Village Living April 2023

MOUNTAIN BROOK’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE VILLAGELIVINGONLINE.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Over the past year and a half, Mountain Brook has been the spot of several filming locations that will soon make their way to the big screen.

“The Tutor” stars Garrett Hedlund, Noah Schnapp and Victoria Justice and was filmed at two different homes in Mountain Brook. The mystery/thriller follows a tutor (Hedlund) who, after being assigned an unexpected task at a mansion, finds himself struggling with the obsessions of his student (Schnapp), who threatens to expose his darkest secrets. The movie is set to release later this month.

See LIGHTS | page A28

Heather Fitch, the team sponsor for Mountain Brook High School’s Dorians, stands with members of the 2022-23 team in the new dance hall at the high school March 7. Fitch is stepping down from her role as team sponsor after 20 years at the end of the school year. Photo by Erin Nelson.

from

Dancing with the Dorians

Team sponsor to retire after 20 years of service

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

When Heather Fitch accepted the job to become the Mountain Brook High School Dorians sponsor in 2003, she said she never in a million years thought she would still be serving in the role 20 years later.

Fitch will retire from her sponsorship role at the end of the current school year but will still be at the high school,

Find tips and tricks from area businesses to jump-start any project in our Spring

teaching Spanish and serving as chair of the Department of World Languages for several more years.

Superintendent Dicky Barlow was principal of Mountain Brook High School in 2003 and approached Fitch to gauge her interest in becoming the Dorians sponsor.

See DORIANS | page A30

The city is becoming a popular filming destination with hopes of more to come

A production crew films scenes

“The Tutor” at the home of Dr. Mark Clark. Photo courtesy of Dr. Mark Clark.

About Us

Publisher’s Note By Dan Starnes

I recently heard someone say that the world is changing at the fastest rate it ever has and the slowest rate it ever will again.

I have no idea if that’s true or not, but I know that the world is indeed changing really fast.

This month marks 13 years since we started Village Living, and we’ve seen a lot of changes since that first issue.

At the time, The Birmingham News printed daily and had a South Section weekly. Now, The Birmingham News doesn’t print at all.

Our business was occupying our very first office in Office Park. It was about 150 square feet and a big upgrade from my dining room at Park Lane Apartments, which we had been using previously. Now we are in two buildings, and another one of our companies is the landlord.

Speaking of change, Lane Parke and the Mountain Brook Village landscape look a little different. And that transformation was every bit of those 13 years in the making (and then some).

Technology has changed just a little, too. In 2010, the first iPad was released, and I remember that I hadn’t been on an iPhone for very long after switching from a Blackberry, which was also new to me.

We were mocking up each issue of our paper(s) with poster boards and sticky notes. Better technology certainly existed, but I hadn’t found out how to find it yet.

Today, artificial intelligence, no-code software and robotic process automation are becoming more and more prevalent and accessible. And as

an evolving media company, we know that these trends will shape our future and create opportunities to positively impact our clients and communities.

I believe that the significance of these trends cannot be overstated at this point, and it is in our interest to do all we can to understand them.

That’s why we will host our second AI workshop for small business on the afternoon of April 13. We’ll focus on specific ways that businesses can utilize AI, and we’ll even provide tools and resources our guests can take with them to help them do so.

If you’d like a ticket to the event, just email me at dan@starnesmedia.com or you can text my friendly AI robot assistant at 205-839-9327. I hope to hear from you soon.

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Abenoja Orthodontics (A12)

Advanced Turf Care (B5)

Alabama Power (A21)

Alabama Vision Center (B7)

Always Best Care: ABC Senior Services (B12)

Amy Smith Gardner, State Farm (A8)

Barringer CPA (A25)

Bates, Roberts, Fowlkes & Jackson Insurance (B13)

Bedzzz Express (B1, B16)

Birmingham Zoo (B14)

Brandino Brass (B4)

Bromberg’s (A7, A27)

Bryant Bank (B10)

Budget Blinds (B2)

Canterbury Gardens (A27)

Capstone Village (B6)

Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix - Eventive Sports (A3)

Citizen Appreciation Day Mountain Brook City Clerk (A2)

Elle (B13)

ENT Associates of Alabama (A17)

Floss Family Dentistry Crestline (A10)

Gardner Landscaping (B1)

Gaynell Hendricks - Tax Assessor (A19)

Guin Service (A1)

Gunn Dermatology (A13)

Harbin Discount Pharmacy (B7)

HomeRN (A30)

Homewood Carpet & Flooring (B6)

IOP Services LLC (A29)

Issis & Sons (A15)

Katie Crommelin, Ray & Poynor (A18)

LifeCare Solutions (A16)

Linscomb & Williams (B3)

Luckie’s Pinestraw (A1)

Magic City Art Connection (B11, B15)

Mike’s Merchandise (A10)

Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce (A12)

Mr. Handyman of Birmingham (A22)

One Man & A Toolbox (B5)

Opera Birmingham (A23)

Parrot Structural Services LLC (A24)

Pet Vet Express (A19)

Piggly Wiggly (A29)

Publix (A31)

Renew Dermatology (A32)

Ritch’s Pharmacy (A14)

ROME Study, UAB Division of Preventative Medicine (A18)

Southern Home Structural Repair Specialists (A14)

Southern States Bank (A22)

SouthState Bank (A20)

The Welch Group (A27)

Publisher:

Community Editors:

Sports Editor: Design Editor: Photo Editor: Page Designer:

Production Assistant:

Contributing Writers:

Dan Starnes

Leah Ingram

Eagle

Jon Anderson

Neal Embry

Kyle Parmley

Melanie Viering

Erin Nelson

Ted Perry

Simeon Delante

Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Sean Dietrich

Sarah Gilliland

Kari Kampakis

Graphic Designer:

Client Success Specialist: Business Development Exec: Business Development Rep:

Director of Operations:

Operations Specialist:

Emily VanderMey

Warren Caldwell

Don Harris

Madison Gaines

Viktoriya

Dolomanova

Sarah Villar

TherapySouth Corporate (B9)

TrustMark Bank (A9)

USFL - Bruno Event Team (A11)

Vapor Ministries/Thrift Store (A26)

Virginia Samford Theatre (B14)

Vulcan Termite & Pest Control (A17)

Wind Creek Hospitality (A5)

Window World of Central Alabama (A23)

Find Us

Pick up the latest issue of Village Living at the following locations:

► Brookhill Condominiums

► Church Street Coffee & Books

► Mountain Brook City Hall

► Continental Bakery

► O’Neal Public Library

► Gilchrist

► Levite Jewish Community Center

► Mountain Brook Creamery

► Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce

► Otey’s Tavern

► RealtySouth

► RealtySouth - Crestline

► Taco Mama - Crestline

► Treadwell Barbershop

► Whole Foods Market

Want to join this list or get Village Living mailed to your home? Contact Dan Starnes at dan@starnesmedia.com.

City

Council accepts bid to address drainage issues

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.

Kelli Kelly smiled broadly and clapped lightly from the back of the pre-council chamber of Mountain Brook City Hall when the city council said it would award a negotiated bid to address drainage issues on Cherry Street, Lorena Lane and Euclid Avenue.

“I was clapping because they're gonna award the project to fix our flooding issues that we've been dealing with for a few years,” Kelly, a Cherry Street resident, said just after the pre-council meeting. “I'm just glad that this process is coming to a close. The city council has been amazing and acted pretty quickly to get it all done.”

During the work session, Mark Simpson of Schoel Engineering told the council that engineers went to the table with the low bidder, Gillespie Construction, with the intent of negotiating a lower price.

“We agreed to a $25,000 deduct and that brought his contract, his bid down to $917,368.92,” Simpson said. The council enthusiastically agreed to accept that bid.

Simpson also talked about drainage project options in the Crestline “flats” area. He said that an open channel crosses four streets — Spring Street, Peachtree Street, Honeysuckle Lane and West Montcrest Drive.

“What we found is that three of the culverts that go underneath those roads are too small,” he said. “The only real fix would be replacing the culvert at West Montcrest, which is a fairly large culvert that needs to be replaced.

“Originally, we had looked at replacing one of the other culverts upstream for a smaller price tag, but based on the flooding that's occurring, it looks like downstream around West Montcrest would make the most sense for replacement culvert. That's about a $700,000 or

$800,000 fix.”

Homeowner David Nelson said his home on Honeysuckle is “in the middle of a pond when it rains really hard.” Jeremy Dennis, who lives on West Moncrest, said water backs up four or five times a year.

“It doesn't have to be an extreme flood,” he said. “It has to be fast rain, but we'll end up with about six inches of water and mud in that back [detached] house in which the drywall and everything else has to be replaced in that lower level, where we have to clean it out.”

Councilman Billy Pritchard suggested the council take the matter under advisement.

“I understand there are a couple of property owners that are troubled by some flooding in their yards,” he said. “But this is a huge number to fix a couple of yards that get water when it rains several times a year. At this moment, I'm really trying to figure out if it's something the city ought to do for that kind of money.”

In other business:

► The council approved making improvements to the nature trail at Jemison Park. The Friends of Jemison Park anticipate more use of the nature trail as construction is done on other parts of the park.

► Public Works Director Ronnie Vaughn praised his crews in their efforts at leaf collection. Council members echoed that praise.

► A conditional use request was granted to Paul Powell and Alicia Hicks for Stretch Zone at 229 Country Club Park in Crestline Village.

► The council announced a public comment period for the city’s annual storm water management program plan, prior to that plan being submitted to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). The plan was set to be finalized prior to March 31.

Turf bid accepted for MBJH project

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.

The Mountain Brook City Council accepted a bid from Surf Turf for the junior high’s field project at its March 13 meeting, but not until after fielding questions about using artificial turf.

Jim Hicks and his attorney, John Somerville, told the council of media articles that suggest a connection between some brands of artificial turf and cancer. The pair, along with Hicks’s neighbor Michael Kelley, have previously expressed concerns that the city is trying to go against terms of a decades-old agreement regarding a buffer at the junior high field.

John Bricken of Goodwyn Mills Cawood, which is contracted to do landscaping for the city, was asked his opinion on the matter. Admitting that he is not a “turf expert,” he said he has heard talk of cancer concerns regarding artificial turf, but said he is aware of no proof there is a clear connection.

“There are 1,000 articles out there but ... if it was cancer causing, there are 10,000 fields in the U.S. that they wouldn't play on,” Bricken said. “The NFL wouldn't be playing on it, college wouldn't be playing on it. Nobody would be playing on it. To the best of my recollection, I would say it's safe.”

The council asked Hicks and Somerville to send the articles they cited to City Manager Sam Gaston for review.

Surf Turf bid $3.99 million on the junior high field project. The bid calls for the company to realign the field, install synthetic turf on the field, add new lighting, rebuild four tennis courts and add a 40-space parking lot and a restroom at Mountain Brook Junior High. Mountain Brook Schools will pay for half the project.

The council also passed a resolution authorizing its obligation with the Mountain Brook Board of Education for the Crestline

Elementary School gym project.

“It's 78% from the school system, 22% from the city,” Gaston said. “That's going to roughly be $132,000 for the city each year for the next 10 years.”

In other business, the council:

► Reappointed Norman Orr to the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

► Passed an ordinance designating the first

two parking spaces on Cahaba Road at Brook Manor Drive as being “small car only.”

► Approved additional fees for consulting services for the junior high drainage project.

► Authorized the sale or disposal of certain surplus property.

► Executed a contract with Video Industrial Services for the 3333 Sandhurst Road Pipe project and the contract with Wright

Construction for the Brookwood Baptist drainage project.

► Agreed to have United Ability Inc., which does business as Gone for Good Document Destruction and E-Waste Recycling, hold a document destruction and e-waste recycling event in Mountain Brook on April 22. The event will be 1 to 4 p.m. in the main parking lot at Mountain Brook High School.

Mark Simpson of Schoel Engineering speaks to the Mountain Brook City Council during its Feb. 27 meeting. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Attorney John Somerville and client Jim Hicks shared their concerns about artificial turf at the March 13 Mountain Brook City Council meeting. Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Work ongoing to bring regional trail system to Jefferson County

By NEAL EMBRY

With 127 miles of the Red Rock Trail System currently on the ground and hundreds more to come, there are plans for every Jefferson County resident to have somewhere to walk or bike, said Carolyn Buck, director of the trail system.

Toward that end, Freshwater Land Trust, which manages the Red Rock Trail System, recently unveiled a plan to build a 36-mile connected loop of trails in the greater Birmingham area over the next 15 years. That loop will be part of the entire system, which will eventually include 750 miles of various types of connected trails throughout Jefferson County.

The plan for the $40 million Red Rock Trail System is to bring a trail within one mile of every home in the county, Buck said. The system will allow people to have access to “all types of outdoor recreation,” including walking, hiking and more, Buck said.

The system includes six major corridors, each with different types of trails. Eventually, a seventh corridor along the Northern Beltline will be built. Main trails primarily follow Birmingham-area waterways, and each corridor has a signature trail, Buck said.

GREATER BIRMINGHAM LOOP

The 36-mile Greater Birmingham loop is a “game changer,” Buck said.

“It’s an ambitious plan,” she said.

The loop will connect Red Mountain to Ruffner Mountain, with other trails throughout the area connected as well, Buck said. The loop is projected to include the municipalities of Birmingham, Homewood, Irondale and Fairfield. The Shades Creek Greenway is the southernmost portion of that trail, Buck said.

NEW ADDITIONS

One new addition to the Red Rock Trail System is the Hugh Kaul trail, formerly known as the Continental Gin Connector, which connects the downtown Rotary Trail to Avondale and then connects Avondale to the historic Continental Gin Complex, home to Cahaba Brewing. The trail is part of the organization’s plan to connect downtown Birmingham to Ruffner Mountain.

Another new addition is part of Five Mile Creek Greenway in north Jefferson County, with 5.5 miles on the ground already and plans to build two more miles in the next four years, according to Freshwater Land Trust’s four-year strategic plan, released in early March.

The city of Homewood has trails that connect with the system, including the Shades Creek Greenway. City workers recently broke ground on phase two of that project, adding 1.4 miles, with a total of 3 miles added to the system, Buck said.

The city of Mountain Brook joins the system through the Jemison Trail, which connects to the greenway.

In Vestavia Hills, existing system trails include the Boulder Canyon Loop Trail behind

the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest and McCallum Park trails. Other trails in the city that could be connected include Little Shades Creek Greenway and the Patchwork Farms Greenway, Buck said.

ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY

The mission of the Freshwater Land Trust is to make people more aware of the natural resources in the community, Buck said.

Having a connected trail system brings many benefits, Buck said. It allows people to be more connected, with kids learning to ride a bike and people of all ages walking next to each other, she said. It also brings “amazing” economic

benefits, with $11 million set to come to the county as a result of the different opportunities it presents, Buck said.

The trail also has led to higher property values, Buck said. Having trails helps improve the quality of life for residents, said Homewood City Councilor Jennifer Andress.

Andress said she is working on making sure the Shades Creek Greenway has regular maintenance, bags for dog waste, trash cans and bathrooms.

FUTURE

In the future, the city of Birmingham is applying for a large Department of Transportation

grant to fund the connection of Legion Field to downtown 20th Street. Congresswoman Terri Sewell gave money to help pay for converting 4.5 miles of old rail lines to trails adjacent to Valley Creek, helping connect Red Mountain to the Crossplex in Ensley. That trail benefits residents of Birmingham, Midfield, Fairfield, Brighton and Lipscomb.

In the next four years, Freshwater Land Trust plans to complete 150 more miles of the Red Rock Trail System, add 50 trailhead signs and 500 trail blazes to the existing system, increase the number of new system users and funding partners, open four new public access properties and expand its community partnerships.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

Home loans that fit you to a

Mayor’s Minute By Stewart

The birds and bees … and butterflies?

Spring has sprung in our beautiful city and new life is everywhere!

While on a recent jog, council member Graham Smith noticed little dirt mounds in a neighbor’s yard. She commented to her fellow jogger, “Wow! These guys must have lots of ants!” It turns out they weren’t ants, but an extremely important type of bee called Miner bees.

Miner bees are solitary bees who create underground galleries, with queens living individually and raising their own young. These bees don’t sting but do need our protection. Bees, in general, are a major source of pollination, which is vitally important to our own self-interest. No pollination, no food!

Shanda Williams, director of our Parks & Recreation, found some of these mounds at one of our parks and took the initiative to cordon off the area to protect the bees. I had noticed them as well and wondered what they were. I was shocked to learn a bee was nesting underground. Check out your own yard. If you find them, please protect them.

Dana Hazen, director of Planning, Building and Sustainability, spearheaded the initiative to make the City of Mountain Brook the first city in Alabama to be designated a Bee City, USA affiliate. One of the most noticeable projects we will undertake

Welch III

is to install a “see-through bee hotel”! We are considering installing this on city hall grounds and you will be able to see live bees nesting. These “hotel rooms” do not attract bees that sting, so no need to fear.

This Bee City initiative dovetails nicely with our Tree City USA program that has been such a success for decades.

Next on the list are butterflies. Mayors across the country are joining together for the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge. This is a program through the National Wildlife Federation with the goal of saving the monarch butterfly, whose populations have dwindled by more than 90% across America. You’ll soon notice us planting native milkweed and nectar plants on city property. We will be the second city in Alabama to join this nationwide program, after Fairhope.

I am proud that our city continues to lead the way in so many areas that focus on making Mountain Brook a unique and fun place to live, work and raise a family.

Stewart Welch III

Bowles takes over as LJCC executive director

By SOLOMON CRENSHAW JR.

Brooke Bowles says she has always had a tender heart. The 48-year-old Chattanooga native vividly remembers huge family reunions in South Georgia.

“I was always the one — the little-bitty girl that could barely see over the wheelchair — that [took] my great-grandmother around in her wheelchair,” Bowles said. “I have real fond memories of just taking care of folks. I had big ambitions of wanting to do that.

“In high school, I wanted to open homeless shelters,” she said. “I've just always had this … not really save the world, but just try to do something helpful, type of mentality.”

“Little Brooke,” as she refers to her younger self, went through phases of wanting to be an artist and wanting to be a mom. But her passion for helping others has remained constant.

Now, as executive director of the Levite Jewish Community Center, she has a new platform from which to do that.

“I really set out to try to level the playing field for folks,” she said. “It's kind of my background in disabilities and even here at the Jewish Community Center. … We really welcome marginalized communities. This is a place [where] you belong, where you're embraced.”

The resident of Birmingham’s Crestwood North neighborhood has also accomplished her dream of becoming a mom, with two daughters and three step-daughters.

“My husband and I have five girls between us,” she said. “They range in age from 19 to 30. I do have a little baby boy grandson, from my husband's oldest daughter. I have definitely gotten to be a mom.”

Earlier in her career, Bowles created Triumph Services, a nonprofit that provided independent living skills, employment, social skills training and counseling for individuals with developmental disabilities.

“Let's build something really great here,” she said. “I'm definitely drawn to potential, for sure.”

Bowles said a Jewish Community Center is somewhat like a YMCA. She said it compares favorably with a family, and a community.

“Community is our middle name. Get it?” she quipped. “One of our biggest priorities right now is to try to take some of our

programming outside of our campus, because not everyone can get here. Not everyone is able to access our facilities for whatever reason. Maybe they don't have transportation. Maybe there are financial barriers. I don't know.”

Turning non-swimmers into swimmers is

another JCC priority. Bowles said “The J” is looking to expand its aquatics program.

“We have beautiful indoor/outdoor pools, great swim coaches, swim teams,” she said. “It's actually a Jewish value for parents to teach their children how to swim. You don't teach your children how to float; you teach your children how to swim, so that when they're faced with difficult situations, they know how to handle it.”

The executive director gets joy from teaching, as she did in a prior vocation.

“I took some time to teach when I was a nonprofit consultant,” she said. “I worked with women who had not been in the workplace for a lot of years. I would work with these women and teach them skills to get prepared to get back into the workplace.”

Brooke Bowles, the new executive director of the Levite Jewish Community Center, stands in one of the exercise studios during a J Move low-impact aerobics class on March 15.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

It’s actually a Jewish value for parents to teach their children how to swim. You don’t teach your children how to float; you teach your children how to swim, so that when they’re faced with difficult situations, they know how to handle it.

BROOKE BOWLES

Business Happenings

NOW OPEN

Combs Village Healthcare is now open. Bryan Combs, a family and orthopedic nurse practitioner, and his team provide healthcare, hydration, disease management and more. The facility welcomes walk-ins and appointments. 205-407-4707, combsvillagehealthcare.com

The Beaufort Bonnet Company's signature store, Little Buckhead Blue, recently opened its first store in the state in Lane Parke. The store offers upscale items for babies and children and is based in Atlanta. lttlebuckheadblue.com

States for the 2022-24 term. Bowron previously served the association twice as chairman (1999-2000) and (2014-2017). He has served as a board member for a total of 18 years and was twice editor of the association’s Recommendations For the Preparation of Iced and Hot Tea, jointly issued by the Tea Association of the U.S.A., Inc. and the National Restaurant Association. reddiamond.com

Tommy Sisson, CPA, Managing Member of Warren Averett’s Birmingham office, has been appointed to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Birmingham Zoo. Sisson has served on the Board of Directors in various capacities for over ten years. His term as Chair will last two years. “It is an honor to serve as the Chair for the Birmingham Zoo,” said Sisson. “I’ve held a special place in my heart for animals since I was a child and regularly visited the Birmingham Zoo with my family. The zoo team does an incredible job of inspiring passion for animals and conservation of nature through innovative programs and many hands-on experiences for people of all ages. The Birmingham Zoo has an exciting future, and I am excited to see it grow and thrive.” Sisson has been with Warren Averett for 40 years. warrenaverett.com

solutions are available to handle varying degrees of concerns.

205-930-9595, drrousso.com

Town & Country Clothes recently celebrated 80 years in business with a ribbon cutting. The staff provides personal service tailored to each customer’s style and fit considerations and offers essential wardrobe staples and unique fashion items to help you create your perfect look.

205-871-7909, townandcountryclothes.com

A’mano, a lifestyle gallery located in the heart of Mountain Brook recently celebrated their 25th year in business. “We are beyond grateful to the Birmingham community for allowing us to be a large part of their lives for the past 25 years,” said Lynn Ritchie, founder and owner of A’mano. “In honor of our anniversary, we are saying thanks to our community with a celebration. We are looking forward to the next 25 years.” A’mano prides itself on being a lifestyle shop that focuses on creating a welcoming and truly unique shopping experience for each customer. Everything in A’mano must fit one of the following criteria: it must be handmade, one-of-a-kind, or exhibit great design.

205-871-9093, shopamanogifts.com

Mountain Brook Eye Care, the family-owned optometry practice led by Dr. Jeremy Edgerly and his wife Chelsey, recently opened in Lane Parke. They are open Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday by appointment only. 205-341-9595, mtnbrookeyes.com

NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Red Diamond Coffee & Tea President & CEO Bill Bowron, a Mountain Brook resident, has been elected to serve as Chairman of the Tea Association of the United

LAH, a residential and commercial real estate company, has joined the Sotheby's International Realty network. LAH has offices at 1969 Braddock Drive in Hoover, 1760 Oxmoor Road in Homewood and 2850 Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook. 205-870-8580, lahrealestate.com

ANNIVERSARIES

Rousso Adams Facial Plastic Surgery celebrated their 23rd anniversary last month. From facial procedures to medspa treatments, the practice offers advanced, cutting-edge technology to address and refine a myriad of cosmetic ailments. Both surgical and non-surgical

Mayfield College Advising recently celebrated its fiveyear anniversary. They offer a personalized, pragmatic, and stress-reducing approach to the college admissions process. Growing demand for college application guidance led founder Ginger Mayfield to expand and hire Director of Operations and essay specialist Meredith Robinson.

205-238-9411, mayfieldcollegeadvising.com

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The restaurant chain has a location at 2737 U.S. 280.

205-870-0455, tazikis.com

Longtime pastry chef opens own bakery

By SARAH GILLILAND

Pastry chef and restaurant veteran Wim Miree is using his pastry skills well.

He recently opened Hello Bakery in Crestline Gardens after deciding he wanted to focus on his passion for being a baker.

“I didn’t have any other job I wanted,” Miree said. “I had to create my own job. It’s been on my mind for a while, opening my own place. I really wanted to be in a bakery.”

Miree’s journey began 26 years ago, working at Continental Bakery before moving through various restaurants in the area, including Hot & Hot Fish Club, Daniel George, Ollie Irene and FOODBAR.

He said his biggest challenge in owning his own business is having to do “everything,” as opposed to being able to focus on his baking.

“I’m paying people to bake while I do all of these other things,” Miree said. “But I don’t have to answer to anyone else. It was frustrating to me to not be in control [in my other jobs], but now I’m the bottom line.”

Miree says that being a successful pastry chef is about attention to detail, which he also uses in his personal life. He shared that he wants to focus on his customers and products at Hello Bakery.

“I don’t want to take over the world,” he said. “I want to have this bakery. I want to see the regular customers coming in every morning to get a cup of coffee and croissant. I don’t plan on opening any other Hello Bakery [locations]. This is it.”

He also didn’t hesitate when asked what he loved to bake.

“Croissants, definitely. I like making ice cream too, but the laminated dough is fun to play with,” Miree said.

While he loves baking croissants, he said his number one seller is not a pastry.

“The biggest seller in terms of quantity is Marie’s Fig Cookies, which came from a recipe taught to me by my 90-year-old neighbor,

Marie. The biggest seller in terms of dollar value is our ham and cheese croissant,” Miree said.

Even though the ham and cheese croissant is a top seller at Hello Bakery, Miree says he has no plans to expand his menu beyond pastries and ice cream. He isn’t interested in turning his business into a catering operation, either.

“When you start mass producing things, the quality starts going down,” he said. “I like small batches, small quantities because I have more control over it, and it can be better quality.”

Miree also says that while they make whole cakes, they are not in the market to produce decorated cakes.

“We sold a lot of pecan pies and caramel pies at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but other than that, we don’t want to get out of our routine of making what we need to make for the bakery,” he said.

Hello Bakery maintains three employees: Miree, pastry chef Melanie Thorne Moyer and general manager Taunya Bray. Miree said he could not run the bakery without them and is grateful to have them on his team.

While Hello Bakery does have a small online presence via Instagram, don’t expect to find a website or other social media accounts for the bakery. Instead, visit Miree and his team at 1109 Dunston Avenue, Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wim Miree, owner of Hello Bakery in Mountain Brook, prepares lemon meringue pies at the bakery Jan. 17.

Photo by Erin Nelson.

“

I didn’t have any other job I wanted. I had to create my own job. It’s been on my mind for a while, opening my own place. I really wanted to be in a bakery.

WIM MIREE

The right place to start her art

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Mallory Lane’s love of art bloomed while living in New York City.

She spent her weekends visiting galleries in Chelsea and the Lower East Side, where she was exposed to a variety of contemporary artists.

“That is what sparked my inspiration to start doing art on the side and then full-time,” Lane said.

While she did take some art classes in college, Lane said her main art education has been watching art videos on YouTube, visiting galleries and learning about other artists' methods.

She has been creating art on the side since 2019 and full-time since January.

“In college, I started to explore mixed media and I spent a lot of time with my friends hanging out and painting or creating,” she said. “I think it was a way for me to process my emotions during that time. That was a thread that ran throughout college.”

After graduating from the University of Alabama, Lane moved to New York City to begin her career. She worked for Microsoft in management information systems for five years at her office in Times Square. She said she loved her job and it combined her artistic style with the math and science part of her brain.

“I feel like that whole season of my life influenced what my creative outlook looks like now,” she said.

MOVING TO MOUNTAIN BROOK

When she made the decision to pursue art as a full-time career, Lane knew her savings wouldn’t last very long in New York City.

“I had to start with a financial risk to be able to take time to improve my style, refine my craft and decide where I'm going to be and my family lived in the south,” she said. “Being closer to family was important to me. I'm from Nashville and spent time looking there and in

Birmingham. I ended up driving on Cherokee Road in Mountain Brook and thought it was so beautiful, and I felt this sense of this was the right place to start my art business and the right next step for me.”

Lane said one of the things that drew her to Birmingham was the community’s support for the visual arts. She said she was surprised how many people in Mountain Brook and surrounding areas value having original art in their homes. It’s something people prioritize here, she said.

After the move, Lane knew there would be

Keep your at bay & stay

tradeoffs going from a big city to a small one. While she does miss the hustle and bustle of New York, she enjoys the slower pace of the South and has also reconnected with friends from college.

Since making her home in Crestline Village, Lane has been selling pieces through her social media channels and continues to grow her client base. She spends her days working out of her studio space in Avondale, creating pieces to add to her collection.

Her commission process begins with a client interview, where they discuss their life and

what's important to them. Lane then reflects on the conversation and chooses a phrase or theme to encourage and affirm the client’s identity, then presents that back to them via a phone call.

“That process has been special and fun to do,” she said.

She describes her art as contemporary and builds her own canvases before adding color blocking and stamped text. She enjoys painting lots of layers and also incorporating florals. The colors are specific to the client — she loves bright and bold colors but also finds ways to make neutral pieces really interesting.

She recently participated in Birmingham Art Walk and her next stop will be at Magic City Art Connection, April 28-30 at Sloss Furnaces.

WHAT’S NEXT

After she wraps up at Magic City Art Connection, Lane plans to work on a project she started in 2019. She has one piece with a stamped subway announcement and has received good feedback on it.

“People who have lived in New York or just love the city want to incorporate something into their home that’s not cheesy or just the skyline,” Lane said. “I plan to do a series of pieces with different subway announcements on them. I plan to go to New York and finish them on the subway.”

Lane is targeting late spring or early summer to make the trip to New York, then plans to participate in more art shows.

“I think there's an interesting balance as an artist in exploring and learning between creating work for things like fairs and things like commissions,” she said. “It's great to have guaranteed clients and fairs give you an opportunity to expand your creativity and get outside of your typical style and in front of more people.”

For more information on Lane and her art, visit her Instagram page at @mallorylanecreative.

Mallory Lane, a contemporary artist, works on a piece at her studio space at the Orchard House. Lane, originally from Nashville, spent time in Brooklyn before moving to Mountain Brook. Photo by Erin Nelson.

Finding a ‘calling’ in helping clients navigate complex health care challenges

LifeCare Solutions is the leading care management service in the Birmingham area and specializes in helping families care for older adults, or people of any age, who need help navigating serious health and lifestyle challenges.

Older people have numerous health needs, both mental and physical, and others (including young people) may face complex care challenges they don’t know how to navigate.

They all need someone they can trust to help them find their way through a bewildering maze of health care challenges.

LifeCare Solutions is there with a holistic, client-centered approach.

The caring, well-trained staff at LifeCare Solutions can assess the client’s current needs and help create a plan.

They can also help educate carepartners; help clients and families plan for crisis care; and get clients connected with local resources and providers, including help with legal and financial matters.

“We help our clients navigate their care journey, and we cover basically everything they need help with,” said Taylor McElmurry, Director of Marketing at LifeCare Solutions. “We recommend all kinds of outside resources, from caregiving, home health and physicians to counseling, hospice and living facilities.”

Founder Christy Baynes started the company in 2012 when her professional and personal experience showed her the need for true continuity of care focused on the whole person.

“Care is our calling, not our job,” Baynes said. “Our own families and loved ones have endured many of the same hardships and challenges that our clients face.”

LifeCare Solutions marked its 10th anniversary recently and has helped more than 600 clients manage their care and life situations.

The company also rebranded in 2022, changing its name from the original LifeCare for Seniors, to reflect the company’s expanding client base.

“While geriatrics is still our specialty, we have been helping younger and younger individuals who need the same help as older adults, whether it involves a chronic illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse or mental health,” Baynes said. “We want to serve those of all ages, backgrounds and conditions no matter how complicated.”

LifeCare Solutions has grown to a staff of 15, including its Care Managers, who have about 200 years of combined experience working with people living in complex care.

“We choose team members with the right educational background, years of expertise in the industry, personal experience and most importantly the heart and passion to serve our clients and their families,” Baynes said. The staff at LifeCare Solutions also works with a network of other professionals to broaden the services they can provide clients.

“A huge part of our role is providing expert recommendations to local resources based on each specific situation we are presented,” McElmurry said. “We have first-hand experience working with most of the resources we recommend. We also never take referral fees — we simply make these recommendations based on the need of our client.”

A client and their family may need caregiving, home health, a respite program or an attorney, or such everyday needs as housekeeping, plumbing and construction.

“A lot of our clients are still living in their homes, but can’t do things like lift heavy boxes or change a light bulb, so we created a Home Repair Concierge (HRC) service,” McElmurry said.

The HRC Coordinator is a Certified Home Safety Specialist®, and can conduct a Home Safety Assessment. The HRC team “can help you accomplish those everyday home maintenance activities which seem overwhelming,” she said.

People also still need and want personal, hands-on care, even in an age of technology.

“Aging or living with complex care is extremely emotional, and a big part of what we do is help our clients and their families work through these highly emotional situations,” McElmurry said. “We often say aging or being cared for is a very intimate process.”

This is why each client at LifeCare Solutions has just one Care Manager. “We want to build that relationship of trust

between the Care Manager, the client and the client’s family,” McElmurry said.

Maintaining continuity of care for clients is critical for LifeCare Solutions because they help people at all stages of care.

“Some individuals use our services for the short term, but for the most part, they use our ongoing services because situations progress and can change in a heartbeat,” McElmurry said. “Continuity of care is extremely important in order for us to make the most accurate recommendations for care.”

The Thoughtful Engagement® Specialists at LifeCare Solutions work with those suffering from dementia, loneliness or depression. The Thoughtful Engagement® Program features one-on-one personalized activities that “bring a client joy.”

For example, one woman with dementia loves to collect antiques so her Thoughtful Engagement® Specialist takes her estate sale shopping, McElmurry said.

“However, most of the time our clients just need someone to talk to and to be there spend time with them,” she said.

LifeCare Solutions is also the first Positive Approach to Care® designated organization in the state. The PAC® designation means their staff has been trained on dementia education and approach. They can also train client’s families, caregivers or the staff they work with at their facility.

The work at LifeCare Solutions is very gratifying for the staff.

“The majority of the time, our families come to us lost, overwhelmed or in crisis mode because the health care industry is so complicated, lacks unified communication or there are just too many decisions to make,” McElmurry said. “On top of all of that, caring for a loved one is difficult. We get to meet our clients at whatever stage they are in, and relieve them of their stress and burden so they can simply be family. Being able to see the relief that our service brings to our clients and their families makes LifeCare Solutions what it is today.”

LifeCare Solutions is both owned and operated by women. “We are so proud of the women that work with us, and the care and compassion they provide for our clients,” McElmurry said.

For more information, call 205-848-8400 or go to lcscaresolutions.com.

Special Senior Property Tax Exemption

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Special Senior Exemption a full exemption for everyone 65 years of age or older?

No, it is an exemption that is in addition to the Over-65 exemption that will freeze the assessed value for the next applicable tax year once claimed.

I do not file income taxes. How does that affect my Special Senior Exemption claim?

It does not, taxable income is not a qualification for the SSPE (Special Senior Property Tax Exemption)

Can I get this exemption on all my properties?

No, The Special Senior Exemption can only be claimed on the property that is your primary residence or any adjacent properties that are considered part of your primary residence.

I am over the age of 65, but my spouse is not. Can I still claim the Special Senior exemption?

Yes, you can still claim the exemption even though your spouse is not 65 years of age or older at this time. If your name is on the deed and the property is your primary residence, the exemption can be claimed.

I did not live on my property for 5 years can I claim the exemption?

No, one of the qualifications to claim the exemption is to have the property assessed in your name for 5 years immediately preceding the year they are claiming.

How long will the exemption stay on the property?

The exemption will remain on the property if you renew the Over-65 Exemption each year.

If my value, goes down will I be able to claim the exemption at the lower rate?

Yes, you will only need to come in and reclaim the exemption at the lower rate.

Will my taxes increase in the future?

Since the property value is what is frozen, yes It is possible that a millage rate increase or an addition to you property could increase your taxes.

Chamber luncheon to feature Meghann Bridgeman

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Meghann Bridgeman, president and CEO at Create Birmingham, will be the guest speaker at this month’s Mountain Brook Chamber luncheon.

The event will be held on April 5 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Country Club of Birmingham.

Film Birmingham, which is a part of Create Birmingham, serves as the film office for the Greater Birmingham region. They work as a liaison between film production companies and city agencies with a mission to create job opportunities, generate revenues and advocate for economic development.

Bridgeman has been in her role since 2021 and this will be her first time speaking at the Mountain Brook chamber luncheon, and she said she is honored to have been invited.

She plans to speak about building awareness of the potential of the film industry in and around Birmingham, to explain the benefits of being a film-friendly region and the opportunities available within the industry.

“Mountain Brook is a very desirable place to film,” she said. “There are a lot of unique and beautiful houses on estate lots that make really film-friendly gate shots and more space to work around and in homes.”

Chamber Executive Director Emily Jensen said the economic impact of the film industry is significant for communities, and Mountain Brook has benefitted from the production of several films recently.

“Not only does this create opportunity for location owners and our local businesses, but it also generates jobs for our workforce,” she said. “We look forward to hearing from Meghann

Mountain Brook Chamber Luncheon

► April 5, 2023

► 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

► The Country Club of Birmingham

► $25 members; $30 nonmembers; $250 table sponsorship (8 guests)

about the role Film Birmingham plays as the liaison between producers and municipalities, as well as what the film economy in Alabama looks like in 2023."

To register for the event, visit mtnbrook chamber.org.

Meghann Bridgeman will be the guest speaker at the April Mountain Brook chamber luncheon. Photo courtesy of Meghann Bridgeman.

Haynes takes over as technology coordinator at MBJH

Melanie Haynes recently became Mountain Brook Junior High’s new technology coordinator. With 26 years of experience in educational technology, Haynes brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the school community.

“We’re thrilled to have Melanie join our team at the junior high,” MBJH Principal Donald Clayton said. “Through our search process, it became clear that she embodies everything we want in this position including but not limited to leadership abilities, intricate knowledge of technology and a passion for her line of work.”

The technology coordinator position in each Mountain Brook School is an administrative position that involves vision and leadership to guide staff members and innovate technology into the learning environment for students. The position also serves a technical role demanding the ability to provide technical support, manage accounts and oversee all technological aspects of school operations inside and outside the classroom. Lastly, the position requires strategic, continuous professional development to not only train staff members, but also seek out opportunities for growth to strengthen the student's learning process.

“Melanie has established a reputation as an outstanding technology coach with a passion for supporting faculty and students,” Mountain Brook Schools Director of Technology Suzan Brandt said. “Additionally, she's stepping in at the perfect time.”

Mountain Brook Junior High is approaching

the conclusion of a sizable construction project. Students and staff are preparing to move into a brand new, three-story addition to the school building featuring a state-of-the-art learning environment paired with brand new technology.

“I have a passion for learning and teaching,” Haynes said. “I look forward to pairing my skill set and experience to ensure everyone at MBJH has the tools and skills they need to be successful. Everyone in Mountain Brook has been so welcoming and has made me feel like I have come home.”

Haynes joins Mountain Brook after spending the last 16 years in the Hoover City School system. Her experience also includes being a classroom teacher, a photojournalist, swimming and diving coach, graphics art designer, choir director and singing in the Alabama Symphony Chorus and Opera Birmingham.

–

MBJH principal receives Montevallo alumni award

Mountain Brook Junior High Principal

Donald Clayton was recently named the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Alumni Award in Instructional Leadership from the College of Education and Human Development at Montevallo University. Clayton received his bachelor's (2001) and master's (2002) degrees from Montevallo as well as his Educational Administration Certificate in 2007.

"I have lifelong connections with Montevallo and am very grateful to receive this prestigious award," Clayton said. "This is only possible because of the great students, staff and parents we have in our school and I am thankful for the support I receive on a

daily basis from them."

Clayton was named principal at the junior high in 2013 and served as the school's assistant principal for one year. Prior to Mountain Brook, he taught, coached and was an administrator in the Shelby County Schools system for 11 years.

Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow also received this award from Montevallo in 2008.

"Donald has helped our school system grow to new heights through his charismatic leadership and commitment to serving those around him," Barlow said. "He certainly is worthy of this award and many others.”

– Submitted by Mountain Brook Schools.

Submitted by Mountain Brook Schools.

Melanie Haynes comes to Mountain Brook Junior High after 16 years in the Hoover School System. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools.

Donald Clayton was recently honored as a Montevallo alumni. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools

OUR TREE CREWS ARE WORKING TO KEEP THE DEPENDABILITY YOU EXPECT.

At Alabama Power, we work hard to provide the dependable service our customers expect and deserve. We give 100% to achieve 99.98% dependability. That means regularly inspecting and trimming trees as a way of preventing potential outages.

About 45% of outages experienced by Alabama Power customers are due to trees and plant life.

Overgrown branches can brush against power lines and cause outages. They also make power lines more accessible to wildlife.

We use technology and data analytics to help identify areas in need of tree trimming to protect the electrical system.

Keeping you aware of upcoming work is a priority to us. Scan the QR code to see the neighborhoods tree crews will be working in.

If you have any questions, please call Alabama Power at 205-257-2155 and request to speak with a member of our utility tree care team.

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

Brandt recognized with Innovative Technology Director Award

Mountain Brook Schools Technology Director Suzan Brandt was named the recipient of the Innovative Technology Director Award at the Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit in Georgia last month.

“I am thankful for this recognition and really appreciate the opportunity I have had to be innovative within my job and utilize my skills to help those around me,” Brandt said. “We are constantly seeking ways to improve and grow our technological resources to provide the best educational experience for our students.”

Brandt has led the charge overseeing technological installations in the newly renovated buildings at Mountain Brook High School, Mountain Brook Junior High and Brookwood Forest Elementary. Additionally, she’s directing the implementation of a new audio sound

MBJH opens new

building

system in each classroom in all six Mountain Brook Schools buildings. She is in her fourth year as the MBS technology director and has 23 years of experience in K-12 educational technology.

“We wouldn’t be where we are as a district without Suzan’s leadership and guidance,” MBS Superintendent Dicky Barlow said.

“She helped lead the way to continue our student’s learning despite the challenges during the pandemic and has since emerged to spring our school district forward with innovative thinking and advanced practices on the technological side.”

She will have the opportunity to attend a summit in New York in December with other Tech & Learning regional winners.

– Submitted by Mountain Brook Schools.

Mountain Brook Junior High students, teachers, and staff were welcomed into the brand-new, 43,000-square-foot building featuring 18 classrooms at the end of February, after over a year and a half of construction. The work continues as the school will soon have an awning and the front of the new three-story building will be accessible.

"Having a quality environment paired with the quality education we're able to provide our students truly makes this one of the best places to be," said MBJH Principal Donald Clayton.

Construction began in May 2021, tearing down the existing one-floor portion of the school campus. Smaller projects on campus took place while the three-story addition was built. The lunchroom was expanded while the

auditorium was converted into a new, multipurpose room adjacent to the lunchroom, which can be opened up as an expanded meeting space. A turret was built facing Overbrook Road above the library, which also received an upgrade both inside and out. The school's new building features a new counseling suite, nursing station, technology workspace and new locker rooms along with more hallways to better accommodate foot traffic from end to end of the school.

"Overall, the new building and campus upgrades offer a fresh, modern learning environment that will undoubtedly serve the school's students, teachers, and staff well into the future," Clayton said.

– Submitted by Mountain Brook Schools.

Suzan Brandt. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools.

Mountain Brook Junior High’s new three-story building opened Feb. 22 with 18 new classrooms. Photo courtesy of Mountain Brook Schools.

APR 21 | 7:30 PM

APR 23 | 2:30 PM

Dorothy Jemison Day Theater at Alabama School of Fine Arts

SUNG IN ENGLISH

FEATURING THE

Opera Birmingham Chorus and Alabama Symphony Orchestra

Life Actually By Kari Kampakis In a world that’s hurting, you need stubborn hope

The day before my 29th birthday began with utter bliss — and ended with gut-wrenching pain.

Just three days before, I’d learned that I was pregnant, and Harry and I were ecstatic.

We laughed and dreamed as we drove to the beach to spend a weekend with his friends. Already, we felt like proud parents. We couldn’t stop talking about baby names, the nursery and starting our own family.

Then, as we stopped to see a friend, our excitement came to a halt as I felt the startling signs of a miscarriage.

I called my doctor, and he said if it was a miscarriage, there was nothing I could do to stop it. Instead of driving home, he advised us to go to the beach, take it easy, enjoy the weekend as best we could and see him on Monday.

Harry and I held out hope, but when the cramping continued for hours, we knew it wasn’t good. Around midnight the pain kicked in, and as Harry ran to the store to buy me ibuprofen, I curled up in bed and cried like a baby over this treasure we lost on my 29th birthday. It was one of the most disappointing and jolting days of my life.

It had taken us a year to conceive, so we kept an appointment that I’d scheduled before we got pregnant to see a doctor who could run some tests. He uncovered a cause for concern, and he grimly predicted that getting pregnant again might be difficult.

My lifelong dream was to be a mom, and to suddenly question that possibility triggered

deep sadness and fear. What if our pregnancy was a fluke? What if it never happened again? How would we afford adoption when money was already tight after paying graduate school tuition?

It was a lonely season of waiting, praying and doubting. I learned a lot about myself and trusting God’s plan as I attended baby showers for friends and often felt like an outsider when the conversation turned to kids. By God’s grace, I got pregnant six months later with my oldest daughter, Ella. Around her first birthday I got pregnant again — only to miscarry this baby before Christmas.

Once again my heart was heavy, and though it made a huge difference having Ella to hold, I also felt the grief of her losing a brother or sister.

Looking back now, it is clear God had a plan. Over the course of my 30s, I birthed four beautiful baby girls, and even if we had not conceived them, I know my prayers to be a mom would have been answered. At the time, however, I couldn’t see past the unknowns. I only saw one road, the most common road to motherhood, and if it didn’t work out, the future looked dismal and dark.

My faith was not as deep then as it is now, yet it took trials like this to deepen it. What I wish I could tell my younger self is that God takes care of His people. His plan is good, perfect and always on time. His vision is bolder and grander than any tunnel vision we get, and if we wait patiently, He’ll author a better story than any story we could write.

I’d also tell my younger self that life is full of mysteries, and we’ll never get full answers to suffering on this side of heaven. But what we do know, as believers, is the best is yet to come. Faith means being sure of what we hope for — and certain of what we do not see.

(Hebrews 11)

Still, hope can feel non-existent during times of loss. Our culture of doom-andgloom only compounds the problem. We are surrounded by negativity in media and pop culture, and many popular movies, books and works of art leave us feeling terribly depressed because they use the framework of our visible world to process sad events. They show no light at the end of the tunnel, no purpose behind the pain, no hope for the future.

If we believe this world is all there is — that how we feel today is how we’ll always feel, that we’ll never be happy unless our prayers get answered exactly the way we hope, that there is no afterlife to anticipate, that suffering is as senseless as it appears — then we’ll despair. We’ll stay stuck in hopeless places.

But through Jesus, God births HOPE. He shines a light that conquers darkness and death. A Christian’s hope boils down to three key words: He is risen. Seeing the world through this framework changes everything.

Life on earth feels permanent, yet it is fleeting. Our real home is in heaven, and the ache in your heart that never goes away, that earthly joys and blessings can only temporarily quench, is really a longing for heaven. God created you to crave Him, and He placed

eternity in your heart as a homing device to draw you home toward Him.

Feeling dissatisfied with this world reminds us that we were made for more. We are walking toward our final destination — where perfect peace, love and joy exist.

God brings new life from heartache, and just as the grief of Good Friday preceded the joy of Easter Sunday, today’s trials can lead to miracles. It is only Friday — and Sunday is coming. The darkness in between can feel like light years, and you may need years (or decades) to feel hope again, but that hope is worth fighting for. It is worth remembering how the first thing God did after creating the heavens and the earth was bring light into the darkness.

He began the story of humanity by setting the stage for the light of Jesus.

Darkness may be part of your story, but it isn’t the end of your story. Circumstances come and go, but God is forever. Put your trust in Him, not what happens to you. Fix your eyes on what is real, and when you feel scared of the unknowns, cling to the virtue of hope.

Kari Kubiszyn Kampakis is a Mountain Brook mom of four girls, author, speaker, and blogger. Kari’s newest book, “More Than a Mom,” and other bestselling books are available everywhere books are sold. Join Kari on Facebook and Instagram, visit her blog at karikampakis.com, or find her on the Girl Mom Podcast.

A few years ago I attended my first Catholic mass in a busy church outside Birmingham. It was Easter Sunday. I sat in the nosebleed section.

People greeted me with the words, “He’s risen.”

And because I was not raised under a rock, I answered with: “He’s risen indeed.”

I was not raised Catholic. I was born into a fundamentalist family with a mother who sometimes prayed in tongues over our meatloaf.

But after my father died, I learned that he had been raised Catholic. He went to Catholic school, he played Catholic baseball.

He didn’t talk about it. I never knew that version of him.

All I knew was a man who did not dance at wedding receptions for fear the pastor would catch him.

There in the Catholic cathedral, the priest announced, “He is risen.”

“He’s risen indeed,” said the congregation.

I was an outsider in the room. The priest recited the Liturgy of the Eucharist, people formed a single-file line to drink out of a chalice.

Easter Sundays in my family were nothing like this. My father was an usher at our little church. He’d stand by the front door and hand out bulletins that advertised upcoming Baptist church events.

For example:

► Thursday fundraiser, dinner on the grounds. Bring a covered dish.

► Young men’s Bible study, 6 p.m.

Sean of the South By

Sean Dietrich

‘He is risen’

Bring a covered dish.

► Women’s Sunday school class is holding an upcoming prayer vigil against beer. Bring a congealed salad.

► Men’s group is recruiting for its annual mission trip to Biloxi.

On Easter, my father always gave folded bulletins to those approaching. He would say, “He is Risen.”

Dietrich

And any Baptist worth his salt would answer with, “He’s risen indeed.”

Most who attended our church on Easter were only visitors. They came twice per year. My father called them “nosebleed Baptists.”

I never heard anyone else use that term. I asked my father what this meant.

“Well,” he said. “Some fans only come to games once a year and sit in the nosebleed section. And other fans never miss a ballgame, even when the pitcher stinks.”

“Which ones are we?” I asked.

“You’ve heard our new preacher, you tell me.”

Our preacher delivered fiery sermons. He would remove his jacket and preach to heartless sinners, drunks and those who danced at wedding receptions.

The church services of my youth were lengthy. Someone in the congregation would either faint from low blood sugar or be suddenly overcome with the spirit of

narcolepsy.

But this Catholic business was different. Mass was foreign to me. It was exotic, and beautiful.

All my life, my father refused to step foot in a Catholic church. And he wouldn’t even talk about it.

But then, there was that one time.

On the way home from a Boy Scout meeting, he pulled into a Catholic church. I knew my father was having a rough time at work. I’d overheard him talking with my mother through the hot-air vents.

“The boss is killing me,” my father once said. “I can’t sleep, can’t eat…”

At night, sometimes I found my father vomiting in the bathroom from stress. I would ask what was wrong, and he would tell me to go back to bed.

That afternoon, Daddy wheeled into a Catholic church and turned off the truck. There was a man cutting the church lawn with a push mower; he wore a white collar.

My father told me to wait in the vehicle.

Daddy was in that chapel for almost two hours. When he came back his face was wet and his eyes were pink. I never asked why. And he never told me.

Anyway, Easter mass was lovely. I’ll never forget it. The priest told the people that “Easter is when dead things come back to life, when we remember how the finger of God can touch dead wood and make it

green again.”

I had to write that down, I liked it so much.

After the service, I stayed in the chapel until all the people had left. The priest sat in a pew behind me. He introduced himself.

“Father,” I said, “I’m not Catholic, but I really enjoyed mass.”

“Yeah?” he said. “Thanks for celebrating the Resurrection with us.”

“Can I ask you a question, Father?”

“Shoot.”

“Have you ever lost anyone?”

“Yes. I lost my mom, my dad and my brother.”

“Do you think about them a lot?”

He ducked his head. He let out a sigh. “Every second. Actually, I was thinking about Mom this morning. You know, when I was growing up, she would always laugh about the big Easter crowds and call them ‘nosebleed Catholics.’ Isn’t that funny?”

It sure is.

On my way out of church, the priest and I took a slow walk down the aisle. I admired the statuary and the beautiful stained glass windows.

The priest hugged me, then said, “He is risen.”

And well, you know the rest.

Happy Easter.

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

Annual egg roll returns

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Easter is around the corner and the Mountain Brook Chamber is getting ready to host one of its annual spring events.

The community Easter Egg Roll will be held on Saturday, April 8. The event will begin at 10 a.m. in the grassy field across from the O’Neal Library.

"What makes our Easter Egg Roll so special is that there is something for everyone in the family,” said Emily Jensen, executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber. “The littlest ones don't have to hunt too hard to find

a treat, and the Easter Bunny brings smiles to the faces of children of all ages.”

Children can collect eggs and also have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. After the egg roll, children can visit the library for another treat.

“We are excited to have the O'Neal Library hosting a children's story time after the event this year, in addition to some fun new surprises we look forward to sharing with everyone," Jensen said.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit mtnbrook chamber.org.

WE ARE... TOGETHER

Children pick up eggs during the 2022 Easter egg hunt at the Birmingham Zoo. Photo courtesy of the Birmingham Zoo.

Zoo hosting spring events for all ages

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Two Easter events will take place at the Birmingham Zoo this month.

An Easter Egg-Sperience is set for Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature 10,000 eggs hidden at the Zoo’s Henley Park.

“Easter celebrations have been going on here at your Birmingham Zoo for many years,” said Kallie Ricker, Birmingham Zoo events manager. “They first became a larger egg hunt in 2017, growing into the full Easter Egg-Sperience that we offer today.”

Egg hunts are offered for different age groups, starting with ages 0-4 from 10 to 10:30 a.m.; ages 5-9 from 11 to 11:30 a.m.; and ages 10 and up hunt from noon to 12:30 p.m.

All eggs are empty, and children can collect 10 eggs to turn in for a plush bunny.

The children’s hunt is free for zoo members and included in admission for non-members. The event will be held rain or shine.

“The 2023 Easter Egg-Sperience is the

largest egg hunt in Birmingham, with a whopping 10,000 eggs to find in hunts for children and adults,” Ricker said.

The adult Easter egg hunt will take place on the same day from 11:15 a.m. to noon. Each participant will find one egg on the Trails of Africa playground and redeem it for an exclusive prize. Prizes included certificates from area businesses, special zoo tours, memberships and more, all valued at $50 or greater.

“The Adult Egg Hunt is not new and caught on very quickly, growing now into over 50 eggs,” Ricker said. “This year will also feature face painting and a DJ on Henley Lawn to add to the fun.”

Tickets for the adult hunt are $25 and do not include zoo admission for the day. Guests will need to purchase a zoo admission ticket or use their membership card to enter the zoo.

Adult egg hunt tickets are available for purchase at birminghamzoo.com/event/ easter-egg-sperience. This event will be held rain or shine.

Left: Children pick up eggs during the 2021 Egg Roll. Right: The Easter Bunny will be the special guest during the Egg Roll. Photos courtesy of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.

People attend the Jewish Food and Culture Fest at the Levite Jewish Community Center in May 2022. Photo courtesy of the LJCC.

LJCC to host Food and Culture Fest

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center Birmingham is bringing back an annual event this month.

The Jewish Food and Culture Fest returns on Sunday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can visit the Levite Field at the “J” and enjoy recipes that have been passed down for generations including brisket, falafel, corned beef, matzah ball soup and mandelbrot.

A crowd of around 2,000 people were on hand for last year’s event. The food fest plated up 382 pounds of brisket, 129 pounds of corned beef, 100 pounds of ground beef, 75 pounds of smoked whitefish, 200 hot dogs, 90 heads of cabbage and four cases of pickling cucumbers.

"Last year's Food Fest was the best one-day event the Jewish community has ever put on in Birmingham," said LJCC Board member Terry Bernstein.

As part of the celebration, a new addition to this year’s event will be a recreation of an openair Israeli shuk, or market. A celebration of the 75th Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) will also be held during this year’s event.

"I just love how the food festival brings

Jewish Food and Culture Fest

► April 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

► Levite Jewish Community Center

► 3960 Montclair Road, Birmingham

► 205-879-0411

► Free admission; food available for purchase

together some 2,000 or our neighbors — Jewish and non-Jewish — to savor the results of all these wonderful recipes that have been passed down for generations," said LJCC Executive Director Brooke Bowles. "This event takes so much effort, and it's one of the most satisfying things we do all year."

Admission to the festival is free, but food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information, visit bhamjcc.org/ jewish-food-fest.

LIGHTS

CONTINUED from page A1

‘A FUN, COOL EXPERIENCE’

Sara McDonald owns one of the homes where scenes were filmed. When her neighbor, Mayor Stuart Welch, asked if she would be interested in the possibility and she initially said no. But once her daughter found out that Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers on “Stranger Things,” was one of the actors, she reconsidered.

The cast and 50-person crew of “The Tutor” were at the McDonald home for three days of filming. The crew initially wanted to use her driveway (which curves and goes up a hill) for filming, but ended up shooting inside her home as well. McDonald was there during the filming, and she enjoyed watching everything and how the schedule changed minute to minute.

“They really involved our family,” she said. “It was a fun, cool experience hanging out and watching behind the scenes and seeing how much effort goes into a 15-second time slot in the movie. They gave me a headset to listen in and watch, and the producer was asking my kids what they should do.”

McDonald said her children were able to see how many jobs there are on a movie set and the experience definitely “opened their eyes.” Her 18-year-old son even has plans to shadow one of the producers.

She described the cast as “so friendly” and continues to keep up with some of them.

“A lot of the cast would end up staying [at my home] during lunch breaks,” she said. “They found spots to hang out. Everyone was loving on my dogs and at one point, they were all jumping on the trampoline. It was a really fun experience for my family.”

The Hallmark Channel also spent several days filming a movie for their network at the McDonald home, where the crew turned her living room into a studio executive’s office.

McDonald said she enjoyed getting to know people from all walks of life. As for whether she would have more films done at her home, she said it depends on what’s going on with her children and how long the shoot would be. The experience did, however, introduce her to the film industry in the Birmingham area and the opportunities and jobs it brings.

“We've got such an opportunity to put Birmingham on the map,” McDonald said. “The producers and executives who came here loved it.”

Part of “The Tutor” was also filmed at Dr. Mark Clark’s homes in Mountain Brook and on Lake Martin.

Kim Anthony, who manages rentals for Clark, was approached by Eric Napier, the location scout for the movie, about filming at Clark’s home.

“We started talking about it and decided to use the [Mountain Brook] house to film the opening scene of the movie,” Anthony said. “The crew at the lake house was there for 22 days, where they filmed murder scenes and chase scenes.”

At the lake home, which is around 16,000 square feet, Anthony said there was a crew of around 70 to 80 people, and some of the producers and directors stayed in the house while the rest of the crew went to hotels in Alexander City. A smaller crew of around

40 to 50 worked at Clark’s Mountain Brook home.

“The gardens in the back of the house were critical to the filming, and the moldings and architectural features of the house gave an upscale feel,” Anthony said.

She said one thing that keeps more movies being filmed in the area is the logistics of having equipment nearby. In Atlanta, for example, there are large warehouses of equipment that crews can pull from. She said the people from Hollywood thought the locations here were great.

Although Clark was only able to be on-set for one day of filming, he said it was pretty exciting.

FILM BIRMINGHAM

Meghann Bridgeman took over as president and CEO of Create Birmingham in 2021, which works across all creative industries, including film. Create Birmingham serves as the film office for the greater Birmingham region.

“We work closely with all the municipalities in our region to make sure that we have a film-friendly culture that also protects our municipalities, our business owners and our crew members who staff these films,” Bridgeman said. “We really want to build opportunities for everyone in the film ecosystem, to make sure that Alabamians really do benefit from filming activity in our region.”

Film Birmingham works with filmmakers coming from out of state and out of town, the Alabama film office and local filmmakers, city leaders and business leaders, Bridgeman said. They serve as a neutral body that tries to serve the region well so that everyone thrives.

What is it that attracts filmmakers to

Mountain Brook? Bridgeman said it’s the unique and beautiful houses on estate lots that make it really film-friendly, and the villages also present unique opportunities. There are a ton of assets that she said she’s always proud to show them off to incoming filmmakers.

“The state of Alabama, and our region specifically, can become a movie mecca for small to midsize films,” Bridgeman said. “We are rich in talent, locations and resources. The film industry creates local jobs and revenue that have the power to spark transformational economic growth. Alabamians across our region and state should be the beneficiaries of that growth.”

Another film, “The Shift,” which is currently in production, also had recent filming days in Mountain Brook and other surrounding cities. The aforementioned Hallmark movie filmed on location at Slim’s Pizzeria in Crestline Village.

ECONOMIC EFFECTS

According to Greg Canfield, secretary of

the state Department of Commerce, Alabama offers about $20 million in incentives annually, which makes the state an attractive destination for smaller film projects. One dollar of incentives typically returns $7 of spending within the state.

Bridgeman said that movies typically film for five weeks and hire 60% of the crews locally. She added that not only is the economic impact of the local hires very important for the region, but there is a tourism impact as well.

“They stay in hotels for five weeks, eat in our restaurants, rent trucks and equipment, so there's a big ripple effect,” she said. “When that happens more frequently, the more sustainable the impact will be. We want a healthy rhythm and reliable cadence of filmmaking in this region so that people could start counting on that bubble of opportunity.”

Welch and others are working with state legislative leaders to increase incentive packages because once the incentives run out, producers will move to another state.

Bridgeman said that Welch has been a huge advocate for film and has been “a wonderful influence and advocate in the Mountain Brook community trying to encourage filmmakers and supporting Film Birmingham and helping shape policy.”

Mountain Brook Chamber Director Emily Jensen said that the economic impact of the film industry is significant for local communities, and Mountain Brook has benefitted from the production of several films recently.

“Not only does this create opportunity for location owners and our local businesses, but it also generates jobs for our workforce,” she said.

Scenes from “The Tutor” are filmed at the home of Dr. Mark Clark. Photos courtesy of Dr. Mark Clark.

Not only does this create opportunity for location owners and our local businesses, but it also generates jobs for our workforce.

EMILY JENSEN

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IOP Services provides 9 hours per week of therapy in a group setting. It is a powerful supplement to standard treatment. Many types of emotional pain ebb and flow. The most difficult times can seem unbearable.

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DORIANS

CONTINUED from page A1

She took over the role after previous sponsor Martha Bankston passed away. Fitch described her as “the matriarch of the Dorians since their inception.” There was a time of transition, changing over sponsorship and coaching for a few years, she said.

Even with no dance background, Fitch agreed and said it has been one of the most rewarding experiences in her professional life.

Members of the first team she sponsored would now be in their 30s, and she said she has been part of a lot of full-circle moments.

“I feel I have been able to get to know these girls in a different way and be a small part of their journey,” Fitch said. “I feel like this job has taught me even more about what it means to be a leader in the world and the importance of relationships with people. It’s had its challenges over the years, but it's been amazing. It's bittersweet to let it go, but the timing of it is perfect.”

Fitch’s daughter, who is currently a freshman at the University of Georgia, was a member of the Dorians for three years and served as captain. Her son is now a senior, and she said she has enjoyed being able to see her children play and perform over the years.

“I feel like I've lived a dream getting to be there with my daughter and watch my son on Friday nights,” she said. “But you know when it's time.”

‘MORE THAN JUST A DANCE TEAM’

a dance team. It’s a group of girls that represent the school and community first by supporting athletics, she said.

one another,” she said. They support each other and it is competitive, but they love each other at the end of the day.”

in junior high. There is a seventh grade dance team, then the Spartanettes for eighth and ninth graders. Students can try out for the Dorians in the spring of their ninth grade year to become a part of the varsity team. This year’s team has

24 members, many of whom have been on the dance team since seventh grade.

Dorians member Cate Cooper and her mom, Mandi, pose with Heather Fitch after the performance at nationals. Photo courtesy of Mandi Cooper.

allowed the program to both advance and to excel on the national level,” Cooper said. “The Dorians is one of the most honored programs at Mountain Brook High School and Mrs. Fitch has been instrumental in making it what it is today. I am forever grateful for this team and what it has given me.”

Cooper’s mom, Mandi, said that Fitch has always been very focused on upholding the longstanding traditions of the Dorians.

“It is a special program to her, and her leadership exemplifies the excellence in which she expects the team to pursue,” Mandi Cooper said. “The legacy of her leadership will last for years to come.”

Kari Kampakis, another Dorians mom, said that Fitch has done a phenomenal job in creating a well-oiled machine that is a crown jewel at MBHS.

LOOKING AHEAD

Fitch said when she decided this would be her last year as sponsor, she stayed to help mentor the new sponsor, Caroline Elliott. Also a math teacher at MBHS, Elliott has been sharing the sponsorship role with Fitch this year and will take over upon her retirement.

Courtney Zajic is in her second year as a Dorians coach and Anna Schofield is in her first year coaching. Schofield has previously coached the Spartanettes at Mountain Brook Junior High and was a member of one of Fitch’s previous teams.

A reception for Fitch was held during football season, with many of her former Dorians

MBHS Principal Phillip Holley said he is grateful for Fitch’s leadership of the program over the last 20 years and is so appreciative of

Home & Garden Guide

Special Advertising Section

Creating beautiful outdoor spaces, landscapes for spring

Gardner Landscaping • 205-401-3347 • gardnerlandscapingllc.com

Spring is a wonderful time of the year when homeowners can get back outside, savor the warm weather and enjoy their yards with family and friends.

It’s also a good time for homeowners to dramatically improve their landscaping or create exciting new outdoor spaces.

They can turn to the experts at Gardner Landscaping in Hoover, who’ve provided timely, top-quality service to residential and commercial customers since 2006.

“Our specialty is making a beautiful landscape with trees, shrubs and flowers,” owner Grant Gardner said. “However, we’re also very good at developing outdoor play and entertainment areas.”

Gardner and his team stay abreast of the latest outdoor design trends, and combine cultivated greenery and pops of vivid color to create the perfect outdoor environments.

They can also satisfy any client’s taste with either traditional or unusual plant materials.

Gardner Landscaping boasts a full staff of licensed, insured and talented

personnel, unlike some landscape businesses.

“We have the personnel and resources to get to your project in a timely manner,” Gardner said, adding that they strive to provide clients with a quote on their projects within 24 hours.

Gardner Landscaping employees are also highly motivated to satisfy their customers.

“We strive to satisfy individual preferences, while advising our customers based upon several factors, such as the intended purpose of the space,” Gardner said.

Gardner Landscaping works with all types and sizes of budgets and landscapes in Birmingham, Auburn, Dadeville, Alexander City or Lake Martin.

For details, call 205-401-3347 or go to gardnerlandscapingllc.com.

Best

Find your new spring window coverings

Need some new window coverings this spring? Steve

Thackerson is ready to help you have beautiful window blinds, shutters, solar shades and draperies that you can control from anywhere. They’re easy to use and easy to afford, he said.

“Motorization is a big thing now. There are ways you can tie motorized window coverings into your home’s automation system,” said Thackerson, owner of Budget Blinds of Birmingham.

With a touch of your phone — even when you’re not home — you can raise or lower your window coverings, or you can tell Alexa to do it for you. Your Budget Blinds can also open or close at a preselected time of day or night.

“We can usually tie our product into any system you might have,” Thackerson said. “We take pride in providing style and service for every budget.”

At Budget Blinds — your local window covering expert — they take the time to understand you and your unique needs to deliver the best custom window covering solution designed for the way you live.

They do any kind of custom window covering. As far as blinds go, they offer wood and faux wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite and vertical blinds or vertical blind alternatives. They also offer shades of all kinds: roller, Roman, cellular, bamboo, woven wood, pleated, sheer, graphic and solar.

And they can get your interior plantation shutter needs taken care of with wood or composite.

“Shutters and woven wood shades are our top two sellers,”

Thackerson said.

You can see a gallery of recent projects on their website to get a feel for what they can do for your home or office, or visit their

showroom in Vestavia at 2130 Columbiana Road.

“We install them, so anything that’s purchased from us, we’ll custom measure your windows

and professionally install them,” Thackerson said. “We don’t subcontract that out. We control everything from setting up the appointment to the final installation.”

They also have better warranties than their competitors, he said. “Our manufacturers may also sell to our competitors, but they don’t give them the same warranties they give us. That sets us apart. We get the same products but better pricing and better warranties because we are the largest retailer of custom window coverings in the world.”

That comes with their national presence and the long relationships he and his wife have built in their more than 30 years in the business. He also has two salesmen with decades of experience.

“They are veteran employees who have been with me a long time,” Thackerson said.

The highly trained design consultants at Budget Blinds put their heart and soul into creating the perfect answer to your window fashion needs. They even bring their entire showroom to you with their free in-home design consultation.

They also really enjoy serving their many wonderful customers in all of Birmingham and surrounding areas.

To learn more, call them or go to their website today.

How long will $1 million last?

• 205-868-3331 • linscomb-williams.com

Is $1 million enough to live on?

For that matter, how can one know that any amount is “enough?” The answer may surprise you.

There are several factors that can determine how long — or how short — $1 million (or any amount for that matter) will actually last. Some studies conclude it’s around 20 years, on average. The real answer? It depends. If not managed properly, a golden nest egg can become a short-lived payday. Despite how long it took you to amass this much, $1 million can disappear very quickly. When determining how much a client needs to retire, our team at Linscomb & Williams looks at several factors.

1. Spending habits

As you probably guessed, your spending habits are one of the most important inputs to estimating your probability of financial success. If you can keep your spending under control, your nest egg will potentially last longer. Obviously, the more you spend, the more you’ll need. Further, when you take this money from your retirement plan, the more it costs. When you withdraw from your retirement accounts, not only are you depleting your reserves from the direct withdrawals themselves, but you are also diminishing the ability to accumulate more investment earnings by selling off

some of your capital. Certain spending is necessary. The biggest expenses for retirees are housing, transportation, and healthcare. For most families, it is not the necessities of spending that create a problem; more often, it is the discretionary decisions about spending.

2. Location

Location, location, location.

Like real estate, the value of your $1 million can be greatly affected by where you live. The cost of living you experience in the area where you live and ultimately retire influences your spending, tax picture and your overall savings. A high-cost address can take a serious bite out of your financial longevity.

Cost of living considerations are more important now that employers are increasingly more open to remote work arrangements. Think wisely about the long-term financial ramifications of where you choose to live, especially during retirement.

3. Length of retirement

The general consensus is that the sooner you can retire, the better. That may be true, but this is not necessarily the case for your finances. A longer retirement requires careful financial management, and potentially, a larger nest egg.

So, while your spending in retirement is very important, the actual length of your retirement is the other side of your spending coin. There are financial planning strategies that aim to stretch your money, such as waiting to receive Social Security benefits until later, if you can, or even working a part-time job you enjoy during retirement to give yourself an additional financial cushion.

4. Plans for Golden Years

Likely, the most enjoyable part of planning your retirement is deciding how you will spend it. Will you spend quality time with family and friends, simply enjoying the opportunity to live life without work? Or will you travel the world, checking off destinations as you circle the globe? Although your Golden Years are meant to be enjoyed, this time period can burn through your savings if you’re not careful. Discuss your plans with a financial advisor so your savings adequately reflects the spending associated with your lifestyle goals.

5. Financial goals

No matter what financial trends are occurring or what demographic statistics say, remember that your personal financial situation is unique and specific. A million dollars can seem like a lot or a little,

Sheri Robinson SENIOR WEALTH ADVISOR

depending on your financial goals. One thing we’ve learned in working with families over 50 years is that this planning is not a “one size fits all!”

Are you looking to donate to charity? Pay for your grandchildren’s higher education?

Is your goal to leave a sizable legacy to your family? Each of your goals has important implications for how your funds should be saved and invested, as well as their tax consequences.

6. Financial advisor

As you can see, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind when considering your

Let

financial longevity. The more money you have, the more you can lose. This can make working with a financial advisor even more important for your financial goals. A financial advisor can take an in-depth look at your goals, needs, financial habits and more to create a plan that maximizes your financial health and ultimately prolongs your asset base. Your spending, investment choices, and retirement and tax planning can impact your nest egg. Working with a financial advisor can potentially help that $1 million of yours, or whatever your individual number happens to be, last as long as possible.

finances and mitigate risks.

PEACE OF MIND. Continual guidance considering your entire

The top destination for quality hardware, great service and family tradition

Brandino Brass in Homewood is known throughout the Southeast as a top destination for homeowners, designers, contractors and architects in search of a huge selection of highquality decorative and architectural hardware. This includes everything from cabinet hardware and elegant door knobs to fireballs and bathroom accessories as well interior and exterior lighting.

The company is a dealer for unique, highend hardware vendors, with many products available only at Brandino Brass.

In addition, it displays a growing array of interior and exterior lighting including lamps, sconces, pendants and chandeliers. There’s also a long, proud tradition of family ownership at Brandino Brass, founded in 1948 by the late Tony Brandino.

His son, Buster Brandino, along with Buster's son, Eric, reestablished the business in Homewood in 2009.

Buster retired at the end of 2022, but the family tradition continues. Eric Brandino remains as a co-owner along with two new co-owners with long ties to the operation — Renee Genereux, who has worked at Brandino Brass since 2010, and Jessie Isom, who has worked there since 2012.

“I’m really excited to open the next chapter,” Eric Brandino said.

The new owners have a great working relationship.

“We work well as a team,” Isom said. “On almost every subject we each bring a different, unique perspective, and we work together to make the best decisions for the company.”

“We work together to problem solve, grow our brand and continue as a successful

business,” Genereux said.

Eric Brandino expresses great faith in his new co-owners.

“Renee and Jessie are true examples of hard work, loyalty and trust,” he said.

Genereux said she is “very honored” that Eric Brandino offered her a role in ownership.

“It feels good to be acknowledged for my hard work and dedication over the past 13 years with the company,” she said.

Isom said he’s “very excited” to become a co-owner. “It feels like all my hard work and commitment has paid off.”

The friendly, knowledgeable Brandino sales team helps customers find just the right look, and customers can view the store’s beautiful showroom in person or through a virtual walk-through on the company’s website brandinobrass.com.

Unlike the big-box hardware stores, Brandino Brass offers deep product knowledge and a personal touch. Brandino Brass also offers a range of prices and quality that is unmatched by the chain stores.

The company has built its “reputation and success” on customer service, Isom said.

“We have over 50 years’ experience in the hardware industry, and that gives us a unique advantage over much of our competition when it comes to very custom detailed projects. The owners and staff have had long relationships with architects, designers, contractors and homeowners that come back to us on all of their projects. We always do our best to make sure the customer has a good experience and is completely satisfied with the end result. We go above and beyond.”

Using skill, personal touch to create beautiful lawns

Advanced Turf Care • 205-305-7949 • advancedturfcarellc.com

The typical homeowner spends lots of time and money to create a luscious green lawn that will increase their home’s value and curb appeal.

Advanced Turf Care, a full-service lawn care company in Birmingham, makes sure that homeowners maximize their investment and get the beautiful yards they deserve.

The skilled professionals at Advanced Turf Care also offer homeowners a friendly, personal touch.

“We want to give individualized attention to our customers that the big companies cannot,” owner Grant Gardner said.

The employees at Advanced Turf Care are “some of the best in the business,” he said.

They have lots of knowledge and experience, as well as attention to detail and a passion for customer service.

“We want the customer to have an enjoyable experience when dealing with us,” Gardner said.

Homeowners don’t have to settle for second best in their lawn care.

“Don’t keep using a lawn service that provides you a cheap price and a lawn

One Man & A Toolbox celebrates 25 years of great service to homeowners

If your home needs routine maintenance or minor repairs, you may think you can do it yourself and save money.

you’re not proud of,” Gardner said.

For example, Advanced Turf Care uses high-quality, slow-release fertilizer that feeds your lawn and keeps it healthy all season.

Other providers “use cheap fertilizer that will give your lawn an initial green, but not provide the nourishment your lawn needs,” Gardner said.

In addition, Advanced Turf Care is there for you over the long haul and really understand weed control.

“Give us time to make your lawn truly healthy,” Gardner said. “The best control of weeds is achieved months before they appear.”

Advanced Turf Care also takes care of your shrubs and trees, which need fertilization and pest protection just like your lawn.

For details, call 205-305-7949 or go to advancedturfcarellc.com.

However, even if you believe you have the right skills and tools to do a job, it will likely take you a lot longer than it should, because you don’t do home repairs every day.

Most home projects, even small handyman jobs, are better left to the experienced professionals at One Man & A Toolbox, now celebrating its 25th anniversary.

One Man & A Toolbox can handle any small project, including minor carpentry, plumbing and electrical fixes. They can also do painting, caulking, shelving and more.

“Any odd jobs around your home, we’ll get them done right the first time,” said owner Jay Moss.

Moss and company can also do many other special tasks, like putting up decorations or assembling a swing set.

“No matter how crazy you think the task is, call us and we’ll try to figure it out,” Moss said.

One Man & A Toolbox can also tackle larger home improvement projects.

Moss warns homeowners against calling unlicensed, uninsured repairmen from Angi or Craigslist. Many will ask for money to buy materials before starting and won’t return or won’t be available for warranty issues that arise after the job.

One Man & A Toolbox has skilled, reliable employees who are licensed, insured and bonded.

And the company is here to stay. The 25th anniversary “shows the good reputation we have to be able to stay in business,” Moss said. Call 205-823-2111 or go to oneman-toolbox.com.

Capstone Village: Active living with a campus connection

Capstone Village • 800-799-5099 • capstonevillage.ua.edu

Tuscaloosa’s Capstone Village is a luxury retirement community for active retirees.

Capstone Village offers worry-free living while encouraging lifelong learning and healthy activities.

Located on the historic campus of The University of Alabama — the vitality of collegiate life is brought right to your doorstep.

“We take full advantage of our location at UA. Residents are provided with many opportunities to pursue fun, vibrant, active lifestyles.” said Jana Smith, Director of Sales and Marketing for Capstone Village.

The residents at Capstone Village enjoy university amenities — athletic and cultural events, access to campus libraries, auditing of classes and access to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Many Capstone Village residents are volunteer instructors and OLLI members.

Capstone Village emphasizes health and wellness for residents by offering onsite fitness classes, including yoga, dance and strength training. Residents also receive memberships to the well-equipped student recreation center located directly across the street. “The special relationship between the University and Capstone Village is something our residents cherish. Most of them worked on campus, attended school here or are huge Alabama fans,” Smith said.

Residents enjoy having UA students from various departments and sports teams volunteer at Capstone Village. Students present musical concerts, host health clinics, facilitate special events, socialize with the residents and even work on research projects.

For more information or to request a tour, call 855-406-8242 or go to capstonevillage.ua.edu.

Homewood Carpet & Flooring offers the best selection in Birmingham

Homewood Carpet & Flooring • 205-518-6423 • homewoodcarpet.com

To find the best selection of flooring in the Birmingham area, go to Homewood Carpet & Flooring.

Owner Foo Shunnarah has offered great service for 16 years and helps customers pick the perfect flooring for their lifestyle and budget.

Shunnarah’s motto is “Foo And You: We Are One!”

“When I say ‘Foo and You,’ it’s really like 90% of the time you’ll see me if I’m there, and if you have any issues, you’ll talk directly to me,” he said.

Luxury vinyl — durable and scratchresistant — is perhaps the most popular type of flooring right now, Shunnarah said.

Luxury vinyl tile and planks look almost exactly like tile or hardwood but are much cheaper.

“The price is half, or less than half, when compared to actual tile or hardwood,” Shunnarah said.

In August, Homewood Carpet & Flooring began carrying COREtec, the original luxury vinyl flooring.

COREtec is waterproof, kid-proof and pet-proof; easy to install and maintain; and comes in many attractive styles.

Shunnarah also offers long-lasting porcelain ceramic tiles; beautiful, timeless hardwoods; carpet, a very affordable option; and other specialty products.

These products are available in many colors, styles and looks.

Homewood Carpet & Flooring offers free measurements, and you can look at products in the showroom or have them brought to your home. The store also offers installation.

Financing is available at Homewood Carpet & Flooring, as well. To fill out an application, go to the store’s website and click on the Wells Fargo link. For details, go to homewoodcarpet.com.

Foo Shunnarah

Spartans finish season as state runners-up

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Mountain Brook High School boys basketball team is no stranger to being on the biggest stage, playing in the Class 6A state championship.

The Spartans found themselves there again March 4, playing in the state final for the sixth time in the last seven years. On this day, though, Buckhorn’s Caleb Holt stole the show at Legacy Arena.

Holt’s 32 points carried Buckhorn to a 65-56 win over Mountain Brook in the 6A final, lifting the Bucks to the program’s first state title since 1995.

“They’re a really good team,” Mountain Brook head coach Tyler Davis said. “He’s an unbelievable talent. The players around him put a strain on your team. We tried to take him away and he had 32 [points] and 18 [rebounds]. That’s generational talent.”

After falling to eventual state champion Huffman in the regional final a season ago, the Spartans returned to the state final for the first time since winning it all in 2021. On the way there, they knocked off that Huffman program in the regional final.

“The journey was crazy,” senior Julius Clark said. “We had many ups and downs throughout the year, and this team fought through a lot of adversity and to be in this game is a blessing.”

Tyler Davis said many wrote the Spartans off before the season began, after leading scorer Kyle Layton suffered a preseason knee injury. But Layton worked his way back and contributed to the team over the season’s final few weeks. Davis also commended point guard Ty Davis for stepping up this season as a team leader, as well as Clark for willingly making a position change eight games into the season.

He also mentioned the football players — among them John Colvin, Jackson Beatty and Clark Sanderson — for blending into the system after coming off a state runner-up run of their own.

“It’s a testament of Mountain Brook basketball that 1 through 15 was fearless and determined to do whatever they had to do to win,” Tyler Davis said.

After a slow start in the final game’s first

few minutes, Mountain Brook and Buckhorn got in a groove. The two teams exchanged baskets for the last few minutes of the opening quarter, as the Spartans grabbed a slim 14-13 lead.

Buckhorn opened up a lead in the second quarter by going on a 7-0 run, but Ty Davis knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the score at 22-22 halfway through the frame. Buckhorn took hold of a 29-27 lead at the half, as Davis scored 12 and Holt scored 11 in an entertaining opening 16 minutes.

Davis and Holt went back and forth for the first half, but Holt took over in the second half. Davis led the Spartans with 18 points in the contest, fouling out in the fourth quarter.

Holt’s 3-pointer gave Buckhorn a 49-40 lead and plenty of momentum in the early minutes of the final quarter. He had a monster performance, going for 32 points, 18 rebounds and a team-high 4 assists.

Layton capped off his career by scoring 15 points for the Spartans on the day. Clark contributed a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Mountain Brook and Buckhorn met during the regular season, with Buckhorn claiming a 60-52 overtime win in the Huntsville City Classic.

At the final, rebounding was a major key. Buckhorn outrebounded the Spartans 36-21 and grabbed 13 offensive boards, leading to 12 second-chance points.

The Spartans finished the season with a 26-8 record. They won the Spartan Turkey Jam tournament over Thanksgiving, won 15 of their last 17 and claimed the Area 10 and Northeast Regional titles.

Layton, Andrew Kohler, Colvin, Beatty and Clark were the team's seniors.

Mountain Brook’s Ty Davis (3) drives the ball past Buckhorn’s Kyler Douglass (13) during the Class 6A state championship game between the Bucks and Spartans at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena on Saturday, March 4. Photo by Erin Nelson.

All-South Metro Basketball

By KYLE PARMLEY

The 2022-23 high school basketball season was one that will not soon be forgotten, with the Hoover High School boys and girls basketball teams sweeping the Class 7A state championships on the same day in early March. Several other teams from the Starnes Media coverage area advanced to the state and regional tournaments in highly successful campaigns.

Because of Hoover’s dominance, it is difficult to name anyone but Scott Ware and Krystle Johnson as the boys and girls Coaches of the Year. After sharing the honor with teammate Aniya Hubbard last season, Hoover’s Reniya Kelly claims the Player of the Year title to herself this time around. Vestavia Hills’ Win Miller is the boys Player of the Year after capping off a record-setting career with the Rebels.

Here is this year’s All-South Metro Team.

BOYS AWARDS

► Player of the Year: Win Miller, Vestavia Hills

► Coach of the Year: Scott Ware, Hoover

► Girls awards

► Player of the Year: Reniya Kelly, Hoover

► Coach of the Year: Krystle Johnson, Hoover

BOYS 1ST TEAM

► Win Miller, Vestavia Hills: Averaged 22 points per game and led the Rebels to a 26-5 record. He finished his career with 2,011 career points and is the program’s all-time leading scorer.

► Caleb White, Pinson Valley: Led the Indians with 21 points per game, shooting 40% from 3-point range. The Indians’ only loss of the season came in the regional final, as they finished 29-1 on the year.

► Paul Lanzi, Chelsea: Capped off an outstanding career by averaging 18.8 points per game for the Hornets. He finished his career with 1,370 points and 185 made 3-pointers.

► Ty Davis, Mountain Brook: Led the Spartans as a do-it-all point guard, averaging 18.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6 assists per game, as his team advanced to the Class 6A state final.

► Matt Heiberger, Oak Mountain: Willed the Eagles to victory many times, including going over 30 points several times down the stretch. The Alabama baseball signee averaged 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

BOYS 2ND TEAM

► Terry Coner Jr., Pinson Valley: The senior guard went for 17 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Indians.

► Kalib Thomas, John Carroll: Led the Cavs to a No. 2 ranking in Class 5A, averaging 16.9 points per game.

► Zach Gray, Spain Park: One of the most consistent players in the area, going for 16 points a game for a Jags team that reached the final four.

► DeWayne Brown, Hoover: A force in the

Davis named to 1st team

paint, despite being a sophomore. He averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds per contest.

► Sam Wright, Spain Park: The leading scorer and rebounder for the Jags, averaging 16.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

BOYS 3RD TEAM

► Jackson Weaver, Vestavia Hills: Stepped up as a primary option for the Rebels this season, going for 15 points a night in his junior season.

► Salim London, Hoover: The sophomore went for 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game for the state champs.

► Avery Futch, Chelsea: The junior forward went for 12.7 points and 6.8 rebounds, while also shooting 35% from 3-point range for the Hornets.

► Julius Clark, Mountain Brook: A consistent player for several years, compiling 12.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in his senior season.

► Tre Thomas, Oak Mountain: The senior averaged 10.1 and 6.2 rebounds, but piled up an impressive 130 blocks on the year as well.

BOYS HONORABLE MENTION

► Ray Rolley, Hewitt-Trussville; Devon McKinnon, Clay-Chalkville; Canon Armstead, Homewood; KJ Beck, John Carroll; Braylon Bernard, John Carroll; Aden Malpass, John Carroll; Jarett Fairley, Hoover; KJ

Kirk, Clay-Chalkville; John Colvin, Mountain Brook; Chase James, Spain Park; Drew Mears, Briarwood; William Lloyd, Briarwood; Elijah Herron, Hoover

GIRLS 1ST TEAM

► Reniya Kelly, Hoover: The Player of the Year averaged 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5 assists per game for the state champs.

► Sarah Gordon, Vestavia Hills: The sophomore has established herself as one of the state’s top players, going for 17 points per game for the 28-5 Lady Rebels.

► Jordan Hunter, Hewitt-Trussville: Eclipsed 15 points and 4 assists per game for the Lady Huskies as a junior.

► Raegan Whitaker, Oak Mountain: Led the area in scoring with 18 points per game, while pulling down nearly 10 rebounds a night as well.

► Layla Etchison, Hoover: Stepped up in her senior season to provide 12.1 points per game.

GIRLS 2ND TEAM

► Anna Towry, Vestavia Hills: Joined the 1,000-point club during her senior season after averaging 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds.

► Kamoriah Gaines, Clay-Chalkville: Helped lead the Lady Cougars to the regional final, going for 13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per contest.

► Haley Trotter, Chelsea: Nearly averaged

a double-double, going for 12.4 points and 9.1 rebounds a game for the Lady Hornets.

► Audre Benson, Hewitt-Trussville: Averaged 12.1 points per game and produced a program-record 98 steals.

► Taylor Smith, Briarwood: Went for 10.8 points and school record 64 blocks.

GIRLS 3RD TEAM

► Sophia Brown, Chelsea: Capped off her career by playing in the regional tournament for a fifth time in her career, averaging 11.7 points for the season.

► Emma Stearns, Mountain Brook: Averaged 10.7 points for the Lady Spartans.

► Kayla Warren, Homewood: Led a balanced Lady Patriots team with nearly 10 points per game.

► Alanah Pooler, Hoover: Stabilized the Lady Bucs on both ends of the floor, averaging 7.7 points for the season.

► Mira McCool, Homewood: Piled up 39 blocks for the Lady Patriots.

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTION

► Sarah Passink, Mountain Brook; Emma Kerley, Briarwood; Mary Beth Dicen, Briarwood; Jill Gaylard, Vestavia Hills; Annie McBride, Homewood; Sadie Schwallie, Chelsea; Olivia Pryor, Chelsea; Kameron Sanders, ClayChalkville;

Kristen McMillan, Hoover; Madison Moore, Chelsea; April Hooks, Hewitt-Trussville

Mountain Brook’s Ty Davis (3) shoots the ball guarded by Paul Bryant’s Marquis Nash (5) during an AHSAA Class 6A state semifinal game at Legacy Arena at the BJCC on March 1.

Left: Mountain Brook’s Julius Clark (23) shoots a layup guarded by Huffman’s Christian Trannon (40) during the boys Class 6A Northeast Regional final at Pete Mathews Coliseum at Jacksonville State University on Feb. 21.

Right: Mountain Brook’s Emma Stearns (23) shoots a 3-pointer in a game against Pell City at Spartan Arena on Jan. 17 Photos by Erin Nelson.

Do you have ongoing pain that gets in the way of your favorite activities? Come see us! You do not need a referral to make an appointment with a physical therapist. Our team will perform an initial assessment and communicate with your healthcare team to get a referral if further medical treatment is needed. Additionally, our clinics offer a variety of wellness services that can reduce pain and improve mobility.

For the past three years, Reagan has been coming to TherapySouth for wellness sessions designed to prevent injury, improve performance, and help her gain expertise in competing at cross country and track.

Because of her commitment and our sport-specific training, she has been able to compete at a high level without loss of training from significant injury. Each session is designed around the athlete’s needs, the season they currently are in, and their personal goals. We love partnering with athletes of all ages to push them to reach higher, faster, and stronger.

www.therapysouth.com

If you’re ready to take the next step in your wellness journey, scan the QR code to schedule an appointment at a TherapySouth clinic near you.

Reagan Riley, Mountain Brook Athlete

Sargent invited to play in The Masters

By KYLE PARMLEY

Gordon Sargent must have caught the right person’s attention last spring.

Sargent, a Mountain Brook native, won the individual national championship as a freshman at Vanderbilt University in 2022. He won a four-way playoff in May to seal the deal, making birdie on the first playoff hole to take the trophy.

Fast forward to New Year’s Day, when he received a phone call from an unknown number. The caller ID read “Augusta National Golf Club” and the man on the other line identified himself as Masters Tournament Director Brett Sterba.

Sterba extended a special invitation to this year’s playing of The Masters, set for April 6-9. Sargent was convinced one of his buddies was playing a prank, but there was no denying the validity of the invitation when a press release was issued a few days later.

“I didn’t know how to tell people, because you can’t casually tell them you’re playing in The Masters,” Sargent said.

The 19-year-old Sargent is the first amateur to receive a special exemption into the tournament since Aaron Baddeley in 2000.

Sargent said he played Augusta for the first time about four years ago and returned in midMarch to get a feel for the course again.

“It was good to get some good tournament prep,” he said. “It takes some stress off, because I know what my target lines are and it’s about checking those boxes learning where is a good spot to miss.”

As best he could, Sargent tried to put The Masters in the back of his mind in order to focus on the beginning of the 2023 spring season at Vanderbilt. But now, it’s time to turn his focus toward the biggest tournament in his life to this point.

Sargent admits there will be nerves, but he plans on playing practice rounds with a few of the game’s biggest stars in the days leading

up to the tournament. He hopes that will allay some of the anxiety. Sargent also wants to see where his game lines up, as he eyes a professional career after college.

“Playing in The Masters at 19, there’s no better chance to see where your game lines up, and to see where you need to get better,” he said. “It’ll change throughout the week, but my main goal that I’d like to take away is to see where I’m able to compete with those guys week to week.”

Sargent credited much of his early success at Vanderbilt to his high school and junior golf slate. At Mountain Brook High School, Sargent led Mountain Brook to three state championships, winning the individual title twice. His team almost assuredly would have won in 2020 as well.

“I attribute a lot of where I am today to that, holding high standards,” Sargent said. “That’s something we value at Vanderbilt, too, but I learned the basics of that at Mountain Brook.

Being able to represent the community I grew up in has been really cool. It’s special to know people have been following.”

Plenty of friends and family plan to be in Augusta to support Sargent the first weekend of April.

“That first tee on Thursday will definitely be a little nerve-wracking, but it’ll be cool to be playing in a golf tournament that you’re invited to. I’m excited to see where my game lines up with the best in the world.”

Gordon Sargent, a Mountain Brook High School graduate, competes in the East Lake Cup in Atlanta in October 2022. Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics.

TASTE. SIP. REPEAt. 26th YEAR

April 29 & 30, 2023

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark One tasting session each day / 12-3pm

Restaurants & Chefs

Wine, Craft Beer, Spirits & Cocktails Seated Tasting Seminars

@ the 40th Magic City Art Connection

TICKETS ON SALE IN APRIL.

www.corksandchefs.com

Varsity Sports Calendar

BASEBALL

April 1: IMG National Classic. Bradenton, Florida.

April 4: vs. Shades Valley. 6:30 p.m.

April 6: Doubleheader @ Shades Valley. 4:30 p.m.

April 7: vs. Spring Garden. 6:30 p.m.

April 11: @ Homewood. 5 p.m.

April 13: Doubleheader vs. Homewood. 4:30 p.m.

April 21-22: State playoffs. TBD.

April 28-29: State playoffs. TBD.

GOLF

April 3: Boys at Azalea City

Invitational. Mobile.

April 10: Boys at Tom Bell Memorial. Oneonta.

SOCCER

April 4: @ Shades Valley. Girls at 5 p.m., boys at 7 p.m.

April 6: Girls vs. Gadsden City. 5:30 p.m.

April 10: Girls @ Vestavia Hills. 5 p.m.

April 11: Girls vs. Chelsea. 6 p.m.

April 11: Boys @ Vestavia Hills. 7 p.m.

April 13: Boys vs. Indian Springs. 7 p.m.

April 21: Girls vs. Huntsville. 5:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL

April 3: vs. Pelham. 5 p.m.

April 4: @ Homewood. 5 p.m.

April 6: @ Pleasant Grove. 5:30 p.m.

April 11: vs. Clay-Chalkville. 5 p.m.

April 13: @ Hueytown. 5 p.m.

April 20: vs. Homewood. 5 p.m.

April 21-22: Pleasure Island Tournament. Gulf Shores.

April 25: vs. Pleasant Grove. 5 p.m.

April 29: Area tournament. TBD.

TENNIS

April 6: vs. Auburn. 3 p.m.

April 10: vs. Pell City. 3 p.m.

April 17-18: Section meet. Pelham Tennis Center.

April 24-25: State tournament. Mobile Tennis Center.

TRACK AND FIELD

April 7: Farragut Invitational. Knoxville, Tennessee.

April 14: Mountain Brook Invitational. Mountain Brook High School.

April 21: Hewitt-Trussville Invitational. Hewitt-Trussville High School.

April 28: Section meet. Hewitt-Trussville High School.

Virtual Care Agent

Spartans claim 3rd at state wrestling

By KYLE PARMLEY

The Mountain Brook High School wrestling team finished in a tie for third in the Class 6A state wrestling tournament, held Feb. 16-18 in Huntsville.

The Spartans scored 134 points to finish in a deadlock with Mortimer Jordan. McAdory won 6A by scoring 160.5 points, while Gardendale tallied 138.5 to finish second.

Stephen Springfield and Allen Baker finished second in their respective weight classes overall, with Springfield wrestling in the 113-pound division and Baker wrestling at 195 pounds. Springfield was able to beat Hartselle’s Jackson Schutt by major decision in the quarterfinals. He knocked off Mortimer Jordan’s Caleb

Bowie by fall to advance to the final.

William Courtenay picked up a third-place finish at 220 pounds. After falling to Oxford’s Xavier Deramus in the opening round, he defeated Center Point’s Malik Brown, Pell City’s Malik Watts, McAdory’s Jaxon Hudgins and Hazel Green’s Matthew Rundle to take third place.

Coleman Bates (152) and Jack Windle (182) each finished fourth. Bates fell to Oxford’s Garrett Howell in the quarterfinals and again in the third-place match. Windle won two matches to reach the semifinals, where he fell to McAdory’s Savian Graham. Windle then defeated Mortimer Jordan’s Weston Tossie to get to the third-place match, where he fell to Hartselle’s Jameson Falciani.

Mountain Brook’s Coleman Bates competes in the Class 6A state wrestling tournament in Huntsville. Photo courtesy of Dawn Harrison.

Some of our dedicated team members that assist with your insurance program.

Left to Right: Lawrence Whatley, Gracie Barksdale, David Bates, Ben Jackson, Lee Headrick, Stratton Fowlkes, Nicole Brasher, Bubba Bates, Melissa Doyle, & Tammy Roberts (not pictured)

Area Events

April 1: Easter Egg-Sperience. Birmingham Zoo. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free for zoo members and included in admission for non-members. Ages 0-4 at 10 a.m.; ages 5-9 at 11 a.m.; ages 10 and up at noon. There will also be an adult hunt at 11:15 a.m. Cost is $25 per person. Birminghamzoo.com

April 1: Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Family friendly event with exhibits and activities for all ages. Free.

April 5: Mountain Brook Chamber Quarterly Luncheon. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Film Economy in Birmingham featuring Meghann Brigeman, President and CEO of Create Birmingham. Mtnbrookchamber.org

April 14-15: Spring Plant Sale. 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Hundreds of plants will be available for purchase. Free.

April 22: Earth Day at the Gardens. 9 a.m. to noon. This family-friendly event will promote healthy communities, sustainable living, and human wellness through educational dialogue, informational displays, and outdoor activities.

O’Neal Library

Registration required for most events at oneallibrary.org.

EARLY LEARNERS

Tuesdays: Patty Cake. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Storytelling Room. Lap sit storytime for infants to 18 months.

Wednesdays: Toddler Tales Storytime. 9:30 a.m. Storytelling Room. For toddlers to age 3.

Thursdays: All Together Storytime. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Community Meeting Room. For ages birth to 4K.

April 5, 19 and 26: Movers and Makers. 1:30 p.m. Kindergarten prep storytime.

April 14: Sensory Play, Explore & More. 9:30 a.m. and

10:30 a.m. Register for small group play beginning at 11:15 a.m.

CHILDREN

Tuesdays: LOL Story Adventure. 3:30 p.m. Storytelling Room. Laugh out loud storytime for Kindergarten through second grade.

Thursdays : SNaP. 3:30 p.m. Community Meeting Room. Drop off program with tabletop games and video games.

April 3: Breakout Book Club. 5 p.m. Storytelling Room. April & Mae & the Book Club Cake.

April 6: The Secret Ingredient. 5 p.m. Zoom meeting. Register as a family to pick up secret ingredients and learn how to transform a cake into a butterfly.

April 10: STEAM Powered. 4 p.m. Storytelling room.

April 11: Family Night. 5:30 p.m. Drum circle with Beatin’ Path Rhythm. Light dinner for attendees to follow.

April 12: Pixel Crafts. 4 p.m. Community Room.

April 13: Hot off the Press Book Group. 6 p.m. For grades 4-6.

April 17: Illustrator Art Club. 4:30 a.m. For children 6 and up with a grown up.

TEENS

April 4: TAB Meeting. 5 p.m. Community Meeting Room. Earn volunteer hours and improve the library’s young adult department.

April 5: Game On. 3 p.m. Community Meeting Room. Video games, board games and card games.

April 10, 17 and 24: Dungeons and Dragons. 4:30 p.m. Makerspace

ADULT

April 1: Magic City Poetry Festival Reading. 6 p.m. Community Meeting Room. An evening with Jacqueline Allen Trimble.

April 2: Sunday Short Story Matinee. 3 p.m. Storytelling Room. Field of Dreams. A 1989 adaptation of a W.P. Kinsella story.

April 4, 11, 18 and 25: Gentle Yoga with Marie Blair. 10 a.m. Community Meeting Room. Bring a yoga mat and water. Registration required.

April 4: Sounds Cafe Presents: Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer. 1:30 p.m. Community Meeting Room.

April 4, 13: Writing workshop with Miriam Calleja. 5:30 p.m. Conference Room.

April 6: Yoga for Beginners. 12:30 p.m. Community Meeting Room. Introduction to yoga techniques, breathing, positions, and more.

April 8: An Afternoon with the Author. 2 p.m. Local author Micah House discusses his newest book The Blanchard Witch Series.

April 10: Great Short Stories. 6:30 p.m. A reading and discussion group with conversation about short fiction.

April 11, 18 and 25: Beginner American Sign Language Classes. 5:30 p.m. Zoom. For teens and adults. A free eight-week course.

April 11: The Bookies: An O’Neal Library Book Group. 10 a.m. Conference Room.

April 14: Samford String Quartet Spring Concert. 11 a.m. Community Meeting Room. Performing a live classical concert.

April 19: Medicare Made Clear. 10 a.m. Community Meeting Room. A presentation to answer questions about M Medicare.

April 20: Intro to Feng Shui with Katie Rogers. 6:30 p.m. Community Meeting Room. A practical introduction to Feng Shui.

April 22: An Evening with the Poet: Matt Layne. 5 p.m. Community Meeting Room. Poet and librarian Matt Layne wil read from and sign his new poetry collection, Miracle Strip.

April 23: Ghost Food performs Spearfinger. 7 p.m. An Under the Mountain event.

April 25: Books and Beyond. 6:30 p.m. Conference Room. Book club outside the box.

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*Offers cannot be combined, some promotions may be limited to select sets. Not responsible for errors in ad copy. Quantities and selections may vary by location. Mattress images are for illustration purposes only Gifts with purchase (including gift cards and rebates) are not valid with any other promotions except special financing for 6 or 12 months.** Monthly payment is based on purchase price alone excluding tax and delivery charges. Credit purchases subject to credit approval. Other transactions may affect the monthly payment. *** 0% APR for 60 months financing available with purchases of $1999 or over and does not include sales tax. ** The special terms APR of 8.99% will apply to the qualifying purchase, and 48 monthly payments equal to 2.5090% of the original special terms balance are required. *** The Nationwide Marketing Group credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. The APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount t will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 3/1/2023 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 4/4/2023. **** Free base offer applies to Queen set purchase of $799 and above or King set purchase $999 and above. King base applies to either one horizontal King Base or one of two TXL bases.***** Free Delivery on mattress sets $699 and up, Local area.