so until the rates drop — and there are always opportunities to refinance down the road.

Heather Anthony is a Realtor with ARC Realty Mountain Brook.

Q: If you were planning to live in Mountain Brook either now or down the road, would you recommend trying to wait and see what happens with the market or buying as soon as possible?

A: My brother told me in 1986 that it is better to bite the bullet now and buy in Mountain Brook than to wait and buy later. That was good advice then, and it’s good advice now. When you have the best public school system in Alabama, it is a lot cheaper for a family to live in Mountain Brook than to pay for private school with the same education value. Mountain Brook is like an island, which makes the land even more valuable. This is the reason there will always be a demand for Mountain Brook homes.

Q: What do you expect to happen with interest rates?

A: I don’t know where rates are going, and anyone that tells you they do are just guessing. Daily rates are determined by the loan amount, percent down and credit score, so everyone’s rate is different. To understand where rates have been, I post on my Facebook page the Freddie Mac U.S. weekly average. Here are some of the recent rates posted by Freddie Mac within the last year:

► Jan. 18, 2024: 6.6%

► July 20, 2023: 6.78%

► Jan. 19, 2023: 6.15%

Mortgage Broker John Marbury YOUR

The 52-week high was 7.79% on Oct. 26. The record high for home interest rates was 18.63% on Oct. 9, 1981, and the record low was 2.65% on Jan. 7, 2021.

Q: We hear people say, “I can sell my house for way more than I paid for it,” but then where will they go to replace what they left?

A: If your home is worth more, then you should be able to net more from the sale of your home. This would lead to a larger down payment. If you are downsizing, you might be able to pay cash for the next home. If you are upsizing, your loan and interest rate will likely be higher. You will then have greater gains in appreciation and the opportunity to refinance if rates go lower.

Q: Do you think the real estate market has been too cold in our area?

A: I believe the number of units sold was cold in 2023 due to a lack of inventory. Demand and values increased from this same lack of inventory. Home values have gone up every decade from 1940 to 2019. Home ownership has been the most consistent wealth builder for a long time. Everyone must live somewhere, so you might as well pay deductible interest or principal reduction that increases equity, rather than paying rent.

John Marbury is a vice president and mortgage banker at SouthState Bank.

Jemison Park Trail renovations complete

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.

Dean Nix isn’t paid a dime to serve as chairman of the Mountain Brook Park and Recreation Board, but being part of the ribbon cutting for the improved Jemison Park Trail was more than rewarding.

“Just to serve on a board that has this kind of vision is amazing,” Nix said at the trail’s ribbon cutting on Feb. 6. “We’ve walked this trail many times when it was the old trail. This is just incredible how much nicer it is and how much more walker-friendly it is. I have two daughters that have little babies and they come out here with their strollers, and it sure is a lot more functional.”

Partners from the City of Mountain Brook, the Friends of Jemison Park and the Freshwater Land Trust were on hand for the grand opening of the newly improved Jemison Park Trail, which is part of the Red Rock Trail System.

Sally Worthen, president of the Friends of Jemison Park, said she was overjoyed that the redevelopment project was achieved.

“It’s an exciting day,” she said. “It is all I envisioned it to be and more. It really is. It turned out to be very natural, and I think it’s going to be enjoyed by many.

“We’ve had about 500 of our residents contributing a total of $2.7 million,” Worthen said. “We partnered with the city, who gave $1.6 million, and this is what we’ve done.”

Carolyn Buck of Freshwater Land Trust was happy to supply the ribbon for the ceremonial reopening.

“We love a ribbon cutting,” Buck said. “These projects take a long time to complete, and it takes a huge effort by lots of different partners to get it done. We love to celebrate

hard work completed.”

Jemison Park Trail was rerouted to make it about 1.7 miles long, and the paved path was widened from 5 feet to 9 feet. Shanda Williams, superintendent of the Mountain Brook Park Department, said those improvements easily make the trail the crown jewel of Mountain Brook park spaces.

“With these improvements, it’s going be the most accessible park that we’ve got now,” Williams said. “I think it’s conveniently located to other communities. It’s long and linear, so you get a different experience the further you go down the trail. The Friends and all the donors that helped make this happen, they made it possible.”

And the Friends are still befriending the space, raising money for another amenity.

“We’re hoping to add another bridge across the creek, so the gravel trail over there can connect back to the asphalt trail and make a loop,” Williams said. “We didn’t have enough funds when we built this trail, so we’re still fundraising to get that in.”

Dr. David Hicks, health officer of Jefferson County, was on hand for the ribbon cutting as well. He said Jefferson County Department of Health is always excited any time there are renovations to a trail or a park system in the community.

“Here in Mountain Brook, the community

rallied around this park, this environment, this trail,” Hicks said. “This is just a phenomenal space and we’re just happy to highlight this. Even though it’s a little nippy out, we see people already out right now, and they’re taking advantage of the space.”

Count Alison Green among the many runners and walkers who had already christened the trail Tuesday. The UAB nurse calls it her haven, as she’s usually out between 5:30 and 6 a.m. each morning.

“It gets you outside and you see nature and other people wanting to get out,” she said. “I think it’s good for my mind and takes you closer to the Lord.”

City officials, the Friends of Jamison Park and members of the community celebrate the reopening of Jemison Park Trail with a ribbon cutting Feb. 6. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Spartans baseball leans on seniors

By KYLE PARMLEY

In the last two years, the Mountain Brook High School baseball program has had the unfortunate luck of facing the eventual Class 6A state champions in the early rounds of the state playoffs.

The Spartans would certainly like to give a few teams that badge this spring, perhaps by being the state champions themselves.

That’s not exactly how head coach Lee Gann sets forth expectations for his program, but he believes this year’s team has the potential to do some special things.

“It’s an exciting time,” he said. “We’re going to have some new faces in the lineup. We’ve got some veterans as well that have been playing. It’ll be a nice mix of players for this team.”

The Spartans parted with 12 seniors from last spring’s team, with five of them currently playing in college. That means there are plenty of positions and roles to be filled.

“We’ve got to throw some guys out there and see what sticks,” Gann said. “Play through some growing pains.”

John Robicheaux has been a mainstay in the outfield and in the pitching rotation over the last two years and will be expected to have another big season. Middle infielder James Graphos, Caleb Barnett and pitcher Kenneth Diddell are also back, as each had critical roles last spring as well.

Hunter Keller started several games last year, while catcher Brooks Allen got some time behind the plate. Both will be asked to carry a heavier load.

As far as other seniors go, pitchers Sellers Neuendorf, George Mange, John Littleton and Ty Shotts will get opportunities to fill key roles

on the staff.

Drew Bodnar will see plenty of time at first base and is a designated hitter option. Wyatt Swanson and Benjamin Payne are also seniors.

“We’re excited that we have some older guys coming into this season,” Gann said. “A lot of them have gotten on the field in varsity settings and were contributors as juniors. It’s not their first rodeo.”

Five of those seniors have committed to play baseball in college. Robicheaux is headed to Samford, Graphos and Diddell will play at Shelton State, Neuendorf will play at AUM

and Keller will play at Snead State.

Diddell is an interesting case for this year’s team. He has served as the Spartans’ closer the last two years and has proven to be a lockdown reliever. At the same time, Mountain Brook could use him as a starter occasionally.

Gann likes the versatility of the lineup this year. The middle of the order has some pop, but there are also guys that play small ball.

“We’ve got some guys that can swing it and some guys that, when you get to that portion of the lineup, do some unique things to create problems on defense and create

ways to score runs.”

Gann always emphasizes “controlling the controllables,” no matter the circumstances.

“The only thing you can control is what’s out in front of you,” he said. “If our guys can keep that mindset, I think we can have a successful year.”

He also said the seniors want to leave a positive imprint on the program and put together a 2024 worth remembering.

“They want to play to the standard that was set before them like the great teams and players before them,” Gann said.

Mountain Brook’s John Robicheaux (2) swings at a pitch in an area game against Homewood last season.

Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Spartans softball continues to climb

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Mountain Brook High School softball team was a mere inning away from reaching the Class 6A state tournament last spring.

It’s a far cry from where the program was just a few short years ago, as Heather McGuirk has continued to elevate things in her five years as head coach.

Mountain Brook actually held a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning of an East Regional elimination game against Pell City, a team that has stacked multiple state tournament runs in recent years.

But Pell City rallied and won the contest, putting an end to Mountain Brook’s season.

The Spartans had a great season, going 24-12-1, sweeping through regular-season area play and the area tournament. They notched three wins at the regional tournament before getting eliminated.

That has only added fuel to the fire, as the Spartans appear to have a shot at taking the next step this season and returning to the state tournament.

“The girls have been working extremely hard this offseason,” McGuirk said. “They have put in tons of work to prepare for this season.”

McGuirk has seen some intangible things that are hard to measure begin to develop over the offseason. She’s hopeful that will end up paying dividends on the field as the season begins.

“The heart of this team is second to none,” she said. “We have created a culture that emphasizes family, and the girls have bought into a strong and focused mindset.”

Annie Gregory, Marrison Kearse and Emma Stearns are seniors for this year’s team, and they have been three solid and reliable players over their careers.

Gregory and Kearse will be two of Mountain Brook’s top pitchers, while also playing infield when they aren’t in the circle. Stearns is an anchor at first base and provides power in the

middle of the order. All three will be key cogs in the batting lineup.

“Each player brings something special to the team,” McGuirk said. “They balance out each other’s personalities very well. They lead by example, bring humor when needed, and love their teammates and the game.”

There is plenty to look forward to in the junior and sophomore classes as well. Claire Robinett has plenty of experience and will take

hold of an infield spot. Edith Kaplan battled injuries last year but, when healthy, is one of the top hitters in the area. Reagan Rape also returns in the outfield.

McGuirk believes the 2024 chapter could be a great one for the Spartans. The program has taken progressive steps in her time there, continually climbing and striving for incremental improvements. She has witnessed some impressive things over the fall and winter

months and is eager to see how well the team plays on the field this year.

“The story of this year’s team started back in the fall,” she said. “We have had a few things to overcome already, and they have done so with so much grace. This group is very special.

“They have implemented the value of family and have absolutely created exactly that. I am extremely excited to see what all this team achieves this year.”

Mountain Brook’s Marrison Kearse (21) pitches in a game against Woodlawn last season. Kearse is one of the Spartans three seniors this spring. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.

Mountain Brook High School recognized 11 senior student-athletes on the spring National Signing Day, Feb. 7. Mountain Brook honored an additional nine student-athletes who signed during the fall, bringing the 2024 class to a total of 20 college athletic signees as of press time. 2024 NATIONAL SIGNING DAY Mountain Brook recognized 11 student athletes on National Signing Day at Mountain Brook High School on Feb. 7. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools.

GOING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

HUNTER KELLER

Photos by WILLIAM GALLOWAY

CALLIE KENT

▶ SPORT: Cross-country/track

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Belmont University

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Alabama

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: U.S. Military Academy West Point

▶ SPORT: Baseball

JOHN MONTGOMERY

▶ COLLEGE/

UNIVERSITY: Southern Union State Community College

JACK DONAHUE

▶ SPORT: Swimming

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: University of Arizona

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Auburn University

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Emory & Henry College

▶ SPORT: Lacrosse

▶ COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY: Rhodes College

CLARK SANDERSON

WATTS

▶ SPORT: Football

▶ COLLEGE/

UNIVERSITY: Clemson University

▶ SPORT: Football

By CARMEN SHEA BROWN

Steven Conger was sitting on his couch watching the Disney film “Hercules” with his 18-month-old son, John-Vincent. For two years, Conger has been head coach of the Alabama Flyers, a nonprofit community basketball team in Mountain Brook for third to sixth grade boys, and now he was deep in thought about how to take his team to new heights and answer the question that he had been asked by parents and children alike: “Just what is a flyer?”

At the time, the team did not have a mascot, so he was never sure how to answer the question. And then, while watching the movie, he had an epiphany.

“In mythology, Hercules was a Greek warrior who was trying to become a true hero, and he was assisted by his childhood friend Pegasus, a flying horse,” Conger said. “I thought that fit extremely well with what we are doing with this program. We’re helping them achieve greatness.”

Established in 2017 by Christian Schweers, the goal of Alabama Flyers has always been to promote youth basketball in Mountain Brook. But Conger, who is also a varsity assistant coach at Mountain Brook High School, said his mission is to increase the Flyers’ visibility in the community and make people aware of the benefits of enrolling their boys into the program.

“Mountain Brook schools and athletes are always first class and top-notch, and I want to build them up to that level,” Conger said. “This community loves basketball, and this gives your son a competitive advantage by learning ahead of time. I like to call us the GFG League — Go Flyers Go.”

Led by Conger and several former Mountain Brook High School coaches and players, the Alabama Flyers have two teams per grade

level, as well as what he calls a developmental league.

“It serves two types of people: the ones who need to work on their skills and need more attention, and players who are busy with other sports and need more time to practice,” Conger said. “They also get a free monthly subscription to 205Hoops, which includes a month of training in the package.”

Conger said the program’s only weakness

has been visibility.

“I did an honest evaluation of our social media presence, and now we’ve started a website, we’re on Instagram and we’re going to have live action and photoshoots,” he said.

On Jan. 22, Alabama Flyers held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its new membership with the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. Conger said the membership will improve the Flyers’ brand recognition in the

community,

“I felt that more families needed to be aware of our program and what we do,” he said. “Additionally, I want to strengthen community ties by providing volunteer opportunities for our high school students, especially in collaboration with Leadership Mountain Brook, which also has ties to the chamber.”

In March, the team will have a photoshoot presenting their new uniforms, sponsored by New Balance of Birmingham. The design for the uniforms, which Conger helped create, features a wing embossed on the back of the shirt along with the player’s name and number, a Greek design on the trim and a drawing of Pegasus on the shorts.

“This just ties a nice bow on it to make it all connect,” Conger said.

Through a partnership with Luceo Sports, the Flyers have an online “flight school” this year, Conger said, where players can learn about their system and terminology regardless of whether basketball is in season.

Conger said that although the Flyers are not affiliated with Mountain Brook Schools, he wants to exemplify the same character traits and skills taught at Mountain Brook High School: to play hard, be unselfish and have fun.

“The program is 100% process-driven,” Conger said. “Mountain Brook’s players are known for their hard work, relentless effort and intensity. We want that culture to trickle down into our program.”

Conger said he is confident that the Alabama Flyers teams will continue to grow and emulate those standards.

“Mountain Brook High School’s last state championship theme was ‘Rise Together,’ and that will be our theme this year,” Conger said. For more information on enrollment, go to alabamaflyers.org or email Conger at alabamaflyers@gmail.com.

Spartans girls collect 2nd straight indoor state title

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Mountain Brook High School girls indoor track and field team continued the overall program’s dominance in recent years, capping off the Class 6A state indoor meet with a second straight state title on Feb. 2 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

That brings the girls cross-country/track and field program state championship count to seven total titles since the beginning of the 2021-22 school year (three cross-country, two indoor and two outdoor).

Mountain Brook’s girls won the state meet convincingly, posting 94 total points, 20 points clear of runner-up St. Paul’s. Homewood, Fort

Payne and Briarwood rounded out the top five in 6A.

“Our mindset was if we did what we did to get to the state meet, we didn’t need to do anything spectacular and we were going to be OK,” Mountain Brook coach Michael McGovern said. “That’s what we did today. We had a bunch of people step up and even exceed our

expectations, and that was a key part of how we ended up with such a big victory.”

McGovern credited Lucy Benton and Mary Katherine Malone with helping the Spartans get off to a great start, as the duo finished first and second in the 800-meter run. Benton won the race with a time of 2 minutes, 14 seconds, with Malone going 2:17.

Annie Kerr’s state record of 13 feet in the pole vault, along with Livy Holt’s fourth-place finish in the same competition, was another key catalyst for the Spartans.

“That really propelled us into a great performance for the rest of the day,” McGovern said.

Malone and Benton reached the podium together once more, as Malone won the 1,600 in 5:01, and Benton finished third in 5:02.

The girls 4x800-meter relay team was victorious in 9:48, while the 4x400 team finished second.

Benton finished second in the 400, while Malone and Kennedy Hamilton went second and third in the 3,200. Anne Lawson Finch finished fifth in the 60-meter hurdles, Ella Trotter was 10th in the 400, Kerr was eighth and Eva Worthen was 11th in the high jump, Lea McCauley placed 11th in the long jump and Ruth Ann Kearley was 14th in the shot put.

Mountain Brook’s boys had a notable day as well, finishing in a tie for third with Oxford, as each team grabbed 45 points. Northridge won going away, with Homewood finishing second.

“The boys were amazing,” McGovern said. “We thought we could get maybe fifth today, and at one point, we were in the hunt for second. To finish third was a lot more than we could’ve expected.”

Jack Chapman was the individual winner in the 800, posting a time of 1:56. The boys 4x800 relay team also won with a time of 8:08. The 4x400 team reached the podium with a second-place finish as well.

Tate Hoffman was fourth in the 800, as was Max Baltz in the high jump. Caleb Epstein was seventh in the 400, Hudson Rukstalis-Williams was fifth in the 1,600 and John Roberts was eighth, while Brooks Bazemore and Branum Lloyd also ran in the 3,200.

Now, the Spartans turn their focus to the outdoor season. The girls will be looking to add an eighth title to the collection from the last three years.

“This was a fun one,” McGovern said. “This group of seniors has won a lot of state championships in a row. We hope we can get one more in outdoor for them.”

Tate Hoffman competes in the boys 4x800-meter run during the Class 6A state indoor track and field meet at the Birmingham CrossPlex on Feb. 2.

Left: Lucy Benton competes in the girls 400-meter dash. Middle: Lea McCauley, right, hugs Anne Lawson Finch after competing in the girls 60-meter hurdles. Right: Annie Kerr reacts after clearing 13 feet during the pole vault competition.

Varsity Sports Calendar

BASEBALL

March 7-9: Battle at the Beach. Biloxi, Mississippi.

March 12: @ Gardendale. 6:30 p.m.

March 14: vs. Moody. 6:30 p.m.

March 16: vs. Cullman, Russellville. Cullman High School. 11 a.m.

March 19: @ Chelsea. 6:30 p.m.

March 25-28: Gulf Coast Classic. Gulf Shores.

SOFTBALL

March 4: vs. Helena. 5:30 p.m.

March 7: Doubleheader @ Pleasant Grove. 5 p.m.

March 8-9: Jag Classic. Hoover Met Complex.

March 12: @ Shades Valley. 5 p.m.

March 14: @ Pelham. 5 p.m.

March 18: vs. Hueytown. 5 p.m.

March 19: Doubleheader vs. Woodlawn. 4 p.m.

March 20: vs. Hoover. 5 p.m.

SOCCER

March 5: vs. Shades Valley. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

March 8: @ Hewitt-Trussville. Boys at 4:30 p.m., girls at 6 p.m.

March 12: vs. Pell City. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

March 14: Boys @ Oak Mountain. TBD.

March 15: Girls @ Homewood. 6 p.m.

March 19: Girls @ Shades Valley. 5 p.m.

March 19: Boys @ SouthsideGadsden. 7 p.m.

March 21: Girls vs. Vestavia Hills. 6 p.m.

March 21: Boys @ Wetumpka. 6:30 p.m.

TENNIS

March 4: vs. Altamont. 3 p.m.

March 5: @ Northridge. 3 p.m.

March 7: vs. Hartselle. 3 p.m.

March 11: @ Montgomery Academy. 3 p.m.

March 14: @ Briarwood. 3 p.m.

March 20: vs. Vestavia Hills. 3 p.m.

Sports Editor’s Note By Kyle Parmley Rising tide lifts all boats

In the eight years I’ve been the sports editor at Starnes Media, I have perhaps seen no greater overall growth in any sport as I have in girls basketball at the high school level.

Don’t get me wrong. When I started here, Homewood was in the midst of an extraordinary run, winning two state titles in a three-year span. Hoover was getting set to take off again after hiring Krystle Johnson, and the Bucs have won five Class 7A state titles in the last seven years. And the two years Hoover didn’t win it, Spain Park did.

But if you take all 11 schools in our coverage area, nearly all of these programs are either on the rise or have recently elevated to a new level.

(Author’s note: This column was published during this year’s state playoffs, so the 2023-24 postseason results were not yet known.)

Johnson has made Hoover the premier program in Alabama once again, sending stars like Aniya Hubbard and Reniya Kelly to major Division I college programs.

Hewitt-Trussville, under the direction of Tonya Hunter, has been to a pair of state championship games in recent years. The Lady Huskies have become a fixture in the postseason, buoyed by stars like Amiya Payne, Jordan Hunter and others.

John David Smelser has taken the Vestavia Hills program to great heights as well. The foundation was set up for success when he took over, and stars like Emma Smith have put the Rebels in the upper echelon, where they have remained in recent years and brought home a state runner-up trophy a couple seasons ago.

Chelsea is another program that has ascended

under Jason Harlow. The Lady Hornets have sustained their status even after the bar has been raised, and they do so with incredible defense and an all-around solid game. They’re well on their way to another great year.

Kevin Conner has ClayChalkville firmly back in the conversation as one of the best teams in the state, a place the Lady Cougars have not been since Mike Chase was there more than 15 years ago. If Clay-Chalkville wasn’t dealing with the behemoth that is Hazel Green in the regional tournament, the Lady Cougars would be a near-lock for the state final four.

As far as programs on the rise, Briarwood’s Lorie Kerley and Mountain Brook’s Sara Price deserve high marks. They have made the regional tournaments a realistic and regular expectation for those programs. Homewood’s Gavin King inherited an extremely young program and has made the Lady Patriots a little better each year, winning a bunch of games in the process. It won’t be long before postseason success follows.

Oak Mountain has been on the doorstep of the regional final a couple times in recent years, and John Hadder has done an excellent job of starting the rebuild at Spain Park this season.

It’s great to see so many girls basketball programs in this area continue to raise the bar. It’s almost as if quality leadership matters.

And it’s true what they say: a rising tide lifts all boats.

Kyle Parmley is the sports editor at Starnes Media.

Parmley

Events

Mountain Brook events guide

March 2: Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser. 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 614 Brookwood Village. The Exceptional Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser will feature live music, a kids’ zone and all the chili you can eat. Purchase tickets in advance for $15 and $20 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. exceptionalfoundation.org/chili.

March 5: Thyme to Read Book Club. 4:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road. The monthly book club hosted by the Library at the Gardens. This month’s discussion will feature “Eating to Extinction: The World’s Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them.” This event is free and open to the public. bbgardens.org.

March 9: Homewood-Mountain Brook Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast. 7-11 a.m. The Exceptional Foundation, 1616 Oxmoor Road, Homewood. Enjoy delicious pancakes and family fun at the annual fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Homewood-Mountain Brook. Meals are $8 each and can be purchased at the door. homewood-mtbrook-al.kiwanisone.org/page/23234.

March 9: Publix Village 2 Village 2024. 7:30 a.m. Grand Bohemian Hotel, 2655 Lane Park Road. This premier road race attracts over 500 runners and their families, and it offers both a 10K and 7.5K option. Finishing in Lane Parke, the race culminates at the race village, complete with vendors, food and beverage, music and a kids’ zone.

Registration is $35. runsignup.com/Race/AL/Birmingham/ Village2Village10k.

March 14: Family Night — Live Animal Show. 5:30-6:15 p.m. O’Neal Library. Swing by the library for a family night of fun. The “Tales and Scales” animal show will feature a lineup of reptiles, amphibians and more. The library is hosting a light dinner for children immediately following the program. oneallibrary.org/event/6914174.

March 16: Kid Bike Safari at The Birmingham Zoo. 4 p.m. The Birmingham Zoo. Children can ride in the bike safari. Space

is limited to ensure a safe riding experience. An optional coaching bike skills clinic will take place at 3 p.m. (cost $25). Warm ups begin at 4 p.m., and the bike safari will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. A $25 Bike Safari Pass is needed for event participation. littlehammies.com/store/ ols/products/bikesafari-bhmzoo.

March 19: Orangetheory Fitness TumTum Tree Foundation 10K/5K/1-Mile Fun Run. 3 p.m. Crestline Village. Orangetheory Fitness is hosting this race, with proceeds benefiting children who are battling life-threatening illnesses. Run, walk or donate. An afterparty will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. and will feature live music, games, inflatables, food and more. Strollers and pets are welcome in all races. runsignup.com/Race/AL/MountainBrook/ TumTumTreeFoundation10K.

March 30: 17th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road. The Japan America Society of Alabama hosts this annual event to help you immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Enjoy cultural activities, food, music and martial arts demonstrations. Entry is free. bbgardens.org.

March 30: Mountain Brook Easter Egg Roll. 10 a.m. O’Neal Library. Bring your Easter baskets to the grassy field and join the fun. mtnbrookchamber.org.

One challenge of raising teenagers is teaching emotional regulation.

Psychologist and author Dr. Lisa Damour says that teenagers often have the right feeling on the wrong scale. They need help bringing their feelings down to size.

As parents, we do this by naming their feelings, talking about them and using a tone that conveys warmth and confidence in them.

It sounds easy, but in the moment it can be hard, uncomfortable or irritating to witness a teen's unpleasant emotions. Personally, I want to rush through them. I want to give my teens pep talks or life lessons. I’ve told them how they should feel before listening to how they do feel. I’ve expected them to master emotions that still elude me.

I didn't realize my tendency until my daughter told me one day, “You and Dad are always like, perspective, but I’m allowed to be upset over dumb things for five minutes.” She was right. While my instinct is to “fix” emotions that make me uncomfortable, my kids benefit more when I let them feel what they feel. After all, emotions buried alive always resurface.

At the same time, I know emotions can make or break a person. They affect every relationship that they have. We all know adults who don’t have emotional regulation, and it’s detrimental to their relationships.

So how do we let our teenagers vent and unload — yet also teach them to take raw emotions to a more evolved place? How do we help them identify their triggers and know when to walk away?

Here are a few ideas.

► Remember that a teenager’s response to the world is driven by emotion, not reason. Dr. Frances Jensen, author of “The Teenage Brain,” says that during adolescence, more than any other time, emotions rule our lives.

“Teenagers are usually up or they’re down,” she says, “and they are very rarely something in between. As parents we sometimes experience our teenagers’ emotional highs and lows as frighteningly out of control, and because our teenagers are as of yet unable to smooth things out using their frontal lobes, it’s up to us to be the filter, the regulator, to provide the sense of calm their brains can’t yet provide.”

In other words, they need us for their reality check, a voice of reason and calm in the chaos.

► Love your teenager and let them vent — but don’t be their punching bag. Teenagers push limits, and sometimes we take more than we should because we sympathize with their struggles, we hate fighting or we’re scared of losing them.

But if you tolerate disrespect, you set a bad precedent. One day it won’t be you who your child is coming home to; it will be their roommate, spouse, child. It’s OK to vent, but not if you disrespect someone else in the process. Expecting respect as a parent is an act of love that will help our teen.

► Watch for rumination. It’s good to talk through problems, but dwelling is another story. There comes a point where enough is enough, and it’s time to move on. In today’s culture of self-focus, teenagers can get so wrapped up in their feelings that they ignore

the feelings of those around them. One cure for this is service or an act of kindness to help your teen get out of their head.

► Encourage self-care. Controlling emotions is easier when you feel good. When life is a flurry of too much stress, too little sleep, poor eating habits and an overload of screen time, your child’s defenses are down, and, like all of us, they’re more likely to snap.

► Remind them to avoid technology when they’re in a feisty mood. We all get angry and overreact at times, but keeping these moments private (and undocumented) can prevent your teen from burning bridges. People don’t forget the accusations, attacks or passive-aggressive remarks that fly in heated moments, so remind your child to stay off technology until they’ve cooled down. Otherwise, they may channel their emotions into a keypad.

► Encourage one-on-one resolution. Most people never learn conflict resolution. When they feel hurt, they blow up or bottle it up. They give the offender a piece of their mind, or they pretend they’re fine while letting the truth seep out through passive-aggressiveness. Issues can often be resolved (or partially settled) when two people talk without accusations. When one can calmly say, “Hey, this wasn’t like you, but it really hurt my feelings when you kept teasing me. I don’t want this to come between us, and that’s why I’m telling you, because I value our friendship,” this approach makes a friend more likely to listen and less likely to get defensive. It keeps little issues from turning into big ones.

► See conflicts as opportunities. Emotional

intelligence grows best in loving relationships. Your teenager may not realize that not everyone thinks like them until their blunt honesty makes someone cry. If they hold grudges, they may not value grace until someone forgives them. Through conflict, your teen gets exposed to different viewpoints that can expand their heart, mind and soul.

As parents, we can only take our kids as far as we have come. To raise emotionally healthy teens, we must be emotionally healthy too, always growing our intelligence and setting a good example.

When your teenager feels emotional, let them talk freely. Stay calm and give words to their feelings. Assure them they are normal, and help them find healthy outlets and coping strategies. Most importantly, encourage them to pray and get quiet before acting on kneejerk responses. Help them work toward measured responses that lead to peace and stronger relationships.

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.

WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH

If you suffer from allergies or other ear, nose, throat or hearing problems, we don’t want you to treat your healthcare lightly or ignore symptoms that could lead to more serious issues.

For a complete and thorough evaluation make an appointment today to see one of our 15 board certified physicians, 4 highly trained, licensed PA’s, or 16 clinical audiologists – all available to serve your needs at any of our 10 locations.

At our practice, your health comes first; and we strive to treat each patient as a person, not just another case. Our goal is to deliver a positive personal experience along with a positive outcome.

For your convenience, we have same day appointments available, as well as early morning, evening, and Saturday appointments. Please call 1-888-ENT-5020 (1-888-368-5020) for more information, visit us on our website at www.entalabama.com, and scan the QR code below to follow us on social media.

Live and learn with love and laughter

Camp Hollymont for Girls

Girls in Birmingham ages 7-15 in search of a unique, uplifting summer experience should look no farther than Camp Hollymont for Girls, nestled in the beautiful Appalachian mountains in Rabun Gap, Georgia.

Founded in 1983, Hollymont is a Christian camp with a friendly, uplifting atmosphere and is only a four-hour drive from Birmingham.

“Campers grow socially, physically and spiritually, all while gaining self-confidence, building lasting friendships and having lots of fun,” says Missy McKibbens Roper, Hollymont’s executive director and Mountain Brook resident.

Located on the campus of the prestigious Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, Hollymont enjoys first-class amenities, including an indoor pool, sports fields and a six-acre lake, as well as cheer, tumbling and dance studios.

The campus boasts first-class performing arts facilities, including a proscenium stage, and campers can enjoy art classes, including a new sculpture class this season.

Campers can play sports, including tennis, soccer and softball, and Hollymont offers off-campus adventures, including hiking, camping and rafting.

The camp’s inspiring Christian focus includes Sunday Chapel, as well as songs and skits at Morning Watch and Bible stories and prayer at Evening Devotion.

In addition, Hollymont’s college-age counselors “are awesome role models, and they show what it means to be a Christian in everything they do,” Roper says.

Hollymont has a seven-week camping season in June and July. Traditional sessions for girls ages 7-15 are two weeks. Hollymont

WHERE: Rabun Gap-Nacoochee

School in Rabun Gap, Georgia

WHEN: June and July

AGES: 7-15

CALL: 828-686–5343

WEB: hollymont.com

also offers a starter camp for girls ages 7-9 and a mother-daughter weekend.

For details, call 828-686–5343 or go to hollymont.com. Follow us on social media @camphollymont.

Enrichment opportunities for all ages

GOAT Tutors Virtual Workshops

After a successful launch in the fall of 2023, GOAT Tutors founder William Mattison recognized some untapped potential within the platform.

“I meet with these educators every day, and am always awestruck by their expertise in their subject areas and their excitement for engaging students with digital tools,” Mattison said. “When I sent out a call for extended outcome based workshop ideas, the responses flooded in!”

These virtual workshops are the perfect way to support any learner’s needs, whether by enrichment or remediation.

“My second grader, Gus, attends an amazing public elementary school, and he happens to be gifted in math,” Mattison said. “I try to extend his learning personally, but I can only do so much. With our workshops, a student like Gus can have a set number of hours with a math genius, working towards a specific, standards-based outcome to nurture his individual skills.”

GOAT Tutors Virtual Workshops can also be a quick way to diagnose learning challenges and efficiently get students back up to grade level. The growing number of workshops offered include: “Mental Math: Become a Human Calculator,” “Amy’s Verbal Section Bootcamp” for Test Prep

CALL: 205-539-5289

WEB: goattutors.com

EMAIL: william@goattutors.com

and “Time-Capsule Chronicles: A History Enrichment Expedition.”

“I’ve always felt that the key to student engagement is genuine excitement about the content from the teacher, it’s contagious,” Mattison said. “These virtual workshops allow for truly individualized learning that students can be excited about!”

Scan the QR code to learn more about the workshop options or reach out to Mattison directly by emailing william@goattutors. com to find a virtual workshop that will give your student a love for learning.

Move and create with dance

The

Dance Foundation

Founded in 1975, The Dance Foundation is a nonprofit whose services reach far and wide in the Homewood and Birmingham communities.

The Community In Motion program is at the heart of The Dance Foundation’s mission, with classes for students at dozens of schools and social service agencies such as the The Bell Center, YWCA and many others. Through this program, dance is used to build coordination and motor skills, inspire creativity and curiosity, and enhance academic learning.

The Studio Program provides tuition-based dance classes for toddlers to adults with live piano music an essential and unique element for most classes. A variety of dance styles are taught including: creative movement, ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, tap and musical theater.

Summer programming at The Dance Foundation includes weekly classes (June 3-Aug. 3) and creative half-day camps, including: Once Upon a Fairytale Camp for entering 4K and 5K, Once Upon a

WHERE: 1715 27th Court S., Birmingham

WHEN: June 3-Aug. 3

AGES: Entering grades 1-12

CALL: 205-870-0073

WEB: thedancefoundation.org

Ballet Camp and Adventures in Enchanted Lands Camp for entering grades 1-3, Dance Exploration for entering grades 3-6, and a Dance Workshop for entering grade 6-12. Each class and camp is led by professionally-trained teaching artists.

The Dance Foundation has been a gathering place for learning with and through dance for almost 50 years. Become a part of the family by joining a class, experiencing a performance, booking a space to move and create, volunteering your time, or donating to the mission to teach the art of dance to all.

Every body is a dance body.

Kids take the spotlight

Virginia Samford Theatre

Virginia Samford Theatre introduces kids and teens to the joys of creating musical theater at its STARS Camp Virginia Samford Theatre and STARS Summer Studio in June.

STARS Camp Virginia Samford Theatre allows beginning and intermediate performers ages 7-15 to explore all aspects of live theater, including dance, voice and acting.

Students will show off what they learn in a fun showcase at week’s end.

“They’ll share their favorite scenes, dances and songs with parents and friends on Friday afternoon,” says Jenna Bellamy, director of the STARS Program.

For the second year, Virginia Samford Theatre will present its STARS Summer Studio for campers ages 12-18 with prior theater or performance experience.

“The Studio engages advanced students in workshop-style masterclasses to take their theater knowledge to the next level,” Bellamy says.

The Studio has been expanded to an allday experience this year with new morning classes in production design, stage management and directing.

Both camps offer participants “a joyful week of creativity, learning and making new theater friends,” Bellamy says.

The camps will be held for the second year on the beautiful arts campus at Mountain Brook High School.

“It’s a wonderful facility to work and learn in,” Bellamy says.

There will be two one-week sessions of

WHERE: Mountain Brook High

School

WHEN: June 3-7 and 10-14;

STARS Camp from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and STARS Summer Studio from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

AGES: 7-15 for STARS Camp and 12-18 for STARS Summer Studio

CALL: 205-251-1228

WEB: virginiasamfordtheatre.org/ vststars/camp-vst

Camp Virginia Samford Theatre, Monday-Friday, June 3-7 and June 10-14, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will also be two oneweek sessions of STARS Summer Studio on the same dates from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuition is $300 for the week and Virginia Samford Theatre offers scholarships and sibling discounts. Register today at virginiasamfordtheatre. org/vststars/camp-vst.

Develop skills while having fun

Mike Getman Soccer Camp

When soccer coach Mike Getman began hosting camps in Birmingham in the 1990s, there were few soccer players in the state, but that has changed.

“The sport has grown into one of the most popular in Alabama, with every college and high school fielding teams,” says Getman, who was head coach of the men’s soccer team at UAB from 1992 to 2018.

Kids who want to develop their skills in this increasingly popular sport this summer can attend the Mike Getman Soccer Camp in Birmingham.

“No one has more experience in developing youth soccer players,” says Getman, who built UAB into a Top 25 program and had over 50 players become professionals.

Getman will offer full-day camps for boys and girls ages 5-12 at Levite Jewish Community Center (LJCC) from June 3-7 and July 8-12.

There will be half-day camps for boys and girls ages 5-12 at Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex from June 10-14 and July 22-26.

Boys and girls ages 10-18 can attend an advanced camp at LJCC from June 24-28 or a striker/keeper camp at Liberty Park Soccer Complex from July 19-21.

“We offer great coaching from experts — including many college coaches and players

WHERE: Various locations

WHEN: Various dates through June and July

AGES: 5-18

WEB: mikegetmansoccercamp.com

— who can help each player develop to their fullest potential,” Getman says. “We offer excellent facilities and a curriculum that’s been developed over the past 30 years.”

With a camper-staff ratio of 7 to 1, the Mike Getman Soccer Camp provides individualized coaching and supervision.

In addition to soccer, participants build their confidence, meet new friends and enjoy a fun, exciting camp experience, with such amenities as swimming and splash pads, Getman says.

For details, including rates and registration, go to mikegetmansoccercamp.com.